One of the most exciting features of HYDRA-TECH is its ability to produce images using just water. You might think this takes a while to set up, but in reality you can make it rain in just seconds! Designed for touring, this machine is the perfect addition to any show. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the easy process of uploading your desired image, step by step.
HYDRA-TECH supports a wide range of file types, so you can use any image format. If you’re feeling creative, you can even design your own pattern using software like Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva. You can use photos, graphics, patterns, logos: you name it, HYDRA-TECH can turn it into water! It’s great for creating a buzz and it’s something different to present to your audience.
Once you’ve got your image ready, save it onto a USB stick, and you’re ready to bring the image to life.
💡 Tip: Using a longer canvas allows you to display multiple images or patterns in one cue!
Step 1: Import Your Image
Plug the USB stick into the HYDRA-TECH console. To keep things organised, name your files clearly so you can easily identify them later.
Here’s how to put your files into the system:
Select the Image Library tab
Click Import to load the contents of your USB device. This will show in the preview section.
Select the image(s) you want to upload, then press OK.
Once the files are imported, you can safely remove the USB stick.
Step 2: Create The Water FX Cue
Now it’s time to turn the image into water effects in the Cue Design tab.
Select the image tab and then find the image you just imported from the dropdown menu.
Adjust the Image Threshold to refine the black and white contrast. This determines which parts of the image will be droplets (black) and which will remain blank (white). Optionally, you can select Invert to switch black and white areas, or Flip to mirror the image horizontally.
Next, adjust the Image Focusing settings. This will depend on how high the units are from the ground. It may require some trial and error to get the perfect size for your setup.
Rig Height is the distance from the floor to the nozzles in cm.
Focus Height is the distance from the floor to the desired ‘undistorted’ image in cm.
- Decide how your image should be positioned:
- Fit to Rig: The image will cover the entire area of the rain heads.
- Scale to Nozzles: The image will match specific nozzle positions. If you choose this option, you’ll need to define the nozzle range for your cue. You can find the nozzle range info in the ‘heads’ section at the bottom of the screen.
💡 Tip: All required fields are marked with an asterisk (*) on the console. There are only a few bits of information needed!
Step 3: Triggering HYDRA-TECH
Now you’ve sorted out the image, it’s time to assign it a trigger. This section might seem detailed, but it’s actually very simple and you only need to input the essential information.
Masked Nozzle: This control allows you to selectively block certain nozzles from releasing droplets. Multiple nozzles can be selected using commas to separate (e.g. 4,5,6..) or dashes to define ranges (e.g. 5-10,20-25).
Invert Masking: Inverts the selection of masked nozzles. Rather than blocking the selected nozzles, it blocks all others, enabling the selected nozzles to be the only ones active.
Cue Button: This is where you select the control button used to manually trigger a cue. Pressing this button initiates the execution of the linked cue.
Button Behaviour: Defines how the cue button responds when pressed. You can either select Latch, where the cue continues to run after the button is pressed and released, or you can choose Hold, where the cue only runs while the button is being held down.
- Cue Number: This is a unique identifying code for the cue, used for organising all the cues in the system.
- Give it a cue name, so you can identify it easily. This is helpful to identify the purpose of the cue, for example, ‘Finale’.
- If you’re using DMX, specify a DMX Trigger. This just assigns the DMX channel that will trigger the cue, integrating the cue into broader lighting and effects programming. Multiple DMX channels can be assigned using a comma (e.g. 4,5,6..) or dash (e.g. 5-10).
- Save the cue! If there are any errors, you will get a cue message notification that says data has been inputted incorrectly so you can then fix the problem.
Step 4: Firing Water Effects
Now it’s time to see what you’ve created and fire the image. To do this all you need to do is:
Go to the Manual Fire Tab.
Arm the system using the Arm Key.
Press the relevant firing button to trigger the cue.
Contact Us For More Info On The Digital Rain System
And that’s it! With just a few simple steps, you can create cool water effects using HYDRA-TECH. Whether you’re displaying logos, patterns, or custom designs, this system makes it easy to bring your vision to life. Now that you’ve set up your first image cue, why not experiment with different designs and effects? The possibilities are endless!