• User Interface
• Creating a New Content Player
• Creating a New Template
• Creating Content
  
  • Creating RSS Feed Content
  • Creating Weather Content
  • Creating PDF Content
  • Creating PowerPoint Content
  • Creating Image Content
  • Creating Video Content
  • Creating YouTube Video Content
  • Creating Text Content
• Managing Identical Content for Multiple Signs
• Deploying a Sign
• Additional FourWinds Help

User Interface

The User Interface consists of four main parts:

1. Menu Bar
2. Content Types Side Bar
3. Template/Content/Apps Bar
4. Network Overview

Menu Bar

The Menu Bar provides the user access to several functions that may also be accessed in other locations, such as adding new Content from the Content menu. The user may also change what sections of the User Interface are seen from the View menu.

Content Bar

The Content Bar provides access to the content that are available to the user. Users will only have access to items to which they have rights. To add a new content item, users must right click the content folder and select "Add new content in this category."

NOTE: Drag and drop is no longer available due to the nature of the Remote Application system currently being used. This is the only method of adding content to FourWinds currently.

Template Bar

The Template Bar provides access to the templates that are available to the user. Users will only have access to items to which they have rights. To add a new template item, users must right click the template folder and select "New template in this category."

Network Overview

The Network Overview section shows the user's location and the Signage Players the user can control. From Network Overview, the user may also preview signs without having to go to the actual Content Player.

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Creating a New Content Player

UCF IT reserves the right to add new Content Players for inventory and license tracking purposes. Please place a ticket to request a new display.

Creating a New Template

Creating a new template in FourWinds can be very simple or very complex. To begin, the user should have several pieces of information at hand:

1. The size/resolution, in pixels, of the screen:
   
   1. 1920x1080 (standard)
   2. 1920x1200
   3. 1024x768
   4. 720x480
   5. Etc.
2. The orientation of the screen:
   
   1. Landscape
   2. Portrait
3. The content:
   
   1. Background/Template
   2. Images
   3. Videos
   4. RSS Feeds
   5. Etc.

If the user already has their sign laid out in a predetermined design with the background setup as a template, it will make the setup in FourWinds much easier.

To add the template:

1. In the Template bar at the bottom, right-click the template folder and select "New template in this category."
2. Two windows appear. The Template Properties window and the Template Editor window. In the Template Properties window, we will name the template. Type the name into the "Name" box.

3. In the Description box, type a description, if desired, to describe how the template appears.
4. Next, select the appropriate size for the template. Using the Common Sizes drop down, select the appropriate line item.
5. The default color of the background may also be changed if there are transparencies in the background image or no background image is used.
6. Next to the Background box, click the button that looks like this: 
7. The Select Background Media box appears allowing the user to select the appropriate background. Click File System on the left and then click the "…" box next to the Path field.
8. The Select File dialog appears. In the File Name field, navigate to the FourWinds file locations on the server by typing \\net2801.net.ucf.edu\shares$\ and navigate to the department folder. When this is typed in, press enter. This will take the user to the network area where all FourWinds Content is stored.

NOTE: All departments will have their own folder for the storage of FourWinds content.

9. Open the department by double-clicking.
10. Select the desired file by double-clicking.
11. Click OK.
12. The user is returned to the Template Properties window. Click OK.
13. The user is taken to the Template Editor window where the template may now be partially seen. Click the maximize button in the top right-hand corner to enlarge the window.

The new template is now created and ready to be formatted and configured.

Creating Regions

This section shows how to navigate the template editor window. In the top left-hand corner are several buttons:

Buttons from left to right:

• Template Properties – pulls up the template properties window as seen when creating template.
• New Region – opens a drop-down menu that allows the user to select the shape of a new Region to be added to the template. The new Region is then added in the top left-hand corner and may be edited from the Region List box or by manually manipulating the object.
• Editor Options (Designer Grid) – opens the Designer Grid window to configure the alignment settings for the regions. Regions may be aligned to one another, a grid may be defined for alignment, or the regions may be non-aligned.
• Save and Close – saves and closes the template.
• Close without Saving – deletes a new template or discards changes to an existing template.
• Show Region List – opens the Region List for viewing/editing.
• +/- – window zoom control.

Adding a New Region by Coordinates

1. Click the New Region button to open the drop-down menu.
2. Click the desired shape. A region will appear in the top left-hand corner labeled "Region #."
3. In the Region List window, in the bottom bar, click the third button, which will open a drop-down menu.
4. Click "Region # Properties."
5. Type a descriptive name for the region in the Name field.
6. Type the desired coordinates in the Location field.
7. Type the desired size in the Size: field.
8. Click OK.

Adding a New Region by Drag-and-Drop

1. Click the New Region button to open the drop-down menu.
2. Click Rectangle. A rectangular region will appear in the top left-hand corner labeled "Region #."
3. In the Region List window, in the bottom bar, click the third button, which will open a drop-down menu.
4. Click "Region # Properties."
5. Type a descriptive name for the region in the Name field.
6. Click OK.
7. Using the Mouse click and drag the region as desired.

