Stardraw

Last updated
Stardraw
Developer(s) Stardraw.com
Initial release1995
Operating system Microsoft Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7 [1]
Type Computer-aided design, System integration
Website Stardraw homepage

Founded in 1993 by ex-Microsoft development manager David Snipp [2] Stardraw is a company that makes audio/visual system integration and design software. [3]

Contents

Software

Stardraw has two different but related sets of software both for the Audio-visual (A/V) market

Computer aided design

Stardraw's design software is for creating documentation of audio/visual systems. This includes A/V schematics (similar to a Computer network diagram), Rack Layouts, Presentation Drawings (Pictorial Schematics), Panel Layouts for custom metalwork, Plan View drawings, and associated reports such as Bills of Materials, Quotations and Cable Schedules.

The software includes preset equipment icons to make it quick to create an illustrations of a A/V system design.

Their software of this type includes

Control Software

Stardraw control is their Integrated development environment for creating Touchscreen remote control of a wide variety of equipment.

Typical uses include room automation in boardrooms, auditoriums, museums or home theaters, where users use fixed and wireless touch-screens to control devices such as video projectors and displays, PCs, DVD and VCR players and recorders, cameras, teleconferencing systems, audio/video switchers and processing equipment, motorized projection screens, drapes, lighting, HVAC systems, and a wide variety of other types of equipment. Other common uses include entertainment systems, industrial command and control centers, security systems, hotels and restaurants.

What separates their software from rivals AMX and Crestron is that it does not require any special hardware instead it runs on any machine running Microsoft Windows, further more the drivers and scripts for it are written in the general programming language C# rather than a proprietary language and designed in a graphical environment similar to that used by Microsoft's programming languages.

The software also present a Web service interface which enables non-Windows devices to control the software for example Tablet computers such as Apple's iPad [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graphical user interface</span> User interface allowing interaction through graphical icons and visual indicators

A graphical user interface, or GUI, is a form of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices through graphical icons and visual indicators such as secondary notation. In many applications, GUIs are used instead of text-based UIs, which are based on typed command labels or text navigation. GUIs were introduced in reaction to the perceived steep learning curve of command-line interfaces (CLIs), which require commands to be typed on a computer keyboard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schematic</span> Representation of a system using abstract graphic symbols

A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a designed representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures. A schematic usually omits all details that are not relevant to the key information the schematic is intended to convey, and may include oversimplified elements in order to make this essential meaning easier to grasp, as well as additional organization of the information.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Technical drawing</span> Creation of standards and the technical drawings

Technical drawing, drafting or drawing, is the act and discipline of composing drawings that visually communicate how something functions or is constructed.

A de facto standard is a custom or convention that is commonly used even though its use is not required.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visual programming language</span> Programming language written graphically by a user

In computing, a visual programming language, also known as diagrammatic programming, graphical programming or block coding, is a programming language that lets users create programs by manipulating program elements graphically rather than by specifying them textually. A VPL allows programming with visual expressions, spatial arrangements of text and graphic symbols, used either as elements of syntax or secondary notation. For example, many VPLs are based on the idea of "boxes and arrows", where boxes or other screen objects are treated as entities, connected by arrows, lines or arcs which represent relations. VPLs are generally the basis of Low-code development platforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EAGLE (program)</span> Scriptable electronic design automation application

EAGLE is a scriptable electronic design automation (EDA) application with schematic capture, printed circuit board (PCB) layout, auto-router and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) features. EAGLE stands for Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor and is developed by CadSoft Computer GmbH. The company was acquired by Autodesk Inc. in 2016 who announced to support the product up to 2026 only.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DIY audio</span>

DIY Audio, do it yourself audio. Rather than buying a piece of possibly expensive audio equipment, such as a high-end audio amplifier or speaker, the person practicing DIY Audio will make it themselves. Alternatively, a DIYer may take an existing manufactured item of vintage era and update or modify it. The benefits of doing so include the satisfaction of creating something enjoyable, the possibility that the equipment made or updated is of higher quality than commercially available products and the pleasure of creating a custom-made device for which no exact equivalent is marketed. Other motivations for DIY audio can include getting audio components at a lower cost, the entertainment of using the item, and being able to ensure quality of workmanship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TARGET (CAD software)</span>

TARGET 3001! is a CAD computer program for EDA and PCB design, developed by Ing.-Büro Friedrich in Germany. This software application has been available since 1992 and operates on Microsoft Windows. It supports the design of electronic schematics, PCBs, and device front panels. The software is available in English, German and French.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AMX LLC</span> American video equipment and control manufacturer

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">OrCAD</span> Electronic design automation software

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audiovisual</span> Electronic media with both a sound and a visual component

Audiovisual (AV) is electronic media possessing both a sound and a visual component, such as slide-tape presentations, films, television programs, corporate conferencing, church services, and live theater productions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drafter</span> Person who makes technical drawings

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">AVSnap</span>

AVSnap is a freeware audio/visual system integration and design software, developed and released by Altinex Inc. in 2004. It creates a visual routing diagram of an audio/visual system that is similar to an A/V schematic or a computer network diagram. The software provides a design environment to create audiovisual diagrams and layouts.

MPDS, the MEDUSA Plant Design System, is a suite of plant engineering applications for 2D/3D layout, design, and modeling of process plants, factories, or installations. The system's history is closely tied to the very beginnings of mainstream CAD and the research culture fostered by Cambridge University and the UK government including the resulting "Cambridge Phenomenon " MPDS was initially developed for 3D plant design and layout and piping design. Today, the software includes modules for 2D/3D factory layout, process, instrumentation diagrams (P&ID), mechanical handling systems design, steel design, ducting (HVAC) design, electrical design, and hangers and supports Design. The latest version, MPDS4 5.2.1, was released for Microsoft Windows and Sun Solaris in February 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DipTrace</span>

DipTrace is a proprietary software suite for electronic design automation (EDA) used for electronic schematic capture and printed circuit board layouts. DipTrace has four applications: schematic capture editor, PCB layout editor with built-in shape-based autorouter and 3D preview, component editor, and pattern editor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden-i</span>

The Golden-i platform consists of multiple mobile wireless wearable headset computers operated by voice commands and head movements. It was developed at Kopin Corporation by a team led by Jeffrey Jacobsen, chief Golden-i architect and senior ddvisor to the CEO. Utilizing a speech controlled user interface and head-tracking functionality, Golden-i enables the user to carry out common computer functions whilst keeping their hands free.

References

Sound & Communications Magazine - 20 Years with Stardraw.com

  1. Installation Europe - Stardraw.com looks to the future with new release
  2. Dealer Taps Stardraw Software for Multiroom Audio - CE Pro Magazine Article from CE Pro
  3. StarDraw website
  4. Video of demonstration of the Web service on an iPad