Avolites Pearl Expert Titan User manual

Pearl Expert Titan
Operator’s Manual
Version 2.0

PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00

PearlExpertTitan_Man_v2-0.doc 23/09/2009 12:16:00
Useful Avolites phone numbers:-
Avolites England
Sales and service* (+44) (0) 20 8965 8522
Service out of hours* (+44) (0) 831 17 8888
Fax (+44) (0) 20 8965 0290
Email [e-mail]
Website http://www.avolites.com
Distribution of Avolites products in USA:-
Avolites America
Sales and service* ([phone]
Fax [phone]
*Before contacting Avolites for service enquiry please ensure that you have the
product serial number and the Software version. The serial number can be
found on the back of the desk near the power socket and on the keyboard
drawer; the software version is displayed on the title bar of the Pearl
application on the VDU.
The latest version of this manual and Pearl Expert Titan Software can
be downloaded from the Avolites website.
The small print :
No Liability for Consequential Damages
Avolites has a policy of continuous product and documentation improvement. As such the
detail within this manual may not match the operation of the Pearl Expert Titan.
In no event shall Avolites be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or
consequential damages or loss whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss
of profits, business interruption, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use or inability
to use the Pearl even if Avolites Ltd. has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Because some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for
consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you.
Avolites Ltd recognise that all trademarks within the manual are the property of their
respective owners.
Reprint and revision history:
First produced September 2008
Revised for v1.1 April 2009 by Tim Mitchell
Revised for v1.2 June 2009 by Tim Mitchell
Revised for v2.0 September 2009 by Tim Mitchell

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This manual was written by Tim Mitchell, Sabre Technology Ltd
http://www.sabretechnology.co.uk

Reference Manual Contents - Page 5
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SECTIONS
1. SETTING UP THE CONSOLE 13
2. PATCHING 27
3. CONTROLLING DIMMERS AND FIXTURES 37
4. PALETTES 47
5. SHAPES 53
6. CUES 57
7. CHASES 69
8. CUE LISTS 79
9. RUNNING THE SHOW 91
10. REMOTE CONTROL 95
11. USER SETTINGS AND OTHER OPTIONS 101
12. WORKING WITH FIXTURE PERSONALITIES 111
13. NETWORKING 115
14. TITAN FOR PEARL USERS 129
15. CHANGES IN VERSION 2.0 131
16. GLOSSARY OF TERMS 139

