USER MANUAL

HOW TO PATCH PROFILES (LIBRARIES)

V1.7.1
 SUMMARY

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Opening the Patch Manager ................................................................................................................... 4
Adding profiles to the patch ................................................................................................................... 5
Patch profiles from the list...................................................................................................................... 5
Patch profile from the profile editor ....................................................................................................... 7
Patch command tools ............................................................................................................................. 8
Update profile in the patch ................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Edit and update a MATRIX in the patch ........................................................................................................................................................... 9

Invert the Pan and Tilt channels ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Changing Profile DMX addresses .................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Creating a lighting fixture Matrix ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Matrix tool bar ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Simulate and check DMX addresses ............................................................................................................................................................... 14

Ordering the matrix’s cells .................................................................................................................................................................................. 14

Modify manually some Cells DMX addresses ............................................................................................................................................. 15

Remove fixtures from the cells .......................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Updating and modifying the Patch ................................................................................................................................................................. 16

Patch Consequences in the software .............................................................................................................................................................. 16

2D Graphic area ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Focus on the Options command ................................................................................................................................................................. 18

Focus on the Auto-positioning command ............................................................................................................................................... 18

Focus on auto-selecting command ............................................................................................................................................................ 19

Focus on GROUP command .......................................................................................................................................................................... 19

Focus on FIXTURE DISPLAY MODE command ....................................................................................................................................... 20

Fixture selection ................................................................................................................................... 20

Fixture’s Channels control panel ........................................................................................................... 21
CHANNELS and PRESETS window .......................................................................................................... 22
The CHANNEL display mode ............................................................................................................................................................................. 22

The PRESET display mode ................................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Creating Scenes and Programs .............................................................................................................. 25

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INTRODUCTION

This chapter describes how to easily and quickly Patch fixtures profiles with the Patch Manager.

Patching fixtures means assigning a DMX channel address to corresponding fixture profile. The DMX
address can be chosen from 1 to 512 according the universal DMX standard. All DMX controllers, including
DMX software, sends DMX data to the lights using up to 512 DMX channels. The first DMX channel number
assigned to a profile in the software must match the DMX address on the lighting fixture itself.

You must start the software before you begin patching profiles and make sure you have some profiles
available.

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OPENING THE PATCH MANAGER

Click the Add button, the Patch Manager will show up and you can update the Patch in this window.

Patch profile just

created in the
profile editor

Manufacturer List

Fixtures profiles
available for the
manufacturer

DMX Address
settings

Matrix patch
settings

Send profiles to DMX Universe DMX addresses

the DMX gird selector grid

The patch manager window is divided in 2 sections. The left area is for profiles catalog and information. The
right area is the DMX addresses grid where the effective address of the profiles is shown. The first DMX
channel number assigned to a profile in the software must match the DMX address on the lighting
fixture itself.

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ASSING PROFILES TO THE PATCH

There are 2 ways to add profiles to the patch and organize your patch to match your actual physical lighting
fixture’s DMX addresses:

FROM THE PROFILES EDITOR

FROM THE PROFILES LIST

PATCH PROFILES FROM THE LIST

From the list, you can patch existing profiles files provided in the software. Follow those 6 steps:

1. Select the option Patch from Open the

The List (selected by default) profiles

folder
2. Select a manufacturer or the
‘...’ for standard RGB profiles
like an LEDPAR + Dimmer

3. Select the universe where to

patch

4. Select the 1st DMX channel

(= the DMX address of your 1st
fixture)
By default the offset is the
number of channels of the
selected profile

5. Select number of fixtures to

add to the patch. (Here we 6. Click Patch to add the
have 6 units) profiles into the patch grid

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Here is the result. You can see the 6 LED Dimmer RGB’s profiles consecutively patched from address 1 on
DMX universe 1. The first fixture starts with DMX address 1 and the five others will follow starting at the
next available DMX channel.

Patch DMX addresses grid – DMX Universe 1

Click OK to validate
the patch

1 fixture = 1 address

It is not possible to patch several fixtures on the same channel. When channels receive a profile, you
cannot patch over it. You can use the key CTRL and SHIFT for an advanced selection.

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PATCH PROFILE FROM THE PROFILE EDITOR

You can add a freshly created profiles by using the Profile Editor. If you want to create a profile refer to the
user manual How to Create Profiles.

