ViViD Software Suite Manual
ViViD Software Suite Manual
November 2011
Table of Contents
Introduction
Installation
Display Configuration
Communication Configuration
Introduction
The ViviD is an upgraded version of Iris Software to support full motion video that comprised of three applications
to display, create, and schedule message on Optec CV and GV Series LED Displays.
ViviD Message Composer gives you control of the timing of the display, and provide the tools for text and
background creation.
ViviD Graphic Creator adds the ability to create graphics and animations.
ViviD Scheduler adds the ability to create, edit, and transmit message schedules.
Together they give you all the tools you need to create captivating presentations on your Optec LED Display.
Installation
The ViviD installation CD comes with installer, demo video, and manuals.
Getting started:
    1. Insert the installer CD
    2. The following screen will appear, automatically:
    When you insert the installer CD, this screen appears automatically
   Installation (continued)
   The installation CD has several options in the following three categories:
   Install Software
       • Install ViviD Software Suite
       • Acrobat Reader (to view manuals)
   Install Manuals
       • ViviD Software Suite Manual (this manual)
   To Install Software:
   Click to install. The installation wizard will guide you through the steps.
When the installation is complete, an icon for ViviD Content Composer will appear on your desktop, and in the
Windows “Start Menu”.
Display Configuration
Always begin the software with Sign Setup on first use or to add additional displays to the software.
Double click or Windows Start Menu Æ Optec Displays Æ ViViD Message Composer
Communication Settings
The first time ViViD Message Composer is used with a display, or if you have more than one display, the
communication settings will need to be reset or changed.
2. Communication settings:
a. Direct Link (RS232, 485 or Others). Select this for RS232 and 485 communication method.
c. Use Telephone Modem. Select this for Telephone modem communication method.
       Testing Communication
       When communication is properly set, there are two ways of confirming communication is setup correctly.
               1. Get Sign Info: ViViD Message Composer will retrieve system information from Main Board.
                  To do this:
                       i. Menu Æ Command Æ Get Sign Info.
               2.   Sign Image Viewer: This to view the current message/content running on the display.
                        i. Menu Æ Command Æ Sign Image Viewer
                                           Message Composer
                                              Basic Editing Mode
                                               •   8
         •   10
                                                                                                            •   6
                                                                                                    •   7
               1.    Menu bar
               2.    Standard Toolbar (this bar is disabled in Basic Editing Mode)
               3.    A‐Frame Editing Function Bar (Advanced Mode)
               4.    Hotkey Bar
               5.    B‐Frame Text Editing / Property Window (Basic Mode)
               6.    Display Resolution Indicator
               7.    Frame Indicator
               8.    Frame Window/Display Area (actual presentation on the LED display)
               9.    Frame Animation/Background Toolbar
               10.   Effects Window
Step 2: Import video file – click on Browse File button to bring up Open file window. Browse through your
folders and select the desired background file.
                                                                                    Common video
                                                                                    file formats such
                                                                                    as – AVI, MPEG,
                                                                                    MP4, FLV, and
                                                                                    more are
                                                                                    supported.
Step 4: Reposition the background – click on “Stretch” and select the desired position for the background.
***Video file will play ONCE by default. To play more than once, click on the white box and select – Animation
Loop – and set number of time to play.***
Now, your Video message is complete. Either upload message to display (click on        ) or read further for
adding TEXT and Effects.
Step 2: Adjust text size to fit the actual display area – “Font Size Adjust” (manually). Use the arrow keys to
change the font size until entire message displayed properly in the display area (black box). Note that font style
will change.
                                                                                Note:
Or, enter multiple lines by pressing ENTER and text size will auto adjusts with “Font Size Adjust” value reset to “0”.
Further font size adjustment can be done by changing the “Font Size Adjust” value.
Step 3: Change Font Style – Basic editing mode supports Windows true type fonts. Use the arrow and select
desired font style. Click on “More Font…” button for additional font styles. Once selected, text inside the display
area will change according to the font style selected.
