Amiga Animation Troubleshooting
================================

Setup procedures for specific software systems is included in the
BCD2000A Manual and/or the BCD Freedisk Manual.

This section is a response to frequently asked questions.  Please send
us yours.


Problem:  BIG Workbench disk icon appears on screen

Cause:         Accelerator board not properly seated

Solution:    Open your machine, remove the screw
securing the accelerator board and push down firmly until the board's
contact points can barely be seen above the header.


Problem:      The ">" doesn't appear; no apparent
communication with the BCD-2000A

Cause:    BCD-2000A not properly installed

Solution:    Push down firmly until the board's
contact points can barely be seen above the header.  Verify proper
installation of the ribbon cable.


Problem:      The ">" doesn't appear; no apparent
communication with the BCD-2000A

Cause:       Hard drive "startup-sequence" has
changed the Amiga's serial port.

Solution:         Boot your computer from a Workbench
Floppy Disk.   Double click on the BCD icon, and then on the BCDComm
icon.   Current versions of BCDComm automatically issue the "TALK 1"
command.  You should see the ">" prompt.  Otherwise type TALK 1 and
touch the RETURN key.  You won't see anything until you touch the
RETURN key.

If you still don't see the ">" prompt, move the mouse pointer to the
top of the Workbench screen.  Press and HOLD the right mouse button.
Select "Configuration" and "Baud."  Verify the setting to be "9600."
Now select "Parity" and verify the "8N1" setting with Handshake NONE.


Problem:    Lightwave gives "Can't Open Serial Port"
error.

Cause:        Because Lightwave opens the Serial Port
in the "non-shared" mode, all other applications that use the Serial
Port must be closed before starting Lightwave.

Solution:   Be sure to close the BCDComm window and
any other applications that are actively using the Serial Port before
starting Lightwave.




Problem:     Frames are skipped or doubled in an
animation.

Cause:       Calibration not properly adjusted, or
tape has no time code.

Solution:  Read about calibration, then CALIBRATE!  If you are still
missing frames, make certain that the tape has been properly striped.


Problem:       No images are getting to tape.

Cause:         Improper connection.

Solution:  Make certain that the program output of
the Toaster (or the genlock output if you are not using a Toaster) is
connected to the video input of the VTR.


Problem:     Lightwave renders frames, but the tape
machine doesn't do anything.

Cause:       No communication between Lightwave and
the controller or the controller and the deck..

Solution:    Assuming that you have communications
with the controller from BCDComm there are several possibilities.

1.   Another program (possibly BCDComm) is active and
trying to use the serial port.  Close the other program.

2.  You used "Shift-6-m Return" at the end of your Record
Command instead of a period.   If the VERSion command that you have
BCD "Version 5.0 0106" (January 6, 1992) or greater, you may
substitute a period (.) instead of "Shift-6-m" because BCD will
translate the period into a Carriage Return.

3.  You must set "Prefs" or "Preferences" from the
Workbench to be 9600 baud, 512 buffer, 8 data bits for read/write, 1
stop bit for read/write, no parity, and Handshake as "None."

4.  You forgot to click on "Recording" in the Record
window.

5.  Workbench 2.0: Turn "Text Filter Gadget" off. (In "I-Control")

Problem:     When using LightWave a new frame is
rendered or partially rendered before the current frame has been
recorded.

Cause:       LightWave is not waiting long enough
before it begins rendering the next frame.

Solution:    Increase the record delay value in the
record control panel.  A good value is about 15 seconds.  There are a
lot of variables involved in determining the proper amount of time to
wait.  If the frames are taking over 5 minutes to render then you
could probably leave it at 0.  If you are using the play frames
utility in LightWave, you will definitely need to set a value of at
least 10 seconds. Until you get a feel for this procedure it is better
to be safe than sorry.

Problem:     LightWave animations flicker when played
back.

Cause:  Color bars in one of the Toaster frame
buffers.

Solution:    Before loading LightWave, get into the
habit of selecting a channel in the Toaster switcher that has no video
source plugged into it.  Click on the Freeze button a few times. This
will clear the frame buffers out. Load LightWave and begin work.  

This problem exists because color bars extend beyond the size of the
Toaster frame buffers. In an animation every other LightWave frame
would have bars behind it causing a flicker at the outer edges of the
overscan area.