Version 1.2.1   Released: April 15, 2010

Feature Improvements:

  • Addition of Font & Size options for fixation marks,

Fixed:

  • Lack of update for some texture-only parameters (like contrast) in MEF stimuli with multiple elements (bug introduced in v1.2).
    Version 1.2   Released: April 5, 2010

New Features:

  • Support for ioLab Button Box,
  • Support for Cedrus RB-x30 Response Pads & Lumina Response Pads for fMRI through LSC-400 controller,
  • Estimation of clock drift for button box with internal timer for high accuracy response time measurement (eg, ioLab & Cedrus button box),
  • Support for clock-based Trial Alarm (as provided by some button box like the ioLabBox) controlled by [TAPERIOD] variable and reported as "TA" input,
  • Support for HID Gamepad and Joystick devices (only buttons supported so far),
  • Support for "Pause" option before triggering the next trial,
  • Addition of "Response in Post-Stimulus Interval only" option in Procedure trial properties,
  • Addition of fixation mark position parameters in Control Settings of Experiment Properties Panel,
  • Support for random selection of stimulus fixation whose duration and change probability controlled by [FIXDURATION] & [FIXPROB] variables,
  • Addition of "Stippled Lines" option to Shape Stimulus,
  • Addition of cminmax(value,min,max) clamping function (clamps value to the range defined by min and max),
  • Addition of randg(mean,std) scalar function to generate random real numbers according to from a Gaussian distribution,
  • Addition of gnoise(x,m,u,s,g) 2D Gaussian noise generation function from Gaussian distribution with mean m and standard deviation u, with seed s and granularity g,
  • Addition of ifft(magnitude,phase) inverse Fourier transform,
  • Addition of spatial versus Fourier preview for Custom Stimulus,
  • Addition of "Fourier" unit for Custom Stimulus parameters,

Feature Improvements:

  • Support for variable/expression in Multimedia sound volume,
  • Support for time-varying OpenGL orientation and scaling rendering settings for RDK and MEF stimuli,
  • Support for variable format [<name>:<value>] in expression evaluation inside math editor,
  • Use of provided default values (variable format [<name>:<value>]) to generate OpenGL preview,
  • Report start time for condition-defined trials in results table,
  • Pre-computation of stimuli that depend on independent variables with real values,

User interface improvements:

  • Addition of progress footer and summary tab in Calibration Panel,
  • Support for multiple lines expression in stimuli parameter text fields (with ; separator to indicate new line in expression editor),
  • Prevent drag & drop of experiment events into other events (except the Undefined 'folder' kind),
  • Popup menu provided to list the available inputs for the selected self-paced device triggering the next trial,
  • Better handling of condition design (default value for added variables and trials count updated whenever values are edited),
  • More precise plotting of Bayesian data fitting,
  • Addition of a more useful message for expression error in Custom Stimulus,

Fixed:

  • ESC keypress not being detected when using mouse and button box as response devices or while waiting for self-paced next trial,
  • Overlapping problem for pre- and post-stimulus fixations with time-limited response,
  • Terminating response not being detected during RT pre-stimulus interval,
  • 1 pixel artefact in RT pre-stimulus interval,
  • Mismatch between report and plotting of threshold estimate for decreasing psychometric functions,
  • Duplicate entries in resolution menu from Experiment Display Settings Panel,
  • Memory leaks across the application,
  • Problem of slow quitting,

Documentation:

  • Addition of the Supported External Devices section,
  • Updated "Demos, Examples & Tutorials" in Storage area of the Designer Panel with a subsection Creating Custom Stimuli in the Techniques section.
    Version 1.1.1   Released: January 20, 2010

Critical Bug Fixed:

  • Prevent data loss due to too short experiment IDs,
    Version 1.1    Released: December 2, 2009

New Features:

  • Full compatibility with Mac OS X 10.6 ("Snow Leopard"),
  • Direct access to support, forum and feedback web pages from Help section,
  • Support for anaglyph stereo modes (Red-Green, Red-Blue, Red-Cyan glasses),
  • Support for dynamic micro-elements in Multi-Element Field (MEF),
  • Support for time-varying contrast and color space in dynamic elements in Multi-Element Field (MEF),
  • OpenGL preview and export to movie for Static & Timeline Composing,
  • Addition of [TRIAL] system-defined variable to keep track of the trial index (useful when creating brain mapping stimuli),
  • Addition of [NFC] system-defined variable to keep track of the target location in nFC procedure,
  • Addition of [NYQ], [FRATE], [WFOV] and [HFOV] system-defined constants,
  • Addition of round() function,
  • Addition of degtopix() and pixtodeg() functions (useful for stimuli control at pixel level),
  • Addition of deg() and rad() conversion functions between polar units,
  • Addition of cmin() and cmax() clamping functions,
  • Addition of rnd pseudo-constant to generate random real numbers in [0,1] range,
  • Support for onset trigger information output to serial devices (see stimulus control settings palette),

