jona1984 Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I've searched these forums for 'software' so apologies if this has already been covered - I'm looking for some software applications that will allow me to plan DMX patch lists for lighting plans - I'm not so interested in the 'visual' planning, i.e. no CAD or visualisation programs, I'm just looking for something with an in-built list of fixtures with their standard DMX channel requirements etc so I can pre-plan a patch list for a set number of fixtures. A quick Google search has found me one that looks like it'll do what I want (called 'LD Calculator Lite') but it doesn't seem to have all of the fixtures that I'd like in it....maybe I can add more, I don't know... Anybody got any others that they enjoy using?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljoshua Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Is there anything stopping you from actually doing your patch on the offline editor for your desk of choice? Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indyld Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Depending on what exactly you want to plan, but rather than the WYSIWYG all-in-one, you could try using Lightwright but a combination of offline console software and/or Excel (or preferred spreadsheet software) suits many people. What do you want it to do? If it's just planning the next free DMX address, is there anything wrong with creating a column for "No. DMX Chs" and then =(last fixture address+No.DMX channels) inserted into the relevant cell? You can use a spreadsheet to plan power draws, phase loading, fixture weight, cost and whole bunch of other things without being a spreadsheet wizard. Depends on what you are trying to achieve, am not sure why you need a "standard" fixture list as there are 1000s of possible fixtures on the market today and each one can be run in any number of modes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jona1984 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 Thanks for the info guys! Is there anything stopping you from actually doing your patch on the offline editor for your desk of choice? Josh We use Avo desks (Azures and a Tiger) but I haven't experiemented much with their offline editor (yet...). Does it let you input your lighting plan without worrying too much about a design?? I don't really need to insert trusses etc right now.... Depending on what exactly you want to plan, but rather than the WYSIWYG all-in-one, you could try using Lightwright but a combination of offline console software and/or Excel (or preferred spreadsheet software) suits many people. What do you want it to do? Lightwright looks promising - I would use Excel but I basically want something that has fixture information built-in so I can, for instance, tell it to patch 16 Mac 500s at a specific address /universe/DMX mode and it will know how many channels etc to take up. At the moment I'm having to look through online databases of lighting fixtures to work out how many channels/what mode etc. a specific fixture uses. This LD Calculator program seems good but doesn't have all of the fixtures I need in it - you can apparently add your own but I wondered if there was something better out there... It also seems like it might be able to calculate DIP switch data to make rigging even easier but I couldn't get it to actually do this..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indyld Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Lightwright looks promising - I would use Excel but I basically want something that has fixture information built-in so I can, for instance, tell it to patch 16 Mac 500s at a specific address /universe/DMX mode and it will know how many channels etc to take up. At the moment I'm having to look through online databases of lighting fixtures to work out how many channels/what mode etc. a specific fixture uses. This LD Calculator program seems good but doesn't have all of the fixtures I need in it - you can apparently add your own but I wondered if there was something better out there... It also seems like it might be able to calculate DIP switch data to make rigging even easier but I couldn't get it to actually do this..... I think that with the market the way it is, many software developers are going to provide ways in create your own fixtures more, support preset fixture libraries less and LD Calc is not Paul's main gig. There are changes in the market place for moving lights so frequently, that you pay through the nose to have every fixture, every mode, laid on a plate. There are whole companies that work full time on fixture libraries for consoles these days, which is why I suggest Excel and cut n paste, with a few calcs. Whatever you use is unlikely to have the fixture/mode you want on file every time, which means building it. This is true for the console personalities too, which is why many of us end up having to either build our own, edit existing ones or put in a desperate call to the console maker to build one for us. I can input 2 pieces of data for an ML type into Excel just as quick as pick it from a library, extrapolating with calc and dragging cells down for hundreds of fixtures per universe. I would also argue that in planning these systems, one should understand the fixture and the mode you are using it in to a certain level, that involves checking the manual anyway especially if you don't know the fixture. What if the fixture file is wrong anyway? On the old Avos, it's common practice to use the Sim to patch and then note down the numbers and setting etc. These days, I export a patch from the desk where possible (which needs patching before the gig anyway), then build the spreadsheet from that which then gets used by the Proddys but it's just as easy to use Excel from scratch. The '=(last DMX + no. DMX)' is what ensures you can quickly get your addresses and avoid errors and overlaps. I'm even lazy enough to let Excel number my fixtures for me (=n+1) and if was any good (which I'm not) on Excel I'd create a sheet with my fixture details on it and pull them from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 On large rigs, are dipswitches even seen that much anymore? I'd have thought they have been largely replaced by LED and button menu systems... And for small rigs, a dip calculation wouldn't be hard to do...? 2c Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indyld Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 On a related note, is there some kinda mathematical term for a number that is in the MAC 500 chain: 1, 17, 33, 49.....etc.? I know that every time I see one of those particular numbers in the set well up into the 200s, I think of MAC 5/6 addressing. Mind you, I remember my hotel numbers by associating them with a Lee filter and get funny looks from receptionists when I mutter "ooo, Pale Violet" to myself as I'm signing my room card. I guess that while DIP switches a) are being phased out b) can be calculated using an app c) aren't that hard to work out, the OP might be wondering about all those other settings rather than DMX ones, such as the magic Switch 10: Is it Off or On? type stuff. For me, it's still about knowing the fixtures well enough and having noted down what you need to in the manual, although I'm sure that Excel will convert decimal integers into binary if you want it to, I just don't know how without looking it up. To be clear for the OP, the mention of the offline editor was just the Pearl Simulator console software, not a visualiser or anything that you need to input a design into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jona1984 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Share Posted April 30, 2012 The main reason for wondering about getting all my DIP switches calculated and printed is so that if I have say 30 cheapo LED pars for instance, I can give the plan to any less experienced crew and say 'here - patch all these'. Usually I'd do it all myself but this is for a situation where I'm planning/operating but not rigging, so trying to make it as clear as possible. I understand that theres a gazillion different fixtures out there, but I just wanted a program that would be more likely to contain the majority of common manufacturers..... Perhaps I'll look into just doing it with a simulator (like the Pearl one) but will that allow me to print off a list of all the fixtures w/ addresses in a method that's relatively simple for the layman to understand?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dosxuk Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 On large rigs, are dipswitches even seen that much anymore? I'd have thought they have been largely replaced by LED and button menu systems... Atomic 3ks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bleasdale Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 I would advise just using the offline editor for your desk. Most also allow for print/export functions so you can distribute it to the crew etc. Usually I make a master plan with just fixture IDs on and a master plan with just universe/address info on. And then the LD will have his own little plan with generic numbers on that he keeps with him. This really only works in TV or long running theatre where you have time or, like me, a small touch of OCD for console organisation! ;) I think its also worth mentioning that some Lighting manufacturers are jumping on the "App" bandwagon... Robe have an app that lets you download user manuals, specifications etc on the go and GLP just brought on out too I think. It won't be long before others follow I'd imagine. Worth keeping these on your smartphone... assuming you have one of course. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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