PHLUMX v0.8 Manual

PHLUMX is an advanced digital media player. With PHLUMX you can control the playback and placement of digital video clips as a performance. Special features such as layering, video scratching, cue points, looping, colour filters and effects can also be used to combine and affect your video content.

PHLUMX is built mainly as a tool for use by VJs, who mix projected motion graphics to music at events. It is also intended to be used by dance companies, theatre groups and other performing arts, as well as video makers, animators and artists, as a way to trigger and control motion graphics.

PHLUMX has developed with the intention of making the user a performer, and making their performance vital and apparent. PHLUMX is often referred to as an instrument and it requires you to perform to get results.

This PHLUMX Version

Since 2001 PHLUMX has been developed and used exclusively at live events by Psicon Lab. It has been rebuilt a total of 8 times, each time improving it's core features and introducing new ones. This PHLUMX version (v0.8) offers new features such as Freeframe Effects support, unlimited browsing, Load/Save settings, extended MIDI and key configuration, improved dual monitor support and whats more it's FREE.

Once you have familiarised yourself with the software we would appreciate your opinions on it, either contact us directly or complete our online questionnaire.

Fixing bugs and errors is part of our ongoing development programme, so please contact us should you find any. For more information on errors see Trouble-shooting 'PHLUMX shows a script error and will not continue'.

We hope you enjoy using PHLUMX and if there is any way you feel that it could be improved, or you have any comments please don't hesitate to contact us.

System Requirements

- Pentium processor based PC running Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

- 256MB RAM is a recommended minimum

- Screen resolution of 1024x768

- 16-bit colour display

- Free Quicktime Plug-in. If you do not have Quicktime Installed please proceed directly to www.quicktime.com and download the latest version before using PHLUMX. PHLUMX will not operate correctly without it, a Quicktime installer is included with the CDROM version of this release.

Supported File Formats

PHLUMX supports a range of digital video, animation and still image file formats.

Full support

Mov (Quicktime Video)
Avi (Video for Windows)

Partial Support

Swf (Flash)
Mpg (Mpeg 1 Video)
Jpeg
Bmp (Bitmap)
Gif (inc. Animated GIF)
Psd (Photoshop Document)
Wav (Wave)
Mp3
Txt (Plain Text)

FAQ

How do you pronounce PHLUMX..?

PHLUMX is pronounced 'Flummox' and means 'to bewilder, confound and disconcert' which is what you should be doing to your audiences while using it!

For more Frequently Asked Questions visit the website www.PHLUMX.co.uk

Quick Guide

Main Interface

In the Main PHLUMX interface you can already see most of the controls you will be using to mix and control your media content. To quit PHLUMX click the X icon at the top right of the window.

In the Setup Page Tooltips can be activated - these will give important information about each function and how to use it. It is advised that you turn this feature On and explore the softwares interface when you first begin to use PHLUMX.

The Main interface consists of;

Output Window
Preview Windows
Browsers
Timelines
Playback Controls
Hotkeys
Control Panel

Output Window

In the center of the screen, at the top, you can see the Output Window - this is what your audience should see when your using PHLUMX live. This can be cropped with a televiewer or sent to a dual monitor before being connected to a projector.

Preview Windows

To the left and right of the Output Window are Preview Windows which displays information about your content. These can be used to view files before loading them and also have other functions such as preserving native height and width and syncronising the preview windows. Each channel can be turned On/Off with the numbered button.

Browsers

Below the Preview Windows are the Folder and File Browsers, these are used to browse your computer to find video and other files to load into your mix. Beneath these are the Folder Favourites, where the active folder can be saved, then loaded.

Timelines

The twin Timelines at the bottom of the screen display the duration and position within the current media, here Cue Points can be set and In and Out Point adjusted.

Playback Controls

Under the Timelines are playback controls which consist of Speed, Play from Start, Direction, Pause, Bounce, Random Positioning and Pause at Start. To the right of these are the Scratch Recording options - Prime for Recording and the Play Recording button. Next to this is the Rotation setting.

Hotkeys

Below these are the Hotkeys - here files can be saved to slots and triggered immediately. Each set of 6 slots can be saved or loaded as a Deck, by using the Load/Save arrows to the right of the Hotkeys.

Control Panel

In the middle of the screen beneath the Output Window is the control panel which displays information from the 7 function-specific pages, as descibed below;

Mix
Titles
FX
Keys
MIDI
MIDI CC
Setup

Mix

Media can be mix and layered using the Mix Control Panel.

Colour Filters
Set Colour Filters to either Channel 1 or 2 by selecting them from the list - the Channel effected is the one above the list hilighted in red. You can page through the list of Filters with the buttons on the right.

Mix Controls
Mix between both Channels using the Cross-fader. You can automatically cut and mix using the transition settings, this can also be randomised. The Link Volume button links the Fader position with the volume mix between Channels 1 and 2.

Tint
Set the Foreground and Background Tint for either Channel using the colour swatches. The colour filters are affected by these. Reset them, by placing the white cross-hair in the black box, and the black in the white.

Titles

Titles can be added to the mix using the Titles Control Panel.

Text Options
Set the size, style, alignment, Font and colour of your Titles here

Text Edit Window
Type into this box to create Titles. The functions on the right control how the text is seen in the Output Window. From top to bottom they are; Sync - this syncronises colour and size changes in the Output Window as you type; Add/Remove - This adds/removes the text in the edt window to the Output Window; Clear - This clears the edit box of text.

FX

Freeframe Effect Plugins can process the mix using the FX Control Panel.

PHLUMX now supports Freeframe effects plugins See the FAQ on the website for more info on this and where you can get them.

