Pinnacle Systems FXDEKO User Manual
FXDEKO
Bringing a new level of Effects
to Character Generators
User’s Guide
Software Version 4.1
PPN 51002588 Revision F
TM
280 N. Bernardo, Mountain View, CA 94043
COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2001 Pinnacle Systems, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
Portions of the software described in this document Copyright © 1985-2001
Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Portions of the software described in this document Copyright © 1991-2001
Arthur D. Applegate. All Rights Reserved.
The Sentry Spelling Checker Engine Copyright © 1993 Wintertree Software, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
TRADEMARKS
Microsoft is a registered trademark, and Windows and Windows NT are
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
PINNACLE PART NUMBER: 51002588 Revision F
Table of Contents
Introduction
3
Welcome!............................................................................................................................9
How to Use This Manual...............................................................................................10
Other Documents ............................................................................................................10
How to Contact Pinnacle Systems................................................................................11
Starting Windows NT.....................................................................................................12
Starting FXDeko..............................................................................................................12
Exiting FXDeko................................................................................................................12
Exiting Windows NT.......................................................................................................13
Overview of FXDeko
The FXDeko Desktop.....................................................................................................15
About Graphic Files........................................................................................................15
Program and Preview......................................................................................................16
Creating a Graphic...........................................................................................................17
Saving a Graphic File ......................................................................................................17
Opening a Graphic File ...................................................................................................20
Keying...............................................................................................................................23
Frame Grabbing................................................................................................................24
Suppressing Motion.......................................................................................................24
Composing Text
Selecting Text...................................................................................................................26
Selecting a Typeface.......................................................................................................27
Using an International Character Set...........................................................................28
Bold and Italic..................................................................................................................29
Underlining Text ..............................................................................................................29
Rotating Text....................................................................................................................30
Skewing Text ....................................................................................................................30
Small Caps........................................................................................................................31
Changing Text Case........................................................................................................31
Changing the Text Field Box..........................................................................................32
Scaling Text ......................................................................................................................33
Character Spacing (Kerning).........................................................................................34
Character Width..............................................................................................................34
Row Spacing (Leading)..................................................................................................35
Cutting and Pasting Text................................................................................................37
Deleting Text ....................................................................................................................37
Finding and Replacing Text ...........................................................................................38
Moving Text.....................................................................................................................38
FXDeko User’s Guide
4 Table of Contents
Composing Text (cont.)
Justifying Text .................................................................................................................40
Tab Stops.........................................................................................................................42
Spell Checking Text.........................................................................................................44
Using Undo......................................................................................................................45
Baseline Editing...............................................................................................................46
Creating Styles
Specifying a Font
About Fonts.....................................................................................................................49
The Style/Font Window .................................................................................................49
Installing TrueType or Postscript Fonts .....................................................................51
Copying and Pasting a Font..........................................................................................51
Creating a Custom Typeface.........................................................................................52
Specifying a Look
About Looks....................................................................................................................54
The Style/Look Window................................................................................................54
Face...................................................................................................................................55
Face Attributes................................................................................................................56
Edge...................................................................................................................................56
Edge Attributes ...............................................................................................................57
Shadow .............................................................................................................................59
Shadow Attributes..........................................................................................................60
Underline..........................................................................................................................61
Underline Attributes.......................................................................................................62
Frame.................................................................................................................................63
Frame Attributes..............................................................................................................64
Cutting and Pasting Details and Looks .......................................................................65
Specifying a Shader
About Shaders.................................................................................................................67
Activating a Shader........................................................................................................68
Applying a Color.............................................................................................................68
Applying a Ramp.............................................................................................................69
Applying a Texture .........................................................................................................70
Applying Video...............................................................................................................73
Applying a Cel Animation.............................................................................................74
The Color Picker..............................................................................................................76
Picking a Color.................................................................................................................77
Using Preset Shaders......................................................................................................77
Working with Styles
The Current Style Window............................................................................................79
Saving a Style ..................................................................................................................80
Copying and Pasting a Style .........................................................................................80
Assigning a Style to a Style Preset..............................................................................80
Retrieving a Style ............................................................................................................81
Saving Preset Styles .......................................................................................................82
Saving a Pre-rendered Style...........................................................................................83
Graphics and Layers
Video Standard ................................................................................................................84
About Layers and Backgrounds...................................................................................84
The Layer Browser..........................................................................................................85
The Background..............................................................................................................85
Adding a Text Field.........................................................................................................87
FXDeko User’s Guide
Graphics and Layers (cont.)
