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Strand 520 to Ion Conversion


gherriott

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Hi Guys,

 

I was programming and relighting the test version of a tour a few months ago, and now the tour is going full scale. The inital test run was done on a Strand 520, but the full scale tour is going to be run on an ETC Ion. I just want to know if there is anyway to convert the show file from the strand to work on the Ion as the lighting designer wants to use that show as a base for the full tour. Just wondering if this is first of all possible to do quickly or whether it is possible, but you have to go a round about way of doing it.

 

Thanks for your time.

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You should be able to run it through showport (I have a copy around somewhere if you need it..) which will spew out ascii that the ion can read, doesn't work perfectly (most ML information will probably be lost) but at least will get you the structure in.
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You need to use Strand Showport which you can currently download from Strand at http://www.strandlight.com/US/softwares.html

(Near the bottom under Miscellaneous)

 

This will create an "ALQ" file, which Ion will load.

 

The majority of data will come through perfectly, including moving lights.

 

ETC are continually improving the import process so if you have a file that doesn't import very well you can send it to them to help improve the process. However, not everything is in the ALQ file and some things (like Macros) obviously don't apply to different consoles, so it may not be perfect.

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  • 1 year later...

Given that time has passed since the original post and that the ION software has been updated can anyone say whether this is now a more reliable process than when the post was originally made last year?

 

Any hints and tips?

 

Any comments/observations regarding what now works and what doesn't would be most interesting.

 

My interest is purely speculatory about possible future projects and situations that may occur.

 

Thank you in anticipation.

 

 

 

Spotblaster

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Once the proper ascii format is achieved, you then use showport to convert the file to 500 series format (.ssf).

The pedant in me is forcing me to point out Greg was going from 500 series .ssf files TO ETC, not the other way around..

 

I'll get my coat.

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I did this at the Opera House the other day. All moving light information copied across fine. It turned all my 520 groups into presets (which was fine) and copied all cues (with parts) aswell. It got a bit confused with blocks but they were easy to put back in.

 

I couldn't find Showport on the Strand Lighting website, I think they have stopped supporting it and Tomo's link didnt appear to work for me. If you need it I also have a copy I could email.

 

I found that I had to 'Import' the .alq file in Ion rather than 'Open' it as I had expected. If you have any problems then I could maybe assist as it is looking like I will be sat at an Eos all week!

 

Andrew

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I couldn't find Showport on the Strand Lighting website, I think they have stopped supporting it and Tomo's link didnt appear to work for me. If you need it I also have a copy I could email.

 

It seems that it is not on our website anymore... I will have that corrected.

For now, Bobby keeps it on his site, or anyone can email me and I will send it as well.

 

http://www.bobbyharrelllighting.com/consol...sets/v2.5sp.zip

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I found that I had to 'Import' the .alq file in Ion rather than 'Open' it as I had expected. If you have any problems then I could maybe assist as it is looking like I will be sat at an Eos all week!
Yes, sorry - in Congo you choose "Open" as Congo is natively ascii.

 

For the Eos family you use "Import" when loading a non-native file.

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