CAST Software at Prolight + Sound

	WYSIWYG R26's 3DConnexion Mouse

CAST Software will offer three new products and what it says is an innovative product demonstration at Prolight + Sound in Frankfurt, Germany, 6-9 April, in Hall 9.0 Stand D70.

The PLASA Innovation Award-winning BlackTrax will be shown with a display whereby the entire booth will serve as a stage to show the full capabilities of the system. BlackTrax is a hardware motion tracking system for streaming positional data for people and objects in real time. BlackTrax is designed to work either on a stand-alone basis for the coordination of lighting, sound, or other position-sensitive moving objects, or with Cast's BlackBox system of multi-directional high-speed control coordination.

To fully demonstrate the communications power of BlackBox, Cast invited entertainment motion control systems manufacturer Niscon Inc. and rigging systems manufacturer Hoist UK to bring a 3D performer flying system to the stand. The Raynok motion control system has been connected to BlackBox since its inception and, in the past, you've seen the concept in the virtual world. It is now possible to experience the abilities of BlackBox Live.

Throughout the day, the Raynok 3D system will maneuver a bowling ball, disguised as an emoticon, above the crowd while BlackBox tracks the flight path with a moving light. Once each hour, the company will provide a full motion demonstration to show the speed and quality of the BlackBox communications. The finale of the demonstration will be to set BlackTrax to work and engage it to follow a live performer as they move about the stand, along with the bowling ball.

The patented BlackTrax system works by using a proprietary, and very small, IR LED beacon, which is placed on the moving object(s). Movement is captured by cameras. BlackTrax delivers streaming highly accurate tracking information for what the company calls six degrees of freedom - X, Y, and Z coordinates, plus inertial data for yaw, pitch, and roll. BlackTrax monitors the velocity of the object(s) in motion, as well as giving important spatial relationships between objects and people in a 3D space. The system uniquely tags each beacon, on each moving object or person, so that each individual measurable set of data is discrete and completely distinguished from the next.

BlackTrax has proven to work reliably even under the smokiest conditions on stage and uses redundant monitoring to track the people and objects you need to monitor, the company says. Should the line of sight be occluded (which is the primary mode of tracking), the inertial movement continues regardless and also provides X, Y, and Z parameters until the person(s) or object(s) come back into the line of sight.

Also on display will be WYSIWYG R26, an overhauled and much stronger foundation with some impressive innovation. WYSIWYG R26 is really virtually real, states the company. R26 has been designed to give the user a better experience on many planes - with a heavy emphasis on reports and presentation.

The company says R26 gives you a solid platform of spreadsheet tools, improving the data experience and improving efficiency in creating paperwork. R26 is also the international debut of some new essential dimensioning tools - radial dimensioning, arc length, and a new protractor tool. The company's software development has added improvements to the virtual environment, adding the ability to use the 3Dconnexion mouse for true 3D flyovers in the shaded view. With this 3D mouse, users can pan, zoom and rotate as if they're holding the model in their hand.

Cast will also demonstrate its just released Vivien2011 -- the event planning software tool for the special event and meetings professionals.

Vivien goes beyond 2D floor plans to make your ideas come to life in colorful 3D virtual views. In addition to an extensive list of new features, Vivien now works with the 3Dconnexio, mouse. It can also be bundled on an existing WYSIWYG dongle.

Vivien Library comprises several-1,000 tables and chairs, place settings, linens and drapery, all with virtually unlimited colors, styles and textures for every occasion, people, musical instruments, lights, gobos, etc. from all regions of the world. Vivien people are also included.

What's more, Vivien's Library Additions include an extensive electronic catalogue of the hottest new manufacturer items from brands like CORT Event Furnishings - now with the new Lounge 22 line, Fantastic Backdrops, Rose Brand fabrics, and AFR furnishings.