Dynamic Perception MX2 User manual

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MX2 Motion Controller User Guide
The MX2 Motion Controller is designed to control up to two DC motor axes, while synchronizing
motion with direct camera control. This user guide covers all usage of the MX2, from basic to
advanced.
Choose one of the sections below to begin reading about the MX2. If you wish to print a copy of this
user guide, choosing the print page option here will provide a printable version of the entire guide.
FCC Compliance
FCC Compliance
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
—Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
—Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
—Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
—Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Getting Started with the MX2
In this section of the guide, we will introduce the basic concepts and familiarize ourselves with the
MX2 controls.
Interacting with the Controller
The MX2 is designed to be extremely simple to use, and to let you quickly input the most important
parameters during a shoot. This document describes the means of interacting with the controller
through the user interface, and how to use the main control screen.
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Buttons
There are five pushbuttons, four arranged in a cross-pattern, and one to the lower left. The four
buttons together are [Left], [Right], [Up] and [Down] while the button to the lower left is the [Enter]
button.
Enter:
Brings up the main menu, or selects a menu item.
If item is another menu, that menu will be opened, otherwise the value selected will
be shown for editing, or executed depending on the currently selected item.
Saves the current value being edited
Exits manual motor control
Up:
Selects the menu item directly above
Increases the value of the currently selected item
Increases motor speed (manual motor control)
Down:
Selects the menu item directly below
Decreases the value of the currently selected item
Decreases motor speed (manual motor control)
Left:
Moves input selection left (main screen only)
Moves current motor left (manual motor control)
Right:
Moves input selection right (main screen only)
Cancels value input (when changing the value of a selected item)
Moves current motor right (manual motor control)
Menus and Editing Values
When on the Main Screen, pressing the Enter button will draw the main menu. Pressing [Enter] on
any menu item will either draw the sub-menu selected or, if the item selected is an input, it will be
displayed for editing. When a value for editing is displayed, you may use [Up] and [Down] to alter
the value. If you wish to save the value, simply press [Enter] again. To exit the editor without
saving, press the [Right] button and the original value will be restored. The [Right] button also
functions as the “back” button, allowing one to go back one level from any menu, or return to the
Main Screen from the top-level menu.
For some values that you can edit, a limited selection of choices such as ‘Up/Down’, ‘On/Off’,
‘Left/Right’ may be displayed. Pressing either [Up] or [Down] in the edit screen will alternate
between the available values. For some values, you may be allowed to enter more or less than the
value accepts — when saving in these cases the value will be set at its minimum or maximum, and
will reflect this when next displayed.
To increase or decrease a number, you can simply hold [Up] or [Down] to continue to increase or
decrease the value for as long as you hold it down. The longer the button is held, the faster it
increases or decreases a value. In this manner, you may easily enter large numbers.
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Saving Input Values Permanently
When editing certain values (such as RPM for a motor axis, interval time, etc.) they are automatically
saved to permanent memory for you. In this way, you will not have to make the same changes
between re-start. The values which are saved permanently are indicated in their appropriate
documentation. To wipe out permanent memory, and reset to default values, choose the ‘Reset
Mem’ option in the Main Settings menu.
Please note that direction and speed of a given axis are designed to be changed regularly, and are
not saved to permanent memory.
The Main Screen
The Main Screen provides an overview of the current status and also allows for quick modification of
key operating parameters. This screen has the following layout:
-----------------
On 3s [15]
R30.50% L0.00%
-----------------
On the first line we have the current status (On or Off), the intervalometer timing (3s), and a count of
shots fired since turned on ([15]). The second line displays the direction and speed for each motor,
with motor 1 on the left, and motor 2 on the right.
Pressing [Right] will advance through the values that can be changed directly from the main screen:
status, timing, direction and speed of each motor. When a particular value is displayed with a
flashing cursor on it, you can change the value using [Up] and [Down].
Notes:
You may change any value when the shoot is running — it will take effect immediately.
Motor speed can be displayed in either percentage (%), inches-per-minute (i), or
cm-per-minute (c) this is configurable in the Settings menu.
Pressing [Left] will back up one setting on the screen
Pressing [Enter] at any time when on the main screen will bring up the Main Menu, even if
program is running
Choosing the Speed Display
With the MX2 controller, you can either display and input speeds in percentages of maximum
(relative) or inches per minute (absolute).
The speed display setting is global, and impacts all axes. You may not configure one for relative and
one for absolute speed display.
If you modify the speed for a given axis while the program is running, it will immediately take effect.
