backwards cinebot cinebot max cinebot mini cinebot nano focus motor interchanged lens motor motor direction negative nucleus nucleus-m reverse tilta zoom motor

Nano¶

CONFIRMED CINEBOT MINI CINEBOT MAX CINEBOT NANO

Summary¶

After calibrating a Tilta Nucleus-M lens motor on a Cinebot rig, the focus or zoom axis may read backwards in Flair — either the values are interchanged (∞ reads as 1 instead of 0, or close focus reads as 0 instead of 1) or they are negative. The fix is to disable the axis in Flair, reverse the motor direction in Axis Setup, save, re-enable, then drive to both ends to let the motor self-correct its direction.

The same procedure applies to both focus and zoom Nucleus-M motors.

Symptoms¶

After pressing Calibrate on the motor and driving to ∞, Flair shows focus at 1 instead of 0.
Close focus reads 0 instead of 1.
Focus or zoom values are negative.
The motor runs the wrong way relative to what the lens barrel indicates.
Zoom axis increases in the wrong direction (wide end reads high, telephoto reads low).

Motor Number and Node/Port Assignments¶

Before setting up or reversing a motor, confirm the correct Motor Type is selected for each axis in Flair Axis Setup:

Axis	Tilta Motor No.	Flair Node	Flair Port	Motor Type in Axis Setup
Focus	3	1	5	Lens Focus (Tilta Motor 3)
Zoom	2	1	6	Lens Focus (Tilta Motor 2)
Iris	1	1	7	Lens Focus (Tilta Motor 1)

The motors are daisy-chained on the Ethernet network from Node 1. Focus is always Motor 3, Zoom is Motor 2, Iris is Motor 1 — these numbers must match the motor number set on the motor body itself (via the motor's MENU).

How to Reverse the Motor Direction¶

Step 1 — Calibrate the Motor¶

On the motor body, press and hold the Calibrate button for 3 seconds. The motor will find both end stops and set its internal scale from 0–1.

Step 2 — Check the Direction¶

With Focus set to Independent mode in Flair:

Drive the lens to ∞ (infinity).
Check the Focus value in Flair — it should read 0.
Drive to close focus — it should read 1.

If the values are interchanged or negative, the motor is running backwards. Proceed to step 3.

Step 3 — Disable the Axis¶

In Flair, disable the Focus (or Zoom) axis before making any changes to the Axis Setup. Do not edit axis setup while the axis is enabled.

Step 4 — Reverse the Motor Direction in Axis Setup¶

Go to Setups → Axis Setup and select the Focus (or Zoom) axis.
Find the Reverse Motor Direction checkbox (or equivalent direction toggle).
Check it (or uncheck it — whichever reverses the current direction).
Click Save and exit Axis Setup.

Step 5 — Re-enable the Axis¶

Make sure the hand controller is off before re-enabling. Enable the Focus (or Zoom) axis in Flair.

Step 6 — Drive to Both Ends (Direction Jump)¶

Drive the focus axis to both ends of its travel. You will notice a "jump" in Flair at one or both ends — this is the motor correcting its internal direction reference. This is normal and expected.

Step 7 — Recheck¶

Once the jump has occurred, repeat Step 2:

Drive to ∞ — confirm Focus reads 0.
Drive to close focus — confirm it reads 1.

If correct, proceed with lens calibration. If still reversed, repeat from Step 3.

Zoom Motor Direction¶

The same steps apply to the Zoom axis (Tilta Motor 2, Node 1 Port 6):

Wide end of zoom should read 0 (or the low value).
Telephoto end should read 1 (or the high value).
Axis values must increase as the lens zooms toward telephoto.

If zoom reads backwards, follow the same disable → reverse → save → enable → drive to ends → recheck sequence.

Firmware Note¶

If a Tilta Nucleus-M motor was not purchased from MRMC, it may need a firmware update before it will work with Flair. The required firmware version is V:23.08.14.

To check: plug the motor in via micro-USB, double-press MENU, scroll to Information, press ENTER. The firmware version is displayed.

If the firmware needs updating, see the Tilta Nucleus-M QSG Appendix 2 (below) for the update procedure.

YouTube 8a - Reversing the Lens Motor & Troubleshooting

▶ Watch — reversing lens motor direction, calibration check, and troubleshooting Tilta Nucleus-M