J.R. Clancy SceneControl 500 User manual

Design, Manufacture and Installation of Theatrical Equipment Worldwide
[phone] Fax [phone] www.jrclancy.com
Rev 1: February 15, 2007
SceneControl 500
Motorized Rigging Control System
Operating Manual

PAGE 2
SCENECONTROL 500 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Design, Manufacture and Installation of Theatrical Equipment Worldwide
[phone] Fax [phone] www.jrclancy.com
Rev 1: February 15, 2007
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................3
BASIC OPERATION...................................................................................................4
SYSTEM STARTUP ........................................................................................................... 4
PASSWORD LEVELS ........................................................................................................ 4
SYSTEM STARTUP -STAGE VIEW................................................................................... 5
SHORTCUT OPERATIONS ............................................................................................... 5
DEADMAN OPERATION -SHORTCUT .......................................................................................... 5
SINGLE TARGET OPERATION -SHORTCUT................................................................................ 6
MULTIPLE TARGET OPERATION -SHORTCUT ........................................................................... 7
RELATIVE TARGET OPERATION -SHORTCUT............................................................................ 7
CURRENT POSITION AS TARGET -SHORTCUT.......................................................................... 8
DISPLAY VIEW................................................................................................................... 8
QUICK VIEWPOINT CHANGE......................................................................................................... 8
CUSTOMIZED VIEWPOINT........................................................................................................... 10
DETAILED OPERATION.................................................................................................. 11
DEADMAN OPERATION -DETAILS ............................................................................................. 11
SINGLE TARGET OPERATION -DETAILS................................................................................... 12
MULTIPLE AXIS SETS .................................................................................................................. 15
MULTIPLE TARGET OPERATION -DETAILS .............................................................................. 15
USING PRESET AND CUES....................................................................................17
ACCESS LEVEL PRIVILEGES......................................................................................... 17
PRESETS AND CUES...................................................................................................... 17
LOADING PRESETS........................................................................................................ 17
PRESET AND CUE LIST .................................................................................................. 18
CUE SEQUENCING......................................................................................................... 19
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION....................................................................................19
ACCESS LEVEL PRIVILEGES......................................................................................... 19
CHANGE DISPLAY UNITS ............................................................................................................ 19
TURN OFF SCREEN ..................................................................................................................... 20
LOG IN /LOG OUT......................................................................................................................... 20
EDIT LEVEL FUNCTIONS........................................................................................21
EDIT LEVEL PASSWORD PRIVILEGES.......................................................................... 21
RECORDING APRESET ................................................................................................. 21
RECORDING ACUE........................................................................................................ 22
CHANGING THE ORDER OF CUES ................................................................................ 23
PRESET/CUE SEQUENCING.......................................................................................... 23
RENAMING CUES............................................................................................................ 24
EDITING CUES ................................................................................................................ 24
CHECKING THE SHOW................................................................................................... 24
CHANGE SHOW .............................................................................................................. 25
CREATE AND SAVE SHOW............................................................................................. 26
SYSTEM LEVEL FUNCTIONS.................................................................................26
SYSTEM LEVEL PASSWORD PRIVILEGES ................................................................... 26
EDIT SETS....................................................................................................................... 26
DELETE SETS.................................................................................................................. 28
CREATE SETS................................................................................................................. 28
EDIT MOTORS................................................................................................................. 28
LOAD SENSING.......................................................................................................30
BACKGROUND..................................................................................................................... 30
LOAD LEARNING.................................................................................................................. 30
LOAD DISABLE .................................................................................................................... 31
GLOSSARY..............................................................................................................31
APPENDIX I: PORTABLE PENDANT......................................................................32
FEATURES ...................................................................................................................... 32
PRESET PAGE................................................................................................................. 33
MANUAL PAGE................................................................................................................ 33
MAINTENANCE PAGE..................................................................................................... 34

PAGE 3
SCENECONTROL 500 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Design, Manufacture and Installation of Theatrical Equipment Worldwide
[phone] Fax [phone] www.jrclancy.com
Rev 1: February 15, 2007
Introduction
The Clancy SceneControl 500 is a sophisticated, microprocessor-based system, used for controlling
motorized stage rigging. It uses a touchscreen operator interface, and offers simple modes of operation for
rapid, easy use. A number of powerful features provide greater flexibility of operation for more sophisticated
operators.
The control system is designed to enable the safe operation of the motorized rigging. It is crucial that, before
operating any stage equipment, all operators should be given the necessary training and should then work
only under the direction of qualified supervisors. Stage equipment can be hazardous when improperly
operated and maintained. Never use the system to lift people!
While there are a number of principles that guide the safe operation of rigging equipment, there is one that will
be reiterated throughout this manual:
WATCH THE PIECE!
Whenever a set, batten, hook, or other piece is being moved by the motorized rigging system, make sure that
the operator can see the entire piece throughout its path of travel. If the operator cannot see the entire piece,
or the entire path, then spotters must be positioned to supplement the operator's view. All spotters must be in
clear and reliable communication with the operator throughout the move. This is the level of vigilance that is
necessary to safely operate rigging equipment. Whenever you see the words WATCH THE PIECE! (or the
initials WTP!) take a second to make sure you are paying attention to the important stuff - the moving iron,
not the flashing pixels!
While the information in this manual will not cover all possible situations, nor due to the nature of theatre
could such instructions be possibly written, it is intended to provide a guide to the safe and efficient operation
of the furnished stage equipment and its routine maintenance. No manual can replace constant vigilance and
common sense.
A routine maintenance schedule should be established and followed and appropriate records should be
maintained.
•Learn the feel, sound, and even the smell of your equipment so that you will immediately sense when
something is not correct.
•Study the capacities and capabilities of each system and its components.
•Thoroughly learn and practice the proper operating procedures.
•Before operating any equipment, ask yourself questions about the current condition of equipment and
about any existing conditions which may affect proper operation or which could be affected by its
operation. For example, is anything fouling the equipment or in the path of its intended travel?
Further, any problem noticed during setup or operation of the stage equipment should be corrected
IMMEDIATELY. Someone’s life could be at stake.
We suggest that emergency procedures be established in case of fire or injury and that periodic drills be held.
In addition to routine maintenance, we strongly recommend that a qualified rigging firm be engaged to
perform periodic inspections and to correct any deficiencies discovered. These firms have personnel who are
trained to spot present hazards and many “potential” hazards. Routine maintenance also prolongs the useful
life of equipment and keeps it operating at peak efficiency for the quietest possible operation and so that less
effort is required on the part of the operator.

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SCENECONTROL 500 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Design, Manufacture and Installation of Theatrical Equipment Worldwide
[phone] Fax [phone] www.jrclancy.com
Rev 1: February 15, 2007
Basic Operation
SYSTEM STARTUP
The SceneControl 500 system uses a system of distributed microprocessors that communicate with each
other over a network system. On startup, the main processor queries the microprocessor at each starter;
therefore, all of the starters must be able to communicate at startup. The steps required to start the system
are:
•Release the Emergency Stop button at the console, and assure that all other system Emergency Stop
buttons are released.
•Turn on the power keyswitch at the console
The system will go through a boot up routine. During this routine, the program will be loaded and all of the
winches will be interrogated by the controller. While this boot up is going on, the following message will
appear on the screen: WARNING
To be operated by trained and authorized personnel only.
Always maintain direct visual contact with moving sets. Do not watch the screen.
Safety devices do not completely eliminate the risk of injuries. Always pay attention.
Read and follow safety instructions in Operation and Maintenance Manual.
Once the boot up routine is complete, the legend “Accept” will appear at the bottom of the screen, along with
a “Yes” button. Touching this button will take the startup to the next step.
If the system has been configured without a password, then the system will boot up into Access Level. If the
system has been configured with a password for Access Level, then upon boot-up a keyboard will pop up on
the screen as a prompt to enter a password. The password entered will determine the user's operator
privileges by password levels.
PASSWORD LEVELS
There are four password levels, which are used to regulate access to the control system. They are as
follows:
ACCESS LEVEL - User can perform the following:
•move a set Up or Down in deadman operation
•create and move a Temporary Preset
•load and move a recorded Preset or Cue
Note: the borders are blue while in Access Level.
EDIT LEVEL - in addition to Access Level features, user can perform the following:
•Select and load a show previously saved
•create a new show
•delete an existing show
•edit show specific soft upper and soft lower limits
•record, edit, and/or delete presets and cues
Note: the borders are gold while in Edit Level or above

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SCENECONTROL 500 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Design, Manufacture and Installation of Theatrical Equipment Worldwide
[phone] Fax [phone] www.jrclancy.com
Rev 1: February 15, 2007
SYSTEM LEVEL - in addition to Access and Edit Level features, user can perform the following:
•create, delete, edit sets
•edit motors
CLANCY LEVEL - in addition to Access, Edit and System Level features, user can access certain system
base parameters. This level must only be used by factory-trained maintenance personnel.
SYSTEM STARTUP - STAGE VIEW
When the system boots up, the display screen will show the stage as viewed from the operator's position.
The name of each set will be indicated on a graphic representation of the set.
SHORTCUT OPERATIONS
DEADMAN OPERATION - SHORTCUT
To select a set (or sets) for operation, the operator touches the graphic corresponding to the set on the
touchscreen. The set label will change from white to green to indicate that it has been selected. A Vertical
Position window will also appear in the upper right portion of the screen. If the set is variable speed, a
Velocity window will appear in the lower right of the screen. If the set is multi-axis, pitch and roll windows will
appear in the lower right of the screen.
The operator may now push and hold the GO UP or GO DOWN pushbutton on the console to run the set.
The set will stop when the operator releases the pushbutton, or when the set arrives at its limit. The 3-D
display will update to reflect the reported position of the set - however, the display can't hurt anyone. While
the set is moving, remember - WATCH THE PIECE!
If the set is variable-speed, the operator can increase the speed of the set during the move by pushing the left
joystick (toward the GO UP button), and can decrease the speed by pulling the left joystick (toward the GO
DOWN button). When the left joystick is centered the set will run at the default speed.

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SCENECONTROL 500 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Design, Manufacture and Installation of Theatrical Equipment Worldwide
[phone] Fax [phone] www.jrclancy.com
Rev 1: February 15, 2007
SINGLE TARGET OPERATION - SHORTCUT
Using the 3-D display, select a set (or sets) for operation by touching the
graphic corresponding to the set on the touchscreen. The set label will
change from white to green to indicate that it has been selected. A
Vertical Position window will also appear in the upper right portion of the
screen.
The operator can adjust the target for the set by touching and dragging
the green slider up or down the vertical position bar. Fine incremental
adjustment of the target position may be done by touching the + or –
buttons. The blue arrow on the left side of the vertical position bar
indicates the current position of the set. On the 3-D display, the set
name will be shown in bold green characters, to indicate that the target
is now different from the current position. The current position of the set
will appear as a solid blue figure, while the target position will be
indicated by a green wire-frame.
If the set is variable speed, a Velocity Window will appear in the lower
right of the screen. The desired velocity of the move can be adjusted by
touching the – or + velocity buttons. Similarly, the acceleration and
deceleration times can be adjusted.
If a set has been selected and a target designated,
you can undo the target designation by touching the "Clear Target" icon at the top of
the screen. Clearing the target will clear the target wire-frame and the blue solid icon,
and will return the set designation to a standard weight typeface
Once a target has been designated for a set, the set is said to be enabled. A set must be enabled to run to a
target. Once a set has been enabled, the operator pushes and holds the violet GO TARGET button to run the
set to the target. If the set is variable-speed, the operator can increase the speed of the set during the move
by pushing the joystick (toward the GO UP button) - the speed increases proportionately, with full speed at
this end of the joystick travel. The operator can decrease the speed by pulling the joystick (toward the GO
DOWN button) - the speed decreases proportionately, with the axis barely moving when the joystick is at this
end of its travel.