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Displaying in Relative Speeds (Percentage)
When displaying in relative speeds, the main screen will show a floating-point number and the
symbol ‘%’ on the speed value for the given motor. You may modify this value to any value between
0 and 100% as allowed by the motion control mode you are in by highlighting it using the [Right]
button on the main screen and then using [Up] and [Down] to change the value.
To set the MX2 to display relative speeds:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Settingsand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Motor Disp. and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] and choose PCT
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Displaying in Absolute Speeds (inches or cm)
When displaying in absolute speeds, the main screen will show a floating-point number and the
symbol ‘i’ (or ‘c’ if in metric mode) next to the the speed value for the given motor. You may modify
this value to any value as allowed by the motion control mode you are in by highlighting it using
the [Right] button on the main screen and then using [Up] and [Down] to change the value.
To set the MX2 to display absolute speeds:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Settingsand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Motor Disp. and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] and choose IPM
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Displaying in Metric Values
The MX2 can shows absolute distances and speeds in centimeters. When you enable the metric
mode parameter, all distance values stored in permanent memory are converted from inches to
centimeters, and the display will show a ‘c’ on the main screen instead of ‘i’ for absolute speeds.
You should always re-start the MX2 after enabling the metric mode parameter.
To set the MX2 to display metric values:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Settingsand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Metric Disp. and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] and choose On
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
6. Power off the MX2 and power back on
Controlling the LCD Display
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The MX2 controller comes with the ability to control the LCD display to reduce power consumption or
light pollution onto your shots at night. The standard LCD for the MX2 is a 16×2 character black on
green LCD display. This LCD can easily be read during bright daylight without the backlight on and
at night with very little backlight.
Adjusting the BackLight Brightness
The backlight brightness can be dimmed by the MX2 firmware, but only when in interleaved motion
mode. If you have turned on continuous motion mode, and run an axis below the defined slow speed
threshold, the backlight dimmer will not work until the MX2 is re-started. When you have engaged in
continuous motion at a speed under the slow speed threshold, the LCD will either be fully on or fully
off depending on your LCD backlight settings.
You can set a value between 0 and 255 for the backlight level. If you enter a value larger than 255,
it will automatically be limited to 255.
Like most values in the MX2 controller, the backlight level value is retained after power-off.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Settingsand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Backlight and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] to adjust the backlight level value
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Turning the LCD BackLight Off Automatically
You may wish to have the backlight on while entering values, but then to turn off automatically a few
seconds later to reduce the power drain on your batteries. You can configure the MX2 to turn off the
backlight after a number of seconds of inactivity by adjusting the auto dim parameter. The backlight
will turn back on the next time a button is pressed.
Enter the auto dim parameter value in seconds of inactivity before the backlight turns off, set it to
zero if you wish to disable automatic dimming of the LCD backlight.
Like most values in the MX2 controller, the auto dim value is retained after power-off.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Settingsand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select AutoDim and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] to adjust the auto dim value
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Disabling the Entire LCD Automatically
To save as much power as possible, the MX2 can completely disable the LCD, turning off the text in
addition to the backlight. To enable this feature, enable the blank lcd parameter in addition to
setting an auto dim time. When blank lcd is enabled, the LCD is turned off entirely after the number
of seconds specified in the auto dim parameter value pass with no input via the buttons.
After the LCD has been blanked, the first button you press will simply re-enable the LCD to allow you
to verify where you were on the screen before submitting a button press and taking an unknown
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action.
Like most values in the MX2 controller, the blank lcd value is retained after power-off.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Settingsand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Blank LCD and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] to select on or off
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Configuring Camera Control
The MX2 controller provides direct control of a camera through a cable connected to the remote
release port of your camera. On most cameras, there are two primary functions provided: Control
Shutter and Control Auto Focus. Here we’ll describe how to set up the MX2 to handle different
shooting requirements.
Remember that for the camera to be controlled by the MX2, the camera must be connected through
its remote shutter port to the MX2 Camera port using an appropriate cable. For some cameras, it
may be required to put the camera in Remote Control mode to recognize the signals from the
remote shutter port.
All parameters indicated below are saved when the power is removed from the MX2, and only need
to be modified when you want to change them.
Setting the Exposure Interval
The exposure interval is the time between each exposure. This value is displayed on the Main
Screen, and may be set in tenths of seconds (e.g. 0.2″, 1.1″, and so forth). It can be edited directly
on the main screen, or through the Camera Menu.
Note that the exposure interval is the time between triggering each exposure, and not necessarily
the time between completing one exposure and starting the next. The different camera delays you
configure, for focus tapping, exposure delay, etc. will impact your actual exposure interval time,
should they be longer than the interval when summed. In the case where your parameters have
caused the interval time to be exceeded, the main screen will always display the actual interval
time, and not the time you configured. It will not be possible to reduce the interval without first
decreasing one of the other camera delays you have configured.
