Ramp Preview Controller 1.0.
Table of Contents Table of Contents.........................................................................................................2 Customer Support & Legal........................................................................................6 About The RPC Documentation...............................................................................7 Documentation Overview..............................................................................................................................
Part 2: Reference Reference Introduction.............................................................................................22 The Ramp Editor ........................................................................................................22 Ramp Menu........................................................................................................................................................................23 New Button...............................................................
The Camera Controller Window.............................................................................33 Connect to Camera Button.....................................................................................................................................33 Camera Mode Switch (Normal/Ramp) ..........................................................................................................33 Speed Combo Box.......................................................................................
View Menu....................................................................................................................44 Connect to Camera.......................................................................................................................................................44 Camera Controller .........................................................................................................................................................44 Ramp Editor............................
Customer Support & Legal For technical support, send an email to rpc@arri.com, or contact one of the following ARRI affiliates: Germany Arnold & Richter Cine Technik Türkenstraße 89, D-80799 Munich, Germany Voice phone: +49 (0)89 3809-0, FAX: +49 (0)89 3809-1244 Email: webmaster@arri.de Canada ARRI Canada Limited 415 Horner Avenue, Unit 11, Toronto, Ontario, M8W 4W4 Canada Voice phone: +416 255 3335, FAX: +416 255 3399 Email: email@arrican.com England ARRI GB Ltd.
About The RPC Documentation Documentation Overview The documentation for the Ramp Preview Controller consists of the following files which are all in Adobe Acrobat PDF format and can be found on the Ramp Preview Controller CD-ROM. Since the Windows and Macintosh versions of the RPC have virtually the same features and interfaces, the RPC documentation covers both versions. • RPC Overview.pdf A 4 page document giving a short overview of the Ramp Preview Controller.
The combo boxes used in the RPC has another time saving feature. If the number in the text entry field is not in the menu, the first item in the menu can add that number to the menu. Conversely, if the number in the text entry field is already present in the menu, the first item in the menu will offer to remove the number from the menu (see picture). That way the menu can be quickly customized.
Introduction To The RPC A unique feature of the current generation of Arriflex film cameras is their ability to change camera speed while the camera is running. Such a speed change is called a “ramp”. Even though ramps are used extensively by some technology savvy DPs, others shy away because of the costly trials and errors involved in learning their proper use.
Part 1: How To… RPC Operations Guide, Page 10
How To Get Help • Read the Documentation provided on the CD-ROM. • Rest the cursor over any item on the screen, and a small explanation will pop up. We call this "Quick Help". Once you are familiar with the RPC and Quick Help starts to annoy you, disable it by choosing Quick Help from the View menu. The Quick Help item in the View menu has a checkmark when it is enabled, no checkmark when it is disabled. • The Camera and Compensation menus contain help information.
How to Edit a Ramp • Using the “Mode” and “Type” radio buttons in the Ramp Editor, choose a ramp mode and ramp type. If you do not know what those are, choose “Ramp Tutorial” from the “Help” menu. Please note that Internal Ramps are limited to a 100 second shoot time duration. • Using the “Camera” and “Compensation” menus in the Ramp Editor, choose a camera and compensation method you will be using. This will impose the exact same limits on this ramp as the chosen camera and compensation method have.
How to Capture Video In order to preview a ramp, some video must have been captured into the computer. The RPC currently does not have any features that allow video capture, so you must use third party software. The ARRI Technical Note “P-1026 RPC Video Capture” discusses this subject in more detail. The RPC can open a variety of video file formats, including: QuickTime Movies (.mov), AVI files (.avi), DV files (.dv), MPEG-1 files (Mac OS) and Open DML files.
2. The Rehearsal Method • Click the Record Triggers button to erase all existing Preview Triggers and play the movie at normal speed. • Once the movie reaches the point where you want the Preview Trigger to occur, click the Set Trigger button. • When at least one Preview Trigger is set, click the Play Preview button to see the preview. Offspeed Tab 1. Click Record Triggers to erase all existing Preview Triggers and to play movie at normal speed. 2.
How to Erase Preview Triggers Preview Triggers can be erased by dragging them down, out of the Preview Timeline. Drag Preview Trigger out of timeline to erase How to Limit the Preview To start the preview later and/or end it earlier, move the Preview In and Preview Out flags.
Notes on Preview Triggers • Preview Triggers can be dragged to a different position at any time. • For Internal Ramps, each new Preview Trigger will affect a reversal in the ramp direction, that is the ramp will bounce back and forth between the two set ramp speeds. Creating multiple triggers for an Internal Ramp will make the ramp toggle between the first and the second ramp speed.
How To Preview a Post-Production Ramp Sometimes it is preferable to shoot a take at the highest speed available, and to create the ramping effect in post production. This can also be previewed on the RPC: • In the Ramp Editor, set the Camera and Compensation menus to “None”. This will remove all limitations from this ramp. When the Camera menu is set to None, only external ramps are possible. • In the Preferences, go to the Ramps section and set the Maximum Speed and Film Format for the None camera.
How To Connect to a Real Camera The RPC cable that connects the computer to the camera is identical to the cable used for the Laptop Camera Controller (LCC). They can be used interchangeably. DO NOT use any cables that are not clearly marked "RPC", "LCC" or "WLCC". The Arriflex CCU cable (KC-24 or KC-30) has the same connectors as the Windows RPC and Windows LCC cables, but should NOT be used to connect a computer to a camera.
How To Connect to a Virtual Camera A virtual camera will make the computer believe it is connected to a camera, even if it is not. • Choose Connect to Camera from the View menu, or click the Camera button in the Ramp Editor. • Set the Connect To menu to one of the virtual cameras. • Click the Connect button. How to Disconnect from a Camera It is not necessary, but a good idea to disconnect from the real camera when you quit the RPC, put the computer to sleep or shut it down.
How to Execute a Ramp • Make sure the Camera Controller is open, and connected to a camera. • Make sure the Ramp Editor is open, and that the camera chosen from the Camera menu is the same as the camera you are connected to. • In the Camera Controller, switch the Mode Switch to Ramp. Mode Switch Trigger Button Run Button • Click the Run button. The camera will run at the first speed set in the Ramp Editor. • Click the Trigger button to start the ramp. The fps and shutter angle values will change.
Part 2: Reference RPC Operations Guide, Page 21
Reference Introduction This part lists all windows and menus of the Ramp Preview Controller with a short description for each item. The Ramp Editor The Ramp Editor is the RPC’s main window; it allows creating and editing of ramps. Ramps are stored in a Ramp Archive; the Ramp Editor displays one Ramp Archive file. The Ramp Archive’s name is displayed in the Ramp Editor’s title bar. The Ramp Editor window can be resized.
Ramp Menu All ramps stored in the currently open Ramp Archive are listed in this menu. Use this menu to select a Ramp for viewing, editing and previewing. The ramp name can be changed by selecting it and typing a new name. New Button Click the “New” button to create a new Ramp. This ramp will be stored with the already existing ramps in the currently open Ramp Archive. Delete Button Click the “Delete” button to delete the ramp that is currently visible.
Camera Menu This menu allows you to set the camera you will be using, which will determine: • maximum and minimum fps, • maximum fps per second (fps/s) limit, • electronic shutter present or not, • internal ramps possible or not. Choose the last item in the “Camera” menu to get help and a list of the limits imposed by the different cameras. Please note: • The maximum shutter angle change per second is set by the "Compensation" menu.
FAP Button Only enabled when a ramp segment is selected. Click this button to make the selected ramp segment as Fast As Possible, to set it to the minimum ramp time for the camera and compensation chosen. Preview Button Click the “Preview” button to open a movie for preview. Camera Button Click the “Camera” button to open the Camera Controller window. Ramp Graph The ramp graph shows camera speed (fps) on the vertical axis, and time on the horizontal axis. Time is shown in the following format: MM:SS.
