BTWyg Quick Start Guide
Joana Provido
26 steps
52 seconds
1
BTWyg is important for lighting tracking, as Blacktrax needs to understand the fixture's position in relation to the Trackable's position. BTWyg is a version of Wysiwyg that allows for communication with Blacktrax. For in-depth explanations of how to use Wysiwyg, there are free guides available on Cast Academy: <https://academy.cast-soft.com/pages/wysiwyg-courses>
Refer to this guide for importing existing CAD drawings from other softwares: **\[Guide coming soon!\]**
Introduction
2
When a new BT Portfolio is created, a new BTwyg template file is created at the same time.
This template file has been preconfigured for use with Blacktrax. Please use the template file to create all Blacktrax showfiles. If working off a Vectorworks or AutoCad file, these can be imported and then saved as a WYG file. This can be merged into the template file.
3
At the top of the window, there are 5 different modes to choose from. CAD mode is the default mode that BTwyg will open to, and is also the most relevant mode for creating a Blacktrax show file. There are three different axes in BTwyg: X-axis (red ruler), Y-axis (green ruler), and Z-axis (height, blue ruler).
Refer to these buttons to change the window view.
4
The origin point is very important when setting up BTwyg, as this (0,0,0) point is where the Ground Plane lines up to exactly where the Ground Plane is set in real life. Place the origin point in a location that is easy to remember and to physically access. To keep things simple, all integrations with Blacktrax should share this common origin point.
5
On the right side, there is the Position Tool and Layer Database. The Position Tool allows for quick changes to an object's position. The Layer Database contains the project layers, and changes can be made to the layers through this menu. Add and remove layers using the green and red buttons in the top left. The eye button changes the visibility of the layer and the pencil button changes the editability of the layer. When drawing on a layer, the crosshair color will change to the same color as the layer color.
Tip! The BTwyg template file contains these layers when created.
Placing Hanging Positions + Fixtures
6
In order to place a fixture, it must first have a hanging position that it can attach to. To create a pipe, select the Pipe tool at the top of the window.
Other Hanging Positions include Curved Pipes and Trusses. Both of these tools can be found next to the Pipe tool.
7
The Pipe Wizard will open, where pipe length and trim height can be specified. To draw the pipe instead of inputting exact dimensions, click "Interactive". Trim height will still need to be specified.
Tip! Imperial dimensions can be inputted into the fields and WYG will automatically convert them to metric (and vice versa).
To specify hanging position, select the "..." button. This will open the Position Manager, and a new hanging position can be created by selecting the green "+". This is not a required step, but can be useful.
8
Once the pipe is created, click "OK" and click to place the pipe.
9
To place a fixture, head to the Fixture Library in the Library Browser on the right. Search for the fixture needed. To change the fixture's mode before placing them, right-click the fixture in the Library Browser and go to Properties.
10
Go to Options and change the fixture mode. Click "Insert" once the change is made.
11
Click to add the fixture to the pipe. To place a fixture on the floor, right click anywhere and select "Insert on Floor". When finished, right click anywhere in the window and select "Finish Placing Fixtures" (or press F).
Not every fixture in the plot needs to be drawn in BTwyg; just the fixtures that will be used for tracking.
If the fixture needed is not in the Fixture Library, contact **support@blacktrax.ca** for a custom fixture profile. **Requests should include:**\ Fixture Name & Manufacturer\ DMX Chart (if possible)\ Version of BTwyg being used\ Urgency of Request
12
Once the fixture is placed, the next step is to add patch and spot information to each light. This can be done quickly using Quick Tools. Right click anywhere and select Quick Tools > Quick Tools. This will open the Quick Fixture Tool. Select Patch and Spot. Input the starting Patch universe and address for the fixtures, and click "OK".
Before using Quick Tools, make sure each fixture is in the correct mode.
To change individual fixture information, select the fixture, right click, and select "Properties". Here, the properties of WYG objects can be changed: layer, appearance, fixture information, and more.
13
Click the fixtures in order from first to last to apply the Patch and Spot IDs. When finished, right click anywhere and select "Finish Quick Tools" (or press F).
14
Once every fixture has been placed and addressed, the next step is to send this information to Blacktrax (Step 22). Please see below to insert additional Trackables and/or Zones.
