User Guide

Page 132 - 3. Controlling dimmers and fixtures
Pearl 2004 Manual v1 - 27th August 2004
stage rather than absolute DMX values. You need to Define the Stage
(see next page) before you can use Tracking.
Option G is used to run “macros” which are used to strike lamps or
reset fixtures, etc. These features often require a sequence of levels to
be sent on different control channels, which the Pearl can do
automatically if the macro is defined in the personality file for the
fixture.
The display will show a list of available macros for the fixtures which
are currently selected. If no macros are available for those fixtures, the
option will not do anything. The Personality File section on page 206
contains details.
On the second page of the ML menu… (press ML Menu again)
Option A “Flip” is described in section 3.1.6 on page 128.
Option B “Calculator” displays a screen on the VDU screen allowing
you to convert numbers from decimal to hex or to binary. This is useful
for working out dip switch settings. You need the VDU connected to use
this function.
Option C “Remove selected fix. from programmer” allows you to
remove from the programmer fixtures which are selected. This can be
useful if you have changed a fixture you didn’t want to include in a
memory – just select the fixture, then use this option.
Option D “De-Select fixtures” deselects all fixtures but does not clear
the programmer.
Option E “Highlight enabled” causes the selected fixture to light up
when stepping through selected fixtures using the sequence buttons or
arrow buttons; other fixtures in the selection go off. If this option is
disabled, the fixtures do not change when they are selected or
deselected.
Option G “Define the stage” lets you teach the Pearl how your lights
are set up so that you can use its 3D tracking mode. This is described
in the next section.
3.2.2 Training the console for Tracking mode
The Pearl can learn the layout of the stage and lights rig you are using.
This enables it to calculate where it needs to point each light so that
they all hit the same place on the stage. This is called Tracking mode
and it is a very powerful feature of the Pearl.
You need to mark a square on the stage, ideally the sides of the square
need to be half the depth of the stage but as long as it’s square and
you can point all the fixtures at the corners, the size is not that
important.
1> Select all the fixtures you want to use for Tracking.
2> Point all the fixtures so they light someone standing at the back
left hand corner of the square (don’t light a circle on the floor, or
your lights will be pointing at peoples’ feet all the time).
3> Select option A “Top left”. This stores the positions.
4> Point them all so they light someone standing at the back right
hand corner, then select option B “Top right”.
5> Repeat for the front corners of the stage using options C and D to
store the positions.