Software Version 6.22 beta1 Rev. 02f User Manual 3000 N 29th Ct, Hollywood, FL 33020 U.S.A. (800) 762-1084 – (954) 929-1115 FAX (954) 929-5560 www.chauvetlighting.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. BEFORE YOU BEGIN ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 WHAT IS INCLUDED ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS .........................................................................................................................
Input Creation Area .................................................................................................................................................... 22 PATCH-MIDI ................................................................................................................................................................... 23 6. PROGRAMMING ...................................................................................................................................................
Xpress 512-Plus ......................................................................................................................................................... 52 Update Internal Clock ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 52 9. BACKUP/RESTORE ................................................................................................................
1. BEFORE YOU BEGIN What is included Each ShowXpress™ interface ships with an 8 cm disk containing the software and hardware drivers. • • • 1 x Interface 1 x ShowXpress™ Lighting Controller Software 1 x USB Cable Unpacking Instructions Immediately upon receiving a fixture, carefully unpack the carton, check the contents to ensure that all parts are present, and have been received in good condition.
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Product Overview (Xpress™ 100) DMX Out Protective Cover USB Connection PC Link LED Indicator Product Overview (Xpress™-512) PC Link LED Indicator USB Connection DMX Out Power Indicator 2. INTRODUCTION 7 Chauvet® ShowXpress™ V6.
Product Overview (Xpress™-512 Plus) DMX Out IR Receiver External IR Receiver IR Data Indicator Mini-DIN Scene Trigger USB Connection PC Link LED Indicator Security Location Power Indicator Power: EXT/USB External Power 2. INTRODUCTION 8 Chauvet® ShowXpress™ V6.
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4. SETTING UP THE HARDWARE/SOFTWARE Minimum Hardware Requirements (without 3D visualization) • • • • • • Pentium 1Ghz with 512MB RAM under Windows® XP (32-bit only) Pentium 2Ghz with 1GB RAM under Windows® Vista (32-bit only) Pentium 2Ghz with 1GB RAM under Windows® 7 (32-bit & 64-bit) 100MB of hard disk space 1 CD-ROM drive (not necessary when acquiring via internet) 1 USB port ShowXpress™ on a Windows 64-bit installation is compatible with ONLY the following interfaces: Xpress™ 512, Xpress™ 512-Plus.
4. Setup 3. 4. On the License Agreement page, select “I accept the agreement”. Click to continue. 5. 6. Choose the installation directory to install ShowXpress™. The default location is C:\Program Files\ShowXpress and usually does not need to be altered. Click to continue. 7. 8. Select a name and location for Windows® to place the Start Menu folder. Click to continue. 9. Check the box titled “Create a desktop icon” if you want a folder to be created on your desktop.
10. Click to continue. 11. Confirm the settings and then click to continue. 12. After the installation completes, click to confirm. You must be logged in as Administrator to install the software. 4. Setup 12 Chauvet® ShowXpress™ V6.
Hardware Driver Installation (Windows® Vista & 7) After the software is installed, it is time to connect the interface to the computer. Make sure the ShowXpress™ software is not running while attempting to connect the interface to the computer. To connect the interface, please follow the instructions below: These instructions do not account for the “User Account Control” security measure that Windows® Vista has. Simply click if that window should appear during installation. 1. 2. 3.
3. 4. 4. Setup When Windows® XP asks if it can “connect to Windows® Update to search for software” select “No, not this time” Click to continue. 5. On the next screen, select the bubble that reads “Install the software automatically (recommended)” 6. When the following window appears prompting that the driver did not pass the Windows® Logo testing compatibility, simply click to continue the installation. 7.
Driver Installation (Mac OSX) It is not necessary to install the drivers when running the software within Mac OSX. The drivers will install automatically after the software is installed successfully. Driver Reinstallation (Windows® Vista & 7) If the driver installation fails or you need to reinstall the driver for any reason, the driver can be installed manually. Please follow the instructions below: 1. 2. Click [START>CONTROL PANEL>SYSTEM>DEVICE MANAGER] to access the hardware devices on your computer.
4. Setup 3. Highlight the “BOX Interface (version x.xx)” (or “USB Plus interface, CABLE, REMOTE, or D512) and select “uninstall” on the top menu bar. This will uninstall all associated drivers for the interface. 4. Click “scan for hardware changes” also on the top menu bar to have the computer auto-detect any new hardware. 5. 6. Repeat the same steps from “Hardware Installation (Windows® XP)” to install the driver again.
