Easy Way to import patch @ existing shows

[Oliver_74]

Hi,

I had a few colour leds patched pairwise, now each of those has it’s own chnl nr / dmx adress…

Since I work in a small theatre, where a lot of acts perform often, i have to change the patch in each existing show… 

is there a way to import a patch? 
 

thanks

Oliver

 

[Archie D]

Hi @Oliver_74,

You can import patches (without other show file data such as memories) via Setup -> Load -> Select File -> 'Setup Only' or 'Setup & Palettes', which will load the console's setup (including patch, defaults, settings etc.), and palettes if specified.
Be aware that when loading files, it clears the previous show file on the desk, so make sure to create a backup.

You could create some 'sample' patch files by setting the patch up, and saving that file. Then, once you load one of those files, you can start programming straight away with your patch loaded in from a 'sample' file you created.

If you select 'Load Complete Show', it will load all data contained within that show file.

If you mean that you want to import a specific part of the patch into another show file's patch, this is unfortunately not possible.

Hope this helps.

[Oliver_74]

Hi Archie, 

thanks for your answer.

unfortunately this clears all Cues/Playbacks…so it’s not the right way for me to modify existing shows 😉

[Archie D]

Hi Oliver,

1 hour ago, Oliver_74 said:

unfortunately this clears all Cues/Playbacks

Yes, when loading show files in any capacity, show data is removed from the console's memory and replaced with the contents of the requested file to load.

I'm not sure of a way to import a patch into an existing show file without this happening, I don't think it is possible, unfortunately.

An alternate method, however - you could note down each patch configuration in a spreadsheet, and when the time comes, edit the existing patch in the desk to align with your spreadsheet data.

Additionally, if you're not already aware, you are able to edit show files using the PC emulator, Phantom ZerOS. This will allow you to load a show file into Phantom ZerOS, in your case - edit the patch, re-save onto USB and load back into the physical desk when you are at the venue. This can be a massive save on time for when you don't have access to the physical desk, helping with your swap-overs.

Regards.

[DALX]

One option for editing show cues to create a new show, is to select Save and type a new file name in the show file box. You can then copy a Playback Copy Playbacks into another Playback to edit, while keeping the original playback cues unchanged. You can then copy multiple cues as described by Edward in this post Copying Multiple Cues. I have copied blocks of files using the Copy in Z Key to make up a new set of cues, using an external keyboard to select ranges of cues, then did a Renumber in the new Playback. On FLX S, the renumber function is for 1:1 renumbering, unless you have a USB keyboard connected. You can add new cues to the Playback using Record > Z Key> type in cue number, then press Playback flash key.

You cannot copy a block of cues from one Playback to another, but you can copy one cue at a time from one Playback into another Playback Copy Playbacks .

[Oliver_74]

Thank you Dalx, but what I'm looking for is:
i HAD 10 RGB Fixtures at 5 different dmx adresses (patched pairwise)....

Now each of them has its own adress ....so question would just be if it's possible to import the patch, without loosing cues and playbacks....

greetings

 

[Archie D]

Hi @Oliver_74,

10 hours ago, Oliver_74 said:

if it's possible to import the patch, without loosing cues and playbacks

Just to be absolutely sure, do you mean importing an entire patch consisting of (for example) dimming channels, and LED fixtures, or do you mean you want to import a custom fixture profile into your patch, replacing a previous profile or adding a new one?

If you mean that you wish to import an entire patch into an existing show file, this is unfortunately not possible within ZerOS. The patch must be edited within the show file.

It may be of use making the patch, then saving as a separate file onto the root of a USB stick, however if you build new cues in one file, they will not carry over to the other, resulting in both (or more if multiple) eventually becoming out of sync with each other.

[Davidmk]

20 hours ago, Oliver_74 said:

i HAD 10 RGB Fixtures at 5 different dmx adresses (patched pairwise).

So,you had them on 5 channels.

e.g.

Say were your fixtures had addresses 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10

and you patched them to desk channels Ch 1 = DMX 10, Ch 2 = DMX 20 and so on to Ch 5 = 50

You then recorded cues and playbacks using these 5 channels.

20 hours ago, Oliver_74 said:

Now each of them has its own adress

So they are now addressed as 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100

These will need to be reflected in the patch however there are two ways to do this

You could patch them as Ch 1 = DMX 10, Ch 2 = DMX 20 and so on to Ch 5 = 50 then Ch 6 = 60, Ch 7 = 70 and so on up to Ch 10 = 100

If you do this then channels 1 to 5 will still appear in all the cues and playbacks but channels 6 to 10 will not and will have to be added to all relevant cues and playbacks.

Alternatively, you should be able to patch two fixtures to each of the existing channels as Ch 1 = DMX 10 and DMX 100, Ch 2 = DMX 20 and DMX 90 and so on up to Ch5 = 50 and 60. This would mean the show would look exactly the same but you would still have to treat the fixtures as pairs. (I know you can do this on the full FLX but I can't find it in either the full FLX  or the FLX S versions of the manual) 

[DALX]

Hello Oliver_74

You can use the Add as additional address function found in the  Edit DMX Address  window to pair your five fixtures. When you select the DMX address of the first fixture you want to pair, the curser will flash in the DMX address window which will be blank. Type in the address of the second fixture in the pair, select Add as additional address, then Enter. The Fixture schedule window will show two addresses for the channel fader of the first fixture. I only found this last week when I wanted to pair dimmer channels under one fader.