• grandMA2 User Manual
    • New in the Manual
    • Introduction
      • About this manual
      • System requirements grandMA2 onPC
      • Installation of grandMA2 onPC
      • Help from MA technical support
    • Safety Information
      • Symbols used
      • Intended use
      • Dangers caused by electric current
      • General safety instructions
    • Device Overview
      • grandMA2 console
      • grandMA2 replay unit (RPU)
      • grandMA2 fader wing
      • MA onPC command wing
      • MA onPC fader wing
    • System Overview
      • Standalone systems
      • Network systems
        • What is the replay unit (RPU)
        • What is the network processing unit (NPU)
        • What is the MA video processing unit (VPU)
        • What is the network dimmer processor (NDP)
        • What is MA 3D
        • What are the MA nodes
      • Paramters vs. DMX channels
      • Parameter expansion
      • Big systems
      • Media systems and CITP
    • First Steps
      • Unpack the device
      • Check scope of delivery
      • Position the device
      • Connect power
      • Connect desk lamps
      • Connect external screens
      • Connect USB mouse and USB keyboad
      • Connect DMX
      • Connect sound
      • Connect SMPTE (LTC)
      • Connect Ethernet
      • Connect analog remote control
      • Connect grandMA2 fader wing
      • Setup your PC
      • Turn on the console the first time
    • Keys & Buttons on the Console
      • Key overview
      • >>> [GoFastForward]
      • <<< [GoFastBack]
      • . [Dot]
      • Align
      • Assign
      • At
      • Backg [Background]
      • Backup
      • Blind
      • Bt Pg +
      • Bt Pg -
      • B.O. [Blackout]
      • Channel
      • Ch Pg +
      • Ch Pg -
      • Clear
      • Copy
      • Cue
      • Del [Delete]
      • Down
      • Edit
      • Effect
      • [Encoder]
      • Esc
      • Exec [Executor]
      • Executor Buttons
      • Fd Pg +
      • Fd Pg -
      • Fix
      • Fixture
      • Freeze
      • Full
      • Go + [small]
      • Go + [large]
      • Go - [small]
      • Go - [large]
      • Goto
      • Group
      • Help
      • Highlt [Highlight]
      • If
      • Keyboard
      • Learn
      • List
      • MA
      • Macro
      • [Minus] -
      • Mouse
      • Move
      • Next
      • [Numeric]
      • Off
      • On
      • Oops
      • Page
      • Pause [small]
      • Pause [large]
      • Please
      • [Plus] +
      • Preset
      • Prev [Previous]
      • Prvw [Preview]
      • Select
      • Sequ [Sequence]
      • Set
      • Setup
      • Solo
      • Store
      • Temp
      • Thru
      • Time
      • Top
      • Tools
      • Up
      • Update
      • User 1
      • User 2
      • View
      • U1 - U4
      • V1 - V10
      • X1 - X20
    • Workspace
      • User interface
        • Screen layout
        • User-defined area
        • Command line
        • X-Key labels
        • View buttons
        • Master section
        • Time control
      • Encoder bar
        • Preset control bar
        • Encoder toolbar
      • Encoder settings
      • Command wing bar
      • Command section
      • Mini executor bar
      • Work with views
      • Touch gestures
      • Calculator
      • Info
      • Oops and undo
      • Colors
        • System
        • Marker
        • Cue
      • Text indicators and symbols
      • Icons
      • Keyboard shortcuts
        • Turn on or turn off the keyboard shortcuts
        • Edit keyboard shortcuts
        • Add or delete keyboard shortcuts
        • Export or import keyboard shortcuts
    • Windows in General
      • Create and manage basic windows
      • Clear the screen or delete windows
    • Command Syntax and Keywords
      • General syntax rules
        • Helping keywords
        • Object keywords
        • Function keywords
      • All keywords
        • Special characters
        • <<< [GoFastBack]
        • >>> [GoFastForward]
        • - [Minus]
        • + [Plus]
        • AddUserVar
        • AddVar
        • Agenda
        • Alert
        • Align
        • AlignFaderModules
        • All
        • AllButtonExecutors
        • AllChaseExecutors
        • AllFaderExecutors
        • AllRows
        • AllSequExecutors
        • And
        • Appearance
        • Asterisk *
        • Assign
        • At
        • At @
        • Attribute
        • AutoCreate
        • Backup
        • Black
        • Blackout
        • BlackScreen
        • Blind
        • BlindEdit
        • Block
        • ButtonPage
        • Call
        • Camera
        • ChangeDest
        • Channel
        • ChannelFader
        • ChannelLink
        • ChannelPage
        • Chat
        • CircularCopy
        • Clear
        • ClearActive
        • ClearAll
        • ClearSelection
        • Clone
        • CmdDelay
        • CmdHelp
        • Copy
        • CrashLogCopy
