Pinnacle Systems DekoCast - 4.3 User’s Guide

Avid® DekoCast™ Products

User’s Guide

Product specifications are subject to change without notice and do not represent a commitment on the part of Avid Technology, Inc.

This product is subject to the terms and conditions of a software license agreement provided with the software. The product may only be used in accordance with the license agreemen.

Avid products or portions thereof are protected by one or more of the following United States Patents: 5,267,351; 5,309,528; 5,355,450; 5,396,594; 5,440,348; 5,467,288; 5,513,375; 5,528,310; 5,557,423; 5,577,190; 5,584,006; 5,640,601; 5,644,364; 5,654,737; 5,724,605; 5,726,717; 5,745,637; 5,752,029; 5,754,851; 5,799,150; 5,812,216; 5,828,678; 5,842,014; 5,852,435; 5,986,584; 5,999,406; 6,038,573; 6,061,758; 6,069,668; 6,141,007; 6,211,869; 6,532,043; 6,546,190; 6,596,031; 6,636,869; 6,747,705; 6,763,523; 6,766,357; 6,813,622; 6,847,373; 7,081,900; RE40,107; 7,403,561; 7,433,519; 7,671,871; D352,278; D372,478; D373,778; D392,267; D392,268; D392,269; D395,291; D396,853; D398,912. Other patents are pending.

Avid products or portions thereof are protected by one or more of the following European Patents: 0506870; 0635188; 0674414; 0752174; 1111910; 1629675. Other patents are pending.

This document is protected under copyright law. An authorized licensee of Avid DekoCast may reproduce this publication for the licensee’s own use in learning how to use the software. This document may not be reproduced or distributed, in whole or in part, for commercial purposes, such as selling copies of this document or providing support or educational services to others. This document is supplied as a guide for Avid DekoCast. Reasonable care has been taken in preparing the information it contains. However, this document may contain omissions, technical inaccuracies, or typographical errors. Avid Technology, Inc. does not accept responsibility of any kind for customers’ losses due to the use of this document. Product specifications are subject to change without notice.

The following disclaimer is required by Apple Computer, Inc.:

APPLE COMPUTER, INC. MAKES NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THIS PRODUCT, INCLUDING WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO ITS MERCHANTABILITY OR ITS FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES IS NOT PERMITTED BY SOME STATES. THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY PROVIDES YOU WITH SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS. THERE MAY BE OTHER RIGHTS THAT YOU MAY HAVE WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

The following disclaimer is required by Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics, Inc. for the use of their TIFF library:

Permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, and sell this software [i.e., the TIFF library] and its documentation for any purpose is hereby granted without fee, provided that (i) the above copyright notices and this permission notice appear in all copies of the software and related documentation, and (ii) the names of Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics may not be used in any advertising or publicity relating to the software without the specific, prior written permission of Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS-IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL SAM LEFFLER OR SILICON GRAPHICS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE, AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.

The following disclaimer is required by the Independent JPEG Group:

This software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group.

The following disclaimer is required by Paradigm Matrix:

Portions of this software licensed from Paradigm Matrix.

The following disclaimer is required by Ray Sauers Associates, Inc.:

“Install-It” is licensed from Ray Sauers Associates, Inc. End-User is prohibited from taking any action to derive a source code equivalent of “Install-It,” including by reverse assembly or reverse compilation, Ray Sauers Associates, Inc. shall in no event be liable for any damages resulting from reseller’s failure to perform reseller’s obligation; or any damages arising from use or operation of reseller’s products or the software; or any other damages, including but not limited to, incidental, direct, indirect, special or consequential Damages including lost profits, or damages resulting from loss of use or inability to use reseller’s products or the software for any reason including copyright or patent infringement, or lost data, even if Ray Sauers Associates has been advised, knew or should have known of the possibility of such damages.

The following disclaimer is required by Videomedia, Inc.:

“Videomedia, Inc. makes no warranties whatsoever, either express or implied, regarding this product, including warranties with respect to its merchantability or its fitness for any particular purpose.”

“This software contains V-LAN ver. 3.0 Command Protocols which communicate with V-LAN ver. 3.0 products developed by Videomedia, Inc. and V-LAN ver. 3.0 compatible products developed by third parties under license from Videomedia, Inc. Use of this software will allow “frame accurate” editing control of applicable videotape recorder decks, videodisc recorders/players and the like.”

The following disclaimer is required by Altura Software, Inc. for the use of its Mac2Win software and Sample Source Code:

The following disclaimer is required by Ultimatte Corporation:

Certain real-time compositing capabilities are provided under a license of such technology from Ultimatte Corporation and are subject to copyright protection.

The following disclaimer is required by 3Prong.com Inc.:

Certain waveform and vector monitoring capabilities are provided under a license from 3Prong.com Inc.

Attn. Government User(s). Restricted Rights Legend

U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS. This Software and its documentation are “commercial computer software” or “commercial computer software documentation.” In the event that such Software or documentation is acquired by or on behalf of a unit or agency of the U.S. Government, all rights with respect to this Software and documentation are subject to the terms of the License Agreement, pursuant to FAR §12.212(a) and/or DFARS §227.7202-1(a), as applicable.

Trademarks

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SynchroScience, SynchroScope, Syntax, TDM FlexCable, Thunder, Titan, Titansync, TL Aggro, TL AutoPan, TL Drum Rehab, TL Everyphase, TL Fauxlder, TL In Tune, TL MasterMeter, TL Metro, TL Space, TL Utilities, Torq, Torq Xponent, Transfuser, Trigger Finger, Trillium Lane Labs, TruTouch, UnityRAID, Vari-Fi, Velvet, Venom, VideoRAID, Video Slave Driver, VideoSPACE, VideoSpin, Vortx, Xdeck, X-Form, Xmon, Xponent, and X-Session are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Adobe and Photoshop are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Apple and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

iNEWS, iNEWS ControlAir, and Media Browse are either registered trademarks or trademarks of iNews, LLC. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

GOT FOOTAGE?

Editors — Filmmakers — Special Effects Artists — Game Developers — Animators — Educators — Broadcasters — Content creators of every genre — Just finished an incredible project and want to share it with the world?

Send us your reels and we may use your footage in our show reel or demo!*

For a copy of our release and Avid’s mailing address, go to www.avid.com/footage.

*Note: Avid cannot guarantee the use of materials submitted.

Avid DekoCast Products User Guide • 0130-07809-01 Rev B • April 2010

Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

If You Need Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Accessing the Online Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

How to Order Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Avid Training Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Chapter 1 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Why Use DekoCast?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

DekoCast Products and Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

DekoCast Workflow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Controlling DekoCast On-Air Video Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Starting and Closing DekoCast Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Switching Between Video Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Configuring Your DekoCast System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Basic Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

DekoCast Main Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Scenes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Scene Tree. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Object Editors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Actions and the Timeline Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Performance Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Parameters Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Log Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Adjusting the DekoCast Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Online Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Understanding Files and File Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Setting Up Directories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Scene Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Supported File Formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Copying Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Viewing Information About Your DekoCast System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Quick Start: Fading a Graphic On and Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Creating a Scene. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Adding Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Adding Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Playing the Scene in DekoCast Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Using the Sample Scenes and Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Chapter 2 Working with Scenes and Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Scenes Pane and Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Creating a New Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Renaming and Saving a Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Opening an Existing Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Working with Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Adding Objects to the Scene Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Objects Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Renaming Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Working with the Scene Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Expanding or Collapsing a Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Deleting Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Inserting a Scene within a Scene Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

How Objects Are Composited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Understanding Grouped Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Rearranging Objects in the Scene Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Understanding Parent-Child Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Selecting Scenes for Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Multiple Scenes and Stacking Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Chapter 3 Editing Objects in the Scene. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Using an Object Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Editing Video Out Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Setting Background Color and Opacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Selecting a Custom Background Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Editing Video In Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Selecting a Video Input Port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Changing the Opacity of a Video Input Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Using the Target and Position Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Arranging Objects for Video Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Using Screen Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Using Thumbwheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Using the Target Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Defining a Target Rectangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Scaling an Object in Relation to Its Target Rectangle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Using The Position Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Changing an Object’s Position and Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Cropping an Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Designing Your Layout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Guidelines for Using Target Rectangles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Suggestions for Preparing Your Layout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Transferring a Layout to a Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Example: Defining a Target Rectangle for Video In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Using the Levels and Mixer Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Using the Levels Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Using the Mixer Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Understanding Color Coding in the Levels and Mixing Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Working with Deko Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Adding a Deko Object to a Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Example: Deko Object with Ten Text Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Guidelines for Adding Deko Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Editing and Updating Deko Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Naming Layers in PostDeko Lite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Positioning and Sizing a Deko Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Adjusting Opacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Working with Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Using the Text Override Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Using the Contents Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Using Text Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Displaying Crawls and Rolls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Transition Options for Deko Object Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Looping Options for Deko Object Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Managing Text Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Using Embedded Tags with Deko Object Text. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Displaying Clocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Displaying a Time-of-Day Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Displaying a Count-Up or Count-Down Timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Deko Object Clock Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Displaying Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Playing Back Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Capturing Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Playing Back Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Understanding Clip Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Managing Clip Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Clip Playback File and Compression Formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Adding and Defining a Clip Playback Object. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Clip Playback Object Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Playing and Looping Clips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Transcoding SD Clips to MPEG-2 MXF I-Frame. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Suggested Workflow for Transcoding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Transcoding Clips Through the Transcode Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Transcoding By Dragging Clips to the Transcode Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Transcoding Clips By Using a Watch Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Transcoding Through a Default Watch Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

Transcoding Through a Custom Watch Folder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

Transcoding Clips When a Scene Opens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Capturing Clips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Setting Up Clip Capture (Corsica Systems) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

Setting Up Clip Capture (TARGA Systems). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

Capturing a Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

Creating Cel Animations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Rules for Creating Cel Animations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Defining the Source File for a Cel Animation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Controlling Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176

Controlling Playback Behavior Within the Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

Controlling Cel Animation Playback Through Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

Controlling Cel Animation Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

Displaying Individual Frames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Using Group Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Adding a Group Object. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Setting the Opacity and Softness for a Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Setting the Compositing Style for a Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

Capturing Video Images (Frame Grab). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Working with VBI Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188

How VBI Objects Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Data Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Field Identifier Strings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Creating Crawls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Creating Crawl Text Using the Crawl Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Creating a Roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Controlling the Crawl Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Changing Crawl Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Using a Text File for a Crawl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Controlling the Crawl Text Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Changing the Appearance of Crawl Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Setting the Crawl Object Rectangle and Position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204

Adding Non-Text Objects to Crawl Text. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

Adding Non-Text Objects as Linked Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

Controlling the Position of Non-Text Objects in a Crawl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

Deleting and Replacing Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209

Example: Inserting Objects into a Crawl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

Example: Applying a Parameter Value to an Inserted Object . . . . . . . . . 212

Using an Inserted Object to Trigger an Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214

Inserting Objects by Using Crawl Object Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Adding Non-Text Objects as Custom Typefaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216

Adding Plug-in Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

Working with Charts and Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Accessing the Chart Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220

Basic Procedure for Creating Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222

Creating a Series. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222

Configuring Chart Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224

(Optional) Assigning Interactivity for the Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

Assigning Data to a Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227

Working with Advanced Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

Using Series Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

Setting the Series Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230

Setting the Series Data Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233

Setting the Series Data Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236

Setting the Series Legend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

Setting the Series Markers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238

Modifying the Series List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239

Using Axes Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240

Setting the Axes Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241

Setting the Axes ConstLines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

Setting the Axes Gridlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244

Setting the Axes Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245

Setting the Axes Paging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246

Setting the Axes Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248

Setting the Axes Stripes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249

Setting the Axes Ticks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251

Setting the Axes Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252

Using Background Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254

Setting the Background Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254

Setting the Basic Frame Background. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256

Setting the Image Frame Background. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257

Using Labels Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260

Setting the Label Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260

Setting the Label Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262

Setting the Label Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263

Creating the Label List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265

Using Legend Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266

Setting the Legend Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266

Setting the Legend Layout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267

Setting the Legend Marks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

Setting the Legend Position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270

Setting the Legend Titles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272

Using Walls Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

Setting the Wall Appearance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

Setting the Wall Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275

Using Watermarks Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276

Setting the Watermark Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276

Setting the Basic Frame Watermarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278

Setting the Watermark Position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279

Creating the Watermark List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

Using Lighting Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

Setting the Lighting Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

Setting the Lighting Attenuation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284

Setting the Lighting Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285

Setting the Lighting Direction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286

Setting the Lighting Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287

Creating the Lighting Source List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288

Using View Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289

Setting the Global Setup View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289

Setting the View Margins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290

Setting the View Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291

Setting the View Size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292

Setting the Text Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293

Template Configuration Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294

Configuring Your Templates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295

Chapter 5 Adding Actions to a Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297

Understanding Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297

Using the Timeline Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299

Creating Actions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300

Adding an Action to the Action List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301

Working in Animate Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303

Adding Action Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304

Adding Parameters from the Parameters Tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306

Understanding Keyframes and the Timeline Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307

Adjusting Timing in the Timeline Bar Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308

Creating Trigger Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309

Creating Actions Over Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311

Creating Actions with Defined Beginning and Ending Parameters. . . . . . 312

Creating Time Capture Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314

Adding a Capture Keyframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315

Preserving Passive Parameters for Scenes with Multiple Actions . . . . . . . . . 316

Reordering Parameters in the List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317

Playing Actions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317

Editing Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318

Copying and Pasting Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318

Copying and Pasting Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319

Detaching and Attaching Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320

Replacing One Parameter with Another . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320

Editing Curves and Keyframes in the Timeline Graph. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321

Editing the Motion Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321

Selecting a Keyframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325

Adding or Deleting a Keyframe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325

Adjusting the Timing or Value of a Keyframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326