Zoom Controls The zoom controls allow you to increase or decrease the horizontal resolution of the ramp graph. The zoom level shows which of the 7 zoom settings is currently active. Fps & Shutter Fields The fps and shutter fields show the speed of the currently selected ramp point. A new speed can be entered by selecting the text and typing a new number. A new speed can also be entered by choosing a value from the menu associated with the Fps and Shutter fields.
The Preview Window The Preview window allows you to preview either a ramp or an offspeed. A ramp preview will apply the fps changes defined in the Ramp Editor to a movie, thus allowing you to see what this ramp will look like once it is filmed. An offspeed preview allows you to see what the movie would look like if the film camera would have run at a different (but constant) speed.
Offspeed Tab Click on the Offspeed tab to preview what the movie would look like if the film camera would have run at a speed other than the playback speed defined in the Preferences. This tab is always available, even when the Ramp Editor window is not open. Preview Status Preview Status shows the shoot fps used for this preview, the shoot time, screentime and film needed. Please note that the shoot time, screentime and film needed are based on the positions of the Preview In and Preview Out flags.
The Preview Window - Ramp Preview Ramp Tab Make sure the Ramp tab is in the front when previewing ramps. Record Triggers Button Once the Record Triggers button is clicked, all existing preview triggers will be erased, and the movie will play at normal speed. At the moment in the movie where you want a preview trigger to occur, click the Set Trigger button. A preview trigger will be placed in the preview timeline. Ramp Tab 1.
Preview Timeline The Preview Timeline is where the Preview Triggers and Preview In/Out Flags are set. Preview Trigger define where in the movie a ramp point is triggered. Preview In and Preview Out Flags show how much of the movie can be previewed; only the part of the movie between those flags will be played back during a preview.
The Preview Window - Offspeed Preview Offspeed Tab Preview Status Preview In Flag Preview Timeline Preview Out Flag Offspeed Tab Make sure the Offspeed tab is in the front when previewing ramps. Preview In Flag This green flag defines the point in the movie where the preview will begin playing from. Drag the flag left/right to adjust the in point. Preview Out Flag This red flag defines the point in the movie where the preview will stop playing. Drag the flag left/right to adjust the out point.
Play Preview Click the Play Preview button to see what the movie would look like if it would have been shot with a film camera at the speed set in the Shoot fps combo box. The preview will start at the Preview In Flag, and end at the Preview Out Flag. Please note that how fast the movie will be played back by the RPC is based on the speed set here AND on the playback speed set in the Preferences. 3. Click Play Preview. 2. Set the camera speed you want to preview. 1. Set the Film Format.
The Camera Controller Window The Camera Controller window allows basic remote control of a connected film camera, including run/stop, activation of ramp mode, camera status display, ramp trigger, phase, changing of fps and shutter angle. Camera Mode Switch Status Information Speed Combo Box Shutter Combo Box Camera Type/Camera Messages Connect to Camera Button When the Camera Controller is not connected to a camera, the left side will be empty except for the “Connect to Camera” button.
If the value in the field is not in the menu, the first menu item will be “Add XX to the list”. If this item is chosen, the number in the field will be entered into the menu. If the number is already in the menu, the first menu item allows you to remove it. Thus this menu can be easily and quickly customized. Status Information Camera status is shown by the color of the Camera Controller background. When the Camera is in standby, the background is gray. When the camera is running, the background is green.
Camera not ready because movement is not completely closed The ARRI logo is replaced by a short message indicating why the camera is not ready Please note that different camera models behave differently when a roll out occurs. The 535, 535B and 16SR3 can be reset by pushing the Run button, on the camera or in the Camera Controller window. The 435 has to be reset by opening the magazine release lever on the camera itself; the 435 cannot be reset from the Camera Controller window.
