SignWare-Pro User’s Guide SignWare-Pro v1.2 www.smartavi.
Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Disclaimer Notice ................................................................................................................................. 4 What’s in the Box? ............................................................................................................................... 5 Limited Warranty Statement ...............
Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the SignWare-Pro Digital Signage Solution. Please read the instructions carefully before using. SignWare-Pro is a digital signage solution that creates new marketing and information sharing portals to reach target audiences with real time information. SignWare-Pro attracts audiences by displaying your message using vivid, high-quality video and animation replacing traditional signs and posters.
Disclaimer Notice The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. SmartAVI makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. SmartAVI will not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance or use of this material.
What’s in the Box? PART NO.
Limited Warranty Statement A. Extent of Limited Warranty 1. SmartAVI, Inc. warrants to the end-user customers that the SmartAVI product specified above will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for the duration of 1 year, which duration begins on the date of purchase by the customer. Customer is responsible for maintaining proof of date of purchase. 2. SmartAVI’s limited warranty covers only those defects which arise as a result of normal use of the product, and do not apply to any: a.
Section 1 Setting up the SignWare-Pro Server Software 1. Getting Started This quick setup guide will instruct you on how to install and setup the SignWare-Pro software onto your Server (Host PC) and how to setup the SignWare-Pro client. To ensure proper installation of the server software; • • • • Please make sure you are running Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 or 3, Windows 2003 or Windows Vista. Make sure that you are logged in as the system administrator. Turn off the Windows firewall.
2. Installing SignWare-Pro Server SignWare-Pro Server requires a unique serial number to be installed. You will find your key on back of the SignWare-Pro Server CD sleeve. In addition, you must complete the online registration for your copy of SignWare-Pro Server. If you do not register within the thirty-day window, your SignWare-Pro Server software will become disabled. A registration window will open automatically. If you wish to register at a later date, simply select Help/Registration.
3. Setting up the SignWare-Pro Client 1. Setting up the SignWare-Pro Client a. Connect the power supply cable to the SignWare-Pro client and plug the cable into a grounded power outlet. (Figure 3.1) b. Attach the HDMI from the monitor or display to the HDMI port on back of the client. c. Connect the SignWare-Pro client to a router using CAT5 cable. (If you will be using a wireless router, please refer to your router’s manual for additional information). Turn on the display connected to the client.
4. Navigating the SignWare-Pro Client 1. Once you’ve logged in, connect the keyboard and press CTRL+ALT+2 to open the SignWare-Pro Configuration Panel (Figure 4.1). (Figure 4.1) (Figure 4.2) 2. Network Settings i. DHCP • Check this box if you would like your SignWare-Pro Client to receive an IP Address from your network.
Gateway, and DNS. 3. Resolution Settings (Figure 4.2) • Use the ‘Tab’ key (Figure 4.2) to tab to the Resolution drop down box and use the arrow keys to scroll through the different selections. Press the ‘OK’ button to select the resolution. 4. SignWare-Pro Server Settings i. Server • If your SignWare-Pro Client is unable to find your Server on the network, manually type in the IP Address of your Server. ii. User • This is the default username that is linked to your Server. Please leave this setting as is.
5. Updating the SignWare-Pro Client In an effort to produce the best digital signage system on the market, we will continue to make upgrades to our products. To update to the newest version of the SignWare-Pro client, you will need to do the following; 1. Unpack the SignWare-Pro update file onto your server. 2. In Task manager create “Update” task and point to update.img as the task data. (Figure 6.1) Important: update.inf should be placed in the same directory as flash.img or the update will not work. 3.
Section 2 Using the SignWare-Pro Server Software 6. Running SignWare-Pro Server Software for the first time 1. Double click on the SignWare-Pro Server Station Manager icon either on your desktop or start menu. 2. You will first be prompted with a ‘Server Logon settings’ dialog box. The default IP address is 127.0.0.1. In the user name and password fields use the new Administrator user and password you created in the installation process and click ‘OK’. (Figure 6.1) 3.
