Pre-Conference Workshops

Monday, August 21, 9:00–10:20 AM

STEAM Content Overview

Brad Rush

Applicable to D6 and D7 Systems; 40’ Dome

From the periodic table to vector addition to colors, we’ll look at the STEAM options in Digistar. We’ll investigate the provided control panel pages, including brand-new curriculum examples, and look at ways to incorporate them into your presentations.

New Telescope Models for Digistar

Martin Ratcliffe

Applicable to D5, D6, and D7 Systems; 30’ dome

Come discover the four new telescope models: refractor, reflector, catadioptric and Dobsonian. Check out how you can teach their optical designs, how to animate them, and how to place them in any world location.

Monday, August 21, 10:30–11:50 AM

Control (Panel) Freak: Powerful Pages for Planetarium Party People

Michael McConville

Applicable to D6 and D7 Systems; 40' dome

Seize control of the means of production — and presentation! Digistar’s control panels are an amazing tool for many of your planetarium needs. Whether you’re totally new to pages or a long-time control freak, join us for the tips and tricks that’ll help you transfix your audiences.

Introductory JavaScript

Mike George and Sascha Kriegel

Applicable to D5, D6, and D7 Systems; 30' dome

This workshop serves as a basic introduction to JavaScript and will cover topics such as variables, numbers, strings, if/else statements, for loops, how to trigger a JavaScript from a Digistar script, and how to execute a Digistar command from the JavaScript. This is designed for users with very limited to no knowledge of JavaScript.

Monday, August 21, 1:00–2:20 PM

In the Right Place: Working with AVM

Martin Ratcliffe

Applicable to D5, D6, and D7 Systems; 40' dome

Astronomy Visualization Metadata, or AVM, images have celestial positions embedded in the Metadata, and Digistar automatically self-registers them to the correct location and scale in the sky. Come learn how to use them and create artful zooms into these images, relating the scale of familiar constellations to the scale of the nebulae or galaxies on the sky in their correct orientation.

Intermediate JavaScript with Digistar

Andrea Saunders, Johnny Peterson, Jacob Galloway

Applicable to D5, D6, and D7 systems; 30' dome

We will venture a little bit further beyond the basics for Digistar JavaScript. Topics covered will include...working with Digistar scripts, objects and attributes, reading and writing files, and creating reusable scripts for Control Panel Pages. Basic knowledge of JavaScript in Digistar is recommended as a prerequisite.

Monday, August 21, 2:40–4:00 PM

Tips & Tricks 2023

Software Engineering Team

Most Applicable to D6 or D7 Systems, some topics apply to all Digistar systems; 40’ Dome*

In continuing the tradition of recent DUG conferences, Digistar engineers will provide golden nuggets of knowledge in a fun and entertaining way. Our goal is that everyone in the room leaves having learned something that they didn't know you could do with Digistar. The two sessions of Tips & Tricks may or may not cover the same topics. *Not a hands-on workshop.

Digistar Atlas

Brad Rush

Applicable to D6 and D7 systems; 30’ Dome

We’ll first look at the current components of the Digistar Atlas, both how to manipulate them in Digistar and the databases they come from. Then we’ll discuss additional datasets you might like to see added to the Digistar Atlas.

Monday, August 21, 4:10–5:30 PM

Demo Challenge! - FULL

Karen Klamczynski

Applicable to All Digistar Users, 40’ Dome

Teams of up to 4 people will have 80 minutes to use scripting, Show Builder, and/or any D7 features to solve a demo challenge. Teams present during the Open House Monday evening for prizes and bragging rights! We’ll form teams and cover logistics before the workshop starts to maximize scripting time. The number of teams is limited; you can register individually and be paired up. 

Remote registration is limited to 6 registrants.

Flight School: Crash Course

Mark Bloomenthal and Jacob Galloway

Applicable to D7 systems; 30’ Dome

Learn the basics of navigation in Digistar. This introduction to navigation will include: concepts, basic scripting and interaction, Xbox and UI controls, and simple presentations.

Monday, August 21, 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Open House and Tour of Spitz

Registration is not required.

