CurrentObservationTime - Time measure to calculate X-position in shape meter

[emp00]

Dear Team, I have the following measure containing the current time:


Simple problem (stupid user): I want to use [@CurrentObservationTime] in a meter, drawing a vertical line (via shape) at an X-position based on the current hour. This is what I have, but it fails with the error below ... Why does the meter not calculate with the numerical value (15) -> the measure has the correct number as you can see. Can I prevent that the string is being used here?

Shape=Line (100+3*[@CurrentObservationTime]),1,(100+3*[@CurrentObservationTime]),100
Formula: Logical expression error: (100+3*15:45)

However, my final goal is to convert the current time (hour+minutes) to a full decimal number that I can use in the meter X-position calculation. In this example at 15:45 (current time from [@CurrentObservationTime]) I would like to calculate X = 100+3*15.75 giving 147 px. So the current time should be converted to a full decimal number, like this: HH + MM/60 ...

Can anybody show me a working measure giving this numerical value based on [@CurrentObservationTime] to be used in the shape meter? Thanks so much.

[Yincognito]

Dear Team, I have the following measure containing the current time:


Simple problem (stupid user): I want to use [@CurrentObservationTime] in a meter, drawing a vertical line (via shape) at an X-position based on the current hour. This is what I have, but it fails with the error below ... Why does the meter not calculate with the numerical value (15) -> the measure has the correct number as you can see. Can I prevent that the string is being used here?

Shape=Line (100+3*[@CurrentObservationTime]),1,(100+3*[@CurrentObservationTime]),100
Formula: Logical expression error: (100+3*15:45)

However, my final goal is to convert the current time (hour+minutes) to a full decimal number that I can use in the meter X-position calculation. In this example at 15:45 (current time from [@CurrentObservationTime]) I would like to calculate X = 100+3*15.75 giving 147 px. So the current time should be converted to a full decimal number, like this: HH + MM/60 ...

Can anybody show me a working measure giving this numerical value based on [@CurrentObservationTime] to be used in the shape meter? Thanks so much.

I'm on my phone so can't post tested code, but you have at least 2 possibilities:
- use that string in a Time measure, then use its Timestamp, TimestampFormat and [YourTimeMeasure:Timestamp] to convert the string into a decimal numerical representation:
https://docs.rainmeter.net/manual/measures/time/
- use a (regex) Substitute in a String measure that has your [@CurrentObservationTime] as its value, to transform the "15:45" string into a "(15*60+45)" one or similar, so that the latter can be used directly in your Shape formula

The 2nd possibility is the easiest one, of course. Make sure you have DynamicVariables=1 in the right places.

[balala]

Can anybody show me a working measure giving this numerical value based on [@CurrentObservationTime] to be used in the shape meter? Thanks so much.

Since all parameters of a Line elements of a Shape option have to be numbers, you can't use there what the [@CurrentObservationTime] measure does return, because that's not a number, as you could see in the error message:

Formula: Logical expression error: (100+3*15:45)

You can't multiply 3 by 15:45, because this last value is not a number. Accordingly the appropriate elements of the Shape meter can't be calculated. But I think you've figured this out by yourself.
So, as Yincognito mentioned, there are two way to achieve what you want:

• - use that string in a Time measure, then use its Timestamp, TimestampFormat and [YourTimeMeasure:Timestamp] to convert the string into a decimal numerical representation:
  https://docs.rainmeter.net/manual/measures/time/

  To use this approach, add the following measures to your code:

  Code: Select all

  [@CurrentObservationTime]
  ...
  
  [MeasureToday]
  Measure=Time
  Format=%Y.%m.%d
  
  [MeasureTimeStamp]
  Measure=Time
  TimeStamp=[MeasureToday] [@CurrentObservationTime]
  TimeStampFormat=%Y.%m.%d %H:%M
  DynamicVariables=1
  
  [MeasureMidnight]
  Measure=Time
  Format=%Y.%m.%d %H:%M
  TimeStamp=[MeasureToday] 0:00
  TimeStampFormat=%Y.%m.%d %#H:%M
  DynamicVariables=1
  
  [MeasureDecimalTime]
  Measure=Calc
  Formula=( [MeasureTimeStamp:TimeStamp] - [MeasureMidnight:TimeStamp] )
  DynamicVariables=1

  [MeasureDecimalTime] returns the decimal number calculated as you need it.

• - use a (regex) Substitute in a String measure that has your [@CurrentObservationTime] as its value, to transform the "15:45" string into a "(15*60+45)" one or similar, so that the latter can be used directly in your Shape formula

  For this approach you need the following measures:

  Code: Select all

  [@CurrentObservationTime]
  ...
  
  [MeasureHour]
  Measure=STRING
  String=[@CurrentObservationTime]
  RegExpSubstitute=1
  Substitute="(\d{1,2}):(\d{2})":"\1"
  DynamicVariables=1
  
  [MeasureMinute]
  Measure=STRING
  String=[@CurrentObservationTime]
  RegExpSubstitute=1
  Substitute="(\d{1,2}):(\d{2})":"\2"
  DynamicVariables=1
  
  [MeasureDecimalTime]
  Measure=Calc
  Formula=( [MeasureHour] + [MeasureMinute] / 60 )
  DynamicVariables=1

  Same way as previously, [MeasureDecimalTime] returns the needed time as a decimal number.

You can use any of these approaches. Please come back if any question arises related to any of them.

[emp00]

So, as Yincognito mentioned, there are two way to achieve what you want:
[...]

