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42	42
43	43	The next important step is "STORE OFFSETS" explained below.
44	44
	45	+== Connecting via USB ==
	46	+
	47	+The simplest way to connect is directly using an RS232 to USB cable. Here are the steps you need to follow in order to set this up. Follow the steps below:
	48	+
	49	+1. Connect the USB cable to the LSS Adapter board on your robot
	50	+1. Plug the USB connector into the PC
	51	+1. Connect the power to the LSS Adapter via the yellow XT60 plug
	52	+1. Power on the robot (On/Off switch)
	53	+1. Start the LSS FlowArm software
	54	+1. Select the appropriate COM port from the drop-down list
	55	+1. The software sends a query to servo ID1 and once a reply is received, it determines connection has been established.
	56	+
	57	+== Connecting via Bluetooth ==
	58	+
	59	+If you have purchased a Bluetooth module which is in XBee format, ensure
	60	+
45	45	= Interface =
46	46
47	47	== Header ==
...	...	@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@
98	98
99	99	A the top right of the window, there are three dark rectangles allowing you to change the application's window size.
100	100
101		-== Virtual Arm ==
	117	+== Simulator ==
102	102
103	103	(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="HArmConfiguration" %)
104	104	The arm shown on screen is based on the assembly guide. The aesthetics of the arms will be changing for the next release version of the LSS Flowarm software.
...	...	@@ -115,6 +115,22 @@
115	115
116	116	**[[image:lss-flowarm-top-view.jpg]]**
117	117
	134	+== Shortcuts ==
	135	+
	136	+**Base**: If you hold the SHIFT key while dragging with the mouse you can control base rotation.
	137	+
	138	+**Wrist Tilt**: You can tilt the hand by right-clicking and fragging the mouse up and down.
	139	+
	140	+**Gripper:** By holding the CTRL key whilst right-clicking and dragging you can open and close the gripper
	141	+
	142	+Just above the sequencer, you can find the following:
	143	+
	144	+[[image:lss-flowarm-keyboard-liveupdate.jpg]]
	145	+
	146	+**Keyboard: **When active (orange), the keyboard keys W/A/S/D and four arrows can fine tune the position of the arm. Note however that LSS FlowArm will respond to any of these keys being pressed even in another window, and for this reason, it is turned off by default.
	147	+
	148	+**Live Update: **When activate (orange), dragging the virtual arm on screen will send updated positions to the arm with a small time delay in between. With this option off, dragging the arm on screen will not cause any motion until the mouse is released.
	149	+
118	118	== Left Menu ==
119	119
120	120	**Gripper**
...	...	@@ -150,27 +150,147 @@
150	150
151	151	[[image:lss-flowarm-sequencer.jpg]]
152	152
153		-LSS FlowArm has a powerful pattern sequencer component (normally found only in the full version of FlowBotics Studio) that is used to create reusable patterns within minutes, instead of hours or days. From left to right:
	185	+LSS FlowArm has a powerful pattern sequencer component (normally found only in the full version of FlowBotics Studio) that is used to create reusable patterns within minutes, instead of hours or days.
154	154
155	155	(% style="width:1303px" %)
156		-|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-association.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Keyboard Association|(% style="width:758px" %)Patterns can be associated to keyboard keys F1 to F12, and keys E, F, G, and H
157		-|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-pattern-list.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Active Pattern Name|(% style="width:758px" %)Click on the text to change the pattern name. Use the arrows to navigate between patterns
158		-|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-patterns.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Pattern Options|(% style="width:758px" %)Add, remove, copy, save, open and delete patterns.
	188	+|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-association.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Assign Input|(% style="width:758px" %)Patterns can be associated to keyboard keys F1 to F12, and keys E, F, G, and H
	189	+|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-pattern-list.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Sequence List|(% style="width:758px" %)The sequence list is the first control on the sequencer.
	190	+|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-patterns.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Sequence Management|(% style="width:758px" %)(((
	191	+Add, remove, copy, save, load and clear all patterns.
	192	+)))
159	159	|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-frames.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Frame Options|(% style="width:758px" %)Adding a frame adds a blank frame to the list. The drop-down list gives "useful" pre-made frames. Recording a frame copies the arm's current on-screen position. The X removes a selected frame.
160	160	|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-copy-paste.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Copy / Paste Frame|(% style="width:758px" %)Copy and paste a frame
161	161	|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-settings.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Settings|(% style="width:758px" %)Useful features include: Toggle pause before frame; Remove gaps between frames; Reverse frames
162	162	|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-lock.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Lock |(% style="width:758px" %)
163	163	|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-loop.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Repeat / Loop Pattern|(% style="width:758px" %)Play once or loop; Set the playback speed using the up and down arrows.