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SCENECONTROL 500 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Design, Manufacture and Installation of Theatrical Equipment Worldwide
[phone] Fax [phone] www.jrclancy.com
Rev 1: February 15, 2007
During the move, the blue arrow indicator on the left of the Vertical Position window will move to indicate the
set motion toward target; the blue solid icon on the 3-D display will move to indicate the set motion toward
target. At the bottom of the Velocity window, the travel time indicators will update to reflect the move time
remaining. All of which is very interesting, but your job as operator is… WATCH THE PIECE!
MULTIPLE TARGET OPERATION - SHORTCUT
It is possible to run multiple winches to multiple targets on a temporary preset move using the following
procedures. Using the 3-D display, select a set by touching the graphic corresponding to the set on the
touchscreen. The set label will change from white to green to indicate that it has been selected. A Vertical
Position window will also appear in the upper left portion of the screen.
The operator can adjust the target for the set by touching and dragging the green slider up or down the
vertical position bar. Fine incremental adjustment of the target position may be done by touching + or –
adjustment buttons. The blue arrow indicator on the left side of the vertical position bar indicates the current
position of the set. On the 3-D display, the set name will be indicated in bold letters, to indicate that the set is
enabled (target is now different from the current position). The target position for the set will be shown as a
green wire-frame, while the current position will appear as a solid blue icon
If the set is variable speed, a velocity display will appear in the lower left of the screen. The desired velocity
of the move can be adjusted by touching the – or + velocity adjustment buttons. Similarly, the acceleration
and deceleration can be adjusted using the adjustment buttons in those areas.
Once the settings have been completed for the first set, the operator touches the first set on the screen to
unselect it (set label will turn from green to white, to indicated that it is no longer selected, but set label will
remain bold, and wire frame will remain on screen at the designated target position, indicating that the set is
still enabled). Alternatively, the operator may also touch the "Unselect" button at the bottom left of the screen
to make the first set inactive. If you designate a target and want to undo it, select the set then touch the
"Clear Target" icon at the top of the screen.
To designate a target for another set, the operator touches the graphic of the other set (or sets) to select
them, and then designates the target using the procedures outlined above.
Once all targets have been designated, all sets that are enabled (target position different from current
position) may be run. The operator pushes and holds the active GO TARGET button to run the enabled set(s)
to the target(s). If there are variable-speed motors involved in the preset, their speed may be varied using the
joystick, as described in previous section.
During the move, the blue arrow indicators on the left of the Vertical Position display will move to indicate the
motion of the sets toward their targets; the green wire-frames on the 3-D display will move to indicate the
motion of the selected sets toward their targets. If a variable-speed winch is involved in the move, the travel
time indicators in the Velocity window will update to reflect the move time remaining. All of which is very
interesting, but your job as operator is…WATCH THE PIECE!
RELATIVE TARGET OPERATION - SHORTCUT
The following procedure is used to run sets to a relative target. Using the 3-D display, select a set (or sets) by
touching the graphic corresponding to the set on the touchscreen. The set label will change from white to
green to indicate that it has been selected. A position display will also appear in the upper left portion of the
screen.
The operator can set a relative target for the selected sets by touching the Relative Move
button in the Vertical Position window. This will open a keypad with distance units. The
operator keys in the distance that the selected sets must move - a positive number will set the
target above the current position, and a negative number set the target below the current

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SCENECONTROL 500 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Design, Manufacture and Installation of Theatrical Equipment Worldwide
[phone] Fax [phone] www.jrclancy.com
Rev 1: February 15, 2007
position. When the operator touches the "Done" key, the targets will be
updated accordingly. On the 3-D display, the set name will appear in
bold letters on the green wire-frame icon indicating the specified target
position, while the current position of the set will be indicated by a solid
blue icon.
If the set is variable speed, the operator may use the procedures outlined
previously to change the velocity for the move. Once these settings have
been selected, the operator pushes and holds the active GO TARGET
button to run the set to the target, as described in other sections of this
manual. Oh, yes - WTP!
CURRENT POSITION AS TARGET - SHORTCUT
The following procedure is used to run sets in deadman mode, and then return them to their starting positions.
This feature can be very useful for bringing in an electric set to adjust a lamp, then returning it to its original
trim.
Using the 3-D display, select a set (or sets) for operation by touching the graphic corresponding to the set on
the touchscreen. The set label will change from white to green to indicate that it has been selected. A
position display will also appear in the upper left portion of the screen.
The operator can set the current position of the selected set(s) as target by touching the Match
Current button in the Vertical Position window. This will assure that the current position of the
selected set is the target for a move. The operator now uses the deadman Up or Down console
pushbuttons to drive the set(s) to the desired position. When the required adjustments are
finished, the operator uses the active GO TARGET button (violet or yellow) to move the set(s) back to trim.
By the way, did I say Watch the Piece?
DISPLAY VIEW
QUICK VIEWPOINT CHANGE
As noted above, the default view of the stage is from the operator's position. There are a couple
of ways to change the view displayed in the 3-D window of the main screen. The first is to use
the "Eyeball" icon at the lower right of the screen.
Touching this icon will open a viewpoint window in the status pane
at the right of the screen. The Views tab on this menu shows the
names of preset views of the stage. .

