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Graphics

Makalu uses the Singular.Live graphics platform for graphics overlays. Graphics are managed via the Singular.Live dashboard and are automatically synchronized with Makalu.

Graphics can be triggered via Makalu in the following ways

  • trigger graphics manually via the Graphics tab in Makalu Automation
  • trigger scheduled/time-controlled graphics automatically based on the current rundown, e.g. by using playlists created via Makalu Traffic

    Notice

    Graphics are automatically synchronized between Singular.Live and Makalu at regular intervals. This interval is configurable and usually set between 10 and 30 minutes.

    Triggering graphics manually is not affected by the synchronization process. The Graphics tab in Makalu Automation always shows all available graphics in their latest versions, allowing you to trigger graphics at any time.

    Using scheduled/time-controlled graphics depends on the synchronization process. If you create new graphics via the Singular.Live dashboard, they must first be synchronized with Makalu, before you can use them e.g. in a playlist and schedule them in a rundown. If you delete graphics via the Singular.Live dashboard, that are still used in a Makalu playlist, the graphics cannot be triggered and displayed anymore. In these cases be aware that it may take a few minutes until these changes are synchronized and become available in Makalu.

Singular.Live graphics are organized based on projects. Each project can include one or more compositions, which can be considered as master templates. Each composition consists of sub-compositions (the actual graphics to be displayed) that can be assigned to and controlled via control apps. Control apps allow manual triggering of graphics.

Notice

Each control app can be assigned to one Makalu channel.

Warning

Each control app has a unique output URL that is used in Makalu Automation to display the corresponding graphics as an overlay.

The output URLs are configured during the commissioning of the system and are used by multiple Makalu applications.

Do not change these URLs in the Singular.Live settings! Misconfigurations can lead to graphics not being displayed correctly by Makalu Automation.

Notice

If you have multiple linear playout channels and want to use one preview output per channel, at least two control apps must be created for each channel (one for the channel's main on air output and one for its preview output).

Tip

You can find a Singular.Live beginner's guide in this video and a quick tutorial about how to build your own graphics in this video.

For detailed information about creating and managing Singular.Live graphics refer to the Singular Support .

To manage Singular.Live graphics, proceed as follows:

  1. Open the Singular.Live website and click Login.

    The Singular.Live sign in page is opened.

  2. Enter your credentials and sign in.

    Notice

    If you successfully sign in for the first time the Singular.Live marketplace is displayed. There you can select and download default templates to try out and get familiar with Singular.Live.

    To download a template click on the corresponding item and then on Download.

    The template is added to your apps.

    Afterwards close the marketplace.

    The Singular.Live Dashboard is displayed.

    Singular.Live Dashboard

    Figure: Singular.Live Dashboard

  3. To open the control app of your template, double-click on the corresponding item in the Apps list.

    The control app is displayed.

    Singular.Live control app

    Figure: Singular.Live control app

  4. Select an overlay in the list on the left side and use the Overlay Editor on the right side to edit the properties.

  5. Use the controls on the left side to trigger overlays.