Jands Vista T4 User manual

TheVista
Simple,Powerful,Visual
Version2.1B

Copyright&disclaimer
This product is approved for use in Europe and Australia/New Zealand and conforms to the following
standards:
•European Norms Australian / New Zealand Standards
•EN55103-1 AS/NZS 4251.1
•EN55103-2 AS/NZS 4252.1
•EN60950 AS/NZS60950
Conformance has been achieved for intended usage in environment E1: Residential.
To ensure continued compliance with EMC Directive 89/336 and the Australian Radio communications Act
1992, use only high quality data cables with continuous shield, and connectors with conductive back shells.
Examples of such cables are: DMX: Belden 8102 (100% Aluminium foil screen, 65% Copper braid)
TIP: 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 properly 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 different circuit from that to which the receiver is connected;
•consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help.
on
not
nce or repair by
unauthorised personnel, or by use other than that intended by the manufacturer.
by the manufacturer and in
conjunction with the user manual. Disconnect mains power when not in use.
©Copyright JANDS PTY LIMITED 2004 - 2011 All rights reserved
a MASCOT NSW 1460 Sydney Australia
Disclaimer
Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment
on the part of the vendor. Jands Pty Limited shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from
the use of information or any error contained in this manual. It is recommended that all service and repairs
this product be carried out by Jands Pty Limited or its authorised service agents. Jands Pty Limited can
accept any liability whatsoever for any loss or damage caused by service, maintena
Jands lighting products must only be used for the purpose they were intended
Manufactured in Australia by:
JANDS Pty Limited ACN 001 187 837
Locked B g 15 (40 Kent Rd)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.jands.com.au

Contents
Contents
1. WelcometotheVista..............................................................2‐1
What’sdifferentabouttheVista? ....................................................................... 2‐1
Whatthingsarethesameasonotherconsoles?................................................ 2‐1
Aboutthegenericfixturemodel.......................................................................... 2‐2
Needmoreinformation? ..................................................................................... 2‐2
2. Gettingstarted........................................................................2‐1
Settinguptheconsole ......................................................................................... 2‐1
Switchingon ......................................................................................................... 2‐2
Creatingandloadingshows ................................................................................. 2‐4
3. Usingtheinterface..................................................................3‐1
Menubar.............................................................................................................. 3‐1
Maintoolbar......................................................................................................... 3‐1
TheSidebar........................................................................................................... 3‐9
Toolbars.............................................................................................................. 3‐10
4. Patchingyourrig .....................................................................4‐1
Addingfixturestothepatch ................................................................................ 4‐1
Changinguniverses .............................................................................................. 4‐4
Re‐arrangingfixturesonthepatchpanel ............................................................ 4‐4
Settingfixtureproperties..................................................................................... 4‐5
Viewingthepatchindifferentways .................................................................... 4‐8
Controllingthefixtures ...................................................................................... 4‐10
Cloningfixtures .................................................................................................. 4‐10
Exportingandimportingpatchinformation ...................................................... 4‐11
ConfiguringtheDMX&EthernetOutputs......................................................... 4‐13
5. TheChooserwindow ..............................................................5‐1
TheChooserscreen.............................................................................................. 5‐1
Arrangingfixturesinalayout............................................................................... 5‐2
UsingtheProgrammerSidebar.......................................................................... 5‐18
ThePalettetab ................................................................................................... 5‐18
UsingtheAllpanel ............................................................................................. 5‐21
Usingthedetailedpanels................................................................................... 5‐26
TheComponentstab.......................................................................................... 5‐37
Groups................................................................................................................ 5‐44
Presets................................................................................................................ 5‐45
VistaUserGuide,Version2i

