SpectraCal VirtualForge
Software Pattern Generator
CalMAN Setup Guide
Thank you for purchasing the SpectraCal VirtualForge pattern generator software for Mac OS X or
Windows. The VirtualForge software runs on any Mac or Windows workstation that, in addition to its standard graphics output adapter, controls a video output device (i.e. AJA Video Systems or Blackmagic
Design) to drive a TV video monitor (e.g. LCD/LED, OLED, plasma, projector, etc.).
The VirtualForge software is controlled by CalMAN to produce bit-accurate test patterns at any required triplet value, through the video output device to the video monitor, for accurate grayscale, CMS, or 3D
LUT video display calibration. This allows a video monitor that is being driven through a video output adapter to be conveniently calibrated with CalMAN.
Mac OSX Requirements:
Macintosh® OS X 10.8.1 or later
Intel Core® Duo processor
2 GB RAM
2 GB available disk space
Either PCIe or Thunderbolt™ support
Windows Requirements:
Windows® Vista™ or later with latest OS updates installed (recommended: Windows 7® or later)
2 GHz processor (recommended: 2 GHz Dual Core Processor)
2 GB RAM
2 GB available disk space
Either PCIe or Thunderbolt™ support
Note: Windows running under VMware Fusion is unable to access Thunderbolt ports.
VirtualForge Compatible Video Output Devices: (see Appendix B below for device details)
According to their respective software development kits, the following AJA and Blackmagic video output devices should be compatible with VirtualForge, although not all devices have been available for testing. The devices that have been tested are check marked below.
AJA Video Systems
* AJA Io 4K Thunderbolt™ 2 6G-SDI and HDMI I/O device
AJA Io XT Thunderbolt™ SDI, HDMI and analog I/O device
AJA T-TAP Thunderbolt™ SDI and HDMI output device (not under Windows on Mac Mini)
* AJA KONA 4 PCIe 2.0 6G-SDI and HDMI I/O device
AJA KONA 3G PCIe SDI and HDMI I/O device
AJA KONA Lhi/2G PCIe SDI and HDMI I/O device
AJA KONA LHe Plus PCIe SDI I/O device
AJA KONA cards above in a Sonnet Thunderbolt™ expansion chassis
17544 Midvale Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 USA
Corporate: +1 206 420 7514 | Tech Support: +1 206 457 8949 | www.spectracal.com
Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic UltraStudio 4K Thunderbolt™ 2 Dual Link 6G-SDI, HDMI and analog I/O device
Blackmagic UltraStudio Express Thunderbolt™ 3G-SDI and HDMI I/O device
Blackmagic UltraStudio Mini Monitor Thunderbolt™ 3G-SDI and HDMI output device
Blackmagic DeckLink 4K Extreme 12G PCIe Dual Link 12G-SDI, HDMI and analog I/O device
Blackmagic DeckLink 4K Extreme PCIe Dual Link 6G-SDI, HDMI and analog I/O device
Blackmagic DeckLink Studio 4K PCIe 6G-SDI /HD-SDI, HDMI and analog I/O device
Blackmagic DeckLink SDI 4K PCIe 6G-SDI I/O device
Blackmagic DeckLink SDI PCIe SDI/HD-SDI I/O device
Blackmagic DeckLink Quad PCIe SDI/HD-SDI I/O device
Blackmagic DeckLink Optical Fiber PCIe SDI/HD-SDI I/O device
Blackmagic DeckLink Duo PCIe SDI/HD-SDI I/O device
Blackmagic DeckLink Mini Monitor PCIe 3G-SDI and HDMI output device
Blackmagic Intensity Pro 4K PCIe HDMI I/O device
Denotes devices that have been directly tested for CalMAN compatibility.
Denotes devices that are compatible with CalMAN according to manufacturer’s specs, but have
not been officially tested.
* If you are using an AJA device that supports a LUT (e.g. AJA Io 4K or KONA 4) with an RGB-8 or
RGB-10 pixel format, see the Pixel Format note under AJA General Information, in Appendix B.
The video output characteristics of each video output device controlled by VirtualForge are
determined by the individual device and by its associated control app. Use the control app to select device output signal options, including output resolution and frame rate.
VirtualForge does not support NTSC (480i) on Blackmagic video output devices.
VirtualForge supports Blackmagic HDMI outputs for sourcing calibration signals only with
Blackmagic Desktop Video version 10.8, or newer.
VirtualForge support for Blackmagic SDI outputs, for sourcing calibration signals, is limited to the
Blackmagic default YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit pixel format, which the Blackmagic control app does not provide the option of changing.
AJA Video Systems reports that some Mac computers cannot connect to the T-Tap in Windows
running in Boot Camp.
