The Sketcher - Version History

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Version 4.05 2014/02/23

Support B2 in Sketch editor, more instruments, vocal and guitar processors.

Support for Model 1S, B2, more microphones, percussion instruments, vocal and guitar processors

Version 4.04 2012/12/21

Support for Model 1S, B2, more microphones, percussion instruments, vocal and guitar processors.
MessageBuilder updates for Model 1S

Version 4.03 2008/12/27

New button category for Strings2
Showband now displays stage images immediately resolving confusion when clicking side buttons if nothing happens.
Bug fix - now gracefully handles ampersands in the Notes text box.
Support for up to 250 images.
New images for Hammered Dulcimer, Pedal Steel, Lap Steel, PorchBoard, T1® Power Supply.

Version 4.02 2007/08/24

Improvements to Sketch display routines to eliminate multiple database open/close calls. Internal code updates to showband.aspx, showbanddesigner.aspx to eliminate multiple calls to mappath and oledb...Open().

Version 4.01 2007/06/15

Moved library images to an off-site server for faster access. Testing in progress

Version 4.00 2007/05/03

This is a major upgrade to the User Interface.

The basic layout looks the same. The stage is on top and instruments are below but you now have access to nearly double the number of instruments (200 now). The instruments that were available before are still there. Now you can get to another 90 items (in addition to the existing ones) through a new button menu on the right side of the screen.

Buttons on right side of main Sketcher page show/hide objects and instruments below.

Amps
Pedals (even a JamMan)
Mics
Keys
Percussion
Strings (including a Bongo Electric Bass)
Wind (from Harp to Tuba and Bagpipes)
L1™ Model I
L1™ Model II
Devices (Effects and Mixers)
Numbers (all the codes and icons)

You can still see the instruments and objects you are most likely to need without clicking the buttons, but this gives access to many more.
The main limitation in earlier versions was screen real estate. More instruments meant more scrolling. We were already at the point where adding depth to the instrument area would have it very difficult to drag items from the bottom of the screen onto the stage area.
4.00a (informal release) 2007/05/05
- bugfix (orange numbers not clearing properly. Rewrote number handling, added 'nudge feature' for numbers and symbols like Vocal and Pickup. These no longer rotate but can be nudged with the arrow keys).
- recompiled with compression: Flash that displays and existing Sketch is now 74k vs. 344+ should result in significantly faster downloads. Also quality set to 100% for testing. This does make the small green numbers render better on bounceback server.

Version 3.04 2007/05/01

Experimental: More tiny buttons on the lower left side of the screen pop up numbers, microphones, and instruments. This should significantly reduce the amount of scrolling required to do a Sketch. Still in testing.

Version 3.03 2007/04/25

Sketcher: Pop-up button to show numbers and codes
Cleaned up user interface:
Removed New Sketch from Sketcher
Show/Hide Notes functionality improved (toggle message)
Buttons for T1: softer intensity in colour

Version 3.02 2007/04/22

Minor revsion: more green numbers, more objects (E609, Lakland Bass, Guitar stomp box). Administrator option to edit text in Notes section or Designer Field without having to generate a new Sketch.

Version 3.01 2007/04/18

Minor revision allows deletion of Sketches (automatically removes child - objects on stage). Tracks previous / next correctly from within showband pages.

Version3.00 2007/04/09

These changes are not visible in the user interface but permit Sketches with up to approximately 100 objects on the stage. (up from approximately 50). This was required to support the greater connection options with the T1 ToneMatch™ audio engine, especially when used with the L1™ Classic and L1™ Model I unit. Here is how it looks.

-- click image to make changes to the live version --
Here is a link to the full sized version of the image.

The T1 ToneMatch™ audio engine as brought with it a multitude of connection options. There are even more for people who use the T1 with an L1™ Classic or L1™ Model I. So I have re-written the Sketcher to accommodate up to (approximately) 100 objects on the stage (including numbers for indicating signal paths). This is nearly double the previous the capacity.

To put this in perspective, the Sketch above has 88 objects on the stage.

