Automation Redesign with Release 3.4

Notice: This information is only of interest to customers considering upgrading from Release 3.3 or earlier to the latest release.

Overview

Sound Mill X3 automation was redesigned for Release 3.4 . Existing automation in Sound Lists will operate as before, however, some migration changes will be made automatically to Sound Lists. There are subtle changes to some editing dialogs. This redesign will make automation more flexible for future expansion of automation function. It also simplifies editing and makes automation logic easier to understand.

If you run Sound Mill X3 Ultimate edition and use the Automator , Run-Script Sound Items , or Start External Program Sound Items , you should read and understand the changes.

Basic edition users will see NO change and can ignore this document.

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Eliminated Controls

Run-Script Sound Items and Start-External-Program Sound Items are eliminated. You can no longer add these to the Sound List.
The functional replacement methods are described below with links to updated Help documents.

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Sound List Migration

Sound List migration should not require any manual steps on your part -- with one possible exception of Easy Player Ad Hoc Shortcuts (see section below). When you first open a Sound List from an earlier release, it will be migrated for the redesign. Simply Save the Sound List to commit the migration changes. However, it's always prudent to save backup copies of your Sound Lists before committing structural changes.

Migration performs the following:

Legacy Run-Script Sound Items and Start-External-Program Sound Items are deleted from the Sound List.
A new Script is added for each Start-External-Program Sound Item that is deleted. The new Script will have one Start-External-Program step which performs the same function as the deleted Sound Item. Any controls that used a deleted Sound Item will now point directly to its replacement Script.
Any controls (such as Easy Player Cue Buttons)that used to point to a deleted Run-Script Sound Items or Start-External-Program Sound Items will now point directly to the Script itself after migration.

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External Program Changes

Start-External-Program Sound Items are no longer required to start an External Program. You now simply add a Start External Program step to any script using the Script Editor. You will be prompted to pick the target External Program and to enter any variables you want to pass.
You can now edit a Start External Program step to change it's variables in the Step Editor. (Learn more at bottom of linked page. )

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Script Editor Changes

New Script Step types were added for Pause-Script and Resume-Script. (Learn more )
The Stop Script step has been modified so you can specify which script to stop.
A new Script Special Processing option was added ( Run-Script step spawns concurrent script ). It changes Run-Script step behavior for the Script. The default value (unchecked) matches the Run-Script step behavior prior to the redesign. (Learn more )

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Step Editor Changes

You can now change the target reference item of a step in the Step Editor. (target reference items include: Sound Items, Scripts, or External Programs) (Learn more )

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Easy Player Changes

Cue Buttons can now point to either Sound Items or directly to Scripts. (previously Sound Items only)
New menu items for adding Cue Buttons that point directly to Scripts were added. (Learn more )

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Easy Player Ad Hoc Shortcuts

Manual Reset May Be Needed: If you have any Ad Hoc Shortcuts that point to Run-Script Sound Items or Start-External-Program Sound Items, you will need to reset these manually. Ad Hoc Shortcuts that point to standard Play Sound Items will be migrated without need for a manual reset.

Ad Hoc Shortcuts Editor was modified to set the action to either Play a Sound Item or directly to Run a Script. (Learn more )

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Options Changes

Option "Run-Script Sound Items always play concurrent" is renamed to Automator ignores the Sound List Editor 'Allow Concurrent Sounds'. It has the same function as before. (Learn more )

Language

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