You will need to specify a default FX folder containing your plugins before any FX will be listed.

FX Options
Turn On/Off FX here, Load and Save FX and set the default FX Folder.

Any Freeframe FX held in the specified folder are listed in the lefthand box, parameters for the selected FX are displayed on the right.

FX Parameters
FX Parameters can be adjusted using the faders. Use the arrows to move up and down the list if more than 7 are availible.

Keys

Computer Keyboard Keys can be assigned to functions using the Mix Control Panel.

Function List
A list of configurable functions are listed on the left, select a key from the keyboard to assign that function to that key.

Keys Configuration
Right clicking the key will remove the setting. If Remove Channel Conflict is checked then when a function is assigned to a key, that will be the only function assigned (otherwise both channels can share the key).

MIDI

MIDI Keyboard Note On messages can be assigned to functions using the MIDI Control Panel.

Function List
A list of configurable functions are listed on the left, select a key from the keyboard to assign that function to that key.

MIDI Input Channel
In order for MIDI signals to be processed a MIDI source needs to be selected from this panel.

MIDI Configuration
Right clicking the key will remove the setting. If Remove Channel Conflict is checked then when a function is assigned to a key, that will be the only function assigned (otherwise both channels can share the key).

The MIDI Channel can also be set here.

MIDI CC

MIDI Controller Control Change messages can be assigned to functions using the MIDI CC Control Panel.

Function List
A list of configurable functions are listed on the left, select a key from the keyboard to assign that function to that key.

MIDI Input Channel
In order for MIDI signals to be processed a MIDI source needs to be selected from this panel.

MIDI Controller Configuration
You can set any functions to a controller by turning on the Auto-Detection feature (M) then moving a MIDI controller. You may enter it manually into the box aswell. When Auto-Detection is active other MIDI functions are ignored.

Setup

Setup preferences can be customised using the Setup Control Panel.

Tooltips
When active these will give important information about each function and how to use it as you move over them. It is advised that you turn this feature On and explore the softwares interface when you first begin to use PHLUMX.

Application Refresh Rate
This can be used to improve performance by slowing down the speed of processing.

Clock and Timer
A clock and timer are displayed here.

Output Window Configuration Panel
The first column of options are for the Main Output Window, these include docking and sizing.The Output Window can be 'undocked' making it movable.

The second column of options are for the undocked Output Window. The size can be specified by loading a preset. The second icon is the Auto Size to Dual feature which will automatically size and place the nudocked Output Window to your second monitor if availible.

My video appears as a white square!

If video clips are appearing as white squares or otherwise blank, please check you have the suitable CODEC installed on your machine. To find which CODEC is used by your video clip - find the video file in Windows Explorer and right click it - select 'Properties' from the menu, then select the 'Summary' Tab. Your video CODEC will be listed next to 'video compression'. If you are still having problems, try recompressing your video using another CODEC. Psicon Lab recommend the Indeo Interactive CODEC.

My video appears as a large red X in a box!

Quicktime is not installed on your machine - go to www.Quicktime.com and install the latest version of the free player

While in use, PHLUMX shows a script error and will not continue!

1. Note your actions leading to the error
2. If possible 'Print Screen' or make a 'Screen Grab' (a screenshot of the error, captured by pressing the 'Prt Sc' (Print Screen) button.
3. Paste the screenshot into a new document using an art package or word (etc.)
4. Send an email to info@PsiconLab.co.uk with the information and image file attached, also include (if not already registered as a user) - the PHLUMX version (v0.8 etc) and your Windows edition (98,XP etc)

How do I reset PHLUMX?

To start PHLUMX (as if for the first time) and clear all settings, hold down Shift as the program starts.

Licensing

License

This Software License Agreement (The "License") is an agreement between you - the end-user ("The Licensee") and Psicon Lab ("The Licensor") for the use of this PHLUMX software program ("The Software").

This is a non-exclusive, non-transferable license granted to the Licensee for the use of a single of this software at a single computer. On installation, and by using or storing this software, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions.

This software is provided 'as is', and is not error free. The entire risk as to the results and performance of the software is assumed by the user. In no event will Psicon Lab be liable for any consequential, incidental or direct damages arising from or in connection with the use or performance of the software, with the exception of death or personal injury.

No warranties whether expressed or implied are given that the software will meet the specific needs of the Licensee and no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is offered.

The licensor may terminate this license if the Licensee fails to observe any of the terms and conditions. On termination of this license the Licensee must destroy all copies of the software and files provided within the installation pack.

Copyright

This software is the intellectual property of Psicon Lab. Copying, distribution, adaptation, renting, lending or selling is strictly prohibited, without prior permission. You may not decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble or create derivative works based upon this software or the files held within the installation pack.

The Licensee is prohibited from removing copyright messages and logos from the software, its documentation or website. The Licensee must not enable a third party to breach this copyright, and may not use the software in any way which is detrimental to the Licensor's business. The Licensee must recognise the Licensor's intellectual property rights and report any actual or suspected infringement of it.

The digital video files included with the software are also restricted by copyright law. Copying, distribution, adaptation, renting, lending or selling is strictly prohibited, without prior permission from the listed owner. Video Files are for personal use only and are to be used 'as is' without alteration. Copyright ownership of the included video files is listed below;

"PHLUMXlogo.mov" copyright(c) 2004-6 Psicon Lab

Disputes involving this agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with English Law and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

Contact

Psicon Lab

Psicon Lab - Digital Dreams Grounded

Innovative Multimedia and Audio-Visual Arts for Events, Music Industry, The Arts, Education and Commercially.

Website: www.PsiconLab.co.uk

Email: