1. Before Starting PHOTON
Requirements for PHOTON
Windows 7 (and above)
NVIDIA GPU
1.1 PHOTON Installation
After retrieving the installer (.exe) — downloaded from our website, or sent to you by a PHOTON Specialist — double click on the (.exe) file. (You might have to answer a Windows security question.
Choose the destination folder (it is usually C:\VYV or P:\VYV).
Click on the [Install] button, wait for the installation process to complete, and then click on the [Close] button.
1.2 VYV Network Assistant Installation
The VYV Network Assistant is an external tool that runs independently of PHOTON. It allows you to:
manage the version of PHOTON you are using;
install and uninstall different versions of PHOTON;
manage your PHOTON Projects;
start PHOTON with arguments (for example, no UI or no splash screen on startup);
restart PHOTON;
quit PHOTON;
reboot the server;
shutdown the server.
All of the above actions can be propagated across the network on any number of connected servers.
The VYV Network Assistant makes it possible to automatically launch a specific version of PHOTON and start a specific project after Windows boots.
After retrieving the installer (.exe) — downloaded from our website, or sent to you by a PHOTON Specialist — double click on the (.exe) file. (You might have to answer a Windows security question.)
Choose the destination folder (it is usually C:\VYV or P:\VYV).
Click on the [Install] button, wait for the installation process to complete, then click on the [Finish] button. A prompt window will open right away, asking you to start the VYV Network Assistant.
The VYV Network Assistant needs to be manually installed on all servers.
1.3 Network Configuration
PHOTON servers need to be assigned static IP addresses and must reside on a dedicated network. All of your servers should be connected to a network switch.
Make sure your servers and network switch share the same network prefix and subnet number (the first 3 octets in the IP address).
The network switch’s host number (last octet in the IP address) should be 1. The network switch will probably use a browser-based interface to allow parameter modifications. The host numbers for the servers can range from 2–254.
Make sure that the network interface you are using is the first one being accessed by Windows’ network services. In order to do this:
Go to {Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings};
Press the [Alt] key to display the Advanced menu;
Select {Advanced > Advanced Settings}.
The Advanced Settings window (Adapters and Bindings tab) will display the network interfaces list. You can change the order of the network interfaces by selecting them individually and pressing the up/down arrows.
1.4 Remote Install/Uninstall
After all of the servers are communicating on the same network and have fully functional versions of the VYV Network Assistant installed, you will be able to execute the following actions on all servers from one server using the VYV Network Assistant’s interface.
The PHOTON versions directory is located under …\VYV\PHOTON\versions\...
1.4.1 Install a new version of PHOTON
Select the servers you want to install the new version of PHOTON onto by checking the boxes located on the left side of the Systems list.
When selected, the servers will be identified by a green check mark. The server you are using as the control interface will have (LOCAL) in front of its name..Select {Tools > Remote Install...} from the menu bar or press [Alt+I] to open the Remote Installation pop-up window.
Press the [...] button to open a Windows file dialog.
Select the PHOTON installer (.exe) and press [Open]. A confirmation box will appear showing the list of servers where you will remotely install PHOTON. (see img)
Press [Yes] if you want to proceed, or [Cancel] if you don’t. Installation progress will be indicated in the Status column. The newly installed version of PHOTON will be available in the System Configuration pop-up window.
1.4.2 Uninstall a version of PHOTON
Select the servers targeted for the uninstall PHOTON process by checking the boxes located on the left side of the Systems list.
When selected, the servers will be identified by a green check mark. The server you are using as the control interface will have (LOCAL) in front of its name.
Select {Tools > Remote Uninstall...} from the menu bar or press [Alt+U] to open the Remote Uninstall pop-up window. (see img)
Select PHOTON in the {Product} dropdown menu.
Select the PHOTON version you want to uninstall from the {Version} dropdown menu.
A confirmation box will appear showing you the list of servers targeted for the Remote Uninstall process. Press [Yes] if you want to proceed, or [Cancel] if you don’t.
1.5 Project Configuration
Project configuration will allow you to select which version of PHOTON will run on your Server Group. It will also allow you to create new PHOTON Projects or load previous ones.
A PHOTON Project consists of an independent set of folders that contain important files such as media content, 3D models, saves, and various configurations targeting network and third party hardware. Keep in mind that a new Project will not have access to the files used in previous Projects.
Once you have selected the desired configuration options (see below), press [Apply] to propagate the changes over the network or [Cancel] to discard them.
The PHOTON Project directory is located under …\VYV\PHOTON\projects\...
Configuration Procedure
Select the servers you want to configure by checking the boxes located on the left side of the Systems list. Project configuration will be pushed via the network to all of the selected servers.