If you change the exposure interval while the program is running, it will take effect on the next
exposure cycle.
Like most values in the MX2 controller, the Exposure Interval value is retained after power-off.
Setting the Exposure Interval via the Main Screen:
1. [Right] or [Left] to select the displayed interval time
2. [Up] or [Down] to modify the value
Setting the Exposure Interval via the Camera Menu:
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1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to selectCameraand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Interval and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] to alter the value
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Controlling Exposure Time with the MX2
The MX2 controller is capable of doing bulb exposure control. The shutter line will be kept engaged
for as long as the exposure time parameter is configured for. The exposure time is entered in
milliseconds, and may be set for as low as your camera will recognize, or up to about 50 days.
Remember that there are one thousand milliseconds in a second, so if you want a one second
exposure, it would be entered as 1000.
Please note that different cameras have different exposure time requirements for bulb mode, both
minimum and maximum time. If you need a controlled exposure for a shorter period of time than
your camera will allow in bulb mode, you must use the camera to control the exposure in using its
manual mode. You may need to experiment to discover the correct minimums and maximums for
your particular camera.
Actions:
1. Set camera to bulb (B) mode
2. [Enter] to enter the main menu
3. [Down] to select Cameraand press [Enter]
4. [Down] to select Exp. Time and press [Enter]
5. [Up] or [Down] to alter the value
6. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
7. [Down] to select Exp. Delay and press [Enter]
8. [Up] or [Down] to set the value to 0
9. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Controlling Exposure Time on the Camera
For most cases, you’ll find it best to control the exposure on the camera, using manual, or some
other mode to dial in the appropriate exposure time. Under certain conditions it will be important to
tell the MX2 the actual exposure time you’ve dialed in on the camera, so that it does not attempt to
trigger an exposure at the wrong time. The amount of time to wait after triggering an exposure is
configured via the exposure delay value. This value is input in milliseconds, so one second would be
entered as 1000.
To disable any delay after triggering an exposure, set the exposure delay value to zero.
For continuous motion control, it is generally not necessary to set an exact exposure delay in the
MX2 unless it exceeds your configured interval time. However, for interleaved, or shoot-move-shoot,
motion control, it is essential to dial in the correct exposure time to prevent motor movement during
the exposure. In many cases, it is advantageous to exceed the actual exposure time configured on
the camera in the exposure delay parameter.
Additionally, you should configure the exposure time to its minimal value to prevent unnecessary
delays. Each camera may have a different minimum exposure time required to honor the request to
trip the shutter. For many cameras 100mS is a safe bet.
Exposure time must always be greater than zero to trigger the camera.
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1. Set camera to manual (M) mode
2. Dial in the correct exposure on the camera
3. [Enter] to enter the main menu
4. [Down] to select Cameraand press [Enter]
5. [Down] to select Exp. Time and press [Enter]
6. [Up] or [Down] to set the value to the minimum time for your camera
7. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
8. [Down] to select Exp. Delay and press [Enter]
9. [Up] or [Down] to set the value
10. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Limiting the Number of Frames Taken
The MX2 can automatically stop running when a certain number of frames have been exposed.
Simply set the max shots parameter for the camera.
Note that when ramping/feathering moves, setting the max shots parameter tells the MX2 when to
start ramping down.
Like most values in the MX2 controller, the Max Shots value is retained after power-off.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Cameraand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Max Shots and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] to alter the value
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Auto-Focus, Waking the Camera from Sleep, and Shooting in
Live View
For certain conditions, the focus control line can be used to control other aspects of the camera:
Trip auto-focus before firing
On long interval times, put the camera into auto-sleep mode and use the focus line to wake it
up before firing
For some live-view cameras, the camera may not respond to the first time the exposure is
tripped unless the focus line is tripped first
The focus tap parameter allows you to define how long the focus line should be triggered before the
exposure line is triggered. This time is input in milliseconds, and there will always be an additional
1/10th second (100mS) delay after disengaging the focus line before the exposure line will engage to
prevent a bouncing effect being perceived by the camera.
It is important to set this value to the right amount required for your particular camera
configuration. Some cameras focus slower than others, or require more time to wake up than
others, and will require that the focus tap value be much higher. Experiment with your camera and
shooting conditions to determine which works best for you.
To disable the focus tap functionality, set the time to zero (0) milliseconds.
Like most values in the MX2 controller, the Focus Tap Time value is retained after power-off.
