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Graphics Plugin Administrator Guide

Version 2.2 | Published September 14, 2023 ©

Supported Operating Systems

The Graphics Plugin supports two operating systems; Microsoft Windows and Apple Macs using OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, or later. The basic setup is in principle the same; however, there are some differences in how they are used, and what software is used in addition to the plugin.

Both setups need a Viz Engine for graphics rendering, and a database that stores the data for each graphics template or data element. The database can either be a Media Sequencer or a Pilot database.

The main components used with the Graphics Plugin are:

  • Viz Engine is a real-time graphics renderer, and at the core of the Vizrt graphics workflow.

  • Connection Broker performs connection broking, providing all Graphics Plugin system users with a single connection point for graphics rendering.

  • Media Sequencer is a framework for defining and executing media elements on a Viz Engine. The media elements are defined in a tree-based schedule that the Media Sequencer interprets, but for the Graphics Plugin, it is simply used as a storage solution for Viz Trio, which is used by the Graphics Plugin Editor.

  • Viz Pilot database is an Oracle 10g or 11g database that stores template data and references to the template graphics. The Viz Pilot database is mainly used in conjunction with Viz Pilot.

Windows-based Systems

For Windows users, there are three editors available for adding graphics to a video clip: Viz Trio, Viz Pilot and Viz Pilot Edge. Viz Trio is bundled with the Graphics Plugin installer, whereas Viz Pilot must be installed separately, as it connects to the Viz Pilot database for template data and graphics. Viz Pilot Edge is a web application which is accessed through the Graphics Plugin by adding the URL in the Configuration Tool.

Mac-based Systems

For Mac users, there are two editors available: Viz Pilot Edge and the plugin´s own built-in Graphics Plugin Editor. The editor is capable of reading Viz Trio shows stored on the Media Sequencer and remote previewing the Viz Engine graphics as well as editing the text and image properties of graphic scenes.

The Mac-based Graphics Plugins are unable to control or use Viz Trio and Viz Pilot remotely as a user interface, hence the Graphics Plugin Editor.


See the Graphics Plugin User Guide for more information on how to use the different editors.