DUI, the DaVinci User Interface, is the latest version of the popular
Renaissance telecine colour corrector produced by da Vinci systems. DUI
is a software product than runs on a Silicon Graphics computers platform
such as 'Indy', and interfaces with the existing high quality colour processing
hardware.
Da Vinci has always been respected for their powerful and high quality image
processing hardware. The Renaissance 8:8:8 is still the highest quality
digital colour corrector for tape or film colour grading. DUI is a powerful
revamp to the automation and control part of Renaissance.
The older simple text display is dispensed with and a 24 bit colour screen
is now the colourists environment. Powerful list editing features and graphical
displays provide a higher level of control over the session list management.
DUI is already changing our expectations of what is possible in the telecine
suite. Artisan will be supporting 3rd party development plug in software
and Rushes is helping to define the nature of this important addition to
Artisans functionality.
DUI's display is totally configurable. Each colourist has their own personal
log in name and can define exactly how they wish the screen to be organised.
This is brilliant! every colourist has slightly different preferences and
DUI allows the colourist to define their work desk.
Being based on an open platform computer has many obvious advantages. File
management and system administration can be handled easily and each system
can accommodate E mail and networking. Software support is enhanced by the
capability to attach a modem to Artisan for online upgrades and emergency
maintenance from da Vinci direct.
The colourist is given the choice of viewing the session list as either
a graphical 6 layer time line or a traditional vertical text list or indeed
both! The size and shape of the lists can be scaled and positioned around
the screen and stored as a default setting. Variable parameters like gain,
gamma and lift controls also can appear as graphical bar graphs to make
it clear the exact position of the controls and how much range is available.
Machine control on earlier da Vinci grading systems was always very basic
and most post houses invested in additional editing products like the 'Time
Logic Controller' for editing. DUI now incorporates the TLC within the hardware
, fully integrated. This provides the comprehensive editing functionality
that was lacking on the earlier products.
DUI is very new and features are being added on a daily basis which is very
exciting as da Vinci is listening very closely to colourists needs and wishes.