The Lighting Controller

Hi All,
I'm new to ShowXpress, but I'm very enthused about its capabilities. I'm starting to set up my lighting scenes in layers...no problems there. My question: Is there a way to make a "master" scene or button that overrides any others? A perfect example of this would be a master blackout to keep the lights blacked out while you set them up for another scene, then release the master blackout. I know about the "Solo Button" feature, but that's not what I mean. I'd like to blackout the lights, change to the next scene, then release the blackout with the lights already pointing in the right direction and all other parameters ready to go so there's no visible flickering or movement as my moving heads adjust to the new scene. Some folks might call this "Move In Black".

I suppose I could write various scenes with a first step to change parameters with a dimmer level of 0, then write a second step to bring the dimmer up. A master blackout would be simpler though. Any suggestions?

There is no "master intensity control" in order to do this you have to program your show with it in mind (as you would in any other lighting console if you want the lights to be in position before they turn on). The easiest way to do this is with two scenes, one puts the lights in position and one turns them on. If you set a key to trigger the "position scene" you can press "ctrl+keytrigger" which will cancel all other scenes that are running and trigger the movement scene. You then trigger the "lights on" scene when you are ready for the lights to come on.

Does that make sense?

Do the fixtures in question have a "move in black" mode? You could make a button for that as well. Of course it depends on how sophisticated the fixture is but it's a thought.

Tom: Yes, it makes sense...that's what I was saying at the end of my first post. Thanks for confirming.

Pink: Yes, I know at least the Chauvet movers (Q-Spot 260's, Q-Beam 260's & Intimidator Spot 250's) all have an MIB mode, but I don't want them to work that way all the time. Just occasionally for a little different eye candy. Besides, I'd like to have control over the speed of the dim up.

Thanks to both of you. I'll just write that feature into some scenes. I'm just now starting to dive a little deeper into ShowX as I set up my Live pages for the first time and wondered about that one feature possibility. I'm stunned by the capability now after using ADJ's MyDMX for a few years. I think I'll pop that product on Ebay now...

Detour DJ wrote:Tom: Yes, it makes sense...that's what I was saying at the end of my first post. Thanks for confirming.

You were talking about steps though, I would recommend using a separate scene rather than steps. This would mean that you may only need a few "light on/off" scenes for various groups of lights rather than 3 steps within every scene. Just a way of saving programming time.

I sounds like you are talking about using the Play/Pause button in Live. Altough I am not sure the fixture would move while it is paused. But the pause button is perfect to set up, then unleash a scene.

Just press the Play/Pause button. Then set your scene up and you will see all the scene buttons come up with a green circle and Pause symbol. Last, press the Play/Pause key to unleash your scene. This will work in black or during a set. I am just not sure if your moving heads will get into thier pre staged position, if there is one. Hope this helps.

Tom (or anyone): You mentioned a key trigger in this discussion. I haven't tried anything using that feature yet. If I assign and use a key trigger for a blackout as opposed to just clicking a "Blackout" button, are you saying it will cancel all other scene layers that are running? If so, will it cancel scenes from all Live pages at once? This could be VERY helpful.

Presently, I'm designing my Live setup on (2) "Windows", each with (4) Live Pages of buttons. One window handles my Q-Spot 260's, Q-Beam 260's, Blizzard G60's and Intimidator Spot 250's with (4) separate button pages, while the other window covers Master Scenes, Master Effects, Solo Highlights and RGB Washes with the other (4) button pages. I did it this way so I could select a basic Master Scene, then play with individual light groups freely. If one Key-Triggered scene could cancel every button on all (8) pages, that would be great. Can it work this way?

I just shoved this together quickly, if you press "z" the BO scene is triggered (you don't actually need this scene), if you the press the "MH 1" scene and then press "x" to turn the movers on. If you then press "shift+ctrl+z" it will fire the BO and unselect all the others. Does that help? I know it's not a perfect solution. Instead of using the BO scene you can actually just press shift+ctr+any key and that will unselect everything.

DHoude wrote:I[t] sounds like you are talking about using the Play/Pause button in Live.

The play/pause button pauses all DMX output from Live, the lights won't be able to move in to their correct position.

Not all DMX, my currently playing scenes still work when I use Pause to set up the next scene. But a pause on a moving head fixture is somthing I could not test... Maybe some day!