5. OVERVIEW Control Board Notification Area The Notification Area displays the following information: • • • Current Show (name) Quantity of universes Name(s) of interface(s) (if any) Notification Area DMX Levels Settings Import Forum Export Manual Setup Patch Editor Upload Live 3D View Setup Personal Fixtures The Personal Fixtures displays the fixtures that have been loaded into the current show. Adding fixtures to this area does not add them into the DMX patch.
Setup (continued) Toolbar Area: New, Insert, Save, Save as, Delete Universe Area: Select the universe to modify (up to 6) Fixture 3D View Settings Personal Fixtures Personal Fixtures Fixture Channels Channel Values Addressed Fixtures The Channel Values displays the selected fixture’s channel levels. When a channel is selected, the levels may be modified (cut, insert, and add). 5. Overview 18 Chauvet® ShowXpress™ V6.
Editor Pan/Tilt, RGB Area The Pan/Tilt, RGB Area modifies the following attributes: • • Pan/Tilt location Red, Green, and Blue using a color palette Step Area The Step Area accesses the following attributes: • • • • Step: delete, copy, paste, insert, add Step name Step duration Direct access to Step selection 2D View The 2D View accesses the following functions: • • Direct fixture selection in pictorial form Selecting a fixture here also selects it in the Fixture Fader Area Fixture Fader Area The Fixt
Live-Buttons Board Selection The Board Selection Bar modifies the following attributes: • • • Current page view Add scenes to current page Modify page options Scene Area The Scene Area accesses the following attributes: • • • Direct scene triggering Scene playback speed Trigger method modification Options Area The Options Area accesses the following controls: • • • • • • Play/Pause button Current BPM (also capable of manual input) Tap Sync (press multiple times to modify current BPM Freeze (freezes ent
Live-Timeline Show Control Section Zoom Control Current Time Location Timelines Show Control Section The Show Control Section modifies the following attributes: • • • • • Go to beginning/start Play from Red Marker Play from current position Stop Go to End Current Time Location The Current Time Location displays the following attribute: • Current pause location, current progress through the show Zoom Control The Zoom Control modifies the following attribute: • Modify the resolution of the timeline.
Patch-DMX DMX/MIDI Selection Input Creation Area Current Inputs Input Creation Area The Input Creation Area is where new DMX input assignments may be created. The following attributes may be altered in this area. • • • DMX input address Priority type (DMX input, software, HTP) Output assignment(s) The DMX input is currently only available for the first universe. 5. Overview 22 Chauvet® ShowXpress™ V6.
Patch-MIDI DMX/MIDI Selection Device Selection Selected Device Live Transmission 5. Overview 23 Chauvet® ShowXpress™ V6.
6. PROGRAMMING Programming Concept There are 3 primary screens to program a show in ShowXpress™. These are the Setup, Editor, and Live screens. Setup (Patch): assign the DMX starting addresses of the fixtures to be programmed Editor: program several scenes, and save them to the hard disk Live-Buttons: import the scenes that were programmed in the Editor screen, and play them back with the press of a single button The EDITOR SCREEN takes priority over the LIVE SCREEN.
3D View Area To set the parameters of the 3D View for this fixture (LED PAR 64-Tri), see the following instructions. 1. In the drop down bar, select this fixture as a color changer. 2. Drag the lamp selection to 60W led. The brighter the LED wattage is here, the brighter the fixture will appear in the 3D_View Screen. 3. 4. Adjust the beam angle to 22°, to match the fixture (see the fixture specifications). This fixture is now complete. Save the fixture.
DIP switch Calculator If using a fixture that uses DIP switches to assign the DMX address, ShowXpress™ will automatically provide the DIP switches that must be used to achieve a given address. For Example, if you type an address of 100 into the Setup screen for a fixture’s DMX address, the software will display an image showing the following: This shows that DIP switches 3, 6, and 7 must be turned to the ON position to achieve an address of 100.
Creating a Scene In ShowXpress™, a Scene consists of one or more steps. These steps are created in the Editor screen. In order to create scenes, please see the example below for using the LED PAR 64-Tri. This will be a 3-step color fading program from red, to green, and then blue. It will be 9 seconds total scene time. 1. 2. Open the Editor screen from the Control Board. Turn ON the DMX button by pressing it. Red = OFF Green = ON 3. Create a look with the fixtures by using the faders in the fader area.
2D View The 2D View is integrated into the Editor screen. It is meant to be used as a tool to increase the speed of programming by providing a visual fixture layout & selection palette. The layout, size of fixtures, background, and fixture images are all attributes that may be quickly and easily modified within the 2D View. Modifying the Layout When a fixture is added into the DMX patch in the Editor screen, it will appear in the 2D View. There are default images that are used for these fixtures.