Text Field Properties .......................................................................................................88
Adding a Rectangle Layer.............................................................................................89
Adding an Ellipse Layer.................................................................................................90
Specifying Layer Properties...........................................................................................90
Layer Properties...............................................................................................................91
Selecting a Layer.............................................................................................................93
Creating Real-Time Clocks.............................................................................................94
Clearing a Graphic ...........................................................................................................94
Clearing or Deleting a Layer..........................................................................................95
Cutting and Pasting Layers ...........................................................................................95
Appending a Graphic to Second Graphic....................................................................96
Reordering Layers...........................................................................................................96
Pasting Layers to the Background...............................................................................97
Combining Text Fields....................................................................................................97
Moving a Layer...............................................................................................................97
Justifying a Layer............................................................................................................98
Rotating a Layer..............................................................................................................99
Scaling a Layer .................................................................................................................99
Skewing a Layer .............................................................................................................100
Effects, Motions, and Sequences
About FXDeko Effects.................................................................................................102
Single Effect Playback..................................................................................................103
Creating a Sequence.....................................................................................................104
Browsing for Graphics in a Sequence........................................................................106
Selecting Events............................................................................................................106
Cutting and Pasting Events.........................................................................................107
Inserting and Deleting Events.....................................................................................108
Composing Rolls and Crawls.......................................................................................108
Command Event.............................................................................................................111
Creating Motions..........................................................................................................112
Playing a Motion...........................................................................................................119
Using the Timeline Option...........................................................................................120
Using a Motion in a Sequence....................................................................................124
Playing a Sequence.......................................................................................................124
Pausing Sequence Playback........................................................................................124
Using a GPI Trigger .......................................................................................................125
Stopping Sequence Playback......................................................................................126
Table of Contents 5
User Preferences
FXDeko Layouts ...........................................................................................................127
Arranging the Desktop.................................................................................................127
User Preferences............................................................................................................129
Common Preferences ....................................................................................................131
Prompts Preferences .....................................................................................................131
Paths Preferences..........................................................................................................132
Cursor Preferences........................................................................................................132
Marker Preferences .......................................................................................................134
Advanced Preferences .................................................................................................134
FXDeko User’s Guide
6 Table of Contents
Managing Files
Opening Files.................................................................................................................136
Closing Files...................................................................................................................137
Saving Files....................................................................................................................137
Sharing Files...................................................................................................................138
Deleting Files .................................................................................................................139
Browsing for Stills and Clips.......................................................................................139
Connecting to an Existing Remote Database............................................................140
Setting up a Database on Deko...................................................................................140
Accessing Stills and Clips...........................................................................................141
Storing Images...............................................................................................................143
Working with Macros
Introduction to Macros
Commands and Macros................................................................................................144
Working in the Macro Window..................................................................................145
Using the Macro Recorder
Recording a Macro........................................................................................................146
Playing a Macro.............................................................................................................147
Pausing a Macro............................................................................................................147
Stopping Macro Playback ............................................................................................148
Single-Stepping a Macro..............................................................................................148
Editing a Macro .............................................................................................................149
Saving a Macro..............................................................................................................149
Appending to a Macro.................................................................................................150
Converting a Graphic, Sequence or Motion into a Macro......................................150
Macro Programming Language
Commands......................................................................................................................151
Command Syntax ...........................................................................................................151
Parameters ......................................................................................................................152
Variables .........................................................................................................................155
Operators........................................................................................................................157
Comments.......................................................................................................................160
Conditional Commands and Loops............................................................................160
Subroutines....................................................................................................................162
Return Values.................................................................................................................163
Objects............................................................................................................................164
Data Type Conversions...............................................................................................164
FXDeko Options
Menu Commands
About FXDeko Options...............................................................................................167
Aston Import..................................................................................................................168
Automation....................................................................................................................169
Chyron Import................................................................................................................176
ClipDeko .........................................................................................................................177
FastAction Keyboard...................................................................................................184
Rocket.............................................................................................................................188
SportsWare ....................................................................................................................188
Timeline...........................................................................................................................191
Baseline...........................................................................................................................192
Channel...........................................................................................................................193
FXDeko User’s Guide
Clip...................................................................................................................................194
Menu Commands (cont.)