1. Create a fresh new

profile in Profile tab

2. Return to the
Patch tab

3. Select Patch the

current profile

4. Select the DMX

universe with the
1st DMX channel
where you want to
patch and then
choose the number
of fixtures to insert

5. Click Patch to
insert profile into the
patch.

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PATCH COMMAND TOOLS

At the top of the DMX grid you’ll find a command tool bar. This is accessible only if there are one or more
patched fixtures and at least one of them has been selected.

Show how to set your 9 or 10 bits

Command toolbar
DIP-SWITCH DMX address for the
selected fixture

Selected fixture

Copy selected Rename Import profile Edit matrix

fixtures selected fixtures to profile editor patch settings

Paste copied Delete selected Update

fixtures fixtures selected profiles

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UPDATE A PROFILE IN THE PATCH

A profile can be updated from the profile list or directly from the current edited profile. The new profile
need to have the exact same number of channels. You can modify profiles with the profile editor (Profile
Tab) and update it in the patch area. Follow the steps to do it:

Step 1: Select the profile that needs to be updated in the patch grid area.
Step 2: Edit it and modify it in the profile editor tab.
Step 3: Return to the patch tab and select the freshly modified profile.
Step 4: Click Update.

2
1

The new profile must have the same number of channels to replace the old one!

EDIT AND UPDATE A MATRIX IN THE PATCH

You can edit and update a matrix configuration by selecting only one fixture’s item of a matrix, in the DMX
grid. Select one fixture and click ‘Matrix Edit’

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INVERT THE PAN AND TILT CHANNELS

Right clicking over the fixture’s item will show up the local menu where you
can inverse the pan and tilt. This feature is useful to synchronize beam
movements when the lighting fixtures are positioned upside down across the
stage.

CHANGING PROFILE DMX ADDRESSES

A DMX address designates the first DMX channel number used by a fixture. Therefore the DMX channel
number assigned to a light in the software’s patch must match the DMX address on the lighting fixture
itself. The profile’s channels features must also match DMX chart of the lighting fixture itself.

You can use drag and drop to move a profile across the DMX grid to a new DMX address. Select one or
several profiles (they will be highlighted in orange), then move them to a new DMX address. If you already
have created scenes and programs, the address modification will be applied directly to each scene and
program. In this way your show content will manage all the new addresses eaily and conveniently.

Tips : you can also drag and drop a profile across different DMX universes, using the Universe Tabs.

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CREATING A LIGHTING FIXTURE MATRIX

You can setup your lighting fixtures as a matrix. This configuration will give you more options to generate
visual effects with the tool effects generator, included in the editor mode. Matrix mode is mainly used with
LED/RGB lighting systems, but it can operate with dimmers too.

The Matrix Editor has been created to allow users to create any possible matrix and manage pixels
configuration. If the lighting system installation is fixed and if you are not allowed to change the DMX
addresses physically, our tool helps to reproduce exactly the same patch and DMX wiring like is set your
lighting system.

Step 1: Select a Profile from the Current or from the List

Step 2: Click the Matrix option to open matrix manager
Step 3: Setup the matrix

1
3

You need to ensure you have enough free DMX channels to create a large matrix.

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You can choose the Name and the Dimensions of the matrix. For the matrix Dimensions, the first value is
the number of columns and the second value is the number of lines. If you change one of the values, the
number of cells will be automatically updated. Here is a configuration with 10 columns and 10 rows.

Matrix tools

Matrix Name

Dimensions
Columns X Rows

Matrix cells (also

called pixels)

DMX addresses
auto-ordering

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MATRIX TOOL BAR

D. Delete B. Cell add /remove G. Editor of Profiles Visualisation

selection mode Play Step
Mode
by step

New matrix

A. Cell switch C. Cell select Address/ E. Draw DMX Zoom F. Play

postions mode mode ID Display order test

A: Drag and drop a cell to switch the 2 cells positions in the matrix and their DMX addresses.
B: Delete or add a cell of the matrix by clicking over the cells.
C: Select a part of the matrix. Hold the key CTRL + click cells or draw a selection rectangle over the cells.
D: Remove the fixture from the matrix of the selected cells.
E: Draw the fixture addresses ordering path over the matrix cells.
F: Play a general test to check your matrix patch.
G : The Profile editor allows users to configure the Multi Beams of their fixtures. The modification will only
be effective in the Matrix. To set up a modification by default, you shall go back into the profile editor.

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SIMULATE AND CHECK DMX ADDRESSES

When you use the Play tool, your lighting fixtures

will turn on automatically one by one according the
order you have set them up. With this option you
can check if your DMX patch matches the lighting
fixtures themselves. The opening beam option will
depend on the default DMX preset of each profile’s
channel. The Dimmer, Shutter and Iris channels must
have a correct default preset. For RGB, each channel
will be set to their maximum intensity.

