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Post by mikey on May 3, 2009 8:02:41 GMT -8
Hi All ! I need your help to try and create an automatic bumping macro. What is a macro you ask? A macro is a program written in virtual basic using Microsoft Excel that performs certain repedative functions. However, it won't recognize mouse clicks, so you have to know the keystrokes for each operation, better know as shortcuts. Here's what we know about those shortcuts in MTE so far... CTRL + ] = Rt Arrow (see next layout) CTRL + [ = Back & Quit CTRL + \ = Lt Arrow (see previous layout) CTRL + Backspace = Drop from Favorites CTRL + Delete = Drop from Favorites Delete = Drop from Favorites Esc = Back & Quit Lt Arrow = see previous layout Up Arrow = see previous layout Rt Arrow = see next layout Down Arrow = see next layout CTRL + C = Copy - MarilynCTRL + V = Paste - MarilynI haven't been able to find a shortcut for Play, Hint, yes, or no yet. I've tried many combinations with no success. Generally the CTRL key in combination with another is a possible shortcut. Sometimes the Alt key, and Shift are used in combinations with other keys as well. If you do find a winning combination for one of those four functions, Play, Hint, No or Yes, please let me know. After we can get that information, I will attempt to write a bumping macro we can all use to bump our layouts automatically. Wouldn't that be cool ?!! Mikey p.s. - CTRL + Shift + Y = CRASH ! Found that one out today.
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Post by Tia on May 3, 2009 8:10:47 GMT -8
Mikey.. I asked about this in another forum a few years ago.. and no one really knew what I was talking about. Years ago, where I used to work, we used macros for a lot of repetitive work and I just KNOW there has to be a way to create one for bumping lay outs!! I even called one of my old bosses but she could not remember how we created them.. so I have had no luck with this. But I am so excited to see that you are working on this and asking around.. I KNOW we can do it! Karma Hug for you for getting this topic started!!
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Post by Marilyn on May 3, 2009 13:55:31 GMT -8
Mikey! That is amazing!!! If you could figure out how to bump via the keyboard dare I say you'd be da MTE Gawd! The only thing I have to add to your list up there is something most speedie players know but may not be known to ALL that are peeking in (OMG people just sneak a peek in here?) looking at this is you must copy / paste via the keyboard so I would just add the Control + C = Copy Control + V = Paste Just to have your list a bit more complete. I will be ever so interested if you ever figure out how to bump via the key board, in the mean time I'm giving ya a big ole Karma Hug for your great awesome idea!
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Post by mikey on May 3, 2009 15:26:35 GMT -8
Added those to the list, and updated the original thread. TY by the way. Karma hug right back at ya ! Mikey
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Post by barbann on May 3, 2009 17:28:39 GMT -8
After reading this post I was really intrigued, automatic bumping, boy would I like that.
So instead of finding a keystroke that would work I thought there has to be a program for this. After looking at various options on the internet I found that there are programs that will record your mouse clicks. So I found one that could be used for games and tried it. It worked. So then I just had to do a launch and test it. It didn’t work and I had to re-record my repetitive sequence, play, hint, back, no, but then released the next layout and it worked. The program is advanced key and mouse recorder. It has a 30 day free trial. No idea if I am allowed to post a link here. Marilyn can let me know. There are probably other ones, only tried this one and it worked for me.
Mickey you are a genius. Big karma hug to you. It was so strange watching my layouts be bumped in the game, but it works.
Hugs to all, BarbAnn
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Post by mikey on May 4, 2009 4:33:39 GMT -8
I tried it as well, and liked what I saw. The only trouble that I see, is that when the game hangs for a second sometimes when it's communicating with the server, you might get a little hiccup. The only thing that really happens is how ever many hiccups you have, is how many manual bumps you will have to do after the macro is done running. One other down side is that it isn't a free ware application, so if you want to continue using it after the 21 day evaluation period, you have to buy it. I'm still working on this, so more to come. I have to go to work unfortunately. I'll pick it up again tonight. Mikey p.s. - Here's the link if you want to try it. Just remove the asterisks. **http://www.suggestsoft.com/soft/grass-software/advanced-key-and-mouse-recorder/** Almost forgot. Karma hug to you BarbAnn !!
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Post by Marilyn on May 4, 2009 12:31:12 GMT -8
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Post by Tia on May 4, 2009 13:06:56 GMT -8
Not sure about what this program is.. but I just know there is a way to create a keyboard macro for this that would not cost us money.. which I don't have.. so am still trying to get in touch with folks I used to work with. Some how we record the key strokes and them just hit some combination of maybe two keys to play back what was recorded.. and we should be able to do that as many times as we need.. like a whole launch worth!! Thanks Barb Ann for finding this, you are such a sweetie!!! I want to check it out.. but I know I can't buy it so am still searching for another way!
