Deal-O-Rama: Purchase Vectorworks 2011 & Get 50% off Vectorworks Service Select

Be your own success story
Whether you’re making the switch from hand drawing to 2D/3D or a BIM solution, Vectorworks wants to make sure you get the training and support you need to get “ramped up” with Vectorworks. Adding Vectorworks Service Select to your Vectorworks 2011 purchase is the best way to get acquainted with the Vectorworks software and make any implementation story a success! And, now you can get it for half the price.

What is Vectorworks Service Select?
Vectorworks Service Select is a training and support program that provides customers with access to a growing library of on-demand learning tutorials, priority technical support, and VIP access to downloads. And, you’ll always be on the most current version of Vectorworks software to enjoy the new “bells and whistles” and latest in functionality improvements!

Learn more about Vectorworks Service Select by visiting serviceselect.vectorworks.net.

*Offer is valid for new licenses of Vectorworks 2011 with the Vectorworks Service Select software subscription program. As a Vectorworks Service Select member, you will receive an upgrade to the latest version of Vectorworks software at no additional cost within the terms of your contract. Offer is only valid within the U.S., for professional licenses and when purchased before November 30th, 2010.

Martin Releases v2.80 for M1, M-PC & Maxxyz Desk AND Expands M1 to 16 Universes

This is what I love about lighting desk as of late.  You want a new feature or more capabilities, just wait for the next FREE software update!  Since most desk these days are computer passed, getting new features on your desk of choice is as simple as running an update.  Martin Professional is a prime example of that with the release of version 2.80 for the M1, M-PC and Maxxyz desk.

Here is more from Martin:

By adding a host of new features, including full RDM support and introducing a new DMX licensing system, version 2.8 software for Martin’s M1, M-PC and Maxxyz lighting consoles is a milestone release that further enhances the value of Martin’s professional controller line for its rapidly growing user base.

Over the past year, Martin has positioned its controller systems as a feature-packed, powerful, but affordable solution in the professional lighting market by offering attractive solutions without compromising the usability and quality of the hardware.

RDM Support
Martin continues its company-wide support of the RDM standard by adding a comprehensive RDM control system to its controllers. Users can now monitor RDM-enabled fixtures connected to a Martin console either directly inside the software or remotely from a website hosted inside the console. This features the ability to download status reports across the Internet, showing real world usability of RDM and adding real value for the customer. RDM is supported over the integrated DMX ports and over Artnet.

DMX Remote Input and Capture
It is now possible to receive up to 16 Universes of DMX input for remote control of cues, fixture levels or simply to manage HTP and LTP merging of an additional lighting desk into the system. 16 Universes can also be captured into the console programmer to read out cues from existing shows into the console. The comprehensive DMX Input feature set allows Martin’s controllers to stay at the heart of the DMX system while having full control over the merging behavior.

Quick-Peek
A new innovative feature is the ability to “peek” at any screen view. Holding down a screen-view button for more than two seconds automatically enters the Quick-Peek function. The view reverts to the original one once the button is released, allowing for quick glances at information on the desk while reducing unnecessary button presses.

Customizable Function Keys
Martin controllers are known for their elegant and uncluttered hardware surfaces. To enhance fast access to often used functionality, all consoles offer a variety of F-Keys which now have a newly designed management system for fast configuration by the operator. Functions include Group and Preset selects, console locking, semitransparent onscreen keyboard, and many more useful options right at a user’s fingertips.

Martin One-Key DMX Licensing
With Version 2.80, the Martin M1 console increases its DMX support from 12 to 16 Universes. Additional Universes to the 4 included in the standard package of the desk can be added by purchasing a license package, connecting Martin’s Ether2DMX8 devices or by connecting a Martin One-Key with an M-PC license. More Universes are simply added dynamically as soon as the additional license is seen by the M1 console. This allows Martin M1 programmers to bring their own Martin One-Key and unlock any M1 console immediately for their shows, independent of the DMX Universes activated in the console.

Version 2.80 also increases existing Maxxyz PC and M-PC systems to 64 Universes from 32, and includes balanced multi-threaded DMX processing for modern multi-core CPUs. Version 2.80 software is available at www.martin.com.

