The Satellite menu
The Satellite menu is located at the bottom of the Settings panel. It consists of two important parts:
The actuator selector
Hapticlabs Satellites are capable of driving any electromagnetic actuator. Typically, those actuators are classified as either LRA (Linear resonant actuator), ERM (Eccentric rotating mass) or Voice Coil. After clicking on the respective panel, you can select the correct actuator type for each channel. It is important to select the correct actuator type, as the different actuator types require inherently different signals to correctly drive them. Since selecting an incorrect type does not result in damage to the actuator, it is a safe strategy to try out the different options if you are unsure about the type of your actuator.
The intensity range slider
Some actuators, especially large ERMs, require a higher starting voltage. In that case a very low intensity level eg. 1% can result in no actuation at all.
To adjust the intensity range of your actuator, click the corresponding panel, and pull the limits with your mouse or edit the numerical values for the intensity range slider on the bottom of the actuator selection menu.
The satellite selector
Hapticlabs Studio will typically connect automatically to the Satellite. In this case, this panel will inform you that you are connected to the Hapticlabs Satellite.
Selecting between multiple satellites
If you have multiple satellites connected to your computer, you can click on the panel and select the device you would like to work with from the drop-down menu that will appear.
Manual satellite selection
In rare cases, the automatic connection fails. Then, you can click the panel and select your device from the drop-down menu that will appear.
Disconnecting a satellite
If you want to disconnect a satellite, you can click the panel and select “-” from the drop-down menu that will appear.
Connection problems
If your satellite is connected to your computer, but does not automatically connect nor show up in the drop-down menu after clicking the panel, please visit the Troubleshooting page.
The Track Playback menu
You can apply changes to entire tracks using the Track Playback menu. Those changes apply to your currently selected track.
Decreasing track duration
By clicking or holding the “<”-Symbol, you can decrease the duration of all blocks simultaneously. Note that this is absolute: If the duration of a block is decreased from 500 ms by 50 ms to 450 ms, then a block with an original duration of 100 ms experiences a duration decrease, also by 50 ms, to 50 ms.
Increasing track duration
By clicking or holding the “>”-Symbol, you can increase the duration of all blocks simultaneously. Note that this is absolute: If the duration of a block is increased from 500 ms by 50 ms to 550 ms, then a block with an original duration of 100 ms experiences a duration increase, also by 50 ms, to 150 ms.
Decreasing track duration
By clicking or holding the “<”-Symbol, you can decrease the intensity of all blocks simultaneously. Note that this is absolute: If the intensity of a block of is decreased from 100% by 50 percentage points to 50%, then a block with an original intensity of 60% experiences an intensity decrease, also by 50 percentage points, to 10% ms.
Increasing track duration
By clicking or holding the “>”-Symbol, you can increase the intensity of all blocks simultaneously. Note that this is absolute: If the intensity of a block of is increased from 50% by 50 percentage points to 100%, then a block with an original intensity of 10% experiences an intensity increase, also by 50 percentage points, to 60% ms.
Inverting tracks
In order to reverse a track, you can click the Invert panel. All blocks will be reordered such that the first block will be the last and the last block will be the first. Fade-ins will turn into Fade-outs and vice versa. Pulses are an exception: For long pulse blocks, the pulse itself will always be taking place at the beginning of the block, even when reverted.
Looping tracks
It is possible to repeatedly play back the same track. By clicking the Loop panel, you can change the number of repetitions a track will be played. The default value is 1: The track will be played back only once. By clicking, you can increase it to 2, then the track will be played twice whenever you press play. By clicking again, you can increase it to 3 repetitions, and by clicking once more, you arrive again at 1.
Channel selection
The Hapticlabs Satellite comes with two ports to connect actuators to. These ports are labelled A and B. In the Channel panel, you can select between AB, representing both channels, A, and B. When pressing play on the track, it will be played back on the selected channel. When selecting A, only the actuator connected to port A will move, when selecting B, only the actuator connected to port B will move, and when selecting AB, both actuators will move.
This is a common source of problems: Make sure you select the correct channel, corresponding to the port you connected the actuator to.
The Block Settings menu
After selecting a block, you can modify its parameters in the Block Settings menu. This menu is located at the top of the Settings panel. The settings vary by block type.
Most values are represented by a slider. They can be adjusted in two ways:
- Dragging the slider to the right to increase the value and to the left to decrease it.
- Clicking the number of milliseconds and entering an exact value.
Furthermore, most values have maximum and minimum values that can not be exceeded.
Duration
All blocks have a duration parameter, specifying how long the block will be executed before proceeding to the next block. In addition to the slider, this value can be adjusted by pulling the right border of the block right or left with your mouse.
Maximum: 2000 ms
Minimum: 1 ms
Pulse-specific parameters
Intensity (pulse)
The intensity parameter of a pulse determines how strong the pulse will feel. In addition to the slider, this value can be adjusted by pulling the upper border of the saturated blue area of the pulse block up or down with your mouse.
Maximum: 100%
Minimum: 1%
Vibration-specific parameters
Intensity (vibration)
The intensity parameter of a vibration determines the amplitude of the oscillations and thus how strong the vibration will feel. In addition to the slider, this value can be adjusted by pulling the upper border of the striped green area of the vibration block up or down with your mouse.
