Zero88 FROG 2 User manual

FROG 2
OPERATING MANUAL

FROG 2 OPERATING MANUAL
If a portable or temporary three
phase mains supply is used to
power this desk, we recommend
that the desk mains plug is
removed before connecting or
disconnecting the supply.
Serious damage will occur if the
desk is connected across two
phases.
This equipment is designed for
use as a lighting control desk
only, and is unsuitable for any
other purpose. It should only be
used by, or under the
supervision of, an appropriately
qualified or trained person.
Zero 88 Lighting Ltd. reserves
the right to make changes to the
equipment described in this
manual without prior notice.
E & OE.
Federal Communications Commission
This equipment has been tested and
found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to
part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with
the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause unacceptable
interference in which case the user
will be required to correct the
interference at the operators expense.
Issue 4 – October 2006
Manual Stock No. 73-760-00
Software Version 4.0
© Zero 88 Lighting Ltd. 2006
Zero 88 Lighting Ltd.
Usk House
Llantarnam Park
Cwmbran
Gwent NP44 3HD
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone] *
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.zero88.com
* 24 hour answerphone

Page 4 Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4
Introduction ............................................... 7
This Manual........................................... 7
Conventions .......................................... 7
The Frog 2 Lighting Desk ...................... 8
Front Panel Controls ........................... 10
The Frog 2 Development Team .......... 16
Quick Start Tutorial ................................. 17
Getting Started .................................... 17
Setting Up the Desk ............................ 17
Adding Fixtures ................................... 18
Patching Fixtures................................. 19
Editing Fixtures ................................... 21
Desk Setup.......................................... 23
Saving Shows ..................................... 24
Loading Shows.................................... 25
Clear Options ...................................... 25
Exiting Setup ....................................... 25
The Program Window.......................... 26
Controlling Fixtures ............................. 27
Cues.................................................... 31
Palettes ............................................... 34
User Definable Faders (UDF).............. 36
User Definable Keys (UDK)................. 37
Groups ................................................ 38
Setup ...................................................... 39
Patch ................................................... 40
Adding Fixtures ................................... 40
Patching Fixtures................................. 42
Patch Views ........................................ 44
Editing Fixtures ................................... 46
Auto Menus ......................................... 50
Absolute Addressing ........................... 51
Desk Setup.......................................... 52
Files..................................................... 60
Clear Options ...................................... 63
Ethernet Options ................................. 65
Groups.....................................................67
Group Window.....................................67
Master Groups.....................................68
Automatic Groups ................................68
User Defined Groups ...........................68
Naming Groups....................................69
Copying Groups...................................69
Moving Groups ....................................69
Deleting Groups...................................69
Programming...........................................71
The Program Window ..........................71
Selecting Fixtures ................................73
Controlling Fixture Parameters ............74
Tagging Parameters ............................76
The Command Line .............................76
Record Options Window ......................77
Fade and Delay Times.........................81
Wheel Editing Modes...........................84
Try Cue Function .................................86
Highlight Function ................................86
Home Function ....................................86
Active Key............................................87
Update Options Window ......................88
Knockout Function ...............................90
Park Function.......................................90
Rem Dim Function ...............................90
Clear ....................................................90
Cues, Stacks and Pages .........................91
Cues ....................................................91
The Cue Stack Window .......................92
Programming Cues..............................95
Naming Cues .......................................96
Editing Cue Output Levels ...................96
Editing Cue Fade and Delay Times .....97
Editing Cue Triggers ............................97
Adding Macros to Cues........................98

Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4 Page 5
Playing Back Cues .............................. 99
Copying Cues.................................... 101
Moving Cues ..................................... 101
Deleting Cues.................................... 101
Cue Stacks........................................ 102
Cue Stack Directory Window............. 102
Naming Cue Stacks........................... 103
Copying Cue Stacks.......................... 103
Moving Cue Stacks ........................... 103
Deleting Cue Stacks.......................... 103
Cue Stack Setup Window.................. 104
Pages................................................ 111
Page Window .................................... 111
Loading a Page onto the Playbacks.. 112
Naming Pages................................... 112
User Definable Faders (UDFs) ............. 113
The UDF / UDK Window ................... 114
The UDF Setup Window.................... 115
Group UDF........................................ 118
Fixture Parameter UDF ..................... 118
Cue UDF ........................................... 118
Channel Data UDF............................ 119
Time UDF.......................................... 119
Override UDF .................................... 120
Virtual Playback Master UDF ............ 120
Editing User Definable Faders .......... 121
Deleting User Definable Faders ........ 121
User Definable Keys (UDKs) ................ 123
The UDF / UDK Window ................... 123
The UDK Setup Window ................... 124
Group UDK........................................ 126
Fixture UDK....................................... 126
Palette UDK ...................................... 126
Cue UDK ........................................... 127
Channel Data UDK............................ 127
Macro UDK........................................ 127
Editing User Definable Keys ..............128
Deleting User Definable Keys............128
Palettes .................................................129
Palette Windows ................................129
Recording Palettes.............................130
Naming Palettes ................................130
Outputting Palettes ............................130
Copying Palettes................................131
Moving Palettes .................................131
Deleting Palettes................................131
Effects ...................................................133
The Effects Palette Window...............133
Standard Effects ................................134
Effect Parameters ..............................135
Effect Parameters on the Wheels ......136
Applying Effects .................................136
The Effects Window...........................137
Recording Effects ..............................138
Naming Effects ..................................138
Applying Effects .................................138
Outputting Effects ..............................139
Copying Effects..................................139
Moving Effects ...................................139
Deleting Effects..................................139
Macros...................................................141
In-Built Macros...................................141
The Macro Window............................143
Recording a Macro.............................143
Naming a Macro ................................144
Running a Macro ...............................144
Copying a Macro................................144
Moving a Macro .................................144
Deleting a Macro................................144
Other Features ......................................145
Windows ............................................145
Screen Navigation Keys.....................146

Page 6 Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4
Mouse Operation on Windows .......... 146
Preview Cue Window ........................ 147
Preview Palette Windows.................. 148
Preview Group Window..................... 149
Preview Page Window ...................... 149
Preview UDF / UDK Windows ........... 150
Preview Macro Window..................... 150
Output Window.................................. 151
DMX Output Window......................... 153
Active Playback Window ................... 153
User Views ........................................ 154
Artnet................................................. 156
Software Updates.............................. 156
Glossary................................................ 157
Technical Specification ......................... 161
Power Supply .................................... 161
Audio................................................. 161
Remote Input .....................................162
SMPTE ..............................................162
MIDI ...................................................163
CAN Port............................................163
Ethernet .............................................163
USB Ports ..........................................163
Mouse ................................................163
External Keyboard .............................163
External Floppy Drive.........................163
External Storage Devices ..................164
AV Port ..............................................164
Video Output......................................164
CDRW Drive ......................................164
Desk Light..........................................164
DMX Input..........................................165
DMX Output .......................................165
Index......................................................167

Introduction
Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4 Page 7
Introduction
This Manual
This manual describes the operation of the Frog 2 lighting desk. This chapter contains an
overview of the capabilities and controls of the Frog 2.
The Quick Start Tutorial chapter is designed to get you up and running with the desk, but
is not a substitute for the whole manual. For more detail on each function, this manual is
divided into chapters, one for each major area of control.
As the Frog 2 is a complex lighting desk which can be set up in many different ways, the
best tool in learning the desk is experience. Through time you will develop your own
operating style.
Conventions
Throughout this manual the following conventions are used:
References to front panel controls, buttons and lights appear in capital letters, for example:
GRAND MASTER, COLOUR, <UDK3>.
Soft buttons which appear on the touch screen or monitors are displayed as follows:
[Desk Setup], [Program Window], [Values].

Introduction
Page 8 Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4
The Frog 2 Lighting Desk
The following section is a summary of the main functions of the Frog 2 lighting desk.
Graphical Interface
The desk operates a graphical interface which is provided by a touch screen in the front
panel of the desk and up to two external monitors.
All the setup, programming, playback and output information is displayed graphically on
the touch screen and/or the monitor screens.
The desk provides two VGA outputs on the rear panel of the desk. The monitors are used
extensively to display information and shortcut buttons.
An optional upgrade for the desk will allow you to connect two touch screens to the VGA
outputs to provide you with easier input facilities.
Keys on the front panel enable quick and direct access to the various monitor screens.
Cursor keys on the front panel or external keyboard will allow the user to move around the
‘active’ screen on the monitor or touch screen.
Command Line
The primary method of programming is via the command line, which is displayed on the
touch screen. Commands can be entered using the front panel keys, touch screen, control
wheels, external keyboard or by clicking on objects with a mouse.
Control Channels
The desk has 2048 channels of control as standard. These can be assigned and patched
as any number of Fixtures.
Fixtures
Fixtures can be a simple generic lamp or colour scroller, moving mirror or moving head
intelligent lights (eg Goldenscan, MAC 250), or any other item controllable via a DMX
signal. Fixtures of the same type (eg MAC 250) are grouped automatically by the desk, for
ease of programming.
On the Frog 2, dimmer channels are a simple fixture with one parameter. Moving heads,
moving mirrors, LED and Video systems controlled by DMX are fixtures with multiple
parameters. Within the Fixture Library, the Frog 2 is told which channels control which
parameters of the fixture. These are then grouped into Position, Colour and Beamshape.
Fixtures can be given a user defined name and number, for ease of reference.
Fixtures can be patched to any of the DMX output channels (1 – 512).
Fixture parameters can be manipulated from within the Program Window, from where they
can be added to cues, palettes, User Defined Faders, User Defined Keys, or macros.