Editing the Value of a Keyframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326

Creating Actions Check List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327

Creating Sample Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330

Example 1: Squeeze and Tease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330

Example 2: Unsqueeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331

Example 3: Crossfade (Dissolve). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332

Example 4: Lower-Third Reveal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333

Chapter 6 Working with Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335

Using the Parameters Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336

Searching for a Parameter Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337

Editing a Parameter Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338

Creating User Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340

Creating an Action that Triggers Another Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340

Replacing a Parameter with Results of a Database Query. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343

Chapter 7 Using DekoCast Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351

Understanding DekoCast Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352

Working with DekoCast Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354

Configuring DekoCast Central for Automation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355

Configuring Data Streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355

Configuring GPIs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358

Configuring Local GPIs (Local RS-232 COM Port) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359

Configuring External GPIs (RS-232 GPI Box). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360

Logging DekoCast Central Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360

Automation Control Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361

Viewing DekoCast Central Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362

Using the Asset Viewer Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363

Viewing Automation Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363

Ports for Automation Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363

Triple i Command Formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364

The M Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364

The W Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364

The Y Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366

Using Command Queues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367

Defining House IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370

Playing Multiple Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371

House ID Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372

Overriding Object Parameter Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372

Working with the Playback Controller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374

Playing Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377

Copying Today’s Playlist to Tomorrow’s List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378

Working with the Graphical User Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378

Setting the Size of Action Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379

Setting Up Scenes in the GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380

Working with Actions in the GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381

Prestarting, Starting, and Exiting Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382

Changing a Deko Object’s Text Value. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382

DekoCast Central Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383

Using the Sequencer Control Utility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383

Using the Deko Page Recall Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385

Using the Temperature Probe Interface Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386

Configuring the DGH Temperature Probe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387

Configuring the Sensatronics Temperature Probe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390

Using the Aut File Sequencer Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393

Using the Emergency Alert System Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395

Creating an EAS Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395

Starting and Configuring the EAS Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396

Chapter 8 Using Sequence to Play Back Actions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401

Starting Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402

Creating a Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403

Editing Sequence Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407

Editing a Sequence List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407

Deleting and Replacing Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407

Copying and Pasting Sequence Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408

Changing an Action’s Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408

Controlling Playback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409

Editing Action Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411

Using the Sequence Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412

Appendix A Configuring DekoCast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415

Opening the Preferences Dialog Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415

Video Hardware Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416

Video Format Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417

Video Standard and Aspect Ratio Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417

Dolby-E Passthrough Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 418

Encode/Decode Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 418

Hardware Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419

Video Output Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420

Audio Output Configuration Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421

VBI Source and Extra Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422

Horizontal Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423

Video Input Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423

Audio Source Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424

Shape Input and Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425

XML Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427

Application Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 428

Output Frame Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429

Transcode and Scene Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430

Appendix B DekoCast Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439

Using This Guide

Congratulations on your purchase of the Avid® DekoCast™ application. Avid DekoCast provides broadcasters with a wide range of on-air edge applications including channel branding, in-program promotions and advertising, sophisticated credit sequences, and weather and other data-driven alerts. The Avid DekoCast family consists of the Avid DekoCast and Avid DekoCast Authoring Station systems, which are available as either standard definition (SD), high definition (HD), or hybrid (SD/HD) models.The following applications are included with all DekoCast and DekoCast Authoring systems: Avid DekoCast, Avid PostDeko Lite, Avid Sequence, and Avid DekoCast Central.

This guide provides task-oriented instructions, conceptual information, and reference material for using the features of the DekoCast family of products. This guide is intended for all DekoCast users who develop, manage, and control edge applications in a broadcast environment. The audience includes artists who create edge graphics, operators who control video output, and video engineers who configure the DekoCast system.

The DekoCast products are installed and run on the Microsoft system. This guide assumes that you have a basic working knowledge of Windows XP.

This documentation describes the features and hardware of all models. Therefore, your

system might not contain certain features and hardware covered in the documentation.

Windows® XP operation

If you are reading a black-and-white hardcopy printout of this document, you will find it

useful to view the color images in the online PDF version of this document, which is available in the Online Library for your application.

Symbols and Conventions

Avid documentation uses the following symbols and conventions:

Symbol or Convention Meaning or Action

> This symbol indicates menu commands (and

Italic font Italic font is used to emphasize certain words and to

Courier Bold font

Ctrl+key or mouse action Press and hold the first key while you press the last

A note provides important related information, reminders, recommendations, and strong suggestions.

A caution means that a specific action you take could cause harm to your computer or cause you to lose data.

subcommands) in the order you select them. For example, File > Import means to open the File menu and then select the Import command.

This symbol indicates a single-step procedure. Multiple arrows in a list indicate that you perform one of the actions listed.

indicate variables.

Courier Bold font identifies text that you type.

key or perform the mouse action, for example, Ctrl+drag.

If You Need Help

If you are having trouble using Avid DekoCast:

1. Retry the action, carefully following the instructions given for that task in this guide. It is especially important to check each step of your workflow.

2. Check for the latest information that might have become available after the documentation was published.

- A ReadMe file is supplied on your Avid application CD as a PDF document

(ReadMe.pdf).

- The latest version is available online on the Avid Knowledge Base. To view the

online version, select ReadMe from the Help menu or visit the Knowledge Base at

www.avid.com/readme

If You Need Help

You should always check online for the most up-to-date release notes or ReadMe because the online version is updated whenever new information becomes available.

3. Check the documentation that came with your Avid application or your hardware for maintenance or hardware-related issues.

4. Visit the online Knowledge Base at www.avid.com/onlinesupport. Online services are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Search this online Knowledge Base to find answers, to view error messages, to access troubleshooting tips, to download updates, and to read or join online message-board discussions.

Accessing the Online Library

The Avid DekoCast Online Library CD-ROM contains all the product documentation in PDF format.

You need Adobe® Reader® to view the documentation online. You can download the latest

version from the Adobe web site www.adobe.com.

To access the online library from the Online Library CD-ROM:

1. Insert the Online Library CD-ROM into the drive.

2. If the opening screen of the library does not open automatically, double-click the appropriate CD drive letter. If necessary, double-click the Mainmenu file.

How to Order Documentation

To order additional copies of this documentation from within the United States, call Avid Sales at 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843). If you are placing an order from outside the United States, contact your local Avid representative.

Avid Training Services

Avid makes lifelong learning, career advancement, and personal development easy and convenient. Avid understands that the knowledge you need to differentiate yourself is always changing, and Avid continually updates course content and offers new training delivery methods that accommodate your pressured and competitive work environment.

To learn about Avid's new online learning environment, Avid Learning Excellerator (ALEX), visit http://learn.avid.com.

For information on courses/schedules, training centers, certifications, courseware, and books, please visit www.avid.com/training or call Avid Sales at 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843).

™

Chapter 1

1 Getting Started

Avid DekoCast combines real-time video, graphics, effects, and audio capabilities into a single system that you can operate manually from Master Control or integrate with any traffic or automation system. The following sections provide basic information about DekoCast and its components:

• Why Use DekoCast?

• DekoCast Products and Applications

• DekoCast Workflow

• Controlling DekoCast On-Air Video Output

• Before You Begin

• Starting and Closing DekoCast Applications

• Switching Between Video Formats

• Configuring Your DekoCast System

• Basic Components

• Understanding Files and File Types

• Viewing Information About Your DekoCast System

• Quick Start: Fading a Graphic On and Off

• Using the Sample Scenes and Media

1 Getting Started

Why Use DekoCast?

DekoCast provides you with tools that you can use for channel branding, in-program promotions and advertising, sophisticated credit sequences, and data-driven alerts such as weather and school closings. DekoCast combines a comprehensive set of real-time capabilities — including character generator (CG), video, graphics, effects, and audio — into a single system that you can integrate with any traffic or automation system. DekoCast generates real-time Deko graphics layers, including multi-row crawls, rolls, still images, and animated text. DekoCast can also capture and play back independent video clips. DekoCast's audio capture, playback, and mixing system can mix audio stored with video clips, in addition to audio files such as sound effects and brand music stored on DekoCast.

For example, DekoCast lets you create a layout that modifies the studio camera input of a news anchor with the following additions:

• Crop the anchor video and add a moving background.

• At the bottom of the screen, add a national headline news crawl.

• Add stock quotes and RSS data feeds.

• Add a weather or traffic report graphic that is a looping cel animation or a static graphic.

• Include a time-of-day stamp that loops through each time zone of the region.

The following illustration shows an example of a DekoCast layout.

DekoCast makes the design of your layout more flexible by letting you associate objects with defined areas of the video output frame called target rectangles. When confined to a target rectangle, objects always display in the same position on the video output, which allows you to develop one scene for both standard- and high-definition output.

DekoCast Products and Applications

Layout with target rectangles

The following illustration shows the target rectangles used to create the layout in the preceding example.

For more information, see “Arranging Objects for Video Output” on page 86.

DekoCast Products and Applications

The Avid DekoCast family consists of Avid DekoCast and the Avid DekoCast Authoring Station. These products are available in three models:

• DekoCast SD (standard definition)

The current version of DekoCast SD ships with the Corsica video board. Older SD

systems were shipped with the TARGA

board. There are differences between these two models. For example, Corsica-based systems use MPEG-2 MXF I-Frame as the native file format for clip capture and playback, while TARGA-based systems use either DV 25, MPEG-2 LongGOP, or MPEG-2 I-Frame. Where appropriate, these differences are described in this guide.Where appropriate, these differences are described in these Help topics.

• DekoCast HD (high definition)

The current version of DekoCast HD ships with the Corsica video board. Older HD versions were also shipped with the Corsica board. There is no functional difference between these models.

• DekoCast SD/HD (hybrid)

DekoCast SD/HD systems allow you to work in either standard definition or high definition. This model ships with the Corsica video board. For more information, see

“Switching Between Video Formats” on page 29.

1 Getting Started

Artists can develop on-air edge graphics using either DekoCast or the DekoCast Authoring Station. The Authoring Station is a fully featured DekoCast system designed for creating and previewing content, but is not intended for on-air use. (Authoring Station video output is watermarked.) For information on moving projects from one system to another, see

“Copying Files” on page 42.

The user interface for the DekoCast and DekoCast Authoring Station applications are

identical.

Two options are available for DekoCast:

• The Clip Player is an option that provides multi-stream clip playback and storage for clips. See “Playing Back Clips” on page 140.

• The Cel Animation Player is an option that lets a DekoCast system import and cycle through a series of numbered image files for animated playout. See “Creating Cel

Animations” on page 173.

The following applications are included with all DekoCast and DekoCast Authoring systems:

• Avid PostDeko Lite PostDeko Lite is a full-color video-character generator provided as a graphics creation

tool for DekoCast. Although PostDeko Lite does not support features found in on-air Deko of the power of Deko 3000 for building text and graphic layers. Graphic files built in PostDeko Lite (.dko files) can be used seamlessly in other Deko products (and files built in Deko products can be used in PostDeko Lite).

systems, such as motions, cel animations, effects, and sequences, it does have all

PostDeko Lite controls the default directories for the Deko graphics files used by DekoCast (see “Setting Up Directories” on page 37). For information about using PostDeko Lite to create content for DekoCast, see the Avid Deko Products User’s Guide, which is included with your DekoCast documentation.

• Avid DekoCast Central

You can use DekoCast Central as a standalone playout application or in conjunction with a station’s automation system to control playout of a scene on the on-air DekoCast system. For more information, see “Using DekoCast Central” on page 351.

• Avid Sequence

The Sequence application controls the playback and timing of actions in scenes without using or modifying original scenes or actions. For more information, see “Using

Sequence to Play Back Actions” on page 401.

DekoCast Workflow

How you integrate DekoCast into your workflow depends on the requirements of your facility. Here is one typical workflow for creating DekoCast scenes and controlling video output:

1. Create or otherwise obtain the content for DekoCast source files. Content includes graphics, animations, clips, and audio. Artists create graphics content

for DekoCast using Deko, PostDeko Lite, or other image-editing applications. You must use Deko files (.dko) if the text information is to be updated with automation or text files. Crawls are usually linked to a Deko graphic that contains a text layer. Cel animations, clips, and audio files are typically created in other programs and linked within DekoCast.

2. Using an offline DekoCast or DekoCast Authoring Station, assemble a scene, which is the basic file for DekoCast output.

3. Transfer all of the scene files to the local disk of the on-air DekoCast system. Ensure that all of the files, file names, and the complete paths for scenes are the same on both DekoCast systems.

All DekoCast systems in a workflow must be configured to use the same drive structure. Use drive D for elements, scenes, and graphics that are static images. Use drive E for clips and audio files. You can save cel animation source files in a directory on either drive D or E.

DekoCast Workflow

Always copy the DekoCast source files to the on-air DekoCast system’s local disk. A network

failure that prevents a DekoCast system’s access to files stored over a network might interrupt on-air broadcasting.

4. Use DekoCast Central to play the DekoCast scene to air.

1 Getting Started

Transfer files from the offline to the on-air system. Make sure the systems have matching drive configurations.

Use the offline DekoCast to create a scene and add graphics to video.

Studio feed (router)

Video In A

On-air DekoCast system

Use DekoCast Central to play out to air

Offline DekoCast or DekoCast Authoring Station

PostDeko Lite or other graphics creation system

Video Out A

Transfer source images to the offline DekoCast system.

The following illustration shows a possible configuration and workflow.

Controlling DekoCast On-Air Video Output

There are several ways to control the DekoCast on-air video output:

• Use DekoCast Central, which you can control through a graphical-user interface (GUI) or by General Purpose Interface (GPI) and Triple i automation. Automation control can be through RS-232 (COM 1 or COM 2) or RS-422 (COM 3 or COM 4). For more information, see “Using DekoCast Central” on page 351.

