19 replies to this topic

[stix]

File Name: STIX PyroComps 2018 v1.zip

File Submitter: stix

File Submitted: 05 Jan 2018

File Category: Chemistry & Experiments

 

 

A useful tool that is more aimed at the pyrotechnics experimenter, but can also be used as a simple formula storage and retrieval system. You can use it for making peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, pyrotechnics or making home-made baby formula - it doesn't matter.
 
The database allows users to store and retrieve pyrotechnic or other formulas, then easily create a composition mix.
Users can add production methods, images and enter results.

 

 

Click here to download this file

Edited by stix, 05 January 2018 - 11:42 AM.

[stix]

A basic explanation is as follows:

 

The Main Window:

 

 

This is where you create a new formula, then insert your production methods, images and results.

-------------

 

Formulas are created by selecting chemicals from the drop-down components lists:

 

 

The "component lists" are populated from another window consisting of a list of chemicals that you can add/edit etc. This is accessed by selecting the yellow Chems List > button above.

 

 

New chemicals can be added/edited. The scientific name | common name and description can be entered, which will then be shown in the components list in the main comps window.

----------

 

Stored compositions can simply be retrieved by selecting from the Comps List :, then applying "QUICK FIND >"

 

-------

 

Finally, a composition mix can easily be made by entering the total amount in the Mix box, which is probably the most useful part .

 

The measurement system is just "Units", ie. Kilograms, Pounds, Cubits, Elephants Balls - it should not really matter, but it is Decimal. If that doesn't make sense, then ask on this post and perhaps it could be changed.

 

 

--------

 

It's also worth pointing out that formulas are entered in "parts" which will auto convert to percentages, making it simple to create your final composition.

 

-------------------------------------

 

I suggest that if you download it, then just play around with it and see how you go.

 

There's probably things I've missed, either in this description, or glaring obvious problems overall. This software was originally developed in 2015 and I've used it mainly as a record for developing sugar-rockets and nozzle formulas.

 

Please ask here if you have any questions.

 

Cheers.

 

[EDIT] The software should run under WIN7 to WIN10, unfortunately not on MacOs unless you have bootcamp etc.

Edited by stix, 05 January 2018 - 04:19 PM.

[MrB]

I just grabbed, and quickly poked this.

I have no "bug reports" or anything like that at this point. But a question / feature request.

 

If one is to use this, it will (very shortly) contain a gazillion different compositions.

Would it be possible to add a field where you could set one of more tags, like categories, and sort the "master list" on those through a drop list or similar?

Like: I know i want to make a colored star, but i haven't really decided which one i want. Select star, color, metal, and get a list of colored star compositions using metal as a fuel.

(Given, of course, that you added those tags to the composition when you added it to the system in the first place.)

 

Not at all certain to what extent that would be possible, but i mean, i have something like 10 variations on plain old charcoal stars, without anything other then straight BP chemicals in them. Different burn rates, different charcoal, different mesh, all for different visual effects. Sure, i might only use 2-3 of them regularly. But some of "those guys" that actually know what they are doing, and can spend a bit of storage space on it, has that many different compositions for just green stars. In the end ther may be a couple of hundred, if not thousand compositions. Doing something to... filter, the list, might turn out to be very helpful.

 

Nice little software. Seams to run OK on windows 10 at least.

[stix]

Yep point acknowledged Mr B.

 

At this point you could just name compositions: STAR, FUSE, etc.and they will appear in alphabetical order in the comps list. But yes, indeed it would be much nicer to have another drop-down list for the category, and then the main list will populate from that. Don't forget that you can type in the comps list to get to the composition quicker.

 

What you ask is very doable, but that adds another level of complication. If there are hundreds of compositions, then that would be a requirement and not a feature.

 

Then I guess we could have a category drop-list for the chems as well in case there are too many?

 

What I'm saying is that if another level (category) is introduced, then the user has to create then select from that category first which may cause confusion and make it all seem complicated.

