Millisecond Forums

You'll want to add a <clock> element to the script and display it (probably via the <block>'s /bgstim). Configure it to count down from the desired amount of time.

https://www.millisecond.com/support/docs/v5/html/language/elements/clock.htm

So I wrote this :
<clock timer>
/ format = "mm :ss"
/ mode = timer
/ erase = false
/ monitor = 1
/ position = (50%, 10%)
/ resetrate = block
/ timeout = 600000
/ txbgcolor = black
/ txcolor = red
/ vposition = 5
/ hposition = 95
</clock>

and when i run element I can see the output exactly as I want it, but when I try run it in the test monkey, I see nothing. What may be the problem, is it not displaying properly with the BART images ? 

Also, how do I exit out early from the test monkey and an experiment- I tried the Esc key and it did not work

Thank you very much for your help

A <clock> element is a stimulus element just like <text>, <picture>, etc.

Merely adding a stimulus element to a script is not enough. You also need to instruct the script (when / how) to display it by adding it to the <trial>s' /stimulustimes or -frames, or -- in your case -- a <block>'s /bgstim attribute.

<block BART>
/ bgstim = (timer)
...
</block>

The key combination to terminate an experiment is CTRL+Q. Pressing ESC is not supposed to end a script.

P.S.: If you do not wish the timer to start with the instructions, but only with the 1st balloon:

#1: Remove the two instructions trials at the start of <block BART>, i.e. change

<block BART>
/ bgstim = (timer)
...
/ trials = [1-2=instructions; 3=init; 4=instructions]
...
</block>

to

<block BART>
/ bgstim = (timer)
...
/ trials = [1=init; 2=instructions]
...
</block>

and 

#2: Put the instructions trials in a separate <block> instead.

<block instructions>
/ trials = [1-2=instructions]
</block>

Finally,

#3: Add the new instructions block to the <expt>:

<expt BART>
...
/ blocks = [1=instructions; 2=BART; 2=summary]
...
</expt>

Hello, 

I just have one more question: How do I put edit this for the BART-Y ? Right now I have the timer code added, and what happens is when I hit 'run', it skips the instructions and goes straight to the task with the timer.

So I have this: 
<expt BARTY>

/ blocks = [2=BARTY; 2=summary]
/ onexptbegin = [
if ( !parameters.showpumpcount )
text.pumpcount.textcolor= white;
if ( !parameters.showballooncount )
text.countballoon.textcolor = white;
]
/ blocks = [
1=BARTY;
2 = summary;
]
/ onexptend = [values.completed = 1]
</expt>

and this : 


<block BARTY>
/ onblockbegin = [
values.balloonwidth = 0.3 * display.width;
values.balloonheight = 0.3 * display.height;
]
/ bgstim = (timer)
/ trials = [1=init; 2=instructions_text]
/ stop = [trial.init.trialcount > parameters.totalballoons]
</block>

<block summary>
/ trials = [1=instructions_text; 2 = showmeter]
</block>




*************
Timer
*************
<clock timer>
/ format = "mm :ss"
/ mode = timer
/ erase = false
/ monitor = 1
/ position = (50%, 10%)
/ resetrate = block
/ timeout = 600000
/ txbgcolor = black
/ txcolor = red
/ vposition = 5
/ hposition = 95
</clock>

*************

As with the regular BART, you need to add an additional <block> that displays the instructions trials and then include that new <block> in the <expt>'s /blocks attribute.