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CONTENTS
1. Setting up the console 13
1.1 Guide to the console .............................................................. 13
1.2 Connecting up.......................................................................16
1.2.1 Connecting mains power ......................................................................... 16
1.2.2 Starting up and shutting down................................................................. 16
1.2.3 Connecting DMX lines ............................................................................. 16
1.2.4 Connecting VDU monitors........................................................................ 17
1.2.5 Other connections .................................................................................. 17
1.3 Using the displays and menus ................................................. 18
1.3.1 The onboard display ............................................................................... 18
1.3.2 The VDU desktop ................................................................................... 19
1.3.3 The Heads-Up Display (HUD)................................................................... 21
1.3.4 Visualiser .............................................................................................. 21
1.3.5 Key profiles........................................................................................... 22
1.3.6 Key macro recording .............................................................................. 22
1.4 Loading and saving shows ...................................................... 23
1.4.1 Autosave............................................................................................... 23
1.4.2 Manual save and load ............................................................................. 23
1.5 Backing up a show to USB drive ..............................................24
1.5.1 Backup existing show files to USB pen drive .............................................. 24
1.6 Clearing the console............................................................... 24
1.7 Rebooting into original Pearl Expert mode ................................. 25
2. Patching 27
2.1 Create .................................................................................27
2.1.1 Preset faders (handles)........................................................................... 27
2.1.2 Patching dimmers .................................................................................. 28
2.1.3 Patching moving light fixtures.................................................................. 28
2.1.4 Visualiser Auto Patch .............................................................................. 30
2.2 Edit .....................................................................................30
2.2.1 Changing the DMX address of a fixture ..................................................... 30
2.2.2 Setting legends...................................................................................... 30
2.2.3 View Fixture Patch.................................................................................. 31
2.3 Copy.................................................................................... 31
2.3.1 Copying a patched fixture ....................................................................... 31
2.4 Delete.................................................................................. 32
2.4.1 Deleting a patched fixture ....................................................................... 32
2.5 Moving.................................................................................32
2.5.1 Moving a fixture to a different handle ....................................................... 32
2.6 Advanced options ..................................................................33
2.6.1 Swap pan and tilt................................................................................... 33
2.6.2 Invert attributes .................................................................................... 33
2.7 Fixture Exchange................................................................... 33
3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures 37
3.1 Create .................................................................................37
3.1.1 Selecting fixtures and dimmers for control................................................. 37
3.1.2 Setting fixtures to a start position ............................................................ 38
3.1.3 Clearing selection................................................................................... 38
3.1.4 Changing attributes using the wheels........................................................ 39
3.1.5 The colour picker ................................................................................... 41
3.1.6 Setting attributes by number................................................................... 41
3.1.7 Selecting fixtures and dimmers by number (Channel) ................................. 41
3.1.8 Selecting using a pattern......................................................................... 42
3.1.9 Attribute groups - IPCGBES..................................................................... 42
3.1.10 Using fixture groups ............................................................................. 43
3.1.11 Stepping through selected fixtures one at a time...................................... 43
3.1.12 Highlighting the selected fixture ............................................................. 44
3.1.13 Align fixtures ....................................................................................... 44
3.1.14 Flip..................................................................................................... 44
3.1.15 Fan mode............................................................................................ 44
3.2 Advanced options ..................................................................45
3.2.1 The ML menu button............................................................................... 45
4. Palettes 47

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4.1 Create .................................................................................47
4.1.1 Palette values stored as a reference ......................................................... 47
4.1.2 Which attributes are stored in palettes...................................................... 47
4.1.3 Storing a palette.................................................................................... 47
4.2 Playback ..............................................................................49
4.2.1 Recalling a palette value ......................................................................... 49
4.2.2 Palette pages......................................................................................... 49
4.2.3 Quick palettes with no fixtures selected..................................................... 49
4.2.4 Setting palettes to fixtures in a playback................................................... 49
4.3 Edit .....................................................................................49
4.3.1 Editing palettes...................................................................................... 49
4.3.2 Setting legends for palettes..................................................................... 50
4.4 Copy.................................................................................... 50
4.4.1 Copying palettes .................................................................................... 50
4.5 Delete.................................................................................. 51
4.5.1 Deleting palettes.................................................................................... 51
4.6 Moving.................................................................................51
4.6.1 Moving palettes ..................................................................................... 51
4.7 Timing ................................................................................. 51
4.7.1 Fading a palette and fixture overlap ......................................................... 51
4.7.2 Master Time for palettes ......................................................................... 52
5. Shapes 53
5.1 Playback ..............................................................................53
5.1.1 Creating a shape.................................................................................... 53
5.1.2 Changing size and speed of a shape ......................................................... 54
5.1.3 Changing the phase of a shape across multiple fixtures............................... 55
5.2 Edit .....................................................................................56
5.2.1 Editing shapes which are running ............................................................. 56
5.2.2 Reversing a shape.................................................................................. 56
5.3 Delete.................................................................................. 56
5.3.1 Deleting shapes ..................................................................................... 56
5.4 Advanced options ..................................................................56
5.4.1 Shape fade mode................................................................................... 56
6. Cues 57
6.1 Create .................................................................................57
6.1.1 How the Pearl works when programming................................................... 57
6.1.2 Creating a cue ....................................................................................... 58
6.1.3 Using shapes in cues .............................................................................. 58
6.2 Playback ..............................................................................58
6.2.1 HTP and LTP.......................................................................................... 59
6.2.2 Playing back a cue ................................................................................. 59
6.2.3 Changing playback pages........................................................................ 59
6.2.4 Releasing running playbacks.................................................................... 60
6.3 Edit .....................................................................................60
6.3.1 Editing a cue ......................................................................................... 60
6.3.2 The Include function............................................................................... 61
6.3.3 Removing attributes from cues using “Off” ................................................ 61
6.4 Copy.................................................................................... 62
6.4.1 Copying a cue........................................................................................ 62
6.5 Delete.................................................................................. 62
6.5.1 Deleting a cue ....................................................................................... 62
6.6 Moving.................................................................................62
6.6.1 Moving a cue......................................................................................... 62
6.7 Timing ................................................................................. 63
6.7.1 Setting fade times and Overlap for a cue................................................... 63
6.7.2 Changing fixture order............................................................................ 65
6.7.3 Setting attribute fade times for a cue........................................................ 66
6.8 Advanced options ..................................................................66
6.8.1 Release mask ........................................................................................ 66
6.8.2 Shape size/speed on fader ...................................................................... 66
6.8.3 Curve ................................................................................................... 66
6.8.4 Handle Paging ....................................................................................... 67
6.8.5 Playback priority .................................................................................... 67
6.8.6 Key Profile............................................................................................. 67

