ETC Ion User Manual

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Lighting Control Console Operations Manual

Version 2.0

Product information and specifications subject to change.

Part Number:4310M1210-2.00 Rev A

Released: 2013-03

ETC®, Eos™,Eos Ti™, Gio®,Ion®, Element™, Emphasis®, Expression®, Insight™, Imagine™, Focus™, Express™, Unison

, Obsession® II, ETCNet2™, EDMX™, Revolution® and Sensor+®, are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

ETC permits the reproduction of materials in this manual only for non-commercial purposes. All other rights are reserved by ETC.

ETC intends this document, whether printed or electronic, to be provided in its entirety.

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Using this Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Help from ETC Technical Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Important Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Channel = Fixture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Record Target . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Move Instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Manual Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Syntax Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Parameters and Parameter Categories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Tracking vs. Cue Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Move Fade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Block vs. Assert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Live and Blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

HTP vs. LTP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Other Reference Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Help System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Online Eos Family (Eos Ti, Eos, Gio and Ion) User Forums . . . .8

Chapter 1

System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Remote Processor Unit (RPU). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Remote Video Interface (RVI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Radio Focus Remote (RFR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

iRFR and aRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Gateways. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Console Geography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Littlites

Cleaning Ion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Outputting DMX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Console Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Output Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Channel Counts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Cues and Cue Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Record Targets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Faders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Chapter 2

System Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Setting Up the Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Power Up the Console. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Power Down the Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Your First Interaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Single Monitor Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Dual Monitor Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

The Central Information Area (CIA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Parameter Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Collapse/Expand the CIA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Lock the CIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Favorite CIA Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Locking the Facepanel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Using the Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Virtual Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Fader Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Using Direct Selects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Direct Selects in Flexi Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Clear Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Display Control and Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Opening and Closing Displays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Selecting Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Moving Displays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Scrolling within a Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Expanding Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Zooming Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Display Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . .31

Indicators in the Live/Blind Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

[Data] Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

[Time] Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

[Label] Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Using Flexichannel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Indicators in the Playback Status Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Using [Format] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Encoders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Encoder Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Locking the Encoders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Encoders in Blind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Flexi Encoders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Moving Light Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

ML Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Using Softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Context Sensitive Softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Changing Softkey Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

2 Ion Operations Manual

Chapter 3

Managing Show Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Create a New Show File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Open an Existing Show File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Selective Partial Show Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Merging Show Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Printing a Show File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Saving the Current Show File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Using Quick Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Using Save As . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Importing Show Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Exporting a Show File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Deleting a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

File Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Chapter 4

Patch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

About Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Flexichannel Views in Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Patching Conventional Fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Patching By Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Range Patching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Patching By Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Using Output Address vs Port/Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Helpful Hints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

{Address} [n] [/] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Dimmer Doubling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Moving and Copying Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Swapping Channels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Unpatch a Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Deleting Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Using {Offset} in Patch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Creating multi-part and compound channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Using the Scroller/Wheel Picker and Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Using the Picker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Using the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Calibrating a Scroller Using the Encoders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Calibrating a Scroller Using the ML Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Patching Moving Lights, LEDs, and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Display Pages in Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

{Patch} Display and Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

{Attribute} Display and Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

{Database} Display and Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Using Device List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Dimmer List for CEM+, CEM3, and FDX 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

RDM Device List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Patching Discovered Dimmers and RDM Devices . . . . . . . . . .86

Errors and Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Detaching Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Clearing the Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Reset Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Fixture Creator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Creating a New Fixture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Copying a Fixture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Merging Custom Fixtures into a New Show File . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Importing a Custom Fixture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Update Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Snap Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Opening Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

Desk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

Basic Manual Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

Selecting Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

Select Channels From the Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

Selecting Channels from Faders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

Using Groups as a Channel Collector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

Setting Intensity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

Level Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

Manual Control of Non-intensity Parameters (NPs) . . . . . . . . . . . .115

Parameter Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

Setting Parameters with the Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Adjusting Parameters Using + and - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Setting Non-intensity Parameters with the Encoders . . . . . . .116

Using the Color Picker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Select Last . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Multiple Intensity Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125

Using +% and -% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

Channel Intensity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

Non-intensity Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

Remainder Dim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127

Highlight and Lowlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

4 Ion Operations Manual

Lowlight Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

Temporary Highlight Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

Highlight/Lowlight Rem Dim. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

Sneak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130

Flip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Channel Check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Address at Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Address Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Flash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

Flash On & Flash Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

Using {Move To}. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Using Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Recording Groups Live. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Ordered Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Editing and Updating Groups in Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Selecting Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Deleting Groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Group List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

Open the Group List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

Ordered View and Numeric View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

Editing Groups from the Group List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

Using Groups as a Channel Collector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

Storing and Using Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

About Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Palette Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Intensity Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Focus Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Color Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Beam Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Palette Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

{By Type} . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

{Absolute} . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

{Locked}. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Storing Palettes Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

Storing Palettes with [Record] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

Storing Palettes with [Record Only] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

Using Filters with Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

Recalling Palettes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

Editing Palettes Live. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Rerecord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Editing Palettes in Blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Entering Blind Palette from Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Editing in Blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Editing Palettes in Spreadsheet View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Editing Palettes in List View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Deleting Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Removing Channels from a Palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Using By Type Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Storing a By Type Palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Editing By Type Palettes in Blind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Updating By Type Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Storing and Using Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Storing Presets Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Storing Presets Using [Record] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Storing Presets using [Record Only] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

Preset Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

Recalling Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154

Editing Presets Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Rerecord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Using the Preset List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Opening the Preset List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Editing Presets in Blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

Editing in Table View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

Editing in Spreadsheet View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Deleting Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Removing Channels from a Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Using Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

About Fan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Fanning Parameter Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Fan From the Command Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Fanning References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Fanning Timing and Delays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Chapter 11

6 Ion Operations Manual

Working with a Single Cue List . . . . . . . . . 163

Basic Cueing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164

Cue Numbering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164

Recording Cues in Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Using Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Using Record Only. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166

Using Selective Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167

Using [Cue Only / Track] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168

Timing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Setting Cue Level Timing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Non-intensity Parameter Category Timing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Delay Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

[Time][/] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Discrete Channel or Parameter Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Assigning Cue Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173

Clearing Cue Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175

Flags. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176

Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176

Assert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

AllFade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

Mark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

Preheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

Using External Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178

Modifying Cues Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Using [At] [Enter] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Using Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Using Record Only. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180

Record and Record Only [+] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180

Move To. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180

[Update] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Recording and Editing Cues from Blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

From Summary or Table Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

From the Cue Spreadsheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

Using Encoders in Blind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188

Deleting Cues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189

In Track Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189

In Cue Only Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189

Using Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191

AutoMark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192

Conditions Triggering an AutoMark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192

Allowing a Live Move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192

AutoMark and Timing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192

Referenced Marks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193

Setting Referenced Mark Flags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193

Applying Flags as Channels are Marked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194

Reference Marks and Timing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Mark Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Using Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Record Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

Partial Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201

Removing Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201

Storing Data with Record Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201

Chapter 14

Working with Multiple Cue Lists . . . . . . . . 203

Recording to a New Cue List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204

Using Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204

Using Record Only. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204

Using Assert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204

Using AllFade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206

Changing the Active Cue List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206

Using [Go To Cue] with Multiple Cue Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207

Using Go To Cue 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207

Using Go To Cue Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207

Using the Cue List Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Open the Cue List Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Multipart Cues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

About Multipart Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Record a Multipart Cue in Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Creating a New Multipart Cue in Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Setting Multipart Cue Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213

Using Update in Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213

Storing a Multipart Cue in Blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214

Changing a Single Part Cue to a Multipart Cue. . . . . . . . . . . .214

Changing a Multipart Cue to a Standard Cue . . . . . . . . . . . . .214

Deleting a Part from a Multipart Cue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214

Cue Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215

Introduction to Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216

Playback Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216

Selected Cue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217

Live / Blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217

Out-of-Sequence Cues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218

Go To Cue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218

Slider Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220

Assigning Faders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220

Changing Fader Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220

Playback Fader Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221

Go and Stop/Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221

Using Blackout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221

[Go To Cue] [0] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221

Using Assert (Playback Button) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

Using Timing Disable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

Using Freeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

Using Stop Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225

Releasing Content From a Fader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225

Using Rate Override . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225

Manual Master Cue Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226

8 Ion Operations Manual

Chapter 17

Advanced Manual Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . 227

Using [Copy To] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

Using [Recall From] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229

Using {Make Null}. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

In Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

In Blind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

Using {Make Manual} . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231

Using {Make Absolute} . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231

Using {Query} . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232

Using [Capture] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233

Using [Undo]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234

Command History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Using Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235

Using Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236

Park Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236

Parked Values in Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236

Scaled Parked Values in Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237

Parked Addresses in Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237

Park Values from the Park Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238

Creating and Using Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . 239

About Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240

The Effect List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240

Effects Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241

Effect Status Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244

Step Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245

Program a Step Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246

Absolute Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248

Program an Absolute Effect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249

Multiple Intensity HTP Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250

Relative Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250

Focus Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250

Color Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251

Linear Effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251

Define a Pattern Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252

Program a New Relative Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252

Apply an Existing Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253

Recording an Effect in a Cue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253

Editing Effects Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253

Stop an Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253

Deleting an Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253

Effects on Submasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254

Configuring an Effect Submaster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254

Recording an Effect to a Submaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254

Running an Effect from a Submaster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254

Delaying Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255

Chapter 20

Storing and Using Submasters . . . . . . . . . 257

About Submasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .258

Recording a Submaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .258

Submaster Displays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259

Additive, Inhibitive, or Effectsub. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259

Proportional vs. Intensity Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259

HTP vs. LTP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260

Exclusive Submasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260

Priority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260

Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261

Submaster Background State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261

Changing Fader Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262

On Fader Wings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262

On the Slider Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262

Loading Submasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263

On Fader Wings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263

On the Slider Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263

Updating a Submaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264

Releasing Content From a Submaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264

Deleting a Submaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264

Using Bump Button Timing With Submasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265

Controlling Subfades Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Submaster List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266