If you need to get into a lot of detail there is a new vocabulary of symbols related to the T1 ToneMatch™ audio engine and L1™ Model II. Here is an example using all possible inputs for a T1 and L1™ Model II. (Highly unlikely scenario).

Notes:

Update database structure (not a visible change)
Re-write Sketch Write/Retrieve to support database restructuring
Flash: performance enhancements, more object oriented approach to code
Flash: expand 'blank' palette to accommodate more images on 'redraw'
TODO - update demo video
Consider threading for related Sketches

Version 2.19 2007/04/01

New images to support L1™ Model II and T1 ToneMatch™ audio engine.
New images for input options on T1 (Channels 4, 5, 4/5) and outputs (Main, Aux, ToneMatch) to support planning for greater input / output options and combinations of T1, Model I and Model II.
Numbers redone in Flash, Consolas font for better onscreen legibility. Because these are now vector based, they scale very well. (Zoom mode when using the Sketcher).
MessageBuilder system now supports captions for T1 ToneMatch Preset groups.
TODO - update demo video

Version 2.18 2006/07/15

Performance enhancement - recompiled with tighter options (no debug symbols) - applies to all Flash objects - should load and execute faster.

Version 2.17.01 2006/02/18

Performance enhancement - recompiled with Flash 8 Pro. Showband now 70k (down from 360k). Sketcher is unchanged at 70k. Should load existing Sketches much faster. New sketches will be unchanged.

Version 2.17.00 2006/02/11

Most changes will not be visible (might improve performance)

Updated to .NET 2.0
Moved to P4 / CD3 server (faster)
Revised backup strategy
Investigating outbound mailer failure (end of Jan 2006)
More one-off instruments (harp etc.)
Start migration to SQLServer database - testing
Renamed most stage palette objects (peformance and record size)

Version 2.16.05 2005/11/05

Enhanced printing option - added to bar between the stage area and the instrument palette.
For Designers: Auto-email now shows name of Designer
New Designers' home page (for designers only).
Added A1 PackLite™ (added in October)
Allow for adding one-off instruments (e.g. Vibes or AX-1 - original user uses another instrument or number, and ST makes change in the database. All iterations of that Sketch continue to use the one-off image).

Version 2.16.04 2005/09/26

Help system re-write. Uses pop-up window instead of integrated help within the Flash object. Everywhere you find a link to Help, it should display the same window. Try it. Help

Version 2.16.03 2005/09/23

Added to the palette in the Sketcher
- B1 x 2 - user to provide notes about how it is powered.
- B1 x 4 - user to provide notes about how it is powered.
- MXL 2001/3 - looks like Neumann U87/89 (large diaphragm condenser - studio recording mic)
- MXL 630s - looks like many other small condenser mics
- AKG C535 EB - vocal/instrument mic
- AKG C1000s - self-powered condenser, often used as an instrument mic
- All microphones re-rendered to clear up excessive background shadowing and better relative scale
Backend Revisions
- Most objects (images) renamed. This is to allow more objects on stage.
- Rewrote section that checks to see if objects are actually 'on' the stage (fewer non-visible elements stored).

Version 2.16.02 2005/09/17

MessageBuilder (back end enhancement - not visible to users)
- Track your progress through the steps
- Change the SketchID
- See a small version of the Sketch you are documenting - while you are working on it.
- As you add Systems, MessageBuilder looks up V2.0 preset conversions to V1.0 presets. (You enter Version 2 presets and it looks up the V1.0 for you)
- Green numbers:
  You put 1g 2g 3g (a number the letter "g" a space afterwards) When you are ready you click the Replace 1g 2g 3g button and your message will be modified with the image codes to insert the green numbers.