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7. Chases 69
7.1 Create .................................................................................69
7.1.1 Programming a chase............................................................................. 69
7.2 Playback ..............................................................................70
7.2.1 Playing back a chase .............................................................................. 70
7.2.2 Connecting a chase for control................................................................. 70
7.2.3 Setting speed and crossfade for a Chase................................................... 71
7.2.4 Manually controlling the steps of a chase................................................... 72
7.2.5 Changing chase direction ........................................................................ 72
7.2.6 Jumping to a step .................................................................................. 72
7.3 Edit .....................................................................................72
7.3.1 Opening a chase for editing..................................................................... 72
7.3.2 Editing a chase using Unfold.................................................................... 72
7.4 Copy.................................................................................... 73
7.4.1 Copying chases...................................................................................... 73
7.5 Delete.................................................................................. 73
7.5.1 Deleting a chase .................................................................................... 73
7.6 Moving.................................................................................74
7.6.1 Moving a chase...................................................................................... 74
7.7 Timing ................................................................................. 74
7.7.1 Global timings for chases ........................................................................ 74
7.7.2 Individual cue times in chases ................................................................. 76
7.7.3 Setting attribute fade times for a cue in a chase......................................... 76
7.8 Advanced options ..................................................................77
7.8.1 Loop/Stop on Final Cue........................................................................... 77
7.8.2 Forwards/backwards............................................................................... 77
7.8.3 Cue linking............................................................................................ 77
7.8.4 Renumber cues...................................................................................... 77
8. Cue Lists 79
8.1 Create .................................................................................79
8.1.1 Programming a cue-list........................................................................... 79
8.1.2 Changing legends for cues in a cue list...................................................... 80
8.1.3 Autoloading a playback within a cue list .................................................... 81
8.2 Playback ..............................................................................82
8.2.1 Running a cue list................................................................................... 82
8.2.2 Killing a cue list...................................................................................... 82
8.3 Edit .....................................................................................83
8.3.1 Editing a cue list using Unfold.................................................................. 83
8.3.2 Editing a cue list which is running............................................................. 83
8.3.3 Editing a cue list while recording .............................................................. 84
8.4 Copy.................................................................................... 84
8.4.1 Copying cue lists.................................................................................... 84
8.5 Delete.................................................................................. 85
8.5.1 Deleting a cue list .................................................................................. 85
8.5.2 Deleting a cue from a cue list .................................................................. 85
8.6 Moving.................................................................................85
8.6.1 Moving a cue list.................................................................................... 85
8.7 Timing ................................................................................. 85
8.7.1 Time and fade options for Cue Lists.......................................................... 85
8.7.2 Individual attribute fade times ................................................................. 86
8.7.3 Fixture overlap ...................................................................................... 87
8.7.4 Running a cue list to timecode ................................................................. 87
8.8 Advanced options ..................................................................88
8.8.1 Release mask ........................................................................................ 88
8.8.2 Fader mode........................................................................................... 88
8.8.3 Handle Paging ....................................................................................... 88
8.8.4 Cue Options .......................................................................................... 88
8.8.5 Autoload ............................................................................................... 89
8.8.6 Key Profile............................................................................................. 89
9. Running the show 91
9.1 Playback ..............................................................................91
9.1.1 Back up the show................................................................................... 91
9.1.2 Operating modes ................................................................................... 91
9.1.3 Master faders ........................................................................................ 91
9.1.4 Flash and swop buttons .......................................................................... 91

