FilmStar MEASURE Free Trial

The FilmStar MEASURE Free Trial lets you test all program functions to verify that software properly controls your instrument. The license expires 15 Aug 2024 or after 30 days from first use.

---- INSTALLATION ----

1. Download and run setupm30db.exe. Contact us by e-mail for an installation password. Include your FULL contact details and the type of instrument(s) to be tested. Use your organization e-mail address. ANONYMOUS E-MAILS (Gmail, Yahoo, 123.com, etc.) ARE STRICTLY IGNORED! You can also download a manual in PDF format. Note that it is the same as program F1 help.

2. Select FilmStar (not Scantraq) when installing. In the event of (unlikely) installation issues please click here.

3. There are a number of EXE files for various spectrometers. Select an appropriate version in 'Select Components'. Only install multiple versions if testing different instruments. Contact FTG Software if not sure which version is appropriate.

3a. The first PE choice (PE Lambda 2-950...) controls many Lambda models and is recommended for Lambda 650 to 950 WITHOUT URA. This version communicates directly with firmware and does not require UV Winlab.  As shown below there are additional servers required for Ocean Optics and other rapid-scan  instruments including FTIR.

3b. PE 950 URA users must select the version labeled 'PE Lambda 650-950 (URA support)'. This version (Mpe950.exe) uses PE drivers and must be installed on a computer with UV Winlab. The same considerations apply to the Lambda 1050 version (Mpe1050.exe).

4. Be sure to open a Scan Method (click File.. Open) appropriate for your instrument. If you attempt to run a 983G with a Lambda 9 setup it will not work. FilmStar MEASURE may start up in Test Mode. Click File.. Configuration.. Preferences to disable Test Mode.

5. A USB to serial adapter is required for newer computers. A typical example is shown below, but there are a number of configurations (including USB to 25 pin) and cable lengths. PE Lambda 2 (10/12/14) users will probably need a custom cable.

Following installation, use Device Manager to determine assigned COM port. 

Specify port assignment in the first Scan Method screen as shown below.

6. Depending on firmware (Rev 3.9 required), it is possible to control the 8453 via RS232 serial (USB) communications. Dipswitches should be set as follows: 01110100. Specify COM port in Scan Method 1A. A null-modem cable supporting hardware (full) handshaking is required. While the 8453 can be controlled with an NI GPIB adapter, that is an unnecessary complication for most users.

A user found that firmware Rev 3.8 did not work with RS232. He was able to upgrade to 3.9 using his old Win 98 ChemStation computer with HP-IB interface. Click here for the 3.9 upgrade patch. Contact FTG Software for the download directory's user name/password. It is possible that future firmware revisions deleted RS232 support.

The instrument can also be controlled via LAN (cross-over cable). This requires Mhp8453.exe version 2.51.1379 (17 Dec 2013) or newer. Specify the last number in the IP Address (as shown); the other numbers need to match the network IP. For example, network IP = 192.168.254.1 and instrument IP = 192.168.254.11. Try Port = 9100. A LAN card known to work is Jet Direct 400N (4106A).  Read Delay = 0.1 and Write Delay = 0.2 seems to be required for reliable operation. Click Advanced in the Scan Method 1A dialog (shown below).

If you are fortunate enough to have a LAN card with fixed or settable IP address, you will be able to ignore the complications in 7a through 7j.

6a. Remove the LAN card; there is a label which can look like:

6b. Memorize or write down the 2 numbers.

6c. Re-install the LAN card.

6d. The leftmost 2 dip switchs of the 8453 should be down (maybe not important)

6e. Install a BootP/DHCP Server:

http://bootp-dhcp-server.software.informer.com/download/

6f. With 8453 off, start the BootP/DHCP server

6g. Turn on the 8453 and you will see something like this

6h. Double click on the number that seemed familiar 001083566545.

6i. Associate the number with an IP address e.g.: 192.168.254.12, subnet mask (255.255.255.0) and a DNS server and gateway (just your PC) which both must match the subnet mask In this case they must start with 192.168.254

6j. The instrument wakes up and doesn’t know its IP address. Depending on the DIP switches it sends out a request for an IP address on the LAN. This request holds the hardware address (MAC) it knows. Then it waits for an answer of a BootP server. Good luck!

7. A few users have reported that UV Winlab gives smoother spectra. We were able to reproduce this and discovered that a default UV Winlab method averaged 9 points. MEASURE warns you when data is being processed:  Auto Smooth  appears in the status bar.

8. Contact FTG Software if you have any difficulties or questions!

9. At our discretion, we may require a PO or CC for FilmStar MEASURE. Should tests prove unsuccessful we will not invoice or charge your card. If successful, a USB license key will be shipped.

10. CONVERTING TO USB LICENSE KEY...Click here for Command Prompt instructions on installing the HASP driver. Since this is a new installation, skip the -purge command. Edit C:\Winfilm\Config\Common.ini in Notepad and under [Install] replace License=FgCkAetfg24QhdkBAS8GIIJC6DzD8c...(etc) with License=USB.

IMPORTANT: In order to eliminate difficulties arising from aggressive corporate security, the trial installer saves system files in C:\Winfilm\System rather than in C:\Windows\. It is recommended that you utilize Updaters rather than the full installer when installing MEASURE revisions. If the full installer is required, you need Plan B version setup32b.exe. Contact FTG Software for clarification and assistance.