TruColorXP Software User s Guide Version: 8.02A 08 Sign Compatibility PL XPM Series, PL XPSB Series, PL M2014RV6 1
Copyright 2014 Pro Lite, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Edition Version 8.02A xx Trademarks Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. PL M2014RV6 SIGN USERS The purpose of compatibility for models PL M2014V6 is for users that which to communicate to their sign(s) using the Windows 7 or Windows 8 operating system. Although it has been compatibility tested, there will be some software features that are not supported by the sign. These incompatibilities are listed below: File Download Program Commands Status Fonts European Fonts Functions Run Group Set Timer Delete Timer If the user is running Windows XP or Windows Vista, it is highly recommended that these users use the native program for this sign. The native program for the sign model PL M2014RV6 can be downloaded from the link below: http://www.pro lite.com/support/tc2v6/downloads/tc2v6 downloads.htm 2 Software User s Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS Sign Settings Sign Communication Settings.. 4 ID and Baud Rate TruColorXP Software Software Installation. 5 6 System Requirements, Installation from CD, Installation from Download Link Launching the TruColorXP Software. 6 Software Location Software Overview... 7 The Software Screen Software Toolbar.. 7 Software Menu Bar Options. 8 11 File, Edit, Commands, Fonts, Graphics, Colors, Functions, LAN Functions Creating Sign Messages... 12 14 Message Content, Fonts and Colors, Effects, Special, Graphics Communication Serial Communication (RS232). 15 Serial Cable Connections, Designated Com Port Number Software Serial Configuration (RS232) 16 Software Communication Settings Transmit Message via Serial Connection 16 Send Message Local Area Network Communication (LAN). 17 18 Set Software IP, Locate and Test the IP Device, Additional IP Tool Options Transmit Message to Sign via Local Area Network.. 18 19 Send Message to Single Sign on LAN, Send Message to Multiple Signs on LAN Technical Support Contact Us 20 3 Software User s Guide
Sign Communication Settings ID and Baud Rate 1. Connect the power adaptor to an outlet and to sign. 2. Using the hand heldd remote, press the RUN/STOP key. Thee sign will show: [ STOP MODE ] 3. Press the ESC key. 4. Press S for Set. 5. Press ENTER and continue to press ENTER one step at a time until the sign shows [ ID = ] Write down the ID Number: 6. Again press ENTER until you see [ Baud Rate = ] Write down the Baud Rate: For communication consistency, please always set the Baud Ratee to the default setting of 9600. 7. Now, continue to press ENTER until the sign reads [ STOP MODE ] 8. Your sign MUST be in the running mode to receive a transmission from the computer. To put your sign in the running mode, simply press RUN/STOP. Your sign should be showing a message. 4
Software Installation System Requirements Minimum computer requirements to run sign software. Operating System Windows XP x32 Windows Vista x32 Windows 7 x32 Windows 8 x32 Windows 7 x64 Windows 8 x64 Processorr 1 GHz Dual Core Intel or AMD processor 1 GHz, Dual Core 64 bit Intel or AMD Processorr Memory 1 GB 1 GB Hard Drive 40GB 40GB Monitor Resolution 800x600 or higher 800x600 or higher Interface Standard mouse and keyboard Communication Port ( one of the below options) Physical 9 Pin Com Port 9 pin communication cable is provided with each sign for this option. USB USB to Serial communication cable is required for this option (not included with sign) Installation from CD Temporarily disable any anti virus program prior to installing software. After thee installation you can re enable. Windows XP Users 1. Click Start, Run, and Browse. 2. From the left list, click My Computer and double click the CD Drive labeled ProLite. 3. Double click the file ending in EXE to begin installation. Windows Vista or Windows 7 Users 1. Click Start, type run in the Start Search box, and wait momentarily.. 2. Now click run in the Programs list followed by Browse. 3. From the left list, click the CD Drive labeled ProLite. 4. Double click the file ending in EXE to begin installation. 5
Installation from Download Link The link below will take you to the Pro Lite software download page: http://www.pro lite.com/support/tc2v8/downloads/tc2v8 downloads.htm Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 Users 1. Open the folder where the downloaded file has been savedd to. a. The file name will be TruColorXP 8.02A xx Setup.ZIP. 2. Decompress the file by right clicking on the file and selecting Extract All. 3. Specify where you would like the file to be extracted to. a. When completed, the final output file will be TruColorXP 8.02A xx Setup.EXE. 4. Double click the file TruColorXP 8.02A xx Setup.EXE to begin installation. 5. Follow the installation wizard prompts to complete the installation. Do not make any changes during the installation process. All Installation optionss must remain at their default settings. Launching the TruColorX XP Software Software Location Windows XP Users Click Start, Programs, TruColorXP and TruColorXP to launch the program.. Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 Users Click Startt, All Programs, TruColorXP and TruColorXP to launch the program. 6