        • CrashLogDelete
        • CrashLogList
        • Crossfade
        • CrossfadeA
        • CrossfadeB
        • Cue
        • Cut
        • Default
        • DefGoBack
        • DefGoForward
        • DefGoPause
        • Delay
        • Delete
        • DeleteShow
        • DisconnectStation
        • Dmx
        • Dollar $
        • DmxUniverse
        • Dot .
        • DoubleRate
        • DoubleSpeed
        • Down
        • DropControl
        • Edit
        • Effect
        • EffectAttack
        • EffectBPM
        • EffectDecay
        • EffectDelay
        • EffectFade
        • EffectForm
        • EffectHigh
        • EffectHZ
        • EffectID
        • EffectLow
        • EffectPhase
        • EffectSec
        • EffectSpeedGroup
        • EffectWidth
        • Empty
        • EndIf
        • EndSession
        • Escape
        • ExecButton1
        • ExecButton2
        • ExecButton3
        • Executor
        • Exit
        • Export
        • Extract
        • Fade
        • FadePath
        • Fader
        • FaderPage
        • Feature
        • Filter
        • Fix
        • Fixture
        • FixtureType
        • Flash
        • FlashGo
        • FlashOn
        • Flip
        • Form
        • Freeze
        • Full
        • FullHighlight
        • Gel
        • Go
        • GoBack
        • Goto
        • Group
        • HalfRate
        • HalfSpeed
        • Help
        • Highlight
        • IdentifyFaderModule
        • If
        • IfActive
        • IfOutput
        • IfProg
        • Image
        • Import
        • Info
        • Insert
        • Interleave
        • Invert
        • InviteStation
        • Item3D
        • JoinSession
        • Kill
        • Label
        • Layer
        • Layout
        • Learn
        • LeaveSession
        • List
        • ListEffectLibrary
        • ListFaderModules
        • ListLibrary
        • ListMacroLibrary
        • ListOops
        • ListOwner
        • ListPluginLibrary
        • ListShows
        • ListUpdate
        • ListUserVar
        • ListVar
        • Load
        • LoadNext
        • LoadPrev
        • LoadShow
        • Locate
        • Lock
        • Login
        • Logout
        • Lua
        • Macro
        • ManualXFade
        • Mask
        • Master
        • MasterFade
        • MAtricks
        • MAtricksBlocks
        • MAtricksFilter
        • MAtricksGroups
        • MAtricksInterleave
        • MAtricksReset
        • MAtricksWings
        • MediaServer
        • Menu
        • Message
        • Messages
        • MidiControl
        • MidiNote
        • MidiProgram
        • Model
        • Move
        • Move3D
        • NetworkInfo
        • NetworkNodeInfo
        • NetworkNodeUpdate
        • NetworkSpeedTest
        • NewShow
        • Next
        • NextRow
        • Normal
        • Off
        • On
        • Oops
        • Or
        • OutDelay
        • OutFade
        • Page
        • Parentheses ( )
        • Park
        • Part
        • Paste
        • Pause
        • Plugin
        • PMArea
        • Preset
        • PresetType
        • Preview
        • PreviewEdit
        • PreviewExecutor
        • Previous
        • PrevRow
        • Profile
        • Protocol
        • PSR
        • PSRList
        • Quotation marks " "
        • PSRPrepare
        • Rate
        • Rate1
        • RdmAutomatch
        • RdmAutopatch
        • RdmFixtureType
        • RdmInfo
        • RdmList
        • RdmSetParameter
        • RdmSetpatch
        • RdmUnmatch
        • Reboot
        • Record
        • Release
        • ReloadPlugins
        • Remote
        • RemoteCommand
        • Remove
        • RemoveIndividuals
        • Replace
        • ResetDmxSelection
        • ResetGuid
        • Restart
        • Root
        • Rotate3D
        • SaveShow
        • Screen
        • Search
        • SearchResult
        • Select
        • SelectDrive
        • Selection
        • Semicolon ;
        • SelFix
        • Sequence
        • SetHostname
        • SetIP
        • SetNetworkSpeed
        • Setup
        • SetUserVar
        • SetVar
        • ShuffleSelection
        • ShuffleValues
        • Shutdown
        • SnapPercent
        • Slash /
        • Solo
        • SpecialMaster
        • Square brackets [ ]
        • Speed
        • StepFade
        • StepInFade
        • StepOutFade
        • Stomp
        • Store
        • StoreLook
        • Surface
        • Swop
        • SwopGo
        • SwopOn
        • SyncEffects
        • TakeControl
        • Telnet
        • Temp
        • TempFader
        • Thru
        • Timecode
        • TimecodeSlot
        • Timer
        • ToFull
        • Toggle
        • Tools
        • Top
        • ToZero
        • Unblock
        • Unlock
        • Unpark
        • Up
        • Update
        • UpdateFirmware
        • UpdateSoftware
