Match Window

Why do we need that

To get prepare the necessary information regarding which fixture in the loaded data corresponds to which FixtureType and Mode, as well as the Attributes each fixture possesses, we need to align these two elements. On the left side, you will find a list of all the different symbol names in your loaded data, accompanied by a dropdown menu to select the appropriate FixtureType.

To begin the process, you have two options:

Option 1: Your FixtureTypes are already in the showfile

If your Showfile already contains the matching FixtureTypes, the process is straightforward. First, ensure that your desk is connected via the network. Then, press the Download Fixture Types button. Prepare will load the FixtureTypes from the desk and attempt to automatically match them with the symbol names from the loaded data. You can find all loaded FixtureTypes in the dropdown menus. If prepare has a suggestion for a FixtureType, the indicator will be 🟡; if not, it will be 🔴.

Review all lines and make any necessary changes. Once you’ve finished, simply press the Save button. After saving, all indicators will turn to 🟢.

Everything is now set. You can return to the Prepare window and start creating. 🚀

Option 2: The Showfile Has No FixtureTypes Loaded

When you want to add FixtureTypes to your Showfile using fixtures from the internal library or Types from your local computer, there are a few additional steps to follow. Don’t worry; it’s still straightforward.

You can select where to look for FixtureTypes by using the ☑️ icon at the top right corner. If you want to include a folder from your local computer, ensure you’ve set the path to that folder first by clicking on the Set Local Path button.

After setting the path, click on Automatch XML and the system will attempt to find matching FixtureTypes for each symbol in your data.

Next, review each symbol to ensure the correct FixtureType and mode are selected. If the selection is incorrect, you can update it by pressing Set XML and searching for the appropriate Type.

Once you’ve selected the correct files, press Upload Fixture Types to send the local XML files to the desk. This will import them and the Types on the desk into your Showfile. The system will then automatically download the necessary data for the app to function correctly. Ensure there is no mismatch between your data symbols and the selected Types on the desk.

Review all lines to confirm the selections are correct. If there is still a match, the indicator will be 🟡; if there’s an error, the indicator will be 🔴. Use the dropdown to select the correct FixtureType. Once you’re finished, press the save button. After saving, all indicators will turn to 🟢.

Everything is set. You can return to the prepare window and start creating. 🚀

Saving and Loading the Fixture Data

In certain situations, it may be beneficial to save only the loaded fixture data to a file. This can be achieved using the Save Settings and Load Settings options. The file type for these settings is .ppft.

Adjusting SubFixtures

If the rotation or position of SubFixtures is incorrect in the FixtureType, you have a couple of options to resolve this issue. First, you can check the Instance positions on the desk and make necessary adjustments there. Alternatively, if the SubFixtures are simply rotated incorrectly or flipped, you can use the Edit Sub-Fixtures button.

To do this, select the type you want to edit from the list on the left, then make the necessary adjustments on the right for each type.

Remember to press Save before exiting the Match Window to ensure your changes are applied.

Updating FixtureTypes

When you make any changes to the Fixture Types on your desk, such as adjusting the Instance Positions or adding or updating Attributes, it is important to also update prepare. To do this, return to the Match Window and click on “Download Fixture Types.” If the Fixture Type number has not changed, the system will still recognize which symbol was matched to which Fixture Type and update the data in the software accordingly.