Edit...................................................................................................................................194
File ...................................................................................................................................196
Help .................................................................................................................................198
Layer................................................................................................................................198
Macro..............................................................................................................................199
Motion............................................................................................................................200
Options...........................................................................................................................200
Presets .............................................................................................................................201
Sequence........................................................................................................................202
Shader .............................................................................................................................203
Style.................................................................................................................................204
Text ..................................................................................................................................205
Timecode........................................................................................................................206
View.................................................................................................................................207
Window ..........................................................................................................................208
Appendixes
Shortcut Keys................................................................................................................211
Glossary..........................................................................................................................215
Index................................................................................................................................233
Table of Contents 7
FXDeko User’s Guide
Introduction
WELCOME!
9
This is the User’s Guide for FXDeko, a full-color video character generator from
Pinnacle Systems, Inc. Based on the Windows NT operating system, FXDeko
offers unprecedented performance in a broadcast-quality character generator,
including:
• The highest picture quality currently
available for television graphics
• The ease of use and the networking
capabilities of Windows NT
• The power of a word processor, a page
layout program and a “slide show”
presentation program in a single application
Like a word processor, FXDeko offers a variety of tools for typing text and for
selecting fonts and styles.
Like a page layout program, FXDeko allows total flexibility in positioning text and
full-color graphic elements on the screen.
Like a presentation program, FXDeko plays back a series of graphic pages using
a wide range of real-time effects.
FXDeko is unique among the Deko product line in that it provides up to three
output channels and a powerful Motion Editor, for the most flexibility available in
creating and playing motions.
Graphics and sequences you create on FXDeko can easily be exported for
playback to other Deko products.
We think you’ll be pleased with FXDeko’s quality, power and flexibility. If you
have any suggestions for features to include in future software releases, we
would very much like to hear from you. See How to Contact Pinnacle Systems,
Inc., page 11.
FXDeko User’s Guide
10 Introduction
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
The FXDeko User’s Guide is a reference manual that describes the operation of
FXDeko. The User’s Guide is derived largely from FXDeko’s on-line Help
screens—you’ll find pretty much the same information in both places.
One difference between this manual and the on-line Help is how we define new
terms and keywords. In the on-line Help, new terms appear in green—you click
on a term with the mouse to see its definition. In the User’s Guide, there is no
green and no mouse. Please refer to the Glossary for definitions.
You need not read the User’s Guide cover to cover. Most chapters are arranged
as a series of step-by-step “To do” instructions, such as “To add an edge” or
“To rotate selected text.” A good approach is to read through the Table of
Contents to get an idea of FXDeko’s capabilities, then refer to specific sections
as necessary.
We strongly suggest, however, that you read the chapter, An Overview of
FXDeko. It provides an overall description of FXDeko’s user interface and
operating philosophy.
OTHER DOCUMENTS
Hardware issues, including installation and setup of FXDeko, are covered
separately, in the comprehensive FXDeko Installation Guide.
Also included with your FXDeko is a Quick Install Guide that will have you up
and running in no time.
Use the Deko Tutorial to quickly learn how to use the exciting features FXDeko
offers.
We’ve provided comprehensive documentation on Automation as well as a
Macro Command Reference on CD.
Be sure to read the Release Notes for information that may not be available in
your printed documentation.
If you’re familiar with other Windows applications like Word or WordPerfect, we
think you’ll find using FXDeko easy and natural. If you know Windows, but not
Windows NT, you have nothing to worry about—their operation is almost
identical.
If you’re new to Windows, we suggest that you pick up a book on the subject to
familiarize yourself with the basic Windows concepts. For the most part, this
User’s Guide assumes a working knowledge of Windows.
FXDeko User’s Guide
Using this Manual and Contacting Pinnacle 11
HOW TO CONTACT PINNACLE SYSTEMS
Pinnacle Systems, Inc.
