Elation Professional Laptop PC User Manual
Table of contents
I Welcome to Compu Live 1
1. Installing software/interface 2
2. Demo shows 7
3. Adding your first fixture 11
4. Compu Live Overview 14
II Basic programming 19
1. Adding your own fixtures 18
2. Pages and Buttons 24
3. Preprogrammed buttons 26
4. Example: create your first scene 29
5. Record Cycles (cue lists/shows) 32
6. Keyboard triggering (hotkeys) 34
III Intermediate programming 37
1. EasyStep scenes 36
2. Channel properties: On/Off, Dimmer 38
3. Group/Individual control of fixtures 41
4. The X-Y window (pan/tilt) 47
5. Using the MASTER page 50
6. Controlling Speed/Size of your scenes 52
IV Advanced programming 57
1. Overview 56
2. The Editor 56
2.1. Easy Time 56
2.1.1. How to use Easy Time 56
2.1.2. How to use Easy Time for movement 58
2.1.3. Tools and options 61
2.2. Color Manager 62
2.3. Copy/Paste and Phasing 64
3. Fade between scenes 66
4. External trigerring 70
4.1. MIDI - Easy Console 71
4.1.1. EasyConsole, what is it ? 71
4.1.2. First, setup your controller on screen 72
4.1.3. How to use EasyConsole 73
4.2. MIDI - Midi Time Code (MTC) 77
4.3. DMX 78
4.4. Clock and Calendar 79
4.5. Contact closure 81
4.6. Audio Analysis 83
5. Page settings 85
V General settings 93
1. Starting parameters 92
2. Windows management 93
3. Backup /Technical support 95
4. Setting up multiple DMX universes 96
4.1. Using the USB interfaces 96
4.2. Using the IP interfaces 97
4.3. Using the Art-Net protocol 99
VI Appendix 101
1. DMX512 brief description 100
2. Accessories 103
3. IP/Ethernet configuration 104
4. Troubleshooting 106
5. Commands summary 108
Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
I Welcome to Compu Live
Prologue
Thank you for your interest in the Compu Live control software.
Our User Manual is divided into the following chapters:
1. Welcome to Compu Live
Quick start guide, Overview
2. Basic Programming
3. Intermediate Programming
4. Advanced Programming
5. General Settings
Appendices
In this manual, the most elemental concepts of lighting control are presented early on, followed by
increasingly more complicated software tools and functions as the manual progresses. Though our
software is designed to be simple to use and intuitive to learn, we strongly recommend beginner users
to read this manual consecutively, starting from the first chapters and so on. Intermediate and
advanced programmers will usually skip through sections without a problem.
This first chapter gives users a quick overall look at our software (essential if you are impatient like
most of us). We will walk you through the installation process for the software and the interface drivers.
Then we will play around with our preprogrammed DEMO shows. At the end of this chapter, we will
quickly show you how to add your own fixtures into the software, just in case you cannot wait to test
your own lighting fixtures.
The second chapter will show you the most elemental programming tools within the software. By the
end of this chapter, you should be able to program a decent looking show very quickly.
The third and the fourth chapter describe more advanced (not necessarily complicated) software tools.
This knowledge, along with a little practice, will allow you to create almost any lighting scene/effect your
fixtures can handle.
The fourth chapter briefly describes peripheral software tools in the Compu Live package, such as the
3D visualizer (Easy View), a profile/library editor (Scanlibrary), a music/video/lighting timeline
synchronization tool (Easy Show), and downloading scenes/shows into the internal memory of the
electronic interface (Easy Stand Alone).
The fifth chapter include several starting parameters the user should be familiar with, options for the
windows management and Backup/Technical support
Finally, you will find appendices that include a DMX512 review, MIDI review, list of available
accessories, and a troubleshooting guide.
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
1. Installing software/interface
1. Installing the software
Whether you are holding an installation CD in your hands or you downloaded the software from
the internet, the first thing you want to do is install our Compu Live software.
Insert the installation CD in your computer (if you downloaded the software from the internet,
you can skip this paragraph). Once the installation screen is open, select your language and click
NEXT,
then accept the license agreement, and finally click on the INSTALL icon for Compu Live.
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
Select the Setup language and accept the license agreement (again). Choose your installation
folder (default is C:SL2006). The next screen will ask if you want to install the software with or without
DEMO PAGES. If you are a beginner user, we recommend you install WITH demo pages.
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
Finally, the setup wizard will ask if you want to start the software in BEGINNER MODE. Again, if
you are a beginner user, we recommend you click YES on the beginner mode option.
You are done! Now, it is time to start playing with our software.
2. Installing USB drivers
If you purchased a software package and received a USB to DMX interface, you will need to install the
drivers for it. You can use the full software without the interface, but you will need this USB-DMX device
if you want to control real lighting fixtures.
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
Windows will find the driver and will tell you the device is not validated, and will ask if you wish to
continue. Although Microsoft does not have a numberical registry for this driver, there is no risk of
incompatibility. Click "Continue Anyway".
