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Using MECHA Only For Rotation

In this video we will talk about how MECHA can be used only for rotation, without triggering the camera. This type of rotation can be performed in the same way regardless of the MECHA controller used.
C2 is our dedicated dual axis controller, while C1 is ideal for those who need both single axis and dual axis operations. We will not cover all possible user scenarios in today's video, so please contact us if you need further assistance. 

Connect to MECHA's network, then access the Row page.
Suppose you need a few 360° rotations, like for a spherical panorama, without triggering the camera by using MECHA, but using your own device.

Let's load TEST 1313, which is a preset for a spherical panorama consisting of 3 rows, 12 positions per row. The upper rail must be positioned horizontally (or in the level position) when launching this preset.

To allow a camera to be triggered by MECHA, you need to connect the camera to MECHA using a shutter release cable. Therefore, without this cable, the shutter signals sent by MECHA will not reach the camera and, as a result, you can trigger the camera using your own device.

Make sure you set "AF", "B", "E" and "A" correctly, as these values ​​- summed up - represent the time set aside for 1 position if the TRG is 1. If the TRG is 2, the time for 1 position is twice as long, and so on. For simplicity, you can set a suitable value for "E" (which is the duration of the shutter button signal), and set "AF", "B" and "A" to zero.
"AF" is the duration of the Auto-Focus signal,
"B" - the pause before each triggering sequence, and
"A" - the delay after each triggering sequence or individual triggering.

Use either the right or left button to launch the preset.

Now MECHA executes the panorama as usual. If AF, B, and A, are set to zero, you just need to make sure the value for E is high enough so that you can trigger the camera with your device.

To get the same result with the shutter release cable connected to the MECHA's CAM port, you need to set a negative value for the TRG. By this, MECHA understands that you want to do a simulation and, as a result, does not send the focus and trigger signals to the camera.

Another way to rotate without triggering the camera is to set the TRG to zero.
MECHA will stop at each position and move immediately to the next one, without any pause, regardless of the settings for the AF, B, E, and A. With zero camera triggerings per position, it doesn't matter if the camera is connected to MECHA or not in this case.

If you need continuous 360° rotations with a change of tilt after each complete rotation, then you need to modify the script as follows:
SL,0x1^360,-30x1^360,30x1^360
The caret sign means "relative to the previous position". Delete Z and N if zenith and nadir positions are not needed, and set TRG to zero if no camera triggering is needed.

It is important to note that the settings in the script take precedence over the normal settings of the preset, and the latter do not change when you change the script.

Launch the preset.

The second position in the first row is identical to the first, as we've specified a complete rotation (360 degrees). For any angle less than 360°, the two positions will no longer be identical.
The same goes for the second row, which is at a tilt of -30 degrees, and for the 3rd row, at a tilt of 30 degrees.

When using a Single Axis MECHA, the script should contain only the zero-tilt part. Let's replace 360 ​​with 720, to have two full rotations, and reduce the speed from 6 to 1 RPM, for a slower rotation.
SL,0x1^720

Launch the preset.

1RPM means 1 rotation per minute, so the whole sequence should take 2 minutes.
You can get the same result by using the "N x RIGHT" or "N x LEFT" button, and the two fields for sequences. Use these buttons when you need a certain number of extra moves or positions (or shots) a certain number of degrees apart.
So for two 360° rotations, we can specify 720, and the number of moves should be 1.
If the number of moves is 2, there will be two 720° rotations.
Note that a negative TRG is equivalent to simulation, meaning there will be no AF or E signals, just a pause equal to the duration set for them.



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