Version 2.16.01 2005/09/15

Added to the palette in the Sketcher
- Shure SM55 microphone
Sketcher and update screens are now identical
MesssageBuilder system
- does lookup to for Version 1.0 equivalent presets
- embeds colour images in forum version of the message

Version 2.16.01 2005/09/03

Added to the palette (in the Sketcher)
- Processors: TC-Helicon Voice Live, Taylor K4, Fishman Aura, LR Baggs Para DI (that can also be used as a generic DI).
- Back Tracks sources: iPod, mp3 player, minidisc player
- Instruments: Flute
To Do
- Add same to edit/update palette
- Redesign of edit/update palette (remove things unlikely to be used in that mode).
- Edit mode - Allow user making the update to enter his/her ID as person who made the most recent changes.
Behind the scenes: Message builder system for forum posting.

Version 2.15 - 2005/08/30

Changed Logic: When you save or edit your sketch you now see a new page (The Saved Sketch page) with
- Options on things you can do at that point.
  - Join the Sketcher Discussion
  - Review or update your Sketch
  - Bookmark or add Sketch link to your Favorites
  - See other recent Sketches
  - Post a private message to ST through the forum system
  - Read Help
  - Read Version History
- A copy and paste box with text you can use in a posting in the forum.
- Remedial messages if there has been a problem saving the sketch
Updated help messages
Behind the scenes
- Email notification automatically sent to ST when you save or update a sketch

Version 2.14 - 2005/08/27

Changed Logic: When you save your sketch the display page automatically loads.
Display Page (existing sketch) enhancements:
- Better handling for Bookmark this Page functionality
- Better interaction for previous/next links
- Rewrite instructions for clarity
Numbers (3rd Series - Green for notes)
Instruments added:
- Harmonica
- Fender Pro Junior
Clarified wording on the Sketcher page.
Version History (this page) now a separate document as it was getting too long to include in the help section of the main Sketcher page.
Database structure modifications (not visible in user interface).

Version 2.13 - 2005/08/15

More Instruments
- Accordion
- Laptop Computer

Version 2.12 - 2005/07/22

Added numbers and symbols to label connections
- = Channel 1 input
- = Channel 2 input
- = Channel 3 input
- = Channel 4 input
- = Bass Line Out
- = Insert

Version 2.11.1 - 2005/07/16

Alert message when Save successful
Improved handling of Notes and Instrument Palette in the 'show band' display
Testing new database structure (with images migrated to faster server)

Version 2.11 - 2005/07/11

Bose ID (or nickname) is now required
Minor changes to Instrument Palette

Version 2.1 beta - 2005/07/05

Improved drag functionality: Dragging an object from the store to the stage works faster and the new object appears more precisely as dragged.
Refined images so hot zone for dragging is the visible instrument (instead of the rectangle described by the extreme corners. This should work better for repositioning items on the state.
When displaying an existing layout, only the stage is drawn. This loads the page to load 15-30 seconds faster.
Added button to load the store - but this should only be required if you intend to add items to the stage.

Version 2.0 beta - 2005/07/04

Should load much faster, as we are now loading less than 1/3 of the data we were before.
Unlimited 'multiples' of anything in the "store".
Maximum items on the stage is approximately 50 (theoretically we could go to 60 or 70) but the stage is very cluttered at 50 so it is unlikely we will have to go that far.
Rotation is now possible with the left and right arrow keys as well as the buttons.
Added more percussion instruments and electronic drums.
Added placeholder for a Vocalist and simplified the placeholder marker for a pickup.
Behavior is different when you drag and release an object. The original returns to the "store" and a copy remains on the stage. Placement of the new item may be slightly off from where you expect it, but you can drag the new item to the best location. May have to write some help notes.

Version 1.3 - 2005/06/28

Nothing visible to the user: I have re-written the way the data is stored in the database.

Version 1.2 - 2005/06/27

Added ability to 'remember' overlapping items in the correct order
When user clicks "See what ST will See" the image automatically loads. No need to click the button
Easier to view last 20 and then click and load older sketches
Easier to save with updates
Can now support a link to a previous sketch

Version 1.1 - 2005/06/26

Multiples of everything (as requested by Ken, Pete, and Tom)
Rotation of objects (as requested by Alan and Hilmar)
Numbers for adding notes and identifying Players
To add information about any part of the stage, drag a green number onto the stage area, then talk about it in the Notes section (click the button to open that).
More instruments (waiting for your suggestions)