[Capture files]

Hi Simon,

Thanks very much for the information and images. From the description, I think you may have come across an issue we are aware of in ZerOS 7.9.9. 

I’m not in front of my laptop today, however I will drop you an email on Monday. 

If you have any questions let me know.

Edward

[Capture files]

Hi Simon,

3 hours ago, SimonH said:

the fixture info doesn't match. This is the same problem I'm having with my show file.

Please could you elaborate a little on what fixture info you mean? Do you mean you are finding parameters are not matching in Capture and ZerOS? With the fixture controls open in Capture (pressing the power icon for the selected fixtures), view the Zoom control on Capture, and dial the Zoom encoder on the console. Does it adjust correctly?

2 hours ago, SimonH said:

if I click the focus in the same place multiple times the light never goes to the same place and the pan tilt details in the capture panel never changes.

Please could you confirm the version of ZerOS you are running on your console?

Edward

[Colour Pallette Effects]

Hi Joel,

On FLX S consoles, you are limited to using and modifying the existing Colour Effects, and cannot create your own. You could however use the Red Fade effect, and then reduce the levels of blue and green accordingly. This could get you near the colours you’re after.

Alternatively if you want to use existing colour palettes for the effect, as Kevin suggests you could go down the route of programming a chase onto a playback which changes the colours of your fixtures. 

1 hour ago, kgallen said:

In theory for FLX S you could use Phantom ZerOS in FLX mode, use waveform to create your Effect, programme a palette, save the showfile then load into FLX S. Once in FLX S you can use this palette although you won’t be able to modify the effect once in the desk. 

Exactly right, however as you won’t have any physical fixtures connected whilst programming the effect, it could be difficult to get the colours right. 

Edward

[Capture files]

Hi Simon,

Please can you confirm you have followed this guide...

https://www.zero88.com/manuals/zeros/networking/connecting-to-capture

This is using exactly the same show file and Dockhouse project that I used for the training. You should find selecting fixture 49 and tapping HOME for example, illuminates and selects the first Clay Paky Aleda Wash K20. 

Edward

[Online FLX Range Training 2021]

Dear All,

Online FLX range training sessions have now been scheduled up until mid-June, including some brand new sessions and topics. For more information, and to register, head to the training page...

https://zero88.com/training#eventdates

If you have any questions, just let us know.

Edward

[bouton clear reste allumé et la mémoire ne se lance pas]

Salut Ben,

Bienvenue sur le forum Zero 88.

D'après votre description, il semble que "Programmer Time" soit activé pendant très longtemps. Cela signifie que les modifications manuelles que vous apportez prendront un certain temps à disparaître.

Pour trouver l'option de temps du programmateur, appuyez sur Z / Shift, et sur la quatrième roue codeuse, vous verrez l'heure du programmeur. Est-ce que cela a un fond bleu clair? Si c'est le cas, appuyez sur le bouton au milieu de l'encodeur Programmer Time pour le désactiver, indiqué par un fond bleu foncé.

J'espère que cela t'aides,
Edward

 

Hi Ben,

Welcome to the Zero 88 forum.

From your description, it sounds as though "Programmer Time" may be enabled, to a very long time. This means manual changes you make will take a while to fade.

To find the programmer time option, tap Z/Shift, and on the fourth encoder wheel you will see programmer time. Does this have a light blue background? If so tap the button in the middle of the Programmer Time encoder to disable it, indicated with a dark blue background.

Hope this helps,
Edward

[new question about PAN and Tilt alignment]

Hi Kevin,

2 hours ago, kgallen said:

Just curious if the team had any further thoughts on Eric's (and my) issue and the subsequent enhancement suggestion for an in-desk pan/tilt "correction offset" for physically misaligned fixtures (due to poor hanging accuracy - Eric, or "cheap" fixtures with poor mechanical calibration - me).

