Control/Dimming REM DIM on Expression3/Express

Charc

Well-Known Member
I was pointed to this code, which solves the issue of no REM DIM on Express(ion). I'd say release is not all that helpful in comparison, because it can be replicated with only, what, like two keystrokes (@0)?

This is what you'll want on your macro.

[AT] [FULL] [REC] [GROUP] [1] [ENTER] [STAGE] [CHANNEL] [1] [THRU] [# System Max] [EXCEPT] [GROUP] [1] [AT] [0] [0] [GROUP] [1] [AT] [FULL] [BLIND] [CHANNEL] [1] [THRU] [# System Max] [AT] [0] [0] [REC] [GROUP] [1] [ENTER] [UP] [CHAN]
 
An alternative, from here:
Recreate the handy REMDIM function

Basically, you need to program a macro as follows (I use M1 so it's a one button press on the riggers remote)
At, Full, 1, Thru, x, Except, Mwait-3, At, Rel

replace 'x' with the highest number dimmer you have.

To explain how this works, when you have a channel up while focussing (say Channel 12) and you want to move to channel 60, you'd press 60 then M1. This would initally take 60 up to full, and then select the 1 thru 200 (for example). The wait part of the Macro is critical as this then allows you to type in the channel number again (as to make sure it's not released), and then after 3 seconds everything bar the active channel will be released, therefore giving you the new light to focus without the previous one or any of the rest of the rig.

You could alter the M-wait time if you feel 3 seconds is too short, or too long.

It's a bit crude but it works. It's certainly alot easier than making one channel live, then trying to remembering the previous channel, and taking that out! It's also safer than go to a B/O before bringing up the new channel. submitted by:: Stu Meech [email protected]
 
I like Charcs better, a bit cleaner and if you replace Group 1 with Group 999 then you can just ignore it.

Thanks for the suggestions!
 
Initially I looked at this and thought, "Why not just use the 'Solo' key?".

Then I got to thinking about how "solo" isn't an option on my RFU because you can't drill down through the softkeys; and how I don't use solo much because you have to drill down a layer in the soft keys.... And I realized that I really need to make a macro that handles getting to and from "solo" that I can use from my RFU....

So.... THANKS!!!!!! :grin::grin::grin:
 
Initially I looked at this and thought, "Why not just use the 'Solo' key?".

Then I got to thinking about how "solo" isn't an option on my RFU because you can't drill down through the softkeys; and how I don't use solo much because you have to drill down a layer in the soft keys.... And I realized that I really need to make a macro that handles getting to and from "solo" that I can use from my RFU....

So.... THANKS!!!!!! :grin::grin::grin:

We have macro that access Solo from the RFU.

We never use it, as Solo does not function exactly as the older RemDim did on Exp I's and Microvision. Offhand cannot remember why it's different, it's just more complicated then it needed to be.

Steve B.
 
From the Expression I manual:
Solo
[Solo] lets you select a channel or a group of channels and suppress all others to a level of zero. [Solo] is useful for selecting part of a look currently displayed on your screen (in any mode) and recording only that portion.
You may also want to use [Solo] to isolate a subset of a live look to readjust or refocus those channels without the other channels interfering. Follow these steps to select a subset of channels from a display screen:
Using [Solo] in Stage
1. Select the channels you want to isolate.
2. Press [Solo]. Selected channels remain at current levels; all other channels are suppressed to zero.
3. Now you can work with the selected channels live, save them as a cue, group or submaster, or use them as you would any other set of selected channels.
4. To restore the full set of channels, press [Solo] again. The changes you made are reflected on the screen.
Chapter 8 Reference 8 - 61
Using [Solo] in Blind or Track Sheet
1. Select a subset of the current channels displayed.
2. Press [Solo]. All unselected channel levels are removed from the screen.
3. You can now save the selected channels as a cue, group or submaster.
4. Press [Solo] again to delete all remaining channel settings. Or, press [Cue] to restore original settings.
Examples
[Stage] [Chan] [1] [Thru] [5] [Solo] removes all channels except 1 through 5 from the Stage. [Solo] again restores the original look.
[Blind] [Cue] [3] [Chan] [1] [Thru] [5] [Solo] removes all channels except 1 through 5 from screen. [Solo] again removes all channels from screen.


