What is a screen?
A screen in Designer consists of exactly as many pixels as there are in the real world screen. Content can be rendered from the Timeline and mapped to the screens in the stage in real time (with the exception of the Projector screen type). The screens can then output their data via the Feed system or DMX depending on the screen type. Designer uses DmxScreens to output DMX data, and DmxLights to create DMX-based moving lights and other DMX-based screens.
Types of screens
Designer contains five different screen types that can be added to a stage.
Dmx Lights
This is the screen type to use when you want to create DMX-based moving lights and other DMX-based screens where custom DMX drivers are required (that cannot be created using the DmxScreens type, see below). DmxLights also visualises beam effects and movement. Learn more about DmxLights in the DmxScreens/Lights chapter.
Dmx Screens
This screen type is a normal video screen of any shape and form but outputs DMX data instead of video. Learn more about DmxScreens in the DmxScreens/Lights chapter.
Projection Surfaces
This screen type is an object that will be projected onto and should be used in conjunction with a virtual projector. Projection screens have no output feed and require projectors to view them. Learn more about this feature in the Projector Simulation chapter.
LED Screens
This screen type is used for LED screens.
Projectors
This screen type is actually a virtual projector used for projection mapping projects. Learn more about this feature in the Projector Simulation chapter.
In addition, Designer contains by default a set of primitive meshes:
- 1 x 1m Rectangle. The name ‘Rectangle’ may sound confusing as it’s actually a 1 x 1 m plane. This plane has been exported from the origin in 3ds Max (0,0,0).
- 1 x 1m Cylinder.
- 1 x 1m Convex.
These three primitive meshes can be used as the screen mesh for the six different screen types (with the exception of Projectors), defining the shape of your screens. They are already UV-mapped and can be re-sized, positioned and configured to match your design requirements. If you are using any other shape than the standard Rectangle, Cylinder or Convex meshes, the screen requires an imported UV-mapped .obj file as the screen mesh. Please see the Mesh section within the Editing screens sub-chapter for information on how to import a screen mesh into the software.