        • UpdateThumbnails
        • User
        • UserProfile
        • Value
        • Version
        • View
        • ViewButton
        • ViewPage
        • WebRemoteProgOnly
        • With
        • World
        • Zero
      • Work with lists
        • Object list
        • Selection list
        • Executor list
        • Attribute list
        • Station list
    • Using the Backup Menu
      • New show
      • Load show
      • Save show
      • Save show as...
      • Delete shows
      • Using a USB stick
      • Setting up a file server
      • Partial show read
      • ASCII show read
      • Save as grandMA3
    • Single User and Multi User Systems
      • The difference between a single user and a multi user system
      • Create user profiles and users
      • User settings
      • Login
    • Networking
      • What is networking
      • Set the IP address in the console
      • Set the IP address in the onPC
      • Using DHCP in MA devices
      • Session control
        • How to create a session
        • Protecting the session and station
        • Adding devices to the session
        • How to end or leave a session
        • Session collision
      • Getting DMX in and out of the system
        • Setting up DMX ports on MA devices
        • Network DMX protocols
        • What affects my DMX output?
      • Using CITP
        • Streaming CITP
        • Thumbnail exchange
      • PosiStageNet (PSN)
      • FTP connection to console and NPU
    • Patching, DMX, and Fixture Setup
      • What are channels & fixtures
        • Attributes
        • DMX break
      • What is 3D and stage setup
      • Adding fixtures to the show
      • Delete fixtures from the show
      • Working with layers
      • Multipatching
      • Live patching
      • DMX sheet
      • DMX testing
      • DMX and parameter lists
      • Universe pool
      • Stage view
      • Virtual 3D cameras
      • Position fixtures in the 3D stage
      • Auto calibrate fixture positions
    • Basic Fixture Types
      • What are attributes, features & preset types
      • ColorMix vs. MixColor
      • Different fixture types
        • Conventional
        • LED
        • Mirror
        • Moving lights
        • Media server
        • Virtual fixtures
    • Operate Fixtures
      • Channel sheet
      • Fixture sheet
      • Sheet options
        • Tools
        • Layer mask
        • Display
        • Title buttons
        • Assign executor
        • Mask (local)
      • Layers in sheets
        • Channel sheet and fixture sheet
        • Sequence content and sequence tracking sheet
      • What is the programmer
      • Encoder grouping
      • Using the color picker
      • Using the shaper dialog
      • Using the smart view
      • Edit a channel or fixture
    • Pools in General
      • Manage pool objects
      • Adjust pool options
      • Call modes
    • Groups
      • Create groups
      • Auto create groups
      • Using groups when programming
      • Choose copy method
      • Change specific group colors
      • Group masters
    • Presets
      • What are special modes
      • Preset pools
      • Preset pool "Dynamic"
      • Create presets
      • Preset pool options
      • Create preset reference
      • Auto create presets
      • Auto create additional presets
      • Embedded presets
      • Edit presets
      • Update presets
      • Delete presets
    • Cues and Sequences
      • What are cues and sequences
      • Looking at the cue sequence
      • Store cues
      • Store options and defaults
      • Cue timings
      • Renumber cues
      • Delete cues
      • Playing back cues
      • Looking at the cue content
      • Update cues
      • What is tracking
      • What is MIB
      • Sequence mini executor
      • Commands in cues
    • Executors
      • What are executors
      • Executors on the screens
      • Assign a function
      • Looking at the active executors
      • Common executor options
    • Advanced Sequence Functionality
      • Using different view sets in the sheets
      • Working with MIB
      • Using cue modes
      • Cue zero
      • Sequence info window
      • Looping cues
      • Cue path
    • Advanced Executor Functionality
      • Executor pages
      • Channel pages
      • Executor options
      • Masters window
      • Special masters
        • Default masters
        • Grand masters
        • Speed masters
        • Rate masters
        • Playback masters
    • Clone
      • Clone in user interface
      • Examples
      • Clone presets
    • Search and Replace
      • Search
      • Replace
    • Image Pool
      • Import images and videos
      • Image limitations & guidelines for symbols
      • Supported file formats
      • Delete images and videos
    • Layouts
      • Create a layout
      • Layout pool options
      • Edit layout
      • Layout view options