Introduction
Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4 Page 9
Cues, Cue Stacks and Playbacks
The desk allows you to record cues, for use in any of the 1000 user programmable cue
stacks. Each cue has a number, name (optional), trigger, a wait time (auto cues) and a set
of delay, and fade times. It is possible to give each parameter of each fixture their own
individual fade and delay times.
The desk provides 100 pages of playbacks, each page containing 10 playbacks. The 1000
cue stacks are mapped 1:1 with the 100 pages of playbacks.
Groups
The desk provides 200 user definable groups. Automatic groups for each fixture type in
the schedule can be generated from the Setup area, if required.
Palettes
The desk provides 200 user programmable palettes for each of the four attributes (Colour,
Beamshape, Position and Effects).
User Definable Faders (UDF)
The desk provides 100 pages of 10 User Definable Faders, with associated ‘flash’ buttons.
The User Definable Faders may be assigned to Groups, Cues, single fixture parameters or
channel data. They can also be assigned to Time, Override or Virtual Playback Master
Fader functions.
User Definable Keys (UDK)
The desk provides 100 pages of 20 User Definable Keys. The User Definable Keys may
be assigned to Groups, Fixtures, Palettes, Effects, Cues, or channel data.
Output Processing on the Frog 2 Desk
The Frog 2 has two distinct channel types: Intensity channels and Attribute channels
(colour, beam and position).
The main difference is that Intensity channels can be flashed, are mixed with their source's
Master Fader and the GRAND MASTER, and can have distinct Fade Up and Down times.
When you play back a cue, park a channel, or manually manipulate a channel in the
Program Window, you give ownership of the channel to that specific area of the desk.
When a channel is owned, the programmed value (or series of values, if it is defined as a
chase or effect) is output. However, the previous owner(s) are not forgotten, and go into in
a history list.
When a cue is released, it loses it's places in the history, whether it currently owns them or
not. The most recent owner in the history will then regain ownership, and hence control the
output of that channel.
If a channel is not owned by any source, then it will output zero for an Intensity channel, or
it's default value for an Attribute channel.

Introduction
Page 10 Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4
Front Panel Controls
This section of the manual describes the controls and displays on the front panel of the
Frog 2 desk. The front panel controls have been divided into the following sections:
• User Definable Faders (UDF)
• Grand Master and Blackout
• Manual Playbacks
• Function Keypad
• Numeric Keypad
• User Definable Keys (UDK)
• Screen Navigation Keys
• Touch Screen
• Group, Attribute, Cursor Keys and Control Wheels

Introduction
Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4 Page 11
User Definable Faders (UDF)
This section of the front panel contains 100 pages of 10 user definable faders (UDF).
The current page is indicated by the seven segment PAGE Display.
The PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN buttons are used to select the required page of faders.
Pressing the PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN buttons together selects page 1.
Each User Definable Fader has an associated flash button containing a red LED.
The operation of each individual flash button can be set to flash or latch as required.
Grand Master and Blackout
The GRAND MASTER fader controls the final output values of all fixture intensity
channels, resulting from the Program Window, Playbacks, User Definable Keys and User
Definable Faders. The Grand Master level is displayed on the touch screen and in the task
bar of the monitor screens.
The BLACKOUT key reduces the output values of all fixture intensity channels to zero.
Pressing the BLACKOUT key toggles between active and not active. The red LED in the
BLACKOUT key flashes when blackout is active and BLK is displayed on the touch screen
and monitor screens.