You can scroll through the steps by clicking on the

Next button:

ORDERING THE MATRIX’S CELLS

You can define the fixture DMX addresses in a logical order over all or selected part of the matrix pixels.
There are16 possible configurations (from left to right, right to left, up to down, etc...). Choose the one that
matches your lighting rig order (using pixel selection or global). After selecting a configuration, all the DMX
addresses will be arranged to match the chosen configuration.

Ordering the ALL Ordering selected

matrix addresses pixel addresses only

sélectionnées

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MODIFY MANUALLY SOME CELLS DMX ADDRESSES

You can reorganize the matrix with a simple drag and drop from one light
positionto another. The light position order in the matrix and the DMX channel
of the light willchange. This is a very useful troubleshooter in case mistakes
appear on the installation and you need to repatch several fixtures.

REMOVE FIXTURES FROM THE CELLS

With the Remove option, you can delete fixtures from the matrix configuration.

First, you must select the fixture that you want to remove with the selection tool.

Then you can create a hole in the matrix field and free up some channels.

To re-use the free channels, click on one of the 16 order configuration to change the
DMX addresses of the fixtures. When the fixture DMX address has changed the newly
available addresses will be automatically reassigned to the fixtures following on in
sequential order. You will then have more channels available after the matrix and
should you wish you can decide to increase the size of the matrix and add more
fixtures. The Software can manage up to 32 DMX universes in a matrix.

The main advantages here are that you can increase the size of your matrix when you use the free channels
and you don’t need to change the DMX addresses one by one.

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UPDATING AND MODIFYING THE PATCH

You can change and update the patch anytime you want
to remove, add fixtures or change their DMX addresses.
Click on the ADD button of the 2D tool ribbon to open the
Patch manager again and carry out modifications. The
changes will appear in the 2D area of the software after
confirmation of the new patch.

If you have created several scenes and you decide to

change some DMX addresses, then the content of your
scenes and programs will automatically move to the new
DMX addresses.

PATCH CONSEQUENCES IN THE SOFTWARE

When the Profile and DMX addresses match the lighting fixtures, you can confirm the Patch and click OK.
The software uses the patch information and can generates powerful functions that will help you to create
your show in a very short time.

All the profiles appear in the Editor Window and their light beam shapes are shown in the 2D Editor area, so
it is possible to have a complete view of the project from the 2D software area.

Now the software is ready to work and program your show. When you select fixtures from the 2D area, the
fixtures dedicated channels appear below.

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2D GRAPHIC AREA

The 2D graphic area displays the light profiles. The two

default actions of the mouse are to select fixture
profiles with a left click and change their position of
the selection in the 2D area. To change position, left
Click and hold it then move the selection somewhere
else. Additional commands are possible in the 2D
ribbon.

Commands icons of the 2D ribbon tools allows you to:

Add new Delete Show the Fixture Auto Rotate Fixture auto-
fixture or selected Options positioning multibeam selection
modify the fixtures window fixtures
patch
appwiz.cpl

Reorder Set default Zoom In / Change fixture Create

fixtures for DMX levels out the 2D display mode fixtures
effect on selected view to see group
generation fixtures details

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 FOCUS ON THE OPTIONS COMMAND

Select a new color from the color palette to change the background and define an image to the 2D area
background. You can display a view of a stage or room and place all the fixtures in their respective
locations.

Change the 2D stage area

size
Draw grid in background
and set it magnetic for
easy fixture positioning.

Define a background
color or image.

FOCUS ON THE AUTO-POSITIONING COMMAND

Change the space

between fixtures

Define IDs to
Lock all fixture
fixtures
positions. Only
selection is possible in
the area.

Change fixture
organisation in matrix

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 FOCUS ON AUTO-SELECTING COMMAND

Set selected 1 / 2 fixtures

Magic selector: Select fixtures
programmed in the selected
scene

Reverse the current fixtures

Select all the fixtures
selection

FOCUS ON GROUP COMMAND

This command allows to record a fixture selection under the F1 to F12 keys of your keyboard. To do that,
first select a group of fixtures, then press the Group command and choose the shortcut F-key you want to
use to recall your group selection at any time.

Step 1: select some fixtures

Step 2: Define a group F-Key

shortcut

Step 3: The group is recorded under key shortcut

and a shortcut button automatically appears in the
group ribbon. You can click it or use your keyboard
to recall the fixtures selection.

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 FOCUS ON FIXTURE DISPLAY MODE COMMAND

Switch between image or shaped icon to display fixtures items. You can choose the fixture’s image and the
shaped icon in the Profile Editor. (you must update the profile to change the fixture image).

FIXTURE SELECTION

In the 2D area you can select / deselect the fixtures by clicking on their icons.

Click on a fixture Hold CTRL+Click

item to select it for multiple select

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You can also select them by drawing a selection zone

Click anywhere in the 2D

view, hold down the left
mouse button, then draw
your selection zone.
Release the mouse and all
the fixtures in that zone will
be selected.

You can deselect all of the fixtures by clicking anywhere on the 2D area.

When the Lock position is activated, you can unselect fixtures by clicking the item a second time.

DMX levels and preset values are activated only on selected fixtures in the 2D area.
Make sure that you select the right fixture every time.

FIXTURE CHANNELS CONTROL PANEL

When you select a fixture, its channels and presets

appear in the presets panel located just below the 2D
area. (You can see all the profile’s channels that were
defined earlier using the Profile Editor)

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If you selecttwo or more different fixtures with different profiles
then the software will only display the common channels. For
example, if you select two different fixtures with an RGB
function, the software will show the RGB color pallet. If the two
fixtures have both a Pan and Tilt, the software will display the
Pan and Tilt palette. If they both have a dimmer, the software
will display the dimmer. But if only one of them has RGB color,
the software won’t display the RGB Color pallet. Common
channels are shown, while others are hidden.

The common channels types which can be displayed are RGB,

CMY, RGBY, RGBA, Pan, Tilt, Dimmer, Focus, Iris and Zoom.

CHANNELS AND PRESETS WINDOW

The DMX controls window is located under the 2D area. There are two possible types of control display.

THE CHANNEL DISPLAY MODE

The Channel mode shows a traditional fader for each of the 512 DMX channels. The software can manage
128 DMX universes of 512 channels each, so users have the possibility to switch from one universe to
another. The software has three fader colors : light grey for neutral channels (no profile associated), and two
other colors to distinguish the odd and even fixture channels.

DMX universe
selector

Navigate through
pages of universes
16 per 16

Set the range of channels Navigate through

DMX channels
displayed (from 32 to pages of channels
scroll 1 to 512
512)

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 DMX fader Control

Channel name
Pictogram showing the
current preset. Right click
DMX level is editable in to get the presets menu
this field. Adjust it by
mouse wheel scrolling or
tape in the field

Click anywhere on the fader

track to assign a DMX level

Select a preset to assigned

the preset level to the
channel

Channel number

THE PRESET DISPLAY MODE

The second and more powerful control mode is the Preset mode. It’s the software’s default control mode. It
provides a board containing palettes mixing cursors and presets menus, which embeds powerful tools like
RGB color mixing palette and the Pan & Tilt palette.

If no fixtures are selected, there are no presets to show and then the presets board is an empty
window.

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 DMX Preset Control

Channel name Selected preset’s default level

Selected preset’s end level

Channel’s presets list

Clicking on a preset will

automatically assigned
his the default DMX level DMX level cursor

Selected preset’s start level

Profile channel number

When the preset is selected the main cursor can move from the start to the end DMX level of the preset
(refer to the user manual: How to create Profiles). You can click on the Preset a second time to unselect it
and return to the DMX level 0.

The Color mixing palette for the RGB, RGBW, RGBA and CMY channels:

Primary colors shortcuts set

The palette can save customized

colors:
1 Choose your color with the palette

2 Right-click on a color room to save

the color.
Next, you will be able to recall the
saved colors by clicking the rooms.

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 The Pan and Tilt palette for the XY channels:

The palette can save customized

positions:

1 Choose your position with the

palette

2 Right-click on a position room to

save the XY location.

Next, you will be able to recall the

positions by clicking the rooms.

Adjust the mouse accuracy to get

precise XY positioning.

NOTE: The Preset display mode automatically manages the DMX universes. You do not need to switch from
one DMX universe to another one like in the Channel display mode.

CREATING SCENES AND PROGRAMS

After successfully patching profiles and becoming familiar with the software commands and controls you
can start to program your show. The software uses a very user-friendly method and powerful functions to
create the show. Just refer to the user manual How to Create Scenes And Programs for perfect
programming.

Now you are able to create and update your DMX patch and use the control mode. A good patch with
good profiles is the basis of good programming. When the profiles match your fixtures perfectly you will
save time programming the show and the final visual result will be much improved. It is now time to learn
how to create scenes, programs and sequences.

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