Loading Patterns
Designer patterns are stored on your prop using folders and bitmap files. Once you understand where the files belong, adding new patterns is very similar to organizing files on a USB flash drive.
You can load patterns using a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. Connect your prop to your computer with a Micro USB cable. Once connected, the prop should appear in your computer’s file navigation window, such as File Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac.
Important Terms
Mode: A folder on your prop’s USB drive. Each Mode can contain up to 100 bitmap files.
Pattern: A bitmap image file inside a Mode folder. Bitmap files end in .bmp.
A Pattern must be inside a Mode folder in order to display. If you place a bitmap file directly on the top level of the USB drive, outside of a folder, it will be ignored.
Where Patterns Belong
Designer only recognizes Mode folders placed at the top level of the prop’s USB drive.
Correct:
- USB Drive > Fire Mode > flame01.bmp
- USB Drive > Rainbow Mode > rainbow01.bmp
Incorrect:
- USB Drive > flame01.bmp — ignored because the bitmap is not inside a Mode folder
- USB Drive > Pattern Packs > Fire Mode > flame01.bmp — ignored because the Mode folder is nested too deeply
Nested folders are ignored. Only folders at the top level of the USB drive are recognized as Modes.
How to Create a Mode
- Connect your prop to your computer with a Micro USB cable.
- Open the prop’s USB drive.
- Create a new folder at the top level of the drive.
- Name the folder something clear, such as Fire, Gradients, or Favorites Set.
- Copy bitmap files into that folder.
- Safely eject the prop before unplugging it.
Once the prop is turned on again, the new folder will appear as a Mode.
How to Add Patterns to an Existing Mode
- Connect your prop to your computer.
- Open the prop’s USB drive.
- Open the Mode folder where you want the new Pattern to appear.
- Copy the new .bmp file into that folder.
- Safely eject the prop before unplugging it.
The new Pattern will use the playback settings for that Mode.
Supported File Types
Designer uses bitmap image files ending in .bmp.
Unsupported file types will be ignored, including:
- .png
- .jpg
- .jpeg
- .gif
If a pattern does not appear, check that it is a .bmp file and that it is inside a top-level Mode folder.
Ordering Modes and Patterns
Modes and Patterns are sorted alphanumerically, which means they follow alphabetical and numerical order.
If you want Patterns to play in a specific order, add numbers to the beginning of the file names.
Example:
- 01-rainbow.bmp
- 02-sunset.bmp
- 03-aurora.bmp
This same trick works for Mode folders too.
Example:
- 01 Fire
- 02 Rainbows
- 03 Gradients
If Your Patterns Do Not Appear
Check these common issues:
- The file is not inside a Mode folder: Patterns must be inside a top-level folder to display.
- The folder is nested too deeply: Nested folders are ignored.
- The file is not a .bmp file: Designer ignores unsupported file types like .png, .jpg, and .gif.
- The Mode has too many Patterns: Each Mode can contain up to 100 bitmap files.
- The prop was unplugged too soon: Always safely eject the drive before unplugging.
Tips for Organizing Patterns
- Keep the number of Modes manageable. Navigation can become cumbersome with more than a dozen Modes.
- Use clear Mode names so they are easy to recognize later.
- Use numbered file names if you want Patterns to play in a specific order.
- Keep backup copies of your Modes and Patterns on your computer.
Back Up Your Patterns
We strongly recommend keeping a backup of your custom Modes and Patterns on your computer or in a backup service like Dropbox, Google Drive, or another cloud storage service.
Backing up can be as simple as creating a folder on your computer and saving copies of your Modes and Patterns there before loading them onto your Designer prop.
That way, if your prop is ever lost, damaged, or accidentally cleared, you will still have a copy of your custom work.
