
 Documentation for the VTR Extension 
                       (with the Simulated controller)

     In order to run this software you must have one of the editions of
Strata's PC animation software: StudioPro or SV3D.  These  will be referred to
simply as Strata.

     This is the VTR Extension for the simulated VTR controller.  If you want
to use another extension, use the "Preferences" option in the Utilities/More
menu.  Select the option "M. VTR Extension" and then choose the desired
controller.

     Since this is a simulated VTR controller, any commands that are meant for
a controller are just displayed on screen for a brief period.  For example,
when you select PLAY, this command will be displayed in red at the bottom of
the screen.

     The first menu in the VTR simulation is:

- VTR MENU (Simulation) -

     Before looking at the "VTR Control Menu" option, this documentation
discusses the other options on this menu.

     The "Apply SMPTE time code to tape" option allows you to lay down time
code on the tape without having to leave the Strata - providing your VTR has a
time code generator.  To code a new tape, use this option.  Note that the tape
does not have to be "blacked" in advance of laying down time code.  Just
select this option.  Read the instructions on the screen, and select the
"Start applying time code to the tape" option.  The tape will rewind.  The
menu screen will prompt you to press <Enter> when the tape is rewound.
Another message then appears explaining that when you press <Enter> again the
VTR will start laying down time code.  When you press <Enter> the following
will take place:  If you have set the Option "File type/graphics board" to
6RN/TARGA32 or TGA/TARGA32 then the Targa screen will turn grey and the tape
will be striped with this image.  If this option  is  set  for  6RN/VGA then
color bars will appear on the menu screen and this image will appear on the
tape.  You can halt at any time by pressing Esc.  After the time code has been
laid down, the VTR will rewind and stop.  You will be returned to the main
VTR Menu.

     The "Check list for VTR controller" is merely a short list of items to
keep in mind as you use the VTR controller.

     The "File type/graphics board" option lets you designate the type of
files to be transferred to tape (6RN or TGA) and set the type of graphics
board that you are using.  Press F to toggle between the choices.  They are:

     6RN/VGA:       This is for transferring a sequence of 6RN files to tape
                    from your existing VGA or SVGA board, including 24-bit
                    boards that support the VESA standard.
     6RN/Targa32    This is for transferring a sequence of 6RN files to tape
                    via a Targa32 or a Targa+16/32 or a Targa+32/64 board.
                    This gives full 24-bit color images.
     TGA/Targa32    This is the same as 6RN/Targa32 except that you are
                    transferring TGA files instead of 6RN files.

     The "Encoder supports full color" option is used to dither images if you
are using a 24-bit SVGA board but your encoder does not support 24-bit output.
In this case, you should set this option to False, so that the image is
dithered as it goes to tape.  Failure to set this option to False, under these
conditions, will cause color banding in the images that appear on tape.  If
you are using a Targa board, this setting is ignored since the Targa board has
its own full color encoder.  If you are using an SVGA board that is not
24-bit, the image will automatically be dithered.

     The "F1 Readme" option displays the file that you are reading.  The PgUp,
PgDn and arrow keys allow you to navigate through the file.  Press P to obtain
a hard copy.  If your printer is not ready to receive, the computer will beep.

     From the VTR MENU, press V to get to the VTR Control Options.

- VTR CONTROL OPTIONS -

  First make sure that you have the "local/remote" switch on the VTR set to
REMOTE.

     Play:     A menu will appear on which you can press <Enter> to start the
               VTR playing or enter the time code for where you want the VTR
               to start playing.  The VTR will cue up to this time and start
               playing until you select "Stop".

     Find and freeze: Enter the time code for the frame that you want to
               freeze; the VTR will go there and hold the frame until you
               select "Stop".

     <- rewind:          Rewinds the VTR until you select "Stop" or until the
                         tape is completely rewound.

     -> fast forward     The VTR goes into fast forward until you select
                         "stop" or until the tape is completely wound to the
                         end.

     Stop                Stops the recorder.

     Time                The controller reads the current time code on the
                         tape and displays it.

     Manual VTR functions     Allows you to enter SoftVTR commands directly
                              from the computer.  For example, if you type
                              PLAY, the VTR will start to play.

     Record              This is the option that allows you to transfer images
                         to tape.  Press "R" to see the following menu.

- SEQUENCE SELECTION MENU -

     Typically you want to lay down a couple sequences of frames.  For
example:

     1. The first sequence: TEST1.6RN - TEST30.6RN starting at 0 hours,
        1 minute, 0 seconds and 0 frames,
     2. then a second sequence: TEST30.6RN for 90 frames.

     Select the "Add sequence" option and enter the name of the first
sequence: TEST.  Now enter the first frame: 1, and the last frame: 30.  You
will now see the prompt: "Enter # of VTR frames/sequence frame:".  Enter the
number of frames on tape that each 6RN frame should occupy.  Normally,  you
should enter the number 1.  But if you want each 6RN file to stay on the
screen for a full second before the next one appears, enter 30.  Select the
"Add sequence" option again and enter TEST and 30 for both first and last
frames but enter 90 for "# of VTR frames/sequence frame".

     Next select the "Edit time" option and enter the time for the first
frame.  In this example, enter 0 1 0 0.  Now use the "List sequences" option
to see the Edit List.  You can start all over by using the "Clear sequences"
option or look at the available sequences with the "Directory" option.

     Finally, when you are ready to transfer the frames to tape, select
"Transfer to tape".  You can stop the transfer process by hitting the Esc key;
when you stop the process in this way, the system will load the next frame and
then return you to the VTR Menu.

     Here is a typical system set up.

                                          Ŀ
                                              TV     
                                           MONITOR  
                                          
                                           
    Ŀ                      Ŀ
      COMPUTER                               PANASONIC AG7750 VTR   
  Targa(1)                          video                        
                                        monitor                      
                   Ŀ           out                          
                                                                   
       (S)VGA      Ŀ                                    
     com2          Encoder                                       
                                              
                                                                     
                                        video in                    
                                    or                 remote 
 - - - -  - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   s-video               9p   
                                       
          

(1) Optional


