Networking
Connecting to Capture
Capture is a visualisation software package, that allows you to emulate fixtures in a venue, so you can pre-program your show when away from the real venue.
There is an example Capture project you can download free of charge. You can control this Capture project with your console, or Phantom ZerOS, which is ideal for learning how to use ZerOS.
Once downloaded, extract/unzip the "Dockhouse" download, and open the unzipped folder.
Within the folder will be the following items:
- .app - this is the Capture Presentation file you can run on a Mac
- .exe - this is the Capture Presentation file you can run on a Windows PC
- .bin - this file must be in the same directory as the .exe
Then, you will need to download the ZerOS show file to allow you to control the "Dockhouse" Capture visualisation file:
The ZerOS Show file will allow you to control the "Dockhouse" Capture file, from either a physical ZerOS console such as FLX, or Phantom ZerOS.
Using Phantom ZerOS to control the Capture files on the same PC
It is possible to control Capture visualisation from Phantom ZerOS running on the same PC. Using the CITP protocol to control your Capture visualisation file, there is no need for a Phantom ZerOS unlock dongle. To output Art-Net or sACN from Phantom ZerOS, an unlock dongle is required.
To control the venues from Phantom ZerOS, first copy the required ZerOS show file (.zos) to your Phantom local drive on your PC. For information on configuring your Phantom Local Drive, click here.
Then run Phantom ZerOS as your chosen Desk Type. After loading, open the Monitor 1 window (or LCD on FLX S24), and then tap the Insert key on your PC. This will take you into Setup. Choose Load from the left hand side, and then choose your ZerOS show file required to control your chosen visualisation file. The show file was created using a FLX console, and so if you are using a different console type, you will receive warnings to inform you some information may not be loaded.
After loading the show file, tap Insert again to take you into Setup, and then choose Universes. Under the CITP settings within the Universes tab, ensure that the CITP IP is set to use 127.0.0.1. This is the loopback IP address of your PC, allowing Phantom ZerOS to control Capture. There is no need for any other network settings (such as Art-Net or sACN) to be enabled. Then tap Insert again to save and close.
Then, run the Capture visualisation file.
Using Phantom ZerOS, you will then start to control the lights in your virtual venue in Capture. When fixtures are selected in either program, they will automatically be selected on the other software package too. In Capture, selected fixtures are highlighted in red.
Controlling the Capture files running on a PC from a real console
By connecting your console to your PC over Ethernet, it is possible to control the Capture visualisation file. You can do this by directly connecting your console and laptop with a single Ethernet cable, or you can connect them together as part of a larger network.
Firstly, copy the ZerOS show file you have downloaded to a USB stick. Then plug this into your ZerOS console. On your ZerOS console, tap Setup -> Load, and choose the show file to load in. The show file was created using a FLX console, and so if you are using a different console type, you will receive warnings to inform you some information may not be loaded.
If you wish to connect your ZerOS console and PC directly using a standard Ethernet cable, you will need to change the IP address of your PC to be able to communicate with your console.
The ZerOS show files use CITP to communicate to Capture. They have been preconfigured with the CITP IP address of 10.1.1.88, and a subnet of 255.0.0.0.
To save reconfiguring both your PC and console, you can therefore change your PC's IP address to be within range of the CITP IP of the console, for example, you could use the following IP on your PC:
IP Address: 10.1.1.10
Subnet Mask: 255.0.0.0
Then, run the Capture visualisation file.
You should find you are controlling your virtual venue in Capture from your ZerOS console. When fixtures are selected in either program, they will automatically be selected on the other system too. In Capture, selected fixtures are highlighted in red.
If you are having difficulty, you may need to configure your Windows Firewall settings. To do this tap the Windows Key (Start), and type "Allow an app through Windows Firewall". Windows should find the relevant Control Panel article, for you to press Enter to go to. Then click "Change Settings" from the top, and if your Capture file is not listed, click "Allow another app". If it is listed, ensure it is ticked to have permission. If you are still having difficulty, try running the Capture visualisation as administrator.