SmartColors with Palette VL

[DCATTechie]

I'm trying to create a profile for 6 SmartColors with theater gel strings for the Strand Palette VL. I want to be able to turn an encoder, have the screen display the name/number of that color in the parameter box and have the scroller go to that color. I tried the steps described in the manual, but it seems to skip over some steps. I got the color to appear in the parameter box when I selected it via encoder, but the scroller itself did not respond. I could only change it via the Intensity parameter.

This is the pic of the screen where I need to input the info for the profile but I have no idea how what to input where. Any help is appreciated!



Thanks!

[jmac]

I had the same or similar problem patching Smart Colors to my Classic Palette awhile back, and found help on the Strand Forum. I couldn't figure it out using the manual.

Not sure if your problem is same as mine, but try this: strand-dev.com/forums; Index page. Under "Questions", look for a thread "Help Creating an Effect", close to the top. Under there a ways (page 2) you will find a downloadable attachment "Patching a Scroller...." posted by Amber. This got me thru it. After you do it once, it's quite easy..

If you are a Strand user, this is a great place to get help. If this doesn't work for you, join up and post your question there. You should get a quick answer.

If I knew how to post that file as an attachment or something, I would.... but....

[fredthe]

First off, what software are you running? I just played with the 10.6.2 OLE, and it behaves a bit differently than the manual.

On your attribute screen, put in your colors in the Label column. Use the gel numbers (Like R33, L181, or whatever is appropriate. Change the proflie name from "16 Color Scroller" to something like "Theater String"

When patching, Set the type to scroller-dimmer. Set the dimmer to the fixtures dimmer. Set Addr 1 (Col: ) to the scroller address. Then type the channel number, Select Profile; Select Color; Select "Theater String". Your patch screen should then show the intensity channel, the color channel, and a setting of Color.

-Fred

[fredthe]

The post jmac mentions is at strand-dev.com • View topic - Help with creating an effect

The document with the steps is at http://www.strand-dev.com/forums/dow...ile.php?id=184
Note, though, that this was written for a slightly older version than 10.6.x.

And, as was mentioned, the strand-dev forum is a great place to get help. (Though there are a few [Light] Palette users around here, too )

-Fred

[jmac]

Thanks Fred. I tried to attach the file, but it said it was too big...
Yes, there is certainly abundant talent and knowledge here at CB. I have learned so much, thanks to all.

[DCATTechie]

Originally Posted by fredthe

...When patching, Set the type to scroller-dimmer. Set the dimmer to the fixtures dimmer. Set Addr 1 (Col: ) to the scroller address...

-Fred

I'm confused as to what you mean here.

Are the only fields that I should edit the color one?

[fredthe]

Originally Posted by DCATTechie

I'm confused as to what you mean here.

Are the only fields that I should edit the color one?

I'm not clear what you are referring to (profile or patching) so let me try again.

There are a couple of steps to defining and using a scroller...

The first step is to define the colors in the string by creating a profile (the screen you posted). In this screen, the only field you should be editing is the "Label" field, which is where you define what your gel colors are. (And, change the name to something significant.) You only have to do this once, if all of your scrollers are using the same gel string.

The next step is to patch the scroller to a channel, you do this in your patch screen, in patch-by-fixture (channel) mode. In this screen, you will:
1. Set the type to scroller-dimmer 8-bit
2. Define the associated dimmer (Intensity) DMX address, in the Dimmer column
3. Define the associated scroller DMX address, in the Addr 1 column
4. Associate the gel string with the scroller, using the command line:
[channel number][profile][color][your profile name]
(I referenced the soft keys by name, because they vary across the different flavors of Palettes.)

Below is what the patch should look like.

Now is it clear?

-Fred

[DCATTechie]

YES! That helped SO much! Thanks everyone for your assistance. This is why I love CB, it's like a 24/7 Tech Support Hotline for any manufacturer.

Couple more things though,

-Does the Palette recognize Apollo Colors? When I change colors, only the text appears in the box under the channel, not the actual color.

-I didn't have access to the console for the past couple days, so I built this on my laptop with the OLE. Is there a way to save just the profile and load it into the console and then test it?

Thanks!

[fredthe]

Originally Posted by DCATTechie

-Does the Palette recognize Apollo Colors? When I change colors, only the text appears in the box under the channel, not the actual color.

Prefix the number with "A", like A8550.

-I didn't have access to the console for the past couple days, so I built this on my laptop with the OLE. Is there a way to save just the profile and load it into the console and then test it?

you can save the whole show file, and copy that to the console. You can't (AFAIK) just copy the profile. Of course, it's just typing in the 16 gel colors one time... you only need to create one profile, and then apply it to all the scrollers (assuming they all have the same gel string.)

-Fred

[jmac]

Yes, as Fred says, if under Label, you type in Apollo numbers with the "A" prefix, it will show the correct color.

There is a way to import the profile-

In new show, go to File/Import Palette Show. Select the show which has the Profile you want to copy. Then in the dialog box that pops up, check off to import only the Custom Profiles (and whatever items you wish to copy in).

You could also set up a default show file with the profile(s) and any other settings you want, for each time you start a new show, to save time.

One note regarding the Patching Scroller directions I referenced earlier- when patching, the correct softkey to set up Profiles is now S8, not S10.