Full system requirements are given below.
Pharos Designer 2
Current release: 2.8.4
Download Designer 2.8.4 for Windows 7/8/10
Download Designer 2.8.4 for Mac OS X
Full system requirements are given below.
Designer 2.8 is the next major evolution of the Designer 2 software, bringing many new features, improvements, tweaks, and bug fixes.
For a full list of all the new features and improvements in the Designer 2.8 software, see below or the New In 2.8 tab within the software.
Note: If you’re having trouble installing our software, please click here
New in Designer 2.8
UI
Dark Mode
An alternative look to the Pharos Designer application with a darker background; ideal for working in low-light environments.
Controllers
Pharos SDI
The Serial Data Interface is a new accessory for the EDN. It allows the EDN to generate a variety of synchronous and asynchronous protocols for directly driving LED products such as digital LED tape. This will enable projects that choose to get bespoke fixtures made that use SPI-type protocols rather than DMX to still have a complete Pharos hardware solution.
- Patching is done in the same way as for DMX protocols, but with more channels per port possible.
- Support for one protocol per EDN.
- 8Balanced link between the EDN and the SDI allows for runs of comparatively long distances, enabling convenient placement of the small and compact SDI near to its fixtures.
More information can be found here
VLC Enhancements
Various improvements including:
- White space management, allowing a content target multiplier to scale content on arrays where there is a lot of physical space between pixels
- Support for 60Hz (beta feature)*
- Improvements to 16-bit support to ensure full resolution available at low intensity master values.
- Finer precision on fixture rotation.
More information can be found here
Patch
sACN Sync
sACN Sync improves playback syncronisation on larger systems and across multiple universes. sACN nodes will wait for a sync packet from a nominated universe before starting playback.
More information can be found here
EDN Enhancements
Various improvements including significant new functionality for the RDM talkback protocol:
- An update for the EDN that enables its support for RDM.
- Support for the brand new EDN 10 units, a 1U rackmounted 10 port Ethernet Data Node.
Web Interface
Web API Propagation
Previously, an action initiated via the web API would only affect the local controller and triggers had to be used to share the action in multi-controller projects. From v2.8, we have introduced API v5.0, in which selected JavaScript and HTTP API calls will propagate to all controllers.
More information can be found here
SSL Verification Skipping
We have added the ability within the IO Module API to skip verifying the SSL certificate within HTTP for uses in certain, special cases.
Cloud
Cloud Enhancements
Various improvements including:
- Supporting Remote Devices – Controllers will manage firmware updates for their Remote Devices and report their status locally and via Cloud.
- Fire a task within the Cloud Site.
- Generate an error or warning notification within the Cloud Site.
General
Designer Enhancements
We continue to make improvements throughout the software, with some of the highlights in v2.8 including:
- Give Remote Devices a name field
- Support SixEye accounts with 2FA enabled
- Format controller from Cloud
- Support TPS in Cloud
- Support remote devices in Cloud
- Categorise IO modules in Designer
- Support TC control for DALI fixture that uses 2 ballasts
- Add Fixture Grouping to Import/Export wizard
- Default to IO Modules over Scripting
- Add “Status” field to IO modules
- Be able to open IO Module documentation from within the Online IO Module Library
- VLC ignores additive mode for RGBW fixtures
- Add more cities to default City list
- Export more resources from a project
- Add colourpicker to Direct Colour Preset
- Add Name of Trigger in Enqueue action line
- Improve web server security
- Web interface should show DNS settings
- Show network primary on web interface
- Add a “Log Message” action
- Add ability to get trigger number via Lua
*Please note: these features are offered as a technical preview for experimentation only, and are therefore not actively supported. Documentation and full support will become available at a later date.
System Requirements
Minimum hardware requirements
Intel Core i3 processor or above
2GB RAM
1GB free hard disk space
1024×768 screen resolution
OpenCL 1.2 graphics support (for VLC/VLC+ simulation)
Network connection (for connecting to Pharos hardware)
Supported operating systems
Microsoft Windows 7/8/10 (64bit)
Apple Mac OS X 10.8.x (Mountain Lion) – 10.15.x (Catalina)*
* There are a few known issues in Catalina. These can be found in the Release Notes
Recommended hardware
Intel Core i5 processor or above
8GB RAM
1920×1080 screen resolution