Editing Submasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266

Using About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267

About [About] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268

[About] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269

About System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269

About Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270

About Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272

About Cue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275

About IFCB Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275

About Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275

About Groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275

About Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276

About Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276

Storing and Using Curves. . . . . . . . . . . . .277

About Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278

Creating and Editing Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

10 Ion Operations Manual

Creating a Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

Editing Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280

Applying a Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281

To Channels In Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281

To Cues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281

To Scroller Fans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281

Delete a Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Storing and Using Snapshots . . . . . . . . . . 283

About Snapshots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284

Recording Snapshots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284

Recalling Snapshots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285

Editing Snapshots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285

Deleting Snapshots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285

Storing and Using Macros. . . . . . . . . . . . . 287

About Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288

Store a Macro from Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288

Using the [Learn] key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288

Macro Editor Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .290

Create a New Macro from the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292

Edit an Existing Macro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293

Play a Macro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294

Stop a Macro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294

Delete a Macro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294

Chapter 25

Using Magic Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295

About Magic Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .296

Magic Sheet Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .297

Magic Sheet List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298

Display Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298

Navigating a Magic Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299

Creating and Editing Magic Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300

Quick Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300

Layout Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301

Magic Sheet Object Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303

MS Object Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .307

Editing Objects on the Magic Sheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308

Examples of Magic Sheets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .309

Chapter 26

Virtual Media Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311

About Virtual Media Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312

Media Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312

Patching the Virtual Media Server and Layers . . . . . . . . . . . .314

Creating a Pixel Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315

Working with the Virtual Media Server. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317

Effect Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322

Pixel Mapping in a Multi-Console System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324

Steps for Configuring a Multi-Console System . . . . . . . . . . . .324

Synchronizing Media Archives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .325

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Appendix A

Multiple Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327

About User ID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328

Assigning User ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328

Using Partitioned Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329

About Partitioned Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330

How to Use Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330

Setting Up Partitioned Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330

Partition List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330

Creating New Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331

Deleting Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331

Using Partitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332

Partitions in Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332

Flexichannel in Partitioned Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332

Eos Configuration Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333

What the Utility Does . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333

Eos Configuration Utility Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334

General Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336

Network Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340

Maintenance and Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346

Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351

Local I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351

RFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352

Appendix B

12 Ion Operations Manual

Facepanel Shortcuts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353

Facepanel and Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353

Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354

Appendix C

Appendix D

Multi-console and Synchronized Backup . 357

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357

Multi-console setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358

Synchronized Backup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361

Mirror Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365

Using the RPU and RVI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367

RPU Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367

Remote Processor Unit (RPU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368

Start Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369

Software Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370

Basic Use Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371

Net3 Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .371

RVI3 and RVI Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372

Remote Video Interface 3 (RVI3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372

Remote Video Interface (RVI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373

Basic Use Guidelines for RVI3 and RVI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375

Appendix E

Appendix F

Remote Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .377

Remotes Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377

Phone Remote. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .377

Radio Focus Remote (RFR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .378

Console Section Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .379

Basic Use Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381

RFR Operation Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387

iRFR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .388

aRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .388

Universal Fader Wings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389

1 x 20 Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389

2 x 10 and 2 x 20 Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389

User Guidelines for Fader Wings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392

14 Ion Operations Manual

Introduction

Welcome to the Ion Operations Manual. This manual is a comprehensive resource for users of the Ion control system.

Note:

For information on using show control with your system, see the Eos Family Show Control User Guide, which is available for download at www.etcconnect.com

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Using this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

• Register Your Ion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

• Help from ETC Technical Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

• Important Concepts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

• Other Reference Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

• Online Eos Family (Eos Ti, Eos, Gio and Ion) User Forums .8

Introduction 1

Using this Manual

In order to be specific about where features and commands are found, the following naming and text conventions will be used:

• Facepanel buttons are indicated in bold [brackets]. For example, [LIVE] or [Enter]. Optional keys are indicated in <angle brackets>, for example, <Cue> or <Sub>.

• Browser menus, menu items, and commands you must perform are indicated in bold text. For example: In the File menu, click Open. Or: Press [Record] [Preset] [Enter].

• Alphanumeric keyboard buttons are indicated in all CAPS. For example, TAB or CTRL.

• Keys which are intended to be pressed or held simultaneously are indicated with the “and” symbol. For example, [Load] & [Timing Disable].

• Softkeys and clickable buttons in the Central Information Area (CIA) are indicated in bold {braces}. A note about <More SK> (more softkeys): this command is always indicated as optional, and is only indicated once in an instruction regardless of how many pages of softkeys exist. This is because there is no way to predict what softkey page you are on at any given time. Press <More Softkeys> until you find the required command.

• References to other parts of the manual are indicated in italics. When viewing this manual electronically, click on the reference to jump to that section of the manual.

Note:

CAUTION:

WARNING:

Please email comments about this manual to: TechComm@etcconnect.com

Notes are helpful hints and information that is supplemental to the main text.

A Caution statement indicates situations where there may be undefined or unwanted consequences of an action, potential for data loss or an equipment problem.

A Warning statement indicates situations where damage may occur, people may be harmed, or there are serious or dangerous consequences of an action.

2 Ion Operations Manual

Register Your Ion

Registering your Ion system with ETC ensures that you will be notified of software and library updates, as well as any product advisories.

To register your console, you will need to enroll in “My ETC,” a personalized ETC Web site that provides a more direct path of communication between you and ETC.

Help from ETC Technical Services

If you are having difficulties, your most convenient resources are the references given in this user manual. To search more widely, try the ETC Web site at www.etcconnect.com resources is sufficient, contact ETC Technical Services directly at one of the offices identified below. Emergency service is available from all ETC offices outside of normal business hours.

When calling for assistance, please have the following information handy:

• Console model and serial number (located on back panel)

• Dimmer manufacturer and installation type

• Other components in your system (Unison

, other control devices, etc.)

Americas United Kingdom

Electronic Theatre Controls Inc. Electronic Theatre Controls Ltd. Technical Services Department Technical Services Department 3031 Pleasant View Road 26-28 Victoria Industrial Estate Middleton, WI 53562 Victoria Road, 800-775-4382 (USA, toll-free) London W3 6UU England +1-608 831-4116 +44 (0)20 8896 1000

service@etcconnect.com

service@etceurope.com

. If none of these

Asia Germany

Electronic Theatre Controls Asia, Ltd. Electronic Theatre Controls GmbH Technical Services Department Technical Services Department Room 1801, 18/F Ohmstrasse 3 Tower 1, Phase 1 Enterprise Square 83607 Holzkirchen, Germany 9 Sheung Yuet Road +49 (80 24) 47 00-0 Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong techserv-hoki@etcconnect.com +852 2799 1220

service@etcasia.com

Introduction 3

Important Concepts

Before using Ion, you should read and familiarize yourself with the concepts defined below. You will find that understanding these terms and concepts will improve your efficiency with Ion.

Channel = Fixture

A fixture is defined as a group of related addresses that together control a device. An examples of a fixture would be an ETC Revolution. This moving light contains 31 parameters that together allow you to perform various functions such as pan and tilt. Each of these attributes is addressed by a different output.

Ion treats fixtures and channels as one and the same. Unlike former ETC consoles where a fixture occupied one channel for each parameter, Ion assigns each fixture a single channel number. Individual parameters are then associated with that channel as additional lines of channel information.

Output

Outputs are the method by which level changes to channels are conveyed to attached devices. These outputs are patched to channels. In its simplest form, an output is the data signal sent from the console to turn on a light or modify a fixture parameter.

Record Target

A record target is any data location that you can store data using a [Record] or [Record Only] command. Examples of record targets are cues, palettes, presets, and macros.

Move Instruction

A move instruction is any change to a parameter from its previous stored value. Any change to a channel’s intensity is a move instruction. Any change to a channel’s pan or tilt is a move instruction. Any change to a channel’s color mixing is a move instruction, and so on.

Manual Data

Manual data is any value set for a channel via the command line. Manual data will remain at its value until a move instruction is provided for it.

Syntax Structure

Most instructions can be entered into Ion through the command line. The Ion command line expects instructions to be entered in a specific structure, or syntax.

Generally speaking, the order of syntax can be described as:

• What are you trying to affect? (Channel, group)

• What do you want it to do? (Change intensity, focus, pan and tilt)

• What value do you want? (Intensity at full, Iris at 50)

Naturally other commands will be used in the course of programming your show, but most other functions are modifiers of these three basic steps: modifying the channel(s) you are are working with, determining what parameters of those channels you are impacting, and what value you want them to assume. When working with record targets, the syntax is similar.

Note:

4 Ion Operations Manual

Not all actions on Ion must be entered from the command line, although many will result in a command line instruction. Other actions bypass the command line entirely.

Enter

Since the command line can receive multiple edits and instructions at once, it is necessary to let Ion know when you have completed your instruction in the command line. This is done with the [Enter] key.

There are some commands which are self-terminating, and therefore do not require [Enter] to be pressed. Some (but not all) of these commands are:

•[Out]

• [Shift] & [+]

• [Shift] & [-]

• [Full] [Full]

• Actions from the direct selects

Parameters and Parameter Categories

Ion divides fixture parameters into four major parameter categories: Intensity, Focus, Color, and Beam. These are the parameters in each category:

• Intensity . . . . . . . . . . Intensity

• Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . Pan and Tilt

• Color. . . . . . . . . . . . . All color parameters (such as color wheel, CMY, scrollers, and

so on).

• Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . Any parameter not covered in the other categories.

Tracking vs. Cue Only

Ion is, by default, a tracking console. This means two things. First, tracking relates to how cue lists are created. Once data is in a cue list, it will remain a part of that cue list, at its original setting, and track forward through subsequent cues, until a new instruction is provided or until it is removed from the cue list using filters or null commands.

Secondly, tracking relates to how changes to cue data are handled. Unless otherwise instructed by a Cue Only command, changes to a parameter in a cue will track forward through the cue list until a move instruction (or block command) is encountered.