Actions:
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1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Cameraand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Focus Tap and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] to alter the value
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Cameras that Require Focus with Shutter (many Nikons)
The MX2 is capable of controlling cameras that require that the focus line be triggered along with the
shutter line to trigger an exposure. Many Nikon cameras require this, and some Canon users also
report that their cameras respond more reliably when the two lines are triggered together. The
shutter-focus parameter allows you to control this behavior.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Cameraand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Shutter+Focus and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] to set the value to on or off
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Basic Use
In this section of the user guide, we cover common topics for using the MX2 Motion Controller in the
studio and in the field.
Choosing Your Motion Mode
The two basic motion control modes for the MX2 controller are Continuous Motion and Interleaved.
(Also known as Shoot-Move-Shoot.) In Continuous Motion mode, the motor moves irrespective of
the camera being fired, and generally at a consistent speed. In Interleaved mode, the motor only
moves between exposures. These two motion control modes can result in different aesthetics in
your output video, and each are best geared to a specific type of shooting. The following table will
help to summarize the best way to choose between the two motion types based on the parameters
of your shot, or the effect you wish to achieve:
Description Continuous Interleaved Notes
Moderate Speed, Short
Exposure X Can add a small amount of motion blur, and is
easier to set up
Long Exposure X If camera controls
exposure, dial-in post
exp. delay in MX2
Very Slow Speeds X Used Fixed SMS to
achieve motion over
hours or days
Static Subjects, Medium
Exposure X Adds nice motion blur to otherwise static subjects
Static Subjects Sharp,
Moving Subjects Blurred X Set longest exposure time achievable
Star Scenes X X If moving with stars,
cont. can help prevent
streaking, but will reduce
foreground focus on very
long exposures
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Critical Focus, Macro, or
Long Lens X Prevent movement when exposing
Now, many photographers will use a particular mode more often than another, as a matter of taste
or artistic intent. While the table above attempts to serve as a guide to when to choose between the
modes, your workflow or shooting style may call for a specified mode that is in contradiction with the
table. Every one is unique, and their style is their own — you should practice with each mode and
understand which is right for you.
You may only choose one motion type at a time, it is not possible to run one axis in continuous
motion and another in interleaved.
Using Continuous Motion
The default behavior of the MX2 controller is to operate in continuous motion mode. For the highest
end of the speed range, the control acts as a basic Pulse Width Modulation driver, varying the speed
of the motor by changing the frequency at which voltage is applied to it. However, once the speed
falls below the configured slow speed floor, a special “pulsing” mode kicks in. In pulsing mode, the
motor is run at full speed for a brief period of time, usually on the order of milliseconds, and then
shut down for a period of time. This causes the motor to operate at full torque at absolute minimum
speeds. While the motor is only moving part of the time, the measured average speed over a period
of time should largely approximate the inches per minute (or percentage of speed) specified.
In all continuous motion modes, you are able to choose from any one of 255 different speeds, from
completely stopped to moving at full speed. As each change to the speed is a 1/255th speed
change, speeds will appear to make larger jumps when being entered on the main screen than you
might expect.
At the very slowest speeds, it is generally preferable to move to interleaved mode, because the
added vibration of the long pulses on the motor.
To enable Continuous Motion mode:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Settingsand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Motor Sl.Mod. and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] and choose pulse
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Using Interleaved Motion
There are two types of interleaved motion control available on the MX2: Calculated and Fixed.
Calculated Interleave Mode
In calculated mode, you input the distance moved in actual speed (inches or cm per minute), and the
distance moved between each shot is determined based off of the exposure interval you input. For
example, if you input 1 inch per minute as your speed, and your interval is set to 1 second, the axis
would move 1/60th of an inch between each shot. This mode is used when you want to easily
determine how fast you want to move from one point to another on the axis, and generally requires
little forethought to set up a shot.
You may input values from 1/100th of an inch (or cm if in metric mode) to the maximum distance the
motor can move in one minute.
To enable Calculated Interleave Mode:
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1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Settingsand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Motor Sl.Mod. and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] and choose interleave
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
6. [Right] to return to the main menu
7. [Down] to select Axis x and press [Enter]
8. [Down] to select Fixed SMS and press [Enter]
9. [Up] or [Down] and choose Off
10. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Fixed Interleave Mode
In fixed mode, you input the distance moved as actual distance traveled between each exposure.
You may input values from 1/100th of an inch (or cm if in metric mode) to the maximum distance the
motor can move in one minute. This mode is used when you want to accurately dial-in distances
moved between exposures, or achieve very smooth ramp (feather) transitions. This is generally the
preferred motion control method for extreme close-up shots and anything using a long telephoto
lens to both prevent vibration during exposure and the accurately define motion from frame to
frame.
To enable Fixed Interleave Mode:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Settingsand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Motor Sl.Mod. and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] and choose interleave
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
6. [Right] to return to the main menu
7. [Down] to select Axis x and press [Enter]
8. [Down] to select Fixed SMS and press [Enter]
9. [Up] or [Down] and choose On
10. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Manual Motor Control
Manual Motor Control can be used to position the cart on the rail between moves. Please note,
however, that for very quick re-positioning of the cart, it is usually fastest to simply loosen on belt
clip on the rail, pull the belt away from the pulley, and position the cart by hand.
Using Manual Control
While on the manual control screen, you can use [Up] and [Down] to adjust the speed of the motor,
up to its max speed, and by holding [Left] or [Right] down, the motor will move in the given direction
at the specified speed until the button is released. To exit the manual control screen, press [Enter].
Note that in manual control mode, the available speeds at which the cart will move will range from
about 80% to 100% of full speed, at lower speeds the cart may not move.
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Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Manualand press [Enter]
3. [Up] or [Down] to select the desired axis, and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] to set the desired speed
5. Hold [Right] or [Left] to move in the desired direction
6. [Enter] to exit the manual control screen
7. [Right] to return to the main menu
Ramping or Feathering Into Moves
The MX2 controller can “feather” or ramp into and out of moves causing moves to start slowly and
get faster within the video, providing a nice accelerating or decelerating effect. It does this by
altering the distance moved between shots, or the speed moved, starting with no speed and ramping
up to your desired speed over a configurable number of frames. Additionally, a lead-in or lead-out
can be used to add a static period before or after a motor’s movements, adding to your ability to
create the shot you want.
Ramp settings for a particular axis are saved between power-off cycles.
Configuring Ramping
A ramp into or out of a movement is done by changing the speed or distance moved based on the
number of frames that have been exposed. For example, I can set the ramp value for an axis to 24
frames, and at 24FPS output video it would take one second for the motion in the output video to
come to full speed. This is achieved by starting the motor at no speed, and then increasing the
speed just enough to match the desired output speed at the right interval to reach full speed at the
desired frame as specified in the ramp value.
If you also configure the max shots parameter for the camera, the MX2 will automatically ramp down
the motor to zero speed so that motion completes when the max shots count is reached. See
Configuring Camera Control [1].
Note that in continuous motion mode, you only have 255 speed increments available, this means
that ramps into low speeds (1-10% of maximum speed) can be rough. To get extremely smooth
ramps, it’s best to choose fixed interleave mode. See Choosing Your Motion Mode [2] for more
information.
To understand how ramping will affect your output video, take the following parameter values:
Output video = 24 frames per second
Max shots = 240 (10 seconds)
Ramp rate = 24
Axis speed = 1 inch per minute
The following will happen in the output video:
For one second, the motion will accelerate to full speed
For eight seconds, the motion will run at full speed (1 IPM)
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For one second, the motor will decelerate to no speed
This illustrates how ramping is achieved and the end result in your output video.
The ramp value for each axis is controlled independently.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Axis x and press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Ramp and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] to input the number of frames to reach full speed
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort without saving
6. [Right] to return to the main menu
7. [Right] to return to the main screen
8. [Right] as many times needed to select the desired axis speed
9. [Up] and [Down] to adjust the desired speed
10. [Left] to the On/Off control
11. [Up] to start the program running
Once the program starts running, the speed will set its self to zero for any axis with a ramp value
configured. If you stop the program running before it reaches full speed, it will now see the current
speed as the desired speed, and you will have to increase it back to your original value.
Using a Lead-in or Lead-out
A lead-in defines a period of time, in frames from the beginning of the shoot, that the motor should
not move. Conversely, a lead-out defines the period of time from the end of the shoot that the
motor should not move. Each axis can have its own lead-in and lead-out times defined — however,
to function, a ramp value must be set for that axis as well. Leads are executed through the
ramping/feathering function of the controller, by simply preventing it from starting a ramp before a
certain number of frames have passed (in the case of a lead-in), or reducing the overall number of
frames counted before ramping all the way down to zero (in the case of a lead-out).
As with ramping/feathering, a lead-out is only used if the max shots parameter has been set, and
therefor the controller can determine when to start reducing speed.
To help clarify this function, we’ll use the same parameters from the ramping example, and add a
lead-in and lead-out:
take the following parameter values:
Output video = 24 frames per second
Max shots = 240 (10 seconds)
Ramp rate = 24
Lead-in = 24
Lead-out = 24
Axis speed = 1 inch per minute
The following will happen in the output video:
For one second, no movement will occur
For one second, the motion will accelerate to full speed
For seconds seconds, the motion will run at full speed (1 IPM)
For one second, the motor will decelerate to no speed
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For one second, no movement will occur
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Axis x and press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Lead-in or Lead-out and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] to input the number of frames to lead in or out with
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort without saving
Calibrating the Controller
The MX2 controller comes pre-calibrated for a load of approximately 1.5kg (~ 3.5 lbs). This is the
weight of a medium sized dSLR, zoom lens, and small ball head.
