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1. Installation

To be able to use MacroMachine, you first have to install it on a computer. For that purpose we have created an easy install procedure.
Below, is described how MacroMachine can be installed on a computer and how an existing installation can be repaired if MacroMachine does not function properly anymore.

Installing MacroMachine
To install MacroMachine you can follow the following steps:

Repairing an existing MacroMachine installation
If the MacroMachine installation gets damaged, you can repair the installation by following these steps:

Picture 1.1 The installation wizard

1. The option Repair will be selected automatically . Press the Next button to repair the installation.
2. After the installation has been repaired, press the Finish button on the last page of the wizard. By default MacroMachine will automatically start after this.
   

When you must repeatedly perform a certain task, you can create a macro, which performs the task automatically. Macros can start and control applications, type text, perform tasks on the Internet, etc. You can even create your own little programs with macros. Macros can control the keyboard as well as the mouse for you. But, it is recommended to use the keyboard as much as possible. Macros work everywhere in Windows. You can use them in any program to perform any task.
(Macros can reduce RSI by automatically performing certain (complex) tasks).

The MacroMachine Settings Program can be opened by dubble clicking on the MacroMachine tray icon or by pressing 'Ctrl+Shift+Alt+M' and selecting 'Show Application'.

Picture 2.1 The MacroMachine Settings Program

The macros in MacroMachine can be divided in three categories:

1. "My Macros"; list for storing your own personal macro's. Press 'Alt+m' to view this list.
2. "System Macros"; list of macro's provided with MacroMachine. Press 'Alt+s' to view this list.
3. "Hidden Macros"; list for storing your own personal macros, which should not be displayed in the MacroMachine menu (which appears when you right click on the tray icon)
   Press 'Alt+h' to view this list.
   
   You can also switch between these lists by using the radio buttons.

Move macros from one category to another:

1. Right click on the macro
2. Select Move to "My Macros" or Move to "Hidden Macros"

Create a copy of an existing macro:

1. Right click on the macro
2. Select 'Create copy'

Macros can be created in several ways:

1. Record with the 'Quick Macro' function; With this function you can record a temporary macro very quickly. By pressing 'Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Arrow Up' the recording can be started. A 'Quick Macro' can be played back, by pressing 'Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Arrow Down'. When you record a new 'Quick Macro' the old one will be overwritten. You can rename the quick macro in the settings program if you want to keep it.
2. Record from within the MacroMachine Settings Program.
3. Create yourself; using the MacroMachine wizard.
4. Create yourself; from within the Settings Program.
5. Create yourself; using the Tronan Macro Editor. With this you can create very efficient macros. Thanks to the extensive scripting language you can also create very complex macros.
   
   (These will be explained in the next few topics of this chapter.)

2.1 Quick Macro
A Quick Macro is a macro that can be recorded and played-back very fast by pressing a certain hotkey.

Record a with the 'Quick Macro' function

1. Press 'Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Arrow Up' to start recording. A red blinking window appears to confirm that you are recording.
2. Perform the actions you wish to record. This can be mouse actions as well as keyboard actions.
3. Press the 'Pause' key to stop recording.

Play with the 'Quick Macro' function

1. Press 'Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Arrow Down' to start playing. A blue blinking window appears to confirm that you are playing.
2. The macro will be played. Press the 'Escape' or 'Pause' button to end the playback of the macro.

Changing the speed of the 'Quick Macro'

1. Press 'Ctrl+Shift+Alt+M' to make the context menu visible.
2. Press on the 'h'; a window will appear.
3. Set how fast you want the Quick Macro to be played-back.
4. Press the OK button.

2.2 Record Macros
The easiest way to create macros is to record them. You can record mouse actions as well as the keyboard actions and play them later. You can record macros in several ways in MacroMachine.

Record from within the settings program
When you record a macro from within the MacroMachine Settings Program you can choose between the recording of a normal macro and the recording of an internet macro.
The recording of normal macros:

1. Create a new macro by pressing the 'New' button or by pressing 'Alt+n'. A new window will appear.
2. In the field 'Macro name', fill in the macro name.
3. In the field 'Key combination', you can provide a key combination which can be used to start the macro. Or in the field 'Activate sequence', you can provide a series of characters which can be used to start the macro.
4. Press the button 'Record Macro'. A warning will appear. Read it carefully and press the 'Yes' button. The MacroMachine Settings Program will close, enabling you to record a macro. Another warning will appear. Read it carefully and press the 'OK' button. The recording is started. A window appears to confirm that you are recording.
5. Perform the actions you wish to record. This can be mouse actions as well as keyboard actions.
6. Press the 'Pause' key to stop recording. The macro is recorded and will appear in the list of macros on the Macros screen.

TIP. You can prevent the recording of keyboard or mouse actions by using the 'No keyboard recording' or 'No mouse recording' checkboxes.

