VisualCal is designed to be the leader in the next generation of calibration automation software. VisualCal gives users ultimate power and flexibility for building and distributing automation tasks in their organization. The concept is simple. An individual creates a VisualCal project (VLP file) to represent a required automation task. Instructions are then created using a combination of point and click building of test point groups, test points, prompts and commands. Once complete, the project is then compiled into a final VLS, or VisualCal Script, file. During the development cycle the user can test commands against the instruments if they are connected to the script writer's system. This 'test as you build' functionality ensures properly formatted and executed commands.. before they even approach your first full hands-on test.
VisualCal utilizes a system referred to as IPR Scripting, an easy scripting format to grasp and covers most of the work you'll do when generating procedures. IPR is a term IndySoft has created that represents Instrument PRofile. The key concept behind IPR Scripting is that your GPIB commands are tucked away behind a metrology-friendly command structure that closely relates to how your instrument is logically organized. That's a lot of words to basically say that with IPR Scripting you are thinking more about common terminology when setting up your instruments instead of the cryptic technology usually associated with instrument communication. While some scripting systems require you to use V= or VDC or DCV to send a command to a device, in VisualCal's IPR Scripting you only need to know "DC Voltage" for all three instances in order to switch them to dc voltage mode.. the interpretation engine handles this for you.
In IPR Scripting, the procedure writer is provided with a scope of pre-defined functions for assembling a test procedure. All commands are handled through the IndySoft IPR (Instrument PRofile) library and almost the entire procedure assembly can be achieved using nothing more than a mouse. IPR Scripting is a user-friendly procedure writing method and requires the least amount of programming knowledge. For power users, you can drop a "FreeScript" command in at any time and using BASIC syntax, code more complex calculations and routines if desired.