Coolux Releases Version 4.7 for Pandora’s Box

The Pandoras Box Version 4.7 software update features some major improvements like the groundbreaking FluidFrame™ Technology, the new Pandoras Box Warper and Windows 7 compatibility. This latest version of Pandoras Box is more versatile and powerful than ever before.

NEW FluidFrame

FluidFrame Technology addresses a common topic in live video processing as well as signal processing in general. Imagine you run genlocked HD-SDI Streams @59.94hz and output them at 60hz via DVI.

With FluidFrame Technology Coolux has created a solution that offers a smooth cross-conversion that can take any input and output frame rate, supporting both interlaced and progressive sources and clips.

FluidFrame Technology is a new powerful feature for both 2D and Stereo3D (S3D), it supports 50/60 fps videos and live streams with Pandoras Box Servers. Coolux’s proprietary encoder now supports 1920×1080@60p and 1920×1080@50p.

NEW ScreenMask

The new Warper allows the user to create cut outs and mask while painting onto the projected surface from within PB Warp. The new zoom and pan features allow precise texture based warping.

NEW Windows 7 compatibility

Both the Coolux Pandoras Box Manager and the Pandoras Box Player are now fully compatible with the Windows 7 operating system.

Learn more about version 4.7 by visiting Coolux website at www.coolux.de.

New Mac Specific Lighting Software Package – Chameleon

Over the weekend I heard of a new Mac specific lighting control software package called Chameleon.  I am excited to see another Mac specific lighting control surface.  For years, controlling lights on a computer was limited to Windows computers, times are a changing and changing quickly!

Here is more about Chameleon:

Chameleon is a versatile, easy-to-use lighting control application for Mac OSX. It uses the DMX512 protocol, which is widely used for stage and effects lighting. It is meant to look and feel like a physical lighting desk used by professionals.

Features of Chameleon

• Simple to learn and use but powerful enough for a pro.
• Built from the ground up for Mac OSX for unbeatable performance.
• Download now and try for free.
• Available with a range of licences so you only have to pay for what you need.
• New features are being added all the time.
• Designed in collaboration with lighting professionals to work like industry standard pro lighting desks.

You can download and try Chameleon for free then purchase a license on their website at www.maclightingsoftware.com.

United Visual Artists D3

Visual media has become more and more a standard over the past few years. As more and more shows and installs are asking for media, companies are now providing more ways to serve it. One of the coolest systems I saw at #LDI2010 was the d3 by United Visual Artists. It’s been around for a little while but is only now making a [huge] splash here in the states by being debuted on the U2 360 Tour. You see that giant bird nest thingy over the stage? Thats being driven by  d3.

At first glance d3 is a bit intimidating- timeline based editing, built in real time visualizer and the capability to drive an entire visual rig including lighting. It can play media at a full 1080p resolution and spit it back out to one of four DVI outputs at a max resolution fo 1920×1200. It’ll play most of the current video formats, so no need to worry about re-rendering content. Send it live feeds on 2 HD SDI or 4 SD SDI inputs.

Being visual, you of course want to see what you’re creating in real time and the built in visualizer doesn’t lack in that department. It can import complex 3D objects, simulate camera movements, and even let you build complete pixel maps. Future updates will allow for full projection masking and spherical mapping.

Control is very well thought out as well. You can run right from the d3, have multiple devices setup in a master / slave system to Art-Net, MIDI, and MIDI timecode.

UVA really want’s you to use d3. So much so that (until further notice) when you buy a new system they will train you for free.

I want one.

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Vectorworks Traduce al español

Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. is pleased to announce the availability of the Spanish-language version of the Vectorworks® 2011 line of design software, including: Vectorworks Architect, Landmark, Fundamentals and Renderworks®.

The Spanish-language version will be available in Spain, and South and Central American countries such as Mexico, Chile, the Dominican Republic and Argentina. To check for availability in your country, please visit www.vectorworks.net/international. For Spanish-language brochures, FAQs, videos, and other marketing collateral, please visit www.vectorworks.net/espanol.

Martin One-Key, Desk Updates and Protection Made Simple

Martin Professional One-Key is a future-proof concept in lighting software distribution that eliminates the inconvenience of storing software licenses in DMX hardware. This simple USB dongle can store one or more licenses and protects the software from illegal copies.

Martin One-Key simplifies software distribution, improves protection and protects investments. All Martin Professional PC-based applications will eventually share this same protection method.

