This version introduces PIXERA integration and delivers significant usability, performance, and workflow enhancements, making Control Buddy faster, smarter, and more intuitive than ever!

Important Notice: With the introduction of PIXERA support, you must set your Active Controller in the Control Buddy Preferences. By default, PIXERA is selected as the Active Controller. To use WATCHOUT, simply change the Active Controller in Preferences.

Additionally, Control Buddy now allows access via tablets or browsers using a unique name page. As a result, the path has CHANGED from the previous format to:

http://<YOUR_IP_ADDRESS>:8201/#/consoles/panther/<PAGE_NAME>

Major Updates & Enhancements

PIXERA Support

Control Buddy 1.2 now integrates with PIXERA, enabling seamless control and automation.

• Grouping & Opacity Control: Effortlessly organize elements and adjust opacity with an intuitive grouping system.

Advanced Multi-Select

• Multi-selection for inputs & timelines is now fully implemented, ensuring reliable control—even for timelines with unconventional names.

Advanced Input & Fader Control

• Jog Wheel, Play, and Pause now control multiple timelines simultaneously.
• Multiple inputs can be controlled via a single Input Action or Fader.
• Attach to Timeline:
  • When using a Jog Wheel, Cue, Play, or Pause button to control multiple timelines, one timeline can be set as the reference.
• Attach to Input:
  • When controlling multiple inputs with a fader, one input can be set as the motorized reference.

New Power User Features

• External Browser Access: Now requires a Pro license.
• Remote Connections: Now require a Control license, restricting free access to local machine connections only.
• New Key Bindings in Preferences:
  • Focus Control Buddy (Global Shortcut): Instantly brings the Control Buddy programmer window to the front from any application.
  • Toggle Between Programmer & Module: Works even when “Always-On-Top” is enabled.
• Log Collection: A new “Collect Logs” option under Help saves all logs as a ZIP file.
• Timeline Exclusion: Option to exclude a specific timeline from the “Stop All Timelines” command.

WATCHOUT & Input Grouping Enhancements

• WATCHOUT 6 & 7 now support input grouping:

__groupname__inputname 

double underscores, group name, double underscores, then input name

• Grouping Inputs allows for easier organization and simultaneous control of multiple elements.

Improved Module & UI Experience

• Resizable Module now:
  • Snap to screen edges for better alignment.
  • Can be moved using WIN key + arrow keys.
• New “Clear” Button for all Input/Timeline selections.
• Keyboard Usability Fixes:
  • CTRL + Click replaces SHIFT + Click for adding/removing selections.
  • Prevents accidental keyboard interactions with Modules.
  • Focused Workflow Enhancements:

Right-click → Add Element now immediately focuses on the new element. TAB navigation added for all fields in the editor.

Improved Navigation & Session Handling

• Direct Page Navigation for iPad & Web Consoles:
  

  http://<YOUR_IP_ADDRESS>:8201/#/consoles/panther/<PAGE_NAME> 

• If the page doesn’t exist, the system defaults to the currently active page in the programmer.
• Restores the last visited page for each Module upon reopening.
• Relaunches in the correct mode (Program or Show mode).

Performance & Stability Improvements

• Network Optimizations:
  • Modules & Programmer UI now function without requiring network access, except for iPad/external devices.
  • Reduces network usage and improves responsiveness, especially on low-performance machines.
• Preference Import & Export:
  • Save and restore settings via the File menu (limited to Preferences Window settings).
  • Improved relaunch dialog after importing preferences for a smoother experience.

User Interface

• Premade icons for Watchout actions:
  • Have been temporarily phased out