 

Don't worry, I know EXACTLY what you mean.

 

I'll put it this way, I've posted this program as is and your feedback is absolutely appreciated. If others download this and have similar requests then I'll look at that and decide if I'm willing to spend the time to implement that function.

 

In answer to your question - YES - it CAN be done. In short, NO I've got better things to do unless I have an good incentive. Otherwise it is, as it is. Perhaps fiddle around with it a bit longer and you may find a simple work-around solution is satisfactory enough.

 

Time will tell

 

[EDIT] btw. I have used this for the last 2yrs and it has served my purposes very well. Certainly far better than writing shit down.

And furthermore, even if you don't want to store compositions you can easily create one from the lists and make a mix - very simple and dosen't cost you anything.

Edited by stix, 05 January 2018 - 11:00 PM.

[MrB]

What? My feature request got shot down that fast?! I am absolutely outraged... and in awe. Software support isn't supposed to happen at all during the weekend. I know, I've tried to get critical bugs worked out for business front-line systems, with zero luck.

So, now i don't know if i want to hail you as a miracle worker, or shun you for not instantly catering to my every whim.

 

It's past 6 in the morning. Forgive me my silliness. I'll go to sleep now.

[stix]

Well I hope that was just your weird sense of humour MrB.

 

I've haven't sleep last night and this is my 2nd day - drinking white wine. Pathetic I guess, but I have to go back to work on Monday so I am living it up.

 

The software is supplied as is and works simply if you can get past the "feature requests". My grandmother always said "The more you want - the more you will be dissatisfied". Just use it for what it is and we'll talk about version 2 later. Why not just delete my example compositions and start from scratch? Best not to delete the basic chems list though.

 

Take a breath, step back and have a look. The nice part is you can enter comps in parts then create a mix. Simple. No need at this stage (or ever) for complications.

 

It's offered "as is" gratis. I wrote this in 2015, it's not like I've been sitting here with nothing else better to do for the last 2 yrs. But I decided that my "NEW YEARS RESOLUTION" which I haven't had many recently (resolutions that is) is to SHARE what I have and what I know.

 

A slight bit of Kudos maybe? in that it would be nice to know that it's useful to others. The software is a simple and useful tool - Take it or leave it.

[MrB]

Well I hope that was just your weird sense of humour MrB.

Of course it was. You rock, and providing the software at all, is just awesome.

[stix]

Of course it was. You rock, and providing the software at all, is just awesome.

 

Thanks MrB, but now you've gone too far the other way

 

Just a simple "thanks for your efforts" will suffice.

[MrB]

 

I wouldn't argue with Mr.T. He looks... old and tired. Might make him mean and bitchy. Better accept his verdict.

 

(I intended to get a picture of Pauley perrette pointing at you with both hands, and the same text, but... i couldn't find it. That one would have been better. Who ever argued with a cute girl...)

[stix]

...(I intended to get a picture of Pauley perrette pointing at you with both hands, and the same text, but... i couldn't find it. That one would have been better. Who ever argued with a cute girl...)

 

Yeah, she's kinda cute and scary at the same time. I'm not sure what I would think if she was coming toward me pointing with both hands - I might well run away

 

A couple of important things to mention about the Software:

 

Be aware that there is no SAVE, CONFIRM CHANGES or UNDO

To clarify, the only undo is if you type in a text field, you can go the the edit menu/undo. Because it's a database, save is done automatically.

However, you can duplicate a composition before messing with it and you can also export all your compositions for safe keeping.

 

Be aware of using the mouse 'wheel'

If you are viewing all your compositions (Scripts/Show ALL & Sort) you can use the mouse wheel to easily flick through all your compositions - If you start editing one of the compositions then it can be too easy to accidentally move the wheel and not realise that you are editing a different comp. Been there done that

 

Therefore, if you are editing a composition, it's better to select it from the comps list and you will ONLY be shown that composition - problem solved.