• Use XML to control DekoCast. This involves a user-written or third-party application that sends XML commands through either a serial connection (COM port) or a network socket. If you have such an application, specify the COM port or network port used to send XML commands. For more information, see “XML Configuration” on page 427.

• Use a custom Application Programming Interface (API) developed by third-party developers. For COM control, use the application API. For serial control, use the Byte Stream Command Interface (BCI). See the Rocket Engine API documentation and the Rocket Engine BCI documentation, which are available on the Avid Customer Service Knowledge Base (www.avid.com/onlinesupport).

Before You Begin

• Use the Avid Sequence application to set up a series of actions from scenes whose playout can be controlled by GPIs. For more information, see “Using Sequence to Play

Back Actions” on page 401.

Before running DekoCast on air, close all applications not directly related to on-air play to conserve resources. If DekoCast is on air, do not use the DekoCast authoring interface. DekoCast must be offline to preview or add scenes. Close DekoCast before running DekoCast Central on air.

Before You Begin

Before you start DekoCast, set up your system and install the DekoCast product applications as described in the Avid On-Air Graphics Setup and Configuration Guide.

Make sure that all DekoCast systems in a workflow are configured to use the same drive structure. Use drive D for elements, scenes, and graphics that are static images. Use drive E for clips and audio files. You can save cel animation source files in a folder on either drive D or drive E. For more information, see “Setting Up Directories” on page 37.

DekoCast operates with Serial Digital Interface (SDI) video. To have video input, your system needs to be connected to an SDI input device such as a router.

DekoCast does not display any output on your Windows desktop. To view work in progress, attach a video output monitor to your DekoCast system. Always set your video output monitor to the underscan setting to prevent peripheral material from being present in the video output that displays on this monitor.

Installing any third-party software on your DekoCast that has not been explicitly recommended by Avid could void your support agreement. Never install third-party software without first consulting both the third party and Avid Technology, Broadcast Support.

Starting and Closing DekoCast Applications

After installation, there are five Avid desktop shortcuts on your desktop: DekoCast, PostDeko Lite, Sequence, DekoCast Central, and Transcode. Double-click a shortcut to open its application.

See the Avid On-Air Graphics Setup and Configuration Guide for complete instructions on

using the physical components of your system.

1 Getting Started

To start the DekoCast application:

1. Set the two switches for the dual power supply at the rear of the unit to the On position.

2. Turn on the DekoCast system by pressing the On button on the front of the unit.

3. Log on to Windows XP Professional.

4. Do one of the following:

t Double-click the DekoCast shortcut on the desktop. t Click the Start button and select All Programs > DekoCast > DekoCast.

The DekoCast main window opens.

If you have a DekoCast SD/HD hybrid system, see “Switching Between Video Formats” on

page 29.

To exit the DekoCast application, do one of the following:

t From the menu bar, select File > Exit. t Click the close button in the main DekoCast window.

When you exit DekoCast, you are prompted to save each scene that you have changed, one scene at a time.

To start PostDeko Lite, Sequence, DekoCast Central, or Transcode, do one of the following:

t Double-click the shortcut on the desktop. t Click the Start button and select All Programs > PostDekoLite > PostDekoLite. t Click the Start button, select All Programs > DekoCast, and select the appropriate

application.

You can run DekoCast and the other applications simultaneously. Press Alt + Tab to switch between open applications.

• For information on using PostDeko Lite, see the Avid Deko Products User’s Guide or the Avid Deko Help.

• For information on using Transcode, see “Transcoding SD Clips to MPEG-2 MXF

I-Frame” on page 149.

• For information on using Sequence, see “Using Sequence to Play Back Actions” on

page 401.

• For information on using DekoCast Central, see “Using DekoCast Central” on

page 351.

Switching Between Video Formats

If you have a DekoCast SD/HD hybrid system, you can switch from an SD format to an HD format, or from an HD format to an SD format. For example, you can work in an NTSC project, and then switch to a 1080i/59.94 HD project.

For more information about available formats, see “Video Hardware Options” on page 416.

To switch from one video format to another:

1. Select Options > Preferences.

2. Click the Video Hardware Options tab.

3. In the Video Format section, select the desired format from the Standard list.

4. If necessary, select the appropriate aspect ratio (4 x 3 or 16 x 9).

5. Click OK.

6. If you are switching from HD to SD, or SD to HD, follow the screen prompts to restart the application.

Restarting the application is not required when switching between NTSC and PAL or between HD formats.

Switching Between Video Formats

Configuring Your DekoCast System

Before using your DekoCast system, you need to configure DekoCast for your particular installation. Configuration includes defining input and output channels and other hardware settings. For complete information, see “Configuring DekoCast” on page 415.

A DekoCast system has two video input ports. By default, a DekoCast system is configured for one video input, but you can configure it to have two video inputs, or to have one video input and one key input.

A DekoCast system is configured by default with one video output. A second video output port exists that can be configured as a key channel. A DekoCast system is usually installed downstream of the switcher. When a DekoCast system is installed upstream as a keying device into the switcher, it must be configured with Output A as the video fill and Output B as the key signal. Use the Video Hardware Options tab in the Options dialog box to configure DekoCast’s input and output ports. See “Hardware Configuration Settings” on

page 419.

TARGA-based SD systems support 16-bit audio. Corsica-based SD systems support 20-bit audio, and Corsica-based HD systems support 24-bit audio.

1 Getting Started

Performance tab

Log pane

Scenes pane

Object pane

Timeline editor

Object Editor pane Parameters tab

Basic Components

This section presents an overview of the most important components of DekoCast. For an example of how to use these component to build and play out a scene, see “Quick Start:

Fading a Graphic On and Off” on page 45.

DekoCast Main Window

After you start the DekoCast application, the DekoCast main window opens with a set of empty panes. This window provides the interface for developing DekoCast projects.

The major areas (or panes) of the window are the Scenes pane, the Object pane (where the Scene Tree is displayed), the Object Editor pane, the Timeline editor, and the Log pane. You can resize each of these panes to suit your current working style by selecting a border of a pane and dragging it to another position.

Scenes

Scenes Pane

Objects in a Scene tree

Objects Pane

Basic Components

The main organizing tool for creating DekoCast projects is the scene. A scene consists of a set of objects that you assemble and animate through actions and save as a scene file. The DekoCast system composites one or more scene files for on-air broadcast.

Scenes are displayed in the Scenes pane.

The Scenes pane includes a toolbar and a shortcut menu that you access by right-clicking the pane. For more information, see “Working with Scenes and Objects” on page 59.

Objects

Objects are the “actors” that you explicitly add to a scene to perform a task. An object can represent live video, video clips, audio clips, Deko graphics (either the entire graphic or selected layers), charts, and cel animations (bugs). When you add an object, it appears in the Scene Tree in the Objects pane.

You can control an object’s appearance and behavior by changing its properties, such as scale, position, and opacity (see “Object Editors” on page 33).

1 Getting Started

Objects in a Scene tree

Objects Pane

Avid does not recommend accessing linked files over a network due to performance

variability.

The Objects pane includes a toolbar and a shortcut menu that you access by right-clicking the pane. For more information, see “Editing Objects in the Scene” on page 79.

The content that you assemble in DekoCast to create projects is developed outside of DekoCast using PostDeko Lite or third-party graphics applications. For example, a graphic artist might use Adobe graphic.You can then use PostDekoLite to create a finished graphic that combines the image with text, including text that you update in DekoCast through text files or object parameters. An artist might use Adobe After Effects animation object or a video clip to be linked to a clip object. You can use Digidesign Pro Tools

You link source files to objects through file selections you make in the object editor. For information about supported file types, see “Supported File Formats” on page 41.

Scene Tree

Objects in the Scene Tree are organized hierarchically in a tree structure. The position of an object in the tree determines the order in which the application draws it for video output. The application composites the objects in the Scene Tree object-by-object, from the top of the tree downward, and displays them as video output. The lowest object in the tree is processed last (and appears in front of all other objects). For more information, see “How Objects Are

Composited” on page 72.

Photoshop® to create a static image file to use in a Deko

to create audio clips.

to create a series of images to be linked to a cel

According to how you arrange objects within the tree hierarchy, objects can function as

Object editor for Cel Animation object (Bug)

Linked file

Tabs

independent objects, as parent objects with child objects, or as child objects under the control of a parent object. Individual objects that are combined into a group object are child objects of the group. Groups can be nested within other groups. See “Using Group Objects”

on page 181.

Object Editors

When you select an object, its object editor displays to the right of the Scene Tree. Each object type has its own editor. Using the editor, you link an object, such as a Deko graphic or clip, to its source file on your hard drive. The editor also allows you to configure parameters, which control the object’s behavior, such as its position on video output, scale, opacity, and playback commands. Each object type has its own set of parameters. Select each tab in an object editor to view the controls that you can set for that object.

Basic Components

For more information, see “Editing Objects in the Scene” on page 79.

1 Getting Started

Action list Action Parameter list Timeline Bar editor

Timeline graph

Keyframes

Actions and the Timeline Editor

Scenes are animated through actions, which are recorded changes in object parameters over time, such as an object’s position, size, and opacity. Actions can turn clips on and off, start and stop cel animations (bugs), and squeeze back a video input frame. Any parameter value that can be changed is a potential action, and an action can control multiple parameters. You can define any number of actions for a scene. Actions allow you to control multiple parameters simultaneously in a user-definable order.

The Timeline editor has four sections: the Action list, the Action Parameter list, the Timeline Bar editor, and the Timeline graph. The Timeline editor includes a toolbar. The Action list and Action Parameter list include shortcut menus that you access by right-clicking within the list.

You animate actions using the keyframe-based Timeline graph. You can set the parameters for an action to occur at beginning and ending points (keyframes) on the Timeline graph. You can also add keyframes and set parameters at any other point on the Timeline graph.

For more information, see “Adding Actions to a Scene” on page 297.

Performance Tab

The Performance tab gives you an overview of the state of the application’s current processing through a set of three meters (one set for each installed video board).

• The Overall meter measures total system performance.

• The Composite meter measures layer-by-layer compositing of objects in the Scene Tree.

• The Resize meter measures the amount of resources DekoCast utilizes as it resizes an object, such as the resizing required to create a squeeze-back.

Basic Components

Green = Source available

Parameters tab showing Opacity parameters in a scene

Deko Object editor with Opacity parameter

While the application processes your work, pay attention to the meters. Video processing resources have been exceeded when the meters enter the red zone. As you develop scenes, Avid recommends not exceeding 80 percent on any meter. Otherwise, you might be exceeding the system’s processing capability, which could compromise your output.

Lights below the meters indicate whether a source is present for Genlock, Input A and B, or Audio A and B. A green light means that the source is available. If the light is not green, the source is not available.

The Performance tab and the Parameters tab share the same pane in the upper-right corner of the DekoCast window. Click the Performance tab to bring the tab to the front.

Parameters Tab

The Parameters tab consolidates the scene’s parameter data. It lists parameters and their values for the currently selected scene, the objects within that scene, and installed video boards. You can search for parameters, change their values, and even define your user parameters to expedite scene creation. For information on how to use the Parameters tab, see

“Working with Parameters” on page 335.

1 Getting Started

The Performance tab and the Parameters tab share the same pane in the upper-right corner of the DekoCast window. Click the Parameters tab to bring the tab to the front.

After you are finished using the Parameters tab, click the Performance tab. Keeping the Parameters tab displayed might slow down updating of the user interface for a large scene.

Log Pane

System-generated information about DekoCast’s activity displays in the Log pane of the DekoCast window. You can set the severity level of the information to be recorded in this log. In certain cases, DekoCast might generate many warnings that are insignificant.

To restrict logging messages:

1. Select Options > Preferences.

2. Change the minimum logging severity level from Warning to Severe. For more information, see “Application Options” on page 428.

To hide the Log pane, click the lower border of the Timeline Editor window and drag it over

the log pane.

Adjusting the DekoCast Window

You can adjust the DekoCast window for your current tasks. For example, if you are working exclusively in the Timeline editor, you might increase its size and reduce the size of other panes. You can adjust and save up to three custom window layouts (Layout 1, 2, and 3). Layouts persist after you exit the application.

To save a custom layout:

1. Open the layout you want to save by selecting Window > Layout x.

2. Resize the DekoCast main window’s panes as you desire. The layout is associated with the currently selected layout (1, 2, or 3) and remains the

same until you change it.

To switch to a different layout:

t Select Window > Layout x.

To return all layouts to their default configuration:

t Select Window > Reset to Default.

Online Help

DekoCast includes online Help. The Help is a searchable, hypertext version of this guide, the Avid DekoCast Products User’s Guide.

To view online Help for DekoCast:

1. Do one of the following:

t Select Help > DekoCast Help. t Press F1.

2. Use the Contents, Search, or Index tab to find the information you need.

For complete information on using Help, including options for Search, see “Using Help” in the DekoCast Help.

Understanding Files and File Types

This section describes the application’s file types and file-naming conventions. It also covers steps to take when copying files from one DekoCast system to another. When you transfer files from an Authoring Station to an on-air DekoCast system, all of the scene’s source files must be copied to the local disk of the on-air DekoCast system.

Setting Up Directories

The DekoCast system includes two physical drives. As shipped, one drive has two partitions: C: System and D: Graphics. The other drive has a single partition: E: Clips. These partitions function as drives.