164		-|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-play.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Playback Options|(% style="width:758px" %)Restart sequence, play or stop
	198	+|(% style="width:257px" %)[[image:lss-flowarm-play.jpg]]|(% style="width:306px" %)Sequence Playback|(% style="width:758px" %)Restart sequence, play or stop
165	165
166		-[[image:lss-flowarm-keyboard-liveupdate.jpg]]
	200	+**Sequences**
	201	+The sequencer allows you to make your robot move over time by transitioning from one position to another. Each transition we call a frame and a sequence of frames we call a sequence. You can create as many sequences as you like. You can play sequences back manually or using the keyboard inputs mentioned below. This section describes the sequence management functions of the Sequencer.
167	167
168		-Just above the sequencer, you can find the following:
	203	+**Sequence List**
169	169
170		-Keyboard: {More to come}
	205	+[[image:lss-flowarm-pattern-list.jpg]]
171	171
172		-Live Update:{More to come}
	207	+The sequence list is the first control on the sequencer. If you click on the arrow on the right-hand edge you'll see a list of the sequences that have been created and by selecting one you can move to that sequence. You can also scroll through the list one-by-one using the up and down arrow buttons. Clicking on the name of a sequence will allow you to change this. Simply type in the box then press the Return key or click away.
173	173
	209	+== Sequence Management ==
	210	+
	211	+[[image:lss-flowarm-patterns.jpg]]
	212	+
	213	+**Add Sequence**
	214	+
	215	+To add a sequence click the add button. A new sequence will appear in the list and its name will open for editing.
	216	+Remove Sequence: Click the remove sequence button to delete the currently selected sequence from the list. This action is irreversible so you will be asked for confirmation.
	217	+
	218	+**Duplicate Sequence**
	219	+
	220	+If you want to make a new sequence based on an existing one then you can duplicate it.
	221	+
	222	+**Saving Sequences**
	223	+
	224	+IMPORTANT: If you want to keep any sequences you create then you must export them otherwise they will be lost when you return to the project browser.
	225	+To do this click the export button. You can choose whether to export all your sequences or just the currently selected one. Sequences are saved to files so you'll need to pick a filename and folder to save to. If a sequence uses sub sequences these will be saved even if you choose only to save the selected sequence.
	226	+
	227	+**Loading Sequences**
	228	+
	229	+If you have saved sequences that you want to restore then click the Import button. You will be asked to choose a previously saved sequence file.
	230	+The sequences in the file will be added to the list. They do not replace the sequence list. Also it doesn't
	231	+matter how many sequences the file contains, all of them will be imported.
	232	+
	233	+**Clear All**
	234	+
	235	+If you want to start from scratch you can clear all the sequences from the list using the clear all button.
	236	+
	237	+== **Frames** ==
	238	+
	239	+**[[image:lss-flowarm-frame.jpg]]**
	240	+
	241	+We now know how to manage sequences now lets see how you build one. As we said earlier a sequence is made up of frames. A frame represents a transition between robot states over time.
	242	+In addition to frames, you can also add other sequences to a sequence. This allows quite complex series of movements to be built up very quickly and easily.
	243	+
	244	+[[image:lss-flowarm-frames.jpg]]
	245	+
	246	+**Adding Frames**
	247	+
	248	+To add a frame click the Add button. A new frame will be added at the end of the sequence. The duration of the frame will be whatever the last frame duration was. The frame will record whatever position the robot is currently set to. You can add a sub sequence to the sequence by clicking the arrow to the right of the Add button. A drop list of the available sequences will appear. Select one and it will be added to the end of the sequence.
	249	+
	250	+**Deleting Frames**
	251	+
	252	+To delete a sequence or frame from a sequence, click the Delete button.
	253	+
	254	+**Naming Frames**
	255	+
	256	+To name a frame, simply double-click the top blue part of it. You will then be able to enter a name by typing text directly. Save the new name by pressing the [Enter] key once donce. Warning: please note that when double-clicking a frame to name it, it will play the frame which may move your robotic arm suddenly. You may want to activate the STOP button first to prevent movement when naming frames.
	257	+
	258	+**Timeline Locking**
	259	+
	260	+The timeline is locked by default. This means that frames will automatically run from one to the next – you cannot create space in between. Moving a frame past another one will move it along the order in the timeline. If the timeline is unlocked then you can move frames independently of each other and also create gaps of time in between.
	261	+
	262	+**Moving and Resizing**
	263	+
	264	+To move a frame on the timeline, simply click on it and drag it to the time you want it to start. The start time will be displayed as you drag. How frames move relative to each other is determined by whether the timeline is locked (see previous section). To resize a frame grab the right-hand edge and drag it. When moving or resizing the mouse snaps to the nearest unit on the timeline. If you hold SHIFT while moving or resizing no snap will be applied. When the timeline is unlocked then if you hold CTRL while dragging or resizing a frame all frames to
	265	+the right of the selected frame will be moved so that the time interval between the selected frame and the next one is maintained.
