How do I create a new fixture for use with Show Buddy Active?
Use the online fixture editor
The easiest solution is to use the online fixture editor. This public fixture database is an easy way to create new fixture definitions, and to download fixtures already created by other users.
Simply go to fixtures.dmxis.com and create an account. More help and a tutorial video is available on the fixture editor page.
To import downloaded fixtures into Show Buddy Active, select File > Manage fixtures… from the main menu, and click the Import… button.
Manually create a fixture file
If you do not want to use the online editor, you can manually create the fixture file in a text editor. Fixture files must be saved as plain text format.
Fixture file internal format
Each Show Buddy Active fixture file contains a simple list of channels. Each channel in turn contains a number of ranges covering 0-255 (the range of possible DMX values).
For example, a 3 channel fixture with Pan/Tilt/Speed channels might look like this:
Pan V,0,255, Tilt V,0,255, Speed V,0,255,
- Each range contains the fields type, min, max, label
- Type can be V (variable), S (static), D (dimmer) or B (blackout)
- Variable ranges are displayed as a percentage under the DMXIS slider
- Static ranges only display a label under the DMXIS slider.
- Only Dimmer ranges will react to the DMXIS Master Level control.
- Blackout values are automatically loaded for that fixture when the Show Buddy Active Master slider is set to minimum.
- If the label is blank (as above) we only see a percentage displayed under the fader.
- Static ranges always need a label (or you will see an empty label uder the slider!)
You can mix static & variable ranges in one channel. This is necessary, as manufacturers often squeeze lots of features into a single channel:
Gobo S,0,30,Closed S,31,60,Circle S,61,90,Tunnel, S,91,120,Open, V,121,255,Spin