Avid recommends that you organize your files in directories and save them to the following drives:

• Drive C: All applications.

• Drive D: DekoCast projects and all static components and elements.

• Drive E: All clips and audio files.

You can save cel animation source files in a directory on either drive D or drive E.

1 Getting Started

You need to make sure PostDeko Lite and DekoCast use the same directories. If the applications are on different machines, the paths need to match. The default directories that you set in PostDeko Lite are used by DekoCast to process Deko graphics and all components of Deko graphics. The PostDeko Lite application defines the default directories in DekoCast for these kinds of files:

• Graphics and automation

• Styles, preset styles, and shaders

•Macros

• Custom typeface files

Avid recommends that you use the same directory for all types of Deko files and their

components. If you use many custom typefaces, you might want to set up a separate directory for custom typefaces.

To set the default directories in PostDeko Lite:

1. Start PostDeko Lite.

2. Select Options > Preferences.

3. Click the Paths tab. In the current directory text box, type the complete path for the directory, such as

D:\Dekographics or D:\News. This is the directory where this file type is automatically saved.

If you need to set up a directory for custom typefaces, do not use a space or an underscore in

the name. Use the same custom typefaces directory for all projects at the same location.

Understanding Files and File Types

Search path

Current directory

If DekoCast fails to find a graphic by searching the path listed in the Current Directory, it searches the paths listed in the Search Path.

4. In the Search Path text box, type one or more additional paths where DekoCast can search for the file. Type the complete path and include semicolons to separate multiple search paths; for example: D:\Deko; E:\DekoBugs.

If DekoCast opens a file from the search path, that search path becomes the Current Directory.

5. To save changes, select Options > Save Settings Now.

6. Click OK.

If a graphic does not appear in the scene, make sure the graphic and its components are

saved in the default directories. Open the graphic in PostDeko Lite and check where it is saved.

If a scene opens with a letter where you expected to see an image, check the Custom Typefaces path.

1 Getting Started

Scene Files

A scene file is saved with all its objects, links to files associated with objects, and animated actions in the DKX file format.

Prior to DekoCast 4.0, DekoCast scene files were binary files with the DKC format. Although you can open these older files, you must save them in the DKX format to take advantage of DekoCast’s newest features. By default, DekoCast saves DKC files as DKX files but does not modify the previous DKC file.

When prompted to delete the DKC version of the file, click Yes. Avid recommends that you delete DKC versions of files that were saved as DKX files to avoid having two versions of the same file.

After you have upgraded a scene to the newer format, the scene is not compatible with

earlier versions.

If you open a scene that references files that the application cannot find, it prompts you to search or browse for them. After you select a folder, the application searches this folder for any other missing scene files.

If your facility has more than one DekoCast or DekoCast Authoring station, Avid recommends that you upgrade all units to DekoCast 4.0 simultaneously. Also upgrade all scenes to the DKX format in all online and offline directories.

DekoCast Central supports DKX and the older DKC format.

Understanding Files and File Types

Supported File Formats

DekoCast supports specific file formats for specific objects. You can view the supported file formats for an object after you click the Browse button to navigate to a file. Supported file formats are listed in the Select File dialog box’s “Files of type” menu. The supported source file formats for objects are listed in the following table.

Supported File Formats

Object Type Supported Formats Requirements

Clip Capture and Clip Playback

SD video clip files (TARGA

Clip Capture and Clip Playback

SD and HD video clip files (Corsica systems)

systems)

AVI, DV, and DIF

MXF

MXF MPEG-2 4:2:0

DV 25 compression

DV 25 MPEG-2 4:2:0 MPEG-2 4:2:2 I-Frame or IBP compression

MPEG-2 4:2:2 (playback only) I-Frame compression

You can convert clips to

these supported formats with the Transcode feature (see “Transcoding SD

Clips to MPEG-2 MXF I-Frame” on page 149).

Clip Capture and Clip Playback

Key video clip files Same as for Clip Playback video objects

Audio Capture and Playback:

Audio files WAV

AVI (playback only)

Cel animation Usually a series of TGA or TIF files. Other

supported formats are AVI, BMP, DIB, G (Avid Thunder format), GIF, JPG, PCD, PCT, PSD, and SGI.

48khz, 16-bit stereo

1 Getting Started

Supported File Formats (Continued)

Object Type Supported Formats Requirements

Deko DKO, AUT, and ATX

Key: Deko and PostDeko Lite accept static images with key from other graphics applications in the following formats: TIF, TGA, PICT, and PSD.

Full-screen image formats (no key): JPG, BMP, PCD, G (Avid Thunder format), PCS, WMF, DIB, RLE, PCT, and PNG. To use these formats, open the file in PostDeko Lite and save it as a Deko (*.dko) graphic.

Text Data TXT, AUT, and ATX

Frame Grab TGA

Copying Files

You can develop DekoCast scenes using a different DekoCast system than the one that plays scenes on air. In this case, ensure that all of the scene’s source files have been copied to the local disk of the on-air DekoCast system. The file names and complete path for scenes should be the same on the authoring system and the on-air system.

You need to update all of the asset files on all DekoCast systems. Be aware, however, that one asset type—the Deko graphic—might contain many related files. The PostDeko Lite application provides a way for you to copy all of the components of a Deko graphic, as long as all components reside in the same directory.

If you have a Deko graphic in a scene that

uses textures, macros, and custom typefaces, you must copy all reference, source, or component files, such as source texture files and source text files (TXT), and save them on the alternate DekoCast system with the identical directory structures and file names.

Understanding Files and File Types

To copy all the components of a Deko graphic from PostDeko Lite:

1. Open PostDeko Lite and select Files > Copy File.

To copy the contents of a folder, select Files > Copy Directories.

2. In the Source pane, click Add and select one or more Deko graphics.

3. In the Target pane, click Select and navigate to the Target directory where you want the files copied.

1 Getting Started

4. Select the options that you want:

- Select “Append full source path” if you want the source folder structure recreated in the target directory.

- Select “Copy related files” to copy all files that are associated with the graphic.

- Select an overwrite option.

5. Click Copy to copy all the components of a Deko graphic to the target directory.

TrueType fonts are not included in the Copy File feature. In PostDeko Lite, select

File > Information, and open the graphic. A macro window opens that displays which TrueType fonts are used. You need to copy these fonts manually.

Alternatively, you can examine a Deko graphic layer-by-layer in PostDeko Lite to determine its components and manually copy those components.

Viewing Information About Your DekoCast System

To view information about your DekoCast system:

t Select Help > About DekoCast.

The “Enabled Options” line indicates which options are installed on your system. The Clip Player and Cel Animation Player are optional features and must be purchased for DekoCast systems (see “DekoCast Products and Applications” on page 23).

The HASP ID number is the number of your application key (dongle).

Quick Start: Fading a Graphic On and Off

The System Information pane indicates how much CPU memory is installed, how much space is available on drive C, and the largest amount of contiguous video memory (free chunk of memory, in megabytes) available on the video board.

To view your system’s configuration settings:

t Select Options > Preferences.

If necessary, ask your video engineer to select the correct video format and other settings, as described in “Configuring DekoCast” on page 415.

Quick Start: Fading a Graphic On and Off

This section takes you step-by-step through the process of creating a simple scene. You’ll be adding two objects to your scene:

• A Video In object for a studio feed

• A Deko object linked to a Deko graphic

You’ll also be creating two actions:

• Fading a graphic on

• Fading a graphic off

A typical application of this type of scene is displaying a station ID.

Before You Begin

This example requires a graphic that has already been created in a graphics program such as PostDeko Lite. An ideal graphic would be a station logo that appears a corner of the screen, but if necessary you can use any type of image.

This scene also requires a video input into your DekoCast system for the Video In object, such as a studio feed. If you don’t have access to a studio feed, the background appears black.

New DekoCast systems are supplied with sample scenes and media. See “Using the Sample

Scenes and Media” on page 57.

1 Getting Started

New button

Draw box

Video Out object

Creating a Scene

Start by creating a scene, which is the basic file for DekoCast output. For information about scenes, see “Working with Scenes and Objects” on page 59.

To create a new scene:

1. Do one of the following:

t Select File > New. t Click the New button in the toolbar.

A new, untitled scene appears in the Scene Pane. Notice the draw box and the Video Out object, which are added by default.

The draw box is selected (checked) by default. If the draw box is selected, your scene can be played out through your Video Out channel. The Video Out object enables all other objects in the scene to play out. There is only one Video Out object in a scene. The Video Out object is the top of your Object Tree.

2. Do one of the following:

t Select File > Save. t Click the Save icon.

3. Navigate to a folder, type a name for your scene (for example, MyScene), and click Save.

Quick Start: Fading a Graphic On and Off

Video In icon

Object tree

Object editor and Name field

The scene is saved as MyScene.dkx. The extension .dkx indicates a DekoCast scene file.

DekoCast does not include an Undo, so save early and save often.

Adding Objects

Now that you’ve created a scene, you can add objects to it. In this example, you will add a Video In object (a studio feed) and a Deko object (a graphic). For more information about objects, see “Editing Objects in the Scene” on page 79.

To add objects to your scene:

1. Click the Video Out object that appears in the Object Tree to select it.

2. Click the Video In icon to add a Video In object to the Object Tree.

Notice that the Video In object appears indented from the Video Out object, which indicates that it is a child of the Video Out object. This relationship is required so that the Video In object plays out to air.

1 Getting Started

Deko object

Object editor and Name field

Browse button

If video is physically connected to an input on your DekoCast system, it should now be playing full screen through DekoCast to the Video Out channel and should be displayed on your video output monitor. It does not appear on your computer monitor.

3. Select the Video In object. The object editor now displays parameters for the Video In object. There are multiple

tabs that organize the types of parameters.

4. Select the Name field at the top of the object editor and type “Studio Feed.” It’s a good idea to always name objects in a meaningful way.

5. Select the Video Out object.

6. Click the Deko object icon in the toolbar. DekoCast adds the Deko object to the Object Tree. The object editor now reflects

parameters for a Deko object.

7. In the object editor, rename the Deko object “Static Deko Graphic.”

8. In the object editor, click the Browse button and navigate to the graphic file you want to add to a scene.

This graphic could be a static station ID that was created in PostDeko Lite or in Deko. See “Before You Begin” on page 45.

9. Click Open.

Linked file

Selected layer list

The Deko object is now linked to the Deko graphic.

Quick Start: Fading a Graphic On and Off

You should see the graphic on your video output monitor, on top of the video feed. The following illustration is an example of a station ID on top of a video feed.

If you are using a full-screen graphic without an alpha channel, the graphic might

completely cover the video feed. You can crop the graphic as described in the next step.

1 Getting Started

Cropping parameter labels

Notice that Entire Graphic is selected in the Selected Layer list of the Deko object editor. If a graphic is created with layers, you can select individual layers, which results in more efficient processing. Processing an entire screen of pixels can take a lot of system resources, so in this example you can save processing power by cropping.

10. If necessary, click the Position tab of the Deko object editor and use the Cropping controls to remove the unused part of the graphic.

Use the thumbwheels or type a number so that you remove blank parts of the graphic while keeping the image itself visible.

The controls are based on an X/Y grid, with dimensions based on the video format. For example, in NTSC, the full screen width is 720 pixels, so a Left crop of 360 crops off everything from the middle of the screen to the left edge. To return to the default setting, click the parameter label.

11. (Option) If you want to change the position or scale of the graphic, use the Position and Scale controls.

12. Select the Deko object (named Static Deko Graphic) in the Scene Tree.

13. In the object editor, click the Deko tab and locate the Opacity parameter.

Opacity parameter

Create Action button

Animate Mode button

You’ll be creating an action for this parameter. Drag the arrow back and forth between 0 (no opacity) and 1 (completely opaque) to view how this parameter changes the graphic.

Adding Actions

Now that you have your objects, you need to animate them by adding actions to the scene. In this example, you will create two actions in the Timeline editor. For more information about actions, see “Adding Actions to a Scene” on page 297.

Quick Start: Fading a Graphic On and Off

To add actions to your scene:

1. Add an action by clicking the Create Action button on the Timeline editor toolbar. A new action appears in the Actions List.

2. Rename the action Fade ON by pressing F2 or right-clicking and selecting Rename. Now that you’ve created an action, associate it with an object and change the

parameters. You do this by entering Animate mode.

1 Getting Started

Animate Mode button selected

Duration: 2 seconds

Timeline graph: Scrub bar at 0 seconds

3. Click the Animate Mode button on the Timeline editor toolbar. The icon on the Animate Mode button resembles a running man. When the Animate

Mode button is selected (depressed), you are in Animate mode.

Animate mode creates keyframes for every parameter that you select while you are in this mode. The time value (the time when the keyframe plays in the action) is determined by the placement of the Scrub bar. The Scrub bar defaults to the first keyframe with all new actions.

Keep the Animate Mode button selected only when necessary. Any parameters you click or select are recorded in Animate mode.

4. In the Timeline graph, make sure the scrub bar is all the way to the left (0 seconds). Positioning the scrub bar at 0 seconds lets you create a keyframe at the beginning of the

action. The Duration box shows that the action is 2 seconds long. This duration is also shown on the X axis of the Timeline graph.

Quick Start: Fading a Graphic On and Off

Opacity parameter in the Action Parameter list.

5. Select the Static Deko Graphic object. In the object editor, drag the Opacity slider all the way to the left, or type 0.00 in the object editor’s Opacity field.