                                                                                       Note:
                                                                                       B‐Frame (Basic Mode)
                                                                                       editing function affects
                                                                                       everything in the same
                                                                                       LAYER.
                                                                                       Every frame contains
                                                                                       two layers – Text Layer
                                                                                       and Animation /
                                                                                       Background Layer.
                                                                                       Changes made are on
                                                                                       LAYER level.
Step 4: Add Outline or Shadow to Text – click on Style and select “Outline”, then pick the color for the outline
Step 5: Change Text Color – click on “Text Color” and select desired color for the text.
Tips: Multiple Colors – the text color for each line can be set to different color.
Tip:
                                                                                              How:
                                                                                              Put cursor in
                                                                                              front of the text
                                                                                              string inside the
                                                                                              TEXT BOX that
                                                                                              we want to
                                                                                              reposition, and
                                                                                              then press space
                                                                                              bar to move the
                                                                                              text string.
Now, your first message is ready. Click        located in the Menu bar to send message to display. Or read further
to add Effects to message.
Step 2: Add effects (presentation functions) to Text Layer – select “Message In Functions” (multiple effects can
be added) then select speed for each effect. Then select “Message Out Functions” (this is how text will exist
before the next frame appears) and speed for the effect.
Note:
                                                                                              Advanced Editing
                                                                                              Mode allows
                                                                                              presentation
                                                                                              function control
                                                                                              over each LINE of
                                                                                              text. (See
                                                                                              Advanced Editing
                                                                                              Mode for more
                                                                                              info.)
    o   Imported video / animation will play “once” by default. Set “animation loop” effect if video file is to be
        played more than once.
    o   Effect duration priority ‐ duration is controlled by whichever layer (text or background) has the longest
        playtime. Video background will loop and repeat if text layout effects has longer playtime. Otherwise,
        frame will wait until video file finished playing.
Previewing message:
    •        located in Menu bar will preview all the frames in a message.
    •        located above the display area will preview that specific frame.
   o   To upload – simply click on the      button in the tool bar. Or Menu Æ Command Æ Send
           o This will send all the frames in the presentation (message) currently opened.
           o If you have multiple presentations (messages) created and want to upload all, use “Schedule
              Messages” feature. See “Schedule Messages” section for more information.
Advanced Mode
Advanced editing mode inherited most of the key features and functions from the A‐Series EDT. Few noteworthy
upgrades:
                                                1
                                                          2
                                                                                                         3
                                                                      4
                                                    7
                     8
                                                    6
              9
   1.   Menu
   2.   Standard Windows Toolbar
   3.   Main Toolbar
   4.   Hot Key Bar
   5.   Frame Indicator
   6.   Frame Window / Display Area
   7.   Background Toolbar / AFrame / BFrame
   8.   Divider button
   9.   Effects window
Advanced Mode
•   Switching between Basic Mode and Advanced Mode
To switch from Basic Mode to Advanced Mode, click on “A” icon above the “frame window/display area”
Note:
                                                                                             Total number of
                                                                                             available lines is
                                                                                             determined by your
                                                                                             display resolution.
        o   Multiple lines can be merged by clicking on the “Numeral” divider buttons next to the red box to
            increase the font size. Different size of fonts can be selected.
        o   In this example, available lines are merged from 5 lines to 3 lines. Larger fonts for the top two lines.
Note:
                                                                                             Combing lines is
                                                                                             simply merging
                                                                                             number of pixels
                                                                                             from 8 pixels per line
                                                                                             to 16 or 32 pixels per
                                                                                             line and etc.
Advanced Mode
Examples:
Advanced Mode
Creating a Message
   Typing message
   o   Instead of typing into a Text Box like in Basic Mode, move cursor inside the Frame Window/Display Area
       and begin typing.
Tip:
                                                                                 Note:
                                                                                 Message or text exceeded
                                                                                 Frame window/Display Area can
                                                                                 be displayed using Travel
                                                                                 functions.