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Post by mikey on May 4, 2009 20:05:34 GMT -8
Ok... I found a free ware program that I think we can all use. It's a little more complicated than the one that BarbAnn found, but it uses the same basic principals. When I installed it, it automatically downloaded .NET 2.0 (Microsoft) and installed it on my system. It's called MacroMaker, and here's the link for it. **http://members.ij.net/anthonymathews/MacroMaker.htm** Remove the asterisks... Not sure about the safety factor, but I haven't had any problems yet with XP. Anyway, it allows you to record your mouse clicks, and then create a macro that executes the recorded clicks. Tips: CTRL + Break to stop recording Don't associate a common hot key...LOL...like "B". I started writing this thread and kicked off the macro. LOL!! I would use CTRL + something if I were you. The PLAYBACK RECORDING command located in Macro command types : System is what you need in your macro to make it run. CTRL + Esc or CTRL + Alt + Delete terminates or stops the macro One other thing that the installation did was drop a shortcut into the start up menu so it automatically kicks off when you start your computer. Simply delete the shortcut by pressing your Start button>>All programs>>Startup>> Right click on MacroMaker and then select delete, if your are running XP, and you do not want it to execute on startup. That's a rap...I think. Mikey
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Post by Spazza on May 5, 2009 21:46:44 GMT -8
MIKEY & BARBANN!!! You are absolute geniuses!! Mikey i tried yr freeware version on my puter but it didnt work for me - BarbAnn i followed the link that Marilyn posted for you & wasnt going to pay the NZD amount for the Advanced 2.9 version - thats pretty expensive in NZDs - to the right in that link tho i spotted the Axife Demo download so i dldd it & tried it today - i couldnt save the mouse & key strokes via the demo but i did manage to record the mouse strokes of bumping an lo & down key to move to the next lo & clik on play for each lo & it bumped thm all for me The only 1 prob i came across was with the slower loading lo's - due to design (i gota edit those 1s for the next time i come across that file) - if they dont load before the mouse strokes kik in instead of clicking on play it clicks on pause & continues - this created an lo that had been bumped 5-6 times then moved onto the next as thats where the strokes were up to - the only other problem i can see happening is if the sharing of lo's is on a go slow - which happens on occasions Other to that i was so impressed with the Axife programme that i bought it Thr are 3 programmes in the Demo download to try - all the same programme just more advanced versions of it - i bought the 1st demo at a cost of 18NZD - the cost in USD is 9.99 (Ya dont have to have a credit card etha - thr are a number of other options for payment) I have since launched another set of lo's & have saved the file for future use & it worked like a dream!!! except for the 3 or 4 lo's i need to edit to fall into the strokes so they are fully bumped WAY TO GO GUYS!!! KARMA HUGZ TO YOU BOTH & THANK YOU Bumping can be such a drag & sssooo time consuming at times Now i'll be able to share & bump more regularly & do other stuff wile its at it - its grt!!! So now if i can just work out how i can get it to Renumber/ReName the lo's!!! Heres the link for more info www.axife.com/axmrec/ (Update - this link is no longer active - new link on page 4)PLEASE NOTE: It dosnt say if its compatible with Vista but it dosnt say it isnt etha but thr is an option on thr site to contact them - so ya can always ask thm Have Fun with it all guys & to all - Fi
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Post by mikey on May 6, 2009 16:52:04 GMT -8
The version that I found isn't very user friendly. In order to open up the main console, you have to either click on the little icon that it drops into the lower right tool bar, or right click and select show main window to even bring it up. Once you can get to the main window, you'll be able to utilize it. I should have mentioned it sooner, sorry about that. Be sure to disable the hot key triggers in the Options if you're planning on typing anything. After you make changes in the options, you need to shut it down, and bring it back up in order for it to save the changes you made. Like I said, this freeware thing isn't very user friendly. Thanks Fi for the new information on a different option. Karma hug to you !! Mikey
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Post by Marilyn on May 6, 2009 22:33:29 GMT -8
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Post by mikey on May 7, 2009 14:13:16 GMT -8
Quick question about macros. They can certainly help in the bumping process, but what about building a playing macro that actally plays the game for you. It would only work on layouts that are all the same, and would studder from time to time when a daily double, or other conditions in the game exist. My question is... Would some consider that cheating? Now that we have a few options as far as that goes, it's a valid point to bring up. For example, the MarcroMaker program has an option to speed up the macro, allowing times to become much shorter for a completed layout. Shorter times will allow one to move up through the ranks at a faster pace. So as you can see, some may consider building a macro to play your layouts would be cheating. Thoughts? Mikey
