Frequently Asked Questions

Minimum computer specifications

The minimum computer specifications to ensure the ability to run the software is:

• Processor – dual core @ 2.4 GHz – Core Duo Intel processor or equivalent AMD – (Intel I5 recommended)
• RAM – 2 GB (4 GB recommended)
• Hard Drive or Solid state drive – 64 GB ( 128 GB recommended)
• Ethernet card, USB, free PCI slots (only if RS485 is needed)
• Operating System – Windows 7, 8, 8.1 or 10 (32 or 64 bits)

Crystal XE uses about only 20 MB of hard disk space for program and project files. More spaces is required for data acquisition depending on the configuration.

Can I download a demo version ?

To download the last version, just create your account in this web site and wait for the activation.
You can download and install the full featured software on any computer.
When executing the software, just skip the registration window, it will be executed in demonstration mode.
In demonstration mode, only communication with devices is disabled but all other features are full functioning.

How to make a backup of mycurrent configuration of Crystal XE ?

In your MBE computer, from the main menu of Crystal XE, select File / Backup, check the box to backup the program directory and push on the button to make the zip file.
On your laptop or other computer, extract the zip file in a new folder, go in the program directory of the new created folder and execute CrystalXE.exe.
Skip the registration windows and open your project.
The software will run in demonstration mode (In demonstration mode all features are the same but no communication with devices are allowed)

Use a dialog box in a recipe (AN001)

This application note explains how to create a dialog box and how to integrate it in a recipe.

	Application note
	Pascal example file

Copying layers from a recipe to another recipe

The solution is to edit the rcp file with a XML editor like notepad++ (freeware).
In Notepad++, after opening the rcp file, in the menu, select the language XML, then copy and paste layer from a file to another file, just rename the item number for each layer.
Be sure that two layers don’t have the same number.
You’ll need also to change the number of layer in the section <items count=”xx“> .
Take care, the first layer number begin at 0.
Then the item count is equal to the last layer number +1.
Don’t change the section <gridview>, this will be generated automatically.

Modifying a recipe during the execution

After modifying the recipe file, you must define a new entry point:
right click on the layer you want to start and select the item “Start recipe here” then save the recipe.
Stop the current recipe and start again.
It will start at the layer that you have defined.

Are recipes compatible with the old version of Crystal ?

Yes since version v1.04 build 9, you can directly convert the content of a directory into the new recipe format.
In the menu, select Tools/Recipe converter

What is the minimum duration of a layer and what is the accuracy ?

In theory there is no minimum. When a layer is executed, all events of this layer are dispatched to the appropriate devices (the time depends of the device driver used but a write frame is always priority).
A layer is never skipped even a shift appears in the timeline.
Crystal XE uses the same thread to schedule recipes and communication engine (thread = independent task managed directly by the ‘OS).
This allows sending synchronized command in recipes.
This thread is not disturbed by other processes in the operating system although it is not pre-emptive.
This thread is fully independent of the main thread of Crystal XE.
Also, the functioning of layer is not based on a cumulative time but on a reference calculated from the beginning of the recipe.
That means if we make a layer every second while an hour, the last layer will occur at exactly 3600 seconds and not the cumulative of one second while an hour.
This could have result of a shift.
By example, this would mean that if the computer was frozen for 500ms when a layer is executed then this layer will be delayed by 500ms and the next layer will occur 500ms later, the difference between the both first layer should be 1.5 seconds end then 0.5 seconds for the next one.
But this case is extreme and is only theoretical.
Crystal XE is provided with a tool to log all frames which are sent and read from and to a device. Each frame features the time (with ms) and date.
With this tool, we can observe that the time is accurate and not shifted.

I’m interesting in using the mobile application but I don’t want to connect the MBE computer to the Internet.

Using a proxy or a rooter, the computer can be isolated from the Internet, there are several solutions, see the cloud and mobile manual for more details.
All manuals can be downloaded in the manual tab (Only for register users. If you don’t have an account click here)

How to create a script that runs in the background (AN003) ?

Several examples are provided in this application note:
– How to send an SMS when the PSSI is triggered – How to create a new recorder every day – Record an event when changing CVEP valve – Calculate the gas volume.

Application note

How can I use an Arduino UNO with Crystal XE (AN005) ?

This application note explains how to communication with an Arduino UNO using the USB and modbus protocol.

	Application note
	Arduino example file and libraries

How can I add script in a basic recipe (AN006) ?

This application note describes how to add scripts into a standard recipe.

Application note

How can I use Gmail to send email from Crystal ?

By default, the gmail SMTP server is blocked.
To unlock it click here: https://myaccount.google.com/lesssecureapps