Two solutions, both working - confirmed --> Thanks to the both of you! (I only slightly renamed the measures)

Just one remaining super-stupid question: Check out my screenshot - the decimal time is calculated correctly. However, the numerical value of [@CurrentObservationMinute] equals 18 (highlighted red) --> this is the current hour! How does the hour end up as numerical value for the minute? The string for the minute is correct - and the calc measure works fine as well (so calc takes the String value?!) - this looks very odd to me, can you explain this? I just would like to understand the mechanics behind - it's completely surprising to me...

[Yincognito]

Two solutions, both working - confirmed --> Thanks to the both of you! (I only slightly renamed the measures)

Balala was gracious enough to lay down nicely what I mentioned earlier, so he deserves the thanks more than I do. For the record, on a second thought now that I'm on my laptop, both variants can be simplified into a single measure, if you don't care about the actual time, hours or minutes, and just want them to work in your Shape meter (I only added [Rainmeter] and a replacement of [@CurrentObservationTime] for testing purposes below).

1st variant (in the end, one can get the formula string right in the Format option, avoiding [YourTimeMeasure:Timestamp] parts entirely):

Code: Select all

[Rainmeter]
Update=1000
AccurateText=1
DynamicWindowSize=1
BackgroundMode=2
SolidColor=0,0,0,1

---Measures---

[@CurrentObservationTime]
Measure=String
String=15:45

[MeasureDecimalTime]
Measure=Time
TimeStampFormat=%H:%M
TimeStamp=[@CurrentObservationTime]
Format=(%H+%M/60)
DynamicVariables=1

---Meters---

[Test]
Meter=Shape
Shape=Line (100+3*[MeasureDecimalTime]),1,(100+3*[MeasureDecimalTime]),100 | StrokeWidth 3 | Stroke Color 255,0,0,255
DynamicVariables=1

2nd variant (similarly, one can get the formula string by manipulating the \1 and \2 captures in a single Subtitute part):

Code: Select all

[Rainmeter]
Update=1000
AccurateText=1
DynamicWindowSize=1
BackgroundMode=2
SolidColor=0,0,0,1

---Measures---

[@CurrentObservationTime]
Measure=String
String=15:45

[MeasureDecimalTime]
Measure=String
String=[@CurrentObservationTime]
RegExpSubstitute=1
Substitute="(\d{1,2}):(\d{2})":"(\1+\2/60)"
DynamicVariables=1

---Meters---

[Test]
Meter=Shape
Shape=Line (100+3*[MeasureDecimalTime]),1,(100+3*[MeasureDecimalTime]),100 | StrokeWidth 3 | Stroke Color 255,0,0,255
DynamicVariables=1

However, the numerical value of [@CurrentObservationMinute] equals 18 (highlighted red) --> this is the current hour! How does the hour end up as numerical value for the minute?

This is normal. I'm assuming both your measures are String ones, so any numerical value of both will be based on the initial "18:30" string before the substitution occurs. Since such a string cannot be entirely converted to a number, only the part until the ":" (aka "18") "survives", hence the seemingly strange number value of these measures.

[emp00]

Balala was gracious enough to lay down nicely what I mentioned earlier, so he deserves the thanks more than I do. For the record, on a second thought now that I'm on my laptop, both variants can be simplified into a single measure, if you don't care about the actual time, hours or minutes, and just want them to work in your Shape meter [...}

[Hour in Minutes number value issue]
This is normal. I'm assuming both your measures are String ones, so any numerical value of both will be based on the initial "18:30" string before the substitution occurs. Since such a string cannot be entirely converted to a number, only the part until the ":" (aka "18") "survives", hence the seemingly strange number value of these measures.

Your simplification into a single measure is greatly appreciated - and confirmed working! This also removes the "Hour in Minutes" number issue which is a strange effect in my eyes. Thanks for explaining this as well. All problems solved, user very happy!! Many thanks to both of you.

[Yincognito]

All problems solved, user very happy!!

That's all we wanted - now you can grow that happiness for Christmas and still have enough for after the New Year's Eve! If you share it, even better!

[balala]

Two solutions, both working - confirmed

I'm glad.

Just one remaining super-stupid question: Check out my screenshot - the decimal time is calculated correctly. However, the numerical value of [@CurrentObservationMinute] equals 18 (highlighted red) --> this is the current hour! How does the hour end up as numerical value for the minute?

There are no stupid (and even less super-stupid) questions: what might is a hard question for one, might be a super easy for someone else. But none these questions is stupid. Trust more yourself.

I'm assuming both your measures are String ones, so any numerical value of both will be based on the initial "18:30" string before the substitution occurs. Since such a string cannot be entirely converted to a number, only the part until the ":" (aka "18") "survives", hence the seemingly strange number value of these measures.

To be honest I better believe [@CurrentObservationTime] is a WebParser measure. Don't know precisely, has not been yet confirmed, but based on its name, I'd vote for a WebParser measure.
But in fact this doesn't matter too much: no matter if that's a WebParser, a String or a Time measure, your explanation applies in any of these cases.

[Yincognito]

To be honest I better believe [@CurrentObservationTime] is a WebParser measure.

Yep, that is almost certainly a WebParser - one of jsmorley's inspired weather measures, probably. However, I was talking about the [@CurrentObservationHour] and [@CurrentObservationMinute], which I suspect are the renamed versions of [MeasureHour] and [MeasureMinute] from the code you provided above for the 2nd variant.

[balala]

However, I was talking about the [@CurrentObservationHour] and [@CurrentObservationMinute], which I suspect are the renamed versions of [MeasureHour] and [MeasureMinute] from the code you provided above for the 2nd variant.

Aha, alright. Misunderstood you? Once again? My bad...