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ANY-maze Help > The ANY-maze reference > ANY-maze Legacy Policy
ANY-maze Legacy Policy
Introduction
From version 7 onwards ANY-maze is only available as a 64-bit program. This differs to version 6 of ANY-maze, which was available as both a 32-bit and a 64-bit program.
Some older image capture and input/output devices that ANY-maze has previously supported are incompatible with the 64-bit version, or have been removed for other technical reasons, and we are therefore designating them as ‘legacy’ devices. This means that they will only work with the 32-bit version 6 of ANY-maze; they won’t work with version 7 or above.
We are also designating Windows XP and Windows Vista as legacy operating systems, and these too will only work with the 32-bit version 6 of ANY-maze.
We have now stopped producing maintenance releases of the 32-bit version 6 of ANY-maze, and new features will only be added to version 7 and above.
The rest of this document describes this legacy policy in more detail and explains how it may affect you.
What does “32-bit” and “64-bit” actually mean?
32-bit and 64-bit simply define the amount of information that can be processed by a computer in one go. More bits means that data can be processed in larger chunks, and that a program can access more of the computer’s memory. In general: the more bits, the better the performance of your computer and its software.
Most modern computers are now 64-bit, and recent versions of Microsoft Windows have all been 64-bit operating systems. A 32-bit program can run on a 64-bit version of Windows, but it’s not as efficient as it could be.
What’s this got to do with ANY-maze?
We have changed ANY-maze so it now runs as a 64-bit program. This should mean long-term compatibility with Windows, better performance, and the ability to use more of your computer’s memory.
However, ANY-maze relies on third-party software (called ‘drivers’) to talk to a number of the image capture and input/output devices that it uses. If a device is particularly old, the manufacturer may not have produced a 64-bit driver, and so the 64-bit version of ANY-maze won't be able to communicate with it.
If you’re using any of these older, ‘legacy’ devices with ANY-maze, then you won’t be able to use the 64-bit version of ANY-maze and you’ll need to stick with the 32-bit version (version 6). However, bear in mind that this 32-bit version is no longer being maintained.
Other legacy devices
We are also classifying some older image capture and input/output devices as legacy even though they do have 64-bit drivers available. This applies to devices that have been discontinued by their manufacturers, are simply out-of-date, or are little used by ANY-maze customers. These devices will not be supported by the 64-bit version of ANY-maze. You'll find a full list of affected devices here.
Legacy versions of Windows
Microsoft ended support for Windows XP in 2014 and for Windows Vista in 2017. Despite this, we have ensured that the 32-bit version of ANY-maze continues to work with them. However, the 64-bit version will only work with Windows 7 and above.
End of 32-bit development
Development and maintenance of the 32-bit version of ANY-maze has now ceased, and ANY-maze version 7 and above will only be produced as a 64-bit version.
This means that if you do use a legacy device or a legacy version of Windows, you will need to exchange it for a more modern alternative in order to use version 7 or above of ANY-maze.
Which devices are affected?
The information below tells you about the various devices that won't be supported by the 64-bit version of ANY-maze, together with recommendations for devices you can use in their place.
National Instruments IMAQ digitizers
IMAQ digitizers are used to connect analogue cameras to a computer. Currently ANY-maze supports the following devices:
| | • | PCI-1405 (discontinued model) | |
| | • | PCI-1407 (discontinued model) | |
| | • | PCI-1408 (discontinued model) | |
| | • | PCI-1409 (discontinued model) | |
| | • | PCI-1410 (discontinued model) | |
| | • | PCI-1411 (discontinued model) | |
All of these are classified as obsolete by National Instruments, and they are all now considered to be legacy devices by ANY-maze.
Recommended replacement: Picolo Alert PCIe digitizer
Data Translation digitizers
Data Translation digitizers are used to connect analogue cameras to a computer. Currently ANY-maze supports the following devices:
| | • | DT3120 (discontinued model) | |
| | • | DT3153 (discontinued model) | |
| | • | DT3131 (discontinued model) | |
| | • | DT3132 (discontinued model) | |
| | • | DT3133 (discontinued model) | |
| | • | DT3155 (discontinued model) | |
None of these devices are available any more, and they are all now considered to be legacy devices by ANY-maze.