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9.1.5 Playback priority .................................................................................... 92
9.1.6 Manual control during a show (“busking”) ................................................. 92
9.2 VDU views............................................................................ 93
9.2.1 View button........................................................................................... 93
9.2.2 Pearl application window......................................................................... 93
9.3 Move ................................................................................... 93
9.3.1 Using the Move function.......................................................................... 93
10. Remote control 95
10.1 Setting up the remote ............................................................ 95
10.1.1 Network setup ..................................................................................... 95
10.1.2 Console setup ...................................................................................... 96
10.2 Operating the remote............................................................. 97
10.2.1 Keypad ............................................................................................... 97
10.2.2 Fixture List .......................................................................................... 98
10.2.3 Playback List........................................................................................ 98
10.2.4 Settings screen .................................................................................... 99
10.3 Troubleshooting ....................................................................99
11. User Settings and other options 101
11.1 The System menu ............................................................... 101
11.1.1 Avotalk Security..................................................................................101
11.1.2 Network Settings.................................................................................101
11.1.3 User Settings......................................................................................101
11.1.4 Key Profiles ........................................................................................102
11.1.5 Contrast And Brightness (Lamp Intensity) ..............................................102
11.1.6 Wipe..................................................................................................102
11.2 VDU Tools menu.................................................................. 102
11.2.1 Virtual Panel .......................................................................................102
11.2.2 Visualiser ...........................................................................................103
11.2.3 VDU User settings ...............................................................................103
11.2.4 Factory settings ..................................................................................104
11.2.5 Exchange fixture .................................................................................104
11.2.6 Setup DMX outputs..............................................................................105
11.2.7 Hotkeys .............................................................................................105
11.3 Key Profiles ........................................................................ 106
11.3.1 Creating and editing key profiles ...........................................................106
11.3.2 Selecting a key profile..........................................................................107
11.3.3 Individual Key profiles for playbacks......................................................107
11.4 Curves............................................................................... 107
11.5 Upgrading the software ........................................................ 110
12. Working with Fixture Personalities 111
12.1.1 Downloading fixture personalities from Avolites.......................................111
12.1.2 Updating the personality cache on the console ........................................112
12.1.3 Requesting a new fixture personality......................................................112
12.1.4 Reporting a personality bug to Avolites ..................................................112
12.1.5 In an emergency.................................................................................112
13. Networking 115
13.1 Setting the Pearl’s IP address................................................ 115
13.1.1 Setting IP address...............................................................................115
13.2 Setting up DMX outputs........................................................ 115
13.2.1 Setup DMX outputs screen....................................................................116
13.3 Connecting to a simulator with ACDI ...................................... 116
13.3.1 ACDI .................................................................................................117
13.4 ArtNet................................................................................ 118
13.4.1 A simple ArtNet system........................................................................118
13.4.2 Setting up an ArtNet system.................................................................119
13.4.3 Additional ArtNet Resources..................................................................120
13.5 eDmx ................................................................................ 120
13.5.1 Setting up eDmx .................................................................................121
13.6 Module Setup...................................................................... 122
13.6.1 Installing additional Modules.................................................................123
13.7 AvoTalk.............................................................................. 123
13.7.1 Example AvoTalk setup ........................................................................123
13.8 All about IP addressing......................................................... 124

