2. Fundamentals of TACHYON

2.1 User Interface Visibility

By default TACHYON’s interface will not be visible on start-up. This is due to the fact that on some configurations (when the Display Master operation mode is selected) every physical output of the graphic card will be used to display content.

Press [Tab] to hide or view TACHYON’s UI.

2.2 Layer Rendering Order

In TACHYON, the rendering order is organized from top to bottom. This means the lowest item in the list will always be the last one rendered, and as a result it will be placed on top of the composition. This applies to both the Timeline module (where compositing is done) and the 3D Scene list.

It is important to remember that the logic of TACHYON’s rendering order is inverted when compared to Adobe’s image compositing applications.

2.3 Virtual and Physical Screens

TACHYON has been designed to facilitate the creation of shows and installations that involve complex programming, signal distribution and display of video content, and also include interactions with various external controllers and protocols such as DMX or MIDI.

A key characteristic of a powerful, efficient and easy to use software designed specifically for video projection in stage productions or installations should be to represent reality as accurately as possible. Therefore, TACHYON is based on a virtual representation of a physical stage’s three-dimensional space and its components. The virtual counterparts of projectors, screens, LED displays, lighting fixtures and stage props can be found in the 3D Scene module.

The properties of the virtual components included in the 3D Scene can be manipulated so they will perfectly match their physical counterparts. It is through the creation of these correlations that TACHYON is able to apply geometric corrections on a video feed to match the positioning and orientation of projectors and screens during a stage production.

This particular approach explains a lot about the software’s structure. In a TACHYON project, technical components coexist in different ways (physical and virtual), but also across different modules in the software. TACHYON Screens are a perfect example of this, in that they act

as pivot points between different TACHYON modules and the stage space.

Screens simultaneously correspond to:

physical screens in the stage or installation space;
virtual representations of the physical screens in the 3D Scene module;
content assignation structures in the Timeline module.

Screens in the Timeline can hold many layers, where multiple media clips can be placed sequentially. Whenever a new Screen is created in the 3D Scene, it will create its own dedicated content assignation structure in the Timeline.

This impacts the way video content is produced, programmed and shown. Instead of working in one large video space that will be cut up for many projectors, you work directly on separate Screens. Placing a media file on the Timeline in a Screen will automatically display the file’s content on its physical counterpart.

2.4 Internal and External Data Exchange

TACHYON’s parameters and their corresponding UI representations (such as sliders and number boxes) have been designed to support mapping internally (across the software) and externally.

Data sent from one point to another can be intercepted and changed using a mathematical function. For example, it could be rescaled for a new context. Data can also be wrapped and sent through various protocols (UDP, PSN or MIDI) so they will be accepted by a wide variety of devices and software.

TACHYON’s Mapping Manager module is dedicated to data exchange. Through a series of tables you will be able to map scaled data from UI components, an external keyboard, or MIDI and DMX devices directly to any other UI component.

UI components can also be linked to time-based markers and then animated through TACHYON’s Keyframe Editor.

2.5 Real-Time Everywhere

TACHYON was built entirely on real-time processes. Since our product was developed for live productions, we focused on building a system that specializes in real-time delivery, and is able to adapt to on-the-spot changes that characterize this type of presentation.

Interactivity is at the very core of TACHYON, which makes it stand out amongst other media servers. All parameters are exposed and can be changed without any rendering time, making TACHYON an ideal tool when instantaneous action is required.

At VYV it is against our philosophy to limit the user in any way. This means there is no cap to the number of modules, media files and treatment processes a user can deploy in a TACHYON Project. However, this means it is the project programmer’s responsibility to ensure that the system’s frame rate does not drop below a specific threshold. (Depending on the circumstances, this could mean 60, 50, 30, 25 or 24 fps.)

2.6 Normalized Values

Most of the UI components in TACHYON, such as sliders, are normalized so their values range from 0. to 1. Values were normalized in this way to facilitate data exchange between modules and data treatment using mathematical functions. One of the notable exceptions to this rule is the measurement of degrees, which ranges from 0. to 360.

2.7 UI Components Lexicon

A few terms describing UI components will be used regularly throughout TACHYON’s technical documents. Some of the terms might be self-explanatory; others have a meaning that is specific to TACHYON’s UI. We decided it would be best to provide definitions for all of them.

