The Inputs section of the application allows the user to attach an input and allocate regions to each output on the display wall. Note that in the INPUTS window the outputs are in a fixed position and cannot be moved. To change the position and layout of the monitors return to the MONITORS window.
Inputs
Select Create to generate a new input and the output representation will be overlaid with a sample default source (logo) contained within the applications media folder. The sample overlay is displayed centrally to fit the configuration of the outputs. However, the user can reposition and resize the input by clicking and dragging it with a mouse. The created input is added to the Inputs dropdown list.
If at this point the user decides to add more outputs to the design by going back to the OUTPUTS window then the input will need to be assigned to any additional outputs. This is done in the INPUTS window by clicking on the edge of the input representation and dragging the input over all the monitors in the design. The additional monitors will then need to be assigned to the input; this is done by right clicking on the new monitor and selecting Attach Input from the menu. The sub-menu will display a list of available inputs, select the input you have used for your design and the input will be assigned to the monitor. This action is required for all new monitors added to the design.
The input can be deleted using the Delete button if necessary.
Refit
Select Refit to restore the input centred over the outputs.
When an input is created and displayed across the outputs, the application allocates the content to each output, meaning each monitor displays a cropped area of specific content (this is referred to as the capture region). Moving the monitors within the MONITORS window after the input has been assigned will not affect the capture regions. However when you return to the INPUTS window you will no longer see the outline of the input or be able to move it. Select Refit if you wish to centre the content over the new layout.
Tile
The Tile function divides the input source into an n by n grid and assigns each grid cell to an individual output. This feature can be useful when the input source has been created specifically for the display wall and no additional bezel correction or other transformations are required.
Replicate
Select Replicate to display the entire input on each output.
Sample Source
The Sample Source is a dropdown list of images and videos contained within the application's and user's Media folder.
The Wall Designer application recognises the following file extensions:
Add custom images and videos to "Documents\Wall Designer\Media" and they will automatically be listed in the Sample Source dropdown list and made available for use (Videos added to the windows "Videos" folder will also appear in the dropdown list). You can also use the browse function within the Sample Source dropdown list to select locally stored images or videos. The Wall Designer application should be restarted to include the new images/videos in the Sample Source dropdown list.
Note that support for video files depends on the browser and operating system. Wall Designer uses Internet Explorer when run as a stand-alone app.
Flip and Rotation
The Flip function allows the input to be flipped horizontally or vertically and the Rotation function allows the input to be rotated by 0, 90, 180 or 270 degrees. The Flip and Rotation functions are not available if either Tile or Replicate have been applied, the output has been moved or the capture regions have been adjusted.
Input Source Resolution
The Input Source Resolution should be populated with the resolution and refresh rate of the input source that is going to be displayed on the video wall.
Border Colour
The Border functionality is only currently available for the Fx4 and the Fx4-SDI multi-display controllers. If the input doesn’t fill all of the display wall, a border colour can be selected to create a fill for the space where the image won’t be displayed. This functionality is also available to LED fixtures. Click on the Border Colour bar and use the picker to select the required colour. Alternatively, input known numerical values for a more accurate colour selection. This can be used, for instance when displaying a corporate logo and a colour match is required.
Match Sample Resolution
If selected, it will match the input source resolution to the sample source selected.
Resize Symmetrically
When a resize is done symmetrically, the resize is calculated from the centre of the image. Therefore, when any part of the frame is resized the opposing side is moved the same distance. If Maintain Aspect Ratio also is selected, the image is resized based on the centre of the image while maintaining the aspect ratio.
Maintain Aspect Ratio
Checking the Maintain Aspect Ratio box will preserve the aspect ratio of the input.
Capture Regions
The Capture Regions shows what region each output is displaying of the source input. The numbers drawn on top of the outputs and the capture regions indicate which monitor belongs to which capture region.
The Adjust Capture Regions button allows the user to manually set and adjust each separate capture region. In this mode the input source is displayed over the entire main window with capture regions of each output overlain on top. The left panel will display the physical positions of the outputs with numbers for cross-referencing.
Capture regions can be moved and resized by clicking and dragging them. Selecting a capture region will bring it to the front, capture regions can also be selected by clicking the corresponding output in the Physical Positions view on the left this can be useful in case of overlapping regions.
The panel at the bottom shows the left, top, width, height, flip and rotation of the selected capture region, these values can be edited as an alternative to click and dragging. Click Close Capture Regions to return to the inputs view, after adjusting the capture regions you will no longer be able to see the input rectangle. In order to restore the input rectangle and lose your adjustments you may click on the Refit button.