From the Expression3 manual:
Recording a cue using Solo
Solo is useful for setting existing channels to zero temporarily while you view or record selected channels. You can use Solo in Blind or Stage.
When used in Stage, you can use solo to cut all lights except those selected, thus using it to identify specific lights. Or, you can use Solo a different way to cut all channels except those selected, which is a way of filtering channels for recording. Both procedures are given below.
Using Solo to record selected lights
In the Stage procedure below, all but selected lights are cleared the first time you press Solo. They are restored as before when you press Solo a second time (Stage only). This use of Solo will not NOT clear independent channels, such as those controlling most moving light attributes. It will, however, clear the intensity channel of a moving light fixture.
Using Solo as a pre-recording filter
The following procedure, which has an equivalent in Blind, uses Solo to restrict the recording to selected channels, clearing all others whether independent or not. Stage levels are unaffected by this procedure.
Keystrokes: Action:
1. Press [Stage]. Selects the Stage display mode
2. Press [Cue] [1][0] [Go]. Plays cue 10 in a fader pair to set a look on stage
3. Press [2][0] [Thru] [3][0]. Selects channels 20 through 30
4. Press [S7], More Softkeys, until [S3] reads Solo.
5. Press [S3], Solo. Sets all channels other than 20 through 30 to zero
Prompt reads: To clear all channel levels, press SOLO
6. Press [2][0] [Thru] [3][0] [Full]. Selects channels 20 through 30 and sets them to full
7. Press [Record] [Cue] [7] [Enter].
Records channels 20 through 30 into cue 7
8. Press [S3], Solo. Restores the channels that were cleared by Solo
Keystrokes: Action:
1. Press [Stage]. Selects the Stage display mode
2. Press [Cue] [1][0] [Go]. Plays cue 10 in a fader pair to set a look on stage
3. Press [Chan] [2][0] [Thru] [3][0] [Full].
Selects channels 20 through 30 and sets them to full
4. Press [Record] [Cue] [7] [Solo].
Records selected channels into cue 7.


I see no difference between the two, other than the ML functions of the Exp3. I could have sworn the original Exp had a [Rem Dim] button, but I must have been told [Solo] is the same, which at the time (1987) it was. And still is, unless Strand has added more functionality to [Rem Dim], as Expression3 did with [Solo]. Was [Solo] a hard key on the ExpI? I vaguely remember with a software update, getting a new key label for some key, but can't remember which.
 
We have macro that access Solo from the RFU.

We never use it, as Solo does not function exactly as the older RemDim did on Exp I's and Microvision. Offhand cannot remember why it's different, it's just more complicated then it needed to be.

Okay, yeah, playing with EOL.... Solo is a "state" that toggles on and off, so hitting SOLO a second time "Un-Solo's". So, say:

1) Ch.1 FL = Ch.1 FL
2) Ch.2 FL SOLO = Ch.1@0, Ch.2 FL
3) Ch.3 FL SOLO = Ch.1 FL, Ch.2 FL, Ch.3 FL.
...so then you have to hit solo again...
4) SOLO = Ch.1@0, Ch.2 @0, Ch.3 FL.

As you go through a lightcheck or focus this way you end up accumulating each channel you've used and bringing them up to FL. Awkward.
 
Heh heh heh....

Okay, seems like the problem is that Solo does what RemDim does working with a cue, but doesn't let you step through lightcheck or focus like RemDim would. There's a really long macro that you can write that makes a group and all that to work around this.

But there's a devilishly simple macro that works perfect. Here it is:

Ready?

"FlashOff Flash".

You can't write the "Flash" commands from macro editing, so you have to do this as "Learn Macro". Go to stage, hit "Learn" and pick your macro number, then hit "More Softkeys", "Flash", "Flash", then "MacroEnter".

Now, go to macro editing and find your newly recorded macro. It will read "MoreSoftkeys Flash FlashOff Flash FlashOff".

Delete entries so that it just reads "FlashOff Flash".

Now, go to stage and give it a try. Enter a channel number, then your macro. Your channel will come FL. Key in the next channel number, then your macro; your old channel will release, then your new channel will come full. Repeat until coffee break.

Bonus round: Key in "1", then the macro. 1 comes full. Now, hit "+" and watch 2 come FL, 1 go out.

This one's going on M1 so I can hit it from the RFU with one stroke....

:cool:
 
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Very clever, @quarterfront , but not exactly the same as Rem Dim, and will never replace "[at] 00 [+] [Full]" for me.
 
and will never replace "[at] 00 [+] [Full]" for me.

Yeah, but the beauty of "FlashOff Flash" is that with the macro active the "+" key now does what amounts to "[at] 00 [+] [Full]"

...and you can use "-" key to go backwards....
 
[AT] [FULL] [REC] [GROUP] [1] [ENTER] [STAGE] [CHANNEL] [1] [THRU] [# System Max] [EXCEPT] [GROUP] [1] [AT] [0] [0] [GROUP] [1] [AT] [FULL] [BLIND] [CHANNEL] [1] [THRU] [# System Max] [AT] [0] [0] [REC] [GROUP] [1] [ENTER] [UP] [CHAN]
Wouldn't this overwrite any groups that might have already been programmed for the show?
So I should use group 499 or something instead, if the groups are being used?

[at] 00 [+] [Full]
Agreed!

Which of these Rem Dim macros allow you to return to the previous look?
 
Which of these Rem Dim macros allow you to return to the previous look?

That's what "Solo" is for, isn't it?

The thing about RemDim is that Return is a separate command. So you can go RemDim to your heart's content without ever Returning during focus or lightcheck to bring up your next channel and dump what you're done with.

The "[at] 00 [+] [Full]" macro lets you step through lightcheck one channel at a time in ascending order.

Charc's long string of commands with the record group-use group to exclude-delete group sequence does a "RemDim" - then "Release" amounts to "Return". This is essentially what "Solo" does. The problem with Solo is that you can't do the "RemDim to your hearts content without ever a Return" thing to go through lighcheck.

Which brings me to "FlashOff Flash".... :mrgreen:
 
[AT] [FULL] [REC] [GROUP] [1] [ENTER] [STAGE] [CHANNEL] [1] [THRU] [# System Max] [EXCEPT] [GROUP] [1] [AT] [0] [0] [GROUP] [1] [AT] [FULL] [BLIND] [CHANNEL] [1] [THRU] [# System Max] [AT] [0] [0] [REC] [GROUP] [1] [ENTER] [UP] [CHAN]

You have to be in Blind for the one I posted to work.

Milk and cookies keeping me up...

Okay, how about this one....

In STAGE, you enter your channel(s) and the level you want, then the macro goes:

[UPDATE][GROUP][9][9][9][ENTER][CHANNEL][1][THRU][#System Max][EXCEPT][GROUP][9][9][9][AT][0][0][BLIND][GROUP][9][9][8][ENTER][RECORD][GROUP][9][9][9][ENTER][STAGE]

This accomplishes what the first macro did, except you can do it from Stage, and you get to enter a level instead of being married to FULL.

Return isn't an option, though, because you've made all channels active and Release will go back to whatever is loaded on the fader.

I don't know, I still think that [CHANNEL][enter list](optional:[AT][LEVEL])[SOLO] accomplishes pretty much everything that REMDIM does when it comes to workflow when writing cues. The main complaint about SOLO, as I understand it, is that it doesn't help you blow through focus.

I'm still pretty psyched about [FLASHOFF][FLASH] as the answer to the focus complaint.

I know, I'm becoming tiresome. I'll shut up now.... ;)
 
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