    • Worlds, Filters and Masks
      • What are worlds
      • Create worlds
      • Auto create worlds
      • Use worlds when programming
      • What are filters
      • Create filters
      • Use filters when programming
      • Use temporary filters
      • What are masks
      • Create masks
      • Use masks in the sheets
      • Apply worlds or filters to executors and sequences
    • MAtricks
      • MAtricks toolbar
      • MAtricks pool
      • MAtricks interleave
      • MAtricks blocks
      • MAtricks wings
      • MAtricks groups
    • Chasers
      • Create a chaser
      • Chaser settings
      • Chaser mini executor
    • Effects
      • Use predefined effects
      • Use template and selective effects
      • Create an effect in the programmer
      • Create an effect that uses presets
      • Create effect forms
      • Pool options
      • Effects in a cue
      • Assign effect to executor
      • Live edit an effect
      • Running effects
      • Update effects
      • Delete effects
    • Bitmap Fixture
      • Import bitmap fixture
      • Apply bitmap fixture in the layout
      • Control bitmap fixture
      • Edit bitmap fixture
      • Example
      • Priorities for bitmap effects
      • Disable bitmap for fixtures
    • XYZ
      • XYZ vs. pan/tilt
      • XYZ and pan/tilt in cues and sequences
      • Use stage markers
      • Link objects to stage markers in MA 3D
    • Remote Controlling the System
      • Remote input
      • MIDI show control (MSC)
      • Web remote
      • Telnet remote
      • Decimal – hex table
    • Timecode
      • What is timecode and timecode shows
      • Record a timecode show
      • Edit a timecode show
      • Playing back a timecode show
      • Organize the show with multiple timecode shows
    • Timer
      • Timer pool
      • Timer pool options
    • Agenda
      • What is agenda
      • Create an appointment in the agenda
    • Macros
      • What are macros
      • Manually create a macro
        • Use variables
        • Create pop-ups
        • Conditional expressions
        • Macro timing
      • Record a macro
      • Edit a macro
      • Command line interaction
      • Assign a macro to a key
      • Example macros
    • Plugins
      • What is Lua
      • Edit plugins
    • Partial Show Read
      • What is partial show read (PSR)
      • How to do a PSR
    • RDM
      • Turn RDM on
      • Match RDM devices
      • Auto patch RDM devices
      • Work with RDM parameters
      • Work with RDM sensors
      • Configure RDM notifications
      • Use the RDM sheet
      • Unmatch RDM devices
      • Splitters and mergers that support RDM
      • Turn RDM off
      • RDM specific keywords
    • DMX Profiles
    • Other System Tools
      • Message center
      • Help
      • Clock
      • Sound input window
      • VPU pixel mapper view
      • Network dimmer
        • Views
        • Errors
        • Readout
        • Edit properties of a rack
        • Edit a module
      • Desk status
      • Performance window
      • System monitor
    • Export and Import
      • Export by using command line
      • Export by using user interface
      • Import by using command line
      • Import by using user interface
      • Import predefined objects
    • Update the Software
      • Update via setup
      • Format a USB stick for Linux
      • Update or factory reset via boot menu
      • Restart from Linux
    • Advanced Fixture Types
      • Anatomy of a fixture type
        • Module manager
        • Instance manager
        • Wheel manager
      • Attribute & Encoder Grouping
    • grandMA2 onPC Details
    • Control the MA NDPs
      • Add the MA NDPs
      • Configure the MA NDPs
      • Delete the MA NDPs
    • Control the MA Network Switch
      • Add MA Network Switch
      • Change IP address
      • Enable DHCP client
      • Change hostname
      • Change switch ID
      • Configure ports
      • Edit groups
      • Edit presets
      • Edit LAGs
      • Mirror ports
      • Work with the switch configuration
      • Disable SNMP
      • Change password
      • Update firmware
      • Reset to factory defaults
      • Delete MA Network Switch
    • Control the MA xPort Nodes
      • Add the MA xPort Nodes
      • Configure the MA xPort Nodes in the console
      • Configure the MA xPort Nodes in a browser
      • Configure the MA xPort Nodes as splitters or mergers
      • Delete the MA xPort Nodes
    • Console Settings
      • Adjust the intensity of desk lights
      • Change screen options
      • Local settings
      • Wing & monitor setup
      • Date & time
    • Shut Down the System
    • Error Messages
    • Technical Data
    • Glossary
  • grandMA3 Mode2
  • grandMA2 Quick Start Guide
  • grandMA2 Quick Manual onPC solutions
  • MA 3D
  • MA VPU
  • Release Notes
Select different version
 