Software Overview The Software Screen Menu Bar Software and sign control options. Toolbar Common tasks shortcuts. Graphics Bar Instantly insert graphics into your message. Message Content Area where you can type and see the message that will be transmitted to the sign. Simulation Window Press F100 to preview your edited message. Status Bar Word count, caps lock, num lock, and scroll lock status. Software Toolbar Opens a new messagee content window. Opens a previously saved message from your computer. Saves the existing message contentt onto your computer. Updates sign firmware. Cut the highlighted selection and put it onto clipboard. Copy the highlighted selection and put it onto the clipboard. Paste the contents of the clipboard onto the active document. Sends the existing message content to a printer. Sends message to sign via direct serial connection (RS232). Sends message to sign via Local Area Network (LAN). Schedule messages to auto send from computer to sign. Upload questions and answers to be shown on sign. Remove questions and answers stored on sign. Count up or down to a specified time or date. Show and set the current date & time on sign. Control sign scroll speed. Remove a specified page stored on sign. Email a saved messagee to recipient at a locationn where the sign is located. View your edited message on the simulation window. Cancel the message preview on the simulation window. 7
Software Menu Bar Options File New (Ctrl+ +N) Opens a new message content window. Open (Ctrl+O) Opens a previously saved message from your computer. Save (Ctrl+ +S) Saves the existing message content onto your computer. Save As Saves the existing message content as a specified name onto your computer. Save As Text Saves the existing message as a text file for use with other software with ability to transmit ASCII data. Set Communication Settings for transmittingg your messages from computer to sign via direct serial communication (RS232). Download Program Updates sign firmware. Password controlled area for advanced user. Exit Exit the TruColorXP software. Edit Cut Cut the highlighted selection and put it onto clipboard. Copy Copy the highlighted selection and put it onto the clipboard. Paste Paste the contents of the clipboard onto the active document. Delete Remove highlighted selection from message content. Select All Highlight all message content. 8
Commands Leading commands Control how your text will appear (place before text). The Leading command Cycling is for color enabled signs only. Closing commands Control how your text will disappearr (place after text). Special commands Insert unique functions within your message such as Time, Date, Beep or combine pagess using Link Page. Target commands To be used in combination with the Set Target feature. Display the associated CountUp or Count Down integer. Status commands Control the strobe lights on your sign. Single strobe light action. (place before message). Fonts Select any one of 10 font styles, 62 European characters, and 8 Greek symbols to be used in your message (all font styles must be placed before text or message). Graphics Graphics (A H) Insert any one of the following graphics: glass of beer, arrow left, arrow left down, arrow left up, arrow right, bicycle, car, chair, crown, duck, glasses, helicopter, high heeled shoe, house. Graphics (K Z) Insert any one of the following graphics: key, knife& fork, alien, scooter, rocket, shirt, tank, hearts, faucet, teapot, telephone, martini glass. Edit Graphic Create your own graphic image with the handy graphic editor and insert your custom graphic into yourr message. 9
Colors Select any one of 26 colors which include single and dual color combinations consistingg of red, green, and amber. Functions Commands under this menu are for communicating to sign via direct seriall communicationn (RS232). Send Message Sends message to sign via direct serial connectionn (RS232). Run Page Run a specified page stored on sign. Set Speed Control sign scroll speed. Delete Page Remove a specified page stored on sign. Set Date & Time Set the current date & time on sign Set and Show Date & Time Show and set the current date & time on sign. Automatic Time Update Auto sync the date & time from computer to sign every hour. Software must bee minimized in order for this command to execute. Run Group Combine pages to run as one long message. Set Timer Schedule the sign to runn a specified page(s) at specified times throughout the week. Delete Timer Remove a specified Timer stored on sign. Send By Schedule Schedule messages to auto send from computer to sign. Software must bee minimized in order for this command to execute. 10