Recording an Internet Macro
When you want to record an internet macro, it is best to use the Internet Macro option of MacroMachine. This option ensures your internet macros are less dependant to the speed of your internet connection.

1. Create a new macro by pressing the 'New' button or by pressing 'Alt+n'. A new window will appear.
2. In the field 'Macro name', fill in the macro name.
3. In the field 'Key combination', you can provide a key combination which can be used to start the macro. Or in the field 'Activate sequence', you can provide a series of characters which can be used to start the macro.
4. Press the button 'Record Internet Macro' . A warning will appear. Read it carefully and press the 'Yes' button. The MacroMachine Settings Program will close, enabling you to record a macro. A window appears where you van type the internet address (for example: www.macromachine.com). Press the 'OK' button. The Tronan Browser opens and the recording is started. A window appears to confirm that you are recording.
5. Perform the actions you wish to record. This can be mouse actions as well as keyboard actions.
6. Press the 'Pause' key to stop recording.

2.3 Create macros yourself
Besides the option to record macros, you also have the option to create them yourself. The benefit of these macros is, that they can perform more complex actions.

Create yourself; using the MacroMachine wizard.

1. Create a new macro by pressing the 'New' button or by pressing 'Alt+n'. A new window will appear.
2. In the field 'Macro name', fill in the macro name.
3. In the field 'Key combination', you can provide a key combination which can be used to start the macro.
4. Press the 'Wizard' button to open the wizard.
5. Use the wizard to create the macro you want by just answering the questions asked by the Wizard. (More information about the wizard can be found in chapter: 2.6 Macro Wizard)
6. Press the 'Save' button to save the macro.
7. The macro will appear in the list of macros on the Macros screen.

Create yourself; from within the Settings Program.

1. Create a new macro by pressing the 'New' button or by pressing 'Alt+n'. A new window will appear.
2. In the field 'Macro name', fill in the macro name.
3. In the field 'Key combination', you can provide a key combination which can be used to start the macro.
4. In the field 'Macro Script' you can type Tronan Script.
5. Press the 'Save' button to save the macro.
6. The macro will appear in the list of macros on the Macros screen.

TIP. If you want to create Tronan Macros using the script language, it is recommended to use the 'Tronan Macro Editor' (look at 2.8 Tronan Macro Editor).

Create yourself; using the Tronan Macro Editor.
You can create a new macro with the Tronan Macro Editor by clicking on the 'Editor' button..
It's also possible to open an existing macro with the Tronan Macro Editor by selecting a macro and clicking on the 'Editor' button.
Alternatively, you can rightclick on a macro and select 'Open with Tronan Script Editor..." from the context menu.
Look at 2.8 Tronan Macro Editor, for more information about the Tronan Macro Editor.

2.4 Play Macros
When you have recorded a macro or created one yourself, you can play the macro in several ways:

1. By pressing the 'Key Combination'.
2. By typing the 'Activate sequence'.
3. If the macro is created in the "My Macros" or "System Macros" list, you can start it via the context-menu (press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+M).
4. Select the macro on the Macro screen and play it by pressing the 'Play' button or by pressing 'Alt+p'.
5. By double clicking on a file with the '.mma' extension

TIP. You can also use the 'Schedule' feature of MacroMachine to play a macro at a certain date and/or time.

2.5 Remaining options of the macro screen
On the macro screen in the Settings Program, the following functions can be found:

Modify macros.
You can modify existing macros by selecting the macro from the list an pressing the 'Modify' button or pressing 'Alt+o'. Modify the macro and press the 'Save' button to confirm the changes.

Picture 2.2 Modify Macro Screen

Remove macros.
You can remove existing macros by selecting the macro from the list an pressing the 'Remove' button or pressing 'Alt+v'. A warning appears.
Confirm that you want to remove the macro by pressing the 'Yes' button.

Repeat macros.
With this option you can repeat a macro.

1. Select a macro from the list.
2. Press the 'Repeat' button or press 'Alt+r'. A macro can automatically repeat itself with this option.
3. Set the number of times the Macro should be repeated.
4. Press the 'OK' button to confirm.

Change the speed of existing macros.
Macro playback can be speeded up.

1. Select a macro from the list.
2. Press the 'Speed' button or press 'Alt+d'.
3. Set the playback speed of the macro.
4. Press the 'OK' button to confirm.

The speed can only be changed if the macro is recorded. The macros you create yourself are always played at maximum speed.

Schedule macros.
Macro playback can be scheduled to be played.

1. Select a macro from the list.
2. Press the 'Schedule' button or press 'Alt+c'.
3. Select when the macro should be played.
4. Press the 'OK' button to confirm.

The icon of macro will change to show the macro is scheduled. (A small clock will appear.)

2.6 Macro Wizard

The MacroMachine Wizard can be used to easily create macros by answering a few simple questions.

Picture 2.3 The MacroMachine Wizard

There are three main catagories of macros in the wizard and each catagory has a few sub-catagories:

1. Text.
1. Type text or keystrokes; can be used to type text, replace text or send keystrokes.
   Example:
   Create a macro which types your address when you type "/address".
   When you type "/address" in any application, the text can be replaced with your name, address, telephone number, email address, etc.
2. Type date or time; type the current date and/or time in any time format.
3. Create a popup (reminder) message; create a message which can be displayed at any time using the schedule function of MacroMachine.
2. Macro.
1. Record a macro; record any type of macro in any application.
2. Record a internet macro; record a macro fully optimized for the internet.
3. Create a menu of macros; create a menu of previously created macros.
   Example:
   Create a few macros which start various applications.
   Group these macros by creating a menu using the wizard and assign a key combination to it to show the menu.
   Now, you can press the key combination and choose from the menu which application you want to start.
4. Specific application check; ensures that certain macro's can only be played in certain applications. Can only be used on previously created macros.
   Press the 'Spy....' button and use the crosshair to point out the window of the application in which the macro should play.
3. System and files.
1. Start Application; start any application.
2. Shutdown Windows
3. Restart Windows
4. Files: copy, delete, etc.; manipulate files and folders.
5. Window: Reposition, center, close, etc..; manipulate the window of any application.
6. Open explorer folder
7. Open control panel

The secure option can be used to encrypt your macros to prevent others from using them or reading the contents of the macro.
MacroMachine uses Rijndael encryption; this ensures that any information in the macro will be very safe.

Secure a macro.

1. Select the macro you want to secure.
2. Click on the 'Modify' button.
3. Click on the 'Secure...' button.
4. Type a password which will be used to secure the macro.
5. Type the password again in the 'Repeat Password' field to ensure that there are no typos in your password.
6. Press the 'OK' button to confirm.
7. Press the 'Save' to apply the changes.

The icon of macro will change to show the macro is secured. (A small lock will appear.)

Remove the security from a macro.

1. Select the macro from which you want to remove the security.
2. Click on the 'Modify' button.
3. Click on the 'Secure...' button.
4. Type the password which was used to encrypt the macro.
5. Press the 'OK' button to confirm.
6. Click on the 'Secure...' button.
7. Leave the 'Password' and 'Repeat password' fields empty.
8. Press the 'OK' button to confirm.
9. Press the 'Save' to apply the changes.

This option can also be used to change a password. Instead of leaving the 'Password' and 'Repeat password' fields empty, you can type the new password.

Play a secured macro.

Secured macros can be played as normal macros, but before you they play you will be asked to provide the password.

2.8 Tronan Macro Editor

By using the Tronan Macro Editor you can create complex macros. You can even create your own programs.
The Tronan Macro Editor can be started by going to the 'MacroMachine' program group in the start menu and selection the option 'Tronan Macro Editor'.
(You can also start Tronan Macro Editor from within the MacroMachine settings program, look at 2.3 "Create yourself; using the Tronan Macro Editor"

By right clicking in the Tronan Macro Editor, a list appears with the available functions and variables. When you select a function from the list, the function is automatically typed in. All you have to do is filling in the correct parameters. For help about the available functions and variables you can press the 'F1' key.

TIP. You will find a few example macros when you right click on the counter and open the 'system macros' list.

Picture 2.4 The Tronan Macro Editor

Testing scripts
When you have created a script, you can check if it's correct by pressing the 'F7' key. The script can be played from within the Tronan Macro Editor by pressing the 'F5' key. And the script can be started anywhere in windows by pressing 'Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F5'. The playback of a macro can be canceled by pressing 'Ctrl+F5' or 'Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F5'.

Recording script
It is even possible to record actions, which are placed automatically on the clipboard. You can use the recorded script and paste it anywhere in your own scripts.

1. Press 'Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F9' to start recording.
2. Press 'Pause' to stop recording.
3. Put the cursor where you want to paste the recorded script.
4. Press 'Ctrl+v' to paste the script. (Or select 'Edit' and 'Paste').

It is also possible to record an Internet Script and paste it into your own script.

1. Press 'Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F10' to start recording.
2. Press 'Pause' to stop recording.
3. Put the cursor where you want to paste the recorded script.
4. Press 'Ctrl+v' to paste the script. (Or select 'Edit' and 'Paste')

3. Tronan Backup

With the Tronan Backup program, you can easily make backups of all profiles and macros. Later these backups can be restored when desired.