Hint:
New help version
The help version you selected belongs to an older software version. You may want to view the latest help version.
Version 3.4

Auto-calibrate fixture positions

The Auto-calibration is a system where the software positions moving light fixtures based on four makers on the real floor. This can work, but you and the fixtures needs to be precise.

One of the big advantages with having a precise position and rotation of your moving lights is the option to use XYZ position programming.

You can access this system using a Stage View and opening the Stage View Options. Here is a tab called "Calibration". In this tab you will find a single button called Calibrate Fixture Pos. Tapping this will open the Calibration pop-up.

It could look like this:

Calibration pop-up - Absolute Mode

This is separated into a left and a right side.

The left side is used to define the markers on the floor.

The right side has short description of the workflow in this view. There are also four buttons used to control the calibration function.

The first button is called Find Alternative Fixture Position. This can be used to change the rotation and/or position of the selected fixtures. The fixtures might move or rotate. It still points to the same spot in the 3D space, but use a different set of values for the fixture rotation and position.

When the Output Stage Values button is active, then the currently selected fixtures will output the Stage values. Stage values can be edited in the Parameter List, Fixture Types editor and in the Fixture editor.

You can use two different modes for the calibration process. One is called Absolute Mode and the other is Free Mode. You can change between the two modes by tapping the Mode button on the right side of the pop-up.

The difference is in the left side of the pop-up. The Free Mode could look like this:

Calibration pop-up - Free Mode

The last button on the right side is the "Do calibrate" button. This is the one you press when you are ready for the automatic calibration.

 

The left side is used to define the positions of the markers on your floor.