Generator The Generator Screen is accessed within the Editor Screen. It can only be used while in the Editor Screen. It is recommended to read the section on “Working with Groups” before proceeding. Many of the steps below assume that the user is familiar with groups and selecting with 2D View. Once a generator scene has been created, it may be saved for later access and editing.
Creating a Scene using Generator Follow the steps below to learn how to create a basic scene using the Generator Screen. 1. 2. Open the Editor Screen from the Control Board. Select one or more fixtures. Once a generator scene has been created, it may be saved for later access and editing. 3. Open the Generator Screen. 4. The fixture attributes of the selected fixture(s) will appear in the “Fixture Attribute Area”. Select the first attribute to be modified in the current scene.
7. If there is more than one fixture selected, the delay time between the fixtures may be altered by using the shift bar. Center on this bar is the same timing (value of “0”). Negative or positive values determine which fixture is first in the generated scene. 8. Assign duration to the attribute. 9. Move onto the next attribute, and follow the same steps as above. 10. It is now time to save the generator scene. This is necessary in order to allow the scene to be modified in the generator screen.
Working with “Curves” When working with a fixture attribute, there is a graphical representation of the dimming curve that may be altered. Use the mouse to modify the curve. Time End time 100% Start time 0% 100% (DMX value of 255) Dimming Points 0% (DMX value of 000) Working with “Lines” The waveform will be gradual, and appear as below. Working with “Points” The waveform will be square, and appear as below. 7. Playback 32 Chauvet® ShowXpress™ V6.
Fixture Groups (Editor Screen) The Editor Screen contains 512 channels of control, and all of them are laid out in fader format along the bottom of the screen. A scroll bar is provided to navigate manually. However, there is a much better tool that is provided to move through the Editor screen quickly. This is called Groups. Groups allow the user to jump from one fixture to another with a single keystroke. This is crucial when working with multiple fixtures.
5. On the right-hand section of the screen, right click in the group area to bring up the menu. Select “Add new group”. 6. A sub-window will appear. Type a name for the group here. 7. 8. Press OK. Another sub-window will appear. Type in a single character and this is the group selection shortcut. The available keyboard shortcuts are: a~z, A~Z. It is possible to make 52 total groups. 7. Playback 34 Chauvet® ShowXpress™ V6.
7. PLAYBACK Importing Scenes into the Live-Buttons Screen In ShowXpress™, playback is intended to occur in the Live screen. Initially, the Live screen does not include any scenes. It is a clear palette, which allows the user to arrange the screen according to the needs of their show.
Scene Playback Modifications Flash button In the Live-Buttons screen, it may be necessary to require fast, momentary, playback of a scene. Fog machines & strobe lights are examples of such requirements. While there are several methods to accomplish this task, one such method to accomplish this is by using the Flash feature. Please see the steps below which show how to modify a scene to operate with this function. 1. 2. 3. 4. Create a scene to use in the Editor scene. Add the scene to the Live screen.
No loop button In the Live-Buttons screen, when a scene with a single step is triggered, it will remain ON as a static look. However, when a scene with 2 or more steps is triggered, it will loop endlessly, according to the time programmed in the Editor Screen. st There is a playback modification that will prevent a scene from looping after the 1 time playing through all the steps in a scene. This is the “No loop button”. Please see the steps below to enable this modification. 1. 2. 3. 4.
Live-Button screen Playback Play/Pause This feature increases the functionality of the Live-Buttons screen by adding the following possibilities: seamless playback, and multiple scene triggering simultaneously. When using this function on a scene that is currently running, it will turn it off. When using this function on a scene that is not currently running, it will turn it on. This function is a 2-step process. The first step prepares the execution, and the second step completes the execution.
Speed Button The buttons in Live-buttons may function on different speeds. Auto BPM, Manual BPM, and Manual Speed. To access the Speed button window, follow the steps below. 1. Open Live-buttons from the Control Board. 2. Right-click on any light scene. A sub-menu will appear. 3. Select Speed button. 7. Playback 39 Chauvet® ShowXpress™ V6.
Sound Triggering (Auto BPM) When a light scene is operating in this mode, it will use the internal computer mixer to determine the sound source. Please see the steps below to access this setting (Windows® ONLY!). 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Open the Windows® Control Panel. If the view is not already set to “Classic View”, change it to this. Open “Sounds and Audio Devices”. Select the volume tab. In the “Device volume” area, select the “Advanced” button.