No longer will software licenses be stored in DMX hardware that becomes obsolete after a few years, or worse, becomes defective and renders the software unusable.

With Martin One-Key, adding new software is a few click process; no need to wait for a box to be delivered. In addition, Martin One-Key allows any user to try Martin Professional software for a 45-day trial period with full features.

Martin One-Key is currently bundled with the following products:

• LightJockey 2™ Kit
• M-PC-Basic  8™ universes Kit
• M-PC Pro 64™ universes Kit
• MSD5 Gold™
• MSD5 Live™
• MSD5 Live-4™

Furthermore, owners of Martin One-Key can order additional software applications by purchasing a software-only license.

• LightJockey 2 (4 universe license code only )
• M-PC Basic (8 universe max license code only)
• M-PC Pro (64 universe max license code only)
• MSD5 licenses through www.martinshowdesigner.com

You can read more about Martin’s One-Key by visiting their website at www.martin.com.

Vectorworks Gets Local Around the World in Native Languages

Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. is pleased to announce that a number of its European distributors have released localized versions of the 2011 award-winning Vectorworks® line of design software, including: Vectorworks Designer, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals and Renderworks®.  Versions in each country’s native language are now available in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

The English-language version of the Vectorworks 2011 product line was released in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and other international markets on September 14, 2010.

To find a distributor of a localized version, please visit www.vectorworks.net.

ArKaos Announces MediaMaster 2.2 with Sexy New Curves

MediaMaster 2.2 now comes with new curved screen technology, it has never been so easy to project video on non-planar surfaces. This new functionality is available as a free upgrade to all user of MediaMaster Pro 2.

MediaMaster is a software solution for professional control of real-time video and effects that has been specifically developed for desk operators and lighting designers.

MediaMaster Pro will turn any powerful computer into a full fledged professional media server capable of running live or programmed HD video shows in sync with music and light.

More than simply supporting curved screen functionality, the new geometry correction also allows you to correct a single projector mounted in those difficult places where standard keystone correction is not effective. It will also harmonise the output from several projectors which cannot be installed at the same distance or angle to a curved screen.

The geometry correction operates by transforming the output visuals of MediaMaster and so works on top of both MediaMaster Simple and Fixture mode. A test pattern is available to help precisely align the real-time video content over non-planar or curved screens. Edge blending can be edited globally, or individually for either side of each projector.

MediaMaster retains all it’s simplicity and user-friendliness, so the operator continues to work in the same way as before. The geometry correction module only acts on the played visuals and is activated with a simple setting in the application preference window. The output resolution is limited only by the video card used and is compatible with, for example, the Radeon™ HD 5870 that offers 6 outputs.

The geometric correction itself is very flexible in relation to the number of control points that can be used and the type of correction required: linear, curved or nurb. The displacement can be coarsely moved with the mouse and finely adjusted, pixel by pixel, with the arrow keys of the keyboard.

MediaMaster 2.2 also offers several other improvements, such as better support for multiple monitors. While still running effortlessly on Windows XP and Mac OS X, MediaMaster 2.2 now makes it possible to work with multiple monitors on operating systems that do not support spanning, such as Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

Several new effects have been added including Old Movie, Iris and Geometric Cylindrical Distortion. Other minor enhancements have been made and are documented in the change logs available in the release notes.

One final piece of good news: all the new, sleek, super-functionality of MediaMaster 2.2 is available at a fraction of the cost of other media servers, making ArKaos MediaMaster the most affordable media server software on the market.

Learn more about the latest version of ArKaos by visiting their website at www.arkaos.net.

FocusTrack’s New ‘Paperwork to Go’ Functionality

Paperwork is increasingly not ‘paperwork’ but virtual paperwork carried on laptops – until actually working in the theatre when real paper printouts have often been the most convenient way to access show information while walking around the stage focusing the rig.

Now FocusTrack, the production lighting documentation system, offers Paperwork To Go – keep your paperwork in electronic form, and carry it with you on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch.
With the purchase of one low-priced enabler app ($19.99 for iPhone/iPod, $39.99 for iPad), any of the FocusTrack data files – FocusTrack, containing information about the positions used by the moving lights in the rig, RigTrack, containing all of the information about the rig as a whole and the focus of conventional lights, and Cue List, containing the show cue data from the lighting console, along with all of the focus and cue reference photographs, can be transferred to any of Apple’s portable devices, referred to or edited while on the go, then returned to a main computer – Mac or PC.