AJA Video Systems Driver Requirements:
Version 12.4.0 Hardware Driver, or newer
Blackmagic Design Driver Requirements:
Version 10.8 Desktop Video, or newer
NOTE: Before launching the VirtualForge software, be sure to install the proper software/driver for the AJA or BMD video output device.
17544 Midvale Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 USA
Corporate: +1 206 420 7514 | Tech Support: +1 206 457 8949 | www.spectracal.com
VirtualForge Max OS X Software Installation:
To install the VirtualForge software on a Mac workstation:
1. Download the VirtualForge disk image (.dmg) file, available on the SpectraCal website downloads page, to the Mac Desktop or Downloads folder.
2. Double-click the disk image icon to create a VirtualForge application shortcut.
3. Drag the VirtualForge shortcut to the ‘Applications’ folder in Finder.
4. Double-click the VirtualForge shortcut in the ‘Applications’ folder to start the application.
Note: You can now eject or delete the VirtualForge disk image (.dmg) file from the Desktop.
VirtualForge OS X Setup:
1. In the Mac menu bar, click the VirtualForge (VF) icon to open its menu (shown below). You can select the ‘VideoEQ-Test-Card’ or the ‘Colorbars’ test pattern to verify that VirtualForge is properly controlling the workstation video output device. These patterns function whether the
VirtualForge software is licensed or not.
Note: See the Appendix for details on using individual video output devices, including setting their output resolution and frame rate.
17544 Midvale Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 USA
Corporate: +1 206 420 7514 | Tech Support: +1 206 457 8949 | www.spectracal.com
2. Select About from the VirtualForge menu. Record the Machine ID shown on the About page
(shown below). Send the Machine ID to [email protected]
with a request for a
VirtualForge license key.
3. When you receive the license key, copy and paste the key into the Key field on the VirtualForge
About page.
4. Record the workstation’s IP address(es), shown on the About page, for use when connecting to
VirtualForge in CalMAN.
5. Quit and restart the VirtualForge software to activate the license.
17544 Midvale Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 USA
Corporate: +1 206 420 7514 | Tech Support: +1 206 457 8949 | www.spectracal.com
VirtualForge Windows Software Installation:
To install the VirtualForge software on a Windows workstation:
1. Download the VirtualForge Windows installation file, available on the SpectraCal website downloads page, to the Windows Desktop or Downloads folder.
2. Run the installation file to create a VirtualForge application shortcut.
3. Double-click the VirtualForge shortcut to start the application.
VirtualForge Windows Setup:
1. In the Windows System Tray (by the clock), click the VirtualForge (VF) icon to open its menu. You can select the ‘VideoEQ-Test-Card’ or the ‘Colorbars’ test pattern to verify that VirtualForge is properly controlling the workstation video output device. These patterns function whether the
VirtualForge software is licensed or not.
Note: See the Appendix for details on using individual video output devices, including setting their output resolution and frame rate.
2. Select About from the VirtualForge menu. Record the Machine ID shown on the About page.
Send the Machine ID to [email protected]
with a request for a VirtualForge license key.
17544 Midvale Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 USA
Corporate: +1 206 420 7514 | Tech Support: +1 206 457 8949 | www.spectracal.com
3. When you receive the license key, copy and paste the key into the Key field on the VirtualForge
About page.
4. Record the workstation’s IP address(es), shown on the About page, for use when connecting to
VirtualForge in CalMAN.
5. Quit and restart the VirtualForge software to activate the license.
17544 Midvale Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 USA
Corporate: +1 206 420 7514 | Tech Support: +1 206 457 8949 | www.spectracal.com
VirtualForge CalMAN Control:
Required CalMAN Version:
Version 5.5.0 or newer
Connect CalMAN to VirtualForge:
1. Start CalMAN 5.
2. On the main menu, select ‘Open Workflow Template.’
To perform standard grayscale/CMS display calibration, select either the ‘SI Basic
Calibration’ or the ‘SI Advanced Calibration’ workflow (Basic is 2 pt. grayscale only).
To perform 3D LUT calibration, select the ‘Color Cube (3D LUT)’ workflow.
17544 Midvale Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 USA
Corporate: +1 206 420 7514 | Tech Support: +1 206 457 8949 | www.spectracal.com
3. On the CalMAN Source Settings tab, click Find Source.
4. From the Manufacturer drop-down, select ‘SpectraCal.’
5. From the Model drop-down, select ‘SpectraCal - VirtualForge (Ethernet @9022).’
6. Either select the desired VirtualForge IP address from the bottom search box or type in the
VirtualForge IP address, from the VirtualForge About page, then click Connect.
EXCEPTION: Mac versions of Virtual Forge prior to 1.1.300 connect under AV Foundry\VirtualForge.
