Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled answers to the questions we receive most often to ensure you have all the information you need at your fingertips. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
BlackTrax
What is a BT BEACON?
A BTBeacon (where “BT” = BlackTrax) has one purpose — to declare its location in the defined Space in two ways. Firstly, it powers and sets the pulsing diode for the BTCams to recognize. Secondly, each BTBeacon also has a tiny radio to transmit redundant X,Y,Z (in the event of short term occlusion). The BTBeacon is patented, as well as FCC and CE approved.
What is the tracking speed?
The tracking speed is 100 frames per second. That’s the speed at which the precise coordinates of your target are calculated and streamed to the downstream technologies. It’s real-time!
How accurate is BlackTrax?
The accuracy is ¼ inches at a 50-foot distance. BlackTrax can track this ping pong ball hanging from a drone with 7mm accuracy, extra delays might be added if the light is not fast enough to keep up, however the tracking accuracy is that precise, especially important for multimedia uses. Check this video.
In what distances can it operate?
The standard BTSolution installation easily covers a 50 foot diameter. BlackTrax is scalable – from a small space to a stadium. Longer distances/bigger spaces can be achieved by using higher resolution BTCams, more BTCams, and/or different lenses. Upgrading packages can increase the distance up to 700 feet away (213 meters). It comes down to determining the right configuration for your needs. Tell us what you have in mind and we can quickly let you know.
How many objects or people can you track at one time?
At any one time up to 255 Tracking Points (connected to up to 85 BTBeacons) can be tracked in the space. Each BTBeacon can power/manage up to 3 BTStringers. You might use single or multiple Tracking Points on a Trackable – depending on your needs (multimedia usually has heavy demands). Offstage (out of sight) Trackables do not conflict with those in the Space.
How does the link between the BT Server and the lighting console work?
The RTTrPL protocol from BlackTrax to a merge node, then we listen to the console via Art-Net or sACN.
How many people are necessary to set up the BT System in a touring configuration?
For example, 2 hours for 2 persons? or 3 hours for 1 person?
We have installed BT in lots of places and many demos, usually one or two people go out for the original install and then we train dedicated people to look after the set up. A huge arena size touring show went out early May 2015, with 20 cameras and 60 active beacons running, with four days in a venue then they move on to the next. The tour is already booked for two years traveling in the States. Two people from CAST did the original install and trained the show people, the show provided two dedicated personnel for the show run to look after everything and manage the 60 BTBeacons per show.
Can BT Beacons be hidden in costumes?
Yes, and this is how shows are doing it today, plus the BTBeacons also come with a special, purpose-built pouch.
Are the pouches included with the BT Beacons or is it an additional cost?
The Pouches are included and does not require additional cost.
What’s the max cable length between the BT Beacon and its infrared LED?
We are currently running 44.5 ft cables from a BTBeacon to LEDs.
Regarding the WYSIWYG Perform provided in the server, is it a normal perform (with membership) or a special perform?
Normal Perform when used as a standalone in the server, but when in tracking mode becomes something called BTWyg and shows your tracking working information only, to help you very quickly understand what the system is doing. In addition, all touch screen based, Perform and BTWyg will only work in the presence of the server – the dongle is permanently built in. Currently there is a mandatory annual membership fee for a single BT as a system, which includes all new features and tech support for the whole system.
The WYSIWYG Perform embedded in the server, does it also need a yearly membership renewal?
Yes, and this is covered already in the yearly mandatory BlackTrax Maintenance fee.
How does maintenance and repair work after the 2 year warranty?
Today it is done directly with CAST. During the sale cycle we recommend that a touring show take some spares with them, as potential server failure can only be covered if a second server is purchased (otherwise it will take time to repair).
What do you mean by a trigger point or zone?
BlackTrax has the ability to work within described virtual zones and cause what we call an event e.g. (Trigger Points). For instance, build a virtual rectangle onstage that delineates a wall that you would have to walk through to leave the stage and BT will be able to turn on or turn off lights.
Although technically possible but not a current feature, in the future we might be able to do remarkable things such as:
1. Stop panning a robotic camera as you leave the stage and allow you to walk out of the picture.
2. Mute your wireless microphones until you return back to the stage.
3. Trigger a projected video to give you any creative effect you can dream up, e.g. project a door shutting as you leave the stage.
For lighting only, must we use node? From which manufacturers?
At the moment we suggest Luminode. Also, we are open to any third party device working with BlackTrax and the protocol is published on Github for developers. We recommend the following:
Luminode 1 – 2 processing engines & 1 DMX port
Luminode 2 – 4 processing engines & 2 DMX ports
Luminode 4 – 6 processing engines & 4 DMX ports
Luminode 12 – 16 processing engines & 12 DMX ports
More information can be found here: https://www.luminex.be/products/luminode/
Does BT control only the positions of the moving lights (pan or tilt) or can it also control the zoom or iris depending on the position of the BT Beacon?
