While game automation presents a different challenge for many, T-Plan Robot can drive games in the same way it does any other application.
Many object based automation tools cannot access game elements. T-Plan Robot however ‘looks’ at the screen to verify or locate elements and drive the game using standard user controls/inputs. Robot typically has full control of the entire hosts system and therefore can automate desktop, mobile and web games, and even switch between applications, opening up the possibility for extended scope within your automation scenarios.
Yes.
As T-Plan Robot automates at the screen level it actually knows nothing of the underlying architecture of your game, or app. This is also the reason that you do not need access to the source code of your game/app.
T-Plan Robot can automate anything that appears on your screen.
Yes!
Numerous environments can be automated, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Desktop applications, Web applications, Flash, Flex, HTML5 and many more.
Mobile phones and tablets are also supported for Android, iOS and Windows Phone.
While the setup and requirements vary for mobile automation, once connected the rest of the Robot user experience remains consistent with that for automating desktop environments.
For more information please see our summary page.
No!
T-Plan Robot automates applications using the standard user interface meaning that you do not need to expose your applications code, nor do you need to add any third-party code to your developed project.
Ultimately, you can automate your application exactly as it will be delivered to your end user.
This also means that you can automate any application on your environment. With full device control you can even switch between many applications, of any type!
T-Plan Robot by default searches the entire screen when attempting to find a match to your predefined image template or text. Therefore, if an element simply moves position it will still be found.
Naturally, if you are visually comparing the currently displayed screen to find a pre-captured image within, there may be instances where an object changes its appearance so much that it no longer resembles its original guise. In such cases you may need to capture multiple templates within an “Image Collection” in order that Robot can determine a match.
If using the “Browser” command (Selenium plugin) the object is searched within the web page DOM. Therefore, changes to its position on the screen has no impact on its ability to be located and actioned.
With a single test able to execute across many browsers Robot offers a powerful option for those testing web games or applications.
With full device control Robot allows you to not only automate multiple browsers, but if you wish you can even switch within a single test case.
Testing a game or application for different languages is becoming more an more important in todays world and T-Plan Robot offers a few features to assist in this task.
Through a combination of image searching and OCR, your single test can work across multiple languages to verify translations and ensure your intended user experience remains consistent to all.
The most commonly used verification methods are:
Advanced image detection algorithms allow Robot scripts to verify whether an item is present on the visible display, or not, within fractions of a second. Dynamic wait times mean no unnecessary delays to your execution.
Through OCR or image based text recognition T-Plan Robot can identify text displayed on the screen and make it available for you to use thereafter. This feature can be used to verify that a particular word or phrase is present or simply to log what text is being displayed.
The built-in Selenium plugin for Robot brings the power of object based automation for any web applications right alongside that of the image based approach providing ultimate flexibility. The complexities of Selenium are masked behind our user interface which offers a simple way to create even the most complex scripts.
None of the above search methods are tied to screen coordinates. While you can chose to search specific areas, by default this is not the case, meaning that if something moves on the screen or the layout changes etc it will not break your automation.
Yes!
Numerous environments can be automated, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Desktop applications, Web applications, Flash, Flex, HTML5 and many more.
Mobile phones and tablets are also supported for Android, iOS and Windows Phone.
While the setup and requirements vary for mobile automation, once connected the rest of the Robot user experience remains consistent with that for automating desktop environments.
For more information please see our summary page.
Yes.
Our advanced recorder makes the task of scripting a quick and simple job. Simply connect to your target environment, activate the recorder and perform your desired actions. Once complete, review the generated script actions and amend them if necessary before re-executing it.
Generating scripts and actions through the recorder makes automation accessible to those with even the most modest experience.
For more information please see our Script Recorder page.
Automation scripts can currently be created in both of the following formats:
The TPR format is T-Plans proprietary scripting language. Following a basic principle of “<command> <parameter>” while using simple English command names, such as Click, Swipe, Type, Log, Screenshot, etc, means that this is a very intuitive and easy to follow language.
