Interface Overview

MadMapper 6 introduces a refreshed UI, although the interface philosophy remains the same and is divided into 3 main parts as shown on the image below.

 

Media and Projects Tab

The left side of the interface allows you to access your Media Library, create your Video, DMX, or Laser Surfaces, or manage the Master Settings for your mappings:

 

 

If we take the example of the Manage Video Surfaces tab, it is divided into two parts:

Surfaces List

 

Here you will find a list of all your created Video Surfaces, with various options such as creating Surface groups.

Click on one of the Surface types in the top bar to add a new one.

Surface Inspector

 

The surface inspector allows you to access numerous settings and parameters. Those for the selected Surface are displayed.

The splitter between the List and the Inspector allows you to change the size of these two parts.

The DMX, Laser, Modules, and Outputs tabs work in the same way as for Video Surfaces tabs.

Media Tab

There is one first major difference with the Media tab:

 

 

The top bar is not used to add media, but to toggle the Media Pool display mode.

 

You can also add new media by Media type using the “+” button in each category:

 

MadMapper's top menu > View > Separate Media Tab allows you to move the Media Pool to the right side of the software interface.

Quickly separate the Media tab with the icon at very top right of the interface too.

Master Settings

The Master Settings tab works differently: there is no list or inspector, but a slew of settings and parameters divided into separate categories:

 

Input and Stage Views

Views are at the heart of the interface, where surfaces are created and manipulated.

This central space is split into two views, the Input view and the Stage preview:

 

Views Toolbar

Access essential display options with the view toolbar, at the top of both Views:

 

 

Plus, you can also toggle your Input/Stage views to display both, Input or Stage View only with the bar above Views:

 

Input View

The Input View is where you choose what parts of your source media will be mapped:

 

This is also known as Texture coordinates, or UVs.

Stage Preview

The Stage Preview is where you move your surfaces around and change the perspective to conform to the geometry of the object(s) you are projecting onto:

 

Adjust

On both Views, buttons are available with your surface:

Note that the dimension of the stage are separate from the content.

The size of the stage is proportional to the output, but the resolution is fixed by your projector, not the size of your stage.

Advanced Tools

The bottom part of MadMapper gives you access to various Advanced Tools.

Advanced Tools Top Bar

Common design to all advanced tool is first the top bar:

 

 

On the far left is the dropdown list that allows you to select an advanced tool:

 

 

The two icons always at the very right allow you to show/hide the Advanced Tools panel, or to maximize the editor:

 

Timelines

The new Timeline feature is MadMapper 6 biggest addition: it allows you to conduct your entire show, create montage or audio tracks, setup markers and so much more.

Export your work as a video file is now a native feature available with Timelines.

 

You can access and use Scenes and Cues within Timelines.

Control List

Add, configure and manage your controls according to their category.

By clicking Learn, you can assign controls to many MadMapper functions.

These functions will be highlighted in purple : next to the Learn button, select and define numerous custom controls to the selected target parameters with your keyboard, your MIDI controller, OSC (Open Sound Control), Audio, your Playstation controller, created modules such as the Oscillator (MadMapper controls) or «other» like Leap Motion (needs to be activated in the preferences).

 

When you have a lot of controls set up, filter them by clicking on the category or selecting the category from the list if your screen is narrower.

Library

The Materials Library is a great place to share your materials and access those of the community.

For a good start, a curation is made in the featured section.

The panel also allow to add a new material, access online public ones, or your owns, access your local ones: built-in (defaults ones), installed ones from the library, and your owns.

 

AI / Code Editor

Now completely native within MadMapper’s UI with multi line comments, fast editing, better syntax coloring.

Note that you can drag and drop materials from the Media Tab to the editor to start coding.

 

The materials are coded in GLSL (version max 4.1 for Mac, 4.5 for Windows).

 

Since MadMapper 5, artificial intelligence is integrated into the Code Editor. MadAI requires MadAI Credits to use prompts.

Fixture Editor

Edit your fixtures! For more information we strongly recommend to read the DMX documentation.

 

MadLight Recorder

This complete tool is dedicated to the recording of your fixtures, which you will then export to your MiniMad unit(s) for your installations or performances.

 

More information is available in the DMX and MiniMad documentations.

DMX Monitor

The DMX Monitor, now fully integrated within MadMapper’s UI, remains remarkably fast plus more convenient to use.

 

Notes

Add various notes to your projects.

 

Other Interface Specifics

Top Bar Overview

MadMapper's top bar provides access to additional features and settings:

 

Left-Side Collapse

Click on the top-left button to collapse/expand the whole user interface:

 

Only the project tab (Surfaces, Outputs, Master Settings) will remain uncollapsed.

AutoSave

Enable or disable Autosave. It's worth noting that we recommend enabling it so that you don't lose your work if something happens to your computer.

Views

Toggle your Input/Output views to display both, Input or Stage View only.

 

Surfaces

Here's a quick way to toggle Surfaces behavior with these optons: Snap to objects, Lock Surfaces Movement, Object Isolation.

 

Outputs

Use these buttons to turn on/off fullscreen (Video), or to turn on/off your Laser.

 

Beta

To remind you that you are working in a Beta version (and therefore not recommended for production), this icon will be displayed:

 

Become a Beta tester by signing up for the program from the Account Details tab on your website user account.

Separate Media Tab

The last icon at the top right allows you to separate the Media Tab instantly:

Tooltip

The Tooltip (always) at the very bottom left of the application interface displays contextual information when you mouse over any function.

 

Click on the small arrow on the right to expand/collapse the Tooltip.

Resolution

If the resolution of the interface's Views in general doesn't suit you - which may be the case on a notebook for example - change the display resolution of your system from the MacOSX / Windows preferences.

 

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