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Pangolin Flashback 3 XE Manual

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Pangolin Laser Systems
LiveQUICK
And
Flashback 3-XE
Due to our policy of continuous product improvement,
information in this manual is subject to change without notice.
November 2008

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  • Page 1 Pangolin Laser Systems LiveQUICK Flashback 3-XE Due to our policy of continuous product improvement, information in this manual is subject to change without notice. November 2008...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1: Introduction In this package Functions 2: Installing CD-ROM contents XD/ contents Notes about memory utilization USB driver installation Installing LiveQUICK software 3: LiveQUICK Program Introduction Getting started Menu structure Shortcuts Page tabs Live control and info tabs Projector settings Projection zones Edit window Shortcuts...
  • Page 4 Frame file list Creating content Drawing Tracing Animating single frames Text Cue properties Linking Troubleshooting Log files 4: DMX and Standalone Standalone mode DMX-512 Appendix A: Board layout and connections Power supply connector Serial interface connector USB Lights DMX connector Expansion connector Projector connector DMX channel assignment...

  • Page 5: In This Package

    Pangolin to produce semi-custom products to suit the needs of individual OEMs, thus allowing you maximum integration flexibility and also allowing you to differentiate your products in the marketplace. Pangolin can easily create customized daughter boards as needed by OEMs. Please contact us with your specific function requests.

  • Page 6: Functions

    Chapter 1 Introduction Functions The FlashBack 3 Base Board contains the following basic functions: • USB power supply. • XD socket with ability to accommodate modules from 32MB to 128MB • 12-bit X and Y outputs with single-ended voltage level of +/-5V •...

  • Page 7: Cd-Rom Contents

    Chapter 2 Installing To use the Flashback 3-XE, you will need to connect the supplied USB cable to one USB port available on your computer. For standalone operation, a USB A/C adapter (charger) can be use to power the unit. You will also need to connect the DB25 to a projector.

  • Page 8: Notes About Memory Utilization

    Contact Pangolin if you have such a need. USB driver installation When you connect the Flashback 3-XE to USB port of your computer, the ‘New Hardware’ wizard will appear.

  • Page 9: 3: Livequick Program

    Chapter 3 LiveQUICK Program Pangolin's LiveQUICK is an easy-to-use program that can be used along with the Flashback 3 Laser Controller. LiveQUICK allows you to create simple laser frames and scenes, including TrueType fonts, as well as import Pangolin and ILDA animations.

  • Page 10: Introduction

    Introduction The LiveQUICK Program allows you to: • Trigger cues by clicking on buttons with the mouse, • Upload frames or complete animations to the Flashback 3 board, • Create and edit the frames and animations on line (real time editing), •...
  • Page 11 . Your workspace file will load and you will then see cues (Laser content) in the cue windows. Note: The workspace file may load automatically if you copied a workspace file into the workspace folder prior to launching the program. Your Screen should show cues with content in them like this: Connection Status: When your device is connected to the PC properly the software will automatically check the connection and then tell you if there are any differences between...
  • Page 12 2. Firmware and Hardware Relationship The control system within your projector or control device such as LiveQUICK Remote is a sophisticated communication system. Internal to your device is a control PCB and hardware PCB’s that all have to communicate with each other properly to function well. This balance is put in place and ensured via the integrated firmware updating system within the software.
  • Page 13 c. Windows Device Manager 3. Graphical User Interface (GUI) See the Factory CD for a video Training Course on this topic The Graphical User Interface (GUI) of LiveQUICK is a very simple GUI and is organized in such a way that it is logical to all modes of device operation such as DMX 512, USB, and Auto Play.

  • Page 14: Menu Structure

    Menu Structure a. File a. File Menu i. New Workspace: Closes open workspace to enable new workspace creation ii. Open Workspace: Opens browser window (Workspace Folder) to open a different workspace iii. Save Workspace: Save currently opened workspace iv. Connect Laser Hardware: Searches for attached hardware and connects. Note: If more than one projector is connected to the PC you will be prompted to choose (1) for connection v.
  • Page 15 origin cue and the next cue (See Linking Section) vii. Remove Link: Removes link from selected cue viii. Remove All Links: Removes all set links in the workspace ix. Designate All Cues to be uploaded: Designates all cues for upload to memory x.

  • Page 16: Shortcuts

    Shortcuts 10 11 12 13 1. New Workspace 7. Edit Cue 2. Open Workspace 8. Open Cue Properties Dialogue 3. Save Workspace 9. Upload all cues the need uploading 4. Blackout (Terminate Laser Output) 10. Play Sequence 5. Delete Cue 11.
  • Page 17 b. Position and Rotation i. Use the XY Coordinates grid to move the projection zone on the fly. ii. Use the X Y Z Knobs for Rotation of the image live iii. Reset Position: Resets the position to the default (Which is the settings stored in projector settings and geometry correction section) c.
  • Page 18 Use the ILDA test pattern in the projector settings menu section to test the performance of the scanner and refer to the ILDA standard for the test pattern (Contact us if you have questions about this). Consult your Pangolin user manual for the proper scan speed adjustment. e. BT Effects Section i.

