About Pattern Files, Chasers, and Motion Modes
In its most basic mode, the Hyperion plays repeating light patterns at a constant rate.
Simple patterns, like fine texture patterns, may repeat faster than 100 times a second.
Slower color fading patterns might take several seconds to repeat, and some patterns are
constant. More than a thousand patterns come pre-loaded on your hoop. More
information about creating and managing patterns can be found later in this manual.
Some modes use only a single pattern file to create a pattern. Others use combinations of
overlay or palette files as well to create more complex effects. Each pattern file can
optionally have a configuration file (with the same name as the pattern file but with a .ini
file type) that tells the hoop how to combine the files and what effects to apply.
Overlays
are special single-line patterns, stored in their own folder, which the hoop can
display on top of regular patterns. Most often they are relatively simple, consisting of
points of light. Overlays can be set to move independently of the pattern. They work best
with dark or sparse patterns. Bright, dense patterns will tend to wash out the overlays and
make them hard to see.
Palettes
are also image files, but instead of defining a pattern, they provide a set of colors
that are applied to other pattern files. Not all patterns are designed to work with palettes.
Several motion modes control how the chasers and patterns move. You can use the
motion mode buttons on the 44-key remote to select modes. Some of the modes will
rotate the pattern or chasers at a fixed rate and some will cause them to react to the
motion of the hoop. Try rotating the hoop on each axis to get a feel for how the different
motion modes work.
