Tools Tab

The Tools Tab offers a selection of useful small tools in addition to the main prepare functionality. Most of these tools operate independently of the data used in the prepare. The availability of tools depends on the selected mode.

Create Group FX

Creating effects with multiple lines for groups can be quite beneficial. A straightforward example is generating an effect line for each truss in a festival rig. This tool allows you to create such effects swiftly.

To begin, decide whether you want to use the data already loaded in the prepare tab or if you prefer to load the fixtures and data directly from the desk. Next, assign a name to the effect you are generating and specify which groups should be utilized by indicating the first and last group. Each group will correspond to one or more lines in your effect.

The Skip missing Attributes option allows the tool to bypass lines if the selected fixture type lacks a certain attribute. For instance, if you aim to create an effect using Red, Green, Blue, and White, but some fixtures in your show file lack a white LED, the tool will only generate lines for Red, Green, and Blue.

With the Phase per Group option, the tool calculates the phase for each line in the effect. For example, if you have four groups, the phases for the lines will be 0, 90, 180, and 270, respectively.

In the window below, you can select which attributes the effect should include. Once everything is configured, simply press Create Effect.

Note

In MA3, it is not possible to create effects with independent lines as in MA2. To address this, a group with a grid will be created. Each imported group will be placed in a new row on the y-axis, ensuring that the gaps between fixtures are aligned. This setup allows for an overall phase to be achieved.

Create Clipboard Macros

This tool simplifies the process of generating macros in Excel. To use it, follow these steps:

1. Modify your table so that a macro line is generated in one or more columns.
2. Ensure the first line of each column is set to the name of the macro.
3. Copy the relevant cells to the clipboard.
4. Press the Create Macros button.

Each column will become a separate macro, with each cell contributing a line to that macro.

2️⃣ Change Group in Effects

ICloning fixtures at a festival can be quite frustrating, especially when you have more fixtures than are programmed in your show file. This often results in fixtures behaving identically after cloning. This is where this tool becomes invaluable. Instead of creating individual phases, it adds lines with new fixtures to existing effects.

Here’s how to use it effectively:

1. Setup New Fixtures: Begin by setting up your new fixtures.
2. Clone Presets: Clone only your presets.
3. Create Groups: Form groups for your new fixtures.
4. Run the Tool: Use this tool to integrate the new fixtures into your effects.
5. Clone Sequences: Finally, clone the sequences.

By following these steps, your show file will remain free of individual phases.

Preparations:

• Identify the selections used in each line of your effects. Create a group for each unique selection. For instance, if you’ve used all your washers in multiple effects in the standard selection order by ID, you only need one group for them.
• Note: If you use the “Shuffle Selection” option in effects, you’ll need a separate group for each effect since the selection varies.

Once you’ve completed these preparations, create the corresponding group for the new fixtures. Arrange the groups such that the old group comes first, followed by the new one. Repeat this for each group.

In the tool, simply select the range of groups and the range of effects where the new fixtures should be added, then press the Change Effects button.

Caution

There must be no gaps between your effects. So if you want to sort them graphically, you have to add empty effects before starting the process!

2️⃣ Adjust FixtureType

This tool allows you to adjust the position of sub-fixtures within an imported FixtureType. You can load an XML file from your computer, and after importing, you have the option to rotate or flip the 3D positions as needed. Once you’re satisfied with the adjustments, you can export the modified data to a new XML file.

2️⃣ Upload FixtureType

It’s simple. Just upload the FixtureTypes as an XML file to your desk via the network, and let the tool directly import it into the showfile.