Re: [LCtalk] Submaster Fader Implementation Idea

[Fokko van Duin]

At 22:17 -0600 09-01-2008, Carey Weathers wrote:
> Transparencies (from my experiments) allow you to fade between two 
> settings.  The setting in the higher layer and the lower-mixer value.

Correct, but they are real submasters as well! Try the following:

1. Place a few generic RGB fixtures on the stage, and set view to 
color indicator.

2. I use layer A as submaster layer, so set layer A to Transparent 
mode at 100%.

3. Select all RGB fixtures and type v, 0 option enter, in order to 
activate the RGB channels with a DMX value of 0.

4. Select layer B (we use it as cue or manual layer), and set the 
color (RGB) to 60, 100, 20% (light green/yellow)

Now look in the DMX monitor to the DMX output (NOT light) channels in 
% mode, you will see 60, 100, 20%

If you change the transparency of layer A to e.g. 50%, it becomes 30, 
50, 10. If you set it to 5%, it becomes 2, 2, 0, and at 0% they are 
all 0. On the stage the color of the fixture is not changing, just 
the intensity!

If you set the transparency back to 100% the original 60, 100, 20 % 
values are back.

The same effect can be done with the Intensity master, but you will 
NOT see it on the stage, but -only- in the DMX output values. Also 
with Intensity master, you can go higher then 100%. Put the master to 
199%, and you will see 100, 100, 40 %, but it restores the original 
values when you set it back to 100%


Conclusion: The LanBox has masters, and you can make sub-masters with 
a transparency layer.

You can create sub-master fades by using a layer A action which runs 
in a control layer:

  set layer A to mix transparent from 0% to 100% in 5.1s

Will fade-in the submaster in 5.1 secs, this will give a real RGB 
intensity fade, without color disturbing ;-)

I admit it's not simple, but for a low-cost DMX controller not bad. 
The biggest problem is understanding the working of the box, and how 
to set-up the projected target goal.

I hope this helps a bit, in understanding Intensity masters, and the 
usage of transparency in a layer. Transparency and Add mode can also 
be used for dynamic re-position of pan/tilt moves, but that can be 
found in the archive.

Regards,

Fokko van Duin