Functions (Continued) Send Trivia Upload Trivia questionss and answerss to the sign. Remove Trivia Delete the Trivia questions and answers to the sign. Set Target Count up or down to a specified time or date. Email Setup Email a saved message to recipient at a location where the sign is located. LAN Functions Recipient must manually transmitt message to sign. Delete Current Email Remove an existing email from the Email Setup. Preview (F10) View your edited message on the simulation window. Stop Preview (F12) Cancel the message preview on the simulation window. Commands under this menu are for communicating to sign via Local Area Network (LAN). A LAN device is REQUIRED for sign operation in the LAN environment. Set IP Enter the LAN Device settings into the software. Send Message Sends message to sign via Local Area Network (LAN). Send Message To Multi MiniWeb Sends message to multiple signs via Local Area Network (LAN). Run Page Run a specified page stored on sign. Delete Page Remove a specified page stored on sign. Set Speed Control sign scroll speed. Set and Show Date & Time Show and set the current date & time on sign. Send By Schedule Schedule messages to auto send from computer to sign. Software must bee minimized in order for this command to execute. Send Trivia Upload Trivia questionss and answerss to the sign. Remove Trivia Delete the Trivia questions and answers to the sign. Set Target Count up or down to a specified time or date. 11
Creating Sign Messages Messagee Content You ll be using the following Menu Bar options when creatingg your message content: The Message Content area works like a word processor. You can open a message file, edit, delete, copy, paste, save, and open new or existing messages. Fonts and Colors From the Fonts menu, insert different font sizes and color commands. 12 When using colors or fonts, the characters in your Message Content area will not change. You will only see the results when previewing your message in the Simulation Window (F10)) or sending the message to the sign.
Effects, Special, and Status The software has several effects that control how your message will appear and disappear. These are located under the Commands menu. For example, have yourr text scroll up from the bottom, scroll down from the top, appear instantly, and disappear by closing from both ends! Effects will only control the word(s) that fit on the sign screen att one time. If thee words exceed the sign screen, the default effect willl be used; the default effect is SHIFT (scroll message from left too right). Display useful customer information along with your messagee by using any one of the Special commands under the Commands menu. Don t forget to preview your message by utilizing the Simulationn Window by pressing F10. To cancel simulation, press F12. 13
Have an important announcement, no problem. Alert your audience of an incoming message by using the Status commands under the Commands menu. These Status commands activate the red strobe lights on the end caps of the sign. There are two types of Status commands. Status simply flashes the strobe lightss a single time but the message scrolls continuously. Strobe Repeat flashes the strobe lights continuously at the location where the command was placed. In the above example, the strobe lights will flash immediately and continuously after Restaturant!! appears on the sign. Graphics From the Graphics menu, add graphic images to help get your message across to your audience! For ease of access, use the Graphics Bar to instantly insert the associated graphic into your message. Go ahead! Combine fonts, colors, effects, special commands and graphics! Message customization is completely up to what you can imagine! 14
Serial Communi ication (RS232) Serial cable connections The included serial communication cable is configured uniquely for use with the Pro Lite sign only. If you require a longer length cable, please contact your distributor. 1. Connect the phone clip end of the serial communication cable to the RS232 port on the sign. 2. Connect the 9 Pin connector end to an available Serial Portt on your computer. Some newer computer systems will not have a Serial Port. In these cases you will be required to use a USB to Serial converter (not included in this package). This converter basically y converts an available USB port into a working Serial Port via software and connector. Please contact your distributor r for additional information. Designated Com Port Number Every computer is different and although most Com Ports will either be 1 or 2, it is best to confirm. 1. Go to the Device Manager in your Control Panel. Locate Ports (COM and LPT) and expand the tree to view the subcategories. The Device Manager will look similar to the following: My COM PORT number is. In the case wheree there are multiple Com Ports shown, you will have to try all the available in the next step to determine the actual one being used. Sometimes the Com Port number is already marked on the computer. 2. Close the Device Manager Window. 15