280 N. Bernardo Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94043
What to do before you call:
Whenever you contact Pinnacle Systems for technical support, please have the
following information available:
• Product name and software version number
• Product serial number (in the Help menu, choose About)
• Precise description of problem and attempted solutions
• Exact wording of any error messages
Pinnacle Systems Technical Support by Phone:
Customer Service (U.S.): (650) 930-2990
Customer Service Fax (U.S.) (650)930-1601
Customer Service (Europe) : +44 1895 442-003
Customer Service Fax (Europe) +44 1895 442 009
Information and Technical Support on the Internet:
For the latest information on Deko upgrades, visit our website at:
www.pinnaclesys.com.
Our e-mail address for technical support is:
In the U.S.: broadcast-support@pinnaclesys.com
In the U.K.: broadcast-support-uk@pinnaclesys.com
FXDeko User’s Guide
12 Introduction
STARTING WINDOWS NT
To start Windows NT:
1. Turn on the power to the PC. The computer monitor shows a series
of diagnostic screens, then displays the Windows NT startup
screen. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to log on.
2. Enter your user name and password, then press Enter. If you don’t
have a user name, log on as user "FXDeko". This user name is
installed at the factory and does not require a password.
STARTING FXDEKO
Notes
Once you log on, you will see the Windows NT Program
Manager. This is the main screen of Windows NT, from which
you can launch any application program, including FXDeko.
You must be privileged as a System Administrator or Power
User to run FXDeko.For more information about Windows
NT, refer to the Windows NT documentation supplied with
FXDeko.
To start FXDeko:
Double-click the FXDeko program icon.
To start FXDeko automatically, every time you log
on:
In the Windows NT Program manager, hold Ctrl down and drag the
FXDeko program icon into the Startup group. Refer to your
Windows NT documentation for more information.
EXITING FXDEKO
To exit FXDeko and return to the Program
Manager:
Do one of the following:
• Double-click the control icon at the left end of the FXDeko
program title bar , or choose Close from the control icon menu.
• From the File menu, choose Exit.
FXDeko User’s Guide
Starting and Exiting FXDeko 13
To have FXDeko prompt before exiting:
1. From the Options menu, choose Preferences
2. Choose Prompts at the top of the Preferences dialog box.
3. Check Prompt before exiting FXDeko.
To use other applications without exiting FXDeko:
1. Do one of the following:
• Click the minimize button in the upper-right corner of the
FXDeko application window.
• Choose Minimize from the control icon menu.
• Hold Alt down and press Tab repeatedly to switch to other
open applications.
2. When you are ready to return to FXDeko, double-click the FXDeko
icon.
EXITING WINDOWS NT
To log off from Windows NT:
1. Exit FXDeko.
2. In the Windows NT Program Manager, do one of the following:
• Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then choose Logoff.
• Double-click the control icon at the left end of the Program
Manager title bar, then choose Log off.
• From the File menu, choose Logoff.
3. Click OK to log off. After you log off, Windows NT remains active,
allowing you or another user to log back on. Shared files are still
accessible from other networked workstations.
To shut down Windows NT:
1. Exit FXDeko.
2. In the Windows NT Program Manager, do one of the following:
• Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then choose Shutdown.
• Double-click the control icon at the left end of the Program
Manager title bar, then choose Shutdown.
• From the File menu, choose Shutdown.
3. Click OK to shut down Windows NT. Don’t turn off the power to
your computer until a message on the screen tells you it’s OK to do
so. Once shut down, Windows NT must be restarted before you or
FXDeko User’s Guide
14 Introduction
another user can log back on. Shared files are not accessible from
other networked workstations.
FXDeko User’s Guide
15
Overview of FXDeko
THE FXDEKO DESKTOP
All creation and playback of FXDeko graphics are done using the mouse and
keyboard to interact with the various controls and windows on FXDeko’s
desktop.
The appearance of the desktop depends on the current layout, as selected from
the Window menu. FXDeko offers eight standard layouts for creating, editing
and playing back graphics and macros. For more information on using and
customizing layouts, refer to the FXDeko Layouts section of the User
Preferences chapter of this manual.
ABOUT GRAPHIC FILES
The main function of FXDeko is the creation and display of graphic files. You
create a FXDeko graphic, including text and background elements, in either a
Preview or Program window. Once created, a graphic may be saved on disk in a
graphic file.
A graphic consists of one or more layers and a background . Each layer can be
text or a geometric shape—a rectangle or an ellipse. See Graphics and Layers.