Introduction
Page 12 Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4
Manual Playbacks
This section of the front panel contains 100 pages of 10 manual playbacks and virtual
playback controls.
The current page is indicated by the seven segment PAGE Display.
The PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN keys are used to select the required page of playbacks.
Pressing the PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN keys together selects page 1.
There are 10 sets of manual playback controls, each of which consists of a MASTER
fader, SELECT, FLASH, PAUSE and GO keys.
The RELEASE key is used to release channels being controlled by the currently selected
stacks.
The MASTER PAUSE key is used to temporarily pause the currently selected cue stack.
The MASTER GO key is used to step through the cues in the currently selected cue stack
or the stacks on the virtual playback.
The SHIFT key is used in conjunction with a number of front panel controls to provide a
wide variety of additional functions, for example bringing up windows on monitors.

Introduction
Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4 Page 13
Function and Numeric Keypads
Function Keypad
The Function Keypad contains 19 labelled function keys. For details of the functionality of
the different keys see the relevant sections of this manual. The TRY CUE, HIGHLIGHT,
BLIND and CLEAR keys contain a single red LED.
Numeric Keypad
The numeric keys (0 - 9) and the point key (.) are used for entering numeric data (eg group
no, palette no, cue no, channel levels, DMX addresses etc.)
The backspace key () removes the last instruction entered on the command line.
The slash key (/) is used for separating stack and cue numbers (eg 3/5 = stack 3 cue 5), or
fade up/down times (eg 2/5 = fade up 2 seconds, fade down 5 seconds).
The minus key (-) is used for removing items from a list (EXCEPT key).
The plus key (+) is used for adding items to a list (AND key).
The THRU key is used for selecting a range of items.
The FULL key is used to set the intensity of the selected fixture(s) to FULL (ie 100%).
The AT (@) key is used when setting intensity levels or DMX addresses.
The ENTER key is used for confirming or completing commands.

Introduction
Page 14 Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4
User Definable Keys (UDK)
This section of the front panel contains 100 pages of 20 User Definable Keys.
The current page is indicated on the seven segment PAGE Display which is found to the
left of the User Definable Faders (see earlier in this section).
The PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN buttons are used to select the required page.
Pressing the PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN buttons together selects page 1.
Each User Definable Key contains a red LED.
The operation of each User Definable Key can be set to flash or latch as required.
Screen Navigation Keys
This set of keys located to the left of the touch screen are used for selecting, moving,
sizing and closing windows on the monitor displays.
The keys are labelled CLOSE, SCREEN, SIZE, SELECT and VIEW.

Introduction
Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4 Page 15
Touch Screen
The LCD touch screen on the front panel of the desk is used primarily for displaying and
selecting commonly used functions.
The Home Screen contains the following soft keys:
[Values/Fade/Delay], [Percent/DMX/Details], [Active Playback Window], [Cue Stack],
[Program Window], [Output Window], [Park], [Unpark], [Effects Window], [Knockout] and
the shifted wheel editing mode eg [Relative].
Below the soft keys is the Status Line which shows the current fixture group selection (eg
All Fixtures), the Virtual Playback Master Level, Grand Master level, Live/Blind/Macro
indicator, Memory Meter and Time Value.
Below the Status Line is the Command Line which shows the command syntax as it is
entered.
The bottom area of the touch screen shows the wheel assignment data, Override display
and clock.
Adjusting and Calibrating the Touch Screen
To adjust the brightness and contrast of the touch screen, hold down the SETUP key.
The first finger wheel then controls the brightness of the touch screen and the second
finger wheel controls the contrast of the touch screen.
To re-calibrate the touch screen, press and hold SETUP and press the ENTER key. The
screen will then prompt you to press in the top left and bottom right corners.

Introduction
Page 16 Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4
Group, Attribute, Cursor Keys and Control Wheels
The GROUP key is used when selecting or recording groups. Pressing the GROUP key
brings up a tool bar on the touch screen containing the Master Groups.
The attribute keys (POSITION, COLOUR, BEAM and EFFECTS) are used when adjusting
fixture parameters and also when recording, referencing and outputting palettes and
effects. Each of these keys contains a red light, which is lit when the attribute is selected.
The cursor keys (up, down, left and right) are used to move around fields on the touch
screen or active monitor screen. These keys are equivalent to the four cursor keys on the
external keyboard.
The three control wheels are used for setting and adjusting fixture parameter and other
data levels. The parameters that are currently assigned to the control wheels are shown
on the bottom section of the touch screen.
The Frog 2 Development Team
Paul Ardron Electronic Design
Simon Aspland Software
Steve Chaplin Project Manager
Nigel Daft Manual, Testing, Documentation and Support Forum
Gareth Higginson PCB Design
Peter Kirkup Manual, Testing, Fixture Library
Nigel Upward Mechanical Design