Contents
SmartFX...............................................................................................................5‐49
Extracts ...............................................................................................................5‐50
Usingakeypadintheprogrammerwindow ......................................................5‐51
TheProgrammerhardwarecontrols ..................................................................5‐53
6. Workingwithcuelists ............................................................. 6‐1
StoreAll ................................................................................................................6‐1
StorePart.............................................................................................................. 6‐6
OpeningaCuelistintheEditor............................................................................. 6‐9
TheTimelinewindow .........................................................................................6‐10
CreatingaMoveinBlackcue .............................................................................6‐18
Aboutthetimeline..............................................................................................6‐33
Timelineevents ..................................................................................................6‐40
Creatingandapplyingextracts........................................................................... 6‐47
Extracts ...............................................................................................................6‐47
Usingcommandswithincuelists ........................................................................6‐48
UpdatingPresetsandCuelistsduringplayback .................................................6‐50
7. SmartFX.................................................................................. 7‐1
Effecttypes ...........................................................................................................7‐1
Usingeffects .........................................................................................................7‐1
Effectcontrols.......................................................................................................7‐4
Creatinganeffectfromscratch..........................................................................7‐12
Stoppinganeffect ..............................................................................................7‐13
8. AssigningAudiotoaCuelist.................................................... 8‐1
UsingLearnTimingtoadjustcuetiming ..............................................................8‐2
9. AutomatingPlayback.............................................................. 9‐4
UsingTimecodetocontrolCuelists......................................................................9‐4
UsingDateandTimetocontrolcuelists...............................................................9‐5
CreatingaNewEvent ...........................................................................................9‐7
10. ThePlaybackControlWindow .............................................. 10‐9
Controllingandmonitoringplayback .................................................................10‐9
11. Usingtheconsolehardware ................................................. 11‐1
Consolelayout ....................................................................................................11‐1
T4Console ..........................................................................................................11‐1
T2Console ..........................................................................................................11‐2
I3Console ...........................................................................................................11‐2
L5Console...........................................................................................................11‐2
S3ControlSurface ..............................................................................................11‐2
iiVistaUserGuide,Version2

Contents
S1ControlSurface.............................................................................................. 11‐2
M1Controlsurface ............................................................................................ 11‐3
GrandMasterandDBO...................................................................................... 11‐3
Functionkeys ..................................................................................................... 11‐3
Themodifierkeys............................................................................................... 11‐4
TheSuperPlayback/Programmercontrols ...................................................... 11‐4
Playbackswithfaders....................................................................................... 11‐11
Playbackswithoutfaders ................................................................................. 11‐12
Pagecontrols.................................................................................................... 11‐12
ConfiguringtheconsoleforPlayback .............................................................. 11‐13
Playbackstatusindication................................................................................ 11‐17
Playbackpopupmenu...................................................................................... 11‐18
Settingcuelistproperties ................................................................................. 11‐19
GroupMasters ................................................................................................. 11‐19
Pages ................................................................................................................ 11‐21
Snapshots ......................................................................................................... 11‐22
12. TheOutputwindow ..............................................................12‐1
ConfiguringtheOutputwindow ........................................................................ 12‐2
13. TheConsolecontrolpanel.....................................................13‐1
Systemsettings(T&Iseriesonly) ..................................................................... 13‐1
CalibratingthePentablet .................................................................................. 13‐1
DisplayandInputDevices .................................................................................. 13‐2
Usingthescreensaver ........................................................................................ 13‐3
Networkpreferences ......................................................................................... 13‐4
Dateandtime..................................................................................................... 13‐5
14. Appendix1–menu&toolbarreference ...............................14‐6
Menus................................................................................................................. 14‐6
15. Appendix2–installingnewsoftware.................................. 15‐18
Installation(T2,T4,I3&L5Consoles).............................................................. 15‐18
Installation(WindowsXP,Vista&7)................................................................ 15‐20
ConnectingtotheconsoleviaFTP ................................................................... 15‐20
16. Appendix3–creatingabootableUSBdevice...................... 16‐22
17. Appendix4–trackingbackup .............................................17‐25
Settingup ......................................................................................................... 17‐25
StartingTrackingBackup.................................................................................. 17‐27
WhathappensiftheMasterfails..................................................................... 17‐28
Backupstatus ................................................................................................... 17‐29
VistaUserGuide,Version2iii

