Installing Speedstack 2008 V3.20 as an upgrade 
Application Note AP513 

Important: Back up existing work before you proceed.

Prior to installing and upgrading to version 3.20 of Speedstack, ensure all current work, stackups, projects, libraries, filters are fully backed up to a safe location. For a default installation Polar recommends backing up the entire contents of the Speedstack folder (C:\Program Files\Polar\Speedstack).

Note: If you are upgrading from a version earlier than Speedstack version 2.0 please contact PolarCare for upgrade advice.

All backed up?

Launching Speedstack
Speedstack 2008 v3.2 includes parameter unit switching (between microns, mils, millimeters and inches). This note describes the upgrade and unit conversion processes when Speedstack 2008 v3.2 is started for new installations, upgrades form earlier versions and subsequent launches.

New installation first launch

Generating a "defaults" file
For a new installation, on first launch Speedstack generates a "defaults" file. This file contains one collection of default settings (general settings, goal seek parameters, Stack Editor and Autostack settings, user information, screen colors, library and stackup file locations, etc.) Subsequently, each default parameter can be set in one of the four primary units. This allows for different defaults to be set for each unit. As the current units are changed the defaults are shown in the current units in the Tools|Options|Configuration Options screen.

Choose Default Units
When a user selects units Speedstack:

  • Causes a metric or imperial evaluation project file to be opened, “Eval Metric.sci” or “Eval Imperial.sci”

  • Sets the units for both AutoStack and Stack Editor
  • Selects the set of defaults to be used
  • Selects the default Materials Sample Library (Metric or Imperial)

Opening the Default Files
The files set up (above) on first launch are opened and, where appropriate, display settings in the current units.

First launch on upgrading from earlier versions

Conversion of existing Options File
This will be carried out automatically with only the input of the units employed in the file.
The original file will be retained under its original name while the new file will have the suffix “.inix” to signify that it is in XML. The defaults for the other three units will be set as if this was the first run.

Default Units 
The current unit will be as chosen for the 'inix' file above

Library
The old default library will be loaded as the application starts.. As with the options file the new units will be requested. The library will then be converted to microns and saved. The library when being edited/reviewed or used to select materials will display the library in the current units. Material from metric or imperial data sheets can be stored in the same library, but will be displayed in the current units. See Library Display.

Displayed Project
To avoid confusion for the user, in this situation no project is loaded or displayed.

Opening Legacy Projects
Projects can be opened as normal, but for legacy projects it will be necessary to convert the units used. Upon opening, the project will be displayed and the user asked to enter the units that the project was saved in. The project will then be converted from those units into microns and displayed in the current units. The converted project will then be saved with the original file name while the old project will have an additional suffix (“.3v0”) to differentiate it. Once the user has confirmed correct conversion the old file may be deleted.

Subsequent launches
Current Units
The application will start up in the units which were in use when it closed

Opening Projects
The application will open the project which was last opened before closing the application (provided the option to do so has been selected under Tools/Options.)