Arkaos GrandVJ User manual

!
REFERENCE!MANUAL!

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of ArKaos S.A. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced
or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by
ArKaos S.A.
All product and company names are ™ or © trademarks of their respective owners.
© ArKaos S.A. 2010. All rights reserved.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................5!
1.1 Installing ArKaos GrandVJ –PC......................................................................5!
1.2 Installing ArKaos GrandVJ –MAC...................................................................5!
1.3 Registering ArKaos GrandVJ...........................................................................5!
1.4 Registration process ........................................................................................6!
1.4.1 Activation Code.......................................................................................6!
1.4.2 Serial Key................................................................................................7!
1.4.3 Demo ......................................................................................................7!
2 INTRODUCTION TO THE SOFTWARE..................................................................8!
2.1 Basics ..............................................................................................................8!
2.2 Overview..........................................................................................................8!
2.3 Terminology .....................................................................................................9!
3 INTERFACE WALK-THROUGH............................................................................10!
3.1 Browser Panel ...............................................................................................11!
3.2 Master Preview ..............................................................................................11!
3.3 Banks............................................................................................................12!
3.4 Parameter Panel............................................................................................12!
3.5 Layer Preview (mixer mode only) ..................................................................12!
3.6 Tool bar..........................................................................................................13!
3.7 Help Box ........................................................................................................13!
4 USING THE APPLICATION ..................................................................................14!
4.1 Application Modes .........................................................................................14!
4.1.1 Synth Mode...........................................................................................14!
4.1.2 Mixer Mode ...........................................................................................14!
4.2 Controller Mapping ........................................................................................15!
5 REFERENCE.........................................................................................................16!
5.1 Managing Cells ..............................................................................................16!
5.1.1 Basics ...................................................................................................16!
5.1.2 Triggering and Mapping Cells...............................................................16!
5.1.3 Cell parameters.....................................................................................17!
5.1.4 Cell Parameter Mapping .......................................................................20!
5.1.5 Cell Copy / Paste ..................................................................................20!
5.2 Banks.............................................................................................................21!
5.2.1 Bank Control ........................................................................................21!
5.2.2 Bank Operations ...................................................................................21!
5.3 Layers (Mixer Mode)......................................................................................22!
5.3.1 Layer Previews .....................................................................................22!
5.3.2 Layer Parameters .................................................................................22!
5.3.3 Layer Control ........................................................................................23!
5.4 The Mapping List ...........................................................................................24!
6 THE PREFERENCES DIALOG .............................................................................25!
6.1 Display Tab....................................................................................................25!
6.2 MIDI ...............................................................................................................26!
6.3 Performances ................................................................................................26!
6.4 Output ............................................................................................................27!
6.5 Advanced.......................................................................................................27!
6.6 Registration....................................................................................................27!
7 PERFORMANCE AND SETUP CONSIDERATIONS ............................................28!
7.1 Movie Compression .......................................................................................28!
7.2 Widescreen & Multiscreen Presentation........................................................29!
7.3 Introduction ....................................................................................................29!
7.4 Definitions ......................................................................................................29!
7.4.2 Case Studies.........................................................................................30!
7.4.3 Monitor Setup For Wide Screen Or Multi-Screen Projection ................31!
7.5 Soft-Edge.......................................................................................................37!
7.5.1 Calibration.............................................................................................38!
8 SUPPORT, INFORMATION AND CONTACT .......................................................39!
8.1 Solutions ........................................................................................................39!
8.1.1 Users discussion forum.........................................................................39!
8.1.2 Knowledgebase articles........................................................................39!
8.1.3 Trouble ticket system............................................................................39!
8.1.4 Distributors and resellers ......................................................................39!
9 NOTES ..................................................................................................................40!