 

The "Make a Mix of" box

One interesting and useful thing that can be calculated, is the scenario where you only have a certain amount of units left of a particular chemical. You can simply adjust the total units until it matches.

 

Example:

I want to make a mix of DE's but I realise I've only got 5 units of Al(200 mesh) left. I can simply adjust the mix total until it matches the amount of Al that I have:

 

 

As you can see, all the other Chems are automatically adjusted to suit. Handy and easier that using a calculator to work out new ratios or percentages. etc.

 

ADDITIVES

I can't really remember why I introduced "Additives" or if it was really necessary but you can see in the above comp the NCL was used as an additive, ie. Added after the main composition, much like you would add H2O. Well, that's the best explanation I can can up with - if it doesn't make sense, then don't use it.

 

[ERROR] I just noticed that in the Additives section it shows "grams" it should be units - my blunder. I'll fix that if and/or when anything else needs to be updated.

 

IN SUMMARY

I've seen that a few people have downloaded this - and hopefully it's of some use. Please use it, check it out and compare to your other methods and reply here if there are any obvious issues (like the one I've just noticed above).

 

I cannot STRESS this enough! Please give feedback good/bad/indifferent. It's still the holiday season, so I'll leave it up for another week or so, otherwise I'll have to remove it. I don't wan't this software to stay on this forum if there are problems with it.

 

After-all, I have my good reputation to uphold.

Edited by stix, 10 January 2018 - 06:18 AM.

[TomasBrod]

Can you provide source codes for this tool? I would like to have a look.

[stix]

No probs Tomas.

 

The "source code" is in my brain, and I'd prefer not to give that part to someone else. The only way you can "have a look" would be to perform an autopsy, and at this point I'd prefer that it was not done because I think I'm still alive and using my brains/s.

 

The software I used to create this solution is FileMaker circa 2002 (Old School). If this sort of thing interests you, then look and do some research into programming.

 

In the end it's not about WHAT or WHY, but about HOW... Although I could probably stick another WHY on the end.

 

[EDIT] I apologise if that was dismissive. PM me if you want to ask about my programming.

Edited by stix, 10 January 2018 - 10:12 AM.

[Scorpion812]

Hopefully theres no hidden RAT in there, JK great work on that program!

[stix]

Ha Ha hooo hoooo ha haaa haaaaa aarrrggh..... (ie. Machiavellian laugh with reversed pinky finger in mouth)

No, I can assure you that there is no "RAT" in there. I'm not that smart.

 

However, I don't trust computers either - so this is a good opportunity to mention a couple of things:

 

PRINTING

I always print out a hard copy of important compositions and keep them in one of those clear plastic sleeve folders for safe keeping. You may have to mess with your page & print setup to get it to fit. With my printer, I have to set it to A3 landscape and reduce to fit on A4 landscape. Fits perfect.

 

BACKUPS

For the same reasons as above, I also periodically do backups of the data files.

 

At the moment the easiest way is to go to Scripts / Show ALL & Sort then File / Export Records. You can export in various formats, ie. Excel. csv etc. but the best is (*.USR) which retains everything (including images). The file can then be imported at a later date in case the database becomes corrupt. I can make this procedure easier if asked by enough users.

 

The database can become corrupt via a power failure, hard disk failure etc. and all the data hasn't had a chance to be written to file. This is a very very rare occurrence and usually the database can repair itself. Nonetheless best to be sure.

 

So, in summary:

Print a hard-copy and save a file backup to another location.

 

This is important. You don't want lose your compositions and I don't want to have to deal with the aftermath. ie.

 

Stix, I've been using your so-called PyroComps software for the last 6 months and suddenly I've lost all my compositions - you are a useless individual and your software stinks. If you could be likened to a vile pile of cat turds then . . . .

 

Get the picture?

 

btw. Scorp's, thanks for your positive feedback.

 

Cheers.

Edited by stix, 16 January 2018 - 02:32 AM.

