Scripting

Scripting is used to create a show in advance and provides several firing methods for your exhibition. The COBRA 18R2 Controller supports uploading a script file to the 18R2 via a USB flash drive. COBRA supports three types of scripting methods including STEP scripting, Timed Event scripting, and combined STEP / Timed Event scripting. To learn more about the different script types, see What is Scripting? 

Note: Firmware versions 3.0+ supports unlimited channels and cues being fired at the same time; firmware versions 2.1.0 and 2.1.1 are limited to 2 channels at the same time within a 0.4s time period.

Create and Upload Script

COBRA supports multiple methods for creating a scripted exhibition. Whether using excel, COBRA Show Creator, or a fully integrated third-party software, a single CSV file is created and uploaded to the 18R2 using a USB thumb drive. The script must be named “cobra.csv” or it will not be recognized and you will see error code Er1. To see more on the COBRA 18R2 error codes see our Error Code Reference Guide.

Upload Script

Regardless of the method used to create the .csv script file, the file is uploaded to the 18R2 using the following steps.

1. Save the script file from your computer to the USB thumb drive. Name the file “cobra.csv” or the file will not be recognized.
2. Before powering on the 18R2, unscrew the USB port cap on the right-hand side of the 18R2 and insert the USB drive into the USB port.
3. Power on the 18R2 unit by inserting the key and turning it to the ON position. 
4. Allow the remote to complete the startup sequence; the sequence is complete when the remote shows the current channel, “c00”, for example. 
5. The cue LED indicator lights will blink red lights around the perimeter of the light section while the script is loading.
6. After the script has loaded, all LED lights go green or red. 
   • Green indicates a successfully loaded script.
   • Red LEDs indicate an error loading the script and will be followed by an error code and line number for each of the issues identified. This helps to quickly identify where the problem is located. To see more information on error codes, see our Error Code Reference Guide?

To remove all scripts from the 18R2, press and hold the TEST and SYNC button simultaneously for ten (10) seconds. Alternatively, loading a new script will replace the existing script.

Note: When using COBRA Show Creator or an integrated software program to create the script, the error check is built into the program preventing most errors that may occur.

Excel CSV File Format

An excel CSV file provides the required information to the 18R2 including the trigger and return channels, trigger and confirmation buttons, event times, channel, and cue assignments, along with the option to include notes for personal use. Please see our Example Scripts for more.

STEP Scripting

STEP scripting is used to pre-design a manual show using excel, COBRA Show Creator, or an integrated third-party software and simplifies execution by allowing the entire show to be fired by pressing a single button for each event. A step script enables an operator to bounce between modules, fire different cues, as well as fire multiple modules and cues simultaneously. This is beneficial as it allows the exhibitor to watch the show and see when specific cakes or effects are finished before executing the next event.

1. Load script to the 18R2, see Upload Script for more instructions.
2. To start script, use CH+ or CH- to navigate to channel one. 
3. Press the STEP button to fire the first cue in the script. 
   • “SP” will display in the two 7-segment display at the bottom of the remote indicating the next event is ready to fire. 
4. Press the STEP button to execute the second scripted event. 
5. Continue pressing the STEP button until all predefined events are complete.

Timed Event Scripting

Timed event scripting allows you to preplan your entire show and fire it automatically with a single press of a button. There is no limit on the number of cues or the number of channels you can fire at the exact same time; ten, twenty, even one hundred modules at an event can be fired simultaneously or within a hundredth of a second firing resolution. 

1. Load script to the 18R2, see Upload Script for more instructions.
2. To start the loaded script, use CH+ or CH- to navigate to your pre-defined trigger channel. 
3. Press your pre-defined trigger Button to start the show.
   • The countdown timer is displayed in the bottom 7-segment display window and shows when the next event will fire according to the script.
4. To bypass the delay and immediately execute the next event, press the STEP button. 
   • This is useful if a cake ends sooner than expected and prevents an unexpected pause mid-show.

STEP/Timed Event Scripting

Step / timed event scripting is a combination of manual firing intermixed with sequences executed by pressing the STEP button through each event. This feature is excellent for adding a chase to a manual show, for instance, and adds a level of professionalism to the exhibit.  

1. Load script to the 18R2, see Upload Script for more instructions.
2. To start the loaded script, use CH+ or CH- to navigate to your pre-defined trigger channel.
3. Press your pre-defined trigger Button to start the show.
4. If your first event is a STEP event press the STEP button to fire the first cue in the script. If the first event or events are timed based events those will start to fire at the press of your trigger channel. Once the remote gets to the first step event it will await confirmation from the operator that you are ready to fire that event.
   • “SP” will display in the two 7-segment display at the bottom of the remote indicating the next event is ready to fire. 
5. This back and forth between timed events and step events will continue through the pre-defined script.
   • Timed events will be indicated by the countdown timer located in the bottom 7-segment display window. 
   • “SP” will display for the next manual event. Press the STEP button.
6. Continue pressing the STEP button until all events are complete.