Each character of text is rendered in a particular style, which specifies its font and
look. Each geometric shape is rendered in a particular look. See Creating Styles.
FXDeko provides a variety of tools for typing, justifying, positioning, sizing and
otherwise editing text and shapes. See Composing Text.
Graphic files may be recalled from disk individually—“opened,” in Windows
terminology. You can play back a series of graphic files by entering them into a
sequence. See Effects and Sequences.
FXDeko User’s Guide
16 Overview of FXDeko
PROGRAM AND PREVIEW
All graphics are created in a Preview or Program window.
The Program window shows the current on-air graphic. The contents of this
window match FXDeko's video output, plus a cursor, safe-title lines and other
markers. There can be one or two Program windows.
The Preview window shows a graphic that is not yet "on-air." The Preview
window is used most often in the Motion Compose layout, to demonstrate
motion playback, or in the Sequence Playback layout, to show the graphic that is
about to become the Program graphic.
Important
To specify dual program output:
To specify single program plus preview output:
To swap the Preview and Program graphics:
FXDeko requires exclusive use of your system’s OpenGL subsystem to produce video output. To prevent disruption of
FXDeko’s video output, do not run any other OpenGL
applications or screen savers.
In the Channel menu do one of the following:
• Click Dual Program
• Click Keying and Routing. In the dialog box, select Dual
Program.
In the Channel menu do one of the following:
• Click Program/Preview.
• Click Keying and Routing. In the dialog box, select
Program./Preview.
From the Channel menu, select Swap (F3).
To transfer a graphic from Preview to Program:
From the Channel menu, select Preview to Program (Ctrl+F3).
To transfer a graphic from Program to Preview:
From the Channel menu, select Program to Preview.
FXDeko User’s Guide
CREATING A GRAPHIC
SAVING A GRAPHIC FILE
Creating and Saving Graphics 17
To create a FXDeko graphic:
1. Activate a Program or Preview window. If desired, clear any
previous graphic by pressing F8 once, or press F8 twice to clear the
background, too.
2. Use the cursor keys or click the mouse to position the text cursor .
3. Type any desired text.
4. Use any of FXDeko’s compositional tools to select fonts and
styles, add geometric shape or text layers, position layers, etc.
5. Save the graphic, by choosing Save Graphic As (F12) from the File
menu.
To save a graphic under a new name:
1. Activate the graphic window (F5).
2. From the File menu, choose Save Graphic As (F12).
3. In the dialog box, navigate to the drive and directory where you
will store the file.
4. Type a new file name in the File Name text box, then click OK or
press Enter .
Note
FXDeko automatically attaches “.dko” to the file name. Do
not type a different extension.
To save a modified graphic:
1. Activate the graphic window.
2. From the File menu, choose Save Graphic (Ctrl+S or Alt+F12) to
replace the previous version of the .dko file.
To save a graphic under a different video standard:
1. From the File menu choose Save Graphic As (F12).
2. In the Save Graphic As dialog box, choose Options.
3. Do one of the following:
• In the Video Standard text box, select NTSC.
• In the Video Standard text box, select PAL.
• In the Video Standard text box, select custom, then enter
Horizontal pixel and Vertical pixel values.
FXDeko User’s Guide
18 Overview of FXDeko
4. Click OK or press Enter.
To specify whether or not to save character glyphs:
1. From the File menu choose Save Graphic As (F12).
2. In the Save Graphic As dialog box, choose Options.
3. Select whether to save graphic files with pre-rendered glyphs
Always, Never or If not already in pre-rendered style.
4. Click OK or press Enter.
Note
Graphic files that include a large font or complicated look
occupy more disk space when saved with character glyphs, but
can be retrieved faster.
To save a fully rendered bitmap with a graphic file:
1. From the File menu choose Save Graphic As (F12).
2. In the Save Graphic As dialog box, choose Options.
3. Check Save rendered bitmap, for faster recall.
4. Click OK or press Enter.
Note
Graphic files that are saved with pre-rendered bitmaps occupy
more disk space, but can be retrieved much faster.
To save a graphic with an automatic comment:
1. From the File menu choose Save Graphic As (F12).
2. In the Save Graphic As dialog box, choose Options.
3. Check Add automatic comment, based on text in file. FXDeko will
automatically fill in the comment field with the characters from the
graphic’s first text field.