[MrB]

Waaaait a minute... Create a paper-trail so the cops can track it? Oh, hell no! YOU SNITCH! *goes on to shoot the printer*

 

It probably was calling NSA every now and then to let them know what i printed to. God riddance.

[rogeryermaw]

i d/l'd this file and played with it a bit. i like it and will use it regularly but i need a dedicated pyro laptop in my shed....also need to quit b.s.ing and order a new wasp power supply...i've been back to hand rolling since last august! good work on this stix!

[stix]

Cheers Roger, thanks for the positive feedback.

 

You can probably pick up a suitable laptop for almost nothing. A lot of people just throw them out when the battery is screwed and they work perfectly well but just need to be plugged into a power socket.

[stix]

Another hint/tip: In reference to the drop-down lists (components & comps lists).

 

These lists work the same as other lists in software programs: ie. Insert the cursor and type in the first few letters to get there quicker.

Edited by stix, 20 January 2018 - 01:56 AM.

[stix]

Something else that I think is very useful is that instead of inserting an image, you can insert a video. However there are some limitations given the age of the architecture of the software tool (2002) I used to create the final software.

 

I'm not sure if this will work in WIN8.1 or WIN10 and it has to be Quicktime compatible format, it does work in WIN7.

 

[Step 1]

Go to the folder where you have extracted/installed PyroComps

 

[Step 2]

Right click on the EXE file (STIX PyroComps 2018 v1.EXE) and select Properties.

Select the "Compatibility" tab and change the Compatibility Mode to Windows 7. ie.

 

 

[Step 3]

Install Quicktime. Try this link:

https://support.appl...37?locale=en_US

 

[Step 4]

Run PyroComps then right click on the image window - you should see "Insert Quicktime...". Find your video and insert it. ie.

 

 

You will likely have to convert your video format to suit. It may or may not work for you. If it does, then I suggest that you trim the video and also re-sample the resolution down otherwise the database can become very large and therefore slower to load and navigate.

 

Overall, I think this feature is a great thing. You now have a place where you can review and store everything about your composition:

The formula, the method, the results (in text) and the results as an image or video.

 

Like I said initially, this software is aimed at those who like to experiment. I hope that those who have downloaded it, find it useful. Questions, issues, improvements, please post back here.

 

In the future I'm hoping to connect this up so it works with Siri, that way you can just talk to it and it will make compositions for you (that last bit was complete bullshit )

 

Cheers.

 

[stix]

Another Tip I've been meaning to mention but keep forgetting, is there's another more powerful way to "Find" things other than using the Comps List.

 

It's a database after-all, so it has a built in "Find" feature. At any time you can select from the "View" menu: "Find Mode", or just use CTRL+F.

 

Now you will be in "Find" mode. You can you now enter various character symbols to fine tune the find, as show in the list below:

 

 

 

As in the example above, I've used the (*) asterix character in the main composition field, a bit lazy, but I'm looking for all my Dragon's Eggs compositions to do a comparison. It's not case sensitive which is good.

 

Hit the FIND button, or press return.

 

The result:

 

 

At left you can see that 3 records (compositions) were found. These are my three dragon's eggs compositions - but it would have also found "drag-bitch" if such a composition existed.

 

In FIND mode, you can search in ANY of the editable fields and use any combinations of the search symbols. An example is that I was looking for a composition that I wasn't sure of the name but I knew that in the results panel I had in part of the description, "it had a long tail". So I searched for *long tail* and found it.

 

I've also included next to the composition field, a checkbox: "Include this in the current test series". What that means is that if you are doing a series of tests (usually slightly adjusting the component parts), then you should select the checkbox. When re-opening the program, or at any time, you can then select the button "Show Current Series" and you'll only be shown those compositions. This would be the compositions you are/were currently working on. This makes it much easier to know where you're at and very useful for the experimenter, which is who this software is aimed at.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited by stix, 16 April 2018 - 06:00 AM.