Martin Lightjockey tips and tricks

 
Here is what I always do for pre-setting the layout of the LJ, how I make things easier and have better selection among different types of fixtures.

DMX Output Monitor (under 'View') - to view dmx output is very important for us to know what is going on around the fixture and what's current outputing.

Overwrite value on DMX Output Monitor(preferences -> enable value overwrite -> of the monitor) - this you can directly control the select channel on the monitor and use the fader on the right to control it. This will overwrite sequence control, BG Cue & Cue Control. So remember to press 'Clr' button to clear it. ( Once the monitor is close, the overwrite value will be remove too.)

LJ has a huge advantage as you can place the fixture anywhere you want on the screen. That means you don't really have to memorize the number for your fixtures. Changing fixture icon style to image size.(right-click on screen -> icon -> style.)

Quicksave/load(Setup -> Preference -> System -> Quicksave/load) - now this is a very useful feature, when you right click on the save icon() it will resave over the previous one. This of course depends if you select it to work with Sequence, Cue, Cuelist or Generic Macro. As well right lick on the load icon() will reload the the previously loaded Sequence, Cue, Cuelist or Generic Macro. (This work by resaving and reloading, only work when the it has previously been saved and previously been load so you can reload it.)

Warnings setup (Setup -> Preference -> System ->Warnings ->) - I usually turn off the pop-up warnings for Sequence,Cue Modified and Overwrite. Save me lots of time for that.

System settings (Setup -> Preference -> System -> Sytem settings) - I turn on for the Blind mode, Freeze output, Enable bitmap cache, Fixture solo selection . The rest are very simple understand, not really ncessary to explain more.

To move fixtures (right-click on screen -> move all) - once the fixture's name turns grey, you can move the fixture to the desired position. Repeat the same step to stop the moving mode.

Creating Tab (right-click screen -> desktop -> Tabs) - will make things look neat. I often create another tab purposely for generic or hazers. There you can edit (name), add or delete tab. (When a fixture in the tab is selected, the tab dot will turn red; otherwise it will remain grey.) example :

Move fixtures between tab (right-click screen -> icons -> unassign icons) - once you have unassigned fixtures, switch to the other tab and start placing the fixtures. (You can show any unassigned fixture by pressing 'View' -> Unssigned fixtures)

HTP Group ('Setup' -> Global Patch) - here you can use fader to control specific channel of the fixture. On the Global Patch window, select the channel of the fixture you want to control and click on the HTP Group; there is only 24 HTP group. Then you can use virtual fingers or any dmx-in playback to control the channel with physical fader. This is very useful for certain occasions like clubs & disco.

Creating fixture groups (press or right-click screen -> Fixture Groups) - first press 'Add Group' to create group for truss 1 fixtures and so on. Groups can also be set to hotkey for shortcut access too. But keep in mind that you can only set 20 fixture groups' hotkey.

Save fixture to a group - with fixture selected and the group window box opened, right click on the group that you've created, select 'Add selected fixtures to this Group'

Mode:Exclusive/Inclusive (or screen or on Fixture Group window) - this is another great feature of LJ and is mainly used for fixture or group selection. During Exclusive mode, selecting another fixture will automatically unselect the previously selected fixtures. As for Inclusive mode which works the opposite way, it will not automatically de-select the previously selected fixtures. (By holding SHIFT during Exclusive mode, the console is forced to work in Inclusive mode. As well, by holding CTRL during Inclusive mode, the console is forced to work in Exclusive mode.)

Next/Previous Fixture Selection (right-click on button or 'Setup' -> Preference) - here you can change the fixture order by clicking on the Custom Order. (Goto Option -> Add Remaining Fixtures) Then you can use drag & drop style to rearrange the order of the fixtures.

Import Profile (on Fixture Configuration) - this is where you import new fixture profiles. you can get most profiles from LJ library or you can post a request on the LJ Bulletin Board .

Default DMX Output('Setup' -> Preference -> Default DMX Output) - You can set a scene as a default point for all your fixtures. So that you wouldn't have to waste a cueslot and not having an unused default scene around. Launch a scene and press 'Use current scene'. Press 'Clear Default Output' to clear the scene from the default point.

Intensity Groups (click 'Groups' on the Master Instensity) - you can control a group of fixture's intensity. There are only 8 groups and all can be set to hotkeys for shortcut. With fixtures selected, press 'Assign Selected Fixtures' on the Intensity Groups ranging from 1 till 8. (Remember to save once all the setting of groups are done.)

Patch DMX to Intensity Group (Master Intensity -> Options -> Patch Submaster) - you will see 8 group rows with blank space under 'Source DMX Out' column here you enter any address you want to patch that group to and patch aa new generic set it to the same address, then this generic level will control this group's intensity. (If the generic patch starting from Uni2 then the patch group address should be starting from 513.)

Add image to screen background (right-click screen -> desktop -> image.) - Here you can add image to the desktop of the screen. Remember, only BMP file can be added to the desktop. I normally create a pot view of the stage and position my fixtures to the rig. So I could easily know the location of my fixtures. (Unfortunately, you can only attach 1 image.) I have added 2 examples below.