At the top you will see the current position and rotation of the last fixture you selected.

For the calibration you will need to mark the corners of a rectangle on your real stage - point A, B, C and D. And you need to tell the software where your rectangle is.

If your rectangle is at a level plane of your stage, you can use the Absolute mode. If the rectangle needs to be on a sloping part of your stage then you need to use the Free mode. Each fixture can have its own rectangle but they can also share the same rectangle. If there is an * symbol next to the A, B, C, or D then your selected fixtures do not share the same rectangle.

In Absolute mode you define the X, Y and Z position of corner A and then you specify the distance from corner A to corner B and corner D. This will give you a rectangle.

In Free mode you define the X, Y and Z position of three corners (A, B and C). This allows you to create a rectangle on a sloped plane.

When you have selected one or more fixtures and created a rectangle in this pop-up you will see the markers it in the Stage view.

Calibrating fixtures for the first time

These are the steps needed to calibrate fixtures for the first time (sharing the same rectangle):

  1. Create the markers/rectangle on the floor.
  2. Patch the fixture(s) and do not switch on the XYZ support.
  3. Setup the approximate XYZ positions for your fixtures. If you do not know how then you can read about it in the Position fixtures in the 3D stage topic.
  4. Invert the Pan/Tilt channels to have the right movement in your Stage view and the real world.
  5. Store 4 Pan/Tilt position presets for the 4 corners A, B, C and D for your real rectangle. (Here you can use the Stage View with Follow to get the positions a bit quicker than only with the Pan/Tilt encoders).
  6. Open this calibration pop-up in the Stage View Options.
  7. Put in the dimensions for the rectangle.
  8. Call the Pan/Tilt preset A in your programmer, with all fixtures selected, and now press Store key and the A button on the calibration pop-up.
  9. Repeat the procedure for corner B, C and D - pressing the respective buttons in the view.
  10. Now select all fixtures and tap the Do Calibration button in the pop-up.
  11. If you want to use XYZ positions programming, you can now go to the Fixture Type in the Setup and switch on the XYZ support.

Now the fixtures are moved and rotated in the Stage View. If it look really weird, please try the calibration process again - maybe with a flipped set of values.

Now you can use the XYZ encoders to store positions in your cues.

Re-calibrating fixtures after the initial setup

These are the steps needed to re-calibrate fixtures if they have moved position:

  1. Open the Calibration pop-up from the Stage View Options.
  2. Select the fixtures and bring up the dimmer channels or use Highlight.
  3. Push the A button in the Calibration pop-up.
  4. The position mode of the fixture will switch to Pan/Tilt and you can correct the positions for the fixtures. In this case do not use the "Follow" in the stage view because it automatically switch the position mode to XYZ.
Restriction:
You cannot store XYZ values on the A, B, C and D corners!
  1. With the new Pan/Tilt values, press the Store key and overwrite the corner A.
  2. Repeat the procedure for corner B, C and D.
  3. Now select all (relevant) fixtures and push the Do Calibration button in the pop-up.

 

All XYZ values in your show are now updated!

Some rules and limitations

There are some rules and limitations using XYZ position programming:

  • XYZ, Flip, Mark, and Dist. (Distance) are 6 parameters more you need per fixture.
  • Distance is used for conversion between XYZ and Pan/Tilt values. Do not delete it!
  • You cannot Park the new virtual XYZ, Flip, Mark, and Distance parameters.
  • After the calibration and programming do not invert the DMX Pan or Tilt attributes.
  • After the calibration and programming do not move the fixture position and rotation in the Stage View.
  • If your fixture positions are accurate made in the Stage View and you do not want to lose them, then you can use the Follow to use the XYZ parameters.
  • To fade fixture positions on the stage in a straight line between point A and B you need the XYZ parameters.
  • Do not unblock sequences containing a mixture of XYZ and Pan/Tilt position data and do not "store /remove" or remove values to remove single attributes of the position preset type of cues when using XYZ. This could result in unexpected loss of position data inside your sequence.

Select different version