When selected, the servers will be identified by a green check mark. The server you are using as the control interface will have (LOCAL) in front of its name.
Select {Tools > Configure...} from the menu bar or press [Alt+C] to open the System Configuration pop-up window.
Select PHOTON in the {Product} dropdown menu.
If you want to create a new PHOTON Project:
select {New…} at the top of the {Project} dropdown menu;
type the name of your Project in the text box.
If you want to load an existing PHOTON Project:
select the Project you want to use from the {Project} dropdown menu.
Launch PHOTON with Arguments
An argument instructs PHOTON to perform special operations when the program is launched.
Arguments can be selected in the System Configuration window.
Select {Tools > Configure…} from the main menu or press [Alt+C] to open the System Configuration window.
Arguments can also be manually typed into the Arguments text box, or added by pressing the [+] button. The [+] button will prompt the Command Line Arguments pop-up window.
Select the desired arguments from the list by checking their boxes. When selected, the arguments will be identified by a green check mark. This will push the selected arguments to all of the servers via the network.
Available Arguments
Hide User Interface (UI) on Startup
The UI will not appear on startup, but it can be accessed by pressing the [Tab] key. This option might be useful if your server is a Display Master Server and you are using all of its video outputs to display video content.
Keep Taskbar
The Windows taskbar usually disappears when PHOTON launches and reappears when it is closed. Selecting the Keep Taskbar option will make the Windows taskbar available.
Keep Windows 7 Aero
By selecting this option, Windows 7 Aero functionality will not be deactivated when PHOTON is launched. This might impact performance, but Aero simplifies window capture during Teamviewer sessions.
Disable OptiTrack Cameras
Disabling OptiTrack cameras will prevent PHOTON from accessing the OptiTrack library and discovering the networked cameras. This might be helpful in a troubleshooting situation, where the computer vision system needs to be isolated.
Disable Splash Screen
This option will prevent PHOTON’s splash screen from being displayed on startup.
VYV Network Assistant Autolaunch
If you want the VYV Network Assistant to automatically start after Windows launches, check the box in front of “Run Network Assistant on System startup” (a green check mark will appear).
PHOTON Autolaunch
If you want PHOTON to automatically start after the VYV Network Assistant launches, check the box in front of “Run Local Target when Network Assistant starts” (a green check mark will appear).
Autolaunch and Shutdown Delays
If you want to delay PHOTON’s launch after the VYV Network Assistant’s boot procedure, change the value (seconds) in the Run Local Target Timeout(s) slider. This could be useful, for example, if you have network latency problems (i.e. the network switch is slow to wake up).
This timeout is only applied if PHOTON is auto-launched using parameters set by the VYV Network Assistant.
If you want PHOTON to shutdown after the VYV Network Assistant’s launch, change the value (seconds) in the Quit Local Target Timeout(s) slider. This could be useful, for example, if the Project you are working on uses a lot of memory and needs more time to complete a Default Save procedure.
When PHOTON quits, the software automatically saves in the Default Save file (see Section 2.11 Saving Methods in Chapter 1 Prerequisites).
This timeout is only applied if PHOTON quits by means of a command sent by the VYV Network Assistant.
1.6 Graphic Card Configuration
NVIDIA’s Mosaic technology allows you to create a large virtual canvas with all of the displays that are connected by combining them into one large screen. This larger unique canvas reduces the impact on performance when using 2D or 3D applications in a multi-display situation. PHOTON will still be able to identify each video output as an individual screen.
NVIDIA Mosaic is a requirement for maximum performance when using PHOTON.
Follow the steps listed below to build a Mosaic display group.
1.6.1 Before Opening the NVIDIA Control Panel
Even though Quadro cards have 5 connectors, only 4 will work at the same time.
Physically connect your video displays (projectors, monitors, LED screens, etc.) to the server.
Make sure the video signal goes to all of the displays by changing the Windows desktop color:
Click on the [Windows Start] button and select {Control Panel > Personalization};
Select Desktop Background at the bottom of the window;
Select Solid Colors from the {Picture Location} dropdown menu and choose a bright color;
Press [Save Changes] if you want to keep the color, press [Cancel] if you want to return to the previous color;
You should see bright color in all displays.
When PHOTON starts the desktop background will automatically turn black.
You can also check the Windows display settings to make sure all of your displays are recognized.
Right-click anywhere on the Windows desktop background and select Screen Resolution in the contextual menu, or click on the [Windows Start] button and select {Control Panel > Screen Resolution}.
You should see all of the displays that are connected. Display numbering starts at 1.
