Creating Custom Methods

You have two options when creating procedures. You can choose to use one of the available pre-preprogrammed templates or you can choose a custom test and create your own method. A custom method can contain up to 225 segments. This help topic describes how to create a custom method.

Access the Experimental View/Procedure Page, then click on the Editor button. The Method Editor window is displayed. To see an image of the window, click here figure . Once you have this window open, you can create a new method, edit the current method, import an existing method, or export the current method to a file.

NOTE:  Thermal Advantage/Thermal Solutions method files are not compatible with this Thermal Advantage Q Series™ software.

Basic Instructions for Creating a Custom Method

• You can use the drag-and-drop technique to add, move, or insert segments. Drag the desired segment from the Segment List to the method contents segment description list or within the method contents list.

• To clear the current method contents (name and segment description), click the New button.

• To remove a segment, select (highlight) the segment in the list and press the Delete button or press the Ctrl+X keystrokes.

• To edit the parameter of an existing segment, double click on the desired segment, then edit the values (or select the segment and press the Ctrl+E keystrokes). Use the TAB key to move between the parameter fields.

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Click on a topic below for more details on the Method Editor functions:

• Creating a new method

• Adding a segment

• Removing a segment

• Editing the segment parameters

• Reordering segments

• Copying and pasting segments

• Inserting a segment

• Importing (opening) a method file

• Export (saving) a method file

Creating a New Method

Follow these steps to create a new custom method:

1. Access the Procedure Page. Select the Custom test from the list of available templates.

2. Click the Editor button to display the Method Editor window.

3. Click on the New button to clear the current method contents (name and description).

4. Add the desired segment from the Segment List by double clicking on the segment to be added.

5. Make the desired changes to the segment parameters by either entering the desired parameter or choosing from the drop-down list of available options. Use the TAB key to move between segment fields.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until all of the desired segments are added to the method.

7. Click OK when finished. (You can save this method or the entire procedure, if you plan to use it again in the future. Click on one of these topics for more information:  Saving Method Files or Saving Procedure Files.)

NOTE:  The following functions are performed from within the Method Editor window.

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Adding a segment

To add a segment to any open method:

1. Access the Procedure Page. Select the Custom test from the list of available templates.

2. Click the Editor button to display the Method Editor window.

3. Click on the desired segment to be added from the Segment List to highlight it.

4. Use the drag-and-drop method to move the segment: Hold down the mouse button while you move the cursor to the desired position in the list of numbered segments (Segment Description List). Then release the button.

5. Edit the entry field(s) as desired, using the TAB key to move between fields.

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To append a segment to the end of a method:

• Double click on the desired segment to be added from the Segment List.

or

• Click on the desired segment to be added, then press Ctrl + E to append it to the method.

or

• Follow these steps:

1. Click on the desired segment to be added from the Segment List to highlight it.

2. Use the drag-and-drop method to move the segment: Hold down the mouse button while you move the cursor to the empty area under the list of numbered segments (Segment Description List). Then release the button.

3. Edit the entry field(s) as desired, using the TAB key to move between fields.

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Removing a segment

To remove a segment from the method:

1. Access the Procedure Page. Select the Custom test from the list of available templates.

2. Click the Editor button to display the Method Editor window.

3. Click on the desired segment to be deleted from the Segment Types list to highlight it.

4. Press the Delete button on the computer  keyboard (or press Ctrl + X to cut the segment).

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Editing the segment parameters

To make changes to the parameters for an existing segment in a method:

1. Access the Procedure Page. Select the Custom test from the list of available templates.

2. Click the Editor button to display the Method Editor window.

3. Double click on the segment to be changed in the Segment Description list (or highlight the segment and press Ctrl+E). The editable fields will be displayed.

4. Position the cursor in the field that you wish to change.

5. Make the desired changes by either entering the desired parameter or choosing from the drop-down list of options available for that segment.

6. Press the TAB key to move to the next field.

7. Press Enter when finished editing.

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Reordering segments

To change the order of the segments use the drag-and-drop method as follows:

1. Access the Procedure Page. Select the Custom test from the list of available templates.

2. Click the Editor button to display the Method Editor window.

3. Click on the desired segment.

4. Hold down the mouse button while you move the pointer to the desired segment location.

5. Release the button. The segment will be moved to the specified located.

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Copying and pasting segments

To copy and paste a segment:

1. Access the Procedure Page. Select the Custom test from the list of available templates.

2. Click the Editor button to display the Method Editor window.

3. Highlight the desired segment and press Ctrl+C to copy the segment. Multiple segments may be copied at one time by holding down the Ctrl key while highlighting the segments, then release the key and press Ctrl+C together to copy them.

4. Highlight the desired location within the segment description list and press Ctrl+V to paste the segment.

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Inserting a segment

To insert a segment in the list of existing segments:

1. Access the Procedure Page. Select the Custom test from the list of available templates.

2. Click the Editor button to display the Method Editor window.

3. Click on the desired segment to be added from the Segment List to highlight it.

4. Use the drag-and-drop method to move the segment: Hold down the mouse button while you move the cursor to the desired position in the list of numbered segments. Then release the button.

5. Edit the entry field(s) as desired, using the TAB key to move between fields.

You can also copy and paste a segment to insert it.

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Importing (opening) a method file

To open (import) a method file:

1. Access the Procedure Page. Select the Custom test from the list of available templates.

2. Click the Editor button to display the Method Editor window.

3. Click the Import Method button.

4. Locate the desired folder containing the method files. Select a file from the list.

5. Click the Open button.

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Export (saving) a method file

To save (export) a method file:

1. Access the Procedure Page. Select the Custom test from the list of available templates.

2. Click the Editor button to display the Method Editor window.

3. Click the Export Method button.

4. Locate the desired folder for your method files.

5. Enter the name for the file. The default extension is .mth

6. Click the Save button.

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