• grandMA3 User Manual
    • Introduction
      • About the manual
      • Symbols used in the manual
    • Device Overview
      • grandMA3 consoles
      • grandMA3 replay unit
      • grandMA3 processing units
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      • grandMA3 onPC command wing XT
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    • grandMA3 onPC
      • System requirements grandMA3 onPC
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      • What is the programmer
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  • grandMA3 Quick Manual consoles
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  • grandMA3 Quick Manual onPC command wing
  • grandMA3 Quick Manual onPC fader wing
  • Release Notes
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Version 1.3

Operate Fixtures

Table of contents of this topic

When the fixtures are added and patched in the show, the next step will be to select them and operate them.

Different fixture types can do different things. Most fixtures have some kind of intensity control, but if it is a moving light, it will also have pan and tilt control. If the fixture can change color, it will have a color wheel, an RGB, a CMY or maybe a scroller. If it is a media server there is a lot of other settings to control, for instance, which clip to play. All these different control elements are called Attributes.

Hint:
It is important to know the patched fixtures and what they are able to do (what attributes do they have). Do not waste a lot of time trying to mix the perfect color, if it is a fixture with a fixed color wheel.

Select the Fixtures

Fixtures need to be selected in order to operate them manually and change the values for the different attributes (dimmer, pan, tilt, zoom).

Fixtures can be selected in many different ways:

  • Typing the fixture ID using the numeric keys.
  • Tap the fixture in a fixture sheet.
  • Tap a group containing fixtures.
  • Tap a preset containing fixture information.

There are other more complex ways to select fixtures but these are the most basic ones. One of the two first listed methods needs to be used before groups or presets can be created.

This is an example on how to select fixtures by tapping the fixture ID on the numeric keyboard:

 Fixture 1 Thru 5 Please

This command is visible in the command line input:

User name[Fixture]> Fixture 1 Thru 5

This selects all the fixtures with a fixture ID between 1 and 5 (both numbers included).

There are some keys that are used to navigate the sub-selection of fixtures. This function is a part of the MAtricks function. The keys have an on-screen version called selection bar. These can also be used to select fixtures. Read more about it by following the links.

 

Operate the Fixtures

One of the primary ways to operate fixtures is via the encoder bar.

Encoder bar

This gives fast access to all the attributes available for the selected fixtures.

The dual encoders change function depending on the selected feature group, for instance, position. 

Values that are changed get a red background color. This indicates that the values exist in the programmer.

There is a special window for color control - the color picker. This is a really nice tool for selecting a color independently of the actual color system in the fixture.

The smart view gives quick access to the fixture defined values. For instance, most fixtures with a gobo wheel have information about what value is needed to select the gobo slots.

Dimmer

The dimmer is a little special because it is a very universal attribute. Almost all fixtures have some kind of intensity control.

There are many ways to set the dimmer value on selected fixtures. Here are some of them:

  • Use the level wheel to set the value.
  • Use the numeric keys to set a specific value, for example: At 3 0 Please
  • Press Full to give the fixture 100% intensity.
  • Select Dimmer in the encoder bar and use the dual encoders to set a value.
  • Select Dimmer in the encoder bar and press on the inner ring of the dual encoder. This opens the calculator. Use this to set a specific value.
  • Edit the value in the fixture sheet to get the calculator to set a value.
  • Use a preset.



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