Yes BT also controls zoom and iris for you, based on positional information of the BT Beacon. It will also douse and restore lights based on this position.
If moving lights are used with BT, do they have to be dedicated to BT alone?
No, you can use any lights from your rig at anytime and always send them back to your console’s control when you want, in fact your console is completely in charge of all of this.
How many decibels does BT produce?
None, you can only see it working.
Can BT work with lasers?
Yes, we have successfully developed a feature in BlackTrax to talk to and control lasers. In our tests we’ve been controlling a Kvant laser via DMX with beautiful results. Check out the video.
The Basics
Do wysiwyg and Vivien run on Mac?
wysiwyg and Vivien currently only run under Microsoft Windows, but can be used on any Intel–based Mac computer, as long as Windows (any version, but Windows 7 is strongly recommended) is installed via Parallels or BootCamp. Please note that we recommend BootCamp for optimum performance. Once Windows is set up on your Mac, you may install and run the software (within Windows), just like you would on any Windows machine. Please note that the Windows partition will have to be formatted with (or converted to) the NTFS filesystem, in order for the installation to complete.
Membership vs Lease
What is a Membership?
One year Membership is included with every wysiwyg or Vivien purchase. This means that for the twelve months following the purchase, you have access to (1) new versions and updates, (2) unlimited technical support, and (3) preliminary/beta fixture libraries.
Once the Membership expires, its renewal is optional. Should you choose not to renew, you may continue to use the software for as long as you like, but without access to new versions, technical support or new fixture profiles. When you decide to purchase a Membership Renewal in order to extend the Membership Expiry Date, please note that the renewal is always applied retroactively: for example, if your Membership expired in February 2024 and you choose not to renew it until December 2024, the Membership Expiry Date will not be extended to December 2025, but to February 2025.
What is a Lease?
Leased dongles carry the same privileges as purchased ones: for as long as the lease is valid, you have access to (1) new versions and updates, (2) unlimited technical support, and (3) preliminary/beta fixture libraries. However, unlike purchased dongles (i.e. Membership dongles), once the Lease is over, the dongle shuts down and you are no longer be able to run the software. To continue running the software, you may purchase a Lease Renewal to extends the Lease, or purchase an Upgrade to switch the dongle to the Membership model (i.e. purchase the dongle). Neither the Lease Renewal nor the Upgrade is applied retroactively: for example, if your Lease expired on February 17, 2024, and you choose not to do anything about it until June 25, 2024, a one-year Lease Renewal will extend the Lease Expiry Date to June 25, 2025, while Upgrading the dongle to the Membership model will set its Membership Expiry Date to June, 2025.
Please note that while a Lease dongle may be upgraded to Membership before the Lease expires, there is no advantage to this because the Membership period starts on the day of purchase: for example, if your Lease will expire in July 2024, should you choose to Upgrade it to Membership in May, 2024, the Membership Expiry Date will be set to May, 2025, not July, 2025. For this reason, in most cases, it is recommended that you wait for the Lease to expire (or for the Lease Expiry Date to be near) before purchasing the Upgrade to Membership.
Once a dongle has been upgraded from Lease to Membership, it cannot go back to Lease.
What is the Member's Only Area (MOA)?
The part of the CAST Software website where customers log in to download installers for the software to which they are entitled; in addition, Membership Renewals, Product Upgrades and New Products may be purchased here.
I lost my dongle... What do I do now?
No problem, we can shut down your lost or stolen dongle, you don’t have to buy a brand new product, but you will need to purchase a Dongle Replacement, contact our sales department. sales@castgroupinc.com +1 416 597 2278 ext 277.
Library
Where can I find missing library items?
Missing Lighting Fixtures, Truss, Accessories and other items can be requested directly from the Library Department. Please send an email to libraries@castgroupinc.com. The amount of time needed to create these items depends on our current workload but many preliminary versions are ready now and can be sent immediately.
This fixture is too dim or is behaving strangely. What can I do?
Please contact us directly via email at libraries@castgroupinc.com and we can fix it for you.
Why don't you have String or Rope lights in the library?
Placing thousands of tiny Library fixtures into your drawing would be too demanding on your Computer’s processor and every Library fixture must be hung on a pipe which is not practical. For these reasons it’s much better to draw simple CAD objects to represent them and apply Light Emitting Properties.
Why don't you have more LED video panels in the library?
Using the LED Wizard is preferable because it is much more efficient for your Computer’s processor and allows mapping across multiple tiles. Library Fixture Panels also must be hung on pipes and diode shapes are limited.
Education
Is the Educational Edition compatible with MAC computers?
Wysiwyg Educational may be on ARM-based (M1/M2/M3) Mac systems, within a Windows 11 ARM Edition Virtual Machine running under Parallels. However, some functionality is limited, unlike when running the software on x64 hardware (i.e. Intel- or AMD-based Windows (“PC”) systems.)
How do I qualify to purchase the Student Edition version of wysiwyg?
CAST’s Educational Program offers free and paid Student licenses to students and teachers able to submit their proof of enrollment or employment for review and approval.
Both Students and Teachers can apply from: https://edu.cast-soft.com/register
Can my wysiwyg Educational Edition Design license be upgraded to a Perform license?
Yes! if you have a Design Edu license, at any point, you can upgrade to access wysiwyg Perform 8U. Simply navigate to this link to purchase your desired upgrade.
Your upgraded Perform license will set to expire a year from the date of purchase.
Note that Design Edu licenses are no longer being offered. Instead we have replaced it with a free wysiwyg Perform 4U.
Can my wysiwyg Educational Edition cloud license be transferred to a new/different machine?
wysiwyg Educational Edition is intended to be installed on only one computer. If you wish to run wysiwyg on a new computer, please run the HWID tool on the new computer that you would like to install wysiwyg on. However, instead of clicking ‘Submit’ on the bottom right, select the ‘Save’ option on the bottom left. It will generate a text document.
Please email students@castgroupinc.com with the document attached, indicating a device transfer request.
I have just finished installing wysiwyg Educational Edition on my machine, however I am unable to login and use the application.
There are a few potential scenarios depending on the error message received:
- Error message: No active license is associated with your account.
a) Please ensure that you have registered for an account via our Education Portal. Once successful, you will receive an approval confirmation email. If during the registration you have requested for a Perform license, please ensure that you have received a payment confirmation email. If you have yet to pay for your license, please proceed to this link. Note that we do offer a Free Design license option. If you changed your mind and decided that you no longer require a Perform license, please email students@cast-soft.com indicating above.b) Please ensure that you have followed the instructions as indicated here to submit your HWID file. This process must be completed and successful before you will be able to launch and login to wysiwyg Education Edition. If you experienced any issues or error message when submitting your HWID via the HWID Tool, please take a screenshot of the error message. When using the HWID Tool. Instead of clicking ‘Submit’ on the bottom right, select the ‘Save’ option on the bottom left. It will generate a text document. Please email students@castgroupinc.com with the document attached. - Error message: Invalid email or password provided.
Please ensure that you are using the correct password for logging into wysiwyg. Your wysiwyg login password is automatically generated and sent to your registration email address. Please note that it is NOT your Educational Portal login password. If you did not receive a password via email, please contact students@castgroupinc.com.
I am an existing user that was previously able to login and use wysiwyg Educational Edition, however I am no longer able to login and launch the application successfully.
Please consider: have you recently changed computers, modified, or reconfigured computer hardware components, reinstalled Windows or changed the computer’s device name?
If YES, please run the HWID Tool on your machine. However, instead of clicking ‘Submit’ on the bottom right, select the ‘Save’ option on the bottom left. It will generate a text document. Please email students@castgroupinc.com with the document attached, indicating there has been a change in HWID and you are no longer able to login and launch wysiwyg.
If NO, please try the following steps:
1) Please right click the launcher of the wysiwyg and select “Run as administrator”.
2) Please ensure that all firewalls and computer security are either disabled or allowing wysiwyg through.
To check your firewall settings:
I. Ensure that wysiwyg is not running.
II. Open the Windows Firewall Control Panel.
III. Click the Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall “link” on the left.
IV. In the Allowed apps window that appears, scroll down until you find “WYSIWYG Application” in the list.
V. Ensure that the checkbox on the left, and both checkboxes on the right of “WYSIWYG Application” are checked, as per the screenshot below.
VI. Ensure the same for any and all other “WYSIWYG Application” entries in this list.
VII. Click OK at the bottom to close the Allowed apps window.
- Please verify that the time for your machine is properly set.
The time can be set manually, or it can be set to sync with a time server by changing some settings in Windows 10 Settings > Time & Language > Date & time. We want to ensure that it is syncing with a time server. If it is set in the wrong time zone or manual, communication with the Cloud License server will fail and the application will exit immediately after the login screen. - Another potential cause that we have seen before is the Windows system language. In very rare and specific cases, if the Windows system language is not set to be in English (e.g., it is set to French), it may cause the issue described above.
If none of the steps above made a difference, please run the HWID Tool on your machine. However, instead of clicking ‘Submit’ on the bottom right, select the ‘Save’ option on the bottom left. It will generate a text document. Please email students@castgroupinc.com with the document attached, indicating the troubleshooting steps you have attempted.