Getting Started with Dragonframe 4.1 and spectrum ST4 - Real Time Interface

Update 2/20/19 - eMotimo's spectrum ST4 was officially approved to be the first 3rd Party Motion Controller to naively support real time motion. This is great news and a good feather in our cap!

The purpose of this article is to give a brief overview of how to get started with using Dragonframe and the eMotimo spectrum ST4 using the real-time interface. Dragonframe (http://www.dragonframe.com) is a powerful stopframe animation package. It can also be used for timelapse and programming very complex keyframed moves.  Now it can also be used for programming and playing real-time moves. Be sure to check out this demonstration video:

This article is not meant to be a general how-to on using Dragonframe. It's functionality and usage is well documented in their online references.

  Equipment Needed:

• eMotimo ST4 with the Firmware RC007_58 (attached) and on the Beta Page
• Dragonframe 4.1 or newer - https://www.dragonframe.com/downloads/ 
• USB to I/O port cable for spectrum ST4 -https://emotimo.com/products/usb-to-i-o-port-cable-for-spectrum-st4 

Process:

1. Update your spectrum with ST4_RC007_58
2. Power on spectrum, go to Settings, scroll down to the third page. For I/O Port: choose Dragonframe V2 and CLICK X or the Center button to lock it in (unhighlight it) This setting will be maintained after power cycle so you only need to do this again if you change it or upgrade your firmware.  
   
   
3. Connect your USB Cable
   1. Mac users: Insert the USB cable to your computer and allow any automatic drivers installation to continue.  Typically drivers install automatically, but if you aren't prompted, you may need to download and install additional drivers.
   2. Windows Users:  you need additional drivers.
      • If your USB connector is blue, please download and install Prolific Drivers and the SiLabs CP210X Drivers. If your USB connector is black, please download and install VCP drivers for your OS.
      • Once you install the drivers, you will need to restart your computer before continuing.  
      • Windows users can see if there are issues when looking at Device Manager.  
4. Connect the other end of the cable to the i/o port of the spectrum. Ensure the cable is fully seated. Watch out - Don't connect to the camera port!
5. Power cycle the spectrum. Leave on the main menu screen.
6. Start up Dragonframe and create a new scene.
7. In DF, go to Scene --> Click the Add Connection button. Under Device, select eMotimo spectrum ST4, then select ArcMoco #1. Under location, select the serial port of the cable you just added. This cable will be named differently and may change if you install on a different USB port. If there are multiple connections you may have to try each to understand which one is connected to your spectrum.
8. Once selected, click the connect button. Within 3 seconds it should say connected and turn green.  The Status should read:  Connected to eMotimo ST4 (7.58.00) these numbers will vary. Close out of this window by clicking OK.
   
   
9. Your spectrum's screen will change to one that looks similar to this:
10. In Dragonframe, from the top menu, select Window --> ARC MOTION CONTROL
11. Import your axis Settings – for convenience, we have created an ST4 Pan/Tilt/Dana Dolly Slide/Focus. This is attached to this article and called ST4 Dana Dolly and Fz.arcx. The main reason for these files is to get the steps/deg/inch working correctly and the correct channels assigned. Download this to a convenient location.
12. Import the Arc Axis Setup by hitting the menu icon 
    
    and then selecting Import-->Arc Axis Setup (arcx)
    
13. Start with importing  ST4 Dana Dolly and Fz.arcx   When correctly imported your ARC MOTION CONTROL window will look similar to this. 
    
14. Use the Jog buttons (white arrows) to move the head around and ensure connectivity.
15. Build a move and play!
    
    Known Behavior :

1. GoMotion not supported
2. Backlash compensation setting are sensitive to direction and sign. Results in issues with jogging through keyframes – use of these is not recommended.  This is more of a configuration thing than an issue with setup or software.
3. The PS4 gaming remote, when connected, slows or stops jogging through DF (controls are battling).  We don't recommend having the PS4 Dualshock remote connected.