Get Started - A Quick Start Guide

The fundamental tasks you will accomplish when building a PHOTON project are regrouped in this quick start guide that will lead you to investigate a few of the software’s modules and create a simple show.

1. Prerequisites

Gear

• 2 PHOTON servers connected on a dedicated network.

• 2 video projectors connected to one of the servers.

• 1 half-cube.

• 1 media asset such as a .MOV video file.

1. Establish Networking - Connect 2 Servers Together

OPEN THE SETTINGS MODULE

Select {System > Settings} or press [Alt+S].

--> Learn more about the Settings module.

1. Press [Tab} to display Photon UI.

2. Select {System > Settings} or press [Alt+S].

3. Open the {Create Network Group} window and select the available server.

4. Set the connection ports and click on the [apply] button.

2. Create and Configure Outputs

OPEN THE SETTINGS MODULE

Select {System > Settings} or press [Alt+S].

--> Learn more about the Settings module.

1. Set the first server in Controller mode.

2. Set the second server in Display mode.

3. Create outputs (auto creation of displays) on the display server.

4. Configure the outputs resolution.

3. Add, Transform & Position a Screen

OPEN THE 3D SCENE MODULE

Select {System > 3D Scene} or press [Alt+C].

--> Learn more about the 3D Scene module.

1. Add a Screen {Primitive > Default Object > Cube}.

2. Open the Transformations Option panel. Press [T] or select {Options Panels > Transformations}.

3. Scale and position the Screen.

4. Click on the [set freeze] button to set the calibration points’ new position.

5. Open the Properties Option panel. Press [P] or select {Options Panels > Properties}.

6. Set the resolution of the Screen.

4. 3D Manual Calibration

OPEN THE 3D SCENE MODULE

Select {System > 3D Scene} or press [Alt+C].

--> Learn more about the 3D Scene module.

1. Select the calibration operation mode.

2. Activate the [Enable calibration] toggle.

3. Assign the Screen as reference object for both Projectors.

4. Perform a manual calibration for both projectors.

5. Select the first projector.

6. [Ctrl+double-left-click] vertices to activate the calibration points.

7. Position them in the Calibration Tool window to match the physical model’s points.

8. Repeat the previous steps with the second projector.

9. Display the calibration. Grid. Press [D].

10. Activate the [Enable Blending] toggle.

5. Import a File

OPEN THE FILE MANAGER MODULE

Select {Show > File Manager} or press [Alt+F].

--> Learn more about the File Manager module.

1. Click on the import button.

2. Browse your media assets.

3. Click on the open button.

4. Watch for the task’s completion.

6. Add a Media Clip onto the Screen

OPEN THE TIMELINE MODULE

Select {Show > Timeline} or press [Alt+t].

--> Learn more about the Timeline module.

1. Open The Timeline

2. Add a Media Clip to the Screen.

3. Assign a video file to the Media Clip.

4. Double-click on the timebar to move the playhead.

5. Press the [space bar] to start playback.