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FXTool
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FXTool is a Harmonic application which can be used to preview or control graphics on the ChannelPort. This is useful for cases where a graphic that automation played or failed to play can be taken down or played respectively.
FXTool is installed on the Harmonic System Manager, however it can also be installed on the User (Crispin) workstation if requested.
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Bringing
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Down a
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Graphic
To bring a graphic down, locate the item in the "Loaded Template" column in FXTool. A graphic that is playing will appear as "Visible" in the "Visibility" column, and as "Running" in the "Animation" column.
Select the graphic in the "Loaded Template" column so that it is highlighted. Select the "Fade Out" button to remove the graphic from air
The graphic will now appear as "Hidden" in the "Visibility" column.
*Note: If a graphic is pulled down with the FXTool, Crispin will not attempt to play the item again. However, it may display a status error in the playlist while the scheduled event is executing.
Playing a
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Graphic
If you have taken down a graphic using FXTool and wish to play it again, select the item in the "Loaded Template" column and select the "Fade In" button
The item will change from "Hidden" to "Visible" in the "Visibility" column.
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*Note: Layers 1 & 2 are typically used by Crispin to trigger scheduled graphics. Layer 4 is used for EAS alerts, so it should not be used. To play a graphic out manually the recommendation is to use Layer 3.
Once the graphic is in the "Staged Template" panel, click the "Load" button found above the "Staged Template" column.
This will move the graphic to the "Loaded Template" column. The graphic can then be played by selecting it and clicking the "Fade In" button.
To clear an item from the "Loaded Template" column, select the item and click the "Unload" button.
The item can then be removed from the "Staged Template" column by right-clicking the item and selecting "Clear Selection".
Add a Graphic to Staged Templates List and Supported File Types
Graphics that appear in the Staged Template list in FXTool are located in the "gfx.dir" directory on the Media Deck. New elements dragged into this folder will appear in the list when FXTool is started. If a graphic is added when FXTool is already running, click the "Refresh" button the bottom right of the application which should add the new item to the list. GoodSync should be copying files from the graphic$ folder on the User PC to the gfx.dir folder on the media decks.
FXTool supports the following file types:
.webm
.swf
.flv
.mp4
.png
.jpg / .jpeg
.tga
.gif
Mixer Controls
.bmp
.tif/.tiff
In the long-term, WebM is going to be supported as the format of choice. So that would be the preference for graphics being planned far into the future, as the other formats may stop being supported at some point (not in the immediate future though).
Mixer Controls
The mixer controls can be used to select the source to be output by the ChannelPort. There are 3 options, Player, External In & Color Generator.
- Player is the output of the channelport player, which consists of all media that is played back from the MediaDeck
- External In is the SDI input to the channelport (typically a satellite feed). The source being routed into the channelport can be changed on the PMM Utah Router.
- Color Generator allows you to display a color from a set palette found in the FxTool settings
Note that if the channelport switcher is changed via FxTool while a Crispin list is active for the same ChannelPort, automation will select the appropriate source for the switcher once the next event triggersThe selected source for the Mixer Controls should be "Player". The source should never be changed while the system is online.