Contents
Troubleshooting ...............................................................................................17‐30
PrivateIPaddresses..........................................................................................17‐30
18. Appendix5–usingVNConT&I‐seriesconsoles................ 18‐31
VNCpassword...................................................................................................18‐31
StartingVNC......................................................................................................18‐31
ConnectingtoVistausingaWindowsPC .........................................................18‐31
ConnectingtoVistausingaMac ......................................................................18‐32
19. Appendix6,Usingmidishowcontrol(MSC)tocontrolcues 19‐34
Configuringthemidiport .................................................................................19‐34
MSClightingmessages .....................................................................................19‐35
20. Appendix7,Usingserialcommunicationtocontrolcuelists 20‐38
Connectingtotheserialport............................................................................20‐38
Enablingtheserialport ....................................................................................20‐38
Playbackcommands .........................................................................................20‐39
Settingfixturelevels .........................................................................................20‐39
21. Appendix8–TheFixtureEditor.......................................... 21‐41
TheFixtureTypeLibraryEditor ........................................................................21‐41
CreatingaFixtureProfile..................................................................................21‐42
Maintab: ..........................................................................................................21‐43
DMXCharttab: .................................................................................................21‐45
ChannelswithCustomRanges .........................................................................21‐66
22. Appendix9–CrashLogs ..................................................... 22‐68
RetrievingSoftwareCrashFilesfromaConsole ..............................................22‐68
23. Appendix10–thetouchpadandthepentablet ................. 23‐73
Usingthetouchpad ..........................................................................................23‐73
Workingwiththegrippen................................................................................23‐74
Tipswitch/PenTip ..........................................................................................23‐74
Usingapen .......................................................................................................23‐75
RemovingandinstallingtheDuoSwitch..........................................................23‐78
PrecautionsonusingandhandlingthePen‐Tablet..........................................23‐80
24. Appendix11–technicaldetails .......................................... 24‐82
Power................................................................................................................24‐82
Service&Maintenance.....................................................................................24‐82
Batteryreplacement.........................................................................................24‐82
Installation ........................................................................................................24‐83
T4/T2/I3/L5Shutdown ...............................................................................24‐83
ivVistaUserGuide,Version2

Contents
GeneralSpecifications...................................................................................... 24‐83
25. Index.....................................................................................25‐1
VistaUserGuide,Version2v

WelcometotheVistaWhat’sdifferentabouttheVista?

1. WelcometotheVista
Welcome to the User Guide for the Jands Vista lighting console. This guide is
intended to give you the information you need to get your Vista up and running
as quickly as possible.
Note that this guide will be regularly updated as enhancements are made to the
Vista. A current version of the manual is available at www.jandsvista.com.
What’sdifferentabouttheVista?
You’ll have noticed that the Vista is a bit different to most other consoles you’ve
used. Instead of a keypad, it uses a pen; instead of relying on you entering
hundreds of key combinations, the Vista lets you do everything visually; instead
of representing your show as numbers, the Vista represents it as events
happening over time.
If you’ve seen any of the digital editing software packages for sound and video
that are available these days, the most different aspect of the Vista, the timeline,
will be instantly familiar to you. If not, don’t worry, once you start using it you’ll
pick it up very quickly.
The Vista is different, but that’s what makes it so much easier to use. Once
you’ve read this guide you’ll have enough of an idea of how this console works
to create your first lightshow.
Whatthingsarethesameasonother
consoles?
Apart from the pen and the timeline concept, the Vista contains all the basic
elements of live lighting that you’re familiar with. You’ll find controls for
intensity, colour, beam, gobos and so on; you’ll find libraries of all the
manufacturers’ most popular fixtures to choose from; you’ll find a console that
has the usual faders, buttons and LCD displays.
So don’t worry, the Vista has a lot in common with other consoles – we’ve taken
all the best elements of existing consoles and added a whole new dimension to
them. You’ll soon be right at home with the Vista.
VistaUserGuide,Version22‐1