Definitely an interesting feature to investigate. It would mean you could leave a default home position of 50% pan 50% tilt, and ensure your fixtures tilted upstage/down stage for example, even if they have been rigged with a slight offset. This is on the system as reference number ZOS-5911.

2 hours ago, kgallen said:

Unrelated I also came across another interesting feature, "Preheat", which is a bit like move on dark, and is used to preheat tungsten lamps at the cue before they transition above 0%. This would be of interest for me, as to mitigate thermal shock, particularly on a flash to @FUL I will try to program a preheat of a few % on pre-cues where the next cue will be a step-change bump to the lamp. Of course I already have my Betapacks set with appropriate preheat, but this is of course at a much lower level such that blackouts are still dark.

Certainly another interesting feature to investigate. For now, you would have to manually give your fixtures some low intensity, in the cue prior to snapping them on to full.

Edward

[16bit values]

Hello @PSchermer

Welcome to the Zero 88 Forum.

11 hours ago, PSchermer said:

I was wondering if there is a way to display other values than the 16 bit values.

Even in pan and tilt, I rather see 0-100% (or real degrees preferably) than the 16 bit values. There is no way I can remember what half of 64whateveritis is!

 

If there is no way to change the displayed values, please consider this as a feature request!

@kgallen nicely covers all the basis here in the post above. The main reason that just raw DMX is shown, is to show you the true resolution of control you have over that parameter. In most cases, no matter what the value was you were seeing, you are probably going to need to be looking at the stage, or visualiser, to actually get the lights where you need them.

10 hours ago, kgallen said:

Having said that, I've recently learned that one can type in a value for pan/tilt using Shift/Tap, which should certainly reduce the amount of frantic encoder twirling I do (and play to my OCD of wanting exact/neat numbers across my fixtures!!!).

See this section of the online manual for more information...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/controlling-fixtures/parameters

11 hours ago, PSchermer said:

Also, please have a look at the on screen keyboard layout, its just weird.

This is something that is being reviewed.

If you have any questions please let us know.

Edward

[S24 not able to load user fixture]

Hi Niko,

47 minutes ago, Niko said:

the library is lacking the new Aperture LS 300x

We have received your fixture request email. We will get this fixture added to a future library release.

48 minutes ago, Niko said:

I was trying to create a user defined dmx protocol with the Fixture Type Editor. After setting the parameters, I saved the .ift file to a stick and put it into the console. In Setup-Mode the console recognized the file, but when I press Load and try to download it, the following message occur: "Unable to open fixture type file.”

Thanks for advices and help

Please could you email me a copy of your fixture file that is failing to load? I will then take a look to see what may be preventing it from loading in.

If you have any questions let me know.

Edward

[Library Update doesn‘t work]

Hi Niko,

1 hour ago, Niko said:

In the end it turned out that it was a typical beginner's mistake, because there wasn't the latest version installed. I have fixed it.

No problem, really glad to hear you are now up to date.

Edward

[Library Update doesn‘t work]

Hi Niko,

Welcome to the Zero 88 Forum.

38 minutes ago, Niko said:

But  the every time the error message „Source file is too big“ occured.

I have not seen this error message before. Please could you email me a picture of the error message you are receiving? The latest ZerOS Library file can be downloaded from the link here, with the .zlbr file extension...

https://zero88.com/storage/downloads/bb511d50-baf0-4ace-8a09-c89b3a0adcdb/ZerOS-Library-2.zlbr

You must be running ZerOS 7.9.8 software or later on your console to load in the ZerOS Library file.

If you have any questions let me know.

Edward

[VGA monitor on FLX-S48 ?]

Just now, Pascal said:

Great 👍 Thank you Edward for this quick and very helpful answer.

No problem - if you have any questions let us know.

Edward

[VGA monitor on FLX-S48 ?]

Hi Pascal,

Welcome to the Zero 88 Forum.

18 minutes ago, Pascal said:

I'm new on this forum, and very happy with my brand new FLX-S48 👍

That's great, really glad to hear you have a new FLX S48.

