Saving and Loading Files

The RTMC130 system uses various file types to store your movements, configuration settings, and other important data. Proper file management is crucial for maintaining your work and ensuring consistent operation across sessions.

Understanding File Types

The RTMC130 system uses several distinct file types, each serving a specific purpose:

File Type	Extension	Contains	When to Use
Move Files	.MOV	Movement data, keyframes, and paths	To save a specific movement sequence
Setup Files	.SET	System configuration, axis settings, motor patches	To save hardware configuration settings
Environment Files	.ENV	Overall system preferences	To save global system settings
Temporary Files	.TMP	Temporary move storage	For quick save/restore operations
ASCII Files	.ASC	Text-based move data	For importing/exporting to other systems

Default System Files

The RTMC130 system automatically looks for these important default files:

• DEFAULT.SET - Loaded automatically at startup if present
• RTMC.ENV - Contains environment variables and global settings
• LASTMOVE.MOV - Auto-saved version of the most recent move (for recovery)

Saving Movements

After creating a movement sequence, saving it is essential to preserve your work for future use.

Saving a Move File

1. From the main Control Panel, click UtilFiles
2. Select Save Move from the menu
3. The Save Move dialog will appear
4. Enter a filename (up to 8 characters, no extension needed)
5. Optionally, add a description of the move when prompted
6. Press Enter to save
7. The system will save the file with a .MOV extension

Quick Temporary Save

For quick saves during work sessions:

1. From the main Control Panel, click UtilFiles
2. Select Save Temp from the menu
3. The move will be saved with an automatically assigned temporary name

Naming Conventions

Due to the 8-character limit, develop a consistent naming scheme:

• Project Prefixes: Use 2-3 letter prefixes for projects (e.g., CM_ for "Commercial")
• Version Numbers: Include version numbers (e.g., ORBIT_01, ORBIT_02)
• Move Types: Indicate move type (e.g., PAN_ORBT for a panning orbit)
• Descriptive: Make names descriptive within the constraints (e.g., DOLLY_IN)

Loading Movements

Loading previously saved movements allows you to reuse your work or continue editing from a previous session.

Loading a Move File

1. From the main Control Panel, click UtilFiles
2. Select Load Move from the menu
3. The Load Move dialog will appear showing available move files
4. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the file list
5. Press Enter to select the highlighted move
6. The move will be loaded into memory, replacing any current move data

Restoring a Temporary Save

1. From the main Control Panel, click UtilFiles
2. Select Load Temp from the menu
3. The system will display available temporary saves
4. Select the desired temporary file to load

Before Loading a Move

Take these precautions before loading a move file:

• Save Current Work: If you have unsaved changes, save them first
• Check Configuration: Ensure your hardware configuration matches the one used when the move was created
• Verify Space: Make sure the physical space is clear for the movement that will be loaded
• Initial Test: After loading, run the move at low speed first to verify it behaves as expected

Saving System Configurations

Setup files store your hardware configuration, including motor patches, axis settings, and calibration values. Saving these settings is crucial for maintaining consistent system behavior.

Saving a Setup File

1. Configure your system as desired:
   • Set axis parameters in AxisSetup
   • Configure motor patching (see Motor Patching)
   • Adjust any other hardware settings
2. From the main Control Panel, click UtilFiles
3. Select Save Setup from the menu
4. Enter a filename (up to 8 characters)
5. Press Enter to save
6. The system will save the file with a .SET extension

Saving the Default Setup

To create a configuration that loads automatically at startup:

1. Configure your system as desired
2. From the main Control Panel, click UtilFiles
3. Select Save Default Setup from the menu
4. The system will save the configuration as DEFAULT.SET

Loading a Setup File

1. From the main Control Panel, click UtilFiles
2. Select Load Setup from the menu
3. The Load Setup dialog will appear showing available setup files
4. Select the desired setup file
5. Press Enter to load
6. The system will apply the configuration immediately

File Management

Proper file management is essential for maintaining an organized workflow and preventing data loss.

Viewing File Directories

1. From the main Control Panel, click UtilFiles
2. Select View Moves to see all move files or View Setups to see setup files
3. Use arrow keys to navigate through the list
4. Press ESC to return to the menu

Copying and Backing Up Files

Regular backups are crucial. To copy files to a backup disk:

1. Exit the RTMC130 software to return to DOS
2. Use DOS commands to copy files:

   COPY *.MOV A:

   COPY *.SET A:

3. Or use a backup utility if available

File Management Best Practices

• Regular Backups: Back up important moves and setups to external media regularly
• Version Control: Use incrementing version numbers for iterative work
• Documentation: Keep a written log of important file details and settings
• Clean-up: Periodically remove obsolete files to prevent clutter
• Organization: Group related files using consistent naming conventions

Recovering Lost Files

If you experience a crash or power failure:

1. Upon restarting, use the rq (Reload Quit) command at the main prompt
2. This will attempt to recover data from the last session
3. If successful, immediately save the recovered data with a new name