Recommended replacement: Picolo Alert PCIe digitizer
Euresys digitizers
Euresys digitizer boards are used to connect analogue cameras to a computer. Currently ANY-maze works with a wide range of these devices, and it will continue to support many of them. However, the following devices will now be considered to be legacy devices by ANY-maze:
| | • | Picolo (serial numbers below 6321) | |
| | • | Picolo Pro (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Pro 2 (serial numbers below 7145) | |
| | • | Picolo Pro 3I (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Pro 3E (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Tetra-X (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Tetra-X-RC (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Jet X (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Diligent (discontinued model) | |
Recommended replacement: Picolo Alert PCIe digitizer
For the avoidance of doubt, the following Euresys digitizer boards will continue to be supported in the 64-bit version of ANY-maze:
| | • | Picolo (serial numbers above 6321) (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Pro2 (serial numbers above 7145) (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Tetra (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Junior4 (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Alert (discontinued model) | |
FireWire cameras
All firewire cameras are now considered to be legacy devices by ANY-maze. Models affected:
| | • | Unibrain Fire-i (discontinued model) | |
Recommended replacement: ANY-maze USB camera
Axis network cameras
The Axis network cameras are now considered to be legacy devices by ANY-maze. Models affected:
| | • | Axis 210 camera (discontinued model) | |
Recommended replacement: ANY-maze USB camera
The Switch & Sense 8/8
The Switch and Sense 8/8 is an I/O device with 8 opto-isolated inputs and 8 relay outputs, which connects to a USB port on your computer. Models affected:
| | • | Switch and Sense 8/8 (discontinued model) | |
Recommended replacement: The ANY-maze Digital interface and/or the ANY-maze Relay interface.
The computer's Parallel port
ANY-maze can use a parallel port as a simple I/O device - providing 4 TTL level inputs and 8 TTL level outputs. However, very few computers include a parallel (printer) port nowadays, and this is now considered to be a legacy device in ANY-maze.
Models affected:
| | • | Parallel (printer) ports built into PCs | |
| | • | Parallel (printer) ports on expansion cards | |
Recommended replacement: The ANY-maze Digital interface.
Input/output ports on Euresys Picolo digitizer cards
Some Euresys digitizer boards include general purpose input/output lines. Currently ANY-maze works with a wide range of these devices, and it will continue to support some of them. However, the following will now be considered to be legacy devices by ANY-maze.
| | • | Picolo (serial numbers below 6321) | |
| | • | Picolo Pro (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Pro 2 (serial numbers below 7145) | |
| | • | Picolo Pro 3I (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Pro 3E (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Tetra-X (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Tetra-X-RC (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Jet X (discontinued model) | |
| | • | Picolo Diligent (discontinued model) | |
Recommended replacement: The ANY-maze Digital interface.
Input/output ports on Axis network cameras
Some Axis network cameras include general purpose input/output lines. These cameras are now considered to be legacy devices by ANY-maze. Models affected:
| | • | Axis 210 camera (discontinued model) | |
Recommended replacement: The ANY-maze Digital interface.
The Griffin AirClick remote control
This remote control device is no longer manufactured.
Recommended replacement: The AMi2 Remote control.
The Ugo Basile Sound Generator
This sound generator has been discontinued.
Recommended replacement: The ANY-maze Audio interface, or a sound card on your computer. If you are also using the sound generator’s trigger outputs, these can be replaced with the ANY-maze TTL cable or the ANY-maze Digital interface.
The Ugo Basile Atlantis Platform
Direct support for the Ugo Basile Atlantis Platform has been removed from ANY-maze, although it can still be controlled through its TTL interface.
Recommended replacement: The ANY-maze TTL cable (for a single platform) or the ANY-maze Digital interface (for multiple platforms).
Summary
To recap, the legacy devices listed above are not supported in the 64-bit version of ANY-maze (version 7 and above), but they are still supported in the 32-bit version (version 6).
We stopped providing maintenance releases of the 32-bit version (version 6) of ANY-maze at the end of June 2022, so you should aim to transition to version 7 as soon as you are able to (note that updates to the ANY-maze software are always free of charge). You will still be able to use the 32-bit version 6 after this date, but we would advise against it, as we will no longer be maintaining it.
More information
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, then please contact ANY-maze Support.
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ANY-maze help topic T1041
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