MacroSystem Columbus 2 - Manual (Page 6)

6 Columbus 2
see Columbus 2 listed alphabetically in the Edit
menu under Special.
After you have selected the program you will
see the following options in the area on the right
(effect options):
Start program: This is where you start Columbus
2 for creating path animations.
Mode: You can choose from three options here.
Classic means you can use Columbus 2 with the
functions from Columbus 1. Video Ext. causes
the active video scene to be used. This mode is
excellent for maps that you have filmed or pho-
tographed yourself and for maps from the sepa-
rately available Xpress-Maps 1 and 2 programs.
With Image Pool Ext. mode, you can make the
software use a map or extra large map from the
image pool.
Split video: You can use this setting to set
whether the path animation that is going to be
created should be split at your key points so as
to create several scenes. If set to No, a single
continuous scene will always be generated.
Quality: You can use this button to set the image
quality of the calculated scene. Low should only
be used for a quick or provisional calculation.
The final calculation should be made with a mi-
nimum quality setting of Normal.
To start Columbus 2, first select the mode in
which you want to use the program. Next, click
on Start program.
If you have decided to use the Video Ext. mode,
only the first complete frame will be used from
the active scene – it will be repeated as many
times as necessary during the calculations that
are performed later so as to create a new scene
of the required length.
You can stop and exit Columbus 2 by clicking on
the Edit button in the bottom right of the Colum-
bus 2 menu. It is not possible to quit using the
right trackball button.
Columbus 2 automatically saves all the changes
made so that if you take a break from your work
you can resume it at any time. If, however, you
use another scene in the meantime, you will see
your previously created route displayed against
this new background – you can then continue
working on it or you can return to a simple line
default by clicking on the Default button.
1.4 Notes regarding other programs:
Columbus 2 supports the Power Key Option. To
view the available key codes, please press the
F2 key.
Additional functions that cannot, in part, be
accessed using the trackball are described in
Chapter 4. Notes on the Power Key Option.
1.5 Tips on recording maps
Columbus 2 is supplied with a range of maps
from different countries and continents. Since
it is, of course, impossible for us to provide all
the different types of map that you might need,
you will no doubt want to use your own maps
or street plans. To do so, you must make a video
recording of them. To achieve the best possible
results when doing this, you should take note of
the following:
• Use a tripod to prevent camera shake.
• Use weights (heavy objects) to keep the edges
of the atlas page flat and to smooth out creases
in the map.
• Use a sheet of glass to flatten out the atlas
page but watch out for reflections caused by
the glass.
• If you have the PC-Link program that allows
you to exchange data between SMART EDIT