It is possible to change the default setting of Ion to “Cue Only”. This prevents changes from tracking forward into subsequent cues, unless overridden with a track instruction.

Ion also has a [Cue Only/Track] button that allows you to record or update a cue as an exception to the default setting. Therefore, if the console is set to Tracking, the button acts as Cue Only. If console is set to Cue Only, it behaves as a Track button.

Introduction 5

Move Fade

Move Fade is a lighting control philosophy which determines how cues are played back. Ion adheres to this philosophy.

In a Move Fade system, parameters do not change from their current setting until they are provided a move instruction in a cue or are given a new instruction manually.

For example, in cue 1, channel 1 has been given an intensity value of 50%. This value does not change until cue 20, where channel 1 is moved to 100%. Therefore, channel 1 has a tracked intensity value of 50% in cues 2-19. If the user applies a manual intensity value of 25% while sitting in cue 5 (for example), that channel will stay at 25% until Cue 20 is recalled - because 20 is the next cue in which channel 1 has a move instruction. The original intensity of 50% will not be reapplied in subsequent cues unless specifically called out by the cue or manually performed.

Cue List Ownership

Ion is capable of running multiple cue lists. In a multiple-cue-list console, cue list ownership is an important concept. Cue list ownership is determined by the cue from which a channel is currently receiving its value. In Live, a parameter is considered to be “owned” by a cue list when it is receiving its current value from that cue list.

When alternating between cue lists in sequential playback, an active cue list does not necessarily own a channel unless that list has provided the last move instruction for that channel. For example, assume a channel is owned by cue list 1 and is at a tracked value. If a cue from another cue list is executed and provides a move instruction for the channel in the new cue, the channel is now owned by the second cue list. It will not return to cue list 1 until that cue list provides a move instruction for the channel.

Assert may be used to override this default behavior, allowing a cue list’s control over a channel to resume, even when the channel’s data is tracked.

This rule is not followed when executing an out-of-sequence cue. An out-of-sequence cue is any cue that is recalled via “Go To Cue”, a Link instruction, or manually changing the pending cue. In general applications, the entire contents of the cue (both moves and tracks) will be asserted on an out-of-sequence cue.

Block vs. Assert

In previous ETC consoles, placing a block instruction on a channel was a way to treat a tracked value as a move instruction, both in editing and playback. In Ion, this behavior is now split up. Blocked channel data is an editing convention only, and it prohibits tracked instructions from modifying the associated data. Blocked data has no impact on playback; the channels will continue to play back as though they were tracks. Assert is used to force playback of a tracked/blocked value.

6 Ion Operations Manual

Live and Blind

Live and Blind are methods to view and edit data in your show files. When you press the [Live] key, the screen will show you the live display. When you press [Blind], you will see the blind display. In either case, you may use the [Format] key to alter how the data is displayed (see Using [Format], page 39).

When in Live, the data displayed represents the data being sent from the console at that moment. In other words, the parameter data that is “live” on stage. When you edit data in live, those changes will become active and visible on stage as soon as the command line is terminated.

When in Blind, the data displayed represents data from the record target you choose to view (cues, presets, palettes, and so on). When you edit data in Blind, changes will not automatically appear on stage, since the data you are modifying is not live. This is true even if the record target you are modifying is active on stage. It is possible to play a cue in Live, then switch to Blind and edit that cue in blind without affecting levels on stage. Edits in Blind do not require a [Record] command to be stored. They are considered stored when the command line is terminated. Any display that is not the Live display is considered Blind, and the Blind LED will be illuminated. For example, if you open patch, the blue LED on [Blind] will be lit to show that you are in a Blind display.

HTP vs. LTP

HTP (Highest-Takes-Precedence) and LTP (Latest-Takes-Precedence) are terms used to define the output of a channel parameter that is receiving data from multiple sources. In HTP, the highest level of all sources will be executed. In LTP, the most recent level received will be executed. Cue lists and submasters can operate as HTP or LTP for intensity parameters only. Non-intensity parameters (NPs) are always LTP. Submasters can operate as HTP or LTP for intensity. The default is HTP. Ion’s default cue list setting for intensity is LTP (see HTP/LTP, page 209). Ion’s default submaster setting for intensity is HTP.

HTP

LTP

HTP is only applicable to the intensity of a channel. HTP channels will output the level that is the highest of all inputs. HTP channels are also referred to as “pile-on”, because as control inputs are added (for example - you may bring up cues and multiple submasters that all have the same channel recorded at various levels), the system calculates which input has the highest level for that channel and outputs that level for the channel. As control inputs are removed (you pull some of the submasters down to zero), the console will adjust the channel level, if required, to the highest remaining level.

LTP is applicable to any parameter of any channel. LTP output is based on the most recent move instruction issued to the channel parameter. Any new values sent to the channel will supersede any previous values, regardless of the level supplied.

Ion determines the LTP value for a channel, which is overridden by any HTP input values that are higher than the LTP instruction. This is then finally modified by manual control.

Introduction 7

Other Reference Materials

Help System

A keyhelp system is also contained within your system. To access help, press and hold [Help] and press any key to see:

• the name of the key

• a description of what the key enables you to do

• syntax examples for using the key (if applicable)

Note:

Keyhelp is included on most tangible action buttons on your Ion console. This includes most softkeys and clickable buttons as well as the traditional keys on the keypad.

As with hard keys, the “press and hold [Help]” action can be also used with softkeys and clickable buttons.

Online Eos Family (Eos Ti, Eos, Gio and Ion) User Forums

You are encouraged to visit and participate in the ETC Eos Family (Eos Ti, Eos, Gio and Ion) User Forum, accessible from the ETC web site (www.etcconnect.com online community of Eos, Eos Ti, Gio, and Ion users where you can read about other users’ experiences, suggestions, and questions regarding the product as well as submit your own.

To register for the ETC Family (Eos Ti, Eos, Gio and Ion) User Forum:

Step 1: Go to ETC’s community web site (www.etcconnect.com/community

page to the online community will open.

Step 2: You may register for the forum using the “register” link in the introduction or by

clicking the “join” link in the upper right corner of the page.

Step 3: Follow the registration instructions provided by the community page.

). This gives you access to an

). An introduction

8 Ion Operations Manual

Chapter 1

System Overview

Inside this chapter you will find general descriptions of your Ion control console, how it fits into a network control system, and the various areas of user interface.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

• Console Geography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

• Cleaning Ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

• Outputting DMX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

• Console Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

1 System Overview 9

System Components

Console

Ion is designed from conception as a fully integrated controller for conventional lights and multi-parameter devices (for example: moving lights, LEDs, color scrollers, gobo wheels). Attention to detail across all areas of the system design and architecture allows you the utmost flexibility and customization of use.

Ion allows designers and programmers to develop a mutual vocabulary for control. This implementation of simple and uniform syntax for control provides a solid foundation for both experienced and inexperienced users.

Remote Processor Unit (RPU)

The RPU can be used as the primary, backup processor for the system, a client, or for primary playback in installations that do not require a facepanel after initial programming is completed.

For more information, see the appendix Remote Processor Unit (RPU), page 383.

Remote Video Interface (RVI)

The remote video interface allows remote interaction with the lighting control system. This can be for display purposes only. Additionally, with a mouse and alphanumeric keyboard attached, the RVI can be used as a remote programming station. The RVI provides supports for a maximum of two DVI or SVGA monitors, 1280x1024 minimum resolution.

For more information, see the appendix Remote Video Interface (RVI), page 379.

Radio Focus Remote (RFR)

The RFR provides wireless control of key front panel functions.The base station for the RFR can be networked into the system, or can connect to a console or remote device using the USB interface.

For more information, see the appendix Remote Control, page 377.

iRFR and aRFR

The iRFR and aRFR provide wireless control of key front panel functions.See “iRFR” on

page 388.See “aRFR” on page 388.

10 Ion Operations Manual

Gateways

Ion is part of a fully networked system capable of direct output of both ETCNet2 and Net3. Gateways can be configured to listen to either ETCNet2 or Net3 and provide interface to devices in the lighting system that do not accept network communication directly. Gateways are provided for DMX/RDM output, show control input and output and analog input and output.

• Net3 to DMX/RDM gateways are provided with a maximum of four outputs, which can be male, female, or terminal strip.

Note:

• Show Control Gateway supports MIDI In/Thru and Out and SMPTE In.

• I/O Gateway supports 24 analog inputs, 16 SPDT contact closure outputs, and RS-232 serial protocol.

Net3 Gateways only support RDM when in Net3 mode.

1 System Overview 11

Console Geography

Parameter category/ encoder page buttons

Power button

USB port

Level wheel

Navigation keys

Paged encoders

Control keypad

Playback controls

LCD screen

Blackout and Grandmaster

Softkeys

VGA port

DVI video ports

IEC receptacle

MIDI Out and In

Hard power switch

Ethernet port

DMX ports 1 and 2

USB ports

Remote trigger port

Phone Remote Port

Current Ion Rear panel

Audio Ports

(not currently supported)

VGA port

(blue)

Dual DVI video port (white)

IEC receptacle

MIDI Out and In

Hard power switch

Ethernet port

DMX ports 1 and 2

USB ports

Remote trigger port

Phone Remote Port

Original Ion Rear panel

Audio Ports

(not currently supported)

Below is a diagram of the Ion console with references made to specific areas of use. The terms and names for each area and interface are used throughout this manual.

12 Ion Operations Manual

Terminology

Power Button

The power button on the front of the console is used to power up or power down. A separate power switch, located in the rear panel, can be used to disconnect power from the console’s internal components.

WARNING:

Before servicing Ion, you must switch off the power on the rear panel and disconnect the power cord completely.

USB Ports

One USB port is provided on the front of the console to connect any USB storage device. An additional USB ports on the rear panel can be used to connect peripherals such as an alphanumeric keyboard, pointing device, or touchscreen control for external monitors.

CAUTION:

The USB ports cannot be used for charging devices such as cell phones.

Encoders

Encoders and the LCD (see below) for control of non-intensity parameters are provided at the top center of the console. The four encoders are pageable controls, which are populated on the LCD with the parameters used in your show.

LCD

This display accompanies the CIA as an additional user interface. This LCD offers you softkeys, encoder information, and an additional view of the command line.

Load

The load button is located above the fader pair at the bottom of the LCD and is used to load the specified cue.

Control Keypad

The control keypad area is divided into three general sections including record targets, numeric keypad and modifiers, and special function controls.

Level Wheel

Adjusts intensity for selected channels. It also provides scrolling and zoom functions in various modes.

Navigation Keypad

Used for quick access to the live and blind displays, format, paging, and navigation within displays.

Parameter Category/ Encoder Page Buttons

Parameter buttons are used to select parameter categories and change encoder pages. To post a parameter category to the command line, use [Shift] & [Encoder Page Button].

IEEE Ethernet 802.3 Ethernet Port

Ethernet port for connection to a network switch, network gateways, and accessory devices.

1 System Overview 13

Littlites

Littlite XLR 3-Pin Female Connector

You may connect a Littlite to the side of your Ion console.

Dimming Littlites

Attached desk lamps can be dimmed either with the desk lamp control knob on the side of the console, or from the software.

Desk lamp controls are found in Setup>Desk>Brightness Settings. The {Desk Lamp} slider has a range of 0% (dimmest) to 100% (brightest). The default setting is 0%. The console will set the desk lamp to this setting on startup of the application. See “{Brightness Settings}” on page 108.

The desk lamps can also be controlled by holding down [Displays] and rolling the level wheel.

Cleaning Ion

Should the exterior or LCD of your Ion require cleaning, you may gently wipe them with a dampened (not dripping

If this does not clean the console sufficiently, you may apply some window cleaner (containing ammonia is fine) to the cloth and repeat the process until clean.

Outputting DMX

In order to output levels from Ion, you can either use the DMX ports on the back of the console, or to output over a network, you may connect a Net3 gateway or Net2 node. If your devices receive Net3 or ETCNet2 directly, no gateway or node is required.

Ion has two DMX ports. To output, connect one 5 pin XLR cable per port. The first port will default to outputting the first universe of DMX, addresses 1-512, and the second port to the second universe, outputting addresses 513-1024. See Local DMX Outputs, page 351 for information on reconfiguring the DMX ports.

Nodes and gateways will function with Ion out of the box without previous configuration. However if custom configuration is required, you will need to use either NCE (Network Configuration Editor) or GCE (Gateway Configuration Editor). GCE is installed on Ion by default and can be accessed in ECU>Settings>Maintenance>Gateway Configuration Editor (GCE). NCE can be installed on the console or a Windows

For more information on Net3 gateways or Net2 nodes, see the product literature that accompanied the hardware or download it from our website at www.etcconnect.com.

), non-abrasive paper towel or soft cloth.

PC for configuration.

14 Ion Operations Manual

Console Capacities

Output Parameters

• 1,024 outputs (DMX channels)

-or-

• 1,536 outputs (DMX channels)

-or-

• 2,048 outputs (DMX channels)

-or-

• 3,072 outputs (DMX channels)

Channel Counts

• 10,000 channels (any number from 1 to 99,999)

Cues and Cue Lists

• Up to 999 cue lists

• Up to 10,000 cues

Record Targets

• 1,000 Groups

• 1,000 x 4 Palettes (Intensity, Focus, Color and Beam)

• 1,000 Presets

• 1,000 Effects

• 1,000 Macros

Faders

• 1 dedicated Master Playback, with Go and Stop/Back

• a maximum of 200 configurable playbacks, with Go and Stop/Back

• a maximum of 300 configurable submasters, with Bump and Assert/Select

1 System Overview 15

16 Ion Operations Manual

Chapter 2

System Basics

This chapter explains the base level procedures for setting up, navigating, and understanding how to operate Ion.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Setting Up the Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

• Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

• Your First Interaction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

• The Central Information Area (CIA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

• Using the Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

• Display Control and Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

• Graphical User Interface (GUI) Display Conventions. . . . . .31

• Using [Format] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

• Using Flexichannel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

• Encoders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

• Moving Light Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

• Using Softkeys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

2 System Basics 17

Setting Up the Hardware

Follow these steps to prepare your Ion for use.

Step 1: Place your console on a firm, level surface. Be sure to leave space for access to the

rear of the console. You will need to connect several items to the ports on the back.

Step 2: Connect any monitors to the proper ports on the back of the console.

Note:

Step 3: Connect the keyboard and mouse. Attach to the appropriate connector on the back of

Step 4: If you will be connecting to an Eos Family network, connect the appropriate Ethernet

Step 5: If you plan on using the DMX ports on the back of Ion to control your lighting system,

Step 6: Attach the appropriate IEC power cable for your location to the IEC connector on the

Your console hardware is now ready to be powered up.

Ion supports up to 2 monitors, either 2 DVI -D monitors or 1 DVI-D and 1 VGA.

the console.

(CAT 5 or better) cable to the Ethernet port on the back of the console.

attach the appropriate DMX connector and cable to the desired port. These ports default to output DMX universes one and two. Configuration is required to use any other universe. For more information, see Local DMX Outputs, page 351 in the ECU appendix.

back of the console, just above the power switch.

18 Ion Operations Manual

Power

Power Up the Console

Step 1: Attach the appropriate power cable to the IEC connector on the rear of the console. Step 2: Press the I/O switch (I is “on”) next to the IEC connector on the rear of the console to

turn power on. This will provide power to all internal electronics.

Note:

Step 3: Press the power button, located in the top left corner of the console, above the USB

Note:

You need to wait about 30 seconds between steps 2 and 3.

port. The button LED will illuminate blue to indicate the console is running. The console will boot up into the Ion environment. The Ion system is now ready for use.

In the future, you may go straight to the welcome screen by adjusting a setting in the ECU. See Open in Shell, page 337 in the ECU appendix.

Power Down the Console

Step 1: After saving your show (see below), in the browser menu select Power Off Device.

A dialogue box opens asking you to confirm.

Step 2: Confirm this command by clicking {OK} in the dialog box. The console will power

down.

-Or-

Step 1: Press the power button, located on the face panel. A dialogue box opens asking you

to confirm.

Step 2: Confirm this command by pressing {OK} in the dialog box or by pressing the power

button again. The console will power down.

Note:

Ion is a persistent storage console. Therefore if you shut down your system without saving the show file, you will return to the same place in your show when you reboot.

Note:

The console will display an improper shutdown message on the next power up if the console was not powered down from the browser menu or welcome screen.

2 System Basics 19

Your First Interaction

Initial View - Primary/CIA

Primary screen live display

CIA

Playback Status Display

Command line

Tabs

When you first start up Ion, you will immediately enter the Ion software environment.

Since Ion can be set up with one or two monitors, what you will first see depends partly upon the number of monitors you are using.

Single Monitor Configuration

When using a single monitor, the top half of the initial display screen becomes the primary viewing area for displayed information. Ion will first open with the live table display on the top (primary) half of the screen and the CIA on the bottom half of the screen.

When the CIA is open, one line of the playback status display is visible above the double arrows. You can view more of the playback status display by collapsing the CIA (see Collapse/Expand the

CIA, page 22).

20 Ion Operations Manual

Dual Monitor Configuration

When two monitors are used, one monitor will default to showing the CIA, and the other will default to having the live display and the playback status display open on tabs.

For additional information on displays, see Display Control and Navigation, page 28.

Please see Monitor Arrangement, page 338 for more information on configuring Ion for a dual monitor configuration.

2 System Basics 21

The Central Information Area (CIA)

Parameter category button labels

Browser

Parameter display

Double arrows

CIA lock

Favorite star

The Central Information Area (CIA) is displayed on the lower portion of the screen. By default, the CIA consists of two primary areas: the parameter display and the browser.

Parameter Display

This display shows the parameters available for patched channels. It is also where you can select which parameters to view in live or blind, or select parameters for command line control. The parameter display will dynamically change depending on the channel (fixture) selected and its applicable parameters.

Browser

The browser is the interface for numerous functions including saving a show, opening a show, changing settings, viewing record target lists, opening displays and many other functions.

Collapse/Expand the CIA

It is possible to collapse the CIA from view. To do this, you can click the double arrow icon centered above the CIA. The CIA will collapse from view, exposing a larger viewing area of whatever display is visible above the CIA. The double arrows will move to the bottom of the screen.

To expand the CIA into view again, click the double arrow at the bottom of the screen. The CIA will reopen.

22 Ion Operations Manual

Lock the CIA

You can lock the CIA in place to prevent it from being collapsed.

To lock the CIA, click on the lock above the browser. The double arrow above the CIA will disappear and the lock will “lock”.

To unlock the CIA, click the sunken lock again and the double arrows will reappear.

Favorite CIA Display

You can select a favorite default display for the CIA that will show when [Displays] is pressed. The standard default display for the CIA is the Browser.

The favorite display will show a gold star icon at the top of the CIA by the double arrows & lock. Displays that can be selected as a favorite, but are currently not, will show a grey star at the top of the CIA. Click on the grey star to make that display your favorite. That display will now be the new default display for the CIA. Displays that show up in the CIA but can not be the default display will not show the star icon.

The following displays can be set as the favorite CIA default:

• About

• Browser (default)

• Color Picker

• Direct Selects

• Virtual Sliders

•Virtual Keypad

• ML Controls

• Encoder Information Screen

• Effects Status

Locking the Facepanel

It is possible to lock out the facepanel, which prevents any actions from the command line or CIA. To lock out the facepanel, press [Shift] & [Escape]. To unlock the facepanel, press [Shift] & [Escape] again.

Note:

This will also lock any fader wings or USB connected peripherals.

2 System Basics 23

Using the Browser

Menu arrows

Opened menu

Sub menus

Scroll bar

Selection bar

To use the browser, you must first draw focus to it by clicking anywhere in the browser area of the CIA or by pressing the [Displays] key. If the browser is not visible, double pressing [Displays]>Browser will always bring up the browser.

When focus is on the browser, the window border highlights in gold. The scroll lock LED illuminates red and the paging keys will now control selection in the browser.

• Use the page arrow keys to move the selection bar up and down the list. You can also use the level wheel to scroll through the list.

• When the bar highlights the desired menu, press [Page

• Continue pressing [Page

• Scroll to the item you wish to open using [Page may also click the item you wish to open and then press [Select]. You can also use the level wheel to scroll in the browser.

• If you wish to close a submenu scroll to that item and press [Page

• To draw focus to the CIA press the [Displays] key.

• Additional presses of [Displays] will minimize or restore the CIA.

Note:

The [Select] key can be used to confirm a choice in the browser.

] to open submenus.

] or [Page ] and then press [Select]. You

] to open the menu.

].

Virtual Keyboard

It is possible to open a virtual keyboard in the CIA which mimics the hard keys found on the actual Eos keypad. The keypad will not match the facepanel on Ion. This virtual keyboard is accessible from the browser.

To open the Virtual Keyboard on a monitor:

Step 1: Go to Browser>Virtual Controls>Virtual Keyboard. A window will open in the CIA

displaying your monitor placement options for the keyboard.

Step 2: Click the placement option in which you want the keyboard to appear.

To close the Virtual Keyboard on a monitor:

Step 1: Go to Browser>Virtual Controls>Close Module. The placement screen will appear

again in the CIA.

Step 2: Click the placement of the module you wish to close. The module will be removed.

24 Ion Operations Manual

Fader Module

If you prefer to have faders available to you, the monitors can be populated with virtual faders, called fader modules.

To open the fader module on a monitor:

Step 1: Go to Browser>Virtual Controls>Fader Module. A window will open in the CIA

displaying your monitor placement options for the module.

Step 2: Click the placement option in the CIA in which you want the module to appear.

To close the fader module on a monitor:

Step 1: Go to Browser>Virtual Controls>Close Module. The placement screen will appear

again in the CIA.

Step 2: Click the placement of the module you wish to close. The module will be removed.

Using Direct Selects

Direct selects allow access to a number of controls, including a channel select display. If there are more items than can be viewed at once, you may view subsequent pages by using the page buttons ({Page

Selecting Channels with Direct Selects

Channel direct selects are highlighted when selected. Channel selection is generally an additive process, if channels 1-5 are selected, pressing {Channel 6} adds channel 6 to the selection, leaving channels 1-5 also selected. Pressing {Channel 6} again will deselect the channel.

}, {Page }) by the direct selects.

If you have labeled channels in patch, those labels will be displayed above the channel number when viewing channels in the direct selects.

It is possible to double hit a channel button. This selects that channel and deselects any previously selected channels.

• {Channel 1} - adds channel 1 to currently selected channels, if not currently selected.

• {Channel 1} {Channel 10} - adds channels 1 and 10 to currently selected channels.

• {Channel 1} {Channel 1} - selects channel 1, deselects all other channels.

• {Page

} - pages direct selects down by one page.

} - pages direct selects up by one page.

Direct Selects

Ion gives you the option of opening direct select modules on the monitors.

To open the direct selects on a monitor:

Step 1: Go to Browser>Virtual Controls>5 x 10 Direct Select Module. A window will open

in the CIA displaying your monitor placement options for the module.

Step 2: Click the placement option in which you want the module to appear.

To close the direct selects on a monitor:

Step 1: Go to Browser>Virtual Controls>Close Module. The placement screen will appear

again in the CIA.

Step 2: Click the placement of the module you wish to close. The module will be removed.

For information on populating direct selects see Organizing the Direct Selects.

2 System Basics 25

Organizing the Direct Selects

Off

Show Flexi is Off

Show Flexi is On

You have considerable flexibility in how you organize the direct selects. They may be arranged to display one of several different types of data.

To choose which information to view:

Step 1: Click the {Select} button for any block of direct selects. You will be offered the

following choices to view: Channels, Groups, Intensity Palettes, Focus Palettes, Color Palettes, Beam Palettes, Presets, Macros, Effects, and Snapshot.

Step 2: Click the button for the data you wish to view and the associated direct selects will

populate with any recorded information of that type. If there is no recorded information of that type the block of buttons will remain empty but will populate with data of that type as associated record targets are stored.

Step 3: You may also click {Select} again, without choosing any option, to return to the

previous state.

You can increase/decrease the size of any set of direct selects by pressing the {20/50} button, which will change the display between one set of 50 buttons and two sets of 20 buttons. Or you may press the {100} button to expand to a full set of 100 buttons. Press {100} again to switch back to the previous view.

You may also press the {Expand} button (located beneath the {Select} button) to expand a set of direct selects to full screen. Press {Expand} again to return the set to its previous size and mapping. Century and Millennium buttons will display when direct selects are in expand mode.

When the direct selects are opened on a tab, two sets of direct selects will be displayed.

Direct Selects in Flexi Mode

Direct selects can be placed into a flexi mode, which will remove empty tiles. When {Select} is pressed, the {Show Flexi} button will display.

Note:

A single empty direct select tile may remain if the adjacent direct select tiles are not sequential. This is to allow an easy way to insert a new direct select between the existing ones.

26 Ion Operations Manual

Clear Functions

You can access the various clear options from the browser by selecting {Clear} from the main browser menu. The clear functions window will open in the CIA.

From this menu you can select one of the available clear options by clicking on the desired button in the CIA. Ion will ask you for a confirmation before performing the selected clear. For {Clear Targets}, Ion will allow you to choose which record targets you want to clear.

From the {Clear Targets} screen you can select which record targets you wish to clear. The buttons at the center of the CIA represent all of the record targets that you can choose to clear. By default all components are selected (gray) and will be cleared. To withhold any targets from being cleared, simply deselect them in the CIA by clicking the respective button.

To reselect all targets, click the {Reset} button and all buttons will return to gray (selected). To stop the process, click the {Cancel} button.

When you have selected or deselected all of the record targets you require, click {OK}.

After clearing, the CIA will return to the browser. If you want to perform additional clear functions, you must select {Clear} from the browser again.

To exit the clear functions screen without clearing, press the [Displays] key at any time or select a clear button and then select {Cancel} from the confirmation screen.

Reset System vs Clear Show

Using {Reset System} will open a new show file and reset the Setup options to their defaults. Using {Clear Show} will only open a new show file.

Reset Patch vs Clear Patch

Using {Reset Patch} will clear your patch and set it to a 1-to-1 patch. Using {Clear Patch} will only clear out the patch.

2 System Basics 27

Display Control and Navigation

Opening and Closing Displays

The live/ blind display will always open as tab 1. The playback status display will always open as tab

2. Neither of these displays can be closed.

Other displays are numbered as they are opened. Tab numbering is useful for navigating to views.

Displays can be opened and closed in different ways, depending on the display. Many displays are accessible from the browser, while other displays are accessible from the LCD softkeys. The blind displays of record targets (also called “lists”) can be quickly accessed by double pressing the record target button (for example, [Preset] [Preset] opens the preset list).

From the browser

Open and navigate the browser as described in Using the Browser, page 24. When you open a new display (such as the cue list index, group list, or patch) and it is posted in a tab view, it will open on monitor 2. If the display does not open as a tab view (such as “setup” or the browser) it will open in the CIA.

Again, any time you wish to return to the browser, simply press [Displays] and then {Browser} and it will be made available.

From the hardkeys

You can open list views of any record target by double-pressing the key for the desired record target.

From the LCD softkeys

To open any displays accessible from the softkeys, press [Displays]. The softkeys will repaint to display:

• Effect Status

• Color Picker

•Patch

• Setup

•Browser

•Magic Sheet

• Command History

•Curves

•Pixel Maps

• Show Control

•Mirror

Any of these softkeys will open the associated display with a single press.

Closing Displays

To close any tab display, select the display by using the [Tab] key or other means of navigation. When the desired display is active, press [Escape] to close it.

To close a display in the CIA, press the [Display] key and the browser will reappear.

To close all displays except for the live/blind display and the playback status display (tabs 1 and 2), press [Shift] & [Tab].

28 Ion Operations Manual

Selecting Displays

When a display is selected, the screen is highlighted in a gold border and the display name (such as “1. Live Channel”) will be in gold as well. When a display is not selected, there is no border and the tab name is gray.

If a display is already open, it can be selected in the following ways:

•Press [Tab] to change focus from the currently selected tab to the tab immediately to the right. If no tabs are to the right, the selection moves to the first tab on the left of all available monitors.

• Press [Tab] & [n], where “n” represents the tab number of the desired tab.

• Press [Live] or [Blind] to automatically bring live/blind into focus. If there are multiple instances of live/blind, pressing [Shift] + [Live] / [Blind] brings the next live/blind tab into focus.

• Double press a record target button (such as [Preset] or [Submaster]) to either open the associated display or select it if it is already open.

Moving Displays

To move the active display from one monitor to another, press and hold the [Tab] key and use the page arrow keys to move the display in the direction of the desired screen. One press of the left or right page keys will move the display to the next screen in that direction. To move it back, press the opposite arrow key.

Scrolling within a Display

By default the page keys will advance/retreat a display by one page per press. However, to scroll through displays you may press the [Scroll Lock] key on the keypad. The LED on the button illuminates red when in scroll lock mode.

Scroll lock is a toggle state. When scroll lock is first pressed:

• [Page

] - scrolls table, spreadsheet and channel views down,

] - scrolls table, spreadsheet and channel views up,

] - scrolls table and spreadsheet views right,

] - scrolls table and spreadsheet views left.

2 System Basics 29

Expanding Displays

[Expand] allows a tab to be viewed across multiple external monitors.

To expand a display to an adjacent monitor, press [Expand] & [Page

[Expand] & [Page

To collapse an expanded view, press [Expand] & [Page

] if in either view.

] if in table views or [Expand] & [Page

] if in table views or

] if in summary views.

Note:

Please note that you must have two monitors attached to Ion to use the [Expand] feature.

If the display you are expanding is at the right most position, the display will expand onto the first (or left most) monitor.

Zooming Displays

You may zoom in and out on displays. To do this, press and hold the [Format] button and scroll the Level Wheel to alter the display. Scrolling the wheel up zooms in. Scrolling the wheel down zooms

out. Zooming the channel summary display when it is in 100 channel mode is not supported. You can also zoom by holding down the left mouse button and rolling the scroll wheel on a mouse.

30 Ion Operations Manual

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Display Conventions

Channel Number

Straight line under channel heading

Intensity data (I)

No other parameter categories

Effect data

Wavy line under channel heading

Intensity data (I)

Focus data (F)

Color data (C)

Beam data (B)

F, C, B icons when collapsed

Ion relies on many traditional ETC indicators which you may be familiar with, as well as some new ones. This section identifies the graphical and colorful conventions used in Ion to indicate conditions to you.

Indicators in the Live/Blind Display

This is the live/blind summary view.

2 System Basics 31

Note: The color and text conventions described below apply regardless of the format of

live/blind being used (see Using [Format], page 39).

Conventionals

Most of the channels in the above image are conventional channels (intensity is the only available parameter).

Conventionals have a straight line beneath the channel number. They also display only the top field, intensity, as no other parameters are available on a conventional channel.

Moving Lights or Multi-parameter Devices

Several channels in the image are moving lights (possessing more parameters than just intensity).

Moving light channels have a wavy line beneath the channel number as well as parameter category indicators at the bottom of the channel.

This view also has additional data fields beneath intensity (F, C, B). This information can be suppressed by pressing and holding [Data] and any of the encoder paging keys (Focus, Color, Image, Shutter, or Form). Doing so will leave only the intensity field and FCB indicators at the bottom of the channel.

Color indicators

Unselected

Selected

Unpatched

Deleted

Different User ID

Ion uses color to indicate the selection state and information about channel or parameter levels.

Channel numbers/channel headers

• Gray number . . . . . . . . . Unpatched channel number.

• White number . . . . . . . .Selected channel number.

• Bright White number . .Channel is parked.

• Gold number . . . . . . . . .Channel is captured.

• Gold outline . . . . . . . . .Selected channel.

• Number with no graphicDeleted channel.

Channel or parameter levels

• Bright Red . . . . . . . . . . .Manual Data (any data that has been set but not yet stored to

an active cue or submaster) on all consoles using the same user ID.

Note:

• Dark Red . . . . . . . . . . . .Manual Data (any data

that has been set but not yet stored to an active cue or submaster) from other consoles that are using different user IDs.

• Blue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The intensity value is higher than in the previous cue.

Non-intensity parameters (NPs) are in blue when any move instruction has occurred. Unmarked.

• Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The intensity value is lower than in the previous cue.

Also used in reference marking to indicate a channel is marked.

• Magenta. . . . . . . . . . . . .Value is unchanged from the previous cue (tracked).

• White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The value is blocked.

• White with an underscore Value is auto-blocked.

• Gray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Default or the value is a null value (from either {Make Null}

or a filter). When nulled, a gray “n” appears next to the value.

• Yellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Data set from a submaster.

When data is in transition (moving), it will appear in a lighter version of its color. This includes up/down fades for intensity, non-intensity moves from cues, submaster, and timed manual changes.

32 Ion Operations Manual

Text Indicators in live/blind

“B”

“N”

“_” (underscore)

“t”

“A”

“+”“R” “CP2”“Q 10/4”

“C”

“I”

“Ph” “P”

“MK”

“Pr”

“M”

Please note examples of text indicators in the following graphic:

Color conventions listed above apply to text indicators as well. Therefore red indicates a manual value that must be stored.

• _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Underlined value (white) indicates a system-applied block

• A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indicates the channel or parameter is asserted.

• B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indicates the channel or parameter is manually blocked. This

• C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Captured Channel

• I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Channel is controlled by an inhibitive submaster or

• IP, CP, FP, BP . . . . . . . .Indicates that the value is referenced to a palette (Intensity,

(also called an auto-block).

block must be stored.

grandmaster. When displayed in the Block flag, “I” indicates a cue level intensity block.

Color, Focus, or Beam). This text is followed by a number, indicating which palette is being referenced. This can be substituted with the palette label if the “Show Reference Label” setting is activated (see Show Reference Labels, page

107). Holding down [Shift] & [Label] will toggle between the

palette label and palette number.

2 System Basics 33

• MK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indicates the channel is marked for a later cue. The cue

number is indicated in the other categories (see “Q” below).

• N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indicates the value is null (from either {Make Null} or a filter).

• P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indicates the channel is parked.

• Ph. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indicates the channel is at a preheat level.

• Pr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indicates that the value is referenced to a preset. This text is

followed by a number, indicating which preset is being referenced. The preset label may also be shown if this setting is enabled (see Show Reference Labels, page 107). Holding down [Shift] & [Label] will toggle between the preset label and preset number.

• Q. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Found in the non-intensity categories of a marked channel.

The “Q” is followed by a number indicating which cue the mark is in preparation for.

• t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The channel has discrete (parameter/category-specific)

timing.

• + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Found in place of parameter data in summary view. Indicates

that not all parameters in that category are at the same value. This indicator is found only in the summary view or in table views when the parameters are collapsed into a category view.

• ! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indicates an ACN, RDM, or dimmer error.

• ND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indicates that a channel has been patched as a non-dim

fixture type.

• S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indicates that a channel is stored to a shielded submaster.

• R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indicates a manual reference override. Manual changes have

been made that override a previously stored reference (such as to a palette or preset). Once recorded, the reference will be broken. If updated, the referenced target will be updated as well, unless otherwise instructed.

• M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indicates a mark is placed, but manual, and must be stored.

Is blue when stored.”m” indicates cue is not marking.

34 Ion Operations Manual

[Data] Key

Pressing and holding [Data] allows you to view the values behind any referenced or marked data. [Data] exposes the next lower reference level. So if you view a palette reference and press [Data],

the absolute data will be displayed instead. If you are viewing a preset, absolute or palette data will be displayed, depending on what is contained in the preset.

The [Data] key is also used in combination with the encoder paging keys to change the level of detail in summary and views, and to select parameters to view in spreadsheet modes.

[Time] Key

Pressing [Shift] & [Time] allows you to view discrete timing data behind any channel parameter. Keep [Time] held down to page. [Time] exposes channel or parameter specific timing for any channels in the current cue. The first value is the delay time. If “--” is displayed, there is no delay. The value to the right of the / is the transition time.

When the [Time] button is pressed on a terminated command line, the selected cue is always displayed for time modification. To add discrete timing to channels on a terminated command line, those channels must be reselected.The [Select Last] command can be helpful.See “Select Last”

on page 123.

[Label] Key

Pressing and holding [Shift] & [Label] toggles the view to show reference labels or numbers depending on what display setting is being used. See “Show Reference Labels” on page 107.

2 System Basics 35

Using Flexichannel

Flexichannel (use of the [Flexi] key) allows you to view only channels meeting a certain criteria in the live/blind display, therefore removing unwanted data from view. Flexichannel has several available states which include allowing you to view:

• All channels

• All patched channels

• Manual channels

• All show channels (any channels that have data stored in a cue or submaster)

• Active channels (channels with intensity above zero or a move instruction)

• Selected channels

In flexi mode, any selected channels (including the last channel selection) are always included in the view. Gaps in channel numbers are indicated by a vertical line between the channels where a gap in numbering occurs.

To change flexi modes in the live/blind display, press [Flexi] to cycle through the views listed above. When [Flexi] is held down, the softkeys change to represent all of the available flexi states. You can select the desired flexi view from those keys.

[Next/Last] can be used to select the next or last channel in the current flexi mode.

[Thru] can be used to view only channels in the current flexi mode (except for selected channels

mode) as long as either the first or last channel in the [Thru] range is included in the current flexi mode. To include channels not in the current flexi mode, [Thru] [Thru] can be used.

Flexichannel with Timing

You may also engage a “Channels with Timing” flexichannel state by pressing [Flexi] & [Time]. This will display all channels that have discrete timing in the current cue and will remove channels without discrete timing from view.

You may still press [Shift] & [Time] to view the discrete time behind any parameter or category.

The display will remain in this state until you disengage it by pressing [Flexi] & [Time] again.

View Channels

You may select specific channels to appear in another flexichannel state called “View Channels”. This state does not exist until you select channels to view. After view channels is activated, it will appear in the rotation of flexichannel states when [Flexi] is pressed.

To select channels to view:

Step 1: Select channels on the command line (do not press [Enter]). Step 2: Press and hold [Flexi].

Step 3: Press {View Chans}. The “View Channels” flexi state will be created and the

channels you selected will be visible in it.

The channels you selected will be visible in this flexi state until you select other channels and press {View Chans} again. At any time, you can access the last channels you defined for this state by pressing [Flexi] until this state is visible.

To redefine the selected channels in the state, simply follow the steps above again.

36 Ion Operations Manual

Indicators in the Playback Status Display

Indicates the timing for a category.

Indicates that timing has been applied but there is no move instruction.

If blank, default time is used and there is no move instruction

Sneak Counter

Color indicators

Text indicators

• Gold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Any item (cue, list, page) highlighted in gold indicates

“current”. Outlined in gold indicates “selected”.

• Red. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cue fade is in progress (cue list area)

• + (see cue 6) . . . . . . . . .Indicates that there is discrete timing within the associated

• * (see cue 4) . . . . . . . . . .Indicates the cue has an allfade command. Found in the cue

• - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indicates a dark move, a cue that has any non-intensity

•x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indicates that a mark has been placed, but the mark is

• A or a (see cues 3&4). . .Indicates an asserted cue. “A” indicates the entire cue is

• B or b (see cue 2&5) . . .Indicates a blocked cue. “B” indicates the entire cue is

cue. Found in the cue display “Timing” area.

display “Flags” area.

parameters moving on channels whose intensity is at 0.

broken.

asserted. “a” indicates a channel or parameter assert only. Found in the cue display “Flags” area.

blocked. “b” indicates a channel/parameter block only. Found in the cue display “Flags” area.

2 System Basics 37

• D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AutoMark is disabled.

• F9 (see in cue 8) . . . . . . Indicates a follow time associated with the cue (in this case,

9 seconds). Found in the cue display.

• H4 (see in cue 6) . . . . . .Indicates a hang time associated with the cue (in this case 4

seconds). Found in the cue display.

• I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indicates an intensity blocked cue. Found in the cue display

“Flags” area.

• M or m . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Indicates a marked cue. “M” indicates an AutoMark or a

reference mark that is used by a subsequent cue. “m” indicates a reference mark that is currently unused by any subsequent cue (see Using Mark, page 191). Found in the “Flags” area.

• P (see in cue 3) . . . . . . .Indicates the cue will preheat. Found in the cue display

“Flags” area.

• R (see in cue 8) . . . . . . .Indicates the source cue which refers back to an earlier mark

(see Referenced Marks, page 193).

• E 1*(see in cue 2.5) . . . .Indicates a cue level effects override.

• M1 (see in cue 3) . . . . . .Indicates a linked macro.

• Q2/1 (see in cue 6). . . . .Indicates a linked cue.

• S1 (see in cue 1) . . . . . .Indicates a linked string.

Note:

For more details on information contained in the playback status display, see

Playback Status Display, page 42.

38 Ion Operations Manual

Using [Format]

Channel numbers

Intensity data

F, C, B data

Summary View Collapsed

Some displays have multiple formats. When the display is first opened, it opens in its default view. The default view for Live/Blind is table view, with all parameter categories displayed. When the default format has been changed, those new settings will be used whenever the display is changed back to that format.

Live and Blind share formatting. When you change from one format to another format, you are always working with the same format until you change it. The exception to this is spreadsheet, which is only available in blind. If you are working in blind spreadsheet, when you return to live you will be working with the table or summary view, based on which one you were last using.

Summary View

The summary view displays the largest number of channels of any of the formats. Below you can see channels 1-60 are shown. This format is best used to see large numbers of channels’ intensity data and/or parameter category data. Individual parameters are not visible in this view.

FCB icons will appear at the bottom of the channel area for channels that have those parameters patched to them.

To collapse the summary view, hold down the [Data] key and press any encoder paging key (located to the right of the LCD).

When the summary view has been collapsed to show only intensity data, you may include focus, color, or beam data in the summary view by holding down the [Data] key and pressing any encoder paging key (located to the right of the LCD). This displays all categories.

2 System Basics 39

Table View

Fixture types

Fixtures with only type-specific parameters displayed

Summarized category

Expanded category

Parameter data

Live Table View

Table view is available in live or blind. Unlike summary view, table view displays the fixture type associated with channels and details about each channel’s category

In live, table view displays all active channel data being output from Ion. In blind, it will display all data for a single record target (cue, preset, palette) depending on what is viewed. In table view, focus, color, and beam information can be viewed in either a summary of these three categories.

To expand a category to show detail, press the [Data] key and the associated parameter key. For example, [Data] & [Color] will change the color category from a summary view to a detailed one. To collapse a category. press the [Data] key and the associated parameter key. You cannot hide a category from view.

When a category has been expanded, to hide or reveal only certain parameters, press and hold [Data] and then select the parameter buttons of the appropriate parameters in the CIA. The parameters will be displayed or suppressed depending on the current view.

Notice that when you hold down the [Data] button, the buttons of parameters that are currently selected for viewing will be highlighted in the CIA.

In the table view, a slight space is provided between fixture types, giving a clear delineation between them. The name of the fixture type is displayed at the top of the section for that fixture.

Channels with only intensity parameters will display the same as in summary view.

parameter levels.

40 Ion Operations Manual

Spreadsheet (Blind Only)

Channel number

Cue numbers

Parameters

Spreadsheet format is available only in blind mode. It is useful for viewing channel data and trends for multiple cues, submasters, palettes, or presets at one time. Cues and other record targets are displayed on the vertical axis and channel data is visible on the horizontal axis.

Since this is a blind-only view, changes made in this view are immediate and do not require a record or update.

As with table view, spreadsheet format allows you to choose exactly which parameters you want to view. Parameters can be expanded/suppressed by holding [Data] and pressing the desired parameter buttons in the CIA. Category data is not available in spreadsheet, but you may hide all parameters of a specific category by holding [Data] and pressing the desired parameter category button (also called “encoder paging keys”). By default, the spreadsheet view displays just intensity.

2 System Basics 41

Playback Status Display

Fader page number

Fader numbers

Sneak Counter

The playback status display allows you to view a range of cues in the current cue list, all cue attributes for those cues, and a view of the fader configurations for 10 pages of 10 faders each (for a total of 100 visible faders.

Holding down [Time], while a cue is fading, will display the cue category times counting down in the cue list display area. The default action is to show the total time not the countdown. To always show the countdown, a {PSD Time Countdown} option is available in Setup, see {Displays}, page 107. When the {PSD Time Countdown} is enabled, the cue category times will countdown as a cue is fading. To see the total time, hold down the [Time] key. {PSD Time Countdown} is “disabled” by default.

When focus is on the playback status display, you can use the paging keys to navigate in the display. An optional command line for the playback status display is available. The optional command line must be enabled to use. See “{Displays}” on page 107.

There are three formats for the playback status display. By default, it will be an expanded cue list format. With the playback status display selected, press [Format] to toggle between the formats.

Expanded Cue List Format

Pressing [Format] with the playback status display active will access this format. In expanded cue list, the view of the active cue list increases to the full size of the display. The current fader page is still visible at the bottom of the screen.

42 Ion Operations Manual

Split Playback Status Display

Optional Command Line

Locked cue list

Unlocked cue list

Pressing [Format] with the playback status display active will access this format. With the playback status display split, two different cue lists can be displayed at the same time by locking. If both cue lists are unlocked, they will display the same list.

Note:

The first time you access the split playback status display, you may need to adjust the splitter bar between the two lists to see the second list.

2 System Basics 43

Fader Display Format

Current cue list

Cues

Timing data

Cue flags

Cue attributes

Fader Pages 1-10

Faders1-10

Master cue list timeline

Other cue list

Submasters

Pressing [Format] with the playback status display active will access this format.

44 Ion Operations Manual

Encoders

The encoders are one of two ways to control the non-intensity parameters (NPs) of multipleparameter devices. The four encoders are identified by the encoder LCD, just beneath the encoders.

Encoder Navigation

Use the encoder page buttons (located to the upper right of the encoder LCD) to choose which parameters are currently available on the encoders. There are six readily usable buttons: [Focus], [Color], [Custom], [Form], [Image], and [Shutter]. Pressing any of these will change the parameters controlled by the encoders.

Some fixtures have more parameters than can be displayed on one encoder page. The number of pages for each category is displayed at the right side of the encoder screen. To view the other pages, simply press the [Color], [Custom], [Shutter], [Image], or [Form] button to advance the pages, or press an encoder button with a number key to go directly to the page you want to access. The number of pages is indicated in the LCD.

Encoders can be switched from course mode into fine by holding down [Shift] while using an encoder will put it in fine mode for as long as [Shift] is held down. Once [Shift] is released, the encoder will return to course mode.

Locking the Encoders

It is possible to lock out the encoders. To lock out the encoders, press [Escape] & [Encoder Page Keys]. To unlock, press any of the [Encoder Page Keys].

Encoders in Blind

The encoders and level wheel are disabled by default when in the blind display. Pressing an [Encoder Page Keys], for example [Color], will enable the encoders and level wheel. When the encoders are disabled, trackball functionality for pan and tilt will also be disabled.

Flexi Encoders

Holding down [Flexi] and an [Encoder Page Keys], for example [Image], will put the encoders into Flexi mode. In Flexi mode, any empty locations for parameters not applicable for selected channels will be suppressed.

2 System Basics 45

Moving Light Controls

An additional tool for controlling the non-intensity parameters (NPs) of multiple parameter devices is the ML Controls. The ML Controls is found with the other virtual controls in the browser. Navigate to Browser>Virtual Controls>ML Controls.

You will need to have a multi-parameter device selected to properly view this display. The display will change based on the device selected. If you have a device that only has intensity and color parameters, the ML Control display will only show intensity and color parameters.

ML Controls

Controls available in this display will change based on the fixture selected.

• 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Category button (Clicking this button will show or collapse the

encoder wheel, see #12)

• 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parameter button (Clicking the button will put the parameter

on the command line.)

• 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Home button allows you to home a specific parameter or

attribute of a parameter.

• 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parameter attributes

• 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arrow to scroll through a fixture’s available categories.

• 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Palette button (Clicking the button will put the palette on the

command line.)

• 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Palette Select buttons. Will display number or label.

• 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gives pan and tilt functionality to a mouse or trackball.

• 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opens the gel picker.

• 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Collapses or expands categories.

• 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Toggles the color format from Hue/Saturation to absolute

parameter data and back.

• 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Virtual encoder (Click and hold close to the center line for

slow movement, further away for faster movement.)

46 Ion Operations Manual

Using Softkeys

Some of the features and displays in Ion are accessible from the softkeys, which are located in the bottom right area of the LCD.

Pressing the [Displays] button accesses the following softkeys:

• Effect Status

• Color Picker

•Patch

• Setup

•Browser

•Magic Sheets

• Command History

•Curves

•Pixel Maps

• Show Control

•Mirror

Context Sensitive Softkeys

Softkeys are context sensitive and will change depending on the active display, the current command in the command line, the active record target and so on.

Changing Softkey Pages

When there are more relative softkeys than the six available softkey buttons, the LED in the [More SK] button will light. Press [More SK] to view the additional softkeys.

2 System Basics 47

48 Ion Operations Manual

Chapter 3

Managing Show Files

This chapter explains how to create, open, and save your show files. Each of these operations are accomplished through the browser area in the CIA.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Create a New Show File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

• Open an Existing Show File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

• Merging Show Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

• Printing a Show File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

• Saving the Current Show File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

• Using Quick Save. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

• Using Save As . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

• Importing Show Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

• Exporting a Show File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

• Deleting a File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

• File Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

3 Managing Show Files 49

Create a New Show File

To create a new show file, navigate within the browser to: File> New> and press [Select].

You will be prompted for confirmation that you want to create a new show. Press {OK} to confirm or {Cancel} to discontinue the operation. {Patch 1to1} will be selected by default. If you wish to not have a 1 to 1 patch, deselect the {Patch 1to1} button and click {Ok}.

A new show created with {Patch 1to1} selected will have a 1 to 1 patch and 1 to 1 channel to sub assignment.

Open an Existing Show File

Names of show files may appear in the browser list in normal text or in bold text. Files in normal text indicate that there is only one show file stored by that name.

Bold show names indicate that there are several versions of the show file stored under that name, the bold one being the most recent. To access the most recent show file, simply select the bold name. You may right arrow [ in the browser. Select the desired show from the expanded list.

To open an existing Ion show file, navigate within the browser to: File> Open> and press [Select].

] from the bold name to expand a list of previous versions beneath it

Ion provides you with multiple locations to retrieve an Ion show file (.esf) including:

• Show File Archive - This is the default storage location for show files when a show file is created and saved. Older versions of the show file will be listed under the most current version.This allows you the ability to open the latest version or an earlier version of a show file if desired.

• File server - if one is connected. When there is no file server connected, it will not display in the browser.

• USB device - When a USB device is connected and an Ion show file (.esf) is available on the device, you will notice the USB is displayed in white text and is expandable.

Open the desired location:

• To open a show file from the Show File Archive, navigate within the browser to: File> Open> Show File Archive and press [Select].

• To open a show file from the file server, navigate within the browser to: File > Open> File Server> and press [Select].

• To open a show file from a USB device, navigate within the browser to: File> Open> Name of Drive and press [Select].

50 Ion Operations Manual

Select the specific show file

• Navigate within the specified storage location and select the show file you wish to open, press [Select].

• If the selected show has multiple time stamps and you wish to load an older version, navigate to the desired revision and press [Select].

This will open the partial show loading screen in the CIA.

From this screen you can select which components of the show file you wish to load. The buttons at the center of the CIA represent all of the show components that you can choose to load. By default all components are selected (gray) and will be loaded. To withhold any show components from loading, simply deselect them in the CIA by clicking the respective button.

To reselect all show components, click the {Reset} button and all buttons will return to gray (selected). To stop the show load process, click the {Cancel} button.

When you have selected or deselected all of the show components you require, click {OK}.

Ion loads the selected show to the console.

CAUTION:

On a partial show open, if any record targets are not opened, any existing data of that type will be cleared from the console.To merge show data, merge should be used. See “Merging Show Files” on page 54.

3 Managing Show Files 51

Selective Partial Show Opening

Selected Show Components

If you select the {Advanced} button in the partial show opening screen, you will have the opportunity to load partial components from the show file and be able to specify the desired location of those partial components in the new show file.

CAUTION:

For example, you could specify only cues 5-10 from cue list 2 and load them as cues 20-25 in cue list 7 in the new show. You could also specify only specific palettes, presets, effects, and so on. To see the complete list of show components, press the {Advanced} key in the partial show loading screen.

As you specify components, they are added to a table in the CIA. In the table, fields with a dark background may be edited, fields with a light gray background do not apply to that component. For each component in the list, you can specify the desired range by clicking in the proper area in the table and entering numbers from the keypad. The columns in the table are:

• List - The list you are taking data from (such as a cue list).

• List Target - The list you are adding the data to.

• Start - The first in a range of components (such as a range of cues).

• End - The last in a range of components.

• Target - The desired location of the components in the new show file (for ranges, this

will be the location in the new show of the first component in the range, the others will follow in order).

52 Ion Operations Manual

To open only partial components from a show file:

Step 1: From the browser, navigate to the desired show file (see Open the desired location:,

page 50).

Step 2: When the partial show load screen appears, click the {Advanced} button. The partial

components selection screen will appear in the CIA.

Step 3: Select the show components that you wish to load by clicking on their respective

buttons on the left side of the CIA. The components will appear in the list to the right as you select them.

Step 4: Click any fields for which you want to enter specific numbers. The field (if editable) will

highlight in gold.

Step 5: Enter the numbers using the keypad to specify the desired cues/groups/effects and so

on.

Step 6: Click {OK} to load the components to the new show.

You may exit the partial show load screen at any time by clicking the {Cancel} button. This will return you to the browser.

You may clear all selected components from the table at any time by clicking the {Reset} button.

You may exit the advanced loading screen at any time by clicking the {Advanced} button. This will return you to the general partial show load screen.

Partial Patch Opening

You have the option to selectively open partial patch information or fixtures into a show file by selecting the {Advanced} button in the partial show opening screen.

Note:

You can specify the desired range by selecting the proper area in the table and entering numbers from the keypad. The columns in the table that relate to patch are:

• Start - The first in a range of components.

• End - The last in a range of components.

• Target - The desired location of the components in the new show file (for ranges, this

It is important to remember that on a partial patch open, if any record targets are not opened, any existing data of that type will be cleared from the console. To keep that data, merge should be used.

will be the location in the new show of the first component in the range, the others will follow in order).

3 Managing Show Files 53

Merging Show Files

Selected Show Components

Ion supports the merging of .esf show files.

Note:

You have the option of merging .esf show files from the Show File Archive, a File Server (if connected), or a USB device.

To merge a show file, navigate within the Browser to: File> Merge>. Navigate to the desired storage location and press [Select]. When using merge, Ion displays only the available files. Navigate to the specific file and press [Select].

This will open the merge screen in the CIA. From this screen you can choose which aspects of the show file you want to merge. By default all aspects are unselected (black). Selected show aspects will appear in gray.

If you select the {Advanced} button in the merge show loading screen, you will have the opportunity to load partial components from the show file and be able to specify the desired location of those partial components in the current show file.

For example, you could specify only cues 5-10 from cue list 8 and load them as cues 20-25 in cue list 7 in the current show. You could also specify only specific palettes, presets, effects, and so on. To see the complete list of show components, press the {Advanced} key in the merge show loading screen.

Merging show files is different from opening show files. When you do a partial open of show components, untouched record targets are cleared. When you do a merge, those record targets remain.

As you specify components, they are added to a table in the CIA. In the table, fields with a dark background may be edited, fields with a light gray background do not apply to that component. For each component in the list, you can specify the desired range by pressing the proper area in the table and entering numbers from the keypad. The columns in the table are:

• List - The list you are taking data from (such as a cue list).

• List Target - The list you are adding the data to.

• Start - The first in a range of components (such as a range of cues).

• End - The last in a range of components.

• Target - The desired location of the components in the new show file (for ranges, this will be the location in the new show of the first component in the range, the others will follow in order).

54 Ion Operations Manual

To merge only partial components:

Step 1: From the browser, navigate to the desired show file (see Open the desired location:,

page 50).

Step 2: When the merge show load screen appears, press the {Advanced} button. The

partial components selection screen will appear in the CIA.

Step 3: Select the show components that you wish to merge by pressing on their respective

buttons on the left side of the CIA. The components will appear in the list to the right as you select them.

Step 4: Press any fields for which you want to enter specific numbers. The field (if editable)

will highlight in gold.

Step 5: Enter the numbers using the keypad to specify the desired cues/groups/effects and so

on.

Step 6: Press {OK} to load the components to the current show.

Partial Patch Merging

You have the option to selectively merge partial patch information into a show file by selecting the {Advanced} button in the partial show merge screen.

You can specify the desired range by selecting the proper area in the table and entering numbers from the keypad. The columns in the table that relate to patch are:

• Start - The first in a range of components.

• End - The last in a range of components.

• Target - The desired location of the components in the new show file (for ranges, this will be the location in the new show of the first component in the range, the others will follow in order).

Printing a Show File

Ion provides you with the ability to save a show file or aspects from a show file to a PDF file for printing. Ion has three locations to save the PDF files including the Show File Archive, the File Server (if connected), or a USB device (if connected). Saving the PDF file to a USB (F:) device, allows you to then print the PDF from a personal computer. Printing directly from Ion is not supported. To save a PDF of an Ion show file, navigate within the browser to: File> Print> and press [Select].

This will open the printing screen in the CIA. From this screen you can choose which aspects of the show file you want to save to PDF. By default all aspects are selected (gray) and will be saved. To

3 Managing Show Files 55

withhold any show aspects from printing, simply deselect them in the CIA by touching the

Selected Show Component

respective button. Deselected show aspects will appear in black.

To reselect all show aspects, press the {Reset} touchbutton and all buttons will return to gray (selected). To stop the show file from being saved to a PDF and return to the browser, press the {Cancel} button. When you have selected/deselected all of the show aspects you require, press the {Ok} touchbutton to create the PDF file.

You can also choose to print specific portions of show aspects. To select this information, press the {Advanced} button. The touchbuttons at the center of the CIA will again represent all of the show aspects that you can choose. By default all aