The latest release of coolux’s Pandoras Box show control software, version 5.7, contains new features including so-called ‘Venue Sites’. These are used to visualise complete stage, installation and show set-ups in real time, using 3D models. Media content can be pre-programmed per output and can then be routed to different 3D models this way.
Instead of just offering a standard 3D mapping approach for pre-visualisation, one can now use a real-time compositing environment as a complete whole to simulate video projectors virtually, using a light projection approach. Media content and content compositing can be used completely independently from the visualised 3D scenes.
The ability to seamlessly switch from one Venue Site to another makes comparing different design scenarios very easy, and helps to save time and costs.
Another important aspect of Venue Sites relates to being able to test and experiment with simulations of complex media installations. This way, users can for example train themselves to set up a spherical projection or a soft-edge projection without having to use real projectors.
Pandoras Box version 5.7 also includes a completely re-designed text editor. Different font styles can now be used within a single text asset, and an automatic horizontal and vertical scrolling capability has also been included. An unlimited amount of text can be added to a continuous text input.
On the audio side, it is now possible to input ASIO sound as well as HD-SDI embedded audio, opening up new possibilities for real-time media compositing. Users can route, delay and record ASIO inputs. Sound data can be used on ASIO tracks and programmed to the timeline, including different delays for different output signal chains.
The Pandoras Box timeline now acts as an automated audio desk, or can alternatively be triggered via external commands.
In addition to these new features, a whole range of improvements for a ‘pixel-oriented workflow’ have been included. Users can now decide to scale all content to the native resolution, even across several machines and across different resolutions. Pixels can be entered directly into the interface, to position layers and cameras. These settings can then also be applied directly by creating a new project without any further user action being necessary.
coolux says that using ‘pixel-oriented workflow’ makes it easy to set up and use split pictures, and also aids the communication between operators and content designers, who are used to thinking in terms of pixel values.
Pandoras Box version 5.7 is available now.
