Working with consoles

This section contains instructions for editing the console settings, as well as using consoles to control various types of elements, such as video and motion axes.

Note: For information about the mapping of images onto patched light-emitting surfaces, see Image Console.

To set the console to connect on load

1. From the Managers menu, choose Device Manager.

Result: The Device Manager dialog box appears.

2. Select the console.
3. Select the Connect on load checkbox.
4. Click OK to close the Device Manager.

To remove a console from the Device Manager

1. From the Managers menu, choose Device Manager.

Result: The Device Manager dialog box appears.

2. Select the console that you want to remove.
3. Click Delete.

Result: The console is removed and all patch binding information is lost.

Controlling a DMX patched video source with a console

Note: If the video control is patched and DMX connected in LIVE mode, then you will not be able to control the video using any of the Video Designer Tool commands in DESIGN mode. Video sources can only be controlled by a Designer tool when the DMX source is disconnected; therefore, you must first disconnect the applicable console device from LIVE mode before using any of the Video Designer Tool commands.

After you have patched the control of a video source in DATA mode, you can use the applicable console device to control the progress of the video in LIVE mode.

In WYSIWYG, you patch the control of a video source, not the actual video. This means that you can use the console device to control the progress of a live video stream or a video file by making the video play, pause, or rewind; you cannot use WYSIWYG to change different aspects of the video itself.

To control the video source, the DMX patch is allocated three channels with the following controls:

• First channel (Intensity): The video is off if the value is set between 1—128 (below 50%), it is on if the value is between 128—255 (above 50%).
• Second channel (Control): The video is controlled by the position that you set on the third channel if the value is set between 1—84 (between 1% and 33%), it is paused if the value is set between 85—169 (between 33% and 66%), and it plays if the value is set between 170—255 (between 66% and 100%).
• Third channel (Position): If you have set a value within the bottom third level of the second channel (between 1% and 33%), then you can use the third channel like a slider, advancing the video either backward or forward to the exact position that you want to see. If the value on the second channel is set to any level above 84 (between 33% and 100%), then the third channel is disabled.

To control a DMX patched video source with a console

Ensure that the console device is connected to the patched video source. For details on connecting a console, see To connect to a console.

To play the video from start to finish, perform the following steps

1. Set the first channel to a value between 128—255 (above 50%).
2. Set the second channel to a value between 255—170 (between 100% and 66%).

To pause the video, perform the following steps

1. Set the first channel to a value between 128—255 (above 50%).
2. Set the second channel to a value between 255—170 (between 100% and 66%) and play the video to the spot where you want to pause it. Then move the second channel to a value between 169—85 (between 66% and 33%) to pause the video at this spot.

To control the progress of the video manually, perform the following steps

1. Set the first channel to a value between 128—255 (above 50%).
2. Set the second channel to a value between 84—1 (between 33% and 1%).
3. Slide the third channel up and down to control the progress of the video, forward and backward.

Controlling a DMX patched motion axis with a console

After you have patched a motion axis in DATA mode, you can use the applicable console device in LIVE mode to control the movement of any objects that are attached to the axis.

To control the object, the DMX patch is allocated two channels with the following controls:

• First channel (Move): The first channel is for coarse movement and can be used to advance the object quickly to any position along the entire path, from start to finish.
• Second channel (Move Fine): The second channel is used for further refining the object’s position that you set with the first channel. Adjust the slider on the second channel to move the object very slightly either forward or back from its current position. The movement achieved with this channel is so fine, that it is best viewed on linear axes that are quite long. Note that for rotation axes, the movement is so slight, that you may not be able to see it.

To control a DMX patched motion axis with a console

1. Ensure that the console device is connected to the patched motion axis. For details on connecting a console, see To connect to a console.
2. To move the object quickly along the motion axis, adjust the slider on the first channel, stopping at the position where you want to leave the object.
3. To move the object in fine increments either forward or back from its current position, adjust the slider on the second channel.

Tip: To view fine movement, the object must be attached to a very long linear axis, or be set to rotate in a very wide arc. It is also a good idea to zoom in quite close to the object before moving it.

Controlling a motion-control patched motion axis with a motion control system

After you have patched a motion axis in DATA mode, you can use the applicable motion control system in LIVE mode to control the movement of any objects that are attached to the axis.

Based on the type of system that you are using, you can control the object in different ways. The following procedure outlines how to control the object(s) with WYSIWYG Motion Control Console.

To control a motion-control patched motion axis with a motion control system

1. Launch the Motion Control Console.

2. Ensure that the Motion Control Console (or the motion control system if you are using one) is connected to the patched motion axis. You connect the Motion Control Console (and motion control systems) in much the same way as you connect consoles. For details, see To connect to a console.
3. To change the settings of a patched motion axis, highlight the axis in the left pane, and then choose from the following settings:

• ID box: To change the ID of the motion axis, type the new motion control ID.
• Travel box: Type the distance (in meters for linear axes, in degrees for rotational axes) that you want the object to travel along or around the axis. This can be the full length/angle of the axis, or only a portion of it if you do not want the object to travel along/around the full path. For linear axes, if you type a value that is longer than the actual axis, the object stops at the end of the physical axis.
• Type: If you change the axis type so that it does not match the axis that you have drawn (for example, if the actual axis is linear, but you choose rotational here), the cell in patch view turns to red.

In the Mode area, select the type of movement for the object:

• Manual: Select this option if you want to specify the precise location of a static object on the motion axis. You can then use the position slider at the bottom of the window to adjust the position and control the movement of the object manually.
• Bounce: Select this option if you want the object to move forward and backward in a continuous loop along the motion axis.
• Forward: Select this option if you want the object to move forward along the axis from start to finish, and then start over again at the beginning in a continuous forward loop.
• Backward: Select this option if you want the object to move backwards along the axis from finish to start, and then begin over again in a continuous backwards loop.
• Duration (sec) box: If you have chosen any moving Mode value (that is, any value except Static), you can specify the length of time (in seconds) over which you want the full range of motion to take place. The larger the number you type in this box, the slower the object moves.
• Position slider: For all moving modes (bounce, forward, backward), the slider indicates the position of the object when the console is sending data to WYSIWYG. For the static mode, while the console is started, drag the slider to adjust the position of the object on its axis. The position value changes in the box in the left pane.
• Position box: While the console is sending data to WYSIWYG, for all moving modes, this box shows the progress of the object’s movement along its axis; for the axes in the static mode, you can type the precise location of the object on the axis.

4. Click Update Axis to view your new settings.
5. Click Save to save the changes.

Note:  If you make any changes to the axis settings and save the changes, you can revert to the previous settings by clicking Load.

Mini Console

WYSIWYG contains an application that simulates a small console, called the Mini Console. You can use this application in lieu of a real console. To use the Mini Console, run the Mini Console application, found in the WYSIWYG section of the Windows Start menu. Connect as if you are using an external console.

The Mini Console gives you control of a single DMX universe but does not record or playback cues.