APG Mapper Tutorial

Your complete guide to getting started.

Introduction

The Advance Pixel Grid Mapper is a tool designed for easily laying out LED screens (panels) and exporting the configuration for Resolume Arena. Using this tool, you can create "Slices," apply "Masks," organize them under different "Screens," and map their input using "Composition Layers."

Table of Contents

  1. Core Concepts
  2. Step-by-Step User Guide
  3. Additional Tips and Features

Core Concepts

Canvas

The black area where you draw, representing your entire Resolume composition.

Panel / Grid

The small boxes on the canvas, each representing an LED panel with your defined dimensions.

Slice

The primary shapes you create on the grid, corresponding to a layer in Resolume's Advanced Output.

Screen

A virtual output destination (Virtual, NDI, Spout) where slices must be placed.

Mask

A shape used to cover, crop, or alter the appearance of a Slice.

Composition Layer

Resolume composition layers that can serve as a video source for your slices.

Step-by-Step User Guide

Step 1: Setting Up the Canvas

  1. Configure Canvas & Grid Settings:
    • Panel Size (W x H): The resolution of a single LED panel (e.g., 128x128).
    • Canvas Size (W x H): The total combined resolution of all your panels (e.g., 2560x896).
    • Resolution (W x H): This is the default resolution for new "Screens" you create.
  2. Generate New Grid: Click this button after entering dimensions. Warning: This will erase your current work.

Step 2: Creating Slices

  1. Select Drawing Mode: Under Drawing Tools, ensure the Slice option is selected.
  2. Name the Slice: Enter a name in the Slice Name textbox. It will be auto-named if left blank.
  3. Choose a Color: Select Manual or Automatic color assignment.
  4. Draw on the Canvas: Click and drag on the grid to create your slice. It will appear in the Screen and Slice Layout tree view.

Step 3: Organizing Screens

  1. Add a Screen: Click the Add Screen button.
  2. Move a Slice: Drag and drop a slice from one screen to another.
  3. Change Screen Settings: Click a Screen's name in the tree view to change its Device type (Virtual, NDI, Spout) and resolution in the panel above.
  4. Rename/Delete: Right-click on a screen to see more options. The first screen cannot be deleted.

Step 4: Creating a Mask

  1. Select a Slice: First, click the target slice in the tree view.
  2. Select Mask Mode: In Drawing Tools, switch to the Mask option.
  3. Choose a Mask Tool: Pick a tool from the Mask Shape panel (e.g., Circle, Square, Pencil). Shape tools automatically fit the slice. The GridOnly tool lets you paint panels, and the Pencil tool allows for freeform drawing.

Step 5: Editing a Mask

  1. Select the Mask: Click the "Mask" node under a slice in the tree view.
  2. Choose an Editing Mode: Select Transform to move/resize the whole mask, or Edit Points to adjust individual vertices of a mask.
  3. When Editing Points: Click a point to select it (it will turn red) and drag to move. You can switch between Linear (straight lines) and Bezier (curves).

Step 6: Using Composition Layers

  1. Add a Layer: In the Composition Layers panel, click Add Layer.
  2. Assign a Slice: Drag a slice from the Screen Layout and drop it onto a layer in the Composition Layers panel.
  3. Assign an Input Source: Click a slice, then use the Input dropdown in the Slice Properties panel to select its video source.

Step 7: Saving and Loading

Use File > Save Project to save all your work into a single .gproj file. Use File > Load Project to open it again.

Step 8: Exporting Your Work

  • Export Advance Output: This generates the .xml file for Resolume's Advanced Output and a .png guide image for each screen.
  • Export Composition: This generates an .avc file that you can load as a complete composition in Resolume.

Additional Tips and Features

Navigating the Canvas

  • Zoom: Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
  • Pan: Click and drag the middle mouse button, or select the Hand Tool to drag.
  • Reset View: Click the Default View button to return to the default zoom and position.

Quick Delete

Right-click on a slice on the canvas. You will be asked if you want to delete the mask (if it has one) or the entire slice (if it has no mask).

Context Menus

Right-click on items in the tree views (Screen and Slice Layout, Composition Layers) for additional options like Rename and Delete.

Registration

To access premium functionalities such as Masking, product registration is required. Navigate to Help > Registration to begin the activation process. A stable internet connection is necessary to complete the mandatory online validation of your license key.