Skip to main content

cmotion cGate

Overview​

The cgate needs to have a Cyanview compatible firmware (v2.0.0 or above)

Wiring​

  • Connect the cgate ethernet to the same network as the RCP/RIO.
  • The wiring of the motor(s) on the LBUS side of cgate is as in the cForce.
  • Up to 3 motors connected to the cGate
  • Provide power through for the cGate and motors the LBUS

optional:

  • add blackmagic handles (so iris is done on RCP and zoom/focus with the blackmagic handles)

Setup​

On an existing camera, scroll to Lens - External control override section:

  • Model : select cmotion - cGate
  • Toggle Advanced Mode
  • Advanced : put the ip address of the cgate. When done, the Interface should update to the ip address. Make sure that the ip address of the cgate is reachable by the RCP, see this page for more information about ip configuration.

If everything is properly configured, the lens block should turn green:

info

Here the camera head is "Not controlled", so I just have read/write of iris/zoom/focus. But I could combine it with any camera control.

The default setup provides iris control with the following parameters :

  • iris values from 1.6 to 32
  • Torque setting 2
  • Motor direction left

All motors are automatically discovered.

Follow the Advanced setup section to add other axis or change parameters.

Advanced setup​

By default:

  • iris + zoom + focus are controlled
  • iris 1.6 to 32 with torque 2, direction left
  • zoom torque 2, direction left
  • focus torque 2, direction left

You can alter the configuration, especially to adapt the iris range:

  • come back to your lens setup, in the Advanced field
  • zoom|iris|focus config separated by , (each block should be fully configured: range if applicable, function, torque and direction). If you just configure iris, default focus and default zoom are still applied. To leave a setting unchange you can use "_".
  • formats:
    • iris : IRIS_MIN:IRIS_MAX:iris:IRIS_TORQUE:IRIS_DIRECTION
      • IRIS_MIN is the minimum iris value
      • IRIS_MAX is the maximum iris value
      • IRIS_TORQUE is the torque of the iris motor (1, 2, 3 or 4)
      • IRIS_DIRECTION is the direction of the iris motor (left or right)
    • zoom: zoom:ZOOM_TORQUE:ZOOM_DIRECTION
      • ZOOM_TORQUE is the torque of the zoom motor (1, 2, 3 or 4)
      • ZOOM_DIRECTION is the direction of the zoom motor
    • focus: focus:FOCUS_TORQUE:ZOOM_DIRECTION
      • FOCUS_TORQUE is the torque of the focus motor (1, 2, 3 or 4)
      • FOCUS_DIRECTION is the direction of the focus motor (left or right)
    • examples:
      • 2:8:iris:2:left : iris from 2 to 8, torque is 2, direction is left
      • 2:32:iris:2:right : iris from 2 to 32, torque is 2, direction is right
      • 1.6:32:iris:_:left,zoom:4:_ : iris from 1.6 to 32, direction is left and torque is unchanged. Zoom with torque 4 and direction is unchanged. No focus.
      • 1.6:32:iris:2:left,zoom:4:right,focus:2:left : iris and focus with torque 2 and direction left. Zoom with torque 4 and direction right.

If everything is properly configured and wired, the lens block should appear green.

The config for an axis needs to be complete.

If you only need to set the iris direction, you still have to set the torque. The only exception is the iris min and max that can be set without torque and direction.

note

The motor direction is internal the RCP. It will not change the direction setting of the motor itself. That way, you can invert the direction even if you are using the motor on a 3D setup with motors on each side. It is the controller direction and not the motor direction.

Calibration​

You can run the motor calibration from the RCP:

This menu is available in MENU > LENS > LENS > ACTION, click on Calibrate

Make sure to have a powerful enough power supply as calibration all the motors at the same time requires a lot of current.

cGate with RCP and HandUnit​

If the RCP and a cmotion Hand Unit both try to control the cgate, the RCP will win by default. In order to give control to the Hand Unit, you can release the cgate from the RCP for specific axis from the menu 'Lens>Lens>Control' and toggle the switches.

Troubleshooting​

Lens is green, but nothing happens​

There can be several causes :

  • Motor not calibrated : inspected the motor led button, it should be green. If it's not the case, perform a calibration either by long pressing the motor button or though the RCP Lens action.
  • Wrong advanced setup : if there is a syntax error in the parameters of the motor it can cause an issue. Make sure to follow the exact syntax described in the Advanced setup.

The iris value on the RCP does not match the lens on the camera​

The RCP does not know the iris range of the lens. To match the iris value to the lens on the camera follow the Advanced setup