An example of a TPR script is as follows:
Click image template=Browser
Type “I love T-Plan Robot”
Click image template=Search
Screenshot “SearchResults.png”
Press Alt+f4
Log “Test Completed.”
Java formatted scripts can be generated and edited within Robot using the same features and functionality as standard TPR scripts. Alternatively Java scripts can be created and edited in 3rd party Java editors such as NetBeans and Eclipse.
Finally TPR scripts can be exported into Java format if needed however both formats can call and reference scripts of the other format.
No!
T-Plan Robot automates applications using the standard user interface meaning that you do not need to expose your applications code, nor do you need to add any third-party code to your developed project.
Ultimately, you can automate your application exactly as it will be delivered to your end user.
This also means that you can automate any application on your environment. With full device control you can even switch between many applications, of any type!
T-Plan Robot by default searches the entire screen when attempting to find a match to your predefined image template or text. Therefore, if an element simply moves position it will still be found.
Naturally, if you are visually comparing the currently displayed screen to find a pre-captured image within, there may be instances where an object changes its appearance so much that it no longer resembles its original guise. In such cases you may need to capture multiple templates within an “Image Collection” in order that Robot can determine a match.
If using the “Browser” command (Selenium plugin) the object is searched within the web page DOM. Therefore, changes to its position on the screen has no impact on its ability to be located and actioned.
Sure. T-Plan Robot connects to a License Server to obtain valid sessions. You can chose to connect to our hosted License Server or install your own instance locally within your network. As long as there is connectivity between your Robot instance and your chosen License Server end point, the locations of both can be wherever you wish.
With a single test able to execute across many browsers Robot offers a powerful option for those testing web games or applications.
With full device control Robot allows you to not only automate multiple browsers, but if you wish you can even switch within a single test case.
Testing a game or application for different languages is becoming more an more important in todays world and T-Plan Robot offers a few features to assist in this task.
Through a combination of image searching and OCR, your single test can work across multiple languages to verify translations and ensure your intended user experience remains consistent to all.
T-Plan Robot is a desktop Java application. It can run on any OS (physical or virtual, local or cloud) that supports Java. While it can run from a headless system for driving executions, it does require a desktop session in order to generate/design/debug your automation scripts.
T-Plan Robot must ‘connect’ to a target SUT (System Under Test) using one of the available connection methods (Local Desktop, RDP, VNC, Android, iOS).
With this in mind you can run a combination of different setups depending on your requirements, and none of the above are limited by your licenses. A license simply allows concurrent usage of Robot – regardless of where/how you wish to use/deploy it.
For example:
Robot running on your local machine -> connecting to itself (“Local Desktop”)
Robot running on your local machine -> connecting to VM on your server over VNC
Robot running on a VM in the cloud -> connecting to another VM usign RDP
Robot running on a local VM -> connecting to itself (“Local Desktop”)
etc…
We schedule a point release every quarter, with a major release once a year. A breakdown of releases for example can be found in our T-Plan Robot Enterprise Versions document.
We also have an OTA (over the air) update mechanism, where customers can get automatic upgrades & updates to bug fixes etc. When bugs are reported we are not beaten by anyone in our speed to get these turned around. Where applicable these fixes can be released as a ‘point.point’ release; to a specific customer, or the customer base as a whole.
Each major release may contain a mixture of new features, feature updates and bug fixes. The exact list of items included in each release can be viewed in our T-Plan Robot Enterprise Versions document.
Please view our detailed release notes section on Migration And Upgrade.
While it is always recommended to use the latest Java versions, Robot will run on Java 6 (formerly 1.6) or higher.
If you want to take advantage of Java test scripts, you have to use the Java Development Kit (JDK) rather than Java Runtime Environment (JRE). The difference is that JDK contains compiler needed for runtime compilation of Java code. If you use just a JRE, the tool will run but it won’t allow you to compile and execute Java source code (.java files). This limitation doesn’t apply to already compiled Java test scripts (.class files).
Java requirements are documented in the Release Notes document.
T-Plan Robot Enterprise uses two types of license:
Development – design, develop and debug projects using the Robot Enterprise application.