This window allows you to:
reorder the screens by drag and drop;
change the resolution of each screen;
change the orientation of each screen;
choose how the screen behaves (it should always be in Extend Mode);
choose the main display (the one with the Windows taskbar).
Make sure all of your displays are set at a resolution recognized by Windows, and that they are all in Extend Mode. (Make sure the screens are not cloning one another.)
1.6.2 Open the NVIDIA Control Panel
Right-click anywhere on the Windows desktop background and select NVIDIA Control Panel from the contextual menu, or click on the [Windows Start] button and select {Control Panel > NVIDIA Control Panel}.
1.6.3 Manage 3D Settings
Make sure the driver settings are correct.
Select {Manage 3D Settings} in the “Select a Task…” list under {3D Settings}. Make sure the Global Settings tab is selected.
Select “Workstation App - Dynamic Streaming” in the {Global Presets} dropdown menu.
In the Settings list below:
set the Power Management Mode to “Prefer maximum performance”;
set Triple Buffering to “On.”
If you make any changes press the [Apply] button on the lower left side of the panel.
1.6.4 Change Resolution
Select {Change Resolution} in the “Select a Task…” list under {Display}.
You should see all of your connected displays represented as small icons that look like monitor screens. By selecting these icons you can adjust the resolution, refresh rate and depth of color for each video output. Make sure that all of your video outputs have the same parameters.
If you make any changes press the [Apply] button at the lower left side of the panel. An “Apply Changes” confirmation box with a 17-second timeout will appear. Press [Yes] to apply changes, or [No] to cancel changes.
To set up a Mosaic display group all of your video outputs must be set at the same resolution and refresh rate.
1.6.5 View System Topology
Select {View System Topology}.
The Quadro cards feature Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) management. (Please refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_Display_Identification_Data for more info.)
EDID management allows you to force a similar behavior on all of your video outputs by pushing the same manufacturer metadata onto them. This will allow you to hot swap displays without breaking the Mosaic configuration, while facilitating its creation.
Select {View System Topology} in the “Select a Task…” list under {Workstation}.Select any of the EDID links in the Settings column of the
System Topology table. This will prompt a Manage EDID window with 3 tabs:
Export
Export will allow you to grab the EDID in a (.txt) file from a display connected to the graphic card.
Click on the Export tab.
In the Select Connector to Export EDID list, select the display from which you want to export the EDID.
Press the [Export EDID] button at the bottom of the window.A Save As Windows file dialog will prompt you to select the destination where the file will be saved.
Name your text file. Give it the same name as the display.
Press the [Save] button.
Load
The Load tab will allow you to load the EDID onto all of the selected displays, forcing all of the video outputs to use the same manufacturer metadata.
Click on the Load tab.
Press the [Browse] button at the top of the window.
An Open Windows file dialog will prompt you to select the EDID file (.txt) you want to load.
Press the [Open] button.
In the Select Connector to Force EDID list, select the displays you want to load the EDID onto by checking the boxes beside their name.
Press the [Load EDID] button.
You will see a black flash in the connected displays.
A pop-up will confirm the Load procedure was successful.
Press the [OK] button.
Don’t load EDID in video outputs that aren’t connected to a display. It can create ghost video outputs.
Unload
The Unload tab allows you to remove a Forced EDID from the selected video outputs to regain the original display’s metadata.
Click on the Unload tab if you wish to do so.
In the Select Connector to Unload EDID list, select the displays you want to unload Forced EDIDs by checking the boxes beside their name.
Press the [Unload EDID] button.
You will see a black flash in the connected displays.
A pop-up will confirm the Unload procedure was successful.
Press the [OK] button.Once all of the connected video outputs have the same EDID, go back to Change Resolution. Make sure each display has the same resolution and refresh rate.
If you use HDMI connectors, make sure all video outputs are set at Full in the {Output Dynamic Range} dropdown menu.
1.6.6 Set Up the Mosaic Display Group
Now you are ready to set up your Mosaic display group.
Select {Set Up Mosaic} in the “Select a Task…” list under {Workstation}.
Click the Create new configuration link. This will open the NVIDIA Mosaic set up window.
Follow the next 5 steps to create your Mosaic display group:
1. Select Topology
Select the number of displays you want to include in the Mosaic display group with the help of the dedicated dropdown menu. You must include all of your available video outputs in the Mosaic configuration.
Select your Topology — how the displays will be positioned on the grid — with the help of the dedicated dropdown menu. Always use a single row topology (1 X ...) because PHOTON works through horizontal screen spanning.
Select the display Orientation with the help of the dedicated dropdown menu. Always use Landscape even if your project includes rear projections or projectors set up in portrait format. PHOTON will automatically manage these cases.