Inserting Trackables
15
Trackables and Zones can also be added through BTwyg.
16
The BTwyg template file comes with 12 Trackables. These Trackables can be placed anywhere in the BTwyg file. Once Blacktrax receives motion data from the Beacon, its corresponding Trackable will also move in BTwyg. To add more, switch to CAD mode and go to Blacktrax > BT Trackable.
17
In the pop-up dialog, click on "OK"
18
Click to place the Trackable anywhere.
19
To change a Trackable's information, select the Trackable and open properties (right click > Properties OR Alt+Enter).
20
Go to the Frame tab and uncheck "Blacktrax Trackable Frame". This checkbox locks the information so it cannot be changed while checked. When all changes are completed, check off "Blacktrax Trackable Frame" to lock the Trackable once again. Click "OK" or "Apply" when finished.
This will also change the Trackable's name in Blacktrax. However, if the Trackable name is changed in Blacktrax, this will not change the Trackable name in BTwyg.
Inserting Zones
21
A Zone is an area that can trigger different fixture behaviour depending on the location of the Beacon. To insert a Zone, switch to CAD mode and go to Blacktrax > BT Zone, and pick from a Rectangular, Cylindrical, or Spherical Zone.
22
Specify the size of the Zone, or select "Interactive" and click + drag to define the area of the Zone.
23
Once the Zone is placed, press Alt+Enter to access Properties. The name of the Zone can be changed here. Note that the Zone name can only be changed in BTwyg. It cannot be changed in Blacktrax.
Programming fixture behaviour in a Zone is done on a per-fixture basis in the Fixture Settings in Blacktrax.
BTX Apply
In order for Blacktrax to receive a fixture's information from BTwyg, the fixture must have a Patch ID and Spot ID.
24
In CAD mode, go to Blacktrax > BT Apply. This will send information from BTwyg to Blacktrax. This information includes fixtures, Trackables, and Zones.
25
Open Blacktrax and click the blue arrow in the Status Bar to download the incoming BTwyg information. If the Status changes to Blind, click "Apply Changes".
26
A pop-up dialog will confirm BlackTrax project has been updated.
BTWyg Quick Start Guide
Joana Provido
26 steps
52 seconds
1
BTWyg is important for lighting tracking, as Blacktrax needs to understand the fixture's position in relation to the Trackable's position. BTWyg is a version of Wysiwyg that allows for communication with Blacktrax. For in-depth explanations of how to use Wysiwyg, there are free guides available on Cast Academy: <https://academy.cast-soft.com/pages/wysiwyg-courses>
Refer to this guide for importing existing CAD drawings from other softwares: **\[Guide coming soon!\]**
Introduction
2
When a new BT Portfolio is created, a new BTwyg template file is created at the same time.
This template file has been preconfigured for use with Blacktrax. Please use the template file to create all Blacktrax showfiles. If working off a Vectorworks or AutoCad file, these can be imported and then saved as a WYG file. This can be merged into the template file.
3
At the top of the window, there are 5 different modes to choose from. CAD mode is the default mode that BTwyg will open to, and is also the most relevant mode for creating a Blacktrax show file. There are three different axes in BTwyg: X-axis (red ruler), Y-axis (green ruler), and Z-axis (height, blue ruler).
Refer to these buttons to change the window view.
4
The origin point is very important when setting up BTwyg, as this (0,0,0) point is where the Ground Plane lines up to exactly where the Ground Plane is set in real life. Place the origin point in a location that is easy to remember and to physically access. To keep things simple, all integrations with Blacktrax should share this common origin point.
5
On the right side, there is the Position Tool and Layer Database. The Position Tool allows for quick changes to an object's position. The Layer Database contains the project layers, and changes can be made to the layers through this menu. Add and remove layers using the green and red buttons in the top left. The eye button changes the visibility of the layer and the pencil button changes the editability of the layer. When drawing on a layer, the crosshair color will change to the same color as the layer color.
Tip! The BTwyg template file contains these layers when created.
Placing Hanging Positions + Fixtures
6
In order to place a fixture, it must first have a hanging position that it can attach to. To create a pipe, select the Pipe tool at the top of the window.
Other Hanging Positions include Curved Pipes and Trusses. Both of these tools can be found next to the Pipe tool.