Calibrating is not essential to make use of the MX2 with the Stage Zero Dolly for timelapse use,
however it can greatly increase the accuracy of specific distances you dial in when entering values in
inches per minute. As the Stage Zero dolly’s motor does not have feedback to the controller, the
controller can only tell the motor to move at certain speeds and at certain times. Calibrating the
controller allows you to adjust the controller for variations in how the motor behaves under different
loads and at different speeds.
Calibration of the motor is saved when the MX2 is powered off, so you only need to re-calibrate when
your payload (camera/lens/head/etc.) changes in weight significantly. If you swap out motors or
pulleys, it is important to perform a calibration as well, after adjusting the motor parameters to
match your new combination.
Please note that it is impossible for the MX2 to make all speeds accurate at all times. The calibration
routine will allow you to dial-in one or two specific speeds more accurately than others, but as a
low-cost system, perfect accuracy is not achievable.
Adjusting the Angle of the Dolly
When operating the dolly at an angle, and using Inches Per Minute (IPM) speed input, you will want
to inform the controller of the nearest angle of the track so that it can adjust based on the calibration
for that angle. You may set the angle of the dolly (or any other linear axis) in the Axis Configuration
menu for the given axis. Three angle values are possible: 0, 45, and 90. The 0 degree angle
corresponds to the dolly being largely in parallel to the ground, 45 degrees corresponds to the track
being at a 45-degree angle to the ground, and 90 degrees to being perpendicular to the ground. You
should pick the angle closest to the one you are at, and when in doubt, err on the side of setting the
angle higher.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Axis x and press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Angle and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] and choose between 0, 45, and 90
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
Using Automatic Calibration
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Automatic calibration mode adjusts the assumptions the controller makes about the motor’s
performance. By moving at different speeds, in different modes, and in different directions the
controller expects the cart to have moved a certain distance. During automatic calibration, you will
measure the distance the cart has moved at each stage, and in doing so the controller will
automatically adjust its expectations of the motor’s performance at critical speeds.
You may calibrate the controller for each of the specified angles: 0, 45, and 90 degrees. Each angle
must be calibrated separately, but each time you calibrate, the calibration will be saved and you will
not have to repeat it unless your payload substantially changes, or you change out the motor or
main drive pulley.
To use automatic calibration, first move the dolly to the middle of the track, either through manual
motor control or by loosening the belt and moving it by hand and then make sure that the belt is
tightened fully before beginning. Now, place a ruler flat on the track in a position where neither the
angle mounts nor the stabilizer bar will hit it, and line the edge of the ruler up with one of the edges
of the cart. The cart will be moving to the right at first, so let the ruler stick out in that direction. For
45 degree and higher angles, it is worthwhile to tape down the ruler.
After selecting the angle you want to calibrate for and pressing [Enter], the cart will first move
quickly to the right, and ask you to enter how far it went in hundredths of an inch. (Don’t worry, just
getting it close enough in tenths is good enough for most uses.) Enter the value using the up and
down arrow keys and press enter to move to the next step. The cart will then move to the left and
repeat the process, before going into two pulsing mode speed tests. The entire process should take
around 3-4 minutes.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Axis x and press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Calibrate and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] and choose between 0, 45, and 90 degree calibration modes
5. [Enter] to start the calibration process, or [Right] to exit without calibrating
6. After the move is completed, use [Up] and [Down] to input the distance moved in inches
7. Press [Enter] to save the value you input and repeat five more times
8. After all calibration steps have been completed, use [Right] to exit the calibration screen
Notes:
After a new calibration, you will need to adjust the Calibration Constant Value, which is
documented below to finely tune in the calibration
If you are using your own motor/gear chain with the MX2, and the calibration does not appear
to move at all, adjust the low and high speed targets as indicated below
Adjusting Calibration
The MX2′s calibration routine attempts to determine how much to adjust the on time of the motor
based on its performance at default values. However, most motors behave non-linearly when
adjusting their speed by changing the on time. This means that simply adjusting the on/off time
alone is not enough to accurately dial in a speed that was off from the expected target. Usually, it
results in the motor going much slower than expected for low speeds, as the non-linearity of the
motor’s behavior increases at the lowest speeds.