18 minutes ago, Pascal said:

I have old VGA monitor, coming from my previous console.

While waiting to buy a touch monitor, is it possible to connect this old one on the FLX-S48, using a DVI-D to VGA active adaptator ?

Yes it is - if you have an active DVI-D to VGA adapter you will be able to use your VGA monitor. The passive DVI to VGA adapters will not work.

For more information see the link below...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/desktops-windows/external-display

Once connected, as it isn't a touchscreen you will be able to connect a mouse to navigate the external monitor.

I hope this helps, if there's anything else we can help with just let us know.

Edward

[Feature request: Absolute timing]

Hi Neil,

On 2/20/2021 at 3:43 PM, Neil Macmillan said:

Just having a play and that Rx:Gx is a big time saver, so that alone is a huge help!

No problem! Yes definitely helps typing in commands rather than using the UI when it comes to needing lots of macros in a cue.

The Auto (with first cue) idea is logged on our software tracking system, as reference number ZOS-10724.

If you have any questions let us know.

Edward

[Invert Zoom Option for LED Zoom Wash]

Hi Don,

There is no Zoom invert option available on the console. By default the zoom parameter will be controlled how the fixture manufacturer design it - whether that be wide at 100%, or spot at 100%.

You can however choose the "Invert Output" check box in the Fixture Editor software for any parameter. You could therefore do this for the Zoom parameter of your fixture.

6 hours ago, DALX said:

The fixture file for my 7x12w RGBW 4in1 LED Moving Head  has the Zoom selected in Special

Choosing a special of "Zoom" for a parameter, allows the console to apply it to the Zoom automatic effects.

Hope this helps,

Edward

[Is a Fixture list with attributes for FLX S48?]

Hi Don,

As @kgallen explains, the Image Manager is part of the Fixture Editor, not a stand alone program. It can be used to show you all the images used by fixtures in the current fixture file.

To edit the gobo images of a gobo parameter, go to the properties of the gobo parameter of a fixture, and then go to the details tab at the top. You can then edit the details, including loading images to a detail.

Hope this helps,

Edward

[Feature request: Absolute timing]

Hi Neil,

1 hour ago, Neil Macmillan said:

Thanks for the brilliant zoom session earlier this afternoon and in particular for quickly going into the auto triggering on cues.

No problem at all! 

1 hour ago, Neil Macmillan said:

An "auto trigger any cue in a stack x seconds after cue n" would be an even more flexible and useful option.

You could do this, by triggering a cue using a macro, and then have a delay time on the cue you are triggering.

See the Advanced section below...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/cues-playbacks/cue-settings/cue-macros
 

Hope this helps, if you have any questions let me know.

Edward

[Preparing an FLX desk for touring]

Hi Mac,

1 hour ago, Uriahdemon said:

How is this done please Ed.  I can connect up my IPAD to the desk via wifi and use ZerOS remote to trigger playbacks.  I am not sure how to do this....??

 

Connecting a laptop to the console running the ZerOS Monitor app for windows, is done in exactly the same way as connecting an iPad running the ZerOS Monitor app. For more information see the link below...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/networking/using-the-remote-apps 

1 hour ago, Uriahdemon said:

What is the difference between a palette and an auto palette....??

For more information on auto palettes, as opposed to palettes you record manually, see here...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/palettes/automatic-palettes 

Hope this helps,

Edward

[Preparing an FLX desk for touring]

Hi Mac,

7 minutes ago, Uriahdemon said:

Thanks Ed, thats the stuff I need and seems I have plenty of homework now.

No doubt there will be more questions once I have had a read and a play.

I look forward to the training session.

No problem, look forward to seeing you on the training.

Edward

[Preparing an FLX desk for touring]

Hi Mac,

This is a bit of a spoiler for the training 😆

3 hours ago, Uriahdemon said:

What is the workflow you use to program i.e. pallets and groups what and when etc....?

Firstly, as a prerequisite to most of this, I am assuming SmartTag is off. For most of this you're going to want to be pretty picky with what gets recorded where. For more information on SmartTag, see below...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/cues-playbacks/record-options/snapshot-smarttag

If I have a completely fresh console, and have an event I need to light in very limited time, first thing I would do is get the rigged patch, preferably by RigSync if it is decent RDM kit. Otherwise, get all the info you can, and start patching. If you have a small Windows laptop (touchscreen even better!), get this connected to the console over Wi-Fi, and walk round the venue with it patching.

Once patched, create all your auto palettes and groups as a base. I would then start to program my own custom groups, based on where the fixtures are in the rig, and how you wish to use them for your design. With these key groups, I would then aim to program 12 intensity masters. By this, I mean record just the intensity for 12 groups of lights onto separate playbacks, with nothing else. The reason 12, is I like to fill the first row of faders on page 1. As a general rule when operating, I try to avoid having manual intensity values, and have intensity controlled by playbacks only. If I have time, and know that when the event is running it will involve very quick changes, I will then program myself some macros. I will record a macro for each intensity master I have created, which selects their respective groups of fixtures. I will then trigger each macro with each playback, so that when I raise the playback of my "back light" for example, backlight are automatically selected, allowing me to then use my palettes desktop on the external monitor to apply my palettes. If you don't have time for this, I would probably live with my groups on the internal touchscreen, and then jump between other desktops on the external touchscreen.

You may then want to have a think about custom defaults and home values - are there positions or colours that you are using more than any others, that could be used as the default for the fixtures? Rather than using the Home button as a way of "resetting" all your parameter adjustments, could the Home button instead just take the selected fixtures to a nice default lighting state?

Custom default information here...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/controlling-fixtures/defaults

Custom home information here...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/controlling-fixtures/home

After groups, position palettes are by far the most important set of custom palettes to create. Remember - as a general rule always include all fixtures in all position palettes - it then doesn't matter which ones you select, they will work with your palettes. Start with the usual palettes; down stage, centre stage etc, but then create some "general" position palettes, which are more interesting looks. 

Then, I create some "all" palettes, using snapshot recording. This gives me some lighting states I can fade to with programmer time manually. I tend to store these in the Beam attribute, as I find I have the least palettes in this attribute. For more information on snapshot palettes see below...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/palettes/recording-palettes

For more information on Programmer Time see below...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/cues-playbacks/special-playback-functions#programmer

Then, create yourself a few lighting states, that will just work for most things. I would program 6, to fill another bank of faders. Raising these faders, and double tapping CLEAR, will then always guarantee to get you somewhere suitable.

For UDKs, I like to have blinders on one for live events, house lights on another, and a "Clear Fixture" UDK, to allow you to clear manual values for the currently selected fixtures. If there is a group or position you are regularly using, stick this on a UDK too. For more on UDKs see below...

https://zero88.com/manuals/zeros/user-definable-keys

Always important to never forget - emergency lighting. If you aren't using the Master Playback for anything else, program house lights/ general light there. If something happens, bring that in.

I hope this helps, and gives you some further pointers.

Edward

[Saving Playbacks For Later Use]

Hi Joel,

20 hours ago, Joel said:

Is there a way to put a cuelist stored on a playback into "Storage"? 

The way ZerOS works, is that a playback will always have its own physical fader. There is therefore no central pool these playbacks live in, prior to being assigned a fader, in the way that some consoles work. This ensures that playback number 2, will always live on playback fader number 2, for example.

20 hours ago, Joel said:

I'm making playlists for our intro songs which changes every week. I'm not really wanting to remake them every week as I might not be in front of the desk and I'm hoping that volunteers can use it.

On FLX S24 you have 48 (plus the master) playbacks to play with. I don't know your exact configuration, but as a generalisation let's say the first 12 playbacks are general lighting, and the next 12 are for your intro songs. This leaves playbacks 25-48 on page two free, where the playbacks you are currently not using could live. When you need them, you could then copy them back across onto page 1, replacing a playback you no longer need.

