Master intensity per mix

[Marty Postma]

I am quite glad that I can setup my mixes in the HUD and don´t have to have to program this on the lighting console....Mixes are for system setup and layers are for live programming - that is the way I see it...

This would only add the option to be able to control this from the console...not replace the HUD, which I agree is very useful.

When do you have different layers keystone inside the same mix ?

Exactly!

Here's just one example....

(1) v4.1 Server
Output 1 - Preview monitor set to "Separate Layers w/FX"
Output 2 - goes to a Matrox Triple Head that then goes out to (3) DL-1s

Mixes 2-4 are the "outputs" of the DL-1s respectively
Mix 2 uses layers 1-4
Mix 3 uses layers 5-8
Mix 4 uses layers 9-12

It is much faster and easier to adjust the Mix Keystone for the DL-1s rather than having to eat up the Visual FX on each Layer to keystone, and then having to program the Scale and Keystone info for each individual piece of content on each Layer separately.

Being able to control this and store Mix Keystone parameters into Position Palettes on the desk is critical here, as trying to adjust the keystone on each Mix for each DL-1 simultaneously is near impossible.

[SourceChild]

Does no one else have any thoughts on this??

Marty,

I have been thinking about this quite a bit. For the rest of you as well, I have actually spent a great deal of time thinking about this. I have a Visio Project I have created to depict hierachy formed by a spreadsheet I've spent time planning. The idea is to have three different fixtures within Catalyst.

• Layer Control
• Mix Control
• Effects Assign

For now, just have it be known that I am submitting something soon which I hope is very well recieved.
I have been basing my thoughts on all the best features I love from Pandora's Box, Axon2, Arkaos, and Catalyst. My only hope is that some of these ideas will implementable by Richard and not cross any rights on these other products.

[SourceChild]

...Most of the problem comes from when...you need to decrease the intensity of the image on the output...and the top layer starts to become transparent and shows the layer behind it...

A Trick for this I have posted in another thread is to take your top layer and decrease the RGB simultaneously to darken the layer, the same way you would when you use colorFX 1 and 2 to decrease the brighness of each fx.

Conversely, you can also have another layer on top of the stack with Lib 000 and file 001 (which is black) and by fading that layer up, it darkens the mix.

Granted this isn't what you are talking about, but a fix for the issue.

[jasonrudolph]

A Trick for this I have posted in another thread is to take your top layer and decrease the RGB simultaneously to darken the layer, the same way you would when you use colorFX 1 and 2 to decrease the brighness of each fx.

Conversely, you can also have another layer on top of the stack with Lib 000 and file 001 (which is black) and by fading that layer up, it darkens the mix.

Granted this isn't what you are talking about, but a fix for the issue.

Yes, there are ways to fix this when you can program it ahead of time, but my biggest problem is that I need to be able to adjust this on the fly, usually by creating a group master/inhibitive to ride levels on the fly. It changes based on the content, the camera shot, the way cameras were shaded that day, etc. It is not something that can always bee foreseen as well, and that is where the problem normally shows up. Also, there are times when I am using the color fx (actually, I normally end up using color controls in every cue, whether it be an HSC mode to adjust for the particular display devices to match on camera, or just changing a color) so it's normally not an option for me to use the color parameters.

On other servers, its not as big of an issue, as there are dedicated Sat/Contrast controls or you have multiple effects on each layer, but in catalyst, you only have one color effect, which is controlled by the RGB parameters, so it is a much bigger problem for me with Catalyst.

[Marty Postma]

...in catalyst, you only have one color effect, which is controlled by the RGB parameters, so it is a much bigger problem for me with Catalyst.

yep...which is why it would be nice to also have a Colour FX and Visual FX at the MIX level as well. (See my earlier MIX FIXTURE profile suggestions posted earlier).

[SourceChild]

On other servers, its not as big of an issue, as there are dedicated Sat/Contrast controls or you have multiple effects on each layer, but in catalyst, you only have one color effect, which is controlled by the RGB parameters, so it is a much bigger problem for me with Catalyst.

yep...which is why it would be nice to also have a Colour FX and Visual FX at the MIX level as well. (See my earlier MIX FIXTURE profile suggestions posted earlier).

Marty, I agree with you. Jason, you also. Of course my comments earlier in the post where to have independent FX fixtures within Catalyst that can be assigned either to a Mix or a Layer allowing for stacking.

Jason, I feel ya on adjusting colors in almost every cue. I deal with that quite a bit. It's been especially tough since one of my clients realized that with an LFG4, catalyst is sort of like a switcher. (I don't even want to begin telling you what kind of pain in the ass it is to run a rig of lights w video cues as well as using my desk to "switch" video inputs dynamically).

Just a note though, my suggestion is simply this. Take the top layer in the stack and make it the black 001 file and throw it on an intensity fader and you have an instant dynamic gain control. (Yes at the loss of a layer to do it).

[Marty Postma]

Not a terrible workaround for now.

Also an interesting idea on the FX assign. There are several 3-D modelling programs that have this "FX-patching" ability already, so I would think that it shouldn't be a problem legally.

I'd love to hear from Richard on the idea of an overall Mix Fixture...maybe time for e-mail

[corpos12]

Can you create a fixture profile where 100% on the controller means 70% or whatever level on the LED fixture you are using to create the screen?

[Marty Postma]

Can you create a fixture profile where 100% on the controller means 70% or whatever level on the LED fixture you are using to create the screen?

I would think that this depends on your DMX desk.

On Hog-3, for example, you can do what is called "Proportional Patching" by simply going into Patch and setting the "maximum" level.

[OlliR]

As Marty already stated - on the controller side you could limit the value - but that would get back the issue of semi-transparent layers...

So best solution here is again a black image @ some percent intensity on top of all other layers.

It could be an interesting option to limit single colours of the RGB system as alot of LED fixtures overpower blue (and sometimes red) compared to the display on a computer monitor (green LEDs output less light at the same power...)
So a limitation of single colour (as part of the fixturetypes.xml) would be a nice option... - Sure you can colour correct all of your footage for optimized playback on your LEDs - but it is quite time-consuming...