RASv2
 

Installation of the software

for RASv2 and GRAPH_3D

The installation of the update for RASv2 and its GRAPH_3D option will be done on the PC compatible computer, with mathematical coprocessor (for GRAPH_3D), and some 1MB of available extended memory. It would be better to have a 386 or 486 processor with a VGA graphic display for better performance.

RASv2 still requires the vision board to be fitted in the PC (either PCVision Plus or VFG board from ITI), and to be connected to an external RGB video monitor.

These high-capacity floppy diskettes are labelled :

RASv2 : SYSTEM (disk 1)
Demonstration (disk 2)
IMAGES 1 (disk 3)
IMAGES 2 (disk 4)
IMAGES 3 (disk 5)
GRAPH_3D (option) (disk 6)

The number of diskettes may vary depending on the configuration and the options, between a minimum of one and a maximum of six.

Between 2 and 8 MB of disk space is necessary for RASv2 software installation; It depends upon the version and the selected options, and in particular the number of stored images files.

In addition, between 2 and 6 MB of free hard disk space is required during execution, for image file creation and necessary temporary files.

Quick procedures to update the software

1. Add the following line to your CONFIG.SYS file:

DEVICE = [PATH]HIMEM.SYS

HIMEM.SYS is the extended memory manager to be used with RASv2 and GRAPH_3D. This driver should be available on your MS DOS 5, MS DOS 6 or MS Windows 3.1 distribution diskettes. One examplar can be found on the 1st RASv2 disquette. (please check the compatibility with your PC and software)

2. The declared non-used extended memory is required for storing temporary images. A total of 1MB would be nice, but 512KB is the minimum required. (See TIM User Manual chapter 3, section 5.3.3).

3. Remove all unnecessary drivers and TSR programs, not needed for RASv2 operation, which take memory within the 640KB RAM for DOS.

4. If the software is to be installed in place of an old version of RAS, then the old RAS directory should be renamed (eg \TIMRAS.OLD), since the RASv2 installation procedure will put the program file in the \TIMRAS directory.

The new version should not be installed on top of the old one.

About 5MB of free hard disk memory after installation is required for smooth operation.

5. Connect the dongle (the attached softare protection key) to any parallel printer interface. It could be placed between the port connector and the line printer. RASv2 and its options will not work properly without this dongle correctly fitted in place.

6. To execute the automatic installation procedure, at the DOS prompt, enter the following DOS command line :

From the floppy disk drive, type : RASINST B: D:

From the hard disk drive, type : B:RASINST B: D:

Where B: is the installation floppy drive and D: is the hard disk, where RASv2 will be installed.

This will start the automatic installation procedure.

Follow the indications on the screen.

7. Automatic Speckle Noise Reduction (if to be installed):

The ASNR program makes use of the printer port. By default, it uses the LPT2 port (address H278). In case the ASNR cable can be connected to the LPT1 port (address H378), you should copy the corresponding ALIAS.TIM file in the TIMRAS\ directory, by entering at the DOS prompt :

CD \TIMRAS
COPY ALIAS1.TIM ALIAS.TIM
CD ..
RAS (to start RASv2)

8. Start RASv2 with the batch file found in TIMRAS\ directory:

C:\TIMRAS> 2RASv2

or start RASv2 with the batch file found in ROOT directory:

C:\> RAS

Note 1 : Subdirectories for RASv2 and GRAPH_3D

The tree structure, with the subdirectories, should not be changed as it is used in the program. It is as follows:

ROOT\---TIMRAS\---RAScmd (RASv2 command files)
---------------------\---RAStext (RASv2 help text files)
---------------------\---RASim (RASv2 images files)
---------------------\---RASexter\--- (external + GRAPH_3D)
------------------------------------\---bgi (GRAPH_3D drivers)
------------------------------------\---env (GRAPH_3D environ files)
------------------------------------\---pts (GRAPH_3D point files)
------------------------------------\---out (GRAPH_3D outline files)
------------------------------------\---cut (GRAPH_3D cut files)
------------------------------------\---plt (GRAPH_3D graph files)

This tree structure is created during the installation.

Note 2 : RASv2 specification may change without further notice.

