"Position" window always on top

[Joshua Kirsch]

Does anyone know how to permanently disable the feature in the shopbot control software that makes it so the position window can never be obscured by other windows? I'm guessing it's something of a safety feature, although it only seems to be engaged sporadically and just gets in the way...

[myxpykalix]

It's set that way for a reason. You can't disengage the cursor from the yellow square so that if you have an emergency you can shut down immediately, otherwise you will have big problems. Just get used to not doing ANYTHING with that computer once your machine is engaged and cutting.:(

[Joshua Kirsch]

Hey Jack thanks for the response. Yup, I'm totally on board with the software taking over my comp when I'm running a part file or when the router's in motion. My problem is that It occasionally likes to slap that window on top of every other window just because the software is open and in move/cut mode. Everything else functions normally and I am free to use other programs as I normally would, except that the position window is stuck on top of vCarve or whatever else I'm doing. I would probably be more willing to just put up with it if it did it consistently, but it seems to be completely random... Sometimes opening up the keypad and then closing makes it solves the problem, sometimes not. and then the only thing I can do is switch it to preview mode or restart. Probably could have been clearer in my original post...

[srwtlc]

Yup, I'm totally on board with the software taking over my comp when I'm running a part file or when the router's in motion.

Joshua,

That's been my arguing point with SBHQ since SB3 first came to life after the DOS version. If I'm not running anything and the focus isn't on SB3, then it should go to the background. I realize that it's for safety purposes, but if the focus isn't there, then nothing should happen. If it does, then something else is wrong. I could see something happening more if someone is trying to work around a widow that stays on top.

Knowing that it wasn't going to change and I wasn't going to run two monitors (or a huge one) on the control PC and wasn't going to switch SB3 to Preview mode each time I wanted to do a quick edit of a file in my design software, I started using a small desktop switcher program called Windows Pager. It's setup for two desktops and can be switched from one to the other by mouse or in my case ctrl-1 and ctrl-2. Works great and have never had a problem with it on Win XP and 7pro 64.

http://windowspager.sourceforge.net/

[dlcw]

This is a pain in the $(%. There are times I have Aspire open to tweak some settings on a file, then save my new toolpaths, and that stupid position window sits on top of Aspire even though no part files are running. :mad:

It is VERY annoying to say the least. SB3 should behave like a properly written Windows program when a file is not running.

[myxpykalix]

I have had those same issues when you had to try to tweak a file and resave and i had to totally shut down the SB program in order to pull the other one up to work and i position my X, Y back at 0,0 just in case, then shut the pgm down.

[steve_g]

This is really a non-issue when you use your bot computer as a dedicated controller computer and not as a design computer.

Most of us have our controller computers "stripped" down to basics and they don't make good design computers anyway!

SG

[myxpykalix]

Steve,
Here's my problem. I usually design stuff on the computer in the house, then i put it on a thumbdrive and bring it out to the shop. If my cutout part file isn't deep enough or it needs just a small adjustment to a file, i'd rather just update it there, resave the cut file and go, rather then running back in the house.:eek:

I'd like to see where you could mnimize the whole control program when it was not engaged or when it was minimized it is somehow in a sleep mode and could not be operated. Then when it is operating you can't do anything else

[Joshua Kirsch]

I usually design stuff on the computer in the house, then i put it on a thumbdrive and bring it out to the shop. If my cutout part file isn't deep enough or it needs just a small adjustment to a file, i'd rather just update it there, resave the cut file and go, rather then running back in the house.

My thoughts exactly! A lot of times I'll edit a part file 4 or 5 times and cut small samples before I make the official cut. If I had to run back and forth between machines to accomplish that I would probably lose my mind.

[Simops]

Here, here.....I'm with you guys. My design PC is in my office 80 yards from the shop......if I need to tweak something I don't really want to run between my office and the shop to do it!!!

Cheers

[ssflyer]

Hmm. I do this all the time - tweak my Aspire files on my control computer. I used to have the same problem, but found a way around it - something about clicking the windows in sequence. I kind of do it as second nature now, so don't really rememember it at the moment (in my office), but I'll check and le ya all know! (Now watch - it won't work for me, now!)

[srwtlc]

Here's a screencast of the WindowsPager program (mentioned further up this thread) in use on my control PC. You may have to scroll down to see my taskbar. The two rectangles towards the end are the two desktops. First I used the mouse to switch back and forth from one desktop to the other and then using ctrl-1 and ctrl-2. Quick and seamless.

http://screencast.com/t/Xje82Wf0Q

[dlcw]

Hmm. I do this all the time - tweak my Aspire files on my control computer. I used to have the same problem, but found a way around it - something about clicking the windows in sequence. I kind of do it as second nature now, so don't really rememember it at the moment (in my office), but I'll check and le ya all know! (Now watch - it won't work for me, now!)

I found that if I click on the RED window first then bring Aspire up, SB3 falls to the background (most of the time, but not all the time, sometimes I have to shut down SB3.) - except the spindle speed control window. I can not get this window to behave like a windows app should behave. It ALWAYS stays on top regardless of what I do. Not sure how Shopbot got this to happen but they did.

Another thing I found is with SBLink. If you are nesting a large number of cabinets for cutting, SBLink causes a comm loss between SB3 and the controller. I have to shut down SB3, run SBLink then bring SB3 back up. I put this fault on Thermwood for not making SBLink a better behaved Windows app.