Module

A module denotes a structure in TACHYON dedicated to a group of similar tasks. For example, the I/O Module is dedicated to the exchange of data between TACHYON and external third-party devices. Along with the underlying methods, routines and behaviors dictated by the code’s structure, a module will always have its own window containing various widgets such as sliders, toggles, menus, and checkboxes that allow the user to modify parameters, launch tasks, etc.

Modules can be accessed through the File, System and Show dropdown menus or through shortcuts beginning with the [Alt] key.

Window

A window is a rectangular frame that contains various widgets such as sliders, toggles, menus and checkboxes that will allow the user to modify parameters, launch tasks, etc. Windows can be divided in sections or can contain tabs.

To select a window and focus on one of its components, [Left-Click] anywhere inside it. When selected, the window frame will turn green.
To move the window around, [Alt+Click-Drag] inside the window.
If you launched a module but the window does not seem to appear, press [F3]. TACHYON will redraw all windows.
To minimize a window, [Left-Click] on the minus sign located at the top right corner of the window.
To maximize a window, [Left-Click] on the plus sign located at the top right corner of the window.
To close a window, [Left-Click] on the x sign located at the top right corner of the window.
To full screen a window, [Left-Click] on the rectangle icon located at the top right corner of the window. (this icon only appear in the Timeline, 3D Scene and Preview Modules)

Window Section

A window section is a subdivision of a window used to regroup widgets that are meant to work in conjunction with the execution of a task. For example: a list of clickable items and a button used to add items in the list would be located in the same window section. Window sections are generally preceded by a title and are delimited by a faded rectangular frame.

Tab

Some modules encompass more features than others. Windows tied to these modules will usually feature tabs: clickable components that facilitate switching between different panels. Panels accessible through tabs regroup coherent sets of widgets targeting a specific aspect of their module.

Tabs located in the I/O Manager window feature a small pin icon. These tabs can be “unpinned” from the module’s window and displayed in an independent window by a [Left-Click] on the pin icon.

List

Lists are structured unidimensional sets of items. In TACHYON, the items contained in a list are identified by faded gray rectangles containing the item’s name or ID. The items usually support various interactions. They can be re-ordered through [Click-Drag]. A [Right-Click] on a list item will open a contextual menu offering various options.

Main Menu

Main Menus are located at the very top of TACHYON’s main window (the black background that exists independently from the other modules). They either provide access to the software’s various modules or allow the user to perform operations like saving their current project.

Dropdown Menu

A dropdown menu appears as a white rectangular frame with a name or a currently selected option written in white. A downward or right pointing arrow will indicate that the menu is clickable and will provide the user with many options.

Contextual Menu

Contextual menus are activated by performing a [Right-Click] on a UI component such as an item in a list or a slider. Contents of a contextual menu will vary depending on the nature of the UI component affected by the [Right-Click].

Slider

Sliders are either unidimensional or bidimensional widgets used to graphically and numerically represent the value set for a parameter.

Toggle

A toggle is a widget that allows users to set a parameter’s Boolean value (On/Off). Represented by a clickable rectangular frame, toggles are often used to indicate whether or not a particular option is activated. If an option is activated, the toggle’s rectangular frame will be highlighted.

Button

Buttons are widgets that can be clicked. They are used in various ways and their functions are represented by icons or names.

Checkbox

Checkboxes are used in conjunction with items in a list to indicate if they are selected to be inside or outside a set before applying an operation.

2.9 Renaming Labels

Most item labels can be renamed in TACHYON. There are two methods for renaming labels:

[Double-Click] to put the slider in edit mode, which lets you type in the desired name; or,
[Single-Click] to focus on the item label and then press [F2] to put the slider in edit mode, which lets you type in the desired name.

TACHYON’s Main Menu Bar provides access to the software’s main modules. The modules are categorized based on their functions.

Use the Main Menu Bar to gain access to the various modules that will allow you to build a TACHYON project.

2.11 Projects

Projects are abstractions that regroup all of the data tied to the programming of a show. The different files created through saving are tied to their originating Project. Each Project refers to a distinct folder hierarchy located in D:\VYV\tachyon\projects.

Each Project has its own folder containing the following subfolders: config, content, logs, models, monitoring, plugins, slac, tmp. These folders contain many different files storing the essential components of a programmed show. If you ever need support, you will most probably have to transfer some of these files to technicians.

