These abreviated instructions are new with WinPCD v1.610. A full help file (chm) may be made available at some point, but especially for those who may be just starting out this set of instructions should make it a bit easier to learn. Experienced users should also find the new functionalities easier to start using.
WinPCD was written originally to emulate the PCD spreadsheet by Jeff Bagby, has been expanded considerably since then, but still works in much the same way as the spreadsheet. Old session files from the spreadsheet may still work if imported, but will be missing any of the new controls of course.
The instructions are divided into sections according to function. These are described below with links to the respective pages.
| Getting Started | This covers the System tab data which is basic to the entire project. A series of image captures is presented in a somewhat step-by-step approach. Not all controls must have entries and they do not have to all be done in this ordere, but it's more a logical order. Some entries are disabled until other entries are made and will be detailed. |
| Drivers with Crossovers | This is the primary function of the program. The midrange driver crossover is presented as it has both highpass and lowpass sections that apply equally to the tweeter and woofer respectively. |
| Acoustic Offset | Acoustic Offset is the relative difference in acoustic geometric center, or origin, between drivers. It's the most important geometric aspect of the drivers. It largely determines the off-axis response of the system and has a large influence on the power response. |
| Duelund Targets | Duelund filters, new in v1.610, are special case filters defined by Steen Duelund that have generated much interest over time. They are similar in response to Linkwitz-Riley filters. The 3-way filter equations reduce the filter to a 2-way Linkwitz-Riley as a special case of the Duelund. You can experiment with the filter coeffiecients to see how this occurs. |
| Polar Nodes | The polar nodes graph, new in v1.610, is another way to visualize the off-axis (polar) response of the system. The data used to display the response is taken from the horizontal or vertical polar response calculations triggered by the respective button control on the System tab. Initially the data is displayed on standard graphs with overlays of spcific off axis angles as frequency response graphs. The polar response graphs display the polar response at specific frequencies, selectable by the user from the internal frequency points used in the program. The off-axis "nodes" can then be found for any of those specific frequencies. The right side graph can be used as a holding graph for any curve displayed on the left side. Comparisons within a single design can be made as well as saving one or more curves to then be used to compare the same frequency for another design, if another one has been made. |
| System Graph Controls | These controls bring up the indicated graph. Some are just for the graph, others start calculations that bring up a graph after the calculations are complete. |
| Embedded Help Files | The help files embedded into the program can be viewed here. |
| Polar (Off-Axis Response) Options | The polar response is a bit complicated This has a full description of what the options are and how to use them. |