Get Started

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.

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. Settings

Establish Networking

VIEW SETTINGS MODULE →

OPEN THE SETTINGS MODULE

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

  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. Settings

Create and Configure Outputs

VIEW SETTINGS MODULE →

OPEN THE SETTINGS MODULE

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

  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. 3D Scene

Add a Screen

VIEW 3D SCENE MODULE →

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

  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 Scene

3D Manual Calibration

VIEW 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. File Manager

Import a File

VIEW FILE MANAGER MODULE →

OPEN THE FILE MANAGER MODULE
Select {Show > File Manager} or press [Alt+F].

  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. Timeline

Add a Media Clip onto the Screen

VIEW TIMELINE MODULE →

OPEN THE TIMELINE MODULE
Select {Show > Timeline} or press [Alt+t].

  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.
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