LC Fixture Constructor Guide

LIGHTCONVERSE Fixture Constructor Guide
With the Fixture Constructor it is possible to edit or build a fixture driver. This could be
necessary if your fixture has a new feature or mode that does not match the current fixture
driver in the library or if the fixture driver is not included in the library. Fixture drivers can also
be built quickly by us by submitting a request via the Fixture Profiles section of our User Forum.
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Figure 1
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Editing Fixture Drivers
1. In the DMX Editor, press Browse, then select driver from the Fixture Driver List, see
[9] in Figure 2.
2. Press Constructor (see [10] in Figure 2) to open the Fixture Constructor.
3. Edit the fixture driver, see Fixture Constructor Fundamentals below.
4. Press the Exit button then press Save, see [1] in Figure 1.
It is also possible to make a new version of a Fixture Driver while keeping the old one:
1. In the DMX Editor, press Browse, then select driver from the Fixture Driver List, see
[9] in Figure 2.
2. Press Copy, see [11] in Figure 2.
3. Select an empty line in the Fixture Driver List, then press Paste, see [12] in Figure 2.
4. Press Constructor (see [10] in Figure 2) to open the Fixture Constructor.
5. Press the Rename button (see [2] in Figure 1) to enter a new driver name.
6. Edit the fixture driver, see Fixture Constructor Fundamentals below.
7. Press the Exit button then press Save, see [1] in Figure 1.
Building New Fixture Drivers
1. In the DMX Editor, press Browse, then select an empty line in the Fixture Driver List,
see [9] in Figure 2.
2. Press Constructor (see [10] in Figure 2) to open the Fixture Constructor.
3. Press the Rename button (see [2] in Figure 1) to enter a new driver name.
4. Edit the fixture driver, see Fixture Constructor Fundamentals below.
5. Press the Exit button then press Save, see [1] in Figure 1.
Fixture Constructor Fundamentals
This section explains some of the basic fundamentals of the Fixture Constructor and gives a few
examples of its use. We recommend taking some time to gain an understanding of fixture
properties within the Constructor for a further comprehension of what fixture features can be
virtually replicated within the software.
DMX Channel Destination
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A fixture driver is composed of up to 96 addressable
DMX channels with each channel assigned a Destination
type (parameter) such as Pan, Tilt, Dimmer, Color,
Gobo, Linear Frost, etc.
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To add or edit a channel in a fixture driver, select the
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desired DMX channel address number (see [1] in Fig. 3)
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then press the Destination button (see [2] in Fig. 3).
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This will open up a list from which you can select the
channel’s destination type, see [3] in Figure 3.
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A destination type can have one attribute, such as for
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dimmer or zoom (see Editing DMX Channel Faders
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below), or it can have multiple attributes, such as for a
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color or gobo wheel where each color or gobo is
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assigned a specific value (0-255) within a DMX channel
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Destination
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Note: Channels
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press Rename,
see [4] ineFigure 3.
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Editing DMX Channel Faders
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Destination types with one attribute are defined using DMX
Channel Faders.
Different editing options particular to each destination type will
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be displayed when the channel the destination type is assigned
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to is selected. For example, selecting a Dimmer destination
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type [1] will display the dimmer’s functions as shown in Fig. 4.
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Two functions are common to most DMX Channel faders;
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Inversion [2] and Blackout [3].
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- Adjusting
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s Only mode the default DMX values are sent from the console).
Control mode,
in Visualization
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4 available for certain Destination Types when editing faders include:
Other functions/settings
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range,
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RGB
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Editing
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Editing Pixel-based Fixtures
RGB Lamp destination types are used to define the Pixel Count and Pixel Number of pixelbased fixtures.
Pixel Counts (see [1] in Figure 9) set the amount of pixels required using UV coordinates.
Pixel Numbers (see [2] in Figure 9) set individual pixel numbers using UV coordinates up to
the amounts set by the Pixel Count.
The following two examples demonstrate usage of Pixel Counts and Pixel Numbers.
In the example below of a 6 channel fixture with two 3 channel RGB sectors (R1/G1/B1,
R2/G2/B2) the UV Pixel Count is set at 2 and 1, respectively, as shown in the Pixel Count
settings [1] and Preview window [3]. Note that Pixel UV 1,1 (R1) has been selected as shown in
the Channel Table [4] and Pixel Number settings [2].