7
The Pipe Wizard will open, where pipe length and trim height can be specified. To draw the pipe instead of inputting exact dimensions, click "Interactive". Trim height will still need to be specified.
Tip! Imperial dimensions can be inputted into the fields and WYG will automatically convert them to metric (and vice versa).
To specify hanging position, select the "..." button. This will open the Position Manager, and a new hanging position can be created by selecting the green "+". This is not a required step, but can be useful.
8
Once the pipe is created, click "OK" and click to place the pipe.
9
To place a fixture, head to the Fixture Library in the Library Browser on the right. Search for the fixture needed. To change the fixture's mode before placing them, right-click the fixture in the Library Browser and go to Properties.
10
Go to Options and change the fixture mode. Click "Insert" once the change is made.
11
Click to add the fixture to the pipe. To place a fixture on the floor, right click anywhere and select "Insert on Floor". When finished, right click anywhere in the window and select "Finish Placing Fixtures" (or press F).
Not every fixture in the plot needs to be drawn in BTwyg; just the fixtures that will be used for tracking.
If the fixture needed is not in the Fixture Library, contact **support@blacktrax.ca** for a custom fixture profile. **Requests should include:**\ Fixture Name & Manufacturer\ DMX Chart (if possible)\ Version of BTwyg being used\ Urgency of Request
12
Once the fixture is placed, the next step is to add patch and spot information to each light. This can be done quickly using Quick Tools. Right click anywhere and select Quick Tools > Quick Tools. This will open the Quick Fixture Tool. Select Patch and Spot. Input the starting Patch universe and address for the fixtures, and click "OK".
Before using Quick Tools, make sure each fixture is in the correct mode.
To change individual fixture information, select the fixture, right click, and select "Properties". Here, the properties of WYG objects can be changed: layer, appearance, fixture information, and more.
13
Click the fixtures in order from first to last to apply the Patch and Spot IDs. When finished, right click anywhere and select "Finish Quick Tools" (or press F).
14
Once every fixture has been placed and addressed, the next step is to send this information to Blacktrax (Step 22). Please see below to insert additional Trackables and/or Zones.
Inserting Trackables
15
Trackables and Zones can also be added through BTwyg.
16
The BTwyg template file comes with 12 Trackables. These Trackables can be placed anywhere in the BTwyg file. Once Blacktrax receives motion data from the Beacon, its corresponding Trackable will also move in BTwyg. To add more, switch to CAD mode and go to Blacktrax > BT Trackable.
17
In the pop-up dialog, click on "OK"
18
Click to place the Trackable anywhere.
19
To change a Trackable's information, select the Trackable and open properties (right click > Properties OR Alt+Enter).
20
Go to the Frame tab and uncheck "Blacktrax Trackable Frame". This checkbox locks the information so it cannot be changed while checked. When all changes are completed, check off "Blacktrax Trackable Frame" to lock the Trackable once again. Click "OK" or "Apply" when finished.
This will also change the Trackable's name in Blacktrax. However, if the Trackable name is changed in Blacktrax, this will not change the Trackable name in BTwyg.
Inserting Zones
21
A Zone is an area that can trigger different fixture behaviour depending on the location of the Beacon. To insert a Zone, switch to CAD mode and go to Blacktrax > BT Zone, and pick from a Rectangular, Cylindrical, or Spherical Zone.
22
Specify the size of the Zone, or select "Interactive" and click + drag to define the area of the Zone.
23
Once the Zone is placed, press Alt+Enter to access Properties. The name of the Zone can be changed here. Note that the Zone name can only be changed in BTwyg. It cannot be changed in Blacktrax.
Programming fixture behaviour in a Zone is done on a per-fixture basis in the Fixture Settings in Blacktrax.
BTX Apply
In order for Blacktrax to receive a fixture's information from BTwyg, the fixture must have a Patch ID and Spot ID.
24
In CAD mode, go to Blacktrax > BT Apply. This will send information from BTwyg to Blacktrax. This information includes fixtures, Trackables, and Zones.
25
Open Blacktrax and click the blue arrow in the Status Bar to download the incoming BTwyg information. If the Status changes to Blind, click "Apply Changes".
26
A pop-up dialog will confirm BlackTrax project has been updated.