Manual BPM This is used for the playback speed of the scenes to synchronize with the audio BPM. Please see the steps below to access this setting. 1. 2. 3. 4. Open Live-buttons from the Control Board. Right-click on the scene button and select “Speed button”. In the window that appears, select “Manual BPM”. Press . 5. See the diagram below for instructions on assigning the value for the Manual BPM..
Freeze The freeze function will pause every activated scene from continuing to the next available step. All scenes are held at the current step. • • Press once to activate. Press a second time to deactivate. Startup Properties There are five different options available that may be set when starting up the Live-Buttons screen. These settings are saved, even after closing the program, for future use.
3D View X and Y viewing angles This may be modified. To adjust this, please see the following steps. 1. Left-click any open space in the 3D View screen. 2. While holding the mouse button, drag the mouse in the desired direction to adjust the viewing angle. Position of the view This may be adjusted by using a combination of the mouse and the keyboard. To adjust this, please see the following steps. 1. Press and hold on the keyboard. 2. Left-click any open space in the 3D View screen. 3.
Stage Setting Sub-Screen The 3D View has parameters to alter the stage. The stage is defined as the 6 walls in the 3D View. The parameters that may be altered include the following: width, height, depth, texture, resolution of the textures. Wall Textures The 3D View installs with several custom textures to choose from. These are accessible by using the drop-down menu in the texture area.
Fixture Settings Sub-screen The following parameters are available for fixture modification within the 3D View Screen: Position, Orientation, Scale, and Color. Please see the steps below for accessing these settings. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Open the 3D View Right-click anywhere within the 3D View to bring up the menu. Select “Fixtures settings”. The window will open. Select a fixture form the “Fixture Selection Area”.
Live-Timeline Screen Triggering a Timeline through the Live Screen This feature allows the ability to save multiple timelines and trigger them through buttons in the Live Screen. 1. 2. Using the mouse, right-click the Board Selection Bar in the Live Screen to bring up the sub-menu. Select “Add timeline” with the left mouse button. 3. A sub-window will appear. Use this window to select the appropriate timeline. 4. Select “Open”.
Adding Video/Picture Files to Live-Timeline Live-Timeline may be used to trigger playback of video and/or picture files. This is useful when synchronizing to the light show. • The following file formats are supported for video files: avi, mpg, mpeg, mov, wmv • The following formats are supported for picture files: bmp, gif, jpg, png 1. 2. 3. Right-click in the files area in the Live-Timeline Screen to bring up the sunmenu. Left-click “Add multimedia file”. A sub-window will appear.
Output Size This section provides options on how to display the video window, as well as the video size. No border: removes the window border and title bar Always on top: forces the ScreenControl window to remain on top of all other windows Force Position: Disables the manual window positioning and assigns a default X and Y position Screen Mode: Select which display to appear on (this is a full screen mode) Adding Audio Files to Live-Timeline Live-Timeline may be used to trigger playback of audio files.
Live-Timeline Overview Timeline Name Current Progress Texture resolution Rows Zoom (100%~1%) Mouse Shortcuts in Live-Timeline There are shortcuts available in the Live-Timeline screen, which may assist in arranging the show. Mouse functions: 1. Double click the “Time Ruler” to relocate the red marker. 2. Press the scroll wheel to scroll left to right (beginning to end). Renaming the Rows The rows in Live-Timeline may be modified to display custom titles. Please see the steps below for further details.
Creating a New Timeline This feature is accessed through the Live-Timeline Screen. There is a second tab that reveals this screen. Please see the steps below for further details on this process. 1. In the Live Screen title bar, select the Timeline drop-down menu and New. 2. A sub-window will appear, where the basic parameters for the new timeline to follow, such as total time and total quantity of LightScene rows. Make the necessary adjustments and press OK.
Operation for “Move To” in Live-Timeline In Live-Timeline, dragging and dropping the files in position may not provide adequate precision. For this reason, an option is available called “move to”. This allows any object, including the OFF and STOP tools, to be moved to one of the following positions: Red marker Green marker Specific time File Properties in Live-Timeline Please see the options that are available for each different type of file in timeline.
8. UPLOAD SCREEN Uploading Scenes to the Interfaces Some, not all, of the ShowXpress™ interfaces have on-board memory and processing. This means that they are capable of running one or more programs in standalone mode. This feature may be useful for an automatic backup. Or, if there is not going to be a computer available to operate the lighting, but a custom program is desired to be programmed in an easy to learn interface, then this is a very useful option.
Universe Selection Screen fig Us.a Button Setting Area Xpress 512-Plus Upload Screen Interface Clock Update Button Button Setting Area Delete Button Upload to Interface Button 8. UPLOAD SCREEN 53 Chauvet® ShowXpress™ V6.