2.11.1 Create Project

Select {File > Advanced > New Project} from the Main Menu.

2.11.2 Change Project

It is possible to switch to another Project on the local server or on all servers included in the Server Group.

Select {File > Advanced > Change Project} from the Main Menu.
Select a Project from the dropdown menu.
Decide whether to change Project on the local server or on all servers by activating/deactivating the [Apply Change on Connected Systems] toggle.
Click on the [Apply and Restart] button.

It is possible to load a project from an external drive by selecting the [Browse...] option instead of a project, a file dialog will be prompted to select a project outside of the regular file structure.

It is possible to specify which project to load when launching TACHYON from the VYV Network Assistant. Select {Tools > Configure} to open the Configuration Window and then select an item from the Project dropdown menu.

2.11.3 Reset Project

Resetting a Project will erase all previous programming and reset it to its default values.

Select {File > Advanced > Reset Project} from the Main Menu.
Click on the [Yes] button located in the Confirmation Window.

2.12 Synchronize Command

The Synchronize command is used to push the current Project’s programming from the local server to the others that are included in the same Server Group. Here follows a few examples where the Synchronize command can prove useful:

A server acting as a Controller (or Display Master) could push a completely programmed show to the networked Display servers. This feature is very useful in cases where blank new servers are added to an on-going Project. In such cases, keep in mind you will have to import again all of the media onto the new servers.
It is frequent to edit shows offline on a remote Controller. When time comes to do the update, just load the Project file onto the connected Controller or Display master and then use the Synchronize command. Updates will be applied on all servers included in the Server Group.
If you encounter problematic situations where the current state of a project was not correctly distributed over servers, use the Synchronize command to manually push it over the network.

2.12.1 Synchronize a Server Group

Select {System > Settings} from the Main Menu or press [Alt+S] to open the Settings module. (Make sure the TACHYON tab is selected.)
Make sure a Server Group has been created previously. The Server Group must include all of the servers you want to synchronize.
Select {File > Synchronize} from the Main Menu or press [Ctrl+Enter].

Be careful, if the Reset command was used on the Controller or the Display Master before applying the Synchronize command, a blank empty Project will be pushed across the Server Group.

2.12.2 Inverted Synchronization

An inverted synchronization consists in pulling a Project’s data from a remote server and applying it to the local server. This might be useful in a situation where a new Controller server is added to a Server Group and you need to transfer the show data locally.

Select {System > Settings} from the Main Menu or press [Alt+S] to open the Settings module. (Make sure the TACHYON tab is selected.)
Make sure a Server Group has been created previously. The Server Group must include all of the servers you want to synchronize.
[Right-click] on the server from which you want to pull the Project’s data in the Tachyon Selection list to open a contextual menu.
Select {Sync From Server} form the contextual menu to perform the inverted synchronization.

2.13 Saving Methods

Saving in TACHYON may differ in some ways from what you might be accustomed to in other software. TACHYON’s Default Save {File > Save Default} writes in the main memory slot used for backing up a TACHYON Project’s files (using the .phd file extension).

The Default Save is automatically loaded when TACHYON starts.
The Default Save is automatically overwritten when TACHYON quits. A new save is created in the same memory slot, with the project’s current data.

All types of Saves strictly include TACHYON’s data. None of the media files or 3D objects will be backed up through any of the saving methods.

All saves will be located in ...VYV\tachyon\projects\current_project_name\config\...
A TACHYON Save is divided into 3 files:
a .phd file (TACHYON Data)
a .io file (all the configurations of your input and output devices)
a .uuc file (UI configurations; your current Workspace)
There are 3 ways to save your TACHYON Project.
Save Default [Ctrl+S]
Save Incremental [Ctrl+Alt+S]
Save Project… [Ctrl+Shift+S]
We recommend you to save regularly using both the Save Default method and either the Save Incremental or the Save Project method to create timestamped snapshots of your project.

2.13.1 Save Default

TACHYON uses the Default Saves as its standard way of backing up your progress while working on a project.

If you select {File > Save Default} or press [Ctrl+S] the current state of your project will overwrite the file that was previously saved as the Default Save. Therefore, Default Saves are destructive.
By selecting {File > Load Default} or by pressing [Ctrl+L] you will revert your project to the previous state that was saved in the Default Save.

