v3.0 of the E-TRAC Settings and Patterns Workbook available soon Allows multiple accept colors and choice of grid color. Black is the one and only reject color; all other colors are accept colors. The advantage, for those so inclined, is that color allows the addition of another layer of data, like TID data, to the pattern. There are a few obvious and many not-so-obvious uses for this.

Sabisch reject color-coded pattern (for demo only...system would see it as AM)

Rounded pattern with color-coded TID data

Program spreadsheets and the ability to work with patterns outside of the E-TRAC can be great learning tools and, of course, can be handy when making tactical decisions concerning your detector settings. MINELAB E-TRAC Settings and Patterns Originally, this file started as an experiment in recreating an E-TRAC pattern in an Excel spreadsheet. It grew from there into what could be an active and long-term repository for all the settings, pattern and site information you may encounter and wish to document. The motivation came from a wish for the capability to work with settings and patterns within a standard computer framework. Due to security reasons, Minelab protects their files. This means that the only files that can be imported to an E-TRAC are files created on an E-TRAC (read more). With this file, all Xchange files (.ptrn, .mode, .glb) can be imported in any combination and Emulator pattern files may be exported. Native files (.xml), which include all the info in a pattern/documentation panel can be imported/exported and easily shared. There are multiple purposes which this utility can address... A starting point for setting up your E-TRAC A repository for your settings and patterns which can easily be added to as you acquire new information For someone who records target information, this file provides a natural, free-form type of documentation Bench testers can benefit by recording their results as patterns (primitives) Promotes the sharing of data among the E-TRAC community Native files allow the sharing of site and soil specific data so you know whether the overall program fits your locale Depending on your acquired data, new insights may be deduced using the Pattern Mixer By tracking your settings and patterns one can find which works best at different locations and keep improving them over time I had some fun and learned some things creating this file, but my hope is that it aids, informs or entertains you in some form or fashion. Regards, TBGO 4/8/2010

Download Version 2.0 of the E-TRAC Settings and Patterns Workbook At this time, only the full-featured .xlsm version is avalable: Excel 2007+ Macro-Enabled .xlsm file - will have to enable macros. If you always make sure that you get any of my macro-enabled files from this site, you do not have to worry about anything malicious (read more) If you do not already have macros enabled then it is best to open Excel on its own, enable macros, close Excel and then open the file. Otherwise, the file will behave erratically since the file's macros cannot run. Click the file - Open to view (read-only), Save to download the file... E-TRAC_Settings_v_2_0.xlsm    (4/9/2010 - 11:30PM CST) Native Files Cherry_Pickers_Delight.xml AM_4-Tone_Disc_by_Depth.xml Beach_Gold_Only.xml Beach_Gold_and_Silver.xml Andy_S_Coin_(12JAN09).xml Jim_upstate_NY_US_Coins.xml Jim_upstate_NY_Relics.xml Jim_upstate_NY_Junk_Targets.xml US_Coins_no_padding.xml Upload Native Files NOTE: The worksheets are not protected so you have free reign over cell contents and format. Please be aware that certain cell contents, positions and even colors are critical to proper operation. A protected version may be in the future, but, in the meantime, if your copy's formatting inadvertently becomes corrupted, please download a new copy or fix the file with Excel's native functions (Undo comes to mind ;-). Backup and Restore your data by using the Export Native and Import Native functions and by saving the entire file somewhere else every once in a while. The reason the worksheets were left unprotected is that it is sometimes easier to make quick edits to a pattern using Excel's color tools instead of having to run it through the Pattern Mixer. Also, the Accept/Reject labels used on the documentation panels are meant to be changed per the desired target types and locales. NOTE: If you experience a compiler error => There are two additional references besides the regular four that are required to run this file: Microsoft Forms 2.0 Object Library and Microsoft XML, v3.0 (or greater). Your system should have these files since you have Excel, but it is possible that it does not. Try visiting the Microsoft site and doing a Microsoft and/or Office Update or use the links to the references to download and install them manually.

Welcome screen

Top of Settings worksheet

An example of a pattern on one of the pattern worksheets

Documentation panel next to each pattern

The Pattern Mixer

Full Import - Limited Export - Native File Capability

Download Version 1.0 of the E-TRAC Settings spreadsheet Three version of the file are available: Excel 2007+ Macro-Enabled .xlsm file -> most functionality - includes Pattern Mixer - will have to enable macros. If you always make sure that you get any of my macro-enabled files from this site, you do not have to worry about anything malicious (read more) Excel 2007+ .xlsx file -> standard Excel 2007 Workbook file - no pattern mixer and patterns are edited using Excel's background color tool Pre-Excel 2007 .xls file -> standard Pre-Excel 2007 Workbook file - no pattern mixer and patterns are edited using Excel's background color tool Click a file - Open to view, Save to download the file... E-TRAC_Settings_v_1_0.xlsm E-TRAC_Settings_v_1_0.xlsx E-TRAC_Settings_v_1_0.xls Alternative formats E-TRAC_Settings.pdf E-TRAC_Settings_v_1_0.ods (OpenDocument Spreadsheet)