Program Roles

Controller vs Remote Client Roles

FreeStyler Portal (FSPortal) can operate in two Roles: Controller and Remote Client (Figure 1). It will operate differently depending on the role. You designate the programs role in the FreeStyler Options.

Controller

The FSPortal Controller is REQUIRED and MUST be installed on the same computer as the FreeStyler program. It accepts incoming IPC commands from Sound Mill, Video Mill and/or an FSPortal Remote Client. It acts as an adapter to FreeStyler converting Portal Commands it receives into FreeStyler encoded commands.

IMPORTANT! - For this integration to work properly, you must start FreeStyler and leave it open on its main window. DO NOT open any of the sub windows or edit panels in FreeStyler. If you do, FreeStyler will override commands it receives from IPC and operations like Fades will not work properly.

Remote Client

The FSPortal Remote Client is OPTIONAL. It is generally useful for operators to control lights from a network connected computer or touchscreen tablet. It will send IPC messages to the FSPortal Controller. Some menu items are disabled for the Remote Client role because it does not have file system access to FreeStyler folders and files.

To operate, the FSPortal Remote Client must import a Cue Group file generated by the FSPortal Controller (Figure 2). The Cue Group contains information about FreeStyler Cues and Sequences.