Please click to enlarge :



	Martin Lightjockey [ Pre-setting - Programming - Generic control - Effects - Hotkeys - Playback ] Pre-setting Here is what I always do for pre-setting the layout of the LJ, how I make things easier and have better selection among different types of fixtures. DMX Output Monitor (under 'View') - to view dmx output is very important for us to know what is going on around the fixture and what's current outputing. Overwrite value on DMX Output Monitor(preferences -> enable value overwrite -> of the monitor) - this you can directly control the select channel on the monitor and use the fader on the right to control it. This will overwrite sequence control, BG Cue & Cue Control. So remember to press 'Clr' button to clear it. ( Once the monitor is close, the overwrite value will be remove too.) LJ has a huge advantage as you can place the fixture anywhere you want on the screen. That means you don't really have to memorize the number for your fixtures. Changing fixture icon style to image size.(right-click on screen -> icon -> style.) Quicksave/load(Setup -> Preference -> System -> Quicksave/load) - now this is a very useful feature, when you right click on the save icon() it will resave over the previous one. This of course depends if you select it to work with Sequence, Cue, Cuelist or Generic Macro. As well right lick on the load icon() will reload the the previously loaded Sequence, Cue, Cuelist or Generic Macro. (This work by resaving and reloading, only work when the it has previously been saved and previously been load so you can reload it.) Warnings setup (Setup -> Preference -> System ->Warnings ->) - I usually turn off the pop-up warnings for Sequence,Cue Modified and Overwrite. Save me lots of time for that. System settings (Setup -> Preference -> System -> Sytem settings) - I turn on for the Blind mode, Freeze output, Enable bitmap cache, Fixture solo selection . The rest are very simple understand, not really ncessary to explain more. To move fixtures (right-click on screen -> move all) - once the fixture's name turns grey, you can move the fixture to the desired position. Repeat the same step to stop the moving mode. Creating Tab (right-click screen -> desktop -> Tabs) - will make things look neat. I often create another tab purposely for generic or hazers. There you can edit (name), add or delete tab. (When a fixture in the tab is selected, the tab dot will turn red; otherwise it will remain grey.) example : Move fixtures between tab (right-click screen -> icons -> unassign icons) - once you have unassigned fixtures, switch to the other tab and start placing the fixtures. (You can show any unassigned fixture by pressing 'View' -> Unssigned fixtures) HTP Group ('Setup' -> Global Patch) - here you can use fader to control specific channel of the fixture. On the Global Patch window, select the channel of the fixture you want to control and click on the HTP Group; there is only 24 HTP group. Then you can use virtual fingers or any dmx-in playback to control the channel with physical fader. This is very useful for certain occasions like clubs & disco. Creating fixture groups (press or right-click screen -> Fixture Groups) - first press 'Add Group' to create group for truss 1 fixtures and so on. Groups can also be set to hotkey for shortcut access too. But keep in mind that you can only set 20 fixture groups' hotkey. Save fixture to a group - with fixture selected and the group window box opened, right click on the group that you've created, select 'Add selected fixtures to this Group' Mode:Exclusive/Inclusive (or screen or on Fixture Group window) - this is another great feature of LJ and is mainly used for fixture or group selection. During Exclusive mode, selecting another fixture will automatically unselect the previously selected fixtures. As for Inclusive mode which works the opposite way, it will not automatically de-select the previously selected fixtures. (By holding SHIFT during Exclusive mode, the console is forced to work in Inclusive mode. As well, by holding CTRL during Inclusive mode, the console is forced to work in Exclusive mode.) Next/Previous Fixture Selection (right-click on button or 'Setup' -> Preference) - here you can change the fixture order by clicking on the Custom Order. (Goto Option -> Add Remaining Fixtures) Then you can use drag & drop style to rearrange the order of the fixtures. Import Profile (on Fixture Configuration) - this is where you import new fixture profiles. you can get most profiles from LJ library or you can post a request on the LJ Bulletin Board . Default DMX Output('Setup' -> Preference -> Default DMX Output) - You can set a scene as a default point for all your fixtures. So that you wouldn't have to waste a cueslot and not having an unused default scene around. Launch a scene and press 'Use current scene'. Press 'Clear Default Output' to clear the scene from the default point. Intensity Groups (click 'Groups' on the Master Instensity) - you can control a group of fixture's intensity. There are only 8 groups and all can be set to hotkeys for shortcut. With fixtures selected, press 'Assign Selected Fixtures' on the Intensity Groups ranging from 1 till 8. (Remember to save once all the setting of groups are done.) Patch DMX to Intensity Group (Master Intensity -> Options -> Patch Submaster) - you will see 8 group rows with blank space under 'Source DMX Out' column here you enter any address you want to patch that group to and patch aa new generic set it to the same address, then this generic level will control this group's intensity. (If the generic patch starting from Uni2 then the patch group address should be starting from 513.) Add image to screen background (right-click screen -> desktop -> image.) - Here you can add image to the desktop of the screen. Remember, only BMP file can be added to the desktop. I normally create a pot view of the stage and position my fixtures to the rig. So I could easily know the location of my fixtures. (Unfortunately, you can only attach 1 image.) I have added 2 examples below. Please click to enlarge :