an introduction to the processors, use and set up user’s guide Multi Image Processing System Designed and manufactured in Fredrikstad, Norway. www.projectiondesign.
english Multi image processor User’s Guide – Introduction 2
english 1 Introduction 1.1 Thank you Thank you for purchasing a Multi image processing system processor. The Multi image processing systems WB2560 and WB1920 are state-of-the-art image processing engines for the combination and setup of multiple projectors in order to create one, large, seamless image. By combining multiple projectors, images with unprecedented resolution and fidelity can be created.
english Contents of this User’s Guide 1 Introduction 3 1.1 Thank you 1.1 Features 2 SAFETY 7 2.1 GENERAL WARNINGS 2.2 WEEE INFORMATION 2.3 WARNING ABOUT SUBSTANCES 2.3.1 WARNING SYMBOLS 3 What’s in the box? 9 3.1 The multi image processing system comes with the following: 4 Installation and setup 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.
6 Geometry correction english 5.4 Multi image processing operational states 5.4.1 Bypass states 5.4.2 Calibration state 5.4.3 Online state 5.4.4 Auto state 27 6.1 Warping algorithms 6.1.1 Perspective 6.1.2 Mesh Warp Transform 6.1.3 Mesh Warp Bezier 6.2 Warping user interface 6.3 Scaling filters 6.3.1 Lanczos filter 6.3.2 B-spline filter 6.3.3 C-spline filter 6.3.4 Linear interpolation filter 6.4 Working with the perspective algorithm 6.5 Working with the Mesh Transform algorithm 6.
english 9 Black Level Management 45 9.1 Creating adjustment zones 9.2 Removing BLM zones 9.3 Adjusting black level in a defined zone 10 Masking 49 10.1 Adding areas to clip 10.2 Removing clip areas 11 Storing and recalling data 53 11.1 Storing/recalling calibration to/from the multi image processor unit 11.2 Storing/recalling data to/from the control PC 11.2.1 Restoring calbration files 11.3 Accept calibration 12 Technical specifications 57 12.1 Electrical 12.
This device complies with safety regulations for Information Technology Equipment intended to operate in “normal” environments (offices and homes). Before using the device for the first time, please read the safety instructions thoroughly. english 2 SAFETY 2.1 GENERAL WARNINGS Use only the cables and cords supplied with the device or original replacement cables. Using other cables or cords may lead to malfunction and permanent damage of the device.
english 2.1 WARNING ABOUT SUBSTANCES This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Recycle properly, do not dispose of in ordinary waste!. 2.1.
3.1 The multi image processing system comes with the following: english 3 What’s in the box? Multi image processing system unit Power Cable (Country Dependant) 2x Dual Link DVI cables CD with software Network cable User Documentation Please verify that you have all compoents upon unpacking the unit, and its contents. Please save packaging materials for future use, should it be necessary to ship the unit. 9 www.projectiondesign.
english Multi image processor User’s Guide - What’s in the Box? 10
The following section outlines the general requirements to supporting equipment in order to run the ProNet Calibrator and successfully setting up a multi image based projection system. english 4 Installation and setup 4.1 System requirements ProNet 2.0 – required to set up and operate multi image processing system processors, works with Microsoft Windows® operating systems only.
english 4.2 System overview A multi image processing system contains the following main components: • An Image Generator (IG) with one or more channels (outputs) (not provided by projectiondesign). • One multi image unit per channel • One projector per channel • A PC for setup and control • Optional CAD tool for designing systems (not provided by projectiondesign) Figure 4-1 shows a complete system overview of a multi image processing setup. PROCESSOR PROCESSOR PROCESSOR Figure 4-1.
The front button and the Power and Status LED-indicators on the processor front panel have the following functions: Front button: Push 1 time: Show info on screen (visual ID/IP/present serial no.
english 4.6 Firewall settings The multi image processing system processor communicates extensively on the network.