Execution – execution only licenses can be pooled to allow multiple concurrent executions across different projects and System Under Test’s (SUT’s).
All licenses are centrally managed by the T-Plan License Server.
Licenses are concurrent and can be used against any platform to automate any environment. Windows, Mac, Desktop, Web, Mobile, iOS, Android – mix and match as you please.
Upon commencement of a trial, you will be emailed a license URL to enter on first launch of the Robot application.
The trial license offers provision for both the development and execution of test scripts through the T-Plan Robot UI and/or CLI.
The trial licenses are fully functional and restricted only by time.
When the trial period expires, whilst you do not lose any work that you have done, you will be unable to run any aspect of T-Plan Robot. If you purchase the product the product will resume and you can continue your work.
Essentially yes.
The only potential difference is when purchasing Robot, you will have the choice to use a hosted license (via a provided URL, in the same way as your trial) or to install and host your own internal License Server. The later is generally used for closed/offline networks.
No. You must purchase at least one Development license in order to design and develop your automation projects, prior to being able to execute them.
During a valid support and maintenance contract you have full access to all product updates. Beta and minor point releases, through to major feature releases are all included.
If you have any problems or questions, or simply want some advice, you can communicate with our support team through phone, email, or web chat on any of the website pages.
T-Plan Robot Enterprise is provided as a paid for licensed product.
For further details of features included in the different releases please see the Versions Comparison table.
The Development license is not named to an individual, and not tied to a particular computer, i.e. the license is floating, not node locked.
For an example purchase of 5 Development licenses, this allows 5 users to use T-Plan Robot Enterprise at any given time, even if there are 100 computers that have T-Plan Robot Enterprise installed.
Similarly a purchase of 5 Execution licenses, only allows 5 live connections to any System Under Test (SUT) at any one time.
Should you have any further questions regarding pricing, or the license, please contact our Sales department through the T-Plan Contacts page.
Please select the following links for more information on the Software License Agreement and the Product Support & Maintenance Contract.
Our software is offered as a FREE 2 week trial. Extensions to this timeframe are available on request. Please contact us for more information.
You will be provided with a download link for the Robot desktop application, along with a license URL to enter on first launch.
The only prerequisites are that you have Java installed on your workstation and an internet connection to access your license session.
Many existing features and improvements were actually suggested by active users who provided feedback. The T-Plan Robot community for us means the network of our lovely customers, and those using our toolset.
We welcome any feedback whether it is a bug report, feature suggestion or general recommendation and these can be submitted using any of the contact methods. We look forward to welcoming you to our family!
If you would like to provide feedback of any nature please contact us on the web (support@t-plan.com, contact details) or web chat to us on any of the website pages.
If you would like to know more about our Products or Services, then please contact us at sales@t-plan.com, leave your contact details, or contact you local representative.
Check out our Plugins page. Listed here are plugins which were developed by us. We will also link plugins provided by our community.
No. The path to the plugin JAR file or class path gets saved to the user plugin configuration XML file. The Plugin Manager will load it dynamically upon the application start. If you however move the tool into another folder, you need to either add the plugin JAR to the Java class path or plug it in again.
No. So called “built-in plugins” represent core classes from the product JAR binaries and they cannot be uninstalled. They can be however disabled.
Refer to the T-Plan Robot Plugin Framework document. It is linked to the Java code documentation.
Follow the steps in the localization guide. If you want us to endorse your translated message file, send us an email at support@t-plan.com and we will link it after a review, to our download site.
Follow steps described in the Plugin Framework manual. If you wish to make the plugin public to the community, email us at support@t-plan.com and we will link it after a review, to our download site.
Just copy it to the folder where you installed the tool to. It will pick it up after restart and make it available in the Language drop down of the Login Dialog.
Unit 8, Lady Bee Enterprise Centre,
Albion Street, Southwick,
Brighton. East Sussex. BN42 4BW.
United Kingdom.
+44 (0)330 120 0875
Unit 8, Lady Bee Enterprise Centre,
Albion Street, Southwick,
Brighton. East Sussex. BN42 4BW.
United Kingdom.
+44 (0)330 120 0875
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