9. BACKUP/RESTORE The program has 2 separate screens to Export (backup) and Import (restore) the show(s). Please see the individual descriptions of these screens below. Multiple shows may be stored on a single installation on a computer and changed between. Version 6.xx is not compatible with fixture profiles or shows created from previous versions of ShowXpress™ Export The show may be backed up by using the Export a Light Show Screen. This screen is accessed directly from the Control Board.
10. KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS Please see the details below about keyboard shortcuts that are available in ShowXpress™.
11. XPRESS™ 512-PLUS STANDALONE TRIGGERING Mini-DIN Triggering The Xpress™ 512-Plus interface features wired triggering of up to 4 scenes in standalone operation. These are accessed through the Mini-DIN connector on the interface. A Ground-Fault Interrupt system is used for the triggering. Please see the wiring configuration below. Pin-1: Scene 1 Pin-2: Scene 2 Pin-3: Scene 3 Pin-4: Scene 4 Pin-5: Not Used Pin-6: Ground Wiring Diagram All buttons are push-button type, normal open.
IR (Wireless) Triggering This interface supports IR triggering. Please see the guidelines on wireless triggering below. The LED indicator on the front of the interface will light to indicate “IR data”. The IR sensor is located on the front of the interface; however, the IR sensor may be relocated by using the IR Ext. port on the back of the interface. The unit will only play back scenes AFTER they have been successfully uploaded into the interface with the Upload screen.
12. UPDATING THE INTERFACE FIRMWARE The Xpress™ 512 and the Xpress™ 512-Plus interfaces feature the capability to update the internal firmware via a USB connection. If for any reason CHAUVET® advices that this process is required for your interface, in writing, then please follow the steps below. 1. 2. CHAUVET® may provide a ZIP file via email transmission or other means. Extract this ZIP file to find the EXE (executable) file.
13. APPENDIX DMX Primer There are 512 channels in a DMX connection. Channels may be assigned in any manner. A fixture capable of receiving DMX will require one or a number of sequential channels. The user must assign a starting address on the fixture that indicates the first channel reserved in the controller. There are many different types of DMX controllable fixtures and they all may vary in the total number of channels required. Choosing a start address should be planned in advance.
Cable Connectors Cabling must have a male XLR connector on one end and a female XLR connector on the other end. DMX connector configuration COMMON INPUT 1 3 2 DMX + DMX - 1 3 2 OUTPUT Terminator To avoid signal transmission problems and interference, it is always advisable to connect a DMX signal terminator. 1 3 2 120 ohm ¼ W resistor between pin 2 (DMX -) and pin 3 (DMX +) on the output of the last fixture Do not allow contact between the common and the fixture’s chassis ground.
3-Pin to 5-Pin Conversion Chart If you use a controller with a 5-pin DMX output connector, you will need to use a 5-pin to 3-pin adapter. The chart below details a proper cable conversion: 3-PIN TO 5-PIN CONVERSION CHART Conductor 3-Pin Female (Output) 5-Pin Male (Input) Ground/Shield Pin 1 Pin 1 Data ( - ) signal Pin 2 Pin 2 Data ( + ) signal Pin 3 Pin 3 Not used Pin 4 Not used Pin 5 Setting up a DMX Serial Data Link 1.
Returns Procedure Returned merchandise must be sent prepaid and in the original packing; call tags will not be issued. Package must be clearly labeled with a Return Merchandize Authorization Number (RMA #). Products returned without the RMA # will be refused. Call CHAUVET® and request an RMA # prior to shipping the fixture. Be prepared to provide the model number, serial number and a brief description of the cause for the return.
Glossary Below is a list of common terms found throughout this manual and lighting in general. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 13. APPENDIX Blackout – an action that instantly douses all output; usually by pressing a single button. CMY – a subtractive color mixing process that combines cyan, magenta and yellow filters to create other colors in the spectrum. These secondary colors of light at 100% will produce black, or the absence of light.
19. MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3) – a digital audio encoding format using a form of data compression. It is the common audio format for consumer audio storage. 20. MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) – a working group of technicians in charge of the development of video and audio encoding standards. 21. OGG – is a free, open standard format and is unrestricted by software patents and is designed to provide for efficient streaming and manipulation of high quality digital multimedia. 22.
14. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS MAXIMUM SCENES IN STANDALONE Xpress™ 100 ................................................................................................................................... (N/A) Xpress™ 512 ............................................................................................................ 600 steps, 1 scenes Xpress™ 512-Plus ................................................................................
