VenueMagic 3.5 Released

VenueMagic-The Show Control Solution

The much-awaited release of VenueMagic 3.5 is here!

The most powerful and comprehensive show control software in the world just got better. For over 10 years, VenueMagic's unique graphical timeline-based approach to show control has set the standard for sophistication and ease-of-use in the show control world.  Now VenueMagic takes another leap forward with some exciting new features.
VenueMagic Screens

VenueMagic now includes a full-featured graphical user interface development tool. Create your own operator control panels by dragging and dropping buttons, sliders, lamps, numerical displays, images and more.  Great for theater/live performances, haunted attractions, escape rooms and many other venues.  VenueMagic Screens is available in VenueMagic SC+ and SC2+ Editions.  Click here for more information.

Custom User Interface
Custom Escape Room Puzzle
ASIO Audio Interface
VenueMagic now supports audio hardware that use ASIO.  This includes a wide variety of pro-audio interfaces such as Dante®, MOTU®, Allen & Heath® and others.  Tested to over 200 tracks of up to 24-bit audio spread across 64 channels (via Dante Virtual Soundcard) for certain applications.  ASIO is available in VenueMagic DMX+AV, DMX2+AV, SC+ and SC2+ editions.
MOTU 24ao
New Animatronics Features
VenueMagic already gives you animatronics programming features that are second to none.  We've just added a few more features to push the envelope even further. 

Complex Coordinated Movements
Now you can control multiple animatronics movements in a coordinated fashion using a single input. For example, suppose you have a sophisticated animatronics head that requires the coordination of several channels to produce a smile.  You can use VenueMagic's graphical editor to program the smile movement and then assign that movement to a slider, or other input device.  Move the slider and all of the channels work together to form the smile. This feature is available in VenueMagic SC+ and SC2+ editions.

More Precise Channel Calibration
The improved Fixture Calibration window gives you more precise control for setting min and max ranges of movement, scaling and acceleration limits.  The Fixture Calibration window is available in VenueMagic Classic and above.
Try VenueMagic 3.5 Today!
If you already own VenueMagic, you can download and install Version 3.5 as a free upgrade.  If you're interested in knowing more about VenueMagic, please click here for information and to get your free 15-day trial!  

Any questions? Please contact us at support@venuemagic.com.

Click Here for More Information About VenueMagic

Inside Haunted House Technology

 

In a recent interview with Commercial Integrator Magazine, Don Nolan, CEO of Entertainment Sciences Group, discusses how recent advances in show control and AV technologies have impacted the haunted house and escape room industries.  Read the complete article here.

Upgrade Online

Hello VenueMagic Fans!

We are excited to announce that you can now get your upgrade to VenueMagic 3.0 online!
Under the Purchase Menu, Select Upgrade.

Show Nodes v2 Hardware Information and Instructions

Components

  • Raspberry Pi 2 Model B or Raspberry Pi 3 Model B (www.raspberrypi.org)
  • PiFace Digital 2 Revision 2 (piface.org.uk)
  • SanDisk MicroUSB Card 16gb

Recommended Power Supplies

Primary evaluation criteria – Must supply at least 2 Amps of +5v to the Raspberry Pi and the appropriate voltage needs for your props.  We typically use the 24V version and use a step down converter as necessary for 12V props.

  • 24/5V Version – PSS0524-100 – RHINO switching power supply, 24 VDC (adjustable), 5 VDC output, 100W, 120/240 VAC or 125-375 VDC nominal input, 1-phase, aluminum housing, screw terminals.
  • 12/5V Version – RT-125A – 131 Watt AC to DC Triple Output Power Supply +5V/12A +12V/5.5A -5V/1A No longer recommended because it requires a minimum level of amperage pull to turn on.

Additional options for power include getting a single voltage power supply and down-converting to 5V for the Raspberry Pi or even just getting a separate power supply for both voltages. You need to make sure your down-converter can handle at least 2 amps.

