Biamp A4 User Manual
Operation Manual
(printable Help file)
Table of Contents
Architect's & Engineer's Specification ............................................................................................................................... 2
Documentation...................................................................................................................................................................
3
1. .............................................................................................................................................................
Surface ..............................................................................................................................................................................
Property Sheet...................................................................................................................................................................
Control Library...................................................................................................................................................................
Menus................................................................................................................................................................................
File Menu .......................................................................................................................................................................
Edit Menu.....................................................................................................................................................................
View Menu ...................................................................................................................................................................
Control Library Menu ...................................................................................................................................................
Tools Menus ................................................................................................................................................................
Layout Menu ................................................................................................................................................................
Windows Menu ............................................................................................................................................................
Help Menu ...................................................................................................................................................................
Toolbars...........................................................................................................................................................................
Standard Toolbar .........................................................................................................................................................
Object Bar....................................................................................................................................................................
Control Bar...................................................................................................................................................................
Layout Bar ...................................................................................................................................................................
Format Bar...................................................................................................................................................................
Network Bar .................................................................................................................................................................
Status Bar ....................................................................................................................................................................
Keyboard Shortcuts.........................................................................................................................................................
Keyboard Shortcuts .....................................................................................................................................................
2. .....................................................................................................................................
Placing Objects................................................................................................................................................................
Customizing Appearance ................................................................................................................................................
Adding Control Pages......................................................................................................................................................
Application Controls.........................................................................................................................................................
Adding Popup Controls....................................................................................................................................................
Testing Control Surfaces.................................................................................................................................................
4 Software Tools
4
5
7
8
9
11
12
16
17
29
44
46
47
48
49
50
67
68
69
70
71
71
73 Designing Control Surfaces
73
75
76
77
78
79
3. .........................................................................................................................................
Network Considerations...................................................................................................................................................
Accessing Control Surfaces ............................................................................................................................................
Preparing Control Surfaces .............................................................................................................................................
4. .............................................................................................................................................
Using Control Surfaces....................................................................................................................................................
5. ...........................................................................................................................................................................
80 Sending Control Surfaces
80
81
82
83 Using Control Surfaces
83
85 Index
ii
Introduction
What is daVinci?
daVinci is a software program designed to allow the creation and use of customized computer
control screens with Audia® and Nexia® digital audio systems. The function and appearance of
the graphic control interface can be tailored to the exact needs of the user. Individual or grouped
sets of controls may be placed and assigned to specific system functions...or...component
objects can be copied directly from the system design file into daVinci software, producing
completely pre-assigned control surfaces. An array of drawing tools is provided for extensive
graphic manipulation of controls, backgrounds, and labeling. Control screens can be created with
the ability to easily navigate between multiple pages of operation. Once created, a control file is
downloaded into the system, where it can then be accessed by multiple network computers
running daVinci software. The software cannot alter the system design itself, and control access
to the system may be password protected. System control may be provided using a combination
of daVinci software, hardware control panels, and third-party RS-232, simultaneously.
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Architect's & Engineer's Specification
The control software program shall allow the creation and use of customized computer control
screens with Audia® and Nexia® digital audio systems. The software shall allow function and
appearance of the graphic control interface to be tailored to the exact needs of the user.
Individual or grouped sets of controls may be placed and assigned to specific system fun ctions,
or component objects may be copied directly from the Audia or Nexia system design file into the
control software, resulting in completely pre-assigned control surfaces. An array of drawing tools
shall be provided for extensive graphic manipulation of controls, backgrounds, and labeling.
Control screens may be created with the ability to easily navigate between multiple pages of
operation. Once created, a custom control file may downloaded into the Audia or Nexia system,
where it can then be accessed by multiple network computers which are running the control
software. The control software shall not alter the system design itself, and control access to the
system shall be password protected. System control may be provided using a combination of the
control software, hardware control panels, and third-party RS-232, simultaneously. Minimum
recommended system requirements shall be: Windows® XP Professional/Vista; Pentium® 4-1.5;
256MB RAM; 1280x1024 screen resolution.
The control software program shall be daVinci™.
Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Pentium® is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
2
Introduction
Documentation
The information contained in this Help file can be printed in manual form (with Table of Contents
and Index). Two PDF files are provided on the software CD for this purpose. The file daVinci.pdf
is intended for printing on Letter (8.5" x 11") size paper. The file daVinci-A4.pdf is intended for
printing on A4 (210mm x 297mm) size paper. These are printable Help files. Similar PDF files are
also available on the software CD-ROM (for Audia/Nexia Help, RS-232 Control, and Quick Start
Guide documents).
3
Software Tools
Surface
The Surface is where objects are arranged to create a custom control screen. Individual controls
may be placed from the Control Bar
system components, may be placed from the Object Bar
and assigned to specific component functions within the system design, using the Property
Sheet. Customized or often-used controls can be copied to the Control Library for future
placement into the Surface. However, component objects may instead be copied directly from the
system design file into the Surface, where they will appear as appropriately grouped and
assigned controls.