Feature Improvements:

  • Support for Staircase method with absolute step size,
  • Addition of optional maximum value constraint to Staircase parameter (clamping or abortion),
  • Number of reversals for estimation can now be specified in adaptive Adjustment procedure,
  • Addition of "Maximum Trials" termination criterion for Adjustment procedure,
  • Support for expression evaluation in trigger information output (see stimulus control settings palette),
  • Better detection and report of evaluation error (see tip tool with error in expression table for Custom stimuli),
  • Improved computation of time-varying stimuli that also change in size,
  • Better reports of frame timing information (# of missed frames reported as a warning on an event-basis),
  • Support for calibrating any available configuration (not only to the default one selected in the Display Preferences),
  • Removal of the display configuration in Calibration panel when deleting the last remaining calibration,
  • Estimation of required video memory when computing stimuli with an error message emitted if not enough memory available,
  • Improved handling of serial devices with a warning emitted when devices not enabled from I/O Preferences or experiment I/O Settings,

User interface improvements:

  • Addition of an optional linear vs log10 scale for x,y axes in result plots,
  • Data not plotted anymore outside the axes-defined rectangle in Plotter panel,
  • Axes range automatically selected based on available data points in Plotter panel,
  • Only display configurations valid for the currently attached monitors available in the Calibration panel,
  • Color of selected resolution and calibration in experiment display settings indicates up-to-date, expired or absence of calibrations,

Fixed:

  • Activation problem after setup under non-admin account,
  • Crash in calibration panel occurring when trying to calibrate a display configuration with a missing display,
  • Crash or unexpected behavior occurring when using [TIME] or [DURATION] as a parameters value,
  • Crash occurring when an unknown trigger device is specified in stimulus control settings palette (would occur when exporting an experiment to third-party),
  • stimulus control settings palette gets reset when changing the trigger device,
  • Memory leak with aborted sessions,
  • unlocked events undeletable until relaunch,
  • Read/write status of event properties not in sync with the lock icon across all the property panels,
  • Locking event from properties panel did not remain after closing the panel (permanent unlocking still done from the designer panel),
  • Experiment properties not all inspectable when locked,
  • Missing Help menu under Mac OS 10.4,
  • Slightly inaccurate Nyquist frequency,
  • Loss of fractional part in degree to pixel conversion,
  • Edge effects in some Grating and Checkerboard stimuli,
  • Too large wedge size unreliable in Checkerboard stimuli,
  • Tiny visual artefact at fixation produced during pre-stimulus random duration when measuring RT in procedure,
  • Non-sticking onset of selected event in Timeline (gets replaced from previously edited Timeline),
  • Synchronization problem between frame duration and some properties when editing events (Timeline onsets and TF precision in Dynamic Composing),
  • Displayed geometry information for a display configuration not always in sync with the latest calibration,
  • Undeletable calibration when clicking the '-' button in the calibration panel,
  • Issue when using the [TIME:?] and [DURATION:?] single expressions,
  • Loss in lower bits precision when using the irand function,

Documentation:

  • Addition of a Timing section,
  • Addition of Contrast Sensitivity Experiment Tutorials,
  • Addition of Retinotopic Mapping Stimulus Tutorial,
  • Addition of Field of Drifting Gabor Stimulus Tutorial,
  • Updated "Demos, Examples & Tutorials" in Storage area of the Designer Panel with a Techniques section.
    Version 1.0 RC5   Released: June 5th, 2009

New Features:

  • Support for limited-lifetime in Multi-Element Field (MEF),
  • Support for element specific rotation as function its position in Multi-Element Field (MEF),
  • Support for dot specific speed and direction in Random-Dot Kinematogram (RDK),
  • OpenGL preview and export to movie for Multi-Element stimuli (RDK & MEF) and Dynamic Composing,
  • Addition of 'za' output in Custom Stimuli to specify stimulus transparency,
  • BETA support for "Mono++" and "Color++" modes provided by CRS Bits++ (please send feedback!),
  • Support for onset trigger from composing stimuli in Dynamic Composing (except for fused mode),
  • Support for absolute and relative step size in Adjustment procedure,
  • Support for multiple step sizes in Adjustment procedure,
  • Support for Keypad input devices (Adesso keypad AKP-150, Targus Keypad PAUK10C),
  • Support for stereoscopic stimuli (monocular, binocular and dichoptic presentation) in vertically split display setup (free-fusing, mirror-based stereoscope, or dual video input goggles),
  • Support for Scaling Factor in Rendering properties (Control Settings Palette),