5
1INTRODUCTION
Welcome to ArKaos GrandVJ.
GrandVJ is ArKaosʼbrand new state-of-the-art video mixing and VJ software, allowing
unprecedented control over visual performances.
You can use GrandVJ to perform with visuals just like you would be playing an instrument,
either using the computer keyboard, a MIDI controller or a MIDI sequencer. Alternatively, you
can also use GrandVJ like an 8 channel video mixer, allowing full and precise control over each
individual channel.
Your audience wonʼt believe their eyes.
1.1 Installing ArKaos GrandVJ –PC
1. To ins tall the ArKaos GrandVJ software, insert the installation CD into your computerʼs
CD-ROM drive.
2. Double-click on the installation file, located in the root directory of the CD. This will
launch the InstallShield Wizard.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions. Please note that the installation program will scan for
available video components on your computer prior to installing the software. If there are
any components that are not up to date, please install them by clicking on their
corresponding buttonsbefore proceeding with the installation.
4. Once the installation is complete, click “Finish”. The ArKaos GrandVJ software is now
ready to be used.
5. Start GrandVJ by going to Start ArKaos GrandVJ ArKaos GrandVJ.
6. Follow the registration procedure described further in this document.
1.2 Installing ArKaos GrandVJ –MAC
1. To ins tall t he ArK a os Gr a ndV J s oft war e, insert the installation CD into your computerʼs
CD-ROM drive.
2. Click on the ArKaos GrandVJ installer located on the CD.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Once installation is complete, you will see a shortcut on the desktop. The application will
also appear in your Applications ArKaos GrandVJ folder.
5. Start GrandVJ.
6. Follow the registration procedure described further in this document.
1.3 Registering ArKaos GrandVJ
Your software comes with an Activation Code. It is very important that you keep this code in a
safe place since it is the proof that you own a license and it might be needed later to re-install
the software or obtain future upgrades.
Important: the Activation Code is not the final code that will unlock the software on your
computer. To do so, you will need to obtain a Serial Key by sending us your MachineID code
and Activation Code.

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The Serial Key is the code that unlocks GrandVJ to run on a specific computer. It is calculated
by combining the computerʼs MachineID - an 8 letters code that GrandVJ generates and which
identifies your computer -and the Activation Code, which is the proof that you own a license.
1.4 Registration process
The registration process is fairly easy. You have the choice to either unlock GrandVJ directly
from within the application itself (if you are working on a computer that is connected to the
internet) or to use a Serial Key that was obtained from our web site or during a previous
installation.
In any case, each Serial Key you generate is sent to you by mail as confirmation so you can
keep a trace i.e. if you need to re-install your computer.
When you start the application
unregistered, the registration
wizard appears.
This dialog allows you to choose
the registration method you would
like to use or to continue trying
GrandVJ in demo mode.
Note that your computerʼs
MachineID is displayed at the
bottom of the dialog; you will only
be able to unlock GrandVJ with a
Serial Key that was generated for
this MachineID
1.4.1 Activation Code
Choose the first option, “Activation Code”, and press next if you would like to unlock the
software directly from the application,through your Internet connection. This option is the
easiest but requiresthat GrandVJ can communicate with our servers and is not blocked by
a firewall or network policy restrictions.
Type your Activation Code in
the first field. If you have a
software box, the Activation
Code is printed on a sticker
that is attached to the
installation CD sleeve. If you
purchased a license online,
the Activation Code has been
sent to your e-mail.
The code is composed of four
groups of four capital letters
separated by hyphens, so a
total of 16 letters / 19
characters.
Here's an example:
ACBD-EFGH-FGHE-ACDE

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In the next fields you need to specify an e-mail address where you will receive an e-mail
with a copy of the generated Serial Key.
Once you have verified all the information, press next. The application will try to
communicate with our servers to obtain the Serial Key for your computer. If the registration
is successful, it will display a confirmation message on your screen.
1.4.2 Serial Key
Choose this option if you have already obtained a Serial Key for this computer.
This option is mainly used if the computer where you want to unlock GrandVJ is not
connected to the Internet. In that case, you will need to surf to our web site with another
computer -connected to the Internet -and generate a valid Serial Key for the computer
you want to run GrandVJ on. Remember every computer has a different MachineID and a
Serial Key will only unlock GrandVJ on the computer with the corresponding MachineID.
Important: before surfing to our web site to obtain a Serial Key, make sure to take note of
the computer's MachineID (displayed at the bottom of the registration window) and have
your Activation Code ready.
With a web browser, go to
http://www.arkaos.net/register/
and follow the instructions there to create a new customer account (if you donʼt have one
already) and obtain a Serial Key that matches your Machine ID code.
After completing the registration process you will receive an e-mail with your GrandVJ
Serial Key. The Serial Key is similar to the code below:
>>>>>>>>>>
JAJHBKDGPPJEADMKHOHICHBOIDBBGKEHPMADKNGMBOPJHPNJBDHMIKIANNAJFDNIAF
JEKDOIPGGFFIOMOBOOBJMGLFPLDOEGHPMODMFKHOFADKGLOGCHKDBEDACANBHPLDKH
DNLCCJCANBLNLFNLLILGGFBGILJFONLMLDFDBMPPHFEDFIABJGBOADJBEICNODHEJE
BLKMHDOKLDONCOOFHEJHECJOHNLDCPHPEHMIBPNBDCJOJNMOAHPAEOODBAGLODAEHP
<<<<<<<<<<
The easiest way to transfer
that code to GrandVJ is to
select the whole code by
highlighting it with your
mouse then copy it in the
clipboard ( [Ctrl]+C on a PC
or [Apple]+C on a Mac) and
paste it ( [Ctrl]+V on a PC or
[Apple]+V on a Mac) in the
dialog as shown in the picture
on the right.
When you press next your
application will be registered.
1.4.3 Demo
Choose this option to continue using GrandVJ in demo mode, you will not be able to save
your work and a banner will randomly appear in the output and in the master preview.