Tuesday, August 22, 9:00–10:20 AM

The Sounds Set the Mood

Melinda Orms and Ben Buckwalter

Applicable to D6 and D7 Systems; 40’ Dome

Learn different ways to use music and music visualization in your dome, from Digistar’s built-in capabilities to 3rd party applications like Nest Drop. We’ll experiment with the built-in fast Fourier transform audio data to bring another element of synchronization to your shows. We’ll also explore types of available music and sources.

HTML Horizons: Building Digistar Controls with HTML and JavaScript

Andrea Saunders and Jacob Galloway

Applicable to D5, D6, and D7 Systems; 30’ Dome

Take your shows to new heights with custom controls built using HTML and JavaScript! Learn how to create interactive web pages that allow you to control Digistar with greater flexibility than control panel pages. A basic understanding of JavaScript is recommended.

Care & Feeding of Your Digistar System

Field Service Team

Applicable to D5, D6, and D7 Systems; Conference Room

Learn about long-term “care and feeding” of your Digistar computers and projectors. In addition to discussing recommended maintenance items, learn tips from the experts regarding how to handle equipment and select the right replacement (or spare) equipment, such as drives.

Tuesday, August 22, 10:30–11:50 AM

CX Realtime for Digistar: Part 1

John-Paul Ownby

Applicable to D7; 40’ Dome

Learn how to make a very basic Unreal project, enable the CX Realtime plugin so that it can work with Digistar, and use the CX Realtime Preview application to test during development without having to see it on the dome. Register for both parts 1 and 2. Remote attendees are welcome, but we can’t configure or troubleshoot Unreal on your remote systems during the workshop.

Scriptapalooza 2023 for D5, D6, and D7

Karen Klamczynski

Applicable to D5, D6, and D7; 30’ Dome

Let’s Script! This workshop includes new scripting examples and tips that almost every Digistar user can use in their domes. Prior scripting knowledge is helpful but not required (you can partner with someone with more experience if you like—up to two people per workstation). Remote attendees are encouraged to be at their own Digistar system.

Streaming Media to Your Dome

Ben Buckwalter

Applicable to D6, and D7 systems; Conference Room

Explore ways to view external media content in your dome theater. We’ll discuss the latest Digistar features that will allow you to view movies, live content, PowerPoint, VJ demos, and more!

Tuesday, August 212, 11:50 - 1:00 PM

Lunch provided by Cosm.

Registration is not required.

Tuesday, August 22, 1:00–2:20 PM

CX Realtime for Digistar: Part 2

John-Paul Ownby

Applicable to D7; 40’ Dome

Learn how to take the Unreal projects you made in Part 1 and play them on the dome using Digistar. As we watch each group trying out their example projects, we will discuss ideas of real projects that you could make for your own sites. Register for both parts 1 and 2. Remote attendees welcome, but we can’t configure or troubleshoot Unreal on your remote systems during the workshop.

The EffectModelClass and You

Stefan Karlsson

Applicable to D7 Systems; 30’ Dome

The effectmodelclass is the gateway into a whole new world of special effects in Digistar! Learn all about its purpose and functionality, as well as its current and future features. We will cover the general workflow with the effectmodelclass as well as some hands-on examples. Time will be allotted at the end of this workshop for a discussion on user feature suggestions and feedback.

 Visualizing the Arts & Humanities with Digistar - FULL

Michael McConville

Applicable to All Systems; Conference Room

Digistar’s powerful visualization tools are highly effective for teaching topics beyond astronomy and Earth science. We'll showcase a number of ways that Digistar can be used to teach and present topics from the arts and humanities, as well as discuss and refine best practices for working with other disciplines at your institutions.

Tuesday, August 22, 2:40–4:00 PM

System Customization and Tuning Variables (SCTV)

Eric Briggs

Applicable to D5, D6, and D7 Systems; 40’ dome

Discover and try many ways to configure your Digistar system to your preferred settings. We’ll take a deep dive into preferences (for things you may not have thought about), tuning, customizing the user interface, how to keep your favorite things at your fingertips, and more.

Flight School: Renew Your Pilot’s License

Mark Bloomenthal and Jacob Galloway

Applicable to D7 systems; 30’ Dome

Update your Digistar navigation knowledge. This workshop will primarily focus on new navigation features, important practical details of navigation operations, and a deeper discussion of some UI navigation features.

Content That Works for You

Karen Klamczynski and Melinda Orms

Applicable Mostly to Digistar 7; Conference Room

Help us review and plan additional work for our Astrophysics and STEAM interns. We’ve had a dozen interns create educational material to help Digistar users present Digistar Atlas and STEAM content at all levels, from K-12 to college-level. How are we doing, and what would be most useful to you?

Tuesday, August 22, 4:10–5:30 PM

Troubleshooting 101

Melinda Orms, Ben Buckwalter, John-Paul Ownby, Jacob Galloway

Applicable to All Digistar Systems; 40’ Dome*

Learn the skills needed to troubleshoot technical problems with your planetarium system. We will cover common problems, common mistakes, important troubleshooting techniques, and practical remedies against the enemy of live presentations: Murphy's Law. *This workshop is not hands-on.

Sun Spotting and Eclipses

Dan Rees and Martin Ratcliffe

Applicable to D7 Systems; 30’ Dome

We'll illuminate the new solar granules and sunspots in D7 and explore upcoming solar eclipses. See the sun in a whole new light!

Domemaster to Dome: Using DsMedia and FFMPEG To Encode Your Content

Mike George and Michael McConville

Applicable to D5, D6, and D7 Systems; Conference Room

Join us in this workshop as we discuss how to encode domemasters using DsMedia. We will dive into the set-up and use of DsMedia while exploring some useful tips that you can employ in encoding your content and merging your audio. We’ll introduce FFMPEG, a powerful open-source tool for processing video, audio, and images.

Tuesday, August 22, 7:00–8:30 PM - CANCELED

Free/Cheap Fulldome Production Tools

Sascha Kriegel

Applicable to all Digistar Sytems; 30' dome

Learn how to use Kartaverse, Affinity, and Blender to create powerful content for your planetarium - for free!

Wednesday, August 23, 9:00–10:20 AM

Tips & Tricks Remix 2023

Software Engineering Team; 40’ Dome*

Most Applicable to D6 or D7 systems, some topics apply to all Digistar systems; 40’ Dome

In continuing the tradition of recent DUG conferences, Digistar engineers will provide golden nuggets of knowledge in a fun and entertaining way. Our goal is that everyone in the room leaves having learned something that they didn't know you could do with Digistar. The two sessions of Tips & Tricks may or may not cover the same topics. *Not a hands-on workshop.

Scriptapalooza 2023 for D7

Karen Klamczynski

Applicable to D7; 30’ Dome

Let’s script using features introduced in Digistar 7! Everyone who wants to learn more about scripting and D7 is welcome; prior scripting knowledge is helpful but not required (you can partner with someone with more experience if you like—up to two people per workstation). Remote attendees are encouraged to be at their own Digistar system.

Take the Money (and Run Your Dome): Fundraising for Planetariums

Michael McConville

Applicable to All Systems; Conference Room

This is a workshop worth investing in! We’ll guide you through finding, writing, and evaluating grants; how to introduce successful fundraising opportunities to your facility; and how to build a compelling and ongoing funding narrative for your planetarium.

Wednesday, August 23, 10:30–11:50 AM

Domeoke!!!—Using Digistar for Dome Karaoke

Jacob Galloway, Michael McConville, Et. Al

Applicable to D5, D6, and D7 Systems; 40’ Dome

Digistar is an incredible theater system for showing live graphics, astronomy datasets, and high-resolution video! However, we all know what you really are thinking: how do you turn it into the world’s largest karaoke system? This workshop will cover all the simple tricks you need, and we will feature some of the best karaoke performers in the planetarium world (assuming you are willing to sing for us). No prior Digistar or musical experience is required for this workshop. 

Create Your Own Dome Party with Zero Coding!

Johnny Peterson

Applicable to D6 and D7 Systems; 30’ Dome

In this workshop, you have a special chance to see what Digistar with JavaScript can do for your planetarium and not write a single line of code. Attendees will create a highly-personalized, dynamic, fulldome celebration experience—all the code needed will be provided so you can make a memorable special event for your guests faster than you probably thought possible.