4. Click OK or press Enter.
To use file compression when saving TIFF and
Targa files:
1. From the File menu choose Save Graphic As (F12).
2. In the Save Graphic As dialog box, choose Options.
3. Under When saving TIFF and Targa files, check Use file
compression.
4. Click OK or press Enter.
To save TIFF and Targa files with alpha channel:
1. From the File menu choose Save Graphic As (F12).
2. In the Save Graphic As dialog box, choose Options.
FXDeko User’s Guide
Creating and Saving Graphics 19
3. Under When saving TIFF and Targa files, check Save with alpha
channel (32-bit).
4. Click OK or press Enter.
FXDeko User’s Guide
20 Overview of FXDeko
OPENING A GRAPHIC FILE
To open a graphic file:
1. From the File menu, choose Open (Ctrl+O or F9).
2. In the Open dialog box, navigate to the drive and directory that
contain the file.
3. Choose the file from the File Name list box or type the file name in
the File Name text box, then click OK or press Enter
Notes
Warning
The next time you call up the File Open dialog box, FXDeko
will prompt you with the name of the next file in the current
directory. Use the cursor up and down keys to scroll through
other file names.
FXDeko can import several file types, including text (.txt),
Bitmap (.dib, .rle), Windows Bitmap (.bmp), Photo CD (.pcd),
PCX (.pcx), Photoshop (.psd), Windows metafile (.wmf), TIFF
(.tif), Targa (.tga), JPEG (.jpg), Graphics Factory stills (.gf),
videoDesigner stills(.tv), Kseries/Presto ppic (.20k), and
Pinnacle (.g) files created in FlashFile, Lightning or Genie.
Unlike many Windows applications, FXDeko does not always
open a new window when you open a file. If a graphic
(Program or Preview) window is already open, FXDeko will
open a graphic into that window, replacing the previous file.
Be sure to save any modified file before opening another file in
the same window.
To browse for graphic files to add to a sequence:
1. Activate the Sequence window (F11).
2. Do one of the following:
• From the Sequence menu, choose Browse for Files (Ctrl+L).
• Select Browser from the View window (Ctrl+L).
3. Double-click a thumbnail to enter it into the sequence
FXDeko User’s Guide
Opening Graphics 21
To open a graphic recorded under a different aspect
ratio:
1. From the File menu, choose Open (Ctrl+O or F9).
2. In the dialog box, choose Options.
3. Choose one of the following in the File Open Options dialog box:
For native (.dko) files of non-native aspect ratio:
• Clip to fit.
Scales a 4 x 3 graphic to fit a 16 x 9 screen horizontally, but
chops off part of the top and bottom.
Chops off part of the left and right sides of a 16 x 9 graphic,
leaving a 4 x 3 center.
• Pad to fit.
Centers a 4 x 3 graphic, padding the right and left sides.
Shrinks a 16 x 9 graphic to fit horizontally, padding the top and
bottom.
• Scale to fit.
Stretches a 4 x 3 graphic horizontally, but not vertically, to fit
the full 16 x 9 screen.
Compresses a 16 x 9 graphic horizontally, but not vertically, to
fit the 4 x 3 screen.
For non-native (not .dko) files:
• Scale to full screen
Adjusts width and height and does not maintain pixel aspect
ratio.
• Square pixels, preserve height
Adjusts width to maintain aspect ratio of pixels assumed to be
square.
• Square pixels, preserve width
Adjusts height to maintain aspect ratio of pixels assumed to be
square.
4. Click OK or press Enter.
5. In the Open dialog box, navigate to the drive and directory that
contain the file.
6. Choose the file from the File Name list box or type the file name in
the File Name text box, then click OK or press Enter.
Note
Clip to fit and Pad to fit maintain the graphic’s original aspect
ratio. Scale to fit distorts it.
FXDeko User’s Guide
22 Overview of FXDeko
To re-open the graphic file in the active window:
From the File menu, choose Revert.
FXDeko User’s Guide
Keying and Frame Grabbing 23
To transfer a GF/Halo/Kseries/Presto image to
FXDeko:
1. <Record> the GF/Halo image as a still or Kseries/Presto as ppic.
2. Insert a compatible disk formatted for DOS into one of the GF/Halo
drives.