AboutthegenericfixturemodelWelcometotheVista
Aboutthegenericfixturemodel
One thing about the Vista that’s not immediately obvious is the ‘generic fixture
model’. What is it? It’s a part of the software that works in the background and
enables all fixtures, no matter what type or manufacturer to be treated the same
way.
Let’s say you’ve programmed a show using one brand of fixture but need to
replace some of them with a different kind. Normally this would be a major
hassle because you’d have to find a similar fixture then re-program each and
every cue.
With the Vista, you can replace a fixture and you don’t have to do any re-
programming. Why? Because everything you’ve programmed is stored in
generic form rather than as specific DMX channel values. For instance if you’ve
programmed the lights to be Red, the Vista can send that information to any light
and achieve the same colour.
Sure, if you replace a fixture that has colour mixing with a fixture that has a fixed
colour wheel, you won’t expect to get the exact same result, but even in this case,
the Vista will adapt and provide as near a match as the replacement fixture is
capable of.
Needmoreinformation?
If you have questions about the Vista or you’d like more information, go to our
website at www.jandsvista.com, or call us on [phone].
2‐2VistaUserGuide,Version2

GettingstartedSettinguptheconsole

2. Gettingstarted
Settinguptheconsole
Power
Connect the Vista T, I or S series console to any mains supply between 100 and
240vAC. The Vista M series obtains power via the USB port
Externaldisplays
You can attach two external displays, including touch screen monitors to the
Vista T series consoles using standard VGA connectors.
Vista I series consoles have connections for one DVI and one VGA monitor. A
DVI – VGA cable can be used if you prefer to use two VGA monitors.
Vista L series consoles have connections for one DVI / HDMI and one DVI /
VGA monitor.
ÂVista has been tested with Wacom pen tablet LCDs and ELO ‘Intellitouch
and Accutouch’ monitors. ELO makes many different touch screen monitors
and not all models may be compatible. Please check for compatibility before
purchasing touch screen monitors for use with your Vista console.
For Vista M and S series control surfaces, monitor configuration will depend on
the configuration of the computer you are using.
DeskLights
You can attach two Littlelite or equivalent desklights to the Vista L and T series
console and one to the I and S series consoles.
VistaUserGuide,Version22‐1

SwitchingonGettingstarted
Switchingon
When you switch the console power on or launch the application on your PC,
Vista starts up and displays the opening splash screen:
Once it finishes loading the program, Vista displays the Patch screen. If this is the
first time you’ve opened Vista V2 or you are starting a new show the patch table
will be empty.:
2‐2VistaUserGuide,Version2

GettingstartedSwitchingon

This is the Patch window, waiting for you to start creating a new show. To see
the other Vista windows you use the buttons on the toolbar at the top left of the
screen:
This button… does this…
displays the Patch window
displays the Console hardware simulation window
displays the Programmer Fixtures window
displays the Programmer Timeline view.
displays the Playback control window
displays the fixture Output window
VistaUserGuide,Version22‐3

CreatingandloadingshowsGettingstarted
Creatingandloadingshows
Creatingashow
To create a new show at any time, choose the New Show option from the File
menu.
Loadingexistingshows
To load a show you’ve already created, choose the Open Show option from the
File menu. Vista displays the Open Show window:
To load a show archive you’ve previously saved (or transferred to the console
using the export / import function), find the directory containing it, then click on
the filename to select it and hit the Open button to load it.
Savingshows
To save a show at any time, choose the Save Show option from the File menu. As
with any computer, it’s a good idea to save regularly in case of power failure.
2‐4VistaUserGuide,Version2

GettingstartedCreatingandloadingshows

The first time you save a new show, Vista displays the Save As window:
Type a name for the file and then click the Save button. Vista automatically
creates a show folder, with the same name and puts the show file inside it. Once
you’ve named the file, each time you choose the Save option from then on, Vista
overwrites that file with the new details without displaying this window.
Savingcopiesofshows
To save a separate version of a show with a different name, choose the Save
Show As… option from the File menu. You can then give the file another name
and save it in a separate show folder.
Importingshowarchives
You can also open shows you’ve created on a PC or another console onto the
Vista. The shows must be on a CD or any kind of storage device that connects to
the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port (such as a memory stick).
To open a show, attach the USB device or put the CD in the CD drive (if
available) and choose the Import > Show… option from the File menu.
Exportingshowarchives(backingup)
It’s extremely important to make backup copies of your show user data folders.
Like any other computer, the Vista stores your shows on a hard drive, and
although it’s extremely unlikely, if this drive were to fail (e.g. if the console was
dropped) you could lose all the show files stored on it.
For this reason we recommend that you make regular backups of your work,
onto a storage device that you can connect via a USB port.
To export a show archive onto an external storage device:
1. Connect a USB Flash drive or external disk to the USB port.
2. Choose the Export option from the File menu. Vista displays the Export
window:
VistaUserGuide,Version22‐5

CreatingandloadingshowsGettingstarted
3. Click on the Show button and then select the show to backup from the list of
show files.
4. Click the Next button. Vista displays the Export window:
5. Click the Browse button and choose a drive and directory on the computer
or storage device and hit the Export button.
6. Click the Finish button to close the Export window.
Deletingshows
To delete a show, choose the Open show option from the File menu, then right-
click on the show folder name and choose ‘Delete’ from the popup menu.
Password‐protectingyourconsoleorshow
You can lock your console or show file or disable editing, with a password. To
do this:
1. Choose the Lock option from the File menu. Vista displays a popup menu
with three options:
2‐6VistaUserGuide,Version2

GettingstartedCreatingandloadingshows

This option… does this…
Lock entire
console
the password is required to use any console functions or
controls.
Disable all
editing
the password is required to edit cuelists, groups, presets and
all other show components
Lock current
show
the password is required to save changes to the show file
2. Select an option from the popup menu. Vista displays the Password
window:
3. Enter your password in both boxes and click ‘OK’
Your show or console is now password protected.
VistaUserGuide,Version22‐7

UsingtheinterfaceMenubar

3. Usingtheinterface
The latest version of Vista features a new simpler layout. No matter whether you
have worked with Vista before or are seeing it for the first time it’s worth taking
some time to get familiar with the new window layout and options.
Menubar
At the top of the window you’ll see the main menu bar. Click on any menu
heading to access Vista’s dialog boxes, submenus and commands.
The main menu bar also shows:
•the show file name - if Autosave is turned on you’ll see
‘[A]’ after the show name
•the Grand Master level setting
•the time.
Maintoolbar
At the top of the window you’ll see the main toolbar which is common to ALL
windows. This toolbar contain the most frequently used buttons and is divided
into three sections. The centre section contains 12 buttons that map to the
Function buttons on Vista consoles and the ‘F’ keys on your keyboard you can be
customized to suit your style of operation.
Windownavigation
You switch between the main windows using the 6 buttons on the top left side of
the main toolbar. You can also switch between windows by selecting the Patch,
Console, Fixture Chooser, Timeline, Playback or Output option from the View
menu.
ÂHovering over the icons shows the button name.
This button… does this…
(Alt + 1) displays the Patch window
(Alt + 2) displays the Console hardware simulation window
VistaUserGuide,Version23‐1

MaintoolbarUsingtheinterface
This button… does this…
(Alt + 3) displays the Programmer Fixtures window
(Alt + 4) displays the Programmer Timeline view.
(Alt + 5) displays the Playback control window
(Alt + 6) displays the fixture Output window
V1classicstylewindownavigation
If you prefer to select windows from the bottom of the screen you can open a
toolbar that emulates the earlier versions of Vista. To do this select the ‘Vista
Toolbar’ option from the View menu.
Vista places the toolbar at the bottom of the window:
Click on the buttons to select the Patch, Console, Fixture Chooser, Timeline,
Playback or Output window.
TheSoftbuttons
The twelve buttons in the centre of the main toolbar provide quick access to
frequently used commands, functions and windows.
•If you are using a T series console these buttons are
automatically mapped to the function buttons, above the
LCD / tablet.
•If you are using an I or S series unit the first 6 (5 on the S3)
buttons are automatically mapped to the function buttons
in the top centre section of the control surface.
•For all Vista systems you can use your keyboard F1-F12
buttons to activate these buttons.
ÂYou can display text labels, for the function buttons, at the top of your tablet
or monitor. To do this select the ‘Softkey Toolbar’ option from the View
menu.
3‐2VistaUserGuide,Version2