Furthermore, if you let TACHYON quit properly, by letting the Windows console finish its process, your project will automatically be saved as a Default Save. Note that the Default Save is also the save that will be loaded when TACHYON starts.

2.13.2 Load Default

Select {File > Load Default} or press [Ctrl+L] to load the version of the project currently saved in the Default Save memory slot. A Confirm Load Project dialog box will open and ask “Are you sure you want to reload the last default save?”
Click on the [Yes] button to reload the last default save. Click on the [No] button if you decide to keep on working with your project in its current state.

2.13.3 Save Incremental

Save Incremental is the fastest way to save. It incrementally creates new save files.

By selecting {File > Save incremental} or by pressing [Ctrl+Alt+S] you will automatically create a saved project file without prompting a Windows file dialog.

The save will be named as follows: Currentprojectname_yyyymmdd_hhmmss

Example: Myproject_20180305_185423

The date and time is determined by the local server’s operating system.

2.13.4 Save Project…

The Save Project command lets you save specially named versions of your project when it reaches a state that you want to keep as a backup. Save Project is an inalterable step, a backup of your TACHYON Project’s data at a specific point, except if you manually delete it or choose to replace it.

Select {File > Save Project...} or press [Ctrl+Shift+S] to prompt a Windows dialog that lets you name the project save.

2.13.5 Load Project

Select {File > Load Project...} or press [Ctrl+Shift+L] to open a Windows file explorer that lets you access previous versions of your project created through any of the save methods.
To load a previous version of your project, select the desired project file from the Windows file explorer and click on the [Open] button.

2.13.6 Auto-save

Select {System > Settings>General>Auto-Save} and enable the Auto-Save Toggle, Select the Frequency in minutes with the slider.

TACHYON will automatically do a Save incremental every n Minutes set in the slider.

2.14 Slider Types and Behaviors

TACHYON uses three kinds of sliders determined by the type of data it needs to represent.

2.14.1 1D Slider

Allows control over a large variety of parameters in the software. This UI component’s value can be modified by sliding the bar horizontally within the defined zone.

The 1D Slider can be edited in the following ways:

[Left-Click+Drag] changes the value within the hardcoded range.
[Ctrl+Left-Click+Drag] changes the value, with the option to exceed the hardcoded range.
[Shift+Left-Click+Drag] changes the value within the hardcoded range at a slower pace to achieve more precision (10 times slower).
[Ctrl+Shift+Left-Click+Drag] changes the value at a slower pace (100 times), with the option to exceed the hardcoded range.
[Double-Click] puts the slider in edit mode and lets you type in the desired value.
[Single-Click] to focus on the slider, followed by [F2] puts the slider in edit mode and lets you type in the desired value.
Note that the 1d slider is also capable of basic maths functions including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and modulo using +,-,*,/ and % .

Extended range and 100 times pace reduction only work with 1D Sliders.

2.14.2 2D Slider

Allows control over a large variety of parameters in the software, such as size or position values. This UI component’s value can be modified by sliding the cross horizontally and vertically within the defined zone.

The 2D Slider can be edited in the following ways:

[Left-Click+Drag] changes the value within the hardcoded range.
[Shift+Left-Click+Drag] changes the value within the hardcoded range at a slower pace to achieve more precision (10 times slower).
[Double-Click] puts the slider in edit mode and lets you type in the desired value.
[Single-Click] to focus on the slider, followed by [F2] puts the slider in edit mode and lets you type in the desired value.
[Tab] allows you to cycle your selection through the 2 values.

2.14.3 Time Slider

The Time Slider allows control over timing parameters in the software by sliding the bar horizontally within the defined zone. For example, it will allow you to modify the In and Out of Clips on the Timeline.

The Time Slider can be edited in the following ways:

By clicking on the [In] button, you will set the current time of the Timeline’s Playhead to the Time Slider.
[Left-Click+Drag] changes the value within the hardcoded range.
[Shift+Left-Click+Drag] changes the value within the hardcoded range at a slower pace (10 times).
[Double-Click] puts the slider in edit mode and lets you type in the desired value.
[Single-Click] to focus on the Time Slider, followed by [F2] puts the slider in edit mode and lets you type in the desired value.