Feature Improvements:

  • Addition of [$<varname>] variable format to specify the latest value set for a random variable (useful for random variables used in different events),
  • Support for expression operands in range format (<exp1>:<exp2>),
  • Support for expression-based values for minimum and maximum levels in Method of Constant Stimuli, mean and range of initial value for Staircase and Adjustment,
  • Support for interleaved adjustments,
  • Support for randomly ordered interleaved methods and adjustment procedure,
  • Support for multiple values (separated by comma) associated with the same event in Association Composing,
  • Faster generation of dynamic grating-like, checkerboard-like and custom stimuli,
  • Better error detection when using Wizard,

User interface improvements:

  • Change in selection of event subcategory is now prevented by default, but can be forced by pressing simultaneously the Control key,
  • Automatic expanding of experiment hierarchy after run-time errors occurs,

Fixed:

  • Problem with duplicated columns in results data table,
  • Failing Gamma correction,
  • NetStation crash at closing time,
  • 'Keep As Fixation' option not always working for Shape stimuli,
  • Fixation mark overlapping bug in first trial after text stimulus,
  • Changes in stimulus duration not being saved,
  • Crash occurring with variable-based duration in Visual stimuli,
  • Problem with manual entries of Gamma readings not being validated except when using a keypad,
  • Problem with duplicate estimates provided by the adjustment method in Root data level (Plotter panel),
  • Problem with use of conditional variables in decision for Discrimination and Yes/No procedures,
  • Selection problem in Conditions method,
  • Problem with results report for interleaved Bayesian and Constant Stimuli methods in Root data level (Plotter panel),
  • Run-time error when creating experiment with Wizard,
  • Crash with Japanese language,
  • Run-time error when no EDID information available for old CRT display,
  • Stimulus glitch when specifying log sampling in Bayesian method,
  • Problem with non-sticking default properties for Multi-Element Stimuli (RDK and MEF),
  • Default input device now properly selected when no other device has been explicitly defined,
  • Serial device missing from the trigger pop-up menu in control settings palette,
  • Bug with editable data folder in 'Session Information' panel which could lead to data loss for the current session,
  • Cosmetic bug in Control Settings for MEF/RDK stimuli,
  • Stimuli preview now uses the display settings from experiment event if available (Display preferences otherwise),
  • Crash with selection of modulation mode other than contrast,
  • Problem with contrast not being used when creating preview of statically composed stimuli,
  • Bug with Src and Dst Mode not being disabled except for Custom mode in rendering control settings,
  • Bug preventing stimuli editing when using expressions in some formats,
  • Error reported when using dependent variable in time-varying expression,
  • Apparent computer freeze due to too large generated stimuli (validity of geometry calibration now checked based on FOV range before running the experiment),
  • Issues with validation of pending text field entries in Control Settings Palette,
  • Graph sampling problems for fitted data in Plotter panel,

Documentation:

  • Additional "Multi-Elements" Demos in "Demos, Examples & Tutorials 1RC5".
    Version 1.0 RC4   Released: August 4th, 2008

New Features:

  • Addition of "Automatic" or "Self-Paced" option for triggering next trial through Keyboard or Mouse in Experiment Control Settings,

Feature Improvements:

  • Addition of submenus in Category popup menu in Designer panel, so the user knows what events each category provides,

Fixed:

  • Fix a problem with Stimulus Selection not always correctly reported in Results,
  • Fix a problem with Discrimination being limited to 3 decisions instead of the specified number (DiscN),
  • Fix highlighting of multiple parameters in Expression functions for Custom Stimuli,
  • Fix a problem with sound feedback not working correctly on some systems,
  • Proper reset of Control Settings in Palette when generating an experiment using the Wizard,
  • Fix crash that occurred with invalid or undefined keyboard inputs,
    Version 1.0 RC3   Released: June 12th, 2008

New Features:

  • Support for vectorial to scalar functions (min, max, mean, sum) in Custom Stimuli Expressions,
  • Support for 9.6 or 10.8 bits monochromatic modes through Bit-Stealing,
  • Addition of Time-Limited Response and "Ends stimulus/trial" options in Trial Properties of Procedure panel,

Feature Improvements:

  • Support for Middle Mouse button (3rd button, eg: wheel button),
  • More information about display settings (resolution, calibration, screen) for the current session shown in the Experiment log,
  • Better Gamma correction for LCD displays that show a saturating transfer function (through rejection of saturating luminance readings),
  • Addition of more options for Multimedia Selection (Sequential, Random w/o repeat, Random & reshuffle),
  • Addition of [SELECTION] system-variable and "Selection" columns in the Trials section of the data table for the first level of the session results (to report stimulus selection in Multimedia),
  • Most recent "Stimuli, experiments and tutorials Examples" now automatically loaded in Storage area,

User interface improvements:

  • Addition of a Visual Indicator indicating the Geometry/Gamma/Color Calibration is in progress,
  • Valid variables highlighted in blue and invalid strings highlighted in red in Custom Stimulus Expressions,
  • Direction for radial and angular motion in RDK stimuli now specified through a popup menu (Inward/Outward, Clockwise/Anticlockwise),

Fixed:

  • Registration information correctly set in "About" box,
  • Quadrant shift now correctly applied when performing a 2D convolution in Fourier space (through conv function),
  • Display size now properly updated in Display Preferences when display index changes,
  • Fix a crash that occurred when Timeline event is a part of a Conditional or Association event,
  • ISI parameter in Trial properties of Procedure panel now correctly saved and retrieved,
  • Fix a crash that occurred when aborting the experiment during the very first trial,
  • Direction textfield and slider for uniform motion now correctly synchronized in RDK panel,
  • Fix complaint about session with similar index when changing the location of the Data folder,
  • Fix registration bug when clicking twice the Activation/Deactivation button,
  • Notes for previously run session not anymore overwritten by subsequent sessions,
  • Mapping of keys 1-9 from keypad now corrected,
  • NetStation Events Stream properties in Control palette not anymore reset when inspecting stimulus properties,
    Version 1.0 RC2   Released: May 1st, 2008

New Features:

  • Support for comparison ( < > ≤ ≥ ≈ ≠ ) and logical ( & | ) operators in Expressions,
  • Statistics on frames duration and skipped frames now reported in the Experiment log drawer,
  • Addition of a checkbox in Onset settings to prevent the standard fixation mark to be displayed, for example when instructions are displayed,
  • Size of polygon shape stimuli can now be specified either as radius (center-to-corner) or side size,
  • Preview exporting supported in Static Composing (copy & image),

Feature Improvements:

  • Selection of Achromatic mode in Experiment Display Settings enforces now an achromatic conversion (R+G+B)/3 at rendering time,
  • Support for variable/expression-based position coordinates in Multimedia,
  • Both response (Hit, Miss) and subject's input (key/button naming) are now provided for each trial in the Trials section of the data table for the first level of the session results,
  • Condition and variables can now be easily duplicated in Conditions method by pressing the Control key and clicking on the '+' button,
  • Support for Conditional and Association composing in Timeline,
  • Support for both contrast (low/high) and luminance (dark/light) modes in RDK and MEF Stimuli,

User interface improvements:

  • Newly created events inside a group event are now automatically shown and selected,
  • Category created events inside a group event are now automatically shown and selected,
  • Calibration warning in Experiment display settings acts now as a button to reset the display settings,

Fixed:

  • Calibration uses now the resolution specified by the popup menu selection rather than the default one set in the Display Prefs,
  • Chromatic tri-stimulus values can be properly specified using variables and expressions,
  • Common properties correctly reset with default values when creating new stimulus,
  • Age of newly added subjects correctly initialized with default month.year birth date,
  • Title in Category column is now more clearly visible when selected,
  • Preview with contrast now correctly rendered when background color is not gray,
  • Combination of multiple criteria for decision made in Discrimination and Yes/No procedures now correctly evaluated,
  • Decision criteria in Discrimination and Yes/No procedures now correctly reset and initialized,
  • Chromatic Mode and Color Space set in Defaults Preferences are now kept consistent with each other,
  • Size parameter in Custom Stimuli can now be used in expressions.

Documentation:

  • Included tutorials also available online,
  • Tutorial entitled "Creating Filtered Noise Stimuli" added.
    Version 1.0 RC1   Released: February 21, 2008

Release Candidate 1