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13.8.1 Setting your IP address........................................................................125
13.8.2 Subnet Masks .....................................................................................126
13.8.3 Choosing an IP address and Subnet Mask...............................................126
13.8.4 Automatically assigning IP addresses (DHCP)..........................................127
13.8.5 Private IP address ranges.....................................................................127
13.9 Repairing a Network Connection ............................................ 127
14. Titan for Pearl users 129
14.1 The controls and LCD........................................................... 129
14.2 New programming features................................................... 130
15. Changes in version 2.0 131
15.1 Upgrading from: v1.2........................................................... 131
15.2 New Features in v2.0 ........................................................... 131
15.3 Improvements in v2.0.......................................................... 134
15.4 Changes in v2.0 .................................................................. 136
15.5 Bugs fixed in v2.0................................................................ 136
16. Glossary of terms 139

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1. Setting up the console - Page 13
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1. Setting up the console
This chapter contains: Connecting mains power, DMX lines, VDUs;
configuring the console and the various VDU windows; guide to where
everything is on the console; loading and saving shows.
This manual applies only to the Pearl Expert Titan console but we’ll
refer to it simply as “the Pearl”. If you are using the classic Pearl
Expert, or the Pearl 2008, 2004 or 2000 consoles, they have their own
manuals as the operation is significantly different.
Note: You can also operate the Pearl Expert Titan in “classic” Pearl
Expert mode by rebooting the console into the desired mode.
See section 1.7 on page 25.
1.1 Guide to the console
The Pearl has four main control areas:
The Master faders set overall levels on the console
The Preset faders/handles select and control individual fixtures (and you
can store cues and chases here too)
The Playback faders and rollers select and control cues and programs
The Programming and setup controls configure and program the console
Preset faders / handles
Master faders
Playback faders and
page select rollers Programming and
setup controls

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The main controls
•The Preset Faders are used to control individual dimmer channels
and fixture intensities. Cues and chases can also be stored on these
faders. The 2 buttons below the faders are used to select and flash
whatever is stored on the fader. Each fader and buttons is called a
“Handle”.
•The Mode select keyswitch selects Programming, Run or System
modes of operation.
•The Page select rollers let you select different pages of playbacks,
and you can write the playback names on the rollers so you know
what’s in them. There are 2 rollers each controlling 10 playback faders
•The Master faders control the overall output of the various parts of
the console. You will normally have these set at Full.
•The Playback faders and flash buttons are used to play back cues or
chases you have programmed, when you are running a show.
•The Main display is the nerve centre of the console and shows you
what is going on. The display can show various screens of information.
•The Control wheels are used to set control values on the fixtures,
and to set chase speeds and fades.
Preset faders / handles
Mode select keyswitch
Main display
Master faders
Attribute
select buttons
Playback faders &
flash buttons
Playback page
select rollers
Control
wheels
Menu
softkeys Command
buttons
Numeric
keypad and
controls
Fixture page
buttons

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•The Menu softkeys (labelled A – G) are used to select control options.
The display next to the buttons shows what each one will do. The
options for each key change depending on what the console is doing.
Softkey commands are shown in the manual with square brackets like
this: A [Edit Times]
•The Numeric keypad and other control buttons are used to enter
values and change controls on the console.
•The Fixture Page buttons are above the keypad, and allow selection
of 4 pages for the Preset Faders.
•The blue Command buttons are used to carry out functions such as
storing cues, copying, saving to disk, etc. These buttons have lights on
to indicate when they are active.
•The Attribute select buttons are used to select which attributes of a
fixture (e.g. colour, gobo, pan, focus) are going to be controlled using
the Control wheels. The buttons have lights on to show you which
attributes are active. The bottom (red) button allows you to locate
fixtures, which sets them to a known start position while programming.
•A QWERTY keyboard and mouse touchpad is provided in a drawer on
the front of the console.
The back panel
All the connections required for the console are found on the back
panel. Most are self-explanatory.
•The Panel reset switch may be pressed to restart the front panel
electronics if something odd happens with the switches and faders. The
main board will continue running but the DMX output will be
interrupted until the restart is completed.
•The USB reserve sockets and switches are for future expansion. The
switches should be set to “Normal operation”.
Desk lamp socket VDU socket (blue) Ethernet socket (top)
and 2x rear USB
Mains inlet
VDU mounting
point
DMX outputs (4) Floppy disk
USB reserve
sockets and
switches (2)
MIDI in MIDI out Audio in (blue)
Panel reset switch