  • Page 19: Projector Settings

    f. BT Sequencer Allows you to create edit, playback, and time to the BPM beam sequences of the effects present in the BT Effects Section 2. Information Tab 1. Provides the status of connection to the device, versions of software, upload date and time, Memory status, Hardware information of the devices within your device , USB connection status, etc.
  • Page 20 1. Adjusts Scan Speed (Master Scan Rate) 2. Adjusts Color Shift (For Analog Solid State Lasers (3) is the normal Setting. (4) for PCAOM) 3. Minimum Points at output (200 is default) 4. Select RGB, RGY, or Single Color depending on the laser configuration of the device 5.

  • Page 21: Projection Zones

    Use the ILDA test pattern in the projector settings menu section to test the performance of the scanner and refer to the ILDA standard for the test pattern (Contact us if you have questions about this). Consult your Pangolin user manual for the proper scan speed adjustment. Projection Zones It is important to set your projection zones so that graphics go to the screen Aerial effects project to the right place, and targeted beams go to the bounce mirror area.
  • Page 22 The Projection Zones Dialogue Box shows (4) Zones Possible 1. Geometry Correction Settings: Select attribute to change then use faders present around the patter window to change the value. The image will change to show you the effect. 2. Reset the selected item you are adjusting to the default value 3.
  • Page 23 Without Geometry Correction your image would be shaped something like this: This is because the laser projector is closer to the bottom of the screen and more toward the bottom. In this instance you would adjust the Geo Correction as such: Size Adjust Keystone Adjust Examples of Setting Zones for functionality and dynamics...
  • Page 24 Graphics Zone 1 on offset screen: Projector Screen Atmospheric Effects Zone 2 (Audience Scanning) Check your local regulations on Audience Scanning.

  • Page 25: Edit Window

    Targeted Beams Zone 3 Once you set your zones, geo correction and projector settings then click Ok, Save your workspace, and upload your workspace to the memory in the device. Note: Any changes in this area will require that you upload al the cues to the memory card for the settings to take effect.
  • Page 26 Drop Down Menus File Clears all frames in cue New: Opens Browser to Browse Frame Files to open Open: : Place a file into a location within the current frame list Place (cue) Save cue Save: Click groups of frames (Click first Save selected frames: frame then hold SHIFT and Click last frame to highlight...
  • Page 27 selected group of frames to use this function. Open a Bitmap image for tracing Open Background: Removes Bitmap image after tracing is Clear Background: complete. EDIT Undo what you just did Undo: Copies selected points Copy Points: : Cuts points from frame to clipboard Cut points Pastes copied or cut points Paste points:...
  • Page 28 Quick Centers Image in Frame Edit Window Quick Center: Gives you options of quick degrees of rotation of frame Quick Rotate: content such as 90 Clockwise etc. Quick Resize gives you options such as double or half size Quick Resize: to enable quick animations between two sizes.

  • Page 29: Shortcuts

    Shortcuts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1. New Frame 2. Open Frame Folder to find frame files 3. Save 4. Undo 5. Copy 6. Paste 7. Delete 8. Show Points 9. Show Blanking Path 10.

  • Page 30: Color

    14. Frame Repeats: Save memory card space by using frame repeats to speed up or slow down animations. Remember animation is a visual perception based on 24-30 frames per second. Instead of drawing more frames use frame repeats to adjust the animation speed. Uses less memory space! 15.

  • Page 31: Frame File List

    Frame File List Shows all frames in current frame file and enables (right Click) options for animation and additional animation functions. Frame Data Shows information such as number of points in the selected frame and color data and position information. OK: Click ok and the cue will automatically be available in the Cue list you selected to edit on the main page.
  • Page 32 c. Right Click Here d. Select Duplicate Frame (Now you have two identical frames) e. Click the first frame then f. Use the Select Object do select all the points in the frame or CTL + A to Select All. g.
  • Page 33 i. Enter number of frames in the animation you desire. Remember to few frames the animation is fast, 1- 100 (1 Fast – 100 Slow) Enter 50 for now click OK. j. Presto! Instant 50 frame animation which you should see in the Frame File List. k.
  • Page 34 iii. Step 3: Choose (Import File into Cue) iv. Step 4: Find File to import Supported File Types: .ILD .LDA .LDB .LDS .LPC v. Select File and Click OK vi. If the Cue is not empty you may see this warning to confirm action...