“Apple has done a remarkable job of making the portable paperwork tools lighting people have been waiting for – lightweight, easy to carry, long battery life and much easier than paper to read in the dark!” notes FocusTrack’s Rob Halliday. “We’re delighted that FocusTrack can now complete the equation, letting you easily take all of the information about your rig, your moving light focuses and your cues with you wherever you are in the theatre. We think it will be the perfect choice for those moving around the stage re-focusing conventional lights, or for rep rigs where multiple electricians work to re-focus the rig between shows and will now be able to carry accurate, up-to-date focus information with them – even in their pocket if using an iPhone or iPod Touch.”

FocusTrack is the solution for those looking to produce complete, accurate, comprehensive show lighting documentation. FocusTrack can import show information from ETC Eos, MA grandMA and Strand 300/500-series consoles, automatically working out which moving lights are used in which positions, which colours or gobos are actually used, which lights have never been turned on and more. FocusTrack can import the complete patch from the console or other sources including Lightwright, and imports the show cue list from the console. FocusTrack is already in use on a range of shows, including the new US tours of Nine To Five, Spring Awakening and Hair, Billy Elliot worldwide, The Addams Family in New York and more.

Further information about FocusTrack and its Paperwork To Go functionality for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch is available online at www.focustrack.co.uk.

Cast Software Preparing to Launch Vivien 2011 Early 2011

Cast Software, the company that brings us the WYSIWYG software package is planning to launch their latest update to their virtual event designer software title, Vivien 2011.

In January 2011, Cast Software will begin to ship out the latest version of Vivien, 2011.  Here is a sneak peak at some of the new features coming in Vivien 2011.

Seating Assignments

• Integrate event guest lists into your Vivien files
• Create robust seating arrangements by using the new Seating Assignment Wizard
• Facilitate moving guest and trying different seating plans
• Use the seating locations to coordinate, produce place cards, mail merge, name tags, etc.

Al Fresco

• New, real tents and marques
• Easier to build and layout

Spreadsheets

• Even more powerful import/export functions with
• Ability to export to and send Excel files
• More than 100 onboard spreadsheet calculations & instant access to event specific information by using the new custom SmartCells.

Improved 2D plots

• Create Cleaner and more concise event plans with the new and refined tools.

For more information on Vivien, head over to Cast Software’s website www.cast-cost.com to learn more.

#LDI2010 Preview: Cast Software’s BlackTrax Tracking Software

CAST Software Ltd. of Toronto, Canada will be bringing the Innovation Award winning BlackTrax to Las Vegas for LDI, October 22-24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Stand 805.

How do you track the realtime motion of people and objects, currently some but eventually hundreds, moving in relationship to each other around a three-dimensional space?

BlackTrax — First Phase is a revolutionary realtime tracking system for monitoring people and objects.  BlackTrax (patent pending) precisely monitors dynamic and spatial positioning using a proprietary sensor device placed on the moving object / person and tracked by a camera for one or hundreds of people/objects, each moving object or person is an individual measurable set of data. First Phase is tracked in 3 Degrees of Freedom – X, Y, and Z coordinates (adding 6 — roll, pitch, and yaw angles in the future).

BlackTrax uniquely combines multiple existing technologies into one intelligent active tracking beacon.  In other words, BlackTrax delivers at super-fast speed and with pinpoint accuracy realtime, live with 6 Degrees of Freedom information using one LED source vs. what motion capture, inertia systems, and wireless communications might accomplish if they could be combined and somehow coordinated.  Further, BlackTrax can tag and independently track each object/person (for hundreds or more without system degregation) to deliver unique and pinpoint realtime tracking data for each tag (or group).  BlackTrax is designed for the entertainment industry and works under all different types of lighting conditions.

BlackTrax enhances safety by realtime precision tracking.  This means it is possible to avoid collisions between multiple performers and moving scenery – and this outcome can be further enhanced by CAST’s BlackBox, which can send out an alarm to a stage manager or a STOP to the moving set. Vision is not always 100% in a live entertainment environment and is prone to human error. With the speed and accuracy of BlackTrax, one can be sure that no two moving objects or people will collide.