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SCENECONTROL 500 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Design, Manufacture and Installation of Theatrical Equipment Worldwide
[phone] Fax [phone] www.jrclancy.com
Rev 1: February 15, 2007
Touching the “Top View” selection on the list shown will shift the view
to a plan view of the stage, as if the operator were on the grid looking
down at the stage.
The “From House” selection in this list will shift to the viewpoint of a
person seated in the orchestra level seats.
The “Default” selection will return the viewpoint to the starting
perspective.
Custom viewpoints may be created by an operator with Edit Level
privileges – this will be covered in a later section of this manual.
When the “eyeball” icon is used to open the viewpoint window, the
Visibility tab can be used to select which sets are displayed. In the
list shown, touching the “Electrics” entry would display only the
Electric sets, shutting off the set identifications for all other sets.
Again, this list can be customized by an operator with Edit Level
privileges.
The Options tab in the viewpoint window provides some choices for
the way the 3D image is displayed on the screen. The 3D Depth
Scale can be used to exaggerate the depth of the stage house – this
can be useful to distinguish between sets when they are closely
placed. The Viewing Angle setting changes the “lens” through which
the stage is seen – a setting of 50 is roughly equivalent to the view
through a 50mm lens (normal perspective). A setting of 30 gives a
broader field of view (like a wide-angle lens), while a setting of 80
gives a narrower view with flatter perspective (like a telephoto lens).
The “Automatically look at selection” checkbox shifts the display to
center on any set which is selected as it is selected. This viewpoint
shift can be disconcerting to an operator, so this setting should be
used judiciously.

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SCENECONTROL 500 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Design, Manufacture and Installation of Theatrical Equipment Worldwide
[phone] Fax [phone] www.jrclancy.com
Rev 1: February 15, 2007
CUSTOMIZED VIEWPOINT
The stage view can also be altered using the operators at the upper left corner of the 3-D display.
These are the "Orbit", "Walk", “Grab” and "Zoom" buttons. The "Arrow" button at the top of this
toolbar is used to return to cursor mode after using the other tools to manipulate the view.
The "Orbit" button looks like a planet with an orbital ring around it. The center of this "planet" is
the center of the stage house, and the viewpoint moves around this center, but is always looking
toward the center. To activate this tool, touch the button – the button’s background will turn green
to indicate the tool is active. Touching the screen and dragging down will move the viewpoint
down while still looking at the center of the stage house, as if the viewer were climbing to a fly
gallery. Touching the screen and dragging left will move the viewpoint as if the viewer were
moving to the right while still looking at the center of the stage house. These motions can also be
accomplished with the touchpad, clicking and holding the left mouse button while dragging.
The "Walk" icon is a globe with an arrow within it. This tool simulates the operator
moving his head to change the view. Touch the Walk button to make this tool active
(button background will turn green), then touch the screen and drag up will to shift the focus of the
view toward the stage floor. Dragging down will cause the view to look up toward the grid.
Touching and dragging to the right will cause the focus of the view to shift to the left (as if the operator were
turning left), while touching and dragging left will cause the focus of the view to shift to the right (as if the
operator were turning right). These motions can also be accomplished with the touchpad, clicking and
holding the left mouse button while dragging.
The “Grab” button shifts the image on the screen while maintaining the current operator’s viewpoint.
Touch the Grab button to make this tool active (button background will turn green). The operator
can now touch the screen and drag the entire image left, right, up or down, as desired. These
motions can also be accomplished with the touchpad, clicking and holding the left mouse button while
dragging across the touchpad.
The "Zoom" icon is a magnifying glass. This tool changes the point of view by moving the viewer
closer to or further from the focus of the view. Touch this icon to activate the tool, then touch the
screen and drag up to shift the viewpoint closer (zoom in), or drag down to shift the viewpoint further
away (zoom out). These motions can also be accomplished with the touchpad, clicking and holding the left
mouse button while dragging.
When done changing the 3-D screen view, touch the cursor icon to de-activate the viewpoint tools
and return to normal operation.