3. <Do> dos export. Export the GF/Halo still to the DOS disk as a DOS
file with a .gf extension for GF or .20k for Kseries/Presto.
4. Remove the disk from the GF/Halo drive and insert it into a drive on
the PC running FXDeko.
5. From the File menu, choose Open, then navigate to the drive and
directory that contain the.gf file or .20k file.
6. Choose the file from the File Name list box or type the file name in
the File Name text box, then click OK or press Enter.
KEYING
Note
Using FXDeko’s built-in keyer, you can key text and graphics over live video. Or,
you can use FXDeko’s linear key output to key text and graphics downstream,
using a switcher.
You can reverse this process to transfer graphics from FXDeko
to GF/Halo. Only graphic files (still, targa, tiff and dko, g and
bmp) can be shared. Text files are not compatible.
To enable FXDeko’s built-in keyer:
1. Connect an input video signal to FXDeko. See Video Inputs in the
FXDeko Installation Guide.
2. In Options menu, click Hardware Settings, click Input Selection, and
select the appropriate input signal.
3. From the Channel menu, choose Keying and Routing. Select
appropriate Channel and Video Format options, then click Close.
Important
Changes to Keying and Routing settings may affect other
settings in the Keying and Routing dialog box.
FXDeko User’s Guide
24 Overview of FXDeko
To output only the key of a graphic:
From the Channel menu, choose Show Key Output.
FRAME GRABBING
To set grab options:
Do one of the following:
• In the Channel menu, click Grab Options, then click to select or
de-select options from the drop-down menu. A checkmark next
to an option indicates that it is selected.
• In the Channel menu, click Keying and Routing, then select or
de-select Frame Grab options.
Grab With Key
Select to enable frame grabbing video input with key. This option
must be selected to enable frame grabbing of shaped input video.
Input Video Is Shaped
Select to enable frame grabbing of shaped input video. This
selection is not available if Grab With Key is not selected.
SUPPRESSING MOTION
To grab a frame of video:
1. Connect an input signal to FXDeko. See Video Inputs in the
FXDeko Installation Guide.
2. From the Channel menu or from the Keying and Routing dialog box,
choose Frame Grab.
Note
Use a digital input source for the highest quality frame
grabbing.
To apply motion suppression when frame grabbing :
1. From the Channel Menu, choose Motion Suppress.
2. Check Motion Suppress When Grabbing.
To apply motion suppression to the current
background:
1. From the Channel Menu, choose Motion Suppress.
2. Check Motion Suppress Now.
FXDeko User’s Guide
Keying and Frame Grabbing 25
To specify motion suppression options:
1. From the Channel Menu, choose Motion Suppress.
2. Do one of the following:
• Check Interpolate Scan Lines to specify interpolation between
every other scan line.
• Check Duplicate Scan Lines to specify duplication of every
other scan line.
3. Check either Preserve Field 1 (odd field) or Preserve Field 2 (even
field) to specify which field’s scan lines to interpolate or duplicate.
FXDeko User’s Guide
Composing Text
SELECTING TEXT
26
To select a block of text:
Drag across, then down or up the text.
Use arrow keys (↑ → ↓ ←) to move the cursor to the beginning or end
of the text block, then hold Shift and press arrow keys as necessary.
To select multiple blocks of text:
Hold Ctrl as you drag across, then down or up the text.
Choose Select More from the Edit menu. For each block of text, use arrow
keys (↑ → ↓ ←) to move the cursor to the beginning or end of the text
block, then hold Shift and press arrow keys to select the block.
To select a word:
Double-click the word.
Use arrow keys (↑ → ↓ ←) to move the cursor to the beginning or end
of the word, then hold Shift and press right or left arrow.
To select all text in a text field:
From the top left of the text, drag across, then down the text.
Press Insert and Tab to the text field, or choose Select Field from the Edit
menu.
FXDeko User’s Guide
SELECTING A TYPEFACE
Selecting Text, Selecting Typefaces 27
To select all text characters in a graphic:
Choose Select All (Crl+A) from the Edit menu.
To select all text characters in the current style:
Choose Select Style from the Edit menu.
To de-select text:
Click anywhere in the text field.
Press any arrow key (↑ → ↓ ←).
To select a typeface:
1. Select the text to which you will apply the new typeface. If no text is
selected, FXDeko applies changes to the current style.