  • Page 35: Drawing

    Done: The file will now be present in the Cue Drawing See the Factory CD for a video Training Course on this topic Use a variety of tools to draw images. This program interface is similar to any paint program. See the follow ing steps to make a simple drawing animation. i.
  • Page 36 vi. Select First Frame vii. Transform Menu viii. With the first frame in the frame file list still selected choose a color such as pink. ix. The select the paint roller tool x. Paint half of the circle pink xi. Then select the second frame file and paint the opposite half another color like Cyan xii.
  • Page 37 xiii. Choose 40 frames xiv. Click Ok Now you have created a 40 frame animation where a circle grows from half size to whole size an color changes. You will see that the software automatically calculates the color changing from the first frame to the second to make a smooth color transitions.

  • Page 38: Tracing

    8. Now click frame 82 ; Right Click (Paste Frame) (Which now a copy of frame 1 should be frame 83. 9. Now Click Frame 82 : Right Click : Create animation between current and next frames : Add 40 frames : Click OK 10.
  • Page 39 Step 4: Zoom in on the image for easier tracing. Note: You may need to resize your .bmp file to optimize it in the edit window. Step 5: Select the appropriate tool for line drawing or whatever tool is necessary to trace your image. Step 6: Trace in the image Step 7: When finished tracing or to review progress, Remove the Background from the File Menu...

  • Page 40: Animating Single Frames

    (See Section 5d) Note: There are other ways to easily input and create frames. Contact Pangolin or visit the Pangolin Website for information on Free software such as Trace It, or pay software such as Flash Converter or LC- Max.

  • Page 41: Text

    6. Expand or increase spacing between lives 7. X Size 8. Y Size Font Name Import TTF Load a Pangolin Font Adjusts Curve Density Font Sample Adjust Point Size of Font Practice by typing in the word Hello Note:Use the steps you have already learned or watch the training video to customize and animate the text.

  • Page 42: Cue Properties

    Cue Properties Editing Cue Properties is of significant importance so that images correlate to the projection zones and settings you set up already in Section 1. Access Cue Properties by right clicking on a Cue Cue Properties Dialogue Box...
  • Page 43 The descriptions of each item will be broken down into 4 sections Based on the page tabs of the Cue Properties Settings Tab Overrides main projector settings and Size XY: adjusts cue size on the X and Y Axis Animation: Loops the animation Loop Animation: : Stops the output at the end of playback of cue...
  • Page 44 Assigns the cues the Projection Zones you set up in Section 1. Automatically Play this cue after power up of the FB3 SE Board: Click this only when you want this one cue to be played back immediately on power up. This is for Autoplay function.
  • Page 45 Information Tab Self Explanatory Note: Making any changes to the cue properties will need to be uploaded to the memory card and also saved in the workspace for future use. Always upload and save after making changes in the workspace.

  • Page 46: Linking

    Linking This icon is for linking cues to make sequences in DMX, Auto, or USB mode. Click on the first cue then click the linking icon, then left click on the next cue you want in the sequence, then and then the next cue you want in the sequence and so on.

  • Page 47: Log Files

    If an error occurs during operation you will receive a warning screen that will ask you to send the log files to Pangolin and it will provide a email address to send them to. Winzip all the log files and send them to the email address provided.

  • Page 48: 4: Dmx And Standalone

    Chapter 4 DMX and Standalone This Appendix describes how to use the Flashback 3 in standalone mode and how to control trough DMX-512. Using LiveQUICK, you can specify a cue or sequence of cues to start playing automatically upon power-up. The cue or sequence can play once or continuously. Frames or animations are loaded into memory and played on demand using the DMX-512 lighting standard.
  • Page 49 Flashback 3 SE is the last device on the DMX chain. The DMX cable can be connected directly to the QM2000 DMX connector, and the FB3 board can be controlled by Showtime. Please contact Pangolin to obtain the necessary files and information about how to do this.

  • Page 50: Appendix A: Board Layout And Connections

    Appendix A Appendix A Board layout and connections Insert the XD flash memory module here. XD modules with capacity 32MB, 64MB and 128 MB are supported. Lower capacity modules cannot be used.

  • Page 51: Power Supply Connector

    Appendix A Power supply connector Not used on FB3 XE USB powered. Regulated +5V power supply. Make sure that you have the power connections correct because the current version of the FlashBack 3 is NOT protected against reverse polarity of the power source. Serial interface connector For special features.

  • Page 52: Dmx Connector

    Appendix A Optional DMX connector Connect to DMX-512 signal source. Expansion connector For special features. Should be left unconnected for most uses. Projector output X – Y scanners and RGB laser modulator.

  • Page 53: Dmx Channel Assignment

    Appendix A DMX Channel Assignment Listed on the table next page.
  • Page 55 0.1% Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers 0.1% Cadmium 0.01% Pangolin has taken reasonable steps to confirm suppliers' statements regarding the absence of the restricted substances and maintains a full audit trail of relevant documentation to support this. William R. Benner, Jr. President...
  • Page 56 © 2OO9, Pangolin Laser Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

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