Function details
Quick
and easy Drag & Drop Programming
ShowControl's main goal is to easily combine single shows to a
multi-show performance that can be played back without any user intervention
needed. To program a performance all you need to do is drag a show from
the show list to the performance script. Then, just press "Play Performance"
and off you go. ShowControl does all the rest!
The "Performance script" shows
the sequence of the performance. You can even change it by dragging &
dropping.
Sound Offset Function
The sound offset function enables you to adjust the time relation between
laser and sound output. This is especially useful when you use a different
song version with a different timing to an existing show. In Showtime
you would have to manually move each and every event on the timeline.
In ShowControl just set an offset value and both sound and laser
will fit again perfectly.
When editing a show definition the "Show
Properties" window appears. The "Sound offset" value can
be individually set for each show. When choosing "Use sound timing"
there is no need to manually specify the show length because the length
of the sound source will be taken for that purpose. Alternatively it is
also possible to set a specific value ("Manual show timing").
Multi CD-Rom Support
The automated multi cd-rom support of Laserlight ShowControl enables
you to assign specific cd-tracks to shows. You can use any cd-drive in
your computer. During performance runtime ShowControl will select
the appropriate drive and track for each show individually. You can also
change a cd in one drive while an other in a second drive is currently
in use during the performance.
In this dialog of the "Show Properties"
the sound source is defined. If a CD-Rom drive shall be used the drive
letter and the track number can be specified for that show.
Realtime Show Scrolling
When doing final testing or client demonstration of a show it is very
useful to be able to scroll through a show to find a certain passage while
still seeing the laser output in the preview screen. Timing will not be
affected by skipping and browsing through the show data. Regular playback
can be restarted from anywhere in the show.
The "Control Panel" permits realtime
manipulation of show playback.
Extended Multimedia Support
ShowControl's extended multimedia support enables you to use any
windows media file for laser show synchronization. Timing will be as exact
using mp3 as with using wav, midi or cd-track sound sources.
Besides internal timecode (no Sound) any
windows sound file can be used for synchronization of a show.
Video Synchronization
ShowControl's video synchronization features enable you to synchronize
your laser show to any windows video file. This can be an avi, mpg2 or
any other video file format with windows codec. A separate video screen
will display your video data next to the laser preview screen. If you
have a video hardware card installed you can isolate the video output
and project it as a multimedia performance via video projector - of course,
precisely synchronized to the laser output.
If a video file is specified as "Media
file" instead of a sound file the "Video Screen" will appear
displaying the video data in realtime:
Both medias - laser and video - side by
side.
Frame Preload
ShowControl's automated frame preload mechanism is especially
useful for older QuadMod32 hardware boards which load in frames quite
slowly. It loads all your frame files in advance so that only minor loading
delays take place between shows during performance runtime. With this
technique you can achieve a reduction of up to 90% of loading time delays
and frame loading will be almost as quick as with the newer QM2000 hardware
boards.
The "Update"menu command will
completely preload the frames of all selected shows. Even with the newer
QM2000 hardware boards the loading time reduction during performance runtime
is significantly noticable.
Time Display
With ShowControl's time display you are in total control and stay
updated all the time. Weather you want to know how long performance playback
is still going to last or how many percent you're done already, one quick
look and you're informed.
The "Time Display" continuously
informs about all important timing values.
Laser Preview Screen
Bring your laptop to a client's location and present your multi-show
performance without requiring any laser hardware. The laser preview screen
shows the exact laser output even if your performance consists of multiple
shows.
The "Preview Screen" displays
the current laser output.
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