Quick instructions to run GRAPH_3D v1.05

First step :

The AutoPlot : the quick automatic preview
After entering GRAPH_3D, the selected option is AutoPlot.
This AutoPlot selection can be used for a first look at the program and its capabilities.
(Press F1 to display a 1-screen help, for explanations. Press Esc to quit Help).
Press Enter a first time; a POINT file name is proposed.
Press Enter a second time to accept it; an OUTLINE file name is proposed.
Press Enter a third time to accept it; Then look as the whole calculation and plot procedure will take place automatically.
The 3D-plot is then displayed, which preset parameters.
These parameters can be changed. The plot can be printed.

The AutoPlot procedure can be restarted and the POINT and OUTLINE file names can be choosen at will, if you follow the instructions on the screen.
AutoPlot is available by pressing Alt-a at GRAPH_3D menu level, at any time.

Second step :

GRAPH_3D capabilities can then be tried and demonstrated, by using the files (with extentions .ENV, .PTS, .OUT, .CUT, .PLT) which are already existing. These files are included in the distribution diskettes and directly available within GRAPH_3D.

The simplest way to proceed would be to :

1.- Enter GRAPH_3D main program (RASv2 menu 4.4.5).
Then in GRAPH_3D :

2.- Load an environment file (Menu 1.2) for example by selecting DB7l0_32 or G3D_demo or any other name.

3.- Load the Point file (fringe data) (Menu 1.3) (the file name is automatically proposed)
Choose the Calc Parameters, (Menu 2.2) press Enter
Start the Interpolation calculation, (Menu 2.3), it can take a while.
Display 3D-plot with View Graph. (Menu 4.1)

4.- Load the Outline file (object contour) (Menu 1.4) (the file name is automatically proposed)
Choose Mask Grid (Menu 2.4)
Display masked 3D-plot with View Graph. (Menu 4.1)

5.- Load the Cut file (cross-section line) (Menu 1.5) (the file name is automatically proposed)
Display the cut 2D-plot with View Graph. (Menu 4.1) the cut line amplitudes have been automatically masked.

6.- When a graph is obtained, it can be printed. (Menu 4.3)
The printer should be turned-on and selected;(Menu 1.9)

The resolution should have been set low, because the time necessary to get a printable raster image is quite long, and higher resolution should be reserved for printing reports or other high quality documents. Graphic images are vectorial; rasterization is required for printing, it is quite an involved process.

7.- Graph data can be saved, (Menu 4.2)
Reloaded (Menu 1.6) and redisplayed. (Menu 4.1). It is also possible to remask it.

Third step :

When using the GRAPH_3D option of RASv2, the following set of actions to analyze the fringes can be undertaken, in a kind of logical order :

0.- With RASv2, display a good interferogram on the monitor from the TV holography camera, a VCR or an image disk file. Determine image/object scale (RASv2 menu 2.2)

In RASv2, choose the Calculate (RASv2 menu 4.4), use the mouse and select the following options to :

1.- Digitize Points data, (RASv2 menu 4.4.2) by selecting XY points with fringe number.
Follow the on-screen instructions. Many points can be introduced (between 10 and 200).
A filename will be asked, then a Points file created.

2.- Digitize Outline data, (RASv2 menu 4.4.3) by selecting XY points on object contour.
Follow the on-screen instructions. Many points can be introduced (between 3 and 50).
A filename will be asked, then a Outline file created.

3.- Digitize Cut data, (RASv2 menu 4.4.4) by introducing a cross-section broken line.
Follow the on-screen instructions. Many points can be introduced (between 2 and 10).
A filename will be asked, then a Cut file created.

4.- Enter GRAPH_3D main program (RASv2 menu 4.4.5) and follow the same procedure as before :

5.- Load the Point file (adigitized fringe data) (Menu 1.3)
Start the Interpolation calculation (Menu 2.3)
Display 3D-plot (Menu 4.1)

6.- Load the Outline file (object contour) (Menu 1.4)
Mask all point outside object (Menu 2.4)
Display masked 3D plot (Menu 4.1)

7.- Load the Cut file (cross-section plot) (Menu 1.5)
Display cut 2D-plot (Menu 4.1)

8.- Send plot to printer (Menu 4.3) (choose low resolution first)

9.- Save your plot data ! (Menu 4.2) (calculated mesh data)
Save your environment parameters ! (Menu 4.4)

Consult the GRAPH_3D Instruction Manual for more specific information. Look for Help in both RASv2 and GRAPH_3D, and consult TIM and RASv2 and GRAPH_3D respective manuals.