Maximum: 100%
Minimum: 1%
Intensity Fade in
It is possible to smoothly increase or decrease the intensity of a vibration from an arbitrary starting value to its setpoint intensity (the constant intensity value selected through the Intensity parameter). To achieve this, click the “Fade in” panel underneath the intensity slider.
Fade in menu
The fade in menu displays three different options. You can close the fade in menu by clicking the “x” button on the top right of the fade in menu.
Enabling and disabling the fade in
The toggle switch on the top right of the fade in menu allows you to enable and disable the fade in. If it’s moved to the right, the green color will indicate that the fade in is enabled. If it’s moved to the left, it’s color will turn to grey, indicating that the fade in is disabled.
Duration
You can choose how long the fade in progression will take using the duration slider of the fade in menu. Longer fade ins can feel smoother and more subtle, while shorter durations for the fade in can be perceived more aggressive and steep.
Maximum: the duration of the vibration - the duration of the intensity fade out (if enabled)
Minimum: 0 ms
Starting value
You can set the intensity value that the fade in starts from using the Starting value slider. This value can be chosen to the final intensity of the preceding block for a smooth transition. If there is no previous block or the block follows a pause, try setting it to 0. However, you are encouraged to try out different values and feel the effects for yourself!
Maximum: 100%
Minimum: 0%
Intensity Fade out
It is possible to smoothly increase or decrease the intensity of a vibration from its setpoint intensity (the constant intensity value selected through the Intensity parameter) to an arbitrary ending value. To achieve this, click the “Fade out” panel underneath the intensity slider.
Fade out menu
The fade out menu displays three different options. You can close the fade out menu by clicking the “x” button on the top right of the fade out menu.
Enabling and disabling the fade out
The toggle switch on the top right of the fade out menu allows you to enable and disable the fade out. If it’s moved to the right, the green color will indicate that the fade out is enabled. If it’s moved to the left, it’s color will turn to grey, indicating that the fade out is disabled.
Duration
You can choose how long the fade out progression will take using the duration slider of the fade out menu. Longer fade outs can feel smoother and more subtle, while shorter durations for the fade out can be perceived more aggressive and steep.
Maximum: the duration of the vibration - the duration of the intensity fade in (if enabled)
Minimum: 0 ms
Ending value
You can set the intensity value that the fade out progresses to using the Ending value slider. This value can be chosen to the initial intensity of the subsequent block for a smooth transition. If there is no subsequent block or the next block is a pause, try setting it to 0. However, you are encouraged to try out different values and feel the effects for yourself!
Maximum: 100%
Minimum: 0%
Frequency [Voice coil only]
The frequency parameter represents how many oscillations the actuators will complete every second. High frequencies can feel like a sharp buzz, whereas low frequencies can often be perceived like a deep rumble.
This parameter is not applicable on ERMs and LRAs: LRAs are driven at their natural frequency, and for ERMs, intensity and frequency are inherently coupled.
Maximum: 400 Hz
Minimum: 1 Hz
Frequency Fade in [Voice coil only]
It is possible to smoothly increase or decrease the frequency of a vibration from an arbitrary starting value to its setpoint frequency (the constant frequency value selected through the Frequency parameter). To achieve this, click the “Fade in” panel underneath the frequency slider.
Fade in menu
The fade in menu displays three different options. You can close the fade in menu by clicking the “x” button on the top right of the fade in menu.
Enabling and disabling the fade in
The toggle switch on the top right of the fade in menu allows you to enable and disable the fade in. If it’s moved to the right, the green color will indicate that the fade in is enabled. If it’s moved to the left, it’s color will turn to grey, indicating that the fade in is disabled.
Duration
You can choose how long the fade in progression will take using the duration slider of the fade in menu. Longer fade ins can feel smoother and more subtle, while shorter durations for the fade in can be perceived more aggressive and steep.
Maximum: the duration of the vibration - the duration of the frequency fade out (if enabled)
Minimum: 0 ms
Starting value
You can set the frequency value that the fade in starts from using the Starting value slider. This value can be chosen to the final frequency of the preceding block for a smooth transition. You are encouraged to try out different values and feel the effects for yourself!
Maximum: 400 Hz
Minimum: 0 Hz
Frequency Fade out [Voice coil only]
It is possible to smoothly increase or decrease the frequency of a vibration from its setpoint frequency (the constant frequency value selected through the Frequency parameter) to an arbitrary ending value. To achieve this, click the “Fade out” panel underneath the frequency slider.
Fade out menu
The fade out menu displays three different options. You can close the fade out menu by clicking the “x” button on the top right of the fade out menu.
Enabling and disabling the fade out
The toggle switch on the top right of the fade out menu allows you to enable and disable the fade out. If it’s moved to the right, the green color will indicate that the fade out is enabled. If it’s moved to the left, it’s color will turn to grey, indicating that the fade out is disabled.
Duration
You can choose how long the fade out progression will take using the duration slider of the fade out menu. Longer fade outs can feel smoother and more subtle, while shorter durations for the fade out can be perceived more aggressive and steep.
Maximum: the duration of the vibration - the duration of the frequency fade in (if enabled)
Minimum: 0 ms
Ending value
You can set the frequency value that the fade out progresses to using the Ending value slider. This value can be chosen to the initial frequency of the subsequent block for a smooth transition. You are encouraged to try out different values and feel the effects for yourself!
Maximum: 400 Hz
Minimum: 0 Hz