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1.2 Connecting up
1.2.1 Connecting mains power
You can safely connect the Pearl to any voltage from 80 to 260V.
We recommend that you run the console from a computer UPS
(uninterruptible power supply) . If the console unexpectedly loses
power, you can lose data (up to the last Autosave) and the console may
want to check its disks on startup which can cause delays. The UPS will
protect you from most power problems and give you chance to shut
down the console normally.
1.2.2 Starting up and shutting down
The Pearl runs a Windows-based operating system internally, so you
need to make sure it is shut down properly rather than just turning off
its power.
Start up the console by pressing and releasing the Power switch at the
left hand side of the front edge. The console display and VDU screen (if
you are using one) should come alive. The Pearl takes about 30
seconds to start up and a progress count is shown on the console
display.
Shut down the console by pressing and releasing the Power switch
again. The console will perform a controlled shutdown. Wait until the
Power light has gone off (about 15 seconds) before you disconnect
power from the console.
To carry out a Forced Shutdown of the console, if the normal shut
down does not work, hold down the power switch for 5 seconds.
Note: Do not use the power switch on the rear of the console to
switch off the console as this would not close down the console
properly.
1.2.3 Connecting DMX lines
The Pearl communicates with lighting fixtures using the DMX512
system. It can produce 12 universes of DMX (each 512 control
channels). It has 4 physical DMX lines for direct connection to fixtures
and dimmers, and can also send DMX over Ethernet and wireless
Ethernet systems to allow connection to remote DMX Ethernet nodes
and to the Avolites Console DMX Interface (ACDI) system which is used
to connect visualiser applications.
When you patch a dimmer or fixture you tell the Pearl which of the 12
DMX universes it is on. The universes are identified as “lines 1-12” on
the LCD display and “lines A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L” on the VDU. Each
universe can be configured to come out of one or more of the 4
standard DMX outputs on the back of the console, or over an Ethernet
protocol (see section 13 on page 115.)
The 4 standard DMX outputs come out of the 5 pin XLR sockets on the
back of the console. They are wired like this:
Pin 1 Earth
Pin 2 Data -
Pin 3 Data +
Pin 4 Not used
Pin 5 Not used

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Each DMX line should pass through all the fixtures to be connected on
that line one after the other and have a DMX terminator fitted at the
end (120 ohm resistor between pins 2 and 3). You should not split the
DMX lines using passive splitters (Y-splits) as this can mess up the
data.
1.2.4 Connecting VDU monitors
You should connect a computer VDU monitor to the Pearl, which is
plugged into the VGA port on the rear of the console. Do not attempt to
use the console without a monitor attached, as you can’t see some of
what it’s doing.
•If you need to change the VDU resolution or settings, click on the
Windows Control Panel icon on the VDU desktop (see page 19)
and select “Display”.
1.2.5 Other connections
You can connect an external keyboard and mouse to the pc connectors
on the rear of the console if for some reason you don’t like the
keyboard with touchpad in the drawer on the front.
The console provides MIDI connections which can be used to connect
MIDI timecode to the console for timecode-controlled cue lists.
You can connect the console to a LAN (local area network) using the
RJ45 socket on the rear. This allows you to back up the console to
another machine, or to link to a DMX-over-ethernet system.
A 3-pin XLR socket for a desk lamp is provided on the rear edge of the
console. Suitable lamps are available from Avolites. The lamps are 12
volt, wired from pins 1 and 2 of the XLR.