With Opacity set to 0, the graphic is not visible. Notice how the parameter is added to the Action Parameter list. The name of the parameter is the object name plus the type of parameter.

6. Create a final keyframe by dragging the scrub bar all the way to the right and setting the Opacity level at 1.00 (drag the slider all the way to the right or type 1.00).

You now have a complete action that fades the graphic on. Select the parameter in the Action Parameter list to view a graphical representation of the action: a graphic changing from not visible to completely visible over 2 seconds.

If more than one parameter appears in your Action Parameter list, you accidently created

parameters by clicking in the object editor. Delete all but the Opacity parameter by right-clicking the parameter and selecting Delete.

1 Getting Started

7. Preview the action by selecting the Action in the Action list and pressing the space bar. You should see the graphic fade up in the video output monitor. Now create another action that fades down the graphic. Remember that you’re still in

Animate mode (the Animate Mode button is selected), so be careful to click or select only the parameters you want to record. If you create an extra parameter, you can always delete it.

8. To create a new action, click the Create Action button.

9. Rename the second action Fade OFF.

10. In the Timeline graph, make sure the Scrub bar is all the way to the left (0 seconds, the default). Drag the Opacity slider to 1 (100% opacity), or type 100 in the Opacity field, or click the Opacity label to reset it to the default (1). The graphic should be completely visible on your video output.

11. Create a final keyframe by dragging the scrub bar all the way to the right and setting the Opacity level at 0 (drag the slider all the way to the left or type 0).

You now have two complete actions: one that fades the graphic on and one that fades the graphic off.

12. Preview the Fade OFF action.

13. Click the Animate Mode button to leave Animate mode. Remember to deselect the Animate Mode button after creating parameters for an action.

14. Save the scene.

Playing the Scene in DekoCast Central

Preset Scene button

You can use DekoCast Central to play the actions. For more information about playout and DekoCast Central, see “Using DekoCast Central” on page 351. These instructions describe the basics of playing actions in the Graphical User Interface (GUI).

To load a scene and play an action:

1. Do one of the following:

t Double-click the DekoCast Central desktop icon. t Click the Start button and select All Programs > DekoCast > DekoCast Central.

The DekoCast Central application opens. The following illustration shows the GUI.

Quick Start: Fading a Graphic On and Off

2. If the GUI is not displayed, select View > Graphical User Interface.

1 Getting Started

Scene buttons

3. Assign your scene to a Preset Scene button by doing one of the following:

- Right-click the Preset Scene button and select Assign Scene from the menu.

- Select Preset Scenes > Assign Scene.

4. In the Assign DekoCast Scene files dialog box, navigate to the scene you created.

5. Click Open. The scene is listed on the Scene button you selected.

6. Click the Scene button. The button turns red and a button is displayed for each action in the scene.

Using the Sample Scenes and Media

7. Click the Fade ON button to play the action, then left-click the Fade OFF button.

You’ve now completed the Quick Start. The following chapters provide detailed conceptual information and step-by-step instructions for using DekoCast.

Using the Sample Scenes and Media

New DekoCast systems are shipped with sample scenes and media in the following locations:

• D:\DekoCast4.0\Finance (graphics, scenes, text files)

• E:\DekoCast_Media (audio, cel animations, clips)

If your system includes this material, you can use it explore the capabilities of DekoCast. If you are new to DekoCast, consider completing the Quick Start before using the sample material. As you learn more about DekoCast, you can use the sample material to understand how particular features can be implemented.

1 Getting Started

Several versions of the sample scene are included with the installed material. Select the video format that is appropriate for your system.

To play a sample scene:

1. Select File > Open or click the Open button and navigate to the following folder: D:\DekoCast4.0\Finance

2. Select a scene in the appropriate video format (for example, Test_PowerFinance_1080i5994.dkx).

3. In the Scene pane, check the Draw box. Because of the way the scene is created, you need to play an action to see the

components of the scene.

4. In the Actions pane, double-click the “On” action. The scene should resemble the following illustration. If your system is configured for a

video input, the video appears in the upper left area.

5. Explore the various objects in the scene tree and how they appear in the scene.

6. To stop the action, double-click “Off.”

Chapter 2

Scenes toolbar

New scene

Saved scene with Draw box selected for video output.

2 Working with Scenes and Objects

A scene consists of objects, such as passthrough video, Avid Deko graphics, animated logos, and internal video clips that you organize in a Scene Tree. You then animate the objects by creating actions that modify the object’s parameters.

The following topics provide basic information about how to work with scenes and objects:

• Scenes Pane and Toolbar

• Creating a New Scene

• Renaming and Saving a Scene

• Opening an Existing Scene

• Working with Objects

• Working with the Scene Tree

• Selecting Scenes for Output

• Multiple Scenes and Stacking Order

Scenes Pane and Toolbar

The Scenes pane is the area of the DekoCast window in which you organize DekoCast scenes for a project. As you create new scenes and open existing ones, they are listed in the Scenes pane.

2 Working with Scenes and Objects

New

Open

Save

Save As

Show Scene

Change Scene

Order

Hide Scene

Exclusive Show Scene

Scenes are listed in the Scenes pane by name. A new scene is named UntitledAPI (API stands for Application Program Interface) and numbered according to the number of scenes you have added during the DekoCast session. You can rename a scene only when you save it.

The Scenes pane includes four columns:

• Draw: The Draw box determines if a scene is played to video output. See “Selecting

Scenes for Output” on page 75.

• Canv (Canvas): The Canvas number indicates which video board is being used for processing. Currently shipping systems include only one video board.

• Ord (Order): The Order number determines the order in which multiple scenes are processed. See “Multiple Scenes and Stacking Order” on page 76.

• Name: The default filename or the complete file path for a saved scene.

The Scenes pane has its own toolbar and shortcut menu.

The New Scene, Open Scene, Save Scene, Save As Scene, and Close Scene tools have equivalent commands in the main File menu. The Show Scene, Hide Scene, Change Scene Order, and Exclusive Show Scene tools can be accessed only through their toolbar buttons.

To display a brief description of a tool, move the mouse pointer over its button without

clicking.

The shortcut menu commands are New (Insert), Open (Ctrl+O), Close (Del), and Save (Ctrl+S). Select a scene in the Scenes pane and right-click it to display this menu.

Scenes that you have created using the DekoCast application appear in the Scenes pane in black typeface. The Scenes pane also contains scenes that are open in DekoCast Central. These names are italicized and in blue typeface.

Scenes created through another program, such as a program developed using the Application Programming Interface (API), also appear in blue italics. If you modify scenes not created in DekoCast, save them with another name using the Save As command before closing the

scene to avoid changing the original scene file. When you rename a scene, DekoCast

New scene with Draw box selected for video output.

Video Out object

Video Out object editor

considers it created in DekoCast, and when you reopen it, the renamed scene appears in the list in black typeface

Creating a New Scene

To create a new scene, do one of the following:

t Select File > New. t Click the New icon in the Scene Pane toolbar.

Creating a New Scene

After DekoCast creates a new scene, the following changes appear in the DekoCast window:

• A new, untitled scene is added to the Scenes pane. Scenes that you add during a DekoCast session are named sequentially. New scenes that you add to the Scene Tree are always selected to be drawn to video output (the scene’s Draw box is selected).

• A Video Out object is added to the Object pane. When you create a scene, it automatically has video output associated with it.

Video output is required if the result of your DekoCast scene is to be output to a monitor or played to air. DekoCast draws changes you make to this scene in real-time and can display them on a video output monitor.

• The Video Out object editor is displayed. Object editors allow you to control an object’s parameters. The Video Out object editor lets you select the port and adjust the video frame’s background color and opacity.

2 Working with Scenes and Objects

For more information about the Video Out object editor, see “Editing Video Out Objects” on

page 81.

When creating scenes, pay attention to the Performance meters in the upper-right corner of

the DekoCast window (see “Performance Tab” on page 34). Video processing resources have been exceeded when the meters enter the red zone. As you develop scenes, try not to exceed 80 percent on any of the meters. See “DekoCast Tips” on page 435 for suggestions on the most efficient use of system resources.

Renaming and Saving a Scene

To rename a scene, you need to save it with a new name.

To rename a scene:

1. Do one of the following:

t Select File > Save As. t Click the Save As button.

The Save As dialog box opens.

2. Navigate to the directory where you want to save the scene, type a new name, and click Save.

By default, DekoCast scene files are saved as DKX files in the directory in which you last opened or saved a scene.

To save a scene:

1. Select File > Save. If the scene has not yet been saved, the Save As dialog box opens.

2. Navigate to the directory where you want to save the scene, type a name, and click Save.

Save your work frequently to avoid losing any part of your project. DekoCast does not have an autosave feature or an undo function.

To close a DekoCast scene:

1. Select the scene.

2. Do one of the following:

t Select File > Close. t Click the Close button on the Scenes Pane toolbar.

You are prompted to save any changes.

Although you can modify scenes created in other applications (their names appear in the

New scene

Saved scene with Draw box selected for video output.

Scenes list in italics and blue typeface), you must save them with another file name using the Save As command. See “Scenes Pane and Toolbar” on page 59.

Opening an Existing Scene

A scene always opens in the state in which it was last saved or closed.

An existing scene file that you open is not automatically enabled. After adding an existing scene to the Scenes pane, select its Draw box to have DekoCast draw the scene to video output.

Opening an Existing Scene

DekoCast scenes are saved as DKX files. Although you can open older DKC files, you must save them in the DKX format to take advantage of DekoCast’s newest features. DekoCast automatically adds the .dkx extension when you attempt to save an older DKC file. When prompted to delete the DKC version of the file, click Yes.

Avid recommends that you delete DKC versions of files that were saved as DKX files to avoid

having two versions of the same file.

To open an existing scene:

1. Do one of the following:

t Select File > Open. t Click the Open icon on the Scenes Pane toolbar.

2. Navigate to the file you want to open and click Open. The scene is added to the Scenes pane.

2 Working with Scenes and Objects

Objects in a Scene Tree

Object editor

Object

toolbar

Working with Objects

A scene can have any number of objects. Depending on how you arrange objects within the tree hierarchy, objects can function as independent objects, parent or group objects with child objects, or child objects under the control of a parent or group object. The arrangement of objects in a scene is called a Scene Tree.

The following topics describe how to add objects to a Scene Tree and provide basic information about objects. Additional information about the Scene Tree is provided in

“Working with the Scene Tree” on page 70.

Adding Objects to the Scene Tree

A new scene always begins with a Video Out object. When you create a scene, a Video Out object labeled Video Out 1 is automatically added to the Scene Tree. As you build your scene, you add other objects to the Scene Tree.

Working with Objects

Video Out

Video In

Deko Object

Text Data

Crawl

VBI

Object Plug-in

Cel Animation

Group

Frame Grab

Clip Capture

Clip Playback

Audio Playback

Audio Capture

Chart

Newly added objects are placed as the last object in the Scene Tree list unless you select an object in the Scene Tree before adding an object. In this case, the new object is placed directly below the selected object. In this way the new object becomes a child of the parent object.

To add an object to the Scene Tree:

1. If you want to add an object as a child, select the parent object. For example, select the Video Out object before adding a Video In object. Some objects

cannot be added as children. See “Understanding Parent-Child Relationships” on

page 74.

2. Do one of the following:

t Select the object from the Insert menu. t Click the object’s icon in the Object toolbar.

To display a brief description of a tool, hold the cursor over its button without clicking.

When you add an object to the Scene Tree, the application assigns it a default name, ending in a number, starting at 1. You should rename objects appropriately as described in “” on page 66.

If you are adding a Deko object, you need to decide which method to use: adding it from the Insert menu or adding it from the Object toolbar. The method you choose determines the characteristics of the Deko object. For more information, see “Adding a Deko Object to a

Scene” on page 109.

2 Working with Scenes and Objects

Objects Overview

This topic provides a brief description of each of the application objects. Detailed information about working with an object are provided in “Editing Objects in the Scene” on

page 79. A specific cross-reference is provided for each of the objects.

Object Icon Object Name Description

Video Out A Video Out object makes a composite of objects placed

Video In A Video In object takes live video from a physical input port

beneath it in the Scene Tree and sends the result to a video output port. Everything that is placed below a Video Out object is layered as a single SDI video signal (with encoded audio).

If you delete the Video Out object, its child objects remain in the Scene Tree but cannot can be drawn to output. See “Editing

Video Out Objects” on page 79.

and passes it to Video Out. It also patches and mixes the embedded audio present at the input port. Your system should have its Video Input port connected to a device with an SDI feed such as a router. Although you can add multiple Video In objects to the Scene Tree, video input functioning is determined by the number of actual video input ports that the system supports.

You must explicitly add a Video In object to the Scene Tree. Using the Video In object editor, you can position, crop,

change the opacity, and scale the Video In signal. The application also provides level and routing controls for audio embedded in the video. See “Editing Video In Objects” on

page 83.

Object Icon Object Name Description

Deko Deko objects include text and graphic elements generated in

PostDeko Lite or other applications. These graphics can have borders, drop shadows, extrusions, kerning and leading, and textures. The Deko object’s editor allows you to control cuts and dissolves between text fields, and to roll and crawl text fields.

You can import a Deko graphic object as an entire Deko graphic (the layers are flattened into a single layer), a single layer, or instruct the application to create a separate Deko object for each layer in the graphic.

The text displayed in a Deko object can be changed at any time, independent of other scene elements. You can edit Deko objects within a scene by opening their files in PostDeko Lite and saving them with the same file name. See “Working with

Deko Objects” on page 110.

Working with Objects

Audio Playback

The application recognizes WAV and AVI files as source files for Audio Playback objects. After you select an audio file, it plays back from the system’s hard drive. Playback controls allow you to queue, play, and stop the audio file, either manually or through actions that you define in the Timeline Editor. See “Playing Back Audio”

on page 136.

Audio Capture The Audio Capture object records audio and saves it to files in

the WAV format. See “Capturing Audio” on page 137.

Clip Playback Clip Playback (available with the Clip Player option)

With the Clip Playback object, you can use internally stored video clips with associated key files in much the same way as Video In. See “Playing Back Clips” on page 139.

Clip Capture The Clip Capture object encodes video and writes the encoded

stream with audio to the hard disk. After you record clips, you can play them back using the Clip Player. See “Capturing

Clips” on page 161.

2 Working with Scenes and Objects

Object Icon Object Name Description

Cel Animation Cel Animation (available with the Cel Animation Player

Group Group objects are collections of other objects. By grouping

option) A Cel Animation object, sometimes called a bug, consists of a

series of similar images, each with a slightly different orientation. When played back in rapid succession, these images create the illusion of motion. The application reads the first file in the series and continues loading files until it encounters a break in the numbering sequence.

Because of the amount of video processing resources required to process a cel animation, smaller cel animations are preferable to larger ones. Pay attention to the Performance meters when working with cel animations. See “Creating Cel

Animations” on page 169 and “DekoCast Tips” on page 429.

objects, you can set parameters and actions that affect the entire group and continue to work with each object separately.

For example: A scene includes text that crawls over a banner and a logo. With the Group object selected, add three Deko objects to the group—one for the banner layer, one for the text layer, and one for the logo graphic layer. Then you can assign the Group object a position, opacity, and actions that affect all three Deko objects. See “Using Group Objects” on page 177.

Frame Grab The Frame Grab object can capture one or more images from a

video source and saves each image, or frame, as a TARGA (TGA) file. See “Capturing Video Images (Frame Grab)” on

page 183.

VBI The VBI (Vertical Blanking Interval) object extracts timecode

and closed-caption data, making it available to API clients to trigger events based on time codes or command streams contained in closed-caption data. See “Working with VBI

Objects” on page 186.

You need to include a VBI object in your scene only if

your installation has a special program that can use this data.

Crawl A Crawl object moves a continuous stream of text, cel

animations, or clips from one side of the output frame to the other, or for a roll, from the bottom to the top of the output frame. A crawl object can also include audio playback. See

“Creating Crawls” on page 190.

Object Icon Object Name Description

Renaming Objects

Working with Objects

Plug-Ins These are special utilities provided by Avid and third parties

that add functionality to the application. See “Adding Plug-in

Objects” on page 217.

Text Data A Text Data object, which is automatically added when you

add a Crawl object, can read plain text, AUT, and ATX files to drive crawls. This object includes rules that you set to determine how non-text objects are inserted between lines of text in crawls. Source text files can include programming tags to control how DekoCast formats the text and how non-text objects are inserted between lines of text. See “Creating

Crawls” on page 190.

Do not add Text Data as a separate object.

Chart Chart objects are charts that are created by using the Chart

Designer. See “Working with Charts and Graphs” on page 219.

When you add an object to the Scene Tree, the application assigns it a default name that ends in a number. For example, a new scene always begins with a Video Out object, which the application adds automatically as the first item in the Scene Tree. The first Video Out object you add after launching the application is labeled Video Out 1. Every time you create a new scene in the session, the number is incremented by one. To avoid being confused by a scene that begins with an object named Video Out 4 or Video Out 7, specify an appropriate name for each object.

An object’s name should reflect its object type and be as specific as possible. For example, if you are adding multiple Crawl objects, the first might be lower third crawl and the second coming_up_next. When working with a multiple-layer Deko graphic, your naming scheme might be as follows: bar yellow L3, bar thin white, bkg photo, crawl text, headline text, and

image for OTS. Assign descriptive names for audio files and clips, such as jungle audio, purple swirl clip, or purple clip for L3.

To rename an object in the Scene Tree:

t Edit the name in the object editor’s Name text box.

The name you use is a descriptive name for your organizational purposes only, and can contain any characters.

When editing a text box, press the Esc key if you need to cancel your changes.

2 Working with Scenes and Objects

Delete

Branch expanded with children visible

Branch collapsed

To better distinguish between objects and groups in Action parameters, use lower-case

letters for object names and capital letters for group names.

Working with the Scene Tree

The following topics describe how to build and use the Scene Tree as part of your scene.

Expanding or Collapsing a Branch

Adding objects as children of a parent object creates a child-parent branch in the Scene Tree. Objects in the Scene Tree that are preceded by a plus or minus sign can be expanded or collapsed. Collapsing a branch you are not working with provides a better view of other objects in the Scene Tree.

To expand a branch:

t Click the plus sign (+).

All children of the parent object are displayed.

To collapse a branch:

t Click the minus sign (–).

Only the parent object is visible.

Deleting Objects

To delete an object from the Scene Tree:

t Select it and click the Trash icon at the bottom of the Object pane.

Deleting a collapsed parent object deletes all of its child objects. Deleting a Group object deletes all of the children within the group. If you delete a Video Out object, every child object associated with it no longer appears in the video output.

Inserting a Scene within a Scene Tree

If you have created scenes that you want to combine into a single scene, you can insert the scenes into an existing scene.

To insert a DekoCast scene:

1. Select the location in the Scene Tree for the new scene. If the scene to be inserted does not have a Video Out object at the top of its own Scene

Tree hierarchy, it is inserted in the current scene under the currently selected object. Otherwise, it is inserted as a separate scene at the bottom of the Scene Tree.

2. Select Insert > Scene.

Working with the Scene Tree

The Open dialog box opens.

3. Select an existing DekoCast scene file (.dkx).

4. Click Open. An entire DekoCast scene, including objects, along with their parameters, hierarchical

order, and actions, is added to the Scene Tree in the selected location.

2 Working with Scenes and Objects

Objects are composited from the top of a Scene Tree downwa rd .

The object at the bottom of the tree appears on top in the video output

How Objects Are Composited

DekoCast composites the objects in the Scene Tree object-by-object, from the top of the tree downward, with the last object appearing on top in the video output. This last object has priority in the Scene Tree. When positioning objects in the Scene Tree, visualize how the application prioritizes each object and how one object affects all other objects.

The following illustration shows a Scene Tree with various objects arranged in priority order, with the object at the bottom of the tree appearing on top in the video output.

The position of objects in the Scene Tree determines how the objects are displayed in the video output. When a Video In object (Router In), which is full-frame, is placed below the Video Out object, it completely fills the video output. Therefore, any image in the Video Out object is completely covered and cannot be viewed. Then, because a full-frame Clip Playback object (Background) has a higher priority, it completely obscures the Video In object. For at least part of both objects to be visible simultaneously, you must position, scale, crop, or make transparent the topmost object in the Scene Tree.

The Position tab in the object editor provides controls for cropping visible objects. A visible object is an object that is drawn to video output.

In this example, a Cel Animation object (Bug) is the topmost object and has the highest priority. When the application composites the scene, the bug overlays all of the other objects, but covers only a small part of the video output in the upper-left corner—not the full frame. How the application prioritizes objects becomes apparent when you add objects to a Scene Tree and observe the results on a video output monitor.

You can bring a Deko graphic into the application with layers or flattened to one layer. When you add the Deko object to a Scene Tree, the application composites a Deko graphic layer the same as it does any other layer.

Understanding Grouped Objects

Group objects are composited from the top of a group downward

Group object (parent)

Last child in Group (In a Wipe this object obscures child objects above it.)

First child in Group

Objects that you organize into groups within the Scene Tree are composited from the top of the group downward. This processing order works the same way for objects in groups as it does for objects in a Scene Tree. The last object in a group, which appears at the bottom of the group, appears on top of the other objects in the video output.

Groups have parental status while objects under the control of a group are its children. Grouping enables you to set parameters for a set of objects as if they were a single object, but you must consider how the application layers each of the group’s component objects.

Working with the Scene Tree

Rearranging Objects in the Scene Tree

Information about working with Group objects is provided in “Using Group Objects” on

page 181.

You might need to rearrange the priority of objects in the Scene Tree to produce the desired video output. The bottom object in a Scene Tree or group appears on top of those above it in the video output.

To rearrange objects in the Scene Tree, do one of the following:

t Right-click an object in the Scene Tree and select Copy. Position the cursor in another

location, right-click, and select Paste. If you want to delete the object you copied, select the object and click the Trash icon.

t Select a child object and drag it to another parent object. You can also select a group

object and drag it (and its children) onto a Group object, which then becomes its parent.

2 Working with Scenes and Objects

Move object up

Move object down

t Select the object and click the Up or Down Arrow buttons at the bottom of the Scenes

pane window.

You can move objects (or groups) to other positions in the tree hierarchy and place them as children of parent objects as long as the object is capable of serving in that role. If it is not, a message informs you that the object cannot be a parent or child for the specified object and you are not allowed to insert it.

Understanding Parent-Child Relationships

A scene’s objects are organized hierarchically in the Scene Tree. Within the tree, an object might be a separate object, a parent object with children, or the child of a parent object. The application prevents you from setting up parent-child relationships that are not allowed.

The following rules apply to parent-child relationships in the Scene Tree:

• A Video Out object is the parent object for all other play-to-air objects in the Scene Tree. It is required for video output of its child objects. Any object other than objects that record input must be a child of a Video Out object in order to be displayed.

• The objects that record input — Video Out, Clip Capture, Audio Capture, and Frame Grab — are root objects and can have no parents.

• Only Video Out, Group, Crawl, and Text Data objects can have children.

• If you delete a collapsed parent object in the Scene Tree, all of its children are also deleted.

• Groups have parental status while objects under the control of a group are its children.

Opacity levels for child objects are determined by their parent’s opacity level. For

Draw box selected

Show Scene

Hide Scene

Exclusive Show Scene

example, if a child object has 50 percent opacity and its parent has 50 percent opacity, then the child object’s opacity is 25 percent (half that of its parent).

Selecting Scenes for Output

Several DekoCast scenes can be open simultaneously, and some, all, or none of them can be active on the outputs simultaneously. Scenes whose Draw boxes are selected (checked) are active. When you add a new scene, its Draw box is selected automatically.

Selecting Scenes for Output

To select a scene for video output:

t Select the scene’s Draw box.

To remove a scene from video output:

t Deselect the scene’s Draw box.

You can also use the Show Scene and Hide Scene tools in the Scene toolbar to select and

remove scenes.

To set one scene as the exclusive scene for output:

t Select the scene and click the Exclusive Show Scene tool in the Scene toolbar. The

selected scene is selected for drawing and the others are removed from output (and deselected).

The Exclusive Show Scene tool switches between being active and inactive. When it is active, only one scene (the last one you checked) is active. Click the tool again to allow multiple scenes to be selected as active scenes for output.

2 Working with Scenes and Objects

Processed first

Processed last (highest priority)

Change Scene Order

Multiple Scenes and Stacking Order

DekoCast gives you the option of using a single scene or multiple scenes.

A typical project consists of a single scene. If you work with multiple scenes, be aware that

each scene is independent. You cannot control one scene from another scene without using an API program developed for that purpose.

The Order (shown in the Ord column) refers to the stack order for video processing and video output. The stacking order is important only if your project contains multiple scenes, and then only when the video output for a scene overlays another scene.

When DekoCast processes multiple scenes, it places scenes in a buffer queue and draws them according to their assigned stack number, beginning with the highest number and ending with the lowest number. For example, for scenes assigned stack number 1, 2, and 3, the scene assigned as stack number 3 (the highest number) is placed first in the queue for processing. The scene assigned stack number 2 is placed directly behind stack number 3 in the queue and is processed next. The scene assigned stack number 1 (the lowest number) is placed last in the queue, following the other two scenes. This final scene, which has the highest priority, appears on top in the video output.

The following illustration shows this stacking order and priority.

To display objects in scenes that overlay other scenes, turn off the Background of the Video Out object for all scenes except the scene with the highest order number (see “Editing Video

Out Objects” on page 81.

If you have multiple scenes for output, you must set the stack order for each scene.

Otherwise DekoCast draws the scenes in a random order and then outputs the drawn scene to video.

To set the stack order for a scene:

1. Select the scene in the list.

2. Click the Change Scene Order tool on the Scenes toolbar.

3. Enter the new number, and click OK.

Multiple Scenes and Stacking Order

Scenes stacked in the queue might consume resources even if they are inactive. For example, if a clip associated with an inactive scene in the stack is running, the codec is in use and not available to the active scene as it is being drawn to video output. When working with multiple scenes, consider how all scenes interact. Try to ensure that active scenes have sufficient resources.

2 Working with Scenes and Objects

Chapter 3

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

Each object type has an object editor that allows you to view and edit its properties, which are called parameters. Actions that you create using the Timeline editor reflect changes made to an object’s parameters.

The following topics describe how to edit objects in the scene:

• Using an Object Editor

• Editing Video Out Objects

• Editing Video In Objects

• Using the Target and Position Tabs

• Using the Levels and Mixer Tabs

• Working with Deko Objects

• Playing Back Audio

• Capturing Audio

• Playing Back Clips

• Capturing Clips

• Creating Cel Animations

• Using Group Objects

• Capturing Video Images (Frame Grab)

• Working with VBI Objects

• Creating Crawls

• Adding Plug-in Objects

• Working with Charts and Graphs

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

Video Out object

Video Out Object editor

Using an Object Editor

Each object is associated with an editor, as shown in the following illustration. The object’s editor opens whenever you select an object in a Scene Tree or add an object to it. The following illustration shows the Video Out object and the Video Out Object editor.

An object editor includes settings, filenames, and other properties that define the object. These properties are referred to as an object’s parameters. You animate an object by creating actions that control the object’s parameters, as described in “Adding Actions to a Scene” on

page 297.

You can also use the Parameters tab to modify parameters. See “Working with Parameters”

on page 335.

Editing Video Out Objects

Video Out button

When you create a new scene, the Video Out object is added as the first object in the Scene Tree. A DekoCast system has one video output. You can, however, set up a second video output for a key signal. When a DekoCast system is installed upstream as a keying device into the switcher, it must be configured with Output A as the video fill and Output B as the key signal.

Use the Video Hardware Options tab in the Options dialog box to configure DekoCast’s

input and output ports. See “Video Hardware Options” on page 416.

To specify a video output port:

t Select a port from the Video Output Port menu:

- For video only, select Video Out A.

- For key signal only, select Video Out B.

Editing Video Out Objects

The Video Out editor also allows you to control the opacity, color, and transparency of areas of the video frame that are not covered by objects.

Setting Background Color and Opacity

You can select a color for the background of a scene. This is useful if you do not have Video In input into your device and need to view an object that includes black, such as a black banner of a Deko object. Because the default background is black, the black banner will be invisible unless you have video coming in or the Background turned on. You can turn the Background on, change it to a color other than black, and use it for testing. A Background matte set to a color is not recommended for use on air.

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

When the Background is set to On, the color of the background behind the objects in a scene is controlled by the Red, Green, and Blue sliders on the Video Output object editor. If the system is configured with a key output, then the value of the key signal is controlled by the Alpha slider. A typical scene has a single Video Out object.

On a Corsica-based system, the Red, Green, and Blue background colors are multiplied by

the value of the Alpha slider to determine the background color. You need to set a value for the alpha even if the video output is not configured for key.

Any Video Out objects lower in the bottom-to-top compositing order are obscured by the Background. This situation might occur if you are combining multiple scenes (see “Multiple

Scenes and Stacking Order” on page 76.

When the Background is set to Off, the Red, Green, Blue, and Alpha sliders have no effect, and the background is black.

To set the background color and opacity:

1. In the Background section of the Video Out object editor, select On.

2. Click a color slider and drag it to change the selected color from full transparency (0.00) to full opacity (1.00).

Any background color you select is displayed in the adjacent color rectangle. To preview the output on a Corsica based system, drag the Alpha slider to a value other

than 0.

3. (Option) Click and drag other color sliders to blend the background color. If Red, Green, and Blue are set to 1.00, the background is white. If set to 0.00, the

background is black. If Red and Green are set to 1.00 and Blue is set to 0.00, the background is yellow. The individual values for Red, Green, and Blue can vary from

0.00 to 1.00.

To set the value of the key signal:

t Adjust the Alpha slider.

Selecting a Custom Background Color

You can use the color palette to select a custom color for the background opacity.

Custom Colors are remembered within your current session only.

To select a custom color:

Color chip

Color Spectrum

Value Spectrum

Luminance slider

Drag the pointer to change hue

1. In the Video Out object editor, click the color rectangle. The color palette opens.

Editing Video Out Objects

2. Do one of the following:

t Select one of the color chips t Click a hue in the Color Spectrum. t Drag the pointer in the Color Spectrum.

3. To change the color’s value (relative darkness or lightness), select and drag the Luminance slider.

4. Click OK.

When Luminance is set to 0, which is black, dragging the Luminance Slider upward displays

lighter colors.

To modify a value using the keyboard:

t Edit the values for the Hue, Sat (Saturation), Lum (Luminance), or Red, Green, and

Blue text boxes and click OK.

To add a new color for this session only:

t Adjust the color using the Color Spectrum and Value Spectrum controls, then click Add

to Custom Colors and click OK. Your currently selected color is displayed in the Color/Solid area.

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

Video In button

Editing Video In Objects

The Video In object editor allows you to select the video input port, set the opacity of the video input, and define video input key information.

The Video In object editor has the following tabs: Video, Position, Target, Levels, and Mixer. Only the Video tab is unique to the Video In object.

The Target and Position tabs, which enable you to position and size objects for video output, are the same for all objects that the application draws to video output. All audio-related objects share the Levels and Mixer tabs. For instructions on using the Position and Target tabs, see “Using the Target and Position Tabs” on page 86. For instructions on using the Levels and Mixer tabs, see “Using the Levels and Mixer Tabs” on page 103.

When the scene is used upstream from a switcher, do not add a Video Input object to the

Scene Tree. The Video Input key is a full-raster key that prevents objects underneath the Video Input object from being drawn to output.

Selecting a Video Input Port

A DekoCast system has two video input ports. By default, a system is configured for one video input, in the Video Hardware Options tab (see “Video Hardware Options” on

page 416). You can configure it to have two video inputs (such as a facility feed and video

from a server), or to have one video input and one key input. Use the Video Hardware Options tab to configure the DekoCast system’s input ports. To use two video inputs, you need to add two Video In objects to the Scene Tree and select a different port for each.

To select a video input port:

t In the Video Input object editor, select a port from the Video Input Port menu:

- For video input only, select Video In A.

- For a second video input, or for a key input, select Video In B.

You might need to author and transfer a scene to a different system in which Input B has been enabled and set as key, even though your system is not configured for video key input. In this case, you can select an option while authoring a scene so that the your system discards the video input key information. Deselect this option before you transfer the scene.

To have the application discard key information while authoring:

t Select the Ignore Key option.

To add the key information before transferring:

t Deselect the Ignore Key option.

Changing the Opacity of a Video Input Object

Editing Video In Objects

You might want to set the opacity of a Video Input object, for example, when creating an action to fade in the video.

To change the opacity of a video input object:

t In the Video Input object editor, drag the Opacity slider to vary the Video In object’s

opacity from full transparency (0.00) to full opacity (1.00).

As of the DekoCast 4.0 release, you have to explicitly add a Video In object to the Scene Tre e.

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

News Anchor (Video In object)

Movie Credits (Clip object)

Using the Target and Position Tabs

The Target and Position tabs are common to most visible objects, that is, objects the application draws to video output. These objects include Video In, Deko, Clip Playback, Cel Animation, and Group.

The Target and Position tabs are related, but have different functions. These functions are described in the following topics:

• “Arranging Objects for Video Output” on page 86

• “Using Screen Coordinates” on page 87

• “Using Thumbwheel Controls” on page 88

• “Using the Target Tab” on page 89

• “Using The Position Tab” on page 95

• “Designing Your Layout” on page 96

Arranging Objects for Video Output

By default, DekoCast aligns the top-left corner of most visible objects with the top-left corner (0,0) of the video output frame. (The exception is the Crawl object, which by default is placed in the lower portion of the video output.) You can change this default behavior by using the Position and Target tabs in the object editor to position objects anywhere on the video output frame.

Use of the Position and Target tabs is optional. If you do not apply either tab, the entire

object is displayed as normal size and placed in its default location.

Avid recommends that you use the Target tab to arrange objects for video output. By using the Target tab, you can associate an object with a defined area of the video frame called a target rectangle. For example, to have movie credits play alongside local news teasers, define a target rectangle for a Clip object (movie credits) on one side of the output frame and define a target rectangle for the source Video In object (news feed) on the other side.

Using the Target and Position Tabs

The purpose of using target rectangles is to create scenes in an aspect ratio that is video-resolution independent. By using target rectangles to scale and align elements in a scene, you can create a scene in 16:9 SD and it will be ready to air from a 16:9 HD system. If you use the Position tab to scale and align elements in a scene, you must recreate the scene for playing out at a different video resolution.

Using target rectangles does not allow scenes built in one aspect ratio to work in another.

For example, a 16:9 SD scene converts well to a 16:9 HD scene, but a 4:3 SD scene does not convert well to a 16:9 HD scene.

For information about creating target rectangles, see “Using the Target Tab” on page 89. For examples of how to use target rectangles in a page layout, see “Designing Your Layout” on

page 96.

If you link a Deko object to one or more layers in a graphic, and you want to control a

layer’s position with a target rectangle, you must select Layer as the Layout option in the Deko object editor. See “Guidelines for Adding Deko Objects” on page 113.

Another advantage to using target rectangles is that you can prevent overlapping objects, because the objects are confined to the corresponding target rectangles.

Both the Target tab and the Position tab allow you to scale an object and to change its default position for video output. However, you can crop an image only in the Position tab. The application applies parameters set by the Position tab to an object after it applies any parameters set by the Target tab. After defining a target rectangle for an object, you can use the Position tab to fine-tune the scale and position of the entire target rectangle, and crop it.

Scenes that are built with only Position parameters are still valid, and you can continue to

build scenes using only the Position tab. If you import scene files with only Position parameters, you can either use these parameters or define new target rectangles.

Using Screen Coordinates

Both the Position tab and the Target tab use the X- and Y- coordinates of the screen. When you place an object using Position tab parameters, you use X- and Y- coordinates to identify the object’s position on the video output. However, when you place an object using Target tab parameters, you use the coordinates to identify the target rectangle’s position. Then the object’s position on video output is defined in relation to its target rectangle’s top, bottom, left, and right coordinates.

The default coordinates used by both tabs are determined by the video standard. For example, the X-coordinates for Standard Definition NTSC range from left (0) to right (720), and the Y-coordinates range from top (0) to bottom (487).

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

0,0

Default point of origin

0,720

0,487

Type a value in text box and press Enter.

Click the text label to return to the default value.

Select and drag thumbwheel.

By default, screen coordinates are set with 0, 0 as the top left corner. To revise these

coordinates, select Options > Preferences and click the Coordinates tab. See “Output Frame

Coordinates” on page 429.

Using Thumbwheel Controls

The Target and Position tabs have thumbwheel controls that use screen coordinates to determine position. You select and drag to define values for an object or a target rectangle. This example shows the thumbwheel controls for defining a target rectangle.

Use the thumbwheels in the following ways:

• To make coarse adjustments, hold down the Shift key while dragging a thumbwheel to the right or left. To make fine adjustments, hold down the Ctrl key while dragging.

• Type an integer or decimal number in the text box to the right of a thumbwheel and press Enter.

• To revert to a thumbwheel’s default value, click the text description to the left of the thumbwheel. For example, to return to the default target rectangle parameters (full screen), click the text that reads Left, Top, Right, or Bottom.

• To revert to the default target rectangle full-screen coordinates, click the Reset button.

You can disable rounding to whole pixels through the App Options tab. Select Preferences >

0,0

The entire output frame is the default target rectangle

A defined target rectangle is a subdivision of the output frame

Default point of origin

Options and click the App Options tab. See “Application Options” on page 428.

Using the Target Tab

Visible objects are objects that the application draws to video output, such as the Deko, Clip Playback, and Cel Animation objects. A visible object’s editor includes a Target tab, which enables you to define the location and size of an object’s target rectangle. You then specify how the object is to be placed on the video output in relation to its target rectangle.

The purpose of using target rectangles is to create scenes in an aspect ratio that is video-resolution independent. See “Arranging Objects for Video Output” on page 86.

Use of an object’s Target tab is optional. If you do not want to define a rectangular area of

the video frame for an object, select Disable in the Target tab.

Defining a Target Rectangle

The application places most visible objects in the upper-left corner of the video output, where the X and Y coordinates are 0,0. Using a target rectangle lets you specify how the object is to be placed on the video output in relation to the target rectangle. The following illustration shows the default target rectangle and a smaller target rectangle you could define.

Using the Target and Position Tabs

To practice using a target rectangle, add a visible object such as Video In or a Deko object to

the Scene Tree and work with its Target tab while reading these instructions.

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

Reset button

Coordinates of target rectangle

Locked option

Autoscale option

To define a target rectangle for a visible object in a scene:

1. Select the object’s Target tab in the object editor.

2. Make sure the Disable option is not selected if you want to define a target rectangle.

3. Select and drag the Left, Top, Right, and Bottom thumbwheels to define the position of the target rectangle on the video output, or enter coordinate values that define it.

As you change target rectangle coordinates, the current positions display in real time in the upper right of the tab. You can always click the Reset button to return to the default target rectangle value, which is full screen.

For information on using the thumbwheels, see “Using Thumbwheel Controls” on

page 88.

4. (Option) Select and drag the X and Y Position thumbwheel controls to move the center of the rectangle to the right and left on the X-axis, or up and down on the Y-axis.

5. (Option) Select and drag the Width and Height thumbwheels to resize the target rectangle.

You cannot change the Width and Height of a target rectangle whose Autoscale option is set

to None, which means that the target rectangle is to always maintain its original size.

6. To maintain a desired aspect ratio between width and height, select the Locked option.

7. Set the Autoscale parameters that tell the application how to place the object in relation to the target rectangle:

- None: Maintains the object’s original size while being aligned horizontally and

vertically in respect to the target rectangle. If you select None, you must also select the horizontal and vertical alignment for the target rectangle.

- Fit: Stretches the object to fill the entire rectangle. (The object’s aspect ratio is lost.)

- Preserve: Maintains the object’s aspect ratio in respect to its the target rectangle:

inside (minimum), outside (maximum), horizontally, or vertically.

See the diagrams for these three parameters in the next topic.

Scaling an Object in Relation to Its Target Rectangle

The following diagrams show the placement of objects in relation to target rectangles when you select None, Fit, or Preserve as the Autoscale option.