6.1 Firewall SignWare-Pro uses the TCP/IP suite to communicate between the server and client, proper settings of your firewall and routers will be needed. After the installation of SignWare-Pro Manager, and the initial start of the software, you will be asked to by the windows firewall to unblock, or keep blocking SignWare-Pro Manager. You want to make sure you unblock it. The port used for communication is ‘13325’ UDP and TCP.
6.2 User Manager Our user manager now allows SignWare-Pro users to manage and control their own user database. Windows logins are no longer required. Each user created is allowed a set of permissions. The user rights are described as followed: • • • • Administrator: Full access to everything, only user that is able to create and manage users. Task Manager: Allowed to access and control the task manager and selectable clients assigned by the administrator.
After you log into the SignWare-Pro manager, you can create new users by clicking ‘Run,’ then clicking on ‘User Manager’ (Figure 6.2.3) To create a new user, right click or click on ‘User’ then ‘New User.’ The user properties window will open. Here is where you enter in your new user information (Figure 6.2.4): • • • • • User name: The name of the new user. Full name: The real name of the user. Description: The description of the user. Password: The password for that user.
7. Task Manager The main feature of SignWare-Pro is the Task Manager. This is where you set up and manage all of your presentations. To open the Task Manager: • Select Run then click on the Task Manager. (Figure 7.1) Figure 7.1 Once you are in the Task Manager you can begin setting up your presentations. Tasks: are individual presentations such as movies, PowerPoint presentations or Flash files; in order to run a Task it must be placed into a schedule.
Setting up Tasks: In the Task menu option, you can create, delete, and view the properties of all the files you wish to run on SignWare-Pro. Figure 7.2 To create a new task: 1. Select Task and select ‘New Task’. (Figure 7.2) 2. Select the type of file you are going to use. (Figure 7.3) 3. Select the file located on your hard drive. Once the task has been added, you can configure the following properties; a. The duration of the task (setting the duration to 0:0:0 will cause the program to run indefinitely.
Figure 7.3 Creating Schedules A schedule is where you combine all of the different tasks that you’ve created in step 8 and put them into one place. From here you create the programming schedule. You can select a variety of task to run at specific times, run once, or loop continuously. If you use the template feature (described in step 10) you will select which tasks will run in which window. Schedules can be as complex or as simple as you like.
8. Creating and working with schedules 1. In the Task Manager select ‘Schedule’ and click ‘New Schedule’. The Schedule Properties Dialog will appear. (Figure 8.1) 2. In the ‘General’ tab give your schedule a name. (optional) 3. Begin populating the schedule with various tasks. These tasks can be videos, images, web pages, PowerPoint Presentations, etc. a. To do this you must use your mouse to highlight one of the tasks you created in the previous step. (Figure 8.2) b.
Modifying Tasks within the Schedule 4. While in the ‘Schedule Properties’ dialog, double-click the task you wish to modify from the ‘Scheduled Tasks’ section. This brings up the ‘Schedule Task Properties’ dialog. From here you are given several options; (Figure 8.3) a. Operation on end of task i. Run next task in schedule: This option will run the next task that you’ve added to the schedule once the task has ended. ii. Restart current task: This will restart the current task once it has finished.
5. Day and Time: Use the ‘Day and Time’ tab to control when and for how long the schedule will play. The Day and Time dialog controls the following; a. Schedule start type: This feature selects how the schedule will operate. (Figure 8.5) b. Run at user logon: This will start the schedule as soon as the user is logged on. c. Run once: Select a specific time and date for the schedule to run. (Figure 8.6) d. Run periodically: Set the time and date for your schedule to play.
8.1 Super Schedules Super Schedules were designed to allow multiple schedules to run in one, also allowing a drag and drop friendly user interface. To use the Super Schedule, open up the Task Manager and then click on ‘Schedule’ then select ‘New Super Schedule’. 1. In the Setup Schedule tab, this is where you will setup your multiple schedules. Click on ‘Add’. In the window that opened you can name your schedule and select the duration. Then click ‘Ok’. (Figure 8.1.1) 2.
9. Template Creator The Template creator is powerful feature of SignWare-Pro. Templates allow users to create and assign regions. This gives you the ability to run several tasks simultaneously on one screen. The result is the integration of high-resolution graphics with dynamic video and scrolling text messages and news feeds. To create a template and assign tasks: 1. Use your mouse to select the schedule you wish to use for your template. 2. From the schedule menu select “New Template…” (Figure 9.1) 3.