Create a backup

Follow these steps to create a backup:

1. Start Tronan Backup. You will find Tronan Backup in the Start menu. (Start-> All Programs-> MacroMachine-> Backup Tool.)
   NOTE: If necessary MacroMachine will temporarily shut down, to allow the creation of a backup. MacroMachine will automatically start again after the Tronan Backup program is closed.
2. Indicate whether you want to make a backup of the profiles and/or macros by putting a checkmark in front of the desired option. (By default a backup will be made of the profiles as well as the macros.)
3. Specify a filename for the backup file. (for example. "MacroMachine backup.zip") If you want to save the backup file to another location, you can use the 'browse' button (the button with three dots on it) to do so.
4. Press the 'Backup' button. A backup will be made. (Depending on the number of macros and profiles, this may take a while.) In the status window you can see the progress. When a backup is created, the status window will indicate that the files are saved successfully.
5. Tronan Backup can be closed by pressing the 'Close' button.

Restore a backup

An earlier made backup can be restored by following these steps:

1. Start Tronan Backup. You will find Tronan Backup in the Start menu. (Start-> All Programs-> MacroMachine-> Backup Tool.)
   NOTE: If necessary MacroMachine will temporarily shut down, to allow you to restore a backup. MacroMachine will automatically start again after the Tronan Backup program is closed.
2. Indicate whether you want to restore a backup of the profiles and/or macros by putting a checkmark in front of the desired option. (By default a backup will be restore profiles as well as macros.)
3. Indicate which backup you want to restore, by pointing out the desired file. Using the 'browse' button (the button with three dots on it) you can browse to an existing backup file. (A Tronan Backup file can be recognized by its '*.zip' extension. For example: "MacroMachine backup.zip")
4. Press the 'Restore' button. The backup will be restored. (Depending on the number of macros and profiles, this may take a while.) In the status window you can see the progress. When a backup is restored, the status window will indicate that the files are restored successfully.
5. Tronan Backup can be closed by pressing the 'Close' button.

4. Register / Buy

Everyone can freely try MacroMachine, for 30 days. In these 30 days MacroMachine is fully functional; nothing is disabled. After this trial period, MacroMachine locks itself. When you want to use MacroMachine longer than 30 days, you must register the software.

When you want to register the software, you can follow these steps:

1. Go to the following internet address: http://www.tronan.com/macromachine/english/register.php
   OR
   
   1. Start the settings program: press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+M and after that press S
   2. Select 'Internet web site' from the 'Help' menu and click on 'Register / Buy'.
      
      
2. Read the screen attentively and click on the Internet link 'Click here and place your order' to go to the online order form
3. Read the online order form carefully and fill in the form as complete as possible.
4. Press the 'Send order form' button and wait until you see a confirmation screen
5. Within 24 hours you will receive an invoice, via E-mail, to confirm your order
6. Pay the invoice (except when you pay using a credit card)
7. Within 24 hours after we have received a confirmation (from the bank) of your payment, we will send you the registration information, via E-mail
8. With this information you can unlock MacroMachine (the E-mail message describes how to do this)

In case you have more questions about this, do not hesitate to contact us and send a message to

5. Support

When you have questions, problems or comments, we would love to hear them. We are also very interested when you have got suggestions. There are 3 different methods to send us a message (we prefer method 1):

Method 1

1. Press the Windows 'Start' button (bottom left of the screen)
2. Select the 'Programs' group
3. Select the 'MacroMachine' group
4. Choose the option 'Tronan Bug Report'
5. Fill in the form that appears and send it to us
   

Method 2

1. Create a message with your own E-mail software
2. Send it to:
   
   

Method 3

1. Go to the following Internet address: http://www.tronan.com/macromachine/english/contact.php
2. Use one of the suggested methods to contact us.
   Here it is also possible to request a new registration code when needed.
   

We will reply as soon as possible. Be patient though, because we have to process a lot of messages.

When you do not want to use MacroMachine any more, we would also like to know why. You can anonymously let us know why you do not want to use MacroMachine any more on the following site: http://www.tronan.com/macromachine/english/version30/uninstall/index.php

6. New versions

The easiest way to check for updates is to use the update function in MacroMachine.

1. Select 'Upgrade check' from the 'Options' menu.
2. When a new version of MacroMachine is available, you will get a message informing you of this new version.
3. You will be asked if you want to download the latest version. When you select 'Yes', you will be redirected to the download section of the MacroMachine web site.

When a new version of MacroMachine is released and you are a registered user; we will send you a message to inform you of this release.
You can also stay informed by regularly checking our site: http://www.tronan.com/macromachine/english/download.php

When you want to install a new version of MacroMachine, but you still have an older version installed on your computer, you can leave it there. It is recommended to install a new version of MacroMachine 'on top' of an older version. The installation procedure of the new version will take the necessary information (macros etc.) from the older version and afterwards will automatically uninstall the older version.