If your screens are listed correctly and placed in the right order you can immediately check the box next to “I am using the recommended connections for the selected topology” and press the [Enable Mosaic] button. This will open the “Apply Changes” confirmation window. If the Mosaic display group seems to be set up correctly, click on the [Yes] button. You should be ready to launch PHOTON now. If not, click on the [No] button and go through the next steps.
2. Select Displays
All of the available displays listed underneath “Displays for Mosaic” should already be checked. If not, check the boxes next to their names.
Select the desired refresh rate in the {Refresh Rate} dropdown menu.
Select the desired resolution in the {Resolution Per Display} dropdown menu.
Press the [Next] button.
3. Arrange Displays
Arrange your displays by dragging them from the top of the panel to the white rectangles located in the bottom section. This will set their placement in the Mosaic large canvas.
You can also type the display numbers into the white rectangles and press [Enter]. (Each display is identified by the large number in the top-left corner.)
4. Numbering
As mentioned above, displays are identified by numbers. The numbers indicate the order in which the displays are connected to the graphics card: display #1 is connected to the output port closest to the motherboard, display #2 is connected to the next output port, and so on. This system for prioritizing displays by using numbers that represent their proximity to the motherboard applies to the other output ports as well.
The small-number pairs displayed in the lower-left corner of the displays represented are another element of this prioritization system. The first number (before the comma) represents the hierarchical position of the graphics card (starting at 0). The second number (after the comma) represents the hierarchical position of the output ports on the graphic card (starting at 0).
When the displays are in the correct order, press the [Apply] button. An “Applying Changes” loading bar will appear, and you will see a black flash in all of the connected displays. (This might take a while.)
An “Apply Changes” confirmation window will appear. Press [Yes] to apply, or [No] to cancel.
The upper section of the window, where the drag and drop displays were initially placed, will have changed. A pop-up window should tell you that the “Mosaic is enabled.”
You can still reorder the displays by dragging and dropping them, but you will have to go back and Apply Changes again.
The Mosaic display group’s maximum resolution will be written near the bottom of the window.
Press the [Finish] button. (Don’t press [Next].)
5. Adjust Overlap and Bezel Correction
Do not adjust overlap and bezel because PHOTON will take care of these issues while calibrating.
6. Confirmation
The Set Up Mosaic window will have changed, and will present a summary of the current Mosaic configuration. If you wish to make changes, use the [Modify] button or the [Disable] button.
You can also find out if the Mosaic display group is recognized in the Windows display settings. Right-click anywhere on the Windows desktop background and select {Screen Resolution} in the contextual menu, or click on the [Windows Start] button to access {Control Panel > Screen Resolution}.
You should see a single monitor representing all of the connected displays. It should be #1.
Now you have a Mosaic display group and you are ready to launch PHOTON.
1.7 Launch/Quit PHOTON
VYV recommends using the VYV Network Assistant to launch or quit PHOTON.
Begin by launching the VYV Network Assistant.
Once the VYV Network Assistant window is open, select the servers you want to affect by checking the boxes situated on the left side of the Systems list.
When selected, the servers will be identified by a green check mark. The server you are using as the control interface will have (LOCAL) in front of its name.
1.7.1 Launch PHOTON
Press the [Restart Program] button at the bottom of the VYV Network Assistant window. This action will remotely start or restart PHOTON on all of the servers selected in the Systems list.
1.7.2 Quit PHOTON
Press the [Quit Program] button at the bottom of the VYV Network Assistant window. This action will remotely shutdown PHOTON on all of the servers selected in the Systems list.
When PHOTON is running you might have to press [Alt+Tab] to bring the VYV Network Assistant back in order to simultaneously quit the application on all servers. You can also bring the VYV Network Assistant back by using a button in the Settings module Network tab.
When PHOTON quits, the software is automatically saved in the Default Save file (see 2.9 Saving Methods in Chapter 2 Prerequisites).
While PHOTON is shutting down you will see a Windows console prompt. Don’t shut it down. You will crash the system and prevent PHOTON from creating a Default Save file.
1.8 Reboot/Shutdown Servers
Select the servers you want to reboot or shutdown by checking the boxes located on the left side of the Systems list.
When selected, the servers will be identified by a green check mark. The server you are using as the control interface will have (LOCAL) in front of its name.
1.8.1 Reboot
Press the [Reboot System] button at the bottom of the VYV Network Assistant window. This action will remotely reboot all of the servers selected in the Systems list.
1.8.2 Shutdown
Press the [Shutdown System] button at the bottom of the VYV Network Assistant window. This action will remotely shutdown all of the servers selected in the Systems list.
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