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3 | 2017-05-17 English
Fi
xtur
eBui
lderUs
erManual
Version 1.3
Table of contents
1. Introduction 3
2. First Steps 4
2.1. System requirements 4
2.2. Installation on your Computer 5
2.3. Start the Program 5
2.4. Program Surface 6
4. Attributes 9
4.1. Mix Color Attribute Table 11
4.2. Add DMX Channels 11
4.3. Delete DMX Channels 13
6. Function Sets 18
6.1. Add a Function Set 20
6.2. Delete a Function Set 20
8. Release Notes 23
9. Index 24
1. Introduction
The MA Fixture Builder is a tool to create fixture types.
It is developed to import fixture types created with the MA Fixture Builder into MA consoles or onPC software.
A fixture type created with the MA Fixture Builder ensures a visualization in the MA 3D and dot2 3D.
The following manual includes descriptions of the functions and introduce you step by step in the application.
2. First Steps
This chapter describes how to install the MA Fixture Builder and start the program.
It shows you also the program surface for a better overview.
To use the online help and download the latest version of MA Fixture Builder you need internet access.
To save on an USB stick you need an USB 2.0 or 3.0 port.
We recommend you visit your PC manufacturer´s website for information on updated drivers and hardware
compatibility.
Administration rights:
You should have administration rights to install the program.
If you downloaded only the MA Fixture Builder, start the installation file MA_Fixture_Builder_vx.x.exe with a double
click.
If you downloaded the MA software release package, extract the file into a temporary folder and start the installation
file MA_Fixture_Builder_vx.x.exe with a double click.
On the screen appears the installation program. You get detailed hints and information regarding the installation.
Watch out for the suggested directory and change it if you want to. The installation directory is not changeable in
the program.
A folder called MA Fixture Builder v.x.x. is located in the start menu (Start - All Programs - MA Fixture Builder v.x.x.).
Program surface
FixtureType Name
Mode
Manufacturer
Beam Angle
Short Name and Short Manufacturer are automatically generated.
If you would like to change Short Name and Short Manufacturer, type into the input field.
Select the 3D type in the first drop-down called Type.
Choose between:
None
Headmover
Conventional (can also be used for LED spots)
Mirror (can also be used for scanners)
LED (use for LED tiles only)
Select the beam in the second drop-down called Beam.
Choose between:
None
Spot
Wash
Effect
Fibre
To set the beam intensity in lumens, type the number into the input field.
4. Attributes
The Attributes display the purpose of each DMX channel.
It is possible to:
Add
Delete
DMX channels in the table Attributes.
To edit the attributes, double-click the cell below a column. The cell is selected and is displayed in blue. Type to
edit using the keyboard of your PC.
Attributes
The table Attributes consists of six columns.
Start Address:
All attributes share a start patch number after a start address. This allows the creation of fixtures using
multiple DMX start addresses. DMX channel 1 is always a start address. If another DMX channel is set to a
start address, it is displayed as two horizontal black lines.
Break: Displays the DMX start address of a fixture. There are up to four DMX start addresses in a fixture type.
Highlight: Displays the highlight value.
Default: Displays the default value.
DMX Entry
0-100: Displays values in percent.
0-255: Displays values in decimal 8 bit.
0-65535: Displays values in decimal 16 bit.
Attribute Color
COLORRGB1 Red
COLORRGB2 Green
COLORRGB3 Blue
COLORRGB4 Amber
COLORRGB5 White
COLORRGB6 Warm white
COLORRGB7 Cool white
COLORRGB8 Orange
COLORRGB9 Red orange
COLORRGB10 Purple
COLORRGB11 Indigo
COLORRGB12 Cyan
COLORRGB13 Magenta
COLORRGB14 Yellow
COLORRGB15 UV
COLORRGB16 Green cyan
COLORRGB17 Medium white
COLORRGB18 Mint green
COLORRGB19 Lime
COLORRGB20 Congo blue
COLORRGB21 Royal blue
COLORRGB22 Light green
Hint:
It is recommended that the the DMX channels be added directly in the correct order. This avoids
rearranging channels und setting correct patch breaks afterwards.
To add DMX channels to the fixture, click on Add below the table Attributes.
The window Channel Function opens.
Warning pop-up
3. To delete the DMX channel, click Delete.
To abort the operation, click Cancel.
The DMX channel is now deleted.
Important:
The DMX addresses Fine and Coarse may have to be adjusted for the following attributes in some cases.
Add
Delete
channel function ranges.
To edit the ranges of the channel function, double-click the cell below a column. The cell is selected and
displayed in blue. Type to edit using the keyboard on your PC.
Important:
Please make sure that the DMX channel ranges do not overlap.
For information on how to delete a function in the table see Delete channel function ranges.
5.3. Wizard
The table Channel Function Ranges offers a Color Wheel or a Gobo Wheel Wizard, depending on attribute – color or
gobo.
Requirement:
Important:
Checking Create New ChannelSets on Exit overwrites all existing function sets of the subattribute.
6. Function Sets
Function sets display the function of each subattribute and offer quick access to specific functions.
These function sets are displayed in calculators of grandMA2 and dot2.
Requirement:
Function sets
The table Function Sets consists of six columns:
Function Name: Displays the name of the channel function in the console, for example the label in the calculator
or in a preset.
Dmx From: Displays on which DMX value the subattribute starts.
Dmx To: Displays on which DMX value the subattribute ends.
Slot: Displays the slot of a wheel if the fixture has a color or a gobo wheel.
Auto-Create: Displays if a preset will be generated by the auto create function in the console (grandMA2 only)
3D Subattribte: Displays the corresponding subattribute the function set belongs to.
It is possible to:
Add
Delete
function sets in the corresponding table Function Sets.
1. To edit function sets, double-click a row in the table Function Sets.
2. The window Add Function opens.
MA Fixture Builder
The subfolder "library" of dot2
The subfolder "library" of gma2
1. Click File.
2. Click Import.
3. Select the .xml file and click Open.
The selected .xml file is imported into the MA Fixture Builder and can now be edited.
8. Release Notes
The latest release of MA Fixture Builder v1.3.2.2 rolls out several enhancements that enrich your lighting experience.
Read on for a quick introduction that offers more information.
Fixed Bugs
Description
Fixed: GUI draw issues with maximizing / full screen in windows.
Fixed: Resizing restrictions are blocked. GUI does not resize as expected.
9. Index
16 bit 5.1.
3D SubAttribute 5.1.
8 bit 5.1.
add 6.1.
Add a Function Set 6.1.
Add channel function ranges 5.1.
Add DMX Channels 4. 4.2.
add function ranges 5.1.
add functions 5.1.
Attributes 4.
Beam 3.
channel function 5.
channel function ranges 5.
Channel Function Ranges 5.
Coarse 4.
color array 4.1.
Color Wheel Wizard 5.3.
color wizard 5.3.
colors 4.1.
delete 5.2. 6.2.
Delete a function set 6.2.
Delete channel function ranges 5.2.
Delete DMX Channel table 4.3.
Delete DMX Channels 4. 4.3.
DMX Channels Table 4.
DMX from 5.
Dmx Range 6.
DMX to 5.
Download 2.2.
Edit DMX Channels 4.
Enc from 5.
Enc to 5.
Encoder Readout 6.
Export and Import 7.
Export Fixture 7.1.
Fine 4.
First Steps 2.
Fixture Type Information 3.
Folder 7.1.
function 6.1.