4. To create your first region click on the ‘Add View’ icon and drag your mouse across the white display editor. (Figure 9.3) Figure 9.
5. You may continue adding, deleting, resizing, and moving regions until you are satisfied. (Figure 9.4) Figure 9.
6. You can also assign a background image to your layout by clicking the ‘Properties’ icon and selecting an image from your hard drive. (Figure 9.5) Figure 9.
7. Once you are satisfied with your layout, save the template file on your computer hard drive. (Figure 9.6) Figure 9.
Now you are ready to assign views. This is where you select which task will be displayed into the different regions you’ve just created. 8. From the ‘Schedule Properties’ dialog double click on any of the tasks for this schedule. This will bring up the ‘Schedule Task Properties’ dialog. (Figure 9.7) Figure 9.
9. Select the view from the dropdown menu you where you would like the task displayed. Then click “ok” (Figure 9.8) Figure 9.
10. Creeping Line Editor SignWare-Pro Creeping Line Editor enables you to create a scrolling marquis anywhere on your screen. You can use RSS feeds, text from a file, or simply type text directly into the editor. 1. Opening the Creeping Line Editor. a. From the SignWare-Pro Server Manager select ‘Run’ and click ‘Creeping Line Editor’ (Figure 10.1) Figure 10.
2. To create and edit scrolling text, select ‘Options’ and click ‘Creeping line options’ (Figure 10.2) a. In the ‘General’ tab Creeping Line Property Sheet you are given several options; b. Input text: Type your text directly into the editor. (Figure 10.3) c. Use RSS: Input the URL of the RSS feed of your choice. (Figure 10.4) d. Control the speed of your scrolling text. e. Preview the text directly on your desktop. Figure 10.
Figure 10.3 Figure 10.4 3. Customizing fonts a. Select the ‘Font’ tab to adjust the size, style and color of your font. (Figure 10.5) Figure 10.
4. Adjust window text and transparency. (Figure 10.6) a. In the Text Window and Transparency dialog box you are given several adjustment options. i. Background Color ii. Window Border: • Transparency • Transparent Color Figure 10.
5. Set the position of your creeping text. a. The Window Position dialog lets you decide where you would like the scrolling text to appear on your screen. i. You have the option of either docking your window to the top or bottom of your screen. (Figure 10.7) Figure 10.7 Note: You can preview your changes anytime by clicking the ‘Preview’ button. 6. Save your changes. a. To accept your changes click the ‘OK’ button on your Creeping Line Property Sheet. b.
Figure 10.8 The new Creeping Line Manager allows SignWare-Pro users to add multiple Creeping Lines in Tasks rather than in a Schedule. You can now add multi Creeping Lines into specific Tasks.
To add Creeping Lines into a Task: 1. Click on the Task Properties of the Task you want to add the Creeping Line into. 2. Click on the button that is labeled ‘Background Manager’ (Figure 10.10) 3. In the Creeping Line Manager, you can add existing Creeping Lines or create new ones. To create a new one, click on ‘Edit’. To add existing Creeping Lines, click on ‘Add’ and browse for your file. (Figure 10.11) 4. You can add more than one Creeping Line in each task.
11. Registration and Activation SignWare-Pro software requires registration and activation for successful use of the SignWare-Pro Manager software after 30 days. To register, go to ‘Help’ and click ‘Registration’ (Figure 11.1) Next, click the link that says ‘Get key from WWW’. (Figure 11.2) Next you want to fill out the form completely, and make sure the Product at the top says SignWarePro. After you have completed the form, click the ‘Register Now’ button.
Specifications 39
Alphabetical Index Creating and working with schedules ............................................................................................... 22 Creeping Line Editor .......................................................................................................................... 34 Disclaimer Notice ................................................................................................................................ 4 Firewall .....................................................
Notes 41
Notes 42
© Copyright 2011 Smart-AVI, All Rights Reserved NOTICE The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Smart-AVI makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for any particular purpose. Smart-AVI will not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance or use of this material.