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
You are done! But remember, the software detects the USB interface when it starts. This means that
you must have the USB interface connected to your computer before you open the control software.
Otherwise, there will be no communication between the software and the interface.
3. Using IP/Ethernet interfaces
If you purchased a Compu Live package with an IP/Ethernet interface, please refer to the Appendix
section for instructions.
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
2. Demo shows
For this section, we assume you installed the software in BEGINNER MODE and that you
enabled the installation of DEMO PAGES. If you did not, you will see many options on your screen
apart from the ones described here, but the information will still be valid.
Your screen should look like this:
The Compu Live software will display 1 button for every function that the lighting fixture can
perform. There will be 1 button on the screen for every color, gobo, macro, prism effect, etc.
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
Depending on the type of intelligent lighting that you’re using, there will also be preprogrammed
buttons with generic effects (in this case, the DEMO MOVING HEAD page contains buttons with
movements that are generic to all moving heads and scanners, like circles, random curves, etc).
As you can see on the 3D visualizer window, every time you press a button on your screen the
moving heads respond to that command.
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
Keep in mind that the 3D window is a real-time visualizer. This means that if you had those 4
moving heads connected to your computer, they would be doing that exact same thing you are seeing
on the screen.
Keep pressing any combination of buttons… play around. If you want to reset everything, double click
on the yellow INIT button. If you find a “look” or “effect” that you like, you can save it by going to:
Button menu – New Scene – As you see now – OK
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
We recommend you create a few scenes like this, so that you get somewhat familiar with the
controls. Once you feel comfortable with the preprogrammed controls in the Demo Moving Head page,
you will be ready to add your own fixtures and learn more advanced programming techniques. We still
recommend, however, that you read this manual consecutively, and advise beginner users against
jumping in between chapters at this point.
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
3. Adding your first fixture
If you already have an interface connected to the software and you cannot wait to test these
movements and effects on your own lighting fixtures (or if you want to preview how your own fixtures
would work), this is how you can add them to the Compu Live software:
Page menu – New page
Select "Create a new page with Scanlibrary wizard".
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
You will be able to browse through the profile library in your computer. Search for your
manufacturer's folder and then your particular fixture (notice there is a VARIED folder where fixtures
from small manufacturers are included).
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
After you find your lighting fixture in the manufacturer folders, you will need to set the starting
DMX address and number of fixtures (if you do not know the meaning of “starting DMX address”,
please read Appendix A “DMX Review” before you continue).
Then, simply click NEXT to all the options that the wizard presents (not important at the
moment, but will be explained in detail in later sections in the manual).
You’re done! Now you have 2 pages: the DEMO MOVING HEAD and your MANUFACTURER
FIXTURE. Assuming your lighting fixtures are connected and addressed correctly, everything shown in
the 3D visualizer should be simultaneously happening with your real lighting fixtures. If you think you
have everything setup correctly and are still having problems, please refer to Appendix D
“Troubleshooting”.
There you go! Keep reading the manual to learn how to program more elaborate lighting
scenes/shows/effects.
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
4. Compu Live Overview
The following chapter will provide an Overview of the entire Compu Live package. The main
goal of this chapter is to give you a better idea of Compu Live’s full potential…
Easy View
Our real-time 3D visualizer, which will show you all of your lighting effects on your computer screen in
the same way they would look if your actual lighting fixtures were connected to the computer. Ideal to
pre-program without lighting fixtures. Create your own stages adding objects and textures, making them
as realistic as you want. Record videos of your lighting shows or take still pictures. Print 2D views from
your stage, including all your fixtures, trussing, furniture, etc.
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
Easy Show
Ideal to synchronize lighting effects with audio and video. Similar to audio editing software, Easy
Show includes timelines where you can drag, drop, expand, scroll your lighting effects, along with Audio
and Video timelines.
Easy Stand Alone
Create your lighting scenes, then download them to the memory of the interface. Depending on
the number of lighting fixtures that you’re using, you can have hundreds, even thousands of scenes
recorded in our small electronic interface. Trigger lighting shows at scheduled times using the
interface’s internal clock and calendar. Activate lighting scenes using simple IO contact closures.
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
Scanlibrary Editor
Create your own profiles or modify existing profiles for lighting fixtures. All effects are included
(color, gobo, gobo rotation, prism, etc). Preview your profiles using our 3D visualizer.
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Compu Live I Welcome to Compu Live
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Compu Live II Basic programming
II Basic programming
Overview
After reading our "Welcome" chapter, you might have a good idea of what you would like to
accomplish with our Compu Live controller. Now it is time to learn how to create all those lighting
scenes you have in your mind already.
This chapter explores the options available when adding your own fixtures through our “New Page
Wizard”. Then we focus on available preprogrammed buttons for all intelligent lighting. We look deeper
into the “New Scene – As you see now” option. Finally, this chapter explores the triggering of lighting
scenes from your computer's keyboard.
1. Adding your own fixtures
Whether you purchased the electronic interface already or simply downloaded the free software
from the internet, you probably have an idea of what type of lighting fixtures you want to control. The
Compu Live includes a library of about 2,000 profiles from lighting manufacturers from around the
world; most likely your lighting fixtures are included.
Fixtures are grouped inside the Compu Live software into "Pages". Thus, to add your own fixtures, go
to:
Page menu – New page
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Compu Live II Basic programming
You can see two buttons. The first "Create a new page with Scanlibrary wizard" opens our
profile library. The second "Create a blank page", adds an empty page of DMX channels in the software
(configuration for these blank pages is described in later chapters).
The first "Explore" button allows you to search the library of profiles installed in your computer
along with the software. The second "Explore" button is a link to our online library.
We recommend you look for your profiles within your computer first, and if you can't find them, then go
online. The third button opens the Scanlibrary Editor. This is an aditional software tool that allows you to
construct or modify your own profiles. Please read the "Scanlibrary Editor" manual for more information
on how to create personalized profiles.
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Compu Live II Basic programming
Note: If you cannot find your fixture's profile in the library, please refer to the Scanlibrary Editor
manual.
Once you find your fixture inside your manufacturer's folder, you will need to set a starting DMX
address and the number of fixtures that fit this profile. If you are unfamiliar with the term "starting DMX
address", please read our DMX Review appendix.
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Compu Live II Basic programming
In this screen, you can also set the DMX universe you want your fixtures to work with (in case
you have more than 1 DMX outputs).
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Compu Live II Basic programming
Look at your lighting fixtures (whether the real ones or the ones inside the 3D visualizer). You
should see all of them turn on, white color, to 50% pan and tilt (if available). If your fixtures fail this
check, then:
1. You selected the wrong profile (some fixtures have different "modes"). You should go back and find
the appropriate profile.
2. You addressed your fixtures differently than the software (Compu Live addresses similar fixtures
consecutively). Figure out if it is better to re-address fixtures in the software or the real world.
3. The fixture's lamp is not ON, in which case, continue with the setup process, there will be a DMX
command to turn it ON within the Compu Live page.
This screen allows you to limit the maximum Pan and Tilt in your moving heads and scanners
(the wizard will skip this step if your fixtures do not have these properties). Setting limits to pan and tilt
channels can be useful, but we recommend you get familiarized with other controller tools first, and
then decide if setting limits for the fixtures is what you need to create your lighting effects. If it is, you
can always change these limits from the "Page Properties" window (described later in the manual).
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Compu Live II Basic programming
The next screen asks which preprogrammed movements you want to include (for moving heads
and scanners only). Again, we recommend you include all movements (default selection).
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Compu Live II Basic programming
Do not worry about all other options on the screen, once you learn the concepts of the software,
these will be obvious.
There is no limit to the number of pages that you can add. We recommend you to add all your
lighting fixtures from the same type within the same page, and that you do not repeat DMX addresses
across different pages.
2. Pages and Buttons
Pages
Within the Compu Live software, a PAGE corresponds to a group of lighting fixtures of the same
type (manufacturer and model). You can have any number of fixtures within each page, and also you
can have any number of pages. The power behind these PAGES is to control fixtures together
(simultaneously) which allows for very easy programming. Fixtures can also be controlled
independently if you want, as explained in Chapter 4 “Intermediate Programming”.
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Compu Live II Basic programming
Do not worry about the options available within this window for the moment, as they will be
explained later in the manual and are not necessary to understand the basics of the software.
Buttons
There are 3 different types of buttons, each with their own properties:
- Scenes (yellow buttons)
- Switches (red buttons)
- Cycles (blue buttons)
Scenes
A Compu Live SCENE is a button that typically recalls a combination of functions and effects
(sometimes known as a "cue" or "look", it can be movement with colors, gobos, prisms, etc). There can
be 1 and only 1 Scene selected at a time inside each Page. This means that every new Scene that you
activate will release the previous scene.
Switches
A Compu Live SWITCH is a button that typically recalls a single function or effect (i.e. 1 movement, or 1
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Compu Live II Basic programming
color, or 1 color combination, etc). As long as 2 switches don’t affect the same property (DMX channel),
you can have as many switches activated as you want. For instance, if you add a gobo switch to a
movement switch, both can be activated simultaneously.
Cycles
A Compu Live CYCLE is a button that sequentially recalls cue lists of Scenes and Switches. For
instance, if you create Scene 1 and Scene 2, and you want them to alternate continuously every few
seconds, a Cycle can include these 2 scenes and define the timing in between.
You can create new Scenes, Switches, and Cycles from the “Button” menu on the top. Simple
instructions to create Scenes, Switches, and Cycles follow in upcoming sections.
3. Preprogrammed buttons
Using preprogrammed buttons
Every time you create a new page for a group of lighting fixtures, depending on the type of
fixtures (moving heads, scanners, LEDs, conventionals, etc), there will be preprogrammed buttons on
the screen that will help you create lighting effects.
Movement buttons
These are generic to all moving heads and scanners. These include the CENTER switch, which
is a fixed position at 50% pan and tilt. Movement buttons include both the position and dimmer, iris,
shutter, lamp information necessary to display a white/open gobo light source.
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