NOTE: Align the right-hand corners first as aligning the left-hand corners will move the right-hand corner off the window, making it more difficult to resize the region.

Adding a Background to a Region

1. Select the desired region from the Region List.
2. Click the bottom menu button and select Edit X Region from the list.
3. The Region Properties button appears. Midway down the window there is a field for Background. Click the Properties box on the right.
4. The Dynamic URL window appears. To the right of the Path field, click the "…" button.
5. Navigate to "\\net2801.net.ucf.edu\shares$\department folder" if you are not in that location.
6. Select the desired file.
7. Click Open.
8. Click ok.
9. Click ok again.

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Creating Content

Content in FourWinds is setup individually, using the file type to guide the user on settings and configurations. It is important to note, that within the UCF IT FourWinds installation there are folders in the Content tab in the lower portion of the screen. These folders must be used to store content for the department. Security settings are configured so that the content can only be used properly from these folders. To create a new content item, right-click the folder and select "Add new content in this category."

NOTE: Drag and drop is no longer available due to the nature of the Remote Application system currently being used. This is the only method of adding content to FourWinds currently.

The most used content items are PDFs, Images, Weather, PowerPoints, RSS Feeds and Videos. This guide will walk through adding each one.

Creating RSS Feed Content

1. In the Content Bar, right-click the content folder and select "Add new content in this category."
2. The Syndicated Feed Properties window appears.
3. Type the name in the Name box.
4. Uncheck the Duration box.
5. Type the feed URL in the URL box.
6. Click the Properties button (middle button) to the right of the URL field.
7. Click the Data radio button.
8. Click OK.
9. Click the Show Publication Date box.
10. Change the Update Interval as desired: HH:MM:SS. This will automatically update the feed.
11. Click OK.
12. Drag and drop item into the appropriate location.

NOTE: To preview any newly made changes, click the Content Player item and then click the Play button at the top of the Network Overview section.

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Creating Weather Content

Weather feeds are unique in that they may be formatted in a variety of ways. They can be horizontal, vertical, have multiple days, provide more or fewer data, and include graphics. To get just the right look, it may take a few different tries.

1. In the Content Bar, right-click the content folder and select "Add new content in this category."
2. Click the Weather icon. The Syndicated Feed Properties window appears.
3. Type the desired name in the Name box.
4. Uncheck the Duration box.
5. Click the "…" button next to "Layout." From the Weather Layout window, you may format each day's weather configuration using the white arrows in the upper right-hand corner of each field.
6. Modify the text as desired.
7. In the bottom right-hand corner is a drop-down that determines the direction of the layout. Select the desired direction, horizontal or vertical.
8. Click ok.
9. Enter the number of weather items to display (number of days). Fahrenheit is the typical setting for temperature unit.
10. Type the desired ZIP code.
11. Change the Update interval to "00:05:00" to update every five minutes.
12. Click ok.
13. Drag and drop item into the appropriate location.

NOTE: To preview any newly made changes, click the Content Player item and then click the Play button at the top of the Network Overview section.

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Creating PDF Content

Many content types are simple in that they involve only adding a link to a file and then placing the content in the region. They are already pre-formatted as images, documents, PDFs, PowerPoints, videos, etc. They may require other formatting after the fact, such as rotation configurations, scheduling, transitions, etc.
To add PDF content:

1. In the Content Bar, right-click the content folder and select "Add new content in this category."
2. Click the PDF icon. The Adobe PDF Properties window appears.
3. Type the desired name in the Name box.
4. Leave the Duration box Checked!
5. Set the Duration for the desired time interval. HH:MM:SS
6. Check the box for Use exact duration.
7. Click the Properties box to the right of the URL field.
8. The Dynamic URL window appears. To the right of the Path field, click the "…" button.
9. Navigate to "\\net2801.net.ucf.edu\shares$\department folder" if you are not still in that location.
10. Only PDF files will be visible. From the available files, select the desired PDF.
11. Click Open.
12. Click ok.
13. Change the Update Interval as desired. HH:MM:SS
14. Click ok.
15. Drag and drop item into the appropriate location.

NOTE: To preview any newly made changes, click the Content Player item and then click the Play button at the top of the Network Overview section.

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Creating PowerPoint Content

To add PowerPoint Content:

1. In the Content Bar, right-click the content folder and select "Add new content in this category."
2. Click the PowerPoint icon. The PowerPoint Properties window appears.
3. Type the desired name in the Name box.
4. Leave the Duration box Checked!
5. Check the box for Use exact duration.
6. Click the Properties box to the right of the URL field.
7. The Dynamic URL window appears. To the right of the Path field, click the "…" button.
8. Navigate to "\\net2801.net.ucf.edu\shares$\department folder" if you are not still in that location.
9. Only PPT or PPTX files will be visible. From the available files, select the desired file.
10. Click Open.
11. Click ok.

NOTE: DO NOT check "Loop Content" unless this is the ONLY content that will be displayed. If "Loop Content" is checked, no other content will play after the PowerPoint begins. When only one PowerPoint is used, and nothing else, always "Loop Content."

12. Change the PowerPoint player to use to "PowerPoint."
13. Click ok.
14. Drag and drop item into the appropriate location.

