Congo v6 Software now available!
A new software version – v6 – for Congo® and Congo jr consoles is
now available! The v6 software contains a host of new features and
changes to the internal structure of Congo, making it even more
flexible for both traditional theatre-style and on-the-fly
applications.
New Image Effects
ETC has added another powerful effect type to Congo: Image Effects.
Image Effects use the Effect Playback concept from Congo v5 software to
associate a layout of channels (which creates a graphical or positional
relationship among included channels) with a source image or text.
Parameters of the Effect Playback include positioning of the image on
the layout, scale and aspect of that image/text, rotation, and effects
like constant rotation, scaling or scrolling. Multiple effect playbacks
allow for layered image effects.
Jam Mode
ETC has done a lot of work on Jam mode, making it easier for users to
determine what data gets generated and where that data ends up in a
play file. Users can also regenerate data quickly using the new Jam
Mode Wizard. For those who like to experiment, we’ve added in Two Scene Masters
where users can create a look “blind” using the top row of masters,
then fade into that look in time using the Master Controls. The scene
created on the top row of masters becomes “live” on the bottom row of
masters, where additional adjustments can be made on the fly. This
powerful feature of Congo v6 makes busking a breeze.
Masters
ETC has increased the number of Master Playbacks to 80 and made a lot
of changes to the Masters, allowing once-global settings to be applied
per master – including rubberbanding and exclude-from-record. And,
there are new settings, such as the ability to choose what look a
rubberbanding master returns to – this can be the previous state, or
back to the main playback, or to a designated preset. Also improved is
the Masters display and dock, allowing users to see a lot more
information about the masters, including more steps of a sequence on a
master.
Learn Profile
ETC has improved playback by incorporating the ability to learn a fade
profile for crossfades in the Main Playback. Simply enable “Learn
Profile” on a soft key and then move the faders in the manner you want
the crossfade to happen. Also new is an indication of the current
playback location (what’s in A and B) within the Sequence List editor.
Channel Views
The channel views have changed, giving users more options for the
amount of information that is displayed within a channel box. There is
also a new set of symbols in the Channel Layouts supporting more
TV/film fixtures and adding special-purpose symbols as well. Now users
can even draw circles!
Blind Editing
ETC also changed the way that blind editing is done, allowing for
live moving-light controls to be used within blind views. This means
that instead of using spreadsheet-style editing, users can view blind
data and move encoders, use direct selects and other keyboard commands
to select channels and enter data directly, as in Live.
New Docks
A number of new docks have been added, including the Designer Summary
dock that collects important data about the main playback and/or
selected channels and puts it in one compact location on-screen. A
Timecode dock displaying a large clock for internal or external time
code has been included. It enhances Congo’s functionality with support
of the Net3™ Show Control Gateway for interaction with MIDI and SMPTE
on the network, as well as adding an internal backup clock within Congo
itself. There is also a new Selected – Live dock that shows the
channels and effect playbacks users select in the Live tab.
Structural Changes
Congo has undergone some major structural changes including more Preset
numbers – from 0.001 to 9999.999 – making it easier to organize shows
that use multiple sequences. Also, finer timing resolution under ten
seconds is now possible – 0.01 to 9.99 seconds. Lastly, 16-Bit
intensity is now supported, providing improved control of automated
fixtures and accessories that utilize high-resolution motor control and
improved mastering of LED fixtures that use 16-bit color parameters.
View the Congo v6 movie at www.etcconnect.com/Congov6 .
Congo v6 software is available as a free download at www.etcconnect.com .