To compensate for this, a calibration constant was introduced in the 0.83 version of the MX2
firmware. This allows you to configure how much of the calibration change is actually applied during
run time calculations. Generally speaking, if the motor still runs too slow after calibration, the
constant should be reduced, and if it runs too fast the constant should be increased.
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The workflow for finely tuning in a particular speed is as follows:
1. Set either the low or high speed target to the desired speed (see below)
2. Run the auto calibration
3. Set max shots to 60
4. Set interval to 1, disable all focus and post-exposure delays
5. Set the desired axis to the desired angle
6. Set the desired axis to the desired continuous speed on the main screen
7. Turn the program on, and measure actual distance traveled
8. Adjust calibration constant
9. Repeat 7-8 until the speed is tightly dialed-in
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Axis x and press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Cal. Constant and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] and adjust the value as desired
5. [Enter] to save the value, or [Right] to exit without saving
Setting the Calibration Targets
When you want to dial-in one or two speeds to be your most accurate, you should choose the speeds
you use most. To adjust the speeds used in calibration, you will need to adjust the low and high
calibration targets to the speeds you desire.
These values are set in the Main Settings menu.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Settingsand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Cal. Spd. Low or Cal Spd. Hi and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] and choose the target speed
5. [Enter] to save the new value
6. Repeat calibration process as indicated above
Like most values in the MX2 controller, the Calibration Speed Targets are retained after power-off.
Important Notes:
The Low speed target must be lower than the High speed target
You must re-calibrate after changing the targets
Adjusting for Very Heavy Weights or Weak Motors
If you’re using the Stage Zero with a large camera/motion control payload, or are using the MX2 with
a DIY rig with a smaller motor, you may need to adjust the minimum pulse time to give the motor
enough time to get the cart moving at the lowest speeds. A larger minimum pulse time can make
movements at low speeds rougher, so you generally want to keep it as low as possible, while still
being able to start moving the cart forward at the lowest speed.
Like most values in the MX2 controller, the Minimum Pulse value is retained after power-off.
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Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Axis x and press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Min Pulse and press [Enter]
4. [Up] and [Down] to adjust the minimum pulse time
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to exit without saving
Shooting Stop-Motion Films
Stop-Motion and Timelapse have slightly a different workflow, namely in that in timelapse you want
your exposures to continue uninterrupted, on your set interval, for a period of time. Whereas, in
stop-motion filming, you want to control when each exposure occurs so that you may make set
adjustments or take other actions between exposures. The MX2 supports both of these workflows
easily.
Enabling Manual Triggering of Exposure and Motion
In stop-motion, we want to take one exposure and make one move at-will, and have plenty of time to
do what we need to do between exposures. To achieve this, we’ll cause the MX2 to abort its
program after a single shot, and we’ll used Fixed Interleave motion control [3] to establish our exact
distance moved between shots. If we set the maximum shot count to 1 for the camera, when the
MX2 is told to to turn motion on, it will expose one frame make its required move and stop until it is
turned on again.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Cameraand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Max Shots and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] and input a value of 1
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort
6. [Right] to return to the main menu
7. [Right] to return to the home screen
You should also be in the Fixed Interleave [3] motion mode before beginning. On the main screen,
input the desired distance to be moved between each shot, and then use [Left] to bring the cursor
back to the On/Off value. Pressing [Up] will cause the MX2 to start running, fire a single shot, move,
and then stop running. To fire the next frame, simply press [Up] again, and so forth.
If need be, you may also fashion a remote switch, connected to port Ext 1, and use this as a remote
trigger to start the next exposure cycle. For more information see Using Remote Inputs [4].
Setting Motor and Drive Parameters
Most of the motor parameters in the MX2 will never need to be modified if you are using the Stage
Zero dolly in the stock configuration. These parameters are largely designed to adjust distance
values listed on the main screen when you input movement in inches per minute.
The MX2 controller displays inches per minute for linear axes by relating the maximum RPM of the
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motor to the distance traveled by the final drive gear. If you’re using a pulley or gear as a final
output drive (such as for a belt-driven system like the Stage Zero, or a rack-and-pinion driven
system), the distance traveled is generally the pitch circumference of the gear. As these values
effect the displayed distances for movements, you should only adjust them when changing
something in the drivetrain. For calibrating different performance under different loads, you should
calibrate the axis [5] instead.
Setting Motor RPM
This setting allows you to input the Revolutions Per Minute of the motor you are controlling. This
aids in determining the max speed of the motor. If you have multiple gear transitions after the
motor its self, make sure to account for them in the RPM. For example, if you have a 2:1 transition
from the motor output shaft to your drive gear, you would reduce RPM by one half.
