New Installation of Vision Software

Note that this page is for host computers that do not have Vision installed. You may also use this page to update existing Vision installations, but for speed and efficiency, if you already have Vision installed, you may wish to proceed to the Software Update page to update your existing installation.

For users who are updating existing installations of Vision please note the following:

• To update installations older than version 4.6.5, you should copy the files C:\DataSet\xplorerdb.cpu and C:\DataSets\Settings.bn to a temporary location before you begin.  This step is skipped for updates of Vision 4.6.5 or later. 
• After saving these files, use standard Windows tools to uninstall the existing Vision program.
• Download and run the installer, below.  Follow all other instructions on this page.
• For updates of versions older than 4.6.5, restore the backed up xplorerdb.cpu and Settings.bn to C:\DataSets, overwriting the files written by the installer.   
• If you are installing to a 32-bit host computer (XP, Vista) you will need to uninstall and reinstall your tester under Vision 4.7.x. Please link to and refer to the tester reinstallation document, below.

The Precision Series of testers is operated on the user's host computer by the Vision program.  Vision is freely distributed and may be downloaded by anyone and installed on any Windows host computer.  Vision is fully-functional with or without a tester present.   With no tester present, data measurement function will simply display synthetic data.  The program may be useful, even to those who don't own Precision testers, as a tool for reviewing data collected by other researchers or for simple evaluation.

A single installer is used for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows hosts. However, differences still exist between the two installations including file paths for the program and its drivers and tester installation on the host computer. 

There are two consequences of this change to the Vision program and installer. These both result from the fact that the 32-bit tester communication files are fundamentally changed:

• Window 2000 will not support the new 32-bit tester communication file NGS_USB_Driver.dll. As of the release of this installer, Windows 2000 is no longer supported by Radiant Technologies, Inc.

•  For 32-bit users who are updating an existing Vision installation on a host computer that has been controlling a Precision tester, the tester must be uninstalled and reinstalled. Please follow the instructions in the document linked to below.

The instructions for 32-bit and 64-bit Vision and tester installation and use are presented in the links below. For users who are updating an 32-bit host computer that has been controlling a Precision tester, tester reinstallation instructions are also provided. Please be sure to refer to the appropriate instructions in detail. Please note that 64-bit tester installation has some idiosyncrasies that are dealt with in the document. 

Quick Installation

Step-by-Step 32-Bit Installation

Step-by-Step 64-Bit Installation

32-Bit Tester Reinstallation

The link below will download the 32-bit/64-bit Vision installer.  Vision is identified in the link by version number and date of most-recent posting.

Vision 4.8.0.A.exe Version 4.8.0 (A) => 9 May 2012

The Vision 4.8.0 update includes many changes to Vision, its Tasks and its drivers.  Some of these changes are internal and not evident to the user.  A summary of major changes includes:

• Four PowerPoint training documents are installed to C:\DataSets\training.  The documents include screen-capture videos showing Vision procedures.  These can be opened directly from the Vision menu "Training (PPTX + Videos) and Tutorials (PDF)->Basic Vision (PPTX)->...".
• Existing Vision Tutorial PDF files can be accessed by Training (PPTX + Videos) and Tutorials (PDF)->Tutorials (PDF)->..."
• QuikLook Measurement Tasks have had the Create a DataSet? check box control eliminated.  It is replaced by a list selection box that includes the options "Do Not Save" (default), "Save to Open DataSet" and "Save to New DataSet".  A DataSet must be opened before the QuikLook measurement to use the "Save to Open DataSet" option.  "Save to New DataSet" will initiate the DataSet creation process.
• Hardware Tasks have had the Set Amplifier button and Amplifier indicator moved up adjacent to the voltage setting control(s).  For Tasks with multiple configuration tabs (Advanced C/V, I/V, etc.) the Set Amplifier/Amplifier controls have been moved to the voltage setting tab.

After downloading, run the installer.  Then, start Vision from the icon that appears on the desktop.  To learn to operate Vision go to the Help->Help Topics menu and examine the tutorials pages.  These will very quickly make you proficient in basic and advanced program operation.

After installing Vision, be sure to check regularly for updates by returning to the Vision download form and selecting the "Update" installation option.  Updates are performed using Self-Extracting Executable files and updating only the Vision files that are necessary.  

Good luck in your Vision experience.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, comments or difficulties.

Scott P. Chapman

Computer Engineer

Radiant Technologies, Inc.