The Time-lapse Engine provides the ability to craft unique and complex shots using a number of features which can be combined at-will for automating different activities. One of these tools is the Camera Repeat Cycle.
A Repeat Cycle specifies that each time an exposure would be triggered during the normal execution of a program, that shot should be repeated. Most importantly, a repeat cycle is invisible to the normal flow of program execution, so only the initial shot is recorded in 'shots fired' parameter, no motor distances moved for the normal program are updated, no keyframes are executed, and any changes to program parameters can be reset upon completion of an individual cycle.
This means that the repeat cycle can be used for crafting multiple, interleaved time-lapse videos either moving at different video speeds, or shooting entirely different subjects. A repeat cycle could also be used for easily scripting panoramic photos by specifying the start of a row of photos, the total rows to takes, and the vertical distance between rows as part of the normal program execution, and then using the repeat cycle to specify the distance between photos in a given row. Another popular use for a repeat cycle would be for creating HDR timelapse. One could specify that each shot is repeated X times, with each repetition further reducing exposure by 1/2 EV. In this way, it can function as an extended bracketing setting for cameras in bulb mode.
Unless a repeat action modifies camera parameters, all parameters for camera exposures are the same for each repeat exposure, including: exposure time, post-exposure delay, focus pre-tap time, etc.
The following parameters are available for controlling the Camera Repeat Cycle:
The Repeat Count specifies how many times to repeat each exposure. The value for this parameter ranges from 0-255. Setting this to zero disables camera repeat cycling.
Repeat Actions can be called between each repeated shot. This allows one to move motors, change exposure parameters, etc. during the cycle. You can have up to four repeat actions called between each shot in the repeat cycle. For more information on defining actions, and what can be done with them, see the Actions page later in this document.
If any repeat action changes the direction of a motor, the motor will be set back to its normal direction after the action is complete.
The Motors Home after Repeat is a simple on/off option, that specifies that if any motor movement occurred during the repeat cycle (i.e. a repeat action caused a motor to move), that all motors should be returned back to where their position was before any repeat actions were called. This is an essential option for shooting interlaced time-lapse videos, otherwise one would be unable to control the output speed ramping, and it motor position would likely jump far out beyond the intended location.
You may specify up to four actions to be called upon completion of a Camera Repeat Cycle. This function can be used to set parameters back to new values after each Repeat Cycle. In particular, specifying a direction change only action (see Serial Protocol) to be run at the end of a repeat cycle is an excellent way to cover "columns and rows" in your program.