The Connect To Camera Window Connect To Menu This menu allows you to connect to a real or a number of virtual cameras. A virtual camera makes the computer believe that it is connected to a camera, even if it is not. Virtual cameras are a great tool for familiarizing yourself with the software and the features of the supported ARRI cameras. Connect Through Menu The communication ports available to your computer will be listed in this menu.
Preferences Section List The Preferences are divided into four different sections: General, Ramps, Shortcuts and Alerts. You access a section by clicking the respective icon in the Section list. It is a very good idea to familiarize yourself with these settings, as they often determine the underlying behavior of the other parts of the program. Most importantly, the Playback Speed set in the Ramp section determines the preview behavior of the Preview window.
Preferences - General Autosave Ramp Archives Every XX Minutes When checked, this option will save Ramp Archives to the hard disk in the time interval specified. Saving is suspended while connected to a camera and the camera is running. On Startup Choose here what the Ramp Preview Controller should do when it starts up. • Do Nothing: The program will start with the Camera Controller and Connect to Camera windows in the same positions that they were in when the program was quit.
Preferences - Ramps Change Ramp Points on Graph in XX fps Steps This setting determines in what increments the program will attempt to change fps when you move a ramp point on the graph. The actual increment used may be larger than the one set here since the smallest increment that can be displayed depends on the size of the Ramp Editor window. Please note that this setting does not limit what values can be entered in the text fields below the ramp graph - those can still be in smaller increments.
Preferences - Shortcuts Here you can assign F-Keys and normal keyboard keys as shortcuts for the most common camera control and preview commands. The camera control commands (Normal/Ramp Mode, Camera Run/Stop, Ramp Trigger and Phase) will always work, whereas the three preview commands (Preview Set Trigger, Play/Stop Movie and Play/Stop Preview) only work when the Preview window is in the foreground. Caution: As long as a key is assigned here, you will not be able to use this key in Ramp names.
Preferences - Alerts Some Alerts can be prevented from appearing again with a "Don't Show Again" checkbox in the Alert itself. This is where they can be enabled again.
File Menu New Ramp Archive When no ramp archive is open, this command will create a new ramp archive. Ramp archives are files created by the RPC that store a number of ramps. Open Ramp Archive… This command will lead to a directory dialog that allows you to open an existing ramp archive. Only one ramp archive can be open at a time. Close This command will close the window in the foreground. Save Ramp Archive This command will save the currently open ramp archive.
Edit Menu Undo This command will undo the last action performed. Cut/Copy/Paste/Clear/Select All These are the standard commands found in any program and should be explained sufficiently in your computers documentation. Preferences This command will open the RPC Preferences window.
View Menu Connect to Camera This command will either bring the Connect to Camera window to the foreground, or, if it is not open, will open the Connect to Camera window. Camera Controller This command will either bring the Camera Controller window to the foreground, or, if it is not open, will open the Camera Controller window. Ramp Editor This command will either bring the Ramp Editor window to the foreground, or, if it is not open, will allow you to open an existing Ramp Archive or to create a new one.
Preview Menu Open Movie… This command allows you to choose a movie that will open in the Preview window. Record Triggers Choose this command to record preview triggers. Once the Record Triggers command is chosen, all existing preview triggers will be erased, and the movie will play at normal speed. Use the Set Trigger button or menu command to place preview triggers.
Help Menu Macintosh Only: About Balloon Help & Show Balloons About Balloon Help will show a window with information about, well, Balloon Help. Show Balloons turns Balloon help on. Since the RPC does not use Balloon Help, ignore those two commands. Ramp Tutorial This short tutorial is required reading for anyone who works with ramps! It defines and explains the following terms: Ramp, Internal Ramp, External Ramp, Linear Ramp, Exponential Ramp, Shoot time, Screentime and Reverse Ramp.