5.1 ProNet.site english 5 Getting to know the GUI Figure 5-1 gives an overview of ProNet.site. The application has four main areas of interest: • The File menu located in the top-left corner. • The “Site Devices” overview on the left hand side of the GUI. • Control, status, monitoring and timed operations overviews for one or more selected devices on the right hand side. • Status messaging window at the bottom. Figure 5-1. Overview of ProNet.
english 5.2 WB Calibrator – Device View Figure 5-1 shows the “Device View” window that is displayed when the “WB Calibrator” plugin is started. The “Device View” window contains the following areas: • The File menu located in the top-left corner • The Device Pool window in the lower left corner. • A multi image processing system information window in the lower right corner. • A dedicated toolbar on the left hand side.
english Figure 5-1. File menu, Device View. 5.2.3 Adding multi image processing system units to a project To enable and add multi image processing system units to a project, simply drag and drop units from the tree view in the Device Pool (Figure 5-1) to the Device View Desktop. The multi image processing system units in the Device Pool are detected using ProNet’s built-in universal plug-n-play capability. Figure 5-1. The Device Tree in the Device Pool.
english 5.2.4 Using the Device View Toolbar, DVT The Device View Desktop window has a toolbar on the left hand side, known as the Device View Toolbar. The toolbar can be shown with or without help texts, see Figure 5-1. Figure 5-1. Toolbars, shown with and without help texts. Using the toolbar you can: • Add or remove multi image processing system units from a project. • Select or deselect all multi image processing system units on the Desktop. • Show an information window for a selected unit.
To clear calibration from selected multi image processing system units, select Edit > Clear Calibration from the File menu. Under Clear Calibration, one can select to clear all or just parts of the calibration. See Figure 5-1. english 5.2.5 Clearing calibration Figure 5-1. Clearing calibration 5.2.6 Notifications and advanced network settings Under Settings > Application Settings, message notification levels and advanced network settings are configured, see Figure 5-1. Figure 5-1.
english The software update process is complete when the power status LED on the unit is showing a steady blue light. Figure 5-1. Multi image processing software upgrade window. 5.2.8 Controlling EDID information The unit defaults to giving the image generator either WUXGA or WQXGA EDID data depending on the version of the multi image processing system unit that is in use.
When all multi image processing system units are added to the project in the Device View, switch WB Calibrator to “Calibration View”. This is done by clicking the “Calibration View” button in the top-left corner. Clicking the same button in Calibration View mode will bring you back to Device View. See Figure 5-1. english 5.3 WB calibrator – Calibration View Figure 5-1. Switching views from Calibrator view to Device view and back. 5.3.
english 5.3.2 Selecting/deselecting multi image processing system units The WB Navigator is a window used to select multi image processing system units in a project, Figure 5-12. In this window, WB units can be selected or deselected either by clicking on them or using the assigned short cut key combination. Figure 5-1. WB Navigator Similar selection capabilities can be found in the top toolbar, Figure 5-1. In this toolbar automatic arrangement of open windows can also be done. Figure 5-1.
The calibration panel has a set of tools on the left hand side of the window. This toolbar can be shown with or without help texts, “Figure 5-1. Calibration Panel Toolbar, without and with help texts.” english 5.3.3 Using the Calibration Panel Toolbar (CPT) Figure 5-1. Calibration Panel Toolbar, without and with help texts. 23 www.projectiondesign.
english The Calibration Panel Toolbar has these main functions: • Zoom. Scale the work area in the calibration panel. • Image Orientation. Change the orientation of the calibration panel to match the physical orientation of the projector (e.g. rear/ceiling or portrait). • Set Colors. Set the color for background, lines, control points and internal test patterns, see Figure 5-1. Figure 5-1. Set colors control box • Layers.
Show info labels. Show extra info for selected control point. • Bezier Fixed Length/Angle. Specify the bezier guide point behaviour. Off allow adjustment of both length and angle. Fixed length allows the user to change angle, but not the length. Fixed 1/3 length will fix the length to 1/3 when the control point is moved. Fixed angle allow the user to change the length while the angle is fixed. english • Figure 5-1. Bezier point settings • Straighten Line.
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Image Geometry Correction (often referred to as Image Warping) is the process of digitally manipulating image data so that the image’s projection precisely matches a specific projection surface or shape. Image Geometry Correction compensates for the distortion created by off-axis projection or screen placement or non-flat screen surfaces by applying a compensating inverse distortion to the image in the digital domain.
english 6.2 Warping user interface To apply warping to an image, select “Warp” from the left hand toolbar. The window in Figure 6-1 will appear. Figure 6-1. Warping algorithm setup Algorithms can be added or removed. If the perspective transform is added first, Mesh Warp Transform can be used in addition. If Mesh Warp Transform or Mesh Warp Bezier is added first, a combination of algorithms is not allowed. In this window, grid size is also configured.
Regardless of the warping algorithms selected, a scaling filter will be applied. Scaling filters are configured using the Algorithm Setup window. Select the tab “Filter”, Figure 6-2, and select your desired filter. Four different scaling filters are supported: • english 6.3 Scaling filters Lanczos, B-spline, C-spline, Linear Figure 6-2. Scaling filters 6.3.1 Lanczos filter The Lanczos filter is using a 4x4 kernel.
english 6.4 Working with the perspective algorithm To start working with the perspective algorithm, click the “Warp” icon, add the perspective algorithm and set grid size to 1x1. In order to map the geometry to the surface being projected on, drag the control points with the mouse. Figure 6-3 shows basic usage of the Perspective algorithm. Figure 6-3.
To start working with Mesh Transform algorithm, click the “Warp” icon, add the Mesh Transform algorithm and start with setting the grid size to 1x1. First map the four corners to their desired location. As required, increase the grid size. This will add more rows, columns and control points to the mesh and enable the possibility to map the grid correctly onto the surface. Figure 6-4 is showing a simple 3x3 grid using the Mesh Transform algorithm.
english 6.6 Working with Mesh Bezier algorithm To start working with Mesh Bezier algorithm, click the “Warp” icon, add the Mesh Bezier algorithm and start with setting the grid size to 1x1. The grid you see now will contain four control points – one in each corner. In addition all control point will have 2-4 additional, white control points for controlling the Bezier vectors in a given point, Figure 6-5. Figure 6-5.
english Figure 6-6. Working with Mesh Bezier, simple mapping 6.7 Fine tuning control points To fine tune the position of a warping control point, first click on the control point. Then press and hold Ctrl while using the arrow keys on the keyboard to move the control point. 6.8 Real Time Warp Real Time Warp state can be turned off and on in the Calibration View Toolbar, see Figure 6-7. When Real Time Warp state is Off, the grid will be on display and in the user interface.
english When Real Time Warp is On, only the active control point will be added to the image from the IG if Show active is selected. Show active can be enabled in the Calibration Panel Toolbar see Figure 6-8. Figure 6-8. Calibration panel guide points NOTE! When working on a warp in Real Time mode, the displayed, warped image will be generated using a linear approximation. When going online the selected algorithm will be used to calculate the online image.
english 7 Edge blending 7.1 Introduction Edge Blending is a companion feature to Image Geometry Correction. Edge Blending enables the seamless projection of a large image using several overlapping projectors. Since geometry correction for projection on non-flat surfaces is a built-in requirement in almost all Edge Blending systems, the pairing of Edge Blending and Image Geometry Correction in the same video signal processor is a natural one. 7.
english Figure 7-1. Basic edge blending. In the Basic Blend setup window, overlapping pixels (or percent) can be specified. The blend drop-off curve of can also be tuned. Tuning the blend drop off curve is also possible when the unit is in Online state, for a visual fine tuning of the curve.
To apply advanced edge blending to an image, select “Blend” from the actions toolbar, and select Advanced Blend Setup. All blend zones will now have to be added manually. Click “Add zone” and select a default location for the blend zone, see Figure 7-2. english 7.2.4 User interface for advanced edge blending Figure 7-2. Adding a blend zone. 37 www.projectiondesign.
english The “Add Blend Zone” window in Figure 7-3 will appear. Configure the initial parameters for the blend zone and click “Add Blend Zone” to add it to the UI. “White” means the location of the full on side of the blend zone (white line). “Black” means the location of the full off side of the blend zone (black line). These blend zone will be completely disconnected from the warping and should hence be applied after the geometry correction is complete. Figure 7-3. Add blend zone window. 7.2.
The drop-off curves can be configured individually for advanced blend. Click on a control point in the blend zone you would like to adjust, or select multiple points or blend zones with by dragging a selection rectangle over the areas of interest. Then select “Drop-off Curve” in the Calibration panel toolbar. Adjust the drop-off curve with the vertical and horizontal sliders, as illustrated in Figure 7-5. english 7.2.6 Adjusting the advanced blend drop-off curve Figure 7-5.
english Go to custom if you need to change the selected curve or enter a new manually, as seen in Figure 7-6. Figure 7-6.
The multi image processor has several built-in test patterns for easier setup. This tool can be used to tune the geometry (warping) in a setup to match reference points, aspect ratio, ensure visual correctness and to configure 3D image generators for shapes like cylinders and domes. The test patterns are: • Circles. Add circle to your calibration view to visually configure for aspect ratio. • Grid (Pixel). Specify a grid with height and width (in pixels) of all cells in the grid. • Grid (Angle).
english 8.1 Circle test pattern Circles can be added to calibration area to ease the setup. The position (x, y pixel coordinates) and the radius (pixels) can be specified. Figure 8-3 shows the Test Image Setup window with two circles added. Figure 8-3.
A grid with much smaller cells than the calibration grid can be really convenient for setup. Especially when using the Mesh Bezier Warp where the calibration can be done with very few control point. english 8.2 Grid (Pixel) test pattern To add a Grid (Pixel) select the “Grid (Pixel)” tab and specify your parameters (). The parameters are: offset (x, y in pixels for top, left corner) and height and width of the cells in the grid.
english 8.3 Grid (Angle) test pattern The last test pattern available in the processor unit is the Grid (Angle) test pattern. This is used to create a reference grid in a dome or a cylinder. Parameters to specify for this grid are ‘to’ and ‘from’ angles (in degrees) in horizontal and vertical direction. The frequency of the reference points can also be specified, as seen in Figure 8-5. Figure 8-5. Grid (Angle) test pattern 8.
Black Level Management (BLM) is a feature patented by projectiondesign for adjusting offset (brightness) in selected areas to compensate for non-perfect black levels in projectors. This enables the possibility to have seamless images in all the gradients of all colors. english 9 Black Level Management To start the black level management tool, click on “Black Level” in the Calibration View Toolbar, Figure 9-1. Figure 9-1. Start BLM tool. 9.
english Figure 9-1. Adding Black Level Management lines. Figure 9-1. Multiple Black Level Management lines added. To create the next side in the zone, click on one of the control points in the first line created (not the Bezier points) and then click (Add) again (Figure 9-1). This will add other line to the calibration panel. Continue to add lines as needed. All these lines have the same controls as Bezier lines in the Mesh Bezier Warp and the Advanced Edge Blending.
english Important! To add the last line connecting the first and last control point, it is important to select both of the control points required to encapsulate the calibration area (Figure 9-1). To select multiple points, either press and hold Ctrl while using the mouse point to select points or drag and drop a selection rectangle over the points. Finally click (Add) again to add the last line. 9.
english Multi image processor User’s Guide – Black Level Management 48
Masking (also called clipping) is used to cut out areas of the image which should be blanked out. An example of this is overshooting of the image in a dome. english 10 Masking To start the masking tool, click “Clip” in the Calibration View Toolbar (Figure 10-1). Figure 10-1. Starting the clip tool 49 www.projectiondesign.
english 10.1 Adding areas to clip Start with clicking (Add) in the Calibration View Toolbar. This will create the first line in the area to mask out (Figure 10-2). Figure 10-2. Adding the first line in a clip area.
english To create the next side in the zone, click on one of the control points in the first line created (not the Bezier points) and then click (Add) again (Figure 10-3). This will add other line to the calibration panel. Continue to add lines as needed. All these lines have the same controls as Bezier lines in the Mesh Bezier Warp and the Advanced Edge Blending. Figure 10-3. Adding multiple side in a clip area. 51 www.projectiondesign.
english Note! To add the last line connecting the first and last control point, it is important select both of the control points required to encapsulate the calibration area (Figure 10-4). To select multiple points, either press and hold Ctrl while using the mouse point to select points or drag and drop a selection rectangle over the points. Finally click (Add) again to add the last line. Figure 10-4. Clipping area complete. Finally, go to online mode to see the results. 10.
The multi image processor system has powerful and flexible features for storing and recalling calibration data. When a calibration is stored, the user can recall all calibration parameters at any given time or on any given control PC. Calibration can be stored: • In the multi image processor unit • On the control PC.
english 11.2 Storing/recalling data to/from the control PC Before you can save a calibration to the control PC, you first have to save your calibration to the multi image processor unit. When performing a backup to the control PC, the last data stored in the multi image processor unit will be copied to the control PC. To backup your data, select “Backup Calibration files..” from the file menu (Figure 11-3). The window in Figure 11-3 will appear. Figure 11-2. Backup up calibration data. Figure 11-3.
11.2.1 Restoring calbration files english If you create a target top folder, multiple units can be backed up in the same operation. Select the target folder to which the data should be saved and press “Start”. When all files are copied to the control PC, click “Done”. Each unit the system will have to be upgraded separately. For revision tracking of the calibration data, each new backup folder should contain the date and time of the backup.
english 11.3 Accept calibration After a calibration has been completed and the result verified in online state, the calibration must be accepted. When a calibration is accepted for one resolution the binary data is stored in the WB unit and will be loaded automatically every time the unit starts up or the resolution is changed to current. The calibration must be accepted in each resolution. If no accepted file is available for the actual resolution the unit will go to bypass state when it starts up.
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Figure 4-1. Multi image processing system overview 12 Figure 4-2. Connector panel 12 Figure 4-3. Front button and LED-indicators 13 Figure 4-4. Rack mount plate 14 Figure 4-5. Rack mounted 14 Figure 5-1. Overview of ProNet.site 15 Figure 5-1. WB calibrator, Device View. 16 Figure 5-1. File menu, Device View. 17 Figure 5-1. The Device Tree in the Device Pool. 17 Figure 5-1. Toolbars, shown with and without help texts. 18 Figure 5-1. Clearing calibration 19 Figure 5-1.
english Figure 11-1. Save current calibration to the multi image processor unit 53 Figure 11-2. Backup up calibration data. 54 Figure 11-3. Selecting folder for backup 54 Figure 11-4. Restore calibration from control PC 55 Figure 11-5.
projectiondesign locations head office regional offices regional contacts projectiondesign as Habornveien 53 N-1630 Gamle Fredrikstad, Norway ph +47 69 30 45 50 fx +47 69 30 45 80 sales@projectiondesign.com New York - Americas projectiondesign LLC 295 North Street, Teterboro, NJ 07608, USA ph +1 888 588 1024 fx +1 201 288 1034 sales@projectiondesign.com Panama – Central and South America ph +507 69 800 555 fx +47 69 30 45 80 sales@projectiondesign.