Using the Target and Position Tabs

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

Object

Horizontal Alignment: Left Vertical Alignment: Top

Object maintains size and is aligned in left, top of target.

Object maintains size and is aligned at right, center of target.

Object maintains size and is aligned at center in the center of the target.

Horizontal Alignment: Right Vertical Alignment: Center

Horizontal Alignment: Center Vertical Alignment: Center

Autoscale: None

Target Rectangle of Any Size

None

The None Autoscale option maintains the original size of an object and lets you choose how to align it in its target rectangle:

• Select Left, Right, or Center as its Align Horizontal option.

• Select Top, Bottom, or Center as its Align Vertical option.

Using the Target and Position Tabs

Object

Object stretched to fully cover Target Rectangle

Target Rectangle of Any Size

Autoscale: FIt

Fit

The Fit Autoscale option maps the object entirely onto the target rectangle without preserving the aspect ratio of the object. The object is stretched to fully fill the target rectangle, regardless of the size of the object.

Preserve

The Preserve Autoscale option resizes the object without changing its aspect ratio. When you select Preserve, specify where the object is to be placed in relation to the target rectangle by selecting one of four Autoscale options:

• Minimum: Maps the object onto a destination that is completely contained by the target rectangle.

• Maximum: Maps the object onto a destination that completely covers the target rectangle.

• Horizontal: Maps the object’s left and right edges onto the target rectangle’s left and right edges, scaling the object vertically to preserve the aspect ratio.

• Vertical: Maps the object’s top and bottom edges onto the target rectangle’s top and bottom edges, scaling the object horizontally to preserve the aspect ratio.

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

Target Rectangle of Any Size

Object

Preserve Minimum: Horizontal Alignment: Center Vertical Alignment: Not Applicable (N/A)

Object scaled to fit inside of target. Aspect ratio maintained. Centered.

Autoscale Preserve: Minimum and Maximum Options

Preserve Minimum: Horizontal Alignment: Left Vertical Alignment: N/A

Object scaled to fit inside of target. Aspect ratio maintained. Left alignment.

Preserve Maximum: Horizontal Alignment: N/A Vertical Alignment: Top

Object scaled to cover target. Aspect ratio maintained. Top alignment.

Preserve Maximum: Horizontal Alignment: N/A Vertical Alignment: Center

Object scaled to cover target. Aspect ratio maintained. Center alignment.

Target Rectangle

After you select a Preserve Autoscale option, you can align the object vertically and horizontally in relation to the target rectangle, if appropriate.

Using The Position Tab

X,Y coordinates

Position and Scale thumbwheels

Scale values

Using the Position tab, you can change an object’s position to any area of the video output, scale it relative to its normal size, and crop it. Setting cropping parameters enables you to control the visible region on which the application draws the object to video output.

When you change an object’s position using the Position tab (as opposed to using the Target

tab), the scene that contains the object might not appear the same at different video resolutions. See “Arranging Objects for Video Output” on page 86.

Using the Target and Position Tabs

The application applies parameters set by the Position tab to an object after it applies any parameters set by the Target tab. After defining a target rectangle for an object, you can use the Position tab to fine-tune the scale and position of the entire target rectangle, and crop it.

Changing an Object’s Position and Scale

To change the position of the object:

t In the object editor, select and drag the X or Y thumbwheel to the right or left until the

desired new position is displayed in the text box to the right of the thumbwheel. This position is relative to the left and right X coordinates and to the top and bottom Y coordinates.

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

To change the scale of the object:

t Select and drag one of the following thumbwheels to scale the object:

-Scale

-X Scale

-Y Scale Drag the thumbwheel to the right or left to attain the desired scale; the value is relative

to a scale of 1, which represents the object’s normal size. A positive number greater than 1 enlarges the object and a positive number less than 1

reduces its size.

For more information about using thumbwheels, see “Using Screen Coordinates” on

page 87.

Cropping an Object

When you scale a video frame to less than 100 percent, you might see extraneous video or black around the edges of that frame. The Cropping thumbwheels allow you to eliminate edges by trimming the top, bottom, and sides of the frame.

To set cropping parameters:

t In the object editor, click and drag the Left, Right, Top, and Bottom thumbwheels until

the desired cropping of the object is obtained. The controls display a positive number (greater than 0) as you trim towards the center of

the object.

If working with a Deko object that uses the Entire Graphic or is a Background, crop it so

that only the desired area is rendered.

Designing Your Layout

Before creating your scene, plan what you want your scene to accomplish and how you want it to look. Your goal is to design the layout that viewers see on their television screens, which translates in the application to how objects display on video output. As part of your design process:

• Consider the object tools that you have to develop a scene. Only visible objects, that is, objects that the application draws to output, such as Deko, Clip Playback, Cel Animation, and Video In objects, have object editors with the Position and Target tabs. The Target tab controls parameters that define the target rectangle.

Objects that the application does not draw to video output, such as the Frame Grab, have no

need to be positioned or placed in target rectangles on the output frame. If an object does not have Position and Target tabs in its object editor, it is not a visible object.

• How do you want to subdivide the screen into rectangles? For example, you might place video-in feed in the center, a logo in the upper-right corner, and crawl text scrolling in the lower third. Each of these divisions is associated with a visible object.

• How do you want to place the object in relation to the rectangle? For example, an object can be aligned in the exact center of a rectangle while maintaining its aspect ratio, or stretched to fill the rectangle without keeping its aspect ratio.

• Will the rectangle change dynamically? If you plan to apply an action to create a squeeze-back, what are the object’s beginning and ending positions? Actions you create using target rectangles are also independent of resolution and video standard.

Guidelines for Using Target Rectangles

When working with target rectangles, consider the following guidelines:

• When you add a visible object to the Scene Tree, the application displays it in a default position on the video output. You can do one of the following:

- Leave the object in its default position.

Using the Target and Position Tabs

- Reposition it using the Position tab (not recommended if you want the same scene

to play out at different video resolutions).

- Set up a target rectangle to control where and how the object appears on video

output using the Target tab.

• A target rectangle is associated with a visible object. It does not exist as a rectangle independent of its object.

• If you link a Deko object to one or more layers in a graphic, and you want to control their positions with target rectangles, you must select Layer as the Layout option in the Deko object editor. See “Adding a Deko Object to a Scene” on page 109.

• Group objects can also have target rectangles that apply to the group.

• Only visible objects can have target rectangles. Only object editors for visible objects have a Target tab.

• The default target rectangle is full screen.

• Each of the four sides (left, top, right, bottom) of the target rectangle is a parameter of the object.

• If you select Disable in the Target tab, the object has no target rectangle. You can reposition the object using its Position tab.

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

• An object is positioned with respect to its target rectangle according to which option (None, Fit, or Preserve) you select from the Target tab’s Autoscale menu.

- None. The object can maintain its original size (no change = None) while being

aligned horizontally and vertically in respect to the target rectangle. If you select None, you must also select the horizontal and vertical alignment of the object to the target rectangle.

- Fit. The object can be stretched to fit the entire rectangle. (The object’s aspect ratio

is lost.)

To better view an object target rectangle’s region on video output, add a background color to

the Video Out object, then apply the Fit Autoscale option.

- Preserve. The object can be made to preserve its aspect ratio in respect to its target

rectangle. There are four possible Preserve Autoscale options: Min, Max, Horizontal, and Vertical.

Select whether the application is to contain the object within the target rectangle (the Minimum option) while maintaining the object’s aspect ratio, or scale the object so that it covers the target rectangle (the Maximum option while maintaining the object’s aspect ratio). The object can be placed within the rectangle horizontally or vertically. After you assign the Autoscale placement, you can align the object horizontally (top, bottom, center) and vertically (top, bottom, and center) as appropriate.

See “Scaling an Object in Relation to Its Target Rectangle” on page 91 for diagrams of each

Autoscale option.

• A target rectangle has no visible borders. To “see” an object’s target rectangle, set its Autoscale option to Fit, which causes the object to dynamically fill the rectangle as you adjust the thumbwheel controls. Observe how the object stretches to fill the target rectangle and does not maintain its aspect ratio.

• When you define a target rectangle for a group, all of the child objects are encompassed by it.

Suggestions for Preparing Your Layout

News Clip Object

Logo Cel Animation Object

News Crawl Object

News Anchor Video In Object

Squeeze - End Rectangle

Squeeze - Start Rectangle

Sample of a Video Output Frame Segmented Into Target Rectangles for Objects

For a simple layout, such as placing a Cel Animation object in the lower-right corner, designing “on the fly” using the Target tab is sufficient. For a more complex layout that requires rectangles of a set size, you might use Deko layers to block out rectangles as you want them to appear on the video output frame. Keep in mind that each rectangle is associated with a specific object. A target rectangle has no border lines—its size changes as you adjust the object’s thumbwheel controls. If you design your layout using a drawing program, you can open it within the application and use it as a template for “tracing” rectangles. To make it easier to transfer your layout, assign a different color to each rectangle.

If you do not use a template file, add a Video Out background color to gauge the rectangle’s

boundaries (see “Editing Video Out Objects” on page 81). You can also set the Autoscale option to Fit to have the object completely fill the rectangle as you adjust it using the thumbwheel controls.

Using the Target and Position Tabs

You might find it helpful to create a template file in a drawing program other than PostDeko Lite. In this case, the rectangles must have the same dimensions as you want them to have in the video output frame. In the drawing program, save the file as a BMP file and link to it as a Cel Animation object. Be aware that this is not a real Cel Animation object, but a workaround to use a file created in another drawing program as a template. You have to delete this Cel Animation object (or clear its file name) before saving the scene. For more information, see “Defining the Source File for a Cel Animation” on page 175.

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

Transferring a Layout to a Scene

If you use a graphics tool to design a layout to use as a template, you need to transfer it to a scene.

To transfer a layout to a scene:

1. Create a new scene.

2. If you created a layout template as a file in PostDeko Lite, add a Deko object and link it to the file.

If you created a layout in a different graphics program, import it into PostDeko Lite, export

it as a .dko file, and link it to a Deko object. You can also import the file directly as a Cel Animation object (see “Suggestions for Preparing Your Layout” on page 99).

The template file’s rectangular divisions display on the video output. This object’s only purpose is for layout design. Delete this object after you have finished using it as a template.

3. Add a visible object to the Scene Tree, such as a Clip Playback, Deko object, or Cel Animation object.

4. Select the Target tab in the object’s editor, which opens to the right of the Scene Tree.

If you select Disable in the Target tab, a target rectangle cannot be defined.

5. (Option) As a means to “see” the target rectangle as you adjust the thumbwheel controls, set the Autoscale option to Fit.

The Fit option stretches the object to the borders of the rectangle, making it easier to see the area you are defining. Unless you want the object to fill the rectangle in your actual scene, however, you need to select one of the other Autoscale options after you have specified the left, top, right, and bottom coordinates of the target rectangle.

6. Define the target rectangle for the object using its Target tab. See “Example: Defining a

Target Rectangle for Video In” on page 100. Also see, “Using the Target Tab” on page 89.

7. Add additional visible objects and define their target rectangles.

8. After deleting any object used only for tracing purposes, save the scene.

Example: Defining a Target Rectangle for Video In

In this example, you will define a target rectangle for a Video In feed. You want the target rectangle to fill the right half of the screen. You want the Video In object to keep its aspect ratio while filling the width of the target rectangle and aligning with the top of the target rectangle.

100

Pinnacle Systems DekoCast - 4.3 User’s Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Symbols and Conventions

If You Need Help

Accessing the Online Library

How to Order Documentation

Avid Training Services

1 Getting Started

Why Use DekoCast?

DekoCast Products and Applications

DekoCast Workflow

Controlling DekoCast On-Air Video Output

Before You Begin

Starting and Closing DekoCast Applications

Switching Between Video Formats

Configuring Your DekoCast System

Basic Components

DekoCast Main Window

Scenes

Objects

Scene Tree

Object Editors

Actions and the Timeline Editor

Performance Tab

Parameters Tab

Log Pane

Adjusting the DekoCast Window

Online Help

Understanding Files and File Types

Setting Up Directories

Scene Files

Supported File Formats

Copying Files

Viewing Information About Your DekoCast System

Quick Start: Fading a Graphic On and Off

Before You Begin

Creating a Scene

Adding Objects

Adding Actions

Playing the Scene in DekoCast Central

Using the Sample Scenes and Media

2 Working with Scenes and Objects

Scenes Pane and Toolbar

Creating a New Scene

Renaming and Saving a Scene

Opening an Existing Scene

Working with Objects

Adding Objects to the Scene Tree

Objects Overview

Renaming Objects

Working with the Scene Tree

Expanding or Collapsing a Branch

Deleting Objects

Inserting a Scene within a Scene Tree

How Objects Are Composited

Understanding Grouped Objects

Rearranging Objects in the Scene Tree

Understanding Parent-Child Relationships

Selecting Scenes for Output

Multiple Scenes and Stacking Order

3 Editing Objects in the Scene

Using an Object Editor

Editing Video Out Objects

Setting Background Color and Opacity

Selecting a Custom Background Color

Editing Video In Objects

Selecting a Video Input Port

Changing the Opacity of a Video Input Object

Using the Target and Position Tabs

Arranging Objects for Video Output

Using Screen Coordinates

Using Thumbwheel Controls

Using the Target Tab

Defining a Target Rectangle

Scaling an Object in Relation to Its Target Rectangle

Using The Position Tab

Changing an Object’s Position and Scale