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2 INTRODUCTION TO THE SOFTWARE
2.1 Basics
GrandVJ is a software application which allows you to seamlessly integrate real-time video with
any type of performance situation. Serving up to 8 layers of videos and boasting a very wide
array of effects and control parameters, it also allows full control of the software via MIDI,
Keyboards or external sequencers.
GrandVJ is designed to work using a dual video output computer setup. The main output will
display the interface of the software and the previews while the second output will send the full
resolution image to an external hardware display like a projector, a plasma screen, a video
mixer, etc.
For more information on setting up a proper dual output, see the ʻPreference Dialogʼand the
ʻWide Screen & Multi-Screen Presentationʼsections later in this document.
2.2 Overview
The software is organized along one main window that displays all of the information needed
during a performance. It shows the 8 individual layer outputs as well as the master preview (the
image which is sent to the full screen output) and a parameter panel with settings for each
layer.
Parameters can either be modified through the user interface, from the computer keyboard or
from a MIDI controller.
GrandVJ allows you to work with two different distinct modes:
1. The “synth” mode is where you play visuals like you would play an instrument. This is
very much like ArKaos VJ 3.x, where you define cells and their properties and you “stack”
cells on top each other by pressing simultaneous keys on the computer keyboard/MIDI
controller.
2. The “mixer” mode is where you can access the 8 individual layers and control them
individually. In this mode, GrandVJ becomes a full-featured 8 layer software video mixer.
When you first start the software, the full screen output is disabled by default. If you want to
send the full screen output to the second output of your card, activate full screen either by
selecting View Toggle Fullscreen or by pressing CTRL+F (Command+F on Mac). If you
donʼt have a proper dual output setup, the full screen will be activated on the main screen and
the main interface will disappear. To exit full screen mode, press CTRL+F/Command+F again.

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2.3 Terminology
In ArKaos GrandVJ, weʼve slightly changed the terminology used to refer to different application
features:
Visuals: Visual is a generic term encompassing everything which produces frames: this
can be images, videos, camera streaming, generators or flash animations
Effects: Effects are real-time processors which allow you to alter visuals. GrandVJ comes
with about 50 effects in various categories.
Generators: Generators are sound controlled graphical elements. They react to the sound
input from your sound card and are great to provided sound automated textures
Cells: Cells are placeholders to store a given combination of
visuals/effect/transparency/copy mode/position combination. When you 'trigger' a cell, you
send the content of the cell to the graphic engine. In synth mode, triggering cells stacks
them on top of each other. In mixer mode, triggering a cell will send it to the currently
selected layer.
Banks: Banks are combination of cells forming a mini library. There are two sets of 16
banks. The first bank set is laid out according to a matrix and referred to as the 'matrix
bankset'. The second is shaped as a MIDI keyboard layout and is referred to as the
'keyboard bankset'. The matrix bank size can be changed to match any controller layout
you would be using.
Layers: Layers represent stacksin the visual pipeline. Each layer has a set of properties
matching the cell properties: one visual, one effect, transparency, copy modes,
chroma/luma keying, position etc... GrandVJ is capable of displaying up to 8 layers. In
synth mode, layers are assigned automatically depending on the way you trigger cells and
their foreground/background property. In mixer mode, you have access to all the layer
properties individually.
Mapping: Mappings represent a way to “connect” an element from the software to a
control device (MIDI controllers, MIDI sequencers or the computer keyboard). You can
map the matrix bank cell triggers, control the layer/cell properties,as well as some of the
general controls of the software.
Project: A project is a collection of banks and cell definitions which are stored in a project
file for later use.
Previews: Allow you to preview the content of a layer or the main output. The main
preview window is always displayed and shows what is sent to the main output. In mixer
mode, individual layer previews are also available.

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3 INTERFACE WALK-THROUGH
This section describesthe different application panels and their functionality. Depending on the
mode you are using (synth or mixer), not all panels may be available. Specifically,in synth
mode, the layer preview is not available.
Below is a full screenshot of the application:
Note: Most panels are resizable to accommodate various screen resolutions and the software
will remember different configurations for the synth and mixer mode. If you have enough
resolution, you can unwrap the tabs of the parameter panel for example, as in the example
above.