hi,

i'm just switching from a tektronix to the four channel pico automotive package and am struggling a bit with the documentation. i would like to assign a specific automotive preset to each of the four channels, namely i would like to see 1. primary ignition (right bank), 2. primary ignition (left bank), 3. cam sensor, 4. rpm sensor. When selecting the first automotive preset everything is as required, when selecting the next one, the first channel is reconfigured. how do i select the channel before choosing an automotive preset?

how can i do a graphical screenshot of the current screen (as in the 'print' button on a tektronix dso scope), is there a function to do a graphical screenshot or should i use a standard windows screengrabber?

thanks!

Excellent choice going to Pico.  Once you learn it, you will see why it is the most powerful automotive scope in the world.

Our comprehensive PicoScope specific help/training is in our Picogroup members only areas.  Picogroup members are those who have purchased their PicoScope package from Autonerdz or subscribe to the service.  

But here are some brief answers:


Quote:

how do i select the channel before choosing an automotive preset?

You don't.  The automotive presets open a data file which completely configures the scope the way it was when the data file was saved.  The automotive library of captures and information is very useful for viewing examples and reading the documentation.  However, we don't recommend that they be used in the field, at this time.  Most of those data files are from captures made on older model scopes and are not optimized for good performance with the 3000 series scopes.  The library will be updated in the future...so this may change.  Right now we recommend that you learn to set up the scope manually.  This way you can configure each channel as desired and adjust for the optimum performance.  Then save your file and use that for similar future requirements.  You can then build your own custom library of setups and captures that will serve you well.


Quote:

how can i do a graphical screenshot of the current screen

You can save your file in an image format directly from PicoScope but this only captures the scope grid area.  Most of us prefer to capture the entire PC screen area and then paste into an image editor.  Then we can crop, resize, add notes, etc.  This also allows you to make images that show the entire PicoScope screen with the control bars that display the settings.

alh,

As Tom said I don't use the automotive presets...
I simply set each channel to the range/probe that I will be using on that channel, then I go File->Startup Settings->Save Startup Settings.

If you just save the trace(s) as .psdata, you can view them any time using the Picoscope software...
Or as Tom said, you can save the current waveform as an image (.jpg, .png)...
Or do Shift-PrtScrn and save as a screenshot (using Paint or IrfanView).

Cheers
joe
;)

Thanks for the fast response!

What you have described is how i work with the Tek already, i have created a set of presets for all the different setups. Based on the description of the Pico setup i was hoping to lower the preparation time and focus more on the fault analysis itself. I've spend half a day to do some initial ignition and ECU analysis on a car and feel much better now with the Pico already, although i'm still missing some options such as overlay of stored waveforms for comparison.

Thanks and best,
Adrian

Adrian,

Pico is a little different and takes some getting used to but much more powerful.  Sometimes experienced scope users have a harder time un-learning some of the habits using other scopes so they can unlock the full power of PicoScope.

We provide all the resources so our Picogroup members can become experts, if they are willing to invest their time.  Here in North America, these individuals are in high demand.  Other Pico vendors actively recruit them to get the expertise.  That's a pretty good validation of how effective the program is.   ;)

With Pico, the number of custom presets you can have is unlimited, since each saved capture is also a preset.  You just have to organize them in a file system that makes sense to you so you can find the one you want when you need it.  

As for overlaying two different saved captures for comparison, this is not possible using PicoScope 6 at this time, but new features are being added all the time.  The work around is to open two instances of PicoScope and resize the windows.