2. Do one of the following:
• From the View menu, choose Browser, then choose Browse
Typefaces from the File menu.
• On the text bar, click the Typeface drop-down list box.
• In the Style window, choose Font, then click Browse.
• In the Style window, choose Font, then click the Typeface
drop-down list box.
3. Double-click a typeface on the browser or the drop-down list, or
type the name of the typeface in the text box.
Note
If you select a custom typeface, FXDeko automatically sets the
font to the size at which no scaling will occur. You may then
select any font size.
FXDeko User’s Guide
28 Composing Text
To select a typeface from a graphic:
1. Move the text cursor immediately to the right of a character in the
desired typeface.
2. From the Text menu, choose Pick Font.
Note
If you check “Cursor movement sets font and look” in the
Options/Preferences/Cursor dialog box, the current style will
always show the style of the character to the left of the text
cursor, unless a text character or layer is selected.
USING AN INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER SET
To type a character from an international character
set:
1. From the View menu, choose International.
2. In the International window, click the Character Set list box, then
choose a character set from the drop-down list.
3. In the graphic window, position the insertion point where you wish
to insert the character.
4. Click the desired character in the International window.
Note
Not all TrueType fonts include every character in every
character set. The International window displays a small box
in place of any character that is not available in the current
font.
To change the current keyboard layout:
1. From the View menu, choose Style.
2. In the Style window, choose Font, then click the Keyboard list box.
3. Type or scroll to the new keyboard layout.
Notes
Any keyboard layout installed in Windows NT is
automatically available in Deko2000. In the Windows NT
Program Manager, double-click Main, Control Panel, then
International. Refer to Windows NT documentation for more
detailed information.
Deko2000 supports most alphabet-based languages as well as
several ideographic languages. For the following languages,
you must install the local version of Windows NT: Arabic,
Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, and Thai.
FXDeko User’s Guide
BOLD AND ITALIC
Changing Text Appearance, Size, and Spacing 29
To change normal text to bold:
1. Select the text to be changed, or select nothing to change the
current style.
2. Do one of the following:
• Press the bold button on the text bar (Ctrl+B).
• Activate the Style window, select Font at the top of the Style
window, then check Bold.
3. To change text back to normal, unpress the bold button or uncheck
Bold.
To change normal text to italic:
1. Select the text to be changed, or select nothing to change the
current style.
UNDERLINING TEXT
2. Do one of the following:
• Press the italic button on the text bar (Ctrl+I).
• Activate the Style window, select Font at the top of the Style
window, then check Italic.
3. To change text back to normal, unpress the italic button or uncheck
Italic.
To underline text:
1. Select the text to be underlined, or select nothing to add an
underline to the current style.
2. Press the underline button on the text bar (Ctrl+U).
To change text back to normal, unpress the underline button.
FXDeko User’s Guide
30 Composing Text
ROTATING TEXT
To rotate text using the keyboard:
1. In the Options menu, choose Transform/Rotate & Skew (Ctrl+R).
2. In the Options menu, choose Transform and set increment of
change to Coarse or Fine (Ctrl+spacebar).
3. Select the text to rotate.
4. Hold down Alt and press either the down arrow (↓) to rotate the
selected text clockwise, or the up arrow (↑) to rotate
counterclockwise.
To rotate text using the mouse:
1. Click the rotate/skew button in the Tools window.
2. Select the text to rotate.
3. Move the pointer near the dotted line surrounding selected text, so
that the pointer becomes the rotation tool.
SKEWING TEXT
4. Drag to rotate selected text.
To specify a numerical value for rotation:
1. Select the text to rotate. If no text is selected, FXDeko applies
changes to the current style.
2. Activate the Style window.
3. Choose Font at the top of the Style window.
4. Double-click the Rotation text box, then type or scroll to a value.
Negative values set counterclockwise rotation of the selected text,
and positive values set clockwise rotation.
To skew text using the keyboard:
1. In the Options menu, choose Transform/Rotate & Skew (Ctrl+R).
2. In the Options menu, choose Transform and set increment of
change to Coarse or Fine (Ctrl+spacebar).
3. Select the text to skew.
4. Hold down Alt and press either the right arrow (→) to skew the
selected text clockwise, or the left arrow (←←) to skew
counterclockwise.
FXDeko User’s Guide
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