Extracting data from other non MMF2 programs
Hi there,
I want to extract certain values from another program and manipulate these values in MMF2.
I'm trying to make a tripmaster and I have software that communicates with my car-computer that retrieves information like velocity and distance from the board computer. These values are displayed in the program and I want to somehow capture these values and manipulate them in MMF2.
Do you guys think this is possible or is this just crazy talk :)
Greetings,
Alex
Re: Extracting data from other non MMF2 programs
Is there a way of copy pasting the text?
Or perhaps I could take snapshots of the program and compare the digits somehow with 10 pictures of every number in order to get a value?
Re: Extracting data from other non MMF2 programs
You need to give more information.
Can your software export the data to a file? If so, what is the file format? (post an example file)
Getting text from the clipboard is easy enough (use the built-in "special" object - the one where you find the condition "always"), so if you can copy the text, that would be an option, like you said.
Trying to recognize characters from an image is not an option.
Re: Extracting data from other non MMF2 programs
Thanks for your quick reply MuddyMole!
My problem is a bit more difficult I'm afraid.. I'll be using a program that's not exporting anything.. it's just measuring the velocity of the car (from the OBD2 port) realtime and displays it on the screen. I posted a screencap on my flickr account:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6171/...05492a41cc.jpg
So I need to retrieve the velocity from this sheet. I'm able to select and copy the "green velocity value" manually, but what I need is a script that automatically selects and copies the value every second (or more) and pastes this in my own program.
I will use this velocity value to calculate the distance the car has traveled.
Re: Extracting data from other non MMF2 programs
I think you're out of luck then.
Unless you can find a way to communicate directly with the car computer, without going through that software (which is very advanced stuff).
Your best bet is going to be to try a different piece of software.
Re: Extracting data from other non MMF2 programs
It's pretty hardcore indeed... maybe I can find a software package that automatically saves the velocity to a specific data-file. That would be the easiest way to solve my problem i guess.
Thanks for your input MuddyMole
Re: Extracting data from other non MMF2 programs
If you have Developer, I could show you a way to do it. :)
Re: Extracting data from other non MMF2 programs
Hey StephenL,
Really?! Interesting! I don't have the developer version, but I know some people who do and maybe they can help me out a bit.
What would be your solution to this particular problem. :D
Re: Extracting data from other non MMF2 programs
It would be a work-around, but you could grab the window with Kernel object, select your elements (in this case maybe the "green velocity value"), and copy it somewhere by simulating mouse clicks/keyboard commands. I have made applications that use this method.
Re: Extracting data from other non MMF2 programs
ah sweet! I was thinking of such a solution, but I didn't think MMF2 would be capable of doing such a thing. I guess I was right because I need Developer to do that :)
It would be an interesting challenge. I just have to convince one of my friends to make it for me haha.
I guess it would be difficult to do anything else when this "macro" is running, right? Because of the windows switching and stuff?
Thanks for the tip mister!