   Styling Text
       Unlike Basic Mode, text in Advanced Mode does not support Windows fonts. However, additional Fonts
       can be created and imported using ViViD Font Creator Program provided with the software.
   o   Font Selection: There are two fonts included. These are accessed via the Font menu in the main tool bar.
   o   For additional fonts: use the ViViD Font Creator or Graphic Creator Program to create your own custom
       fonts or import Windows fonts.
   o   Here we show the top line using “Draft” and second line using “Letter”
o “Auto” sizes fonts to the full height of the line, and automatically increases the size when lines are merged.
 Advanced Mode
       Styling Text (continued)
       o   Selecting a specific size may allow for certain visual effect. For example, the “Draft 4x7” font is the
           narrowest, allowing for the most character per line.
o Foreground/Background icon shows the current setting, as it will appear on the display.
       o   The Foreground menu allows you to select the color of the foreground (the character). Colors are
           limited to the colors of the LEDs in your display.
                                                                     A color palette will appear upon clicking
                                                                     the Text Color button.
Tip:
       o   The Background menu allows you to select the color of the background (the “field”, or area where the
           characters and background graphics / animations do not appear.)
       To apply a change to foreground/background:
       1. Highlight text
       2. Pull down the foreground menu and select the desired color
       3. Repeat with background menu
   Tokens
   Tokens can be inserted within lines of text, and they contain system variables that your display knows how to
   translate into dynamic information. (Tokens only work in Advanced Mode.)
   To use a token:
       1. Click on the “Tokens” icon to open the “Tokens” window.
                            2. Click in the frame where you want the token to appear then click the token you
                            want from the tokens wind.
   Note:
   If display displays incorrect temperature, it can be offset using the Temperature Offset under Command.
Jalapeños.
                                                            Note:
                                                            This feature is NOT available with “Draft 4x7” font.
   Variables
   You work hard to get your display displaying just he right message with just the right effect. But then, every
   time you wan t change a price, or some other frequently‐changing text, this is the time to use a variable.
   Variables are placeholders that reference a table where you can easily change the values, without having the
   mess around with the presentation.
   Setting up Variables
   First create your table of variables:
When you send the message to the display, the value will appear in place of “VAR01” to change the variable, go to
the “Send Variables” window again. Change the value, and click the “Send” button. The display will be
immediately updated with the change.
1. Click on the “BK” icon above the Display Window for each frame.
    2. Browse File and locate the animation or graphic you want to use. You can select from the free
       backgrounds provided with ViViD Software or create your own. Custom animations and graphics, in GIF
       and BMP, can be converted to ViViD file format using ViViD Graphic Creator. (See ViViD Graphic Creator
       section for more information.)
3. Convert files
Text Scrolling
Here are the steps to scroll the text across the display.
   1. Enter the message. Continue to type in the same LINE. Text will shift to the left of the display area.
2. Style text. Add bold, flash, random color, shadow or outline to the text by highlighting.
    4. Assign scroll effect. Click on the Effects Box and select the followings:
           a. Message In Function – Travel in <<
           b. Speed – do not enter any number or speed.
           c. Message Out Function – Travel out<<
           d. Speed – do not enter any number or speed.
Applying Effects
    1. Click the “Effects Window” for the line of the frame where you want the effect to apply.
              !
    2. The “Line Presentation Functions” window will open.
    3. In the left, “Message In Functions” column, select an effect; e.g. “Frame in <<”
    4. Now, set the speed of the “In” effect by clicking on of the numerical buttons labeled “Fast…> Slow. “1” is
       fastest, and “9” is slowest.
    5. In the right, “Message Out Functions” column select another effect; e.g. “Travel Out<<”
    6. Now, set the speed of the “Out” effect by clicking one of the numerical buttons.
    7. This is how the text field will look like. Press “OK” to proceed.
     9. Select “Preview All” from the “Run” menu, or click the “Preview” button at the top of each frame.
There are 26 effects. We encourage you to try them all out. You’ll soon find that certain message lend
themselves to different effects and speeds. Combine with animations to keep your audience watching!