[bill]

This works for me every time.... Hope it does the same for you.

1. Computer on and allow full boot to allow background tasks to complete. Usually 2-3 minutes.
2. Start your design software (Aspire 4.0 or VCP 7.0 for me) and LOAD the file you will be working on.
3. SAVE the file you just loaded in your design software and minimize that window.
4. Power up the ShopBot Control Box and enable drives.
5. Bring up the ShopBot Control software, zero x,y and z as you would normally.

You should now be able to Maximize your design software and the ShopBot software remain behind the design software without needing to go to Preview. You can then ALT/TAB or icon click to bring up which ever you desire.

I am running an Alpha (2007) with SBVer. 3.8.8. My computer is bare bones. I have only installed what I need for the shop. NO anti-virus software and is NOT connected to the home network or internet.
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/10/2013, 08:18:42
Machine name: STUDIO_A
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E7500 @ 2.93GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.9GHz
Memory: 3072MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 618MB used, 5521MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode

[kern]

How about using Drop Box for your files. That will you allow you to reduce your walking between the 2 computers. Don't ask me the details. Maybe someone else can give you that info. Kern

[bill]

Two computers? No, just one. Sorry, didn't mean for it to sound that way.:)

[Brady Watson]

Not to be all 'captain obvious' here, but...Just close SB3. I don't understand the big deal. If you are paranoid, park the tool at a round number (E.G. 24,12) and close out SB3. Write down those numbers if it makes you feel better. As long as the control box is on, you will not lose position or mess anything up in SB3...and no more DRO covering up your toolpath tab. The DRO is modal for safety reasons...and yes it is a pain if you want to tweak your file. Just close it...Solved.

-B

[Simops]

I might as well chime in what I do.....

I also like to tweak files on my control computer with Aspire and SB control running same time (laptop running Vista)......yes I know it's Vista but with the Service Pak installed it has actually been rock solid.

I never shut my computer down only place in hibernation when away.

Any how this is the sequence....it must be in this sequence or it won't work for me:
- bring up both programs, doesn't matter which is first. I always have Aspire running in the background anyway.
- start the keypad in SB3 then close it
- press with mouse on the red area or blue status bar over the red SB3 box ....can't remember it's name.... that you see up on the right side of screen.
- then click open Aspire and it will be on top completely. It will now stay that way until you shut down Aspire or SB3.

Works for me every time as long as I follow the procedure.

Cheers

[ted]

Hello All,

There seem to be two situations of interest here: 1) Running ShopBot and another program like Aspire at the same time, in the situation where the ShopBot software is active, but not cutting a file; and, 2) Using another program like Aspire, at the same time that ShopBot is cutting a file.

1) In the current software (3.8.8 and later), you should be fine with situation #1. You should be able to start and run any program and have it be "on top" when your are using it -- then have ShopBot come up "on top" when you shift back to using it. This normal "Windows" behavior assumes you are not cutting a file or using the Keypad (both situations in which the tool is in motion or potentially in motion and the "STOP" button visible). As far as I know, the software behaves as described here with XP, W7, and W8 and you should not need to do anything extreme to make it happen.

* In most older versions of the software, ShopBot will similarly go into the background if you have switched it to Preview Mode (clicking the button or entering [SP]).

** I just noticed the issue with the small Spindle Speed window which is not behaving similarly/appropriately. We'll check that out and get it fixed.

2) In the case of ShopBot being active and in motion or cutting, the ShopBot software ~will attempt~ to maintain priority, to control focus and cursor position, and to stay on top. This is done for two reasons: first, for SAFETY -- we want anyone to be able to find that STOP button quickly, even if it is someone who has just come into the room and knows little about ShopBot; second, we want to give SHOPBOT PRIORITY on the communication bus -- we want to do everything we can to prevent disruption of USB streaming of motion to ShopBot. Processors today have no problem with high rates of number crunching and motion planning, but there can still be bottlenecks in allotting time on the underlying hardware bus. You don't want to take the chance of your tool starting to choke and stutter because Windows has decided it is more important to fuss with updating your graphics file on a disk drive than to keep the tool moving smoothly.

And, somewhat related, note that with the 3.8.8 software, the tool will itself remember its location as long as it is not shut off. You can start and stop the software, go in and out of preview mode, etc ... And your location will be absolutely remembered. {If you turn off power to the the tool, the software will remember ~a~ location, but since the tool might physically move slightly with the power off, there is no guarantee that this latter position is accurate.}

Hope this is clarifying ...

Ted Hall, ShopBot

[khaos]

... we want to give SHOPBOT PRIORITY on the communication bus -- we want to do everything we can to prevent disruption of USB streaming of motion to ShopBot ...

This is the real meat of it right here. I guess if you have an alpha its not that big of a deal but with my PRS a missed step will almost certainly mean the work is ruined.

While NOT running a cut and opening notepad my SB window always stays on top. So I understand what you are saying on that count. The software really does remember where the tool is if you don't power off the bot.

I like many others have a very weak machine that is dedicated to the bot. No network, no antivirus just bot. Pretty sure I am running 3.6.5. Given the pain that so many people faced on upgrades I just stayed where I was. It wasn't broke so I didn't fix it.