BNCS V2 to V3 Conversion Utility
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Author Paul Palmer

Document version 1.0.0.1


Introduction
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This utility is basically a Windows wrapper around and number of operations which have to be performed in order to convert 16bit BNCS V2 ApplCore Panels (clients) to 32bit BNCS V3 panels.

It has been produce to speed up and simplify the conversion task for the end user or Developer.


Warning
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This is not suitable for BNCS version 1 panels. Please read the BNCS web site for information on re-binding issues and compatibilities before use. Although you original rc file will be automatically copied and save in their original form It is recommended that you take a copy of your existing BNCS system files and archive then for safe keeping before you start the conversion process. Then do a test conversion on one rc file and make sure it runs as expected on your V3 system. 


Installing
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Obtain the BNCS-V3-Converter.exe from the BNCS FTP site. Double click it and follow the prompts to install the V3 Converter utility on your machine. The installer will create a V3Convert desktop Icon on your machine as well as a shortcut in your ‘Programs’ plus an uninstall shortcut in ‘Programs’.


Background
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As mentioned above this is a Windows wrapper around a number of operations which have to be completed in order to convert 16bit BNCS panels to 32bit panels. These include:
1. Copying and re-naming V3 ApplCore.exe
2. Making a copy of your original rc file, giving it an extension of “.rc.original”, and saving it in the same folder as the original rc file.
3. Syntax checking the rc file and creating a log of changes made. The log’s file name is of the format “myfile.rc.log” and is saved in the same folder as the original rc file.
4. Using the Borland complier to convert the rc file to a “RES” file.
5. Using the Borland complier to convert the “RES” file to a 32bit EXE.
6. Deleting the “RES” file.


Operation
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Double click the  icon on your desktop.

You should now see the V3Convert window.

Press the ‘Select RC Files’ button to launch the standard Windows open file window and navigate to the required file/s. Select these in the normal way – Note you can make multiple selections.

When you have selected the files they will be checked to see if the file paths and names contain spaces. If so you will be advised that these will not be converted as the Borland complier doesn’t allow spaces. If your file paths / name do contain spaces temporarily rename them to remove the spaces, they can always be re-named back after the conversion.
The V3Convert program will now report to you what has been pre-selected to be converted, where the converted files will be saved and what to do next.


Press ‘Convert’ to complete the conversion process. You will now see a number of Command windows open and close. This is just the Borland compiler doing it’s stuff and is perfectly normal.

When the conversion process is complete the V3Convert application will report what it has done.


And that’s it.

Either press ’Close’ to exit or ‘Select RC File’ to convert more files.


Uninstall
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To uninstall simply click ‘Uninstall V3Convert’ found in your ‘Programs’ list or double click unins000.exe found in the root of the installed files.


Support
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Please report any problem or requirements to either Paul Palmer (paul.palmer@siemens.com) or BNCS Support (bncs.support@bbc.co.uk)

Thank You