. Grouped sets of controls, representing typical multi-function
. The controls can then be customized
4
Property Sheet
Software Tools
The Property Sheet is where various attributes
of an object selected in the Surface
customized.
may be
Display Attributes affect such things as
position, size, shape, orientation, color, and
labeling.
Data Attributes affect assignment of a control
to a specific component in the system design
file. Instance ID (or Instance ID Tag), DSP
Block Type, Attribute, and Input/Output
information must be available from the system
design file. Grouped controls from the Object
Bar require only an Instance ID (or Instance ID
Tag), which can be assigned to the group as a
whole by first disabling 1By1 (this allows
access to common properties within a ‘MultiSelection’ of controls). An alternative is to copy
components from the system design file
directly into the Surface, where they will
appear as appropriately grouped and assigned
controls. These controls can then receive
further customization of their Display
Attributes.
Data Attributes also include User Access
Level, which can be used to make specific
controls inaccessible for certain User
Accounts, and Gang Group, which allows
multiple controls of the same type to have
combined operation.
Data Attributes are available only for control
type objects. Display Attributes are available
for all objects, including non-control objects
such as text boxes, frames, and the Surface
background.
Certain Display Attributes, such as position,
size, shape, color, and labeling, can be
customized within the Surface itself. Some of
these can be done by simply dragging the
object, others can be done through selections
made from either the Layout Bar
or the Format
Bar.
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A Menu icon (upper-right of title-bar) allows the Property Sheet to be docked or floating, and to
be hidden (closed) or to utilize Auto Hide (if docked). The menu may also be accessed by rightclicking over the Property Sheet. The thumb-tack allows the Property Sheet to remain open
(disables Auto Hide). To close the Property Sheet, click on the "X" in the upper right corner. The
Property Sheet may again be opened by selecting it from the Layout Bar
during actual control or test sessions.
. It is not accessible
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Control Library
Software Tools
The Control Library provides a convenient location for storing
customized or often-used controls. Simply select an object in
the Surface and copy it into the Control Library (Alt+drag or
right-click copy/paste). An icon for the control appears under the
selected category (default: daVinci Controls). The icon can be
re-named by selecting it, then clicking on the text. New category
files (.apl) may be created by right-clicking over the Control
Library.
When a category is selected, the available components appear
under the category heading. A vertical scroll bar will appear if all
available components in a category cannot be displayed. To
place a control, simply drag the icon into the Surface. When
Control Library changes are made, the affected category files
(.apl) are saved automatically (under Shared Documents).
A Menu icon (upper-right of title-bar) allows the Control Library
to be docked or floating, and to be hidden (closed) or to utilize
Auto Hide (if docked). The menu may also be accessed by
right-clicking over the Control Library. The thumb-tack allows
the Control Library to remain open (disables Auto Hide). To
close the Control Library, click on the "X" in the upper right
corner. The Control Library may again be opened by selecting a
category from the Control Library Menu
accessed via View Menu
actual control or test sessions
>Toolbars. It is not accessible during
. It can also be
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Menus
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File Menu
File Menu
Software Tools
New starts a fresh control file. Open retrieves a previously saved file.
Close shuts the current file, and saves changes. Save stores the
current file under My Documents. Save As stores the current file with
a choice of directory location and file name. NOTE: File extensions
are: .dva for Audia and .dvn for Nexia.
Network provides a sub-menu of related functions.
Print opens a dialog box to adjust printer settings and print the
Surface. Print Preview displays anticipated printing results, based on
Print Setup. Print Setup opens a dialog box to adjust printer settings.
Recently saved files are listed at the bottom of the menu, for easy
access.
Exit closes the daVinci program, with a prompt to save the file if
necessary. If a file is open during Exit, that file will re-open at next
session.
The menu shows associated toolbar icons and keyboard shortcuts.
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sub-menus
Network Menu
Connect To Network establishes communication with, and
provides a list of, all Audia and Nexia devices on the network.
Disconnect From Network ends communication with all devices
on the network. Connect To System establishes communication
with selected Audia or Nexia systems on the network.
Disconnect From System ends communication with selected
systems on the network. Synchronize State Data manually
updates control data to match system devices.
The menu shows associated toolbar icons.
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Edit Menu
Edit Menu
Software Tools
Undo cancels the most recent action. Redo cancels the previous
Undo.
Cut moves selected objects to the Clipboard. Copy replicates selected
objects to the Clipboard. Paste places objects from the Clipboard into
the Surface.
Duplicate replicates objects into both the Surface and the Clipboard.
Duplicate works with only one selected object at a time. Select All
chooses all control and non-control related objects in the Surface.
Delete removes selected objects from the Surface, without replicating
them to the Clipboard.
The menu shows associated toolbar icons and keyboard shortcuts.
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View Menu
View Menu
Toolbars provides a sub-menu of related functions.
Status Bar reveals the Status Bar at the bottom of the Surface.
Ruler Bars reveals rulers along the top and side of the Surface.
Zoom provides a sub-menu of related functions.
Full Screen Mode and Full Window Mode allow the
Administrator
to select one of two different full-screen views.
