- Add fixtures<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- Duplicate and clone fixtures<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- Grouping<\/a><\/strong> <\/a>fixtures<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Create a scene<\/a><\/strong>
- Steps<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- Generator<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Using 3DView<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nWorking with fixtures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you first launch the software, you will be in the Editor <\/em>window that includes the DMX channel assignment section, a 2D viewer of the fixture layout, and a group tab. This is where you will add, assign, duplicate, and also clone fixtures to different DMX addresses. It\u2019s a simple process, but whenever you make a change to the DMX addressing in the ShowXpress software, be sure to change the address on the fixture as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Add fixtures<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adding and duplicating fixtures is a straightforward process. Select the fixture from the list and set the DMX starting address and the amount of that fixture. You can then use the 2D Viewer to visualize the fixture layout. Once your fixtures are created, continue to create a scene<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- Click the Add Fixture <\/strong>button located below the Fixture <\/em>tab to pull up the Add Fixture <\/em>window.
- You can also right-click anywhere in the DMX channel assignment section and select Add Fixture<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Locate the brand and model of your fixture, select the DMX starting address, the amount of that fixture you\u2019re using, and then press Patch<\/strong>.
- If you need to adjust the DMX starting address afterward, click and drag the fixture to the new starting address. You cannot overlap fixture addresses.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Duplicate and clone fixtures<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Duplicating and cloning a fixture is a bit different than one another. Duplicating creates and assigns a new fixture to the next available DMX starting address. Cloning, on the other hand, means you are copying the fixture with the same DMX starting address.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- Click the fixture you want to duplicate, then click the Duplicate Fixture <\/strong>icon located next to the trash can. You can also right-click the fixture and select Duplicate Fixture<\/strong>.<\/li>
- In the box that pops up, enter the number of times you want to duplicate it and then click OK<\/strong>. The new fixtures will appear as fixture name #x (e.g., SlimPAR 56 (3CH) #2)<\/em>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nCloning fixtures<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Right-click the fixture you wish to clone, enter the number of times to clone, and then press OK<\/strong>. The total number of fixtures will appear on the bottom right of the fixture name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nGrouping fixtures<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grouping fixtures is a great way to recall specified fixtures with the stroke of a key quickly. It\u2019s particularly useful for larger DMX setups with multiple universes. After creating a group, you can then make further edits such as renaming and adding additional fixtures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- Hold Ctrl (PC) <\/em>or Cmd (Mac)<\/em> and <\/em>click the fixtures you wish to group together.<\/li>
- Right-click anywhere in the Group <\/strong>section, and click Add new group<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Name the group, select the key on your keyboard you want to assign the group to, and then click Apply<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nReturn to top<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nCreate a scene<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
IMPORTANT: <\/strong>Be sure to click the DMX <\/strong>button on the toolbar to engage communication between the ShowXpress software and your fixtures. If the button has a red bar, that means it\u2019s turned off, and the DMX signal won\u2019t pass through.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce you\u2019ve added and assigned all of your fixtures, you can now create a scene with the ShowXpress software. There are two ways to create a scene in ShowXpress; either creating Steps<\/a> or using the Generator<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steps<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step programming allows you to control your fixtures with the mixing console in the software one clip at a time. You can also change the duration of both the individual step or the entire scene. Step programming is useful for stationary fixtures such as PAR can or wash lights. Press your keyboard\u2019s space bar <\/strong>at any time to preview the step sequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- Click the Steps <\/strong>tab to load the step programming mode, and then click the DMX <\/strong>button to engage DMX communication to your DMX interface.
- Click the 3D <\/strong>box to engage communication with the 3D Viewer<\/strong>, if necessary.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Highlight the step number in the Step Area <\/em>and then select the fixture you want to program.<\/li>
- Use the faders to control the fixture parameters. <\/li>
- Right-click anywhere in the Step Area <\/em>and click Add<\/strong> to create a new step.<\/li>
- Once you\u2019ve finished creating the scene, click the Save scene as <\/strong>button to save your Step scene. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nStep programming tips<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- Change the transition mode from a fade to a snap between steps by clicking the icon above the channel number in the mixer section.<\/li>
- Group fixtures together that will be functioning the same way. For example, group two PAR cans that change from green to blue at the same time. <\/li>
- If you need to make a change to an individual fixture in the group, click the Ungroup <\/strong>button. It will only ungroup for the currently selected step.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"Chauvet](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/11\/Step-Window-Diagram.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSections of the Step window. Click to enlarge. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nReturn to top<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nGenerator<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike Steps that are clip-based, the Generator is an advanced editor. It allows you to adjust and shift fixture functions using curves, points, and lines. The Generator makes programming moving head fixtures a breeze as it will enable you to fine-tune the position graphically, rather than using a fader. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- Click the Generator <\/strong>tab and then click the DMX <\/strong>button to engage DMX communication with your DMX interface.
- Click the 3D <\/strong>box to engage communication with the 3D Viewer<\/strong>, if necessary.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Select the fixture you want to edit, navigate to the Fixture Attribute <\/em>section, and then double-click the checkbox next to the function you want edit to enable it. <\/li>
- Right-click on the path line and select Add Point<\/strong>. You can then click and drag the point to change the position.<\/li>
- Click and drag the point to change the position of the selected function. <\/li>
- Once you\u2019ve finished, click Save project as<\/strong> to save the fixture\u2019s Generator scene.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nGenerator programming tips<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n- Experiment with the different types of curves to find the right transition for your fixtures.<\/li>
- Right-click anywhere on the Curve screen and select Move\/Size shape<\/strong> to change the overall position and size of the curve.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"ShowXpress](\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/11\/Generator-Window-Diagram.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
- Select the fixture you want to edit, navigate to the Fixture Attribute <\/em>section, and then double-click the checkbox next to the function you want edit to enable it. <\/li>
- Click the 3D <\/strong>box to engage communication with the 3D Viewer<\/strong>, if necessary.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Click the Generator <\/strong>tab and then click the DMX <\/strong>button to engage DMX communication with your DMX interface.
- Highlight the step number in the Step Area <\/em>and then select the fixture you want to program.<\/li>
- Click the 3D <\/strong>box to engage communication with the 3D Viewer<\/strong>, if necessary.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Right-click anywhere in the Group <\/strong>section, and click Add new group<\/strong>.<\/li>
- In the box that pops up, enter the number of times you want to duplicate it and then click OK<\/strong>. The new fixtures will appear as fixture name #x (e.g., SlimPAR 56 (3CH) #2)<\/em>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Click the fixture you want to duplicate, then click the Duplicate Fixture <\/strong>icon located next to the trash can. You can also right-click the fixture and select Duplicate Fixture<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Locate the brand and model of your fixture, select the DMX starting address, the amount of that fixture you\u2019re using, and then press Patch<\/strong>.
- You can also right-click anywhere in the DMX channel assignment section and select Add Fixture<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Generator<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Duplicate and clone fixtures<\/a><\/strong><\/li>