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Graphics

Basic information

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

Graphics can be triggered in Makalu in the following ways:

  1. Trigger graphics manually using the Graphics tab in Makalu Automation.

  2. Trigger scheduled/time-controlled graphics automatically based on the current rundown, for example, by using playlists created in Makalu Traffic.

Singular.Live graphics are organized based on projects. Each project can include one or more compositions. A composition serves as a master template that defines the available sub-compositions. Each composition consists of sub-compositions (the actual graphics to be displayed) that can be assigned to and controlled using 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 graphic overlays. Output URLs are configured during system commissioning and are used by multiple Makalu apps.

Do not change these URLs in the Singular.Live settings! Misconfigurations can prevent Makalu Automation from displaying graphics correctly.

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

Various video tutorials are available for Singular.Live, for example, a Beginner's Guide and a Getting Started Guide on building your own graphics.

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

Graphics synchronization between Singular.Live and Makalu

The synchronization of graphics between Singular.Live and Makalu ensures that all graphic overlays created in Singular.Live are also available in Makalu and can be scheduled in a rundown. This synchronization process takes place automatically at a regular interval, which is configurable and usually set between 10 and 30 minutes.

If you create new or edit existing graphics in the Singular.Live dashboard, they must first be synchronized with Makalu, before you can use them, for example, in a playlist and schedule them in a rundown. It may take a few minutes until these changes are synchronized and become available in Makalu.

Warning

If you delete graphics in the Singular.Live dashboard, which are still used in a Makalu playlist, the graphics cannot be triggered and displayed anymore by Makalu.

Warning

Every time you edit a Singular.Live composition, you must manually refresh the corresponding Singular.Live control app. Otherwise, your changes are not available in the control app and cannot be synchronized with Makalu. Note that as part of this refresh, all currently displayed graphics are stopped and must be restarted manually afterward.

You can either trigger the manual refresh using the Singular.Live website or in the Graphics tab in the Makalu Automation detailed channel view.

To refresh a Singular.Live control app:

  1. Click the Refresh Composition icon Refresh composition at the top left of the corresponding control app.

    Automation - Trigger a Singular.Live control app refresh manually
    Automation - Trigger a Singular.Live control app refresh manually

  2. Confirm the dialog by clicking OK.

All currently displayed graphics are stopped, and the control app is refreshed. Afterward, the latest composition data is available in the control app.

Triggering graphics manually

To trigger Singular.Live graphic overlays manually:

Notice

The following steps 1 to 3 are only necessary if you are logging in to Singular.Live for the first time, or if you later want to edit your graphic overlays.

If you instead want to trigger graphic overlays manually in Makalu Automation, you can skip steps one to three, open the Graphics tab in Makalu Automation, and continue with step four.

  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 the corresponding item and then Download.

    The template is added to your apps.

    Afterward, close the marketplace.

    The Singular.Live Dashboard is displayed.

    Singular.Live Dashboard
    Singular.Live Dashboard

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

    The control app is displayed.

    Singular.Live control app
    Singular.Live control app

    Tip

    This view is also available in the Graphics tab in Makalu Automation. If you want to trigger graphics manually in Makalu Automation, you can use this tab instead of opening the Singular.Live website separately.

  4. Select a graphic overlay in the list on the left.

    The selected item is opened in the preview on the right, and its properties are displayed below.

  5. (Optional) Use the Overlay Editor on the right to edit the properties.

  6. Use the controls on the left to trigger graphic overlays.

  7. To start a graphic overlay, click the Overlay In (play) icon Overlay In.

  8. To stop a graphic overlay, click the Overlay Out (stop) icon Overlay In.

The graphic overlays are triggered and displayed in the corresponding Makalu channel output.