Do not use this setting to adjust performance of the motor under load! Calibrate the axis [5] instead.
Like most settings, the value is stored when powering off, and only needs to be changed when you
change motors.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Axis x and press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select RPM and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] to input the correct RPM for your motor
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort without saving
Setting Output Drive Distance
To allow you to enter speeds and distances in actual distance, versus percentages, the MX2 must be
aware of the actual distance moved per revolution of the motor. For most linear axes, the actual
distance traveled will be based on the pitch circumference of the final output gear — for example:
the pitch circumference of a drive pulley or the pitch circumference of a pinion on a rack-and-pinion
drive.
Like most settings, the value is stored when powering off, and only needs to be changed when you
change motors.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Axis x and press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Dist. per Rev. and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] to input the correct pitch circumference (in inches) for your output gear
5. [Enter] to save or [Right] to abort without saving
Reset to Defaults
Sometimes it happens to the best of us: we get a little carried away and then we have no idea what
setting we messed up, or how, and we just want to get everything back to where we started. The
MX2 saves most of the values you enter into permanent memory, reducing the amount of data entry
you have to do for subsequent shoots, and letting you store calibration and so forth. There is a
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factory reset option which resets this permanent memory to its default state so that you can wipe all
changes clean.
Resetting the permanent memory requires a restart of the MX2 controller, and it may take longer
than normal to restart the first time after resetting the memory.
You should always reset the permanent memory after doing any firmware upgrade. Retaining
memory after an upgrade can result in some values that cannot be modified.
Resetting Stored Memory to Defaults
To reset the permanent memory on the MX2, you will need to first enable the factory reset
parameter, and then restart the MX2.
Actions:
1. [Enter] to enter the main menu
2. [Down] to select Settingsand press [Enter]
3. [Down] to select Reset Mem and press [Enter]
4. [Up] or [Down] and choose on
5. [Enter] to save the value
6. Power-cycle the MX2 (may start slower than normal the first time after a memory reset)
Advanced Use
In this section of the guide, we will cover advanced usage for more experienced users or people
wishing to modify or integrate their MX2 with other devices.
Using Remote Inputs and Outputs
The MX2 can be controlled remotely, much like it controls the camera, by using Ext 1 inputs. On the
left side of the MX2 controller there are two 2.5mm TRS plugs labeled Ext 0 and Ext 1. Each of these
plugs breaks out into two I/O lines and one ground line, which is essential for establishing
communication between two electronic components.
The Ext 0 inputs connect directly to the Arduino microcontroller’s hardware serial pins (Digital 1 is
the tip connector, Digital 0 is the ring connector), and are reserved for special uses or serial
communication. The Ext 1 inputs, however, are general purpose inputs for use in controlling the
MX2 and interacting with the environment.
Before we go any further, when we refer to a TRS connector and its “tip,” “ring,” or “sleeve,” the
following image describes which conductor in the connector we’re referring to:
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To craft your own connection to a switch, or some other device, you will normally either buy a cable
with a 2.5mm TRS connector on one end and bare leads on the other, or buy a 2.5mm TRS to 2.5mm
TRS cable and cut one end off. Either way, make sure you accurately identify which wire matches
which conductor — this is a simple task that be accomplished simply by using a multi-meter in
“continuity” mode. This mode tells you whether or not two test points are electrically connected, in
many electronic multi-meters there is an audible “beep” when the two points are connected. Simply
test every wire in the cable against each conductor and label each wire as you go.
The Basics of MX2 Inputs and Outputs
Before we go any further, let’s describe how the MX2 inputs work. As we described earlier, there are
two I/O lines and one GND line per input connector, this means there is no 5V signal! In fact, when
an input is engaged in the MX2 firmware, it is immediately “pulled high” at 20K of resistance. This
means that the MX2 will read a 5V signal off that input as long as the input is left unconnected.
Thus, to trigger the input, you will need to connect the GND signal to the input you wish to trigger.
This allows you to wire switches and other passive devices easily without needing a power source.
Only Ext 1 inputs are available for triggering actions on the MX2.
As the internal pull-up resistors are 20K Ohms, you must not exceed 19K of resistance in your
cabling, otherwise the signal will not be recognized. Limit yourself to under 20′ of 20gg wiring.
All Ext 1 inputs are automatically de-bounced for you, so you can use analog switches without having
to build complicated de-bouncing circuitry.
Under no circumstances should you ever send a positive signal (+V) down any Ext I/O
line! Doing so may permanently damage your MX2!
As for outputs, each input port may instead be converted to outputs, to trigger external devices like
relays, lights, etc. As with inputs, the behavior of triggering an output is to connect the given output
to the common GND signal.
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