TestCard Help

The TestCard app is a basic tool that displays pixel perfect test patterns on any connected display. The default test pattern is a custom made design that suits your needs to caliber any type of display or video projectors. You can use it to check the position and distortion, and also colors, grays, contrasts and interlacing.

Main window

1. Display selection

This area illustrates you your main screen (the one with the gray bar on top) as well as any connected displays. Simply click on the desired display to select it. It becomes red framed.

2. Display info

Once you selected a display, its info is shown here. You get the human readable name or product I.D. and the resolution you defined in the System Preferences.

3. Enable

Just hit this toggle button to show or hide the test pattern on the selected display. You can use the keyboard shortcut ⌘F to toggle between show and hide. If you display the testcard over the control window, you won't be able to reach the toggle button, so use the shortcut.

4. Type & Matrix

Here you can select the kind of patten you want to use on the selected display.
In the case your computer output goes to multiple projectors or displays, you can multiply the test pattern in the output using the matrix option. This typically happens when you use a Matrox® TripleHead2Go or DualHead3Go, or when your output goes to a screen wall. Simply choose the amount of test patterns you want horizontally (x) or vertically (y).

5. Pattern options

Depending on the pattern type you have chosen, some options will appear in this area. You can modify the default values for this options in the preferences window.

Pattern types

Generative

The generative pattern is using your screen size to draw itself at a perfect ratio and with pixel perfect informations. You can change some settings described below.


  1. TextReplaces the SIGMASIX logo with your own label
  2. Background colorDefines the pattern background color
  3. Show GradientShows the radial gradient in the background or not
  4. Corners colorDefines the pattern corners color

Grid

The grid pattern has three different drawing options: Subdivision, size, none.

Subdivision


  1. X and YIt's the amount of cells you want horizontally (x) and vertically (y)
  2. Line weightSets the weight of every lines
  3. Line colorSets the color of every lines
  4. Background colorDefines the background color

Size


  1. TiledIf unchecked, only one cell will be centered on your display at the defined size
  2. Width & heightDefines the size of your cell, in pixels
  3. Line weight & colorSets the weight and color of every lines
  4. Background colorDefines the color in every cells

None


Use this option if you only want a plain color on your display.

  1. Background colorDefines the display color

Image

The image type lets you display your own image. It also has three different options: Scale to fit, scale to fill (crop) and stretch. Scale to fill will keep your image's proportions and fit it within your display size. Scale to fill will also keep your image's proportions but will crop it in order to fill the whole display. The stretch option will distort your image in order to fill the whole display.


  1. Image fileDrag your image file onto the squared zone to import it
  2. Background colorSets the background color when you use "scale to fit" or a transparent image

Export

You have the option to export your patterns to a PNG file to use in an other software. Simply click on the "Tools" menu and choose "Export to PNG".
The settings are based on the settings you applied on any display but you can change the pattern type if needed.



  1. Generate fromSelects the display you want to take the settings from
  2. TypeChanges the pattern type if needed
  3. DimensionsSets width and height of the image file you want to generate in pixels

Preferences

    

You can define the default values to use in your pattern settings using the preference window. The changes you apply in the preferences will take effect the next time you start TestCard. The settings are the same as shown on the main window.