Software Serial Configuration (RS232) Software Set Communicationn 1. From the Menu Bar,, click File followed by Set Communication and select your settings. Com Port Select the Com Port number from your last step. *If you are still unsure about which Com Port you are using, please seek assistance from the following: Refer to PC computer manual Contact PC manufacturer If using USB to Serial adaptor, refer to manual Check with your IT person Baud Rate Select Baud Rate of sign from page 3. Defaultt settings Non changeable. 2. Click OK to save your settings and close the Communications Settings window. Transmit Message via Serial Connection (RS232) Send Message 1. When you are satisfied with your message, click Function and Send Message. Sign ID Select the ID of sign from page 3 Page Number Select a Page (memory slot) on thee sign for the message to be stored on. There aree 26 total pages available (A~Z). Each page on the sign can store an individual message. 2. Click OK to send your message to the sign. For the PL M2014 sign model, the maximum number of characters for each pagee is 1,000. Theree are no page memory restrictions on PL XPM and PL XPSB Series sign models. 16
Local Area Network Communication (LAN)) MiniWeb or USR WIFI LAN environment as the LAN device you are using. For example, if you assigned a LAN Device with a static IP of device required for this section. Make suree the computer you are using is in the same subnet and 192.168.1.195, then your computer IP should be set to 192.168. 1.100 or similar.. Set Software IP 1. From the Menu Bar,, click LAN Communication and Set IP. The Set IP Tool window will appear. 2. Click Administratorss and Password. 3. Enter password 222222. You must always enter the password when accessing the Set IP area. 4. Click IP and Add New IP. 5. Enter your LAN Device information. User Code: enter any name for your MinIWeb Spaces cannot be used in the User Code entry. Ethernet Address: enter the MAC address of the LAN Device. New IP Address: enter the static IP of the LAN Device. Detect Hardware: Select No. Omit the 0 in any IP address when it is before a number. For example, for IP iss 192.168.7.2, do not enter 192.168.007.002.. 6. Click Add to accept your changes. A Success window will appear. Click OK. 7. You may enter additional LAN Devices at this time. If you are done, simply click Cancel to close the Add New IP window. Locate the LAN Device in your LAN Environment Make sure your LAN Devices are connected to a sign, connected to the LAN environment, and powered accordingly. 1. While still in the Set IP Tool window, click Test and Test Connection. 2. Double click on any one of your listed LAN Devices. A Test Successful window will appear. Click Ok. 17
If the LAN Device cannot be located, there will be a delay in the search and a Test Fault messagee will appear. Make sure the device is connected to your LAN environment accordingly and refer to the LAN Devices documentation. 3. You can continue to test additional LAN Devices at this time. When you are done, simply click Cancel. Additional Software IP Tool Options Administrators Change Password: change the password to access the Set IP area. IP Modify IP: this feature has no function at this time. For instructions on how to modify the IP of your LAN devices, please refer to the LAN Devices documentation. IP Delete IP: delete an existing LAN Device entry. Transmit Message to Sign via Local Area Network (LAN) As described in the LAN Functions section, you may select to send to a single sign or multiple signs. Here we will review both options. Send Message to Single Sign on LAN 1. When you are satisfied with your message, click LAN Function and Send Message. Sign ID Select the ID of sign from page 3 Page Number Select a Page (memory slot) on thee sign for the message to be stored on. There aree 26 total pages available (A~Z). Each page on the sign can store an individual message. 2. Click OK. 3. Select your LAN Device from the Select Object drop down menu and click OK. Select Object Select your MiniWebb from drop down menu. 4. The Sending Message to Server window will appear duringg the transmission and disappear when the transmission is completed. 18
Send Message to Multiple Signs on LAN 1. When you are satisfied with your message, click LAN Function and Send Message to Multi MiniWeb. Sign ID Select the ID of sign from page 3 Page Number Select a Page (memory slot) on thee sign for the message to be stored on. There aree 26 total pages available (A~Z). Each page on the sign can store an individual message. 2. Click OK. 3. Select All or Specificc LAN Device from the list and click OK. User Selective Objects User can select specificc LAN Devices. 4. The Sending Message to Server window will appear duringg the transmission and disappear when the transmission is completed. 19
Technical Support Email support@pro lite.com Phone 714 668 9988 Web http://www.pro lite.com/support 20 Software User s Guide