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Post by Spazza on May 8, 2009 3:33:49 GMT -8
Mikey Id thought that as well - but yd know if that was the case coz every lo the macros does would have the same times on every launch from that person - there would also be alot of messing around to save the macros mouse strokes for so many varying players lo's - ya could do it but would be really interesting if a player changes the style of the los & you start macros up to playm but the mouse strokes dont match As for me i currently have lo templates on my external from number 1 - 3400 in 50 sized blocks (that way i just gota edit the name on me next player ) so my lo's are from a different file everytime i share - even wen i add me next lot of templates eg: 3401 - 4000 from the 1s iv already got i edit some of the los in each one - i do this & work this way coz i cant stand too much repetitiveness - i like a lot of variety & change - keeps it interesting & fun - bit like a grab bag ya cant see into - omg even if i wanted to do macros with my own id be wasting me time coz id probably re-design an lo here & there wen i re-name anyway Iv been using the macro to launch since i dldd it & its doing a pretty good job - altho thr are still the hiccups with it not always sharing an lo or fully bumping 1 or 2 - so today i modified me macros save by slowing the strokes down just a tad to give the game time to do what it needs to wile launching - it shared all of them but i still had2 bump the odd 1 or 2 up that hadnt been fully bumped - not that i minded at all coz after i started the macros i had a cupl of things to do up the street which i went & did & wen i returned it had about 5 left to do that in itself was a bonus so the macros is a definate plus in that respect The other thing too Mikey - is wen ya play yr lo's - i move me game screen to 1 side of me puter to play them coz i hava wide screen monitor & wen i start my game up it pops up bang smack in the middle of me screen & i find it awkward to play them where it comes up - same wile launching & bumping meself coz i usually have the launch screen up as well - with using macros, for it to work, ya have to have the game screen in exactly the same place everytime for the macros to connect the mouse strokes with the buttons it needs to push to bump - so to use the macros i open the game - open macros - clik play & let it go - i dont move the game screen or bring up the launch screen now until its finished. I could incorporate the launch screen with the macros as part of the movements & get it to refresh etc but in that case id need to record a full launch bumping it meself & refreshing the launch screen periodically at the same time which wouldnt be a prob - but ya cant use yr mouse wen macros is running unless you stop wot its doing so grabbing from the launch screen is out & if ya do while recording then ya never know wot lo's its going to grab during playback its only wen the launch is over that i go in & see whos launched & create lo's for replys etc wile i'm checking the launch & topping up any lo's (besides, would have to be with it all the time to macros everything then stop the macros to grab then start it again on the next lo - may as well be doing them meself if thats the case - thats my view) Marilyn - give the demo a go - yl love it - & it is so user friendly - ya clik record - bump 1 lo with ya mouse - push down on yr keyboard to go to the next lo & clik stop - in the demo ya keep clicking play wen it stops & it will copy those actions for each lo - if ya buy it ya can save the file & how many times ya want it to play & load it wen ya ready to launch the next time Its not 100% effective but its an excellent 99% improvement on doing it all yaself to ya guys Gota go give BarbAnn the karma i owe her
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Post by mikey on May 8, 2009 16:22:04 GMT -8
I did make a macro to play lo's to see if it would work, and turned up the speed a little just to try it out. I ran a string or two of Terry's Boring series since they were all the same. It worked very well, with the occassional hiccup of course. The times I posted were 6.6, and 6.7 on the ones that finished the quickest. When the hiccups occur, the time increases depending on how fast you catch them and finish. I didn't turn up the speed a lot, but enough to see how it would react. I think the fastest times I've posted manually is mid to low 7's on a 42 tile layout. I'm certain I could get more than what I did out of it by pouring on the speed. I consider myself compeditive, and if someone were using a macro just to get a fast time and beat everyone else, it might wrinkle my nose up a little. Especially if they lied about it saying that they did it manually. I wouldn't have any objections to the use of them to play layouts, just don't wiggle you butt singing nah nah nah I got the fastest time. LOL I guess we could start making strings of layouts labeled specifically for using macros to generate points. More feedback on the "Is it cheating?" question, please. Thanks Fi ! Karma hug 2 ya. Mikey
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