Download Motion Commander 4.2a (3.6MB self-extracting zip) Includes: MC4.exe for Vista/XP/2K, runtime-only MC4R.exe, ACTIVEX, OPC, PMAC, COPLEY, ADAM5K and SERIAL devices, C++ device developer's kit, html help system and example stations. Existing installs are upgraded without affecting license status. Price Schedule (June, 2007) $795 - Motion Commander 4 Developer's Edition License a computer to run the full design version of MC4 and the runtime-only MC4R. Includes one year of priority support and free upgrades. $495 - Additional copies of MC4 Put a copy of MC4 on additional computers for a very reasonable price. $245 - Runtime-Only MC4R Contact support@MotionCommander.com for the latest prices and special offers.

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Motion Commander 4 is a graphical operator interface (HMI) program that makes it extremely easy to create virtual instruments that communicate with physical devices such as motion controllers and OPC enabled devices.

The Goal of Motion Commander 4

Enable the user to establish communication with devices and create attractive virtual instrument panels that talk to those devices - in the shortest time, the least steps, and in the easiest and most intuitive manner possible.

HMI-Specific Runtime Features

Objects are stretched and fonts are scaled to compensate for changes in window size and screen resolution. Stations designed on high-resolution desktop monitors will look good on lower-resolution HMI screens out on the shop floor.

Objects can be big, chunky, and high-contrast for touch screens and poor lighting conditions. Full screen mode, always-on-top and semi-transparent window options. Password security to open a station and/or to access selected panels.

The Update Cycle

MC4's object update cycle is highly optimized and refined. A closed-loop algorithm continually monitors and adjusts MC4's CPU loading. Multiple objects that query the same variables will automatically share data to optimize precious device communication bandwidth.

Device Type Plugins

MC4 device support is implemented via a "plugin" style architecture, enabling third parties to easily add support for their devices. Each plugin DLL exposes simple "Open", "Close" and "SendCommand" functions which can call third party communications libraries. Example C/C++ source code is available in a simple developer's kit.

Plugins are already included which provide industry-standard OPC communications and generic support for ActiveX automation objects, as well as communication with the Delta Tau Data Systems PMAC family of motion controllers.

Advanced Graphics

Complex features are rendered in the background and buffered in memory for extremely fast flicker-free graphics, even on slower machines. Sophisticated image features include transparency, stretches and tiles, pan and zoom, and support for all the common image file formats.

Easy to Design

Automation engineers and technicians don't have to be software developers to create reliable, efficient and attractive operator interface solutions using MC4. Simply add objects, double-click on them and fill in the blanks. Toggle instantly from design mode to runtime with no compiling required for an extremely efficient design-test cycle. Completely WYSIWYG with deep undo/redo support and context-specific help.

Commands and Scripting

The great majority of objects in a typical HMI simply send command(s) to update themselves or in response to user input. These commands are simply entered in fill-in-the-blank fashion or constructed by selecting from lists of objects and their keywords, with no need to deal with a scripting language.

However, when conditional logic, loops, local variables, or complex math and string operations are required, the station designer has the choice of using VBScript, JScript, and BASIC-like "Motion Commander Language".

Plain Text or Encrypted Stations

MC4's "station" documents can be saved as plain text or encrypted with password protection. The plain text format is a simple listing of objects and their properties, and can be easily sent via email or even created by external tools.

Lean and Portable

The MC4R runtime version with minimal support files is only 1MB and the complete MC4 distribution is less than 4MB. The MC4 program does not depend on bloated frameworks, runtime environments, or installation programs. You can have confidence that MC4 will run on any Windows XP or Windows 2000 computer without hassles. It even runs on NT4 with some reduced functionality.

Motion Commander 4
Graphical Operator Interface

Attention Manufacturers
Anyone with a reasonable knowledge of C++ can add a new device type to MC4 in less than a day. Complete C++ source code for several of MC4's device type plugin DLL's is provided in the "Plugins\DDK" subdirectory for developers to use as a template. Simply write your own "Open", "Close", and "SendCommand" functions that will make calls to your device's communications library. Add the DLL to the "Plugins" subdirectory and the new device type will be loaded automatically when MC4 is run. Please email us so that we can make your device type available to MC4 users.

MC4 User's Manual
Browse the complete MC4 HTML Help System to learn about Motion Commander 4 in greater detail.

MC4 Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers from the MC4 tech support archives are gathered and catagorized here for everyone's benefit.