The menu shows associated toolbar icons and keyboard
shortcuts.
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sub-menus
Toolbars Menu
Software Tools
The Toolbars Menu allows the following to be revealed or hidden:
Standard Toolbar
Network Bar
; Object Bar; Control Bar; Layout Bar; Format Bar;
; Control Library.
Customize opens a dialog box for customizing the toolbars.
The menu shows associated keyboard shortcuts.
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Customize
Customize allows
existing toolbars and
menus to be edited, and
new ones to be created.
Certain aspects of
appearance may also be
personalized.
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Zoom Menu
Software Tools
Zoom In increases magnification of Surface in 25% increments. Zoom Out
decreases magnification of Surface in 25% increments. Zoom 1:1 returns
magnification of Surface to 100%.
The menu shows associated toolbar icons.
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Control Library Menu
Control Library Menu
The Control Library Menu provides a list of control categories from
the Control Library
the Control Library opens to that category automatically.
The menu shows associated keyboard shortcuts.
. When a category is selected from the menu,
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Tools Menus
Tools Menu
Software Tools
Passwords provides a sub-menu of related functions.
Options opens a dialog box for adjusting software behavior. The dialog box
has four tabs: General
; Display; Auto-Connect; and Network.
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sub-menus
Passwords Menu
Login and Logout allow direct access to a daVinci control surface that
is currently running on a computer connected to the system network.
Login will require a User Name and Password, as established under
User Accounts
Edit User Accounts opens a dialog box for restricting user control
access.
.
The menu shows associated keyboard shortcuts.
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User Accounts
A
Software Tools
User Accounts allow
control access to be
restricted. In addition
to password
protection, a User
name is assigned to
an Access Level.
Individual controls
may be assigned to
one of five prioritized
ccess Levels via the
Property Sheet
. Add
or Edit opens a
dialog box
for
creating accounts.
Delete removes
selected accounts.
OK (off-line) stores
accounts as part of
the daVinci file, which
must then be saved.
Send (on-line) stores
accounts into the
system.
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Edit User Accounts
Edit User Account allows creation
and editing of accounts. An account
requires a User Name and Password.
Start Page determines which control
page is to be accessed initially by this
user. An Access Level is also
assigned. The Access Level
determines which controls will be
available to that user. Control objects
are also assigned to Access Levels,
via the Property Sheet
. There are five
prioritized Access Levels. Level 1
accounts can access all controls, Level
2 accounts can access all but Level 1
assigned controls, Level 3 accounts
can access all but Level 1 & 2
assigned controls, and so forth.
Inaccessible controls will be visible,
but disabled. They can instead be
made invisible via General Options
.
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General Options
Software Tools
Data, Control Library,
and Image files may be
saved to specified
directory locations.
Save AutoRecover
time may be adjusted
or disabled.
Control Toolbar
retains last control
selection may be
enabled for repeated
placement into Surface.
Hide disabled
controls may be
enabled so
inaccessible
controls
are hidden instead of
grey.
Do not add static
backgrounds to
control groups
removes the
background image from
grouped objects placed
from the Object
Toolbar.
Enable touch panel
mode removes 'focus
rectangle' from the
selected control.
Display last recalled
preset on preset
recall buttons allows
buttons to display
preset numbers, or
simply the word
'Recall'.
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Default grid to "ON"
for new Surfaces may
be disabled, which will
start new files with the
off.
Grid
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Display Options
Software Tools
Application Visual
Style allows a choice of
different styles of
appearance. This
affects various
elements of the daVinci
software.
MDI Tabs affects the
appearance of Multiple
Document Interface
tabs specifically, and
will change the
available Window Menu
items if disabled
Target Display
Resolution is detected
automatically, but can
instead be specified,
which will then provide
boundary markers in
the Surface during
design mode.
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Auto-Connect Options
Enable Auto-Connect
allows the specific
computer to
automatically connect
to a daVinci controlled
system.
Auto-Connect when –
AC specified on
daVinci command line
allows only specific
daVinci shortcuts to
employ Auto-Connect.
Auto-Connect
whenever daVinci
starts forces an Auto-
Connect whenever
daVinci is started.
Add Shortcut will add
a shortcut to the
Startup Folder, the
"Run" Registry Key, or
the Desktop. Shortcuts
in Startup or "Run"
Registry will start
daVinci when the user
logs in.
Auto-Connect
Override Password
allows entry of
password for protection
against Alt key
overrides.
System Information
requires the ID number,
and all device IP
Adresses, for the
system.
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Login this user after
connecting provides
Software Tools
an automatic login for a
specified user (ID and
Password).
Application startup mode selects Use Surface settings (affects all users) or Full Screen / Full
Window (affects specific user). Disable Window’s Application Task Switching selects Use
Surface settings (affects all users) or Use settings below (affects specific user). System
Disconnect Action selects behavior when user disconnects. Connection Failure Action selects
behavior when attempted connection fails (includes entry of customized failure message).
Startup Delay allows for wireless network devices which may be slower to initialize, by adding up
to 120 seconds of manual delay before Auto-Connect startup will time-out.
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