Global Effects
Global Effects applies the same effect to every line in a frame.
Using Frames
Frames can be added, inserted, or deleted like “Adding Frame” in Basic Mode using the Menu bar.
         o Menu Æ Frame Æ Add, Insert, Delete, and etc. (See Basic Mode for more details).
Icons in tool bar can be used for adding, inserting, or deleting a frame.
Add Frame – add a frame right after the current frame in the same editing mode.
Insert Frame – insert a frame in front of the current frame in the same editing mode.
      Fix Frame – lock a logo or graphic in a fixed position from Frame to Frame while text message continue to
move. Press Fix Frame on the frame you want to have the logo or graphic repeated, then Add Frame.
Presentation effects will be applied only to the Text or in line logo or graphics.
Using the Frame Inspector for copying and pasting (duplicating) Frames:
        o Select the Frame you want to manipulate in the Frame Inspector.
        o Click the “Copy Frame” button.
        o Select the frame you want the copied Frame to appear after.
        o Click the “Paste Frame” button.
        o The pasted frame appears, but the previously selected Frame remains selected.
Merging Files
Suppose you have created a nice message, and saved it. Later, you create a new message, but you want the
frames from the old message added on. This is called “merging files”.
Scheduling Messages
How to Create a Schedule
As soon as you have several presentations (messages), you’ll want to schedule them. You can plan as far ahead as
you want, by using multiple schedules.
To create a schedule:
    2. In the “File” menu you will find options for the following:
            o Start a new schedule.
            o Open a previously created schedule.
            o Save a schedule file for later use.
Open the “Command” menu in the schedule dialogue, and then select “Send Schedule”
Hot Keys
The Hot Key bar allows you to set previously created presentations as interrupts. When instructed the Hot Keyed
file will interrupts the current schedule, the Hot Keyed presentation will play, and then the original schedule will
resume playing.
                                                                                      Only content or
                                                                                      video files created
                                                                                      through ViViD
                                                                                      Composer is
                                                                                      supported.
            3. Select the “Browse” button and browse for the file you would like to set for this Hot Key. Then
               Select the “OK” button.
                              1. Set Full Brightness – set display brightness 100% of the display’s potential
                                 brightness.
                              2. Set Auto Brightness by Photocell – photo cell brightness auto dim the display
                                 brightness based on current ambient lighting conditions.
Remote Access
Command Æ Remote File Manager or Remote Schedule Manager.
This is to allow users to log onto the display controller to mange the file and manage the schedule currently in
the controller itself.
Setting a Password
This limits access to ViViD Message Composer for security. To set the password:
    1. Menu Æ Setup Æ Change Password
    2. In the “Change Login Password” window, enter the password in the “New Password” and “Confirm
         Password” fields.
       Warning: Be sure you remember this password. Either choose on that is memorable or make a note of
       it, and secure the note. A good password is 6 or more characters, using both numbers and letters.
Temperature Adjustment
The temperature returned by the temperature probe may drift somewhat from the actual temperature.
To adjust:
    o   Delete files not in schedule – to erase any file stored but not in current schedule.
    o   Format SD & Reboot – to erase all the information inside the SD card.
Introduction
ViViD Graphic Creator is displayed as a simple way to convert and/or create graphic at resolution
suitable to LED displays. ViViD Graphic Creator files can then be imported into ViViD Message
Composer where they can be mixed with text.
To open program: Menu Æ Logo Æ ViViD Graphic Creator (or File Æ ViViD Graphic Creator)
                                                                                          Tip:
       5
               2                                                                          This program can
                                                                                          also be opened in
                                                                                          the ViViD Message
                                                                                          Composer Æ Logo
                                                                                          Æ Graphic Creator.
                             1
   6                                                                                      Note:
                                                                                          Graphic Creator will
                                                                                          use the Sign End
                                                                                          properties from
                                                                                          Message Composer.