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1.3 Using the displays and menus
The Pearl Expert has many useful features on its onboard display and
on the VDU.
1.3.1 The onboard display
Down the right hand side of the display, the functions of the A-G menu
softkeys are listed. If there are more functions than will fit on one
screen, F [Previous] and G [Next] buttons are provided to page through
the functions.
The vertical bar to the left of the softkeys shows you which menu you
are currently in. You can “latch” the menu (so that you don’t have to
keep reselecting it) by pressing the ML Menu button.
At the bottom left of the screen, the current function of the wheels is
shown. If fixture attributes are being set, this shows the possible
settings which are available on the fixtures. The horizontal bar shows
which attributes are being controlled by each wheel and the boxes show
the current attribute. If a chase is being controlled, information about
the chase is shown here.
Above this, the current fixture intensity is shown in a grid arranged by
handle number. A dot shows a fixture that is not lit, otherwise a
percentage brightness is shown, with “FL” for full. If the fixture is
selected then it is shown inverted (blue-on-white), and if it has been
changed (is in the programmer) it is shown underlined.
The area at the top left of the screen shows instructions to the user and
information from the console.
The appearance of the softkeys varies to indicate the type of actions
available:
Menu
softkeys
Current
menu name
Information
window
Wheel A/B
attributes
List of
settings
Current
selection
Fixture
intensities

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Action button:
console will carry
out the action
shown
Option button:
cycles through a
range of options
New menu
button: jumps to
a new menu
Text entry
button: press
and enter text
using the
keyboard
1.3.2 The VDU desktop
The desktop is your in-depth view into what the Pearl is doing. It can
display windows showing Intensity output, Stage output, DMX output,
and you can also turn on or off views of the command line and status
bar.
To access Windows functions such as File explorer (to move files
around), Control Panel (to setup hardware), and to stop or restart the
Pearl application or run other programs, icons are provided in the
Avolites toolbar on the right hand side of the VDU screen.
Use the View menu to show or hide the various information screens
available in the Pearl application.
The Virtual Panel brings up an on screen version of the console front
panel, this allows the operator to perform on screen all of the functions
USB expert
Folder browser
Windows control panel
Other Programs
Reboot Titan/Normal
Restart Pearl software
Stop Pearl software
Heads Up Display (HUD)
showing presets and playbacks
Pearl application menu and windows

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normally accessed from the panel. Use the Virtual Panel icon on the
Avolites toolbar to show this.
The Intensity view shows
you the intensity output of
all patched fixtures. The
brightness of the graphic
shows the intensity of the
fixture (White=Full intensity,
dark grey=Off). The
intensity is also shown as a
percentage. By right clicking
on this screen you can also
enable or disable display of
the Legend, control group,
DMX address and dimmer curve of each fixture.
Fixtures are highlighted in light blue if their output has been changed
by the user (in other words, they are in the programmer). They are
highlighted in dark
blue if they are
currently selected
(they are in the editor
and the programmer).
The Stage view
shows you the detail
of all fixtures patched
on the console. You
select the fixture type
to view using the tabs
across the bottom of
the screen.
Again the light blue colour shows fixtures which are in the programmer
and dark blue shows fixtures selected to the editor. Any changed
attributes are shown using Cyan.
The window shows the output value of each
attribute of each fixture. If the fixtures are
under control of a playback or palette, the
display shows what last controlled each
attribute.
You can sort the fixtures on the screen by any
of the columns; just click on the column header.
Click again to reverse the sort order. You can
change the order of the columns by dragging
them to a new position. By right clicking on this
screen you can enable or disable highlighting of
changes, and display of playback/palette control
of attributes.
The Show Library view allows the operator to
view any aspect of the recorded show
(playbacks), and edit times on screen in a
spreadsheet like manner.
The Wheels view shows the parameters available on each wheel.
The DMX view shows the output value of each DMX channel, and
which fixture is patched to it.