Screen Captures on 14MZ radios -- First 14MZ utility

[RCfan]

Here's a cool new way to show-off your 14MZ (not that it needs one anyway) ...

If you've ever been asked how to configure a certain feature, or you simply want to show someone how you setup something without having to give them a model file (perhaps because they can't use it), well this is the tool for you.

T14mzScreenCap is the first custom utility built for the 14MZ radios (ZAP and ZHP alike). It's used to capture screen images of the 14MZ gui in real time. It's likely this will also work on the FX-40, however it will certainly not work on the 12Z (sorry guys, told you to get the 14MZ). Below is the full readme (also found in the zip download).

The file can be downloaded at this link: http://www.rcfan.com/files/14MZ/T14mzScreenCap_V1.1.zip

Once installed (see the README), you'll first see the normal Futaba banner:


You'll then be greeted by the utitlity's title window (make sure you READ IT):


Once you launch the regular GUI, you'll be able to take shots like this:


So go download and enjoy. Hope to bring additional cool utilities in short time. BTW, if you own a FX-40, give this a try and let me know how it works. Additional information will be discussed over at http://www.rcfan.com/forum/ ; drop in any time.

README:

README FOR T14mzScreenCap V1.1 BY RCfan (c) 2006
Last Change: July 26, 2006
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This utility allows Futaba T14MZ users to capture and save screen
shots directly from the radio to its memory card. It's possible,
although unverified as of this writing, that this will also work
on Futaba FX-40 versions of the radio. Unfortunately this will
NOT work on Futaba 12Z's as it employs a different method and
software than found on the 14MZ.


HOW DOES IT WORK:

This utility employs an undocumented feature of the T14MZ to
run a special program at startup. When initiated, it injects
special code that allow users to take screen shots of the 14MZ GUI.
It DOES NOT require any modification to the radio and DOES NOT
permanently change any part of the radio's systems.


HOW TO INSTALL AND USE:

1. Copy the T14mzScreenCap_V1_1.exe file from the zip archive
where you found this README to a CompactFlash (CF) card
compatible with the T14MZ.

2. After the copy completes, rename the file on the CF card to
T14mzUtility.exe (NOTE: the utility will not work unless the file
is named as instructed in this step.)

3. Take the CF card and insert it into the radio's card slot.

4. Power up the radio.

5. You will see the standard Futaba 14MZ logo followed a few
seconds later by the utility's title screen. Make sure you READ
IT as it serves to remind you of how captures are made. It also
provides a chance to disable the screen capture feature on start-up.

6. Click on the LAUNCH 14MZ GUI button near the top right of the
title screen to proceed with normal radio operation.

7. Start playing.

8. Once you're done taking screen shots, simply power off the
radio as you normally would.


TAKING SCREENSHOTS:

If enabled, the utility runs until the radio is powered off.
It quietly waits in the background for you to request a capture,
which is as simple as making a few keystrokes or using the touch
screen.

There are two different methods of taking screens shots:

Method 1: press AND release the S4 key three times in quick
succession (less than 1 second between each press&release), or

Method 2: Click four times quickly (again, less than 1 sec.)
anywhere on the touch screen.

Either method is available at any time, however there are certain
cases (special screens) in which one or the other can't be used
because it will affect input to the screen. For example, on the
button assignment screen, if you use the S4 key it will dismiss
the screen without accepting any changes (similar to hitting cancel
in a dialog in Windows). In such cases, use the touch screen method
to capture a screen. When using the touch screen, always click on
an unsused part of the screen to avoid upsetting the display you're
trying to capture.

Every time a screen shot is taken, the Futaba logo will flash during
the actual save operation (like it does when you copy a model from
radio to memory card). This acts as confirmation that the shot is
actually occuring.

Screen shots are named as follows on the CF card: ss_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.bmp.
Basically the timestamp (year, month, day, hour, minutes, seconds)
as found on the radio (make sure you have the date and time set
correctly). Each 640x240 .bmp-format file occupies approx. 450KBytes
on the memory card.


DISCLAIMER AND NOTICES:

- Use this software at your own risk. There is no warranty, implied
or otherwise.

- DO NOT USE THIS WHILE FLYING OR DURING A FLIGHT SESSION!!!!!!

- If you have trouble getting the S4 or touch-screen sequences working,
wait several seconds before trying again. This will reset the key
buffer. Pace yourself as you enter each key, you have about a second
in between each key-press/screen-click before the sequence resets.
You also don't have to press hard on either the S4 key or the touch
screen; just use them as you normally would.

[flyinfool]

Looks great.
I can't wait to get home tonight.

Thanks

[RCfan]

Unfortunately there's not much to "look" at ... Time permitting, I'll probably work on a screenshot viewer for it as well (or anything that'll help drain radio's battery faster ). But hacking takes precedence!

[wingtip]

does anyone still have this utility????? would like a copy please, if it worked....