                                                                                          If the sign is setup
   3                                                                                      as 24x72 RGB,
                                                                                          Creator will be
                                                                                          opened with that
                                                                                          setup.
Interface Overview
    1. The Frame Workspace is where you draw graphics and animations
    2. Frame Preview shows a thumbnail of each frame
    3. The Coordinates show the current mouse pointer position; the X and Y coordinate on the frame. The
       coordinate changes as you move your mouse.
    4. Click on any color in the Color Pallet to change the current color of the drawing.
    5. The Toolbar holds the tools you will use to create and manipulate graphics.
    6. Line Width changes the thickness of the line in pixels. The selected line width is shown with a red box
       around it.
While creating animation, it is important to keep the size of your display in mind. Are you going
to run your animation “in line” with your text? How large will the text be? Are you going to
span multiple Frame Rows, or the Fix Frame feature?
To resize:
Drawing
Using the Toolbar
The Toolbar contains the tools to draw lines, circles, ellipses, text, and custom shapes. It also
includes a rubber stamp tool.
Tools:
o The Line Tool allows you to create straight lines on the Frame Workspace.
    o    The Circle Tool allows you to draw outlines of circles in the Frame Workspace.
         Click Circle Tool first. Then, in the Frame Workspace, left click and drag the mouse until
         you have the circle of the desired shape and size.
    o    The Ellipse Tool allows you to draw outlines of ellipses in the Frame Workspace. Click
         Ellipses first. Then, in the Frame Workspace, left click and drag the mouse until you
         have the ellipses of the desired shape and size.
    o    The Box Tool enables you to draw rectangles in the Frame Workspace. Click box, then
         left click and drag in the Frame Workspace to draw the rectangle of the desired shape
         and size.
o The Fill Tool allows you to fill in an enclosed area with a selected color.
    o    The Edit Tool allows you to make a selection in the Frame Workspace. Click Edit, then
         click and drag the mouse around the area you want to select.
    o    The Eraser Tool. Click the Eraser and drag through the area you want to erase. The
         pixels of the selected area are returned to black.
    o    The Text Tool enables you to create text message on the Frame Workspace. Click on the
         Text Tool, the text settings appear below the Tool Bar. Choose the font and size, and
         then click on a location inside the Frame Workspace to type your text message.
       o   After you click the Stamp Tool, a stamp option will be shown.
               o The “Default” button allows you to choose the stamp file that contains the
                   stamp images.
               o The “Opaque” check box lets you choose whether or not the stamp image is
                   opaque or transparent. If the “Opaque” check box is unchecked, the amber
                   color of the icon will become transparent.
The “Stamp Images” can be resized by using the “+” and “‐“buttons.
Note that animation and video file imports are not supported here. Please use “BK” function within the Composer
Software.
Importing Images
File Æ Import Image Æ Browse for the desired image file. Most static image file like JPEG, BMP, GIF are
supported.
                                                             3. Copy
                                                                   a. Edit Æ Copy
                                                                  5. Paste
                                                                         a. Move cursor to the blank frame
                                                                            created earlier (click on the
                                                                            frame until blue box appear).
                                                                         b. Edit Æ Paste
Delete frame
    1. Click and highlight the frame to be deleted.
    2. Go to Edit Æ Delete (shortcut: use delete key on the keyboard)
Save file
Now, the slide show is completed. Save file. Files are saved to Optec_ViViD folder by default with “.CXT” file
extension.
To open Font Editor: File Æ ViViD Font Editor. OR Font Æ ViViD Font Editor
File Æ Import Windows Font Æ select the Font and size you want Æ click Import
                                                            Note:
                                                            Consider your display size when
                                                            selecting the font size. If font size
                                                            created is larger than allowable
                                                            display resolutions, font will be
                                                            cropped.
Select the font and start typing. Note, if FONT size imported is LARGER than allowable display size, it will be
cropped. In that case, please recreate the fonts in appropriately size.
If you have any questions about the operation of your display, contact your Authorized
Dealer.