I have used the following step-down converters:

And power supplies at 12 volt:

PiFace Digital 2 Jumpers

The PiFace Digital 2 is delivered with all jumpers in place.  This allows both us to test prior to shipping and you to test and and learn prior to placing into service. Normally we setup the PiFace to supply the primary power to the Raspberry Pi and Inputs. Jumper 3 determines whether when the power is supplied to PiFace Power Inputs. This jumper (Jumper 3) is very important, it literally means you can only plug in power to either the Raspberry Pi USB power port OR the PiFace. Connecting power to both the 5V in on the PiFace and the Raspberry Pi can easily cause an electrical problem and blow out one or both of the boards. This will be corrected in V3 of the ShowNodes hardware.

Once you get ready to place the unit into service and hook up something other than 5V, you will need to change the Jumpers. As soon as you move higher than 5V you will need to remove Jumper 4 (JP4). This Jumper connects a snubber diodes to prevent back voltage from the Outputs. Just remember, more than 5V remove Jumper 4 (JP4).

If you are not using the Relay 0 or Relay 1 you can disconnect them by removing either JP6 for Relay 0 or JP5 for Relay 1. We would also suggest removing JP7 if you are not using the relays. This jumper is for providing the power for lighting the LEDs and turning on/off the relays.

Our normal production setup of the jumpers is to have JP1 and JP2 on pins 1/2. JP4, JP5, JP6, and JP7 removed. This allows us to use multiple DC voltage levels on the outputs and doesn’t have the relays clicking for the first two outputs.

Wiring

Output

If using one of our recommended power supplies, you will run +5 volts to the +5 terminal in the black terminal connector of the PiFace. Run the 5V ground to one of the two GND terminals next to it. DO NOT connect USB power to the Raspberry Pi power port. To connect 24/12V Pneumatic Valves or other 24/12V props, connect the positive side of the power supply terminal to the positive side of the valve and then connect the negative side of the valve to the Output on the PiFace in this manner:

 

Diode Standard 1000V (1kV) 1A Through Hole DO-41

 

Input

The input terminals are basic contact closure inputs not for power driving inputs. They are internally pulled up to approximately 4.5 volts. To connect a standard switch you can simply connect one wire to the input pin and the other wire to the ground. To connect sensors and other non-5 volt input devices, you will need a Voltage Divider or Opto-Isolator circuit.

Don’t Be a Monster

We are donating a VenueMagic DMX+AV 3.0 to the Don’t Be A Monster Auction at Transworld this year. It will be on auction at booth 1907 from start of show on Thursday to Saturday at 5pm

You can see us at Booth 1536

It’ll be a great show this year. Don’t miss it!

#Dontbeamonster

How do I control RGB color for Fixture Effects?

To control the RGB color in a fixture effect you need an RGB Fixture that contains a dimmer channel.

You will need to create two Control Tracks. The first control track (Control Track A) is where you will set the color. The second control track (Control Track B) is where you will place the Fixture effect.

Control Track A:

  1. Go to the Fixtures folder in the project window
  2. Click on the expand (+) button to the left of your RGB fixture
  3. Inside the RGB fixture, you will find a group of Channels called “RGB“
  4. Click and drag it onto Control Track A
  5. Next, Add a Level Control effect to the Control Track.
    Click on the link below for a review on how to setup RGB color in the Envelope Editor:
    https://youtu.be/lC0pKMyL7DA?list=PLbPdz-0QHwKnFC_cYWcYCpWSEYlbEXMk3
Control Track B
  1. Expand the fixture in the project window again and this time drag the Dimmer channel into Control Track B
  2. Now drag your desired Fixture effect on to Control Track B

Please submit any questions to support@venuemagic.com

Does VenueMagic support surround sound?

If you have surround encoded audio, and you want it to play it in surround channels, you need to put the audio file in the video track (only available in DMX+AV and above). You are limited to one video track per timeline.
Audio tracks are limited to Stereo sound, but you can have an unlimited number of audio tracks. You can set different audio tracks to different audio channels, which is how some of our customers create a surround sound feel (ie: in a haunted house having different sound effects coming from different speakers around the room), and how customers with multiple rooms direct different audio to different rooms. Some of our customers have used over 60 Audio Channels in a single project.
Click here to learn how to assign Audio Tracks to specific channels
1 2 3 … 11
>