Best way to lay out LW for multiple rooms.

Jason
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Best way to lay out LW for multiple rooms. Jan 8, 2018 10:01:57 GMT -5

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Post by Jason on Jan 8, 2018 10:01:57 GMT -5

I've recently inherited a venue that has two stages. Generally, if I have two spaces... I would make a separate LW file for each one, and that is what has been done thus far. However, these stages share a single dimmer network.

This generally isn't a problem with our rep plot, but when a client brings in movers or LEDs, they look for the open DMX addressed and inevitably, house or stage lights in the second space start flashing. Obviously, this can be a major problem.

My questions is: For those with multiple space (same DMX network) venues, do you find it easier to keep two seperate LW files (each with a section that identifies addresses used by the other space), or do you find a single master file for the building with an additional column identifying "space" useful?

As an additional note, we have never (nor do we have any impending plans to) used both spaces simultaneously for the same event.

Thanks!

nik
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Best way to lay out LW for multiple rooms. Jan 8, 2018 16:39:46 GMT -5

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Post by nik on Jan 8, 2018 16:39:46 GMT -5

I would keep two separate files and then create a fixture called "other venue". If the dimmers are contiguos for each space, that is Venue 1 is Dim 1-24 and Venue 2 is 25-48, then just make the DMX Qty for that fixture match the number of dimmers in the space. Then assign it the address of the first Dimmer. That way it will occupy the DMX addresses but will only be one line in your file.

If not just give it a DMX Qty of 1 and assign it to all the dimmers.

You can also create a Limit (Utilities->Limits->In This Show) that will hide the "other venue" fixture. The limit should say Match "All Kinds" and also when "Instrument Type" "Is Not" "Other Venue". That way it won't even show up in the paperwork but will still occupy the space in the DMX map and show up when error checking.

johnmcsoft
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Posts: 321

Best way to lay out LW for multiple rooms. Jan 11, 2018 16:59:31 GMT -5

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Post by johnmcsoft on Jan 11, 2018 16:59:31 GMT -5

Limits combined with the Mark field can help. Give the lights for one room a mark such as "1" and a mark for the other room "2". If there are lights that are common to both rooms, mark those with both 1 and 2. Then create a limit to show only lights containing mark 1 and another limit to show only lights containing mark 2. Use the Limit when printing paperwork, counting, or anything else that needs to be done based on the room.