As you proceed through your selected workflow, whenever display measurements or adjustments are performed, CalMAN controls the VirtualForge software to produce the required test pattern.
17544 Midvale Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 USA
Corporate: +1 206 420 7514 | Tech Support: +1 206 457 8949 | www.spectracal.com
Appendix A – VirtualForge Test Patterns
The VirtualForge reference software pattern generator provides any RGB color in a full field or window pattern, as requested by CalMAN for display measurement and calibration (16.78 million 8-bit colors or
1.07 billion 10-bit colors).
VirtualForge also provides specialty test patterns for visual display performance testing or for optimizing the adjustment of display Picture controls (contrast, brightness, etc.). When CalMAN is connected to the
VirtualForge software generator, these patterns are available from CalMAN’s specialty pattern icon, as shown below.
Following is a list of the VirtualForge specialty test patterns:
Brightness
Contrast
Gradient 11 step
Gradient 21 step
Gradient 51 step
Gradient ramp
Black Ramp
White Ramp
Full White
Full Black
Color
Tint
ANSI Checkerboard
Sharpness
SMPTE Bars 75
SMPTE Bars 100
Color Bars 75
Color Bars 100
Multiburst
Geometry
Zone Plate
Video Test Card
RCA Test Card
17544 Midvale Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 USA
Corporate: +1 206 420 7514 | Tech Support: +1 206 457 8949 | www.spectracal.com
Appendix B – Video Output Devices
AJA Video Systems General Information
AJA ControlPanel app and unified device driver; Minimum Version: 12.4.2 (resolves HDMI levels issue on Io 4K) http://www.aja.com/en/support/software/
The video output characteristics of each AJA video output device controlled by VirtualForge are determined by the individual AJA device and by the AJA ControlPanel app.
Use the AJA ControlPanel to select AJA output signal options, including output resolution and frame rate.
If you change AJA device parameters, click the ‘Refresh Current Pattern’ link on the VirtualForge menu to update the device data in the VirtualForge software.
If you are switching between multiple AJA devices, be sure to check the format selection after you switch to a new device (all devices don’t support the same formats).
If the AJA device supports a LUT (e.g. Io 4K and KONA 4), and if the AJA device’s Pixel Format, is selected as “RGB-8” or “RGB-10” on the ControlPanel Format screen, select the ControlPanel
LUT screen (shown below). Under LUT Type:, select “Linear.”
17544 Midvale Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 USA
Corporate: +1 206 420 7514 | Tech Support: +1 206 457 8949 | www.spectracal.com
Note: AJA Video Systems reports that some Mac computers cannot connect to the T-Tap in Windows running in Boot Camp.
Blackmagic Design General Information
The video output characteristics of each Blackmagic video output device controlled by
VirtualForge are determined by the individual Blackmagic device and by the Blackmagic control app.
Use the Blackmagic control app to select Blackmagic output signal options, including output resolution and frame rate.
VirtualForge does not support NTSC (480i) on Blackmagic video output devices.
VirtualForge supports Blackmagic HDMI outputs for sourcing calibration signals only with
Blackmagic software version 7.07, or newer.
Blackmagic SDI support in CalMAN, for sourcing VirtualForge calibration signals, is currently limited to the default YCbCr 422 10-bit pixel format, which the Blackmagic control app does not provide the option of changing.
17544 Midvale Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 USA
Corporate: +1 206 420 7514 | Tech Support: +1 206 457 8949 | www.spectracal.com
Appendix C – VirtualForge Crash Recovery
If a non-valid license key is inserted into the Key field on the VirtualForge About page, VirtualForge may crash the next time it is opened. To remedy this, you can delete the non-valid VirtualForge license file in the license directory.
Windows
The VirtualForge license file is in the “C:\ProgramData\SpectraCal\VirtualForge\License" folder.
To delete the non-valid license file and recover VirtualForge:
1. Navigate to the “C:\ProgramData\SpectraCal\VirtualForge\License" folder.
2. Delete the VirtualForge.lic file.
3. Restart Windows.
4. Restart VirtualForge and enter a valid license key.
Mac OSX
The VirtualForge license file is in the hidden "Library" folder.
To delete the non-valid license file and recover VirtualForge:
1. Hold down Option key on the keyboard.
2. Select Go from the top menu. This exposes the "Library" folder.
3. Select Preferences -- /Users//[user name]//Library/Preference (Preferences/Users/[user name]/Library/Preference)
4. Find and delete the com.virtualforge.plist or com.spectracal.plist file.
5. Restart Mac OS X.
6. Restart VirtualForge and enter a valid license key.
17544 Midvale Ave. N. Shoreline, WA 98133 USA
Corporate: +1 206 420 7514 | Tech Support: +1 206 457 8949 | www.spectracal.com