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Figures 9 & 10
In the example below of a 24 channel fixture with eight 3 channel RGB sectors (R1/G1/B1,
R2/G2/B2, R3/G3/B3, etc.), the UV Pixel Count is set at 8 and 1, respectively, as shown in the
Pixel Count settings [1] and Preview window [3]. Note that Pixel UV 1,1 (R1) has been selected
as shown in the Channel Table [4] and Pixel Number settings [2].
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Figures 11 & 12
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Editing DMX Channel Tables
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Destination types with multiple
attributes are defined using DMX
Channel Tables.
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Different editing options
particular to each destination
type will be displayed when the
channel the destination type is
assigned to is selected, i.e.,
selecting a Shutter destination
type will provide shutter speed
options, selecting Prism will
provide prism rotation options,
etc.
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For example, selecting a Color
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destination type [1] will display
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its options as shown in Figure 13.
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To add or edit an attribute in a DMX Channel Table, select
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Fill DMX is used
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Pointer Destination Types
As mentioned in DMX Channel Destination above, destination types also include options to
define certain channels which set the speed or other values for other channels or define certain
channels which set the function mode for other channels.
- Pointer destination type “.Rotate/Index >” is used set the rotation speed or index value of a
companion destination type, for example, a rotating gobo.
- Pointer destination type “.Saturate >” is used set the saturation value of a companion
destination type, for example, a CMY fader.
- Pointer destination type “.Fade (Speed) >” is used set the fade time or speed of a companion
destination type. For example, in Figure 16 below, “.Fade (Speed) >” [1] is initially assigned to
“MSpeed” (Ch.25) [2] which then is further assigned to (points to) its companion destination
types “Pan” (Ch.1), “Pan fine” (Ch.2), “Tilt” (Ch.3) and “Tilt fine” (Ch.4) [3].
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- Pointerndestination
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mode of a companion
destination type.
For example, in Figure 17 below, “.Functions >” [1] is initially assigned to
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Pointer Destination Types (Con’t)
When “.Function >” is used, there is a co-relation between the Function 1-4 buttons in a
function mode select type channel and the F1-4 buttons in the companion channel whose mode
is set. (This applies to “.Function >” only. Function 1-4 buttons and F1-4 buttons are not used
for “.Rotate/Index >”, “.Saturate >” and “.Fade (Speed) >” Pointer destination types.)
The following two examples demonstrate how modes selected within a color function channel
(using “.Function >” ) determine how its companion color wheel moves, in this case, in a
continuous fashion.
In the below example for “COL Func” (Ch.9) [1], a continuous mode (Cont) for attribute 4 [2] in
the DMX table has been defined as Function-4 [3]. Function-4 is then matched with F-4 [4]
in its companion channel 10 (color wheel) as shown in the second example, Figure 19.
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Figure 18
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As F-4 is matched
to Function-4 in “COL Func (ch.9)” ([1] Figure 18), the color wheel (Ch.10)
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will scroll ine a continuous fashion when attribute “Cont” is selected in channel 9.
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Other Fixture Properties
Figure 20
On certain destination types the channel Fade Time
(see [3] in Figure 1) can be set, for example, for Pan or
Zoom. Pressing Calibrate will turn on auto channel
calibration (note selected destination type’s timing in
the Fixture Functions window, see [8] in Figure 1).
Besides parameters, various other properties of the fixture driver may be edited
also, including its 2D Icon and FootPrint type, see [4] in Figure 1.
Note: After selecting a 2D icon, a 3D representation will be automatically
generated by the software.
Adjusting photometric data (Lux at 5 meters) and Max degree angle (field or
maximum Zoom) will give the fixture’s Lumen output, see [5] in Figure 1.
Note: For minimum zoom degree setting, see Zoom Fader in Editing DMX Channel
Faders above.
Figure 21
The 3D Preview (see [6] in Figure 1) shows the result of adjusting
parameters in the Fixture Functions window, see [8] in Figure 1.
Figure 22
The XY Coordinate panel (see [7] in Figure 1) is used to
place parameter icons in the Fixture Functions window,
see [8] in Figure 1.
Figure 23
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