19 hours ago, kgallen said:

The only way I know is to copy your playback into another playback on another page. Then I guess you’d populate the first couple of pages with the playback stacks you want to use and keep the ‘deep’ pages as a library of sorts.

As @kgallen mentions, on FLX you have 10 pages of playbacks, so this gives you the flexibility to have "operation" pages that you use to run the show, and then "storage" playbacks you use to hold spares/extras of all the playbacks you may need for the show. You can then use copy to transfer these from one place to the other.

 

Your other option, is to actually segregate the configuration completely, and only have the playbacks you need at any one time in a show file. You can then have multiple show files saved to a USB stick, each for a different application. You can then give the instructions to the operator to load in file "xxxx" when required, and this will give them all the lighting states they need, all labelled of course.

I hope this helps, if you have any questions let me know.

Edward

[Preparing an FLX desk for touring]

Hi Mac,

On 2/14/2021 at 6:56 AM, Uriahdemon said:

So the info I need some help on would be to help in a situation when you get to a venue with no tech spec info at all.

The most time consuming part of these situations, is simply getting the fixtures patched, let alone thinking about starting to program them. If the fixtures are RDM, RigSync will sort this out, otherwise it will be a case of working out what fixtures you have, and if they are in an existing suitable address and mode, getting them patched in.

22 hours ago, kgallen said:

This was part of a comment to the same question on BlueRoom:

"although I'm not sure how advanced the FLX is in its ability to clone fixture or change the type while retaining data"

Fixture swap-out/change/morph/replace is ultimately all the same thing - the ability for the console to replace an existing fixture in the show, with a different fixture, applying all information such as programming to the new fixture. With the addition of the new fixture library in ZerOS 7.9.8 and later, fixture changes are now far more detailed, due to the extra information in the fixture database. This will help ensure the new fixture uses the same positions, colours, intensities etc in all your cues and palettes.

If you have existing fixtures in your show, which are not used in a venue, you can therefore use these as templates, and perform a change profiles to replace the existing fixture with the venue's fixtures.

If you have more fixtures in a venue than you had programmed in an existing show, you have a couple of options. Either add the additional fixtures manually into key cues, or add additional addresses to the existing fixtures - you can then start to have pairs of fixtures doing the same thing. In some lighting designs this works really well.

20 hours ago, Uriahdemon said:

I have a visualiser so will have a try with that first to see how it maps across.

This is a great place to start. If you do at least know what fixtures the venue has, pop them into a visualiser, and then replace the existing fixtures in the show file with the venue's fixtures. Address them to match the visualiser, and see how your programming looks.

On 3rd March, I'll be running a session dedicated to using the console with limited programming time. If you're free, see the link below...

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0lceuhqz4iGtzxQIwfa5oaM0qzWOTRg67a

If you have any questions let me know.

Edward

[remote watch]

Hello,

2 hours ago, pierotec said:

Hi, any news to upgrade to watchOS 7.?

No news on this unfortunately. The ZerOS Remote watch app currently remains incompatible with watchOS 7, due to the changes Apple introduced in watchOS 7.

If you have any questions let me know.

Edward

[What is the best way to start a show ?]

9 hours ago, Rob McDonald said:

Thanks so much guys. Really appreciate your advice.

Rob

No problem at all.

Edward

[What is the best way to start a show ?]

2 hours ago, Davidmk said:

While the above is best some justifiable variations might be possible depending on the rig.

Couldn’t agree more. Fundamentally it is down to your particular system, and if there are benefits to powering the console after the devices you’re controlling then that makes sense. The only “rule” we would advise is to ensure the console is earthed prior to connecting other devices to it.

If you get into more complex network systems, you can easily get into the situations where you may have multiple controllers, and so of course the order the system is powered will be down to the system design.

If you are using DMX relays to power the fixtures in the rig, such as our RigSwitch cabinets, then these allow you to remotely power the rig on and off from the console.

Edward