	266	+
	267	+**Recording to a Frame**
	268	+
	269	+When you add a frame it will record the state that the robot is currently in. If you want to change this state first select the frame by clicking on it. Next move the robot to the position you want to record. When you're happy press the record button. The frame will flash to indicate that it has been updated.
	270	+
	271	+**Auto Record**
	272	+
	273	+If you want changes you make to be automatically recorded you can lock the record button in place by double-clicking on it. Now whenever you change the robot position the currently elected frame will be updated. The record button will light up to show that auto record is on. To switch auto record off, double-click on the record button again.
	274	+
	275	+**Copy and Paste**
	276	+
	277	+[[image:lss-flowarm-copy-paste.jpg]]
	278	+
	279	+Sometimes you might want to copy the robot state from one frame to another. To do this we have copy and paste. To copy the data from a frame, select it then click the Copy button.
	280	+To duplicate the data on another frame, select the target frame and click the Paste button.
	281	+
	282	+**Pause Before Frame**
	283	+
	284	+You can insert a pause before a frame commences. This is useful if you want the sequencer to stop and wait for some external event before continuing. First select the frame then click the Operations button and select Toggle Pause Before Frame. A red line will show at the start of the frame to show the pause. To remove the pause select the frame again and select Toggle Pause Before Frame after clicking on the Operations button.
	285	+
	286	+**Remove Gaps Between Frames**
	287	+
	288	+[[image:lss-flowarm-settings.jpg]]
	289	+
	290	+If the timeline is unlocked then you can instantly remove all the gaps between frames and push them up against each other by clicking the Operations button and choosing Remove Gaps Between Frames from the menu.
	291	+
	292	+== SEQUENCER ==
	293	+
	294	+**Reverse Frames**
	295	+
	296	+[[image:lss-flowarm-settings.jpg]]
	297	+
	298	+It's useful to be able to reverse the order of frames in a sequence. To do this click the Operations button and choose Reverse Frames.
	299	+
	300	+**Sequence Playback**
	301	+
	302	+[[image:lss-flowarm-play.jpg]]
	303	+
	304	+Once you have some frames in a sequence you can try playing it. Click the Play button to start the sequencer playing the current sequence. The play button lights up in green when the sequencer is playing. To stop playing click the Play button again or click the Stop button. You can reset the play position to the star by clicking the Reset button. You can also move the play position manually. Click on the black handle at the top of the playback position line and drag to move it.
	305	+
	306	+[[image:lss-sequencer-handle.jpg||height="70" width="241"]]
	307	+
	308	+**Assign an input to a sequence**
	309	+
	310	+[[image:lss-flowarm-association.jpg]]
	311	+
	312	+You can assign an input to a sequence by choosing one in the drop-down list left of the sequence name. By default a sequence does not have a input associated with it. When you click on that box, you will be presented with a list of possible inputs. A sequence can only have one input associated with it. Similarly, an input can only be associated with one sequence at a time. If you choose an input in the list that is already associated, it will be removed from its previous sequence and assigned to the current one. By clicking on the sequence list, you will see which input is associated to each sequence to the right of their name:
	313	+If a sequence is already playing when its associated input is triggered, it will ignore that input and continue playing as normal. If an input that is associated is triggered when a different sequence is playing, it will be stopped and the
	314	+
	315	+**Decision Frame**
	316	+
	317	+At the end of every sequence there is a permanent frame called the decision frame (it is orange for easy identification):
	318	+Click on the top part (orange) to change the last action of the sequence. There are 3 options:
	319	+• STOP: once the sequence is completed, nothing else will happen
	320	+• LOOP: once the sequence is completed, it will repeat a set amount of time
	321	+• GOTO: once the sequence is completed, it will trigger the input selected
	322	+If another sequence is associated with that input, it will then play Playback Control
	323	+You can change the speed of playback by changing the speed multiplier. Click the up and down arrows to alter this.
	324	+Normally a sequence plays to the end then stops. However, sometimes you want a sequence to repeat. You can toggle this by clicking the Loop button.
	325	+
174	174	= Troubleshooting =
175	175
176	176	If you encounter any bugs or issues when installing or using the LSS FlowArm application, please submit a new post on the Lynxmotion community sub-forum here: [[https:~~/~~/www.robotshop.com/community/forum/c/lynxmotion/electronics-software>>url:https://www.robotshop.com/community/forum/c/lynxmotion/electronics-software]]