You can quickly and easily create CustomPanel interfaces tailored to the exact requirements and preferences of each operator. CustomPanels can contain custom controls and labels you create, as well as controls and status indicators imported from any number of DashBoard-enabled devices such as Carbonite switchers and openGear cards.
Within PanelBuilder you can:
•Automate custom workflows by using any or all of the following methods:
›Drag and drop buttons, indicators, controls, and entire device editors from devices into CustomPanels.
›Create new buttons, indicators, and controls.
›Include navigational aids such as tabs, tables, labels, and scrollbars to enhance usability.
›Customize the appearance of objects by repositioning, resizing, changing colors, specifying fonts, and adding background graphics.
›Create monitoring and control systems by mixing and matching controls from multiple products on one CustomPanel.
For example, you can create an interface that includes some or all of your openGear cards. An operator can view the operational status of all devices, and then click a button to modify a given device’s configuration settings.
›Embed web browser windows, enabling users to control devices that provide web-based control interfaces.
•Control CamBot robotic camera systems.
For example, you can create a CustomPanel that shows the plan view of a studio, with buttons representing each shot you created using the CamBot Control Computer. When the operator taps a button, a CamBot camera system moves into position, ready to capture a perfect shot of the subject.
•Use RossTalk commands to control a variety of Ross Video products including Carbonite and Vision production switchers, and XPression graphics systems.
•Use Video Disk Control Protocol (VDCP) commands to control the Ross Video BlackStorm video server.
•Use custom parameters and imported data to create interfaces that generate and update data for XPression graphics in real-time.
For example, you can create an interactive sports scoreboard that automatically sends updated scores and player information to XPression for immediate on-air display. The score is updated by the operator. The player information is extracted from an XML file when the operator clicks the player’s name. Such a CustomPanel is so easy to use that the operator needs to know only about the sport — not about using DashBoard and PanelBuilder.
•Use Ross Video ogScript to add advanced logic to your interfaces. Most JavaScript objects and functions work in ogScript. For information about using ogScript in CustomPanels, see Working with ogScript.
•Use scripting to extend DashBoard's control and monitoring to networked devices that provide an interface for this purpose via UDP, TCP or HTTP.
CustomPanel Examples
This section describes some CustomPanels created using PanelBuilder.
Engineering Monitoring and Control Panel
The CustomPanel in (Figure 1.1) includes live controls and indicators within a flow diagram. This example can be used to monitor and control a system of openGear and DashBoard enabled products. Signal presence, audio level meters, source selection, control buttons, and drop down menu selectors from any product in the system can be combined to produce a custom solution that directly addresses your needs.
Figure 1.1 - Engineering Monitoring and Control Panel
Tennis Scoring Application for XPression
The CustomPanel in (Figure 1.2) is designed to control scoring graphics within a series of XPression Graphics templates designed for tennis. The operator does not need to know anything about DashBoard or XPression - only about scoring tennis.
Figure 1.2 - Tennis Scoring Application for XPression
Hockey Statistics Application for XPression
The CustomPanel in (Figure 1.3) is designed for use with the Ross XPression Graphics system. The panel pulls in XML statistics about each of the teams and their players. Simply by typing in the jersey number, a player’s stats and thumbnail are recalled to the control screen. Buttons in the panel can be used to take templates associated with these stats on and off air.
Figure 1.3 - Hockey Statistics Application for XPression
PanelBuilder Concepts and Terminology
In PanelBuilder, you create CustomPanels. Each CustomPanel can contain any combination of other PanelBuilder objects. The following table explains common PanelBuilder concepts and terms.
Concept or Term |
Description |
---|---|
buttons |
Buttons are control components you can add to a CustomPanel, and which the user can manipulate. You can associate tasks with a button so the tasks are performed when the button changes state. You can also specify different visual appearances (styles) for each button state (On, Off, Default). |
CamBot robotic camera systems |
Ross Video CamBot is a line of robotic camera systems which includes robotic heads, lifts, pedestals, and control systems. In PanelBuilder, you can create tasks that send commands to control CamBot robotic camera systems. |
canvas |
A canvas component is an area of a CustomPanel upon which other components can be placed. Canvas types include: •basic canvas — empty area. •image canvas — includes a background image. |
components |
Components are objects on a CustomPanel. Components include tables, labels, tabs, canvases, and buttons. When you drag device controls into a CustomPanel, they become components of the panel. |
CustomPanel |
A CustomPanel is a user interface you create in PanelBuilder. CustomPanels can be used to monitor and/or control a wide variety of Ross Video products. CustomPanels are saved as.grid files. CustomPanels are sometimes referred to simply as “panels”. |
data sources |
In PanelBuilder, a data source contains parameter data which can be included and manipulated in a CustomPanel. Device parameter data can be edited to change device settings. You can also create local parameter data in PanelBuilder, and reference local parameters in scripts. Data sources can be XML data files, or parameter data from a device. When you create a CustomPanel, you can opt to automatically create an XML data file to store data for parameters you create in PanelBuilder. You can also create a panel file that includes the parameter data within the CustomPanel. Storing the data in the panel file eliminates the need to for a separate XML file and improves portability. Underlying every CustomPanel is a hierarchy of elements, each of which can be associated with only one data source. If no data source is specified, the element inherits a data source association from its parent element. To view the element hierarchy, enter Edit Mode, double-click an element, and look at the component hierarchy tree in the top left portion of the Edit Component window. |
device editor |
The default monitoring and control interface for a device. When you double-click a device in the Tree View, its device editor opens in the Device View area of the DashBoard window. You can also embed device editors into CustomPanels. |
device view |
The area of the DashBoard window in which CustomPanels and/or device editors are displayed. |
devices and device controls |
For the purposes of this chapter, devices are products that can be monitored and controlled using DashBoard. Devices include NK routers, BlackStorm servers, openGear cards, and DashBoard Connect devices. In PanelBuilder, you can drag openGear device controls from the TreeView or from a device’s editor into CustomPanels. You can also drag the entire device editor into the panel. Device controls can display device status information, or be used to change device configuration settings. You can control BlackStorm servers using VDCP scripts integrated with CustomPanels. You can drag NK router status indicators into CustomPanels. |
dropspot |
The empty area of a new component, upon which you can place parameters or components. For example, when you create a table, each cell of the table is a dropspot. |
edit mode |
PanelBuilder Edit Mode enables you to modify a CustomPanel. When not in edit mode, the panel is ready for use. |
labels |
Labels are short text blocks you can add to a CustomPanel. The text can be static, or based on data. You can associate tasks with a label so the tasks are performed when the label is clicked. |
OGLML |
openGear Markup Language is a set of XML elements and attributes used to define CustomPanels. See also the definition for XML source. |
ogScript |
ogScript is a programming language developed by Ross Video to interact with DashBoard-enabled devices. It is a subset of JavaScript, with PanelBuilder-specific functions added. In PanelBuilder, you can add advanced functionality and logic to CustomPanels by creating tasks that execute ogScript code. You can also create standalone ogScript code segments and API script files. You can create and edit ogScript code manually, or use the Visual Logic editor to create and edit ogScript code visually. For more information about using ogScript in CustomPanels, see Working with ogScript. For detailed reference information about ogScript functions, see the DashBoard CustomPanel Development Guide (8351DR-007). |
parameters |
There are two types of parameters: • Device parameters are imported from devices, and can be manipulated to control those devices. • Local parameters are data variables you can create in PanelBuilder. They can be displayed, can be modified by panel users, and can be referenced by scripts. Parameters can be assigned tasks, so that when a panel user changes the parameter value, the task is performed. For example, you can create a parameter to represent text for an XPression graphic. You also create an editable text box associated with the parameter. When a user types text in the box and clicks a button, a task is triggered which sends the text to XPression. Supported data types for parameters include strings, integers, and floats. You can also define a parameter as an array. Parameter data can exist only in certain types of panels: •Self-Contained Data Source Panels •XML Data Source Panels •XPression CustomPanels Panel type is defined when you first create the panel. You can also change it later. For more information about creating and editing parameters, see The Add/Edit Parameter Window. |
RossTalk |
RossTalk is a communication protocol used to control Ross Video products including XPression graphics systems and Carbonite and Vision production switchers. In PanelBuilder, you can create tasks that send RossTalk commands. Alternatively, you can create an ogScript task that uses the rosstalk() object to send RossTalk commands. For more information about using ogScript in CustomPanels, see Working with ogScript. For detailed reference information about ogScript functions, including the rosstalk() object, see the DashBoard CustomPanel Development Guide (8351DR-007). |
split panels |
A split panel is an area that is shared by two canvas-like panels. There is a split bar between the two panels, which users can move to adjust how much of the area is dedicated to each panel. Each panel is a dropspot which can contain parameters and components such as labels, buttons, and canvases. When you create a split panel, you have the option of automatically adding basic canvases to both panels. |
tables |
A table is a grid of canvas-like dropspots (or containers), to which you can add parameters and components such as labels, buttons, and canvases. When you create a table, you have the option of automatically filling it with buttons. |
tabs |
A set of tabs is like a set of stacked canvases. Tabs enable you to re-use an area of a CustomPanel for multiple layers of content. Only one tab of the set is visible at any given time. To switch between tabs, users click a small portion of the tab that protrudes from the stack. This portion of the tab is also called a tab. Each tab is a dropspot which can contain parameters and components such as labels, buttons, and canvases. When you create a set of tabs, you have the option of automatically adding basic canvases to all of them. |
tasks |
Tasks are commands that are associated with control components such as buttons, labels, or timers. When the state of the control component meets specified criteria, the tasks are performed. For example, you can create a button that, when clicked, performs the task of moving a CamBot robotic camera to a predetermined shot position. |
timers |
Timers are time counters that can be displayed on labels and/or associated with tasks. For example, you can create a timer that triggers a task to be performed every six hours. |
VDCP |
Video Disk Control Protocol is a communication protocol used to control hard disk video servers. In PanelBuilder, you can create tasks that send VDCP commands to BlackStorm video servers. |
Visual Logic |
DashBoard Visual Logic is a visually-oriented code authoring environment that enables you to quickly create and edit segments of ogScript code for your CustomPanels. |
Each CustomPanel consists of a hierarchical arrangement of components. PanelBuilder uses Extensible Markup Language (XML) code to record all characteristics of the panel. This code is stored in a .grid file. As you create and modify a CustomPanel, the underlying XML source code is automatically updated to record the changes. You can also edit the XML source manually, in the Source tab of the Edit Component window. The set of XML elements and attributes used in DashBoard is called openGear Layout Markup Language (OGLML). For detailed information about using OGLML, see the DashBoard CustomPanel Development Guide (8351DR-007). |