Boeckeler Instruments, Inc. Pointmaker PVI-46 Computer Video Marker - Page 3
Section One: Getting Started Introduction
INTRODUCTION
The Pointmaker® PVI-46 notebook marker by Boeckeler Instruments, Inc., is
an innovative PC component which allows computer users to draw, type and
direct colorful arrows or other pointers over a variety of computer images. The
Pointmaker Computer Video Marker is a powerful visual aid, allowing pre-
senters to quickly and easily annotate areas of interest on images displayed on
a computer monitor, or on a large screen through the use of a LCD projector.
It’s compact size makes it convenient for educators, trainers, salespeople on
the road, corporate and government administrators, and public speakers -- vir-
tually anyone who uses a laptop to generate their presentations.
Drawing lines and markers are usually controlled with a digitizing tablet,
touch-screen monitor, or a light pen. The optional keyboard provides a few
more marking features as noted below. All PVI-46 models are also compatible
with most mouse devices. Special Pointmaker input device software(PVI-
PC20) allows the tablet to double as a PC mouse, giving you the ability to
assign a PC function to 8 tablet icons. With the software, you can also print
and save the displayed image along with the annotations.
The Pointmaker contains numerous simple-to-use graphics, called markers.
There are two categories of markers with which to annotate a video image:
pointers and freehand drawing. Among the 12 pointers available, there is a
selection of 8 arrows, each oriented at a different angle; 2 dot pointers, small
and large; and 2 cross hairs pointers, small and large. Additionally, there is an
option to display no pointer at all. When using freehand drawing, you can
select to draw in 1 of 3 different line widths, with or without drop shadows.
When the optional keyboard is connected, it activates four more marker types:
frames, text, a date/time stamp, and straight line drawing. Frames include
boxes and circles which can be sized in advance of a presentation, then used to
frame or fill certain areas of the video image. Using the keyboard, you can
type alphanumeric text directly on the video image, or display an active date
and time label that can time events displayed on the monitor or screen. The
straight line drawing feature uses the arrow keys to draw and supports three
different line widths.
Pointers and drawings may be used in any combination to annotate your
images. As easily as the markers are created, so are they easily erased: either
one at a time until the screen is clear, or all at once. When using the keyboard,
you can store up to 10 different marker overlays, easily calling them up during
your presentations (without a keyboard attached, only one overlay is avail-
able). The PVI-PC20 software enables up to 25 overlays.
Mark in up to 7 different colors to separate points being made or to increase
contrast with the background image. And, if a video image is not desired, pre-
senters may quickly call up a solid background on the screen and use it like a
chalkboard on which to "draw out" a point.