Quick Start Tutorial
Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4 Page 17
Quick Start Tutorial
Getting Started
Prior to powering up the desk, it is essential to attach all the peripherals you require. The
desk has support for a PS2 or USB Keyboard and Mouse, two VGA monitors (or touch
screens) and a desk light (Littlelite) on 3 pin XLR. These must be connected before
powering up, as subsequent connection could result in software or hardware malfunctions.
Once you've connected all the peripherals you require, power on the desk using the switch
on the rear panel. The external power supply has a separate switch on it, so if you see no
immediate response, check you have both power switches set to ON, and that the IEC
lead is firmly attached to the external power supply.
When you power on the desk, the desk will run through its power up routine and after a
short while you will be presented with the Home Screen as shown in the picture below:
Setting Up the Desk
Before you start programming cues etc, you will need to set up the desk.
Press the SETUP key to display the Setup Window on the touch screen.
Setup is intended to give you access to the core settings for the Frog 2, and you shouldn't
need to enter the Setup area during a show. It is, however also used for saving and
loading of show files and updating the desk software.

Quick Start Tutorial
Page 18 Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4
Adding Fixtures
Once in the Setup screen, the first task you need to perform is to assign the fixtures in
your rig to the desk’s fixture schedule. This tells the desk how many of each fixture type
you have, allowing the desk to load the correct details into its memory.
Press the [Add Fixtures] key on the touch screen. The Fixture Schedule Window is
displayed on the touch screen:
Fixture Schedule Screen
The left hand column in this screen allows you to select the fixture manufacturer.
Scroll down or use the cursor keys to select the required manufacturer (eg MARTIN).
Press the right arrow key to move the cursor to the fixtures into the right hand column.
Scroll down or use the cursor keys to select the required fixture type (eg MAC 250).
Press the SET key to enter the quantity (Qty) field. Enter the quantity of the fixture
required, then press the ENTER key.
You can then repeat the above procedure for adding the other fixtures in your rig.
When you have finished adding all of the fixtures you require to the schedule, press the
[OK] key. You will then be returned to the Patch area of the setup screen.
Note – Fixture Types
If the fixture type you require is not in the fixture library stored on the desk you can import
the fixture type – see Setup chapter for full details.

Quick Start Tutorial
Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4 Page 19
Patching Fixtures
After adding the fixtures into the schedule, the next step is to patch the fixtures.
Patching involves telling the desk which fixture is located at which DMX start address.
The Frog 2 has four universes of DMX output, numbered 1 to 4.
It is important to ensure you patch the fixtures to the correct DMX universe.
The patch window can display the patch in three different views on the monitor screen
(Outputs, Fixtures and Channels). The default view is the Outputs view (see below).
Select the Outputs view of the Patch Window and select the DMX universe you wish to
work on by clicking on the relevant universe in the Patch Window:
Patch Window – Outputs View

Quick Start Tutorial
Page 20 Frog 2 Operating Manual – Issue 4
Patching a Group of Fixtures
To patch an entire group of fixtures (eg All MAC 250s) sequentially from a start address,
press the GROUP key, select the group from the tool bar on the touch screen, press the @
key, enter the DMX start address and press ENTER.
For example: GROUP [MAC 250] @ 101 ENTER
Patching Individual Fixtures
To patch individual fixtures (eg the first MAC 500) at a specified start address, press the
GROUP key, select the group from the tool bar on the touch screen, select the required
fixture, press the @ key, enter the DMX start address and press ENTER.
For example: GROUP [MAC 500] 1 @ 274 ENTER
Patching by Fixture Number
If you have assigned each fixture an individual fixture number in the Edit Fixtures screen,
you can omit the group selection part of the command, and simply refer to the fixture(s) by
their individual fixture number(s)
For example: 301 @ 146 ENTER
Patching to a Specified Universe
Fixtures can also be patched to a specified universe by including the universe number in
the command. For example to patch the MAC 250’s to universe 3 starting at DMX address
201, enter the following command:
GROUP [MAC 250] @ 3/201 ENTER
Unpatching Fixtures
If an error is made in patching, the [Unpatch] soft key can be used in place of ENTER to
undo a patching command. For example:
GROUP [MAC 250] 1 THRU 5 @ 1 UNPATCH