NOTE: To preview any newly made changes, click the Content Player item and then click the Play button at the top of the Network Overview section.

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Creating Image Content

To add image content:

1. In the Content Bar, right-click the content folder and select "Add new content in this category."
2. Click the Image icon. The Image Properties window appears.
3. Type the desired name in the Name box.
4. Leave the Duration box Checked!
5. Set the Duration as desired: HH:MM:SS
6. Check the box for Use exact duration.
7. Click the Properties box to the right of the URL field.
8. The Dynamic URL window appears. To the right of the Path field, click the "…" button.
9. Navigate to "\\net2801.net.ucf.edu\shares$\department folder" if you are not still in that location.

NOTE: You may, using the preview options in the Select File window, view each image to see which one you like best.

10. Only image files will be visible. From the available files, select your desired image.
11. Click Open.
12. Click ok.

NOTE: If you have time, you may add multiple "images," incrementing your image number each time.

13. Type in the description of the image chosen at the top of the window.
14. Click ok.
15. Drag and drop item into the appropriate location.

NOTE: To preview any newly made changes, click the Content Player item and then click the Play button at the top of the Network Overview section.

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Creating Video Content

The storage of video files on the FourWinds file share is not recommended. Each department has a limited amount of space to use, and videos are usually large. It is therefore recommended that all videos be uploaded to YouTube and displayed using the instructions below.

YouTube Videos

1. In the Content Bar, right-click the content folder and select "Add new content in this category."
2. Click the HTML icon. The HTML Properties window appears.
3. Type the Name of the item in the Name box.
4. Click the Properties button (middle button) to the right of the URL field.
5. On YouTube, locate the desired video.
6. On the video page, click the Share button.
7. In the Share window, click the Embed button.
8. Copy the html code inside the "src" area. Do not copy anything else!
9. Paste the link into the Path field.
10. In the "Query" area, click the add button. After adding each query (listed below) you will need to click the add button for the next query.
11. Queries to add:
    
    • rel, Text, 0
    • amp;controls, Text, 1
    • amp;showinfo, Text, 1
    • autoplay, Text, 1
12. Click OK.
13. Click OK again.
14. Drag and Drop the item into the desired location.

NOTE: To preview the changes, click the Content Player item and then click the Play button at the top of the Network Overview section.

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Creating Text Content

Occasionally a user may wish to put text on the screen for a simple message or a title. To add text content:

1. In the Content Bar, right-click the content folder and select "Add new content in this category."
2. Click the Text icon. The Text Properties window appears.
3. Type desired name in the Name box.
4. Click the Properties box to the right of the URL field.
5. In the Text box, type the text you wish to appear.
6. Click ok.
7. Locate the new content item under Content in the Template/Content Bar.
8. Drag and drop item into the appropriate location.

NOTE: To preview any newly made changes, click the Content Player item and then click the Play button at the top of the Network Overview section.

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Managing Identical Content for Multiple Signs

FourWinds can occasionally be cumbersome when updating multiple signs with the same content.

1. Create content.
2. Put content in "public" location.
3. Put content in FourWinds.
4. Move content into sign.
5. Deploy.

Recently, a user shared how they are managing this for signs which use exact content. It shaves off step #4, making it easier to manage content, especially for a large group of signs.

1. In the FourWinds Content area at the bottom of the screen, right-click the departmental folder and select "New Category in This Category."
   
   
2. Give the new category an appropriate name and click OK.
   
   
3. Move into this folder all "base" signage content. Also, create or move any new "base" signage content into this folder upon creation.
   
   
4. Once this folder is created with all pertinent content, you will need to remove the same content from the Signage displays.
   
5. Once these individual items have been deleted, drag and drop the NEW folder into the same location.
   
   
6. Any new items created in this category will automatically go into this folder. When doing so, you may get a message:
   
   
7. Simply click "Yes."
8. Once the item(s) have been placed in the folder, they will be available in the signs using this folder as content.
   
   
9. Simply deploy per usual.

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Deploying a Sign

Once a Content Player has been configured and its content has been generated and placed, it is ready for deployment.
To deploy your updated content:

1. Right click the player line item in the Network Overview section. It will be the top line item for your player.
2. From the drop-down menu, select Deploy
   
3. The Save Changes window appears with a listing of all the changes made during your session. Click Save Changes.
4. The Deploy dialog box appears. It will run through saving all the changes. When it ends, it will either give an error message showing what needs to be fixed, or it will show that deployment was successful.

5. If there are problems on the player once you finish deployment, again, review the errors, make any necessary changes and fixes, and then try again.
6. If there are problems that the user is unable to resolve alone, the Service Desk is available at 407.823.4444 or sdesservicedesk@ucf.edu or http://servicedesk.sdes.ucf.edu.

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Additional FourWinds Help

For additional help with configuring signs in the FourWinds platform, there is a FourWinds wiki with excellent resources. New users will need to register for an account.
For issues with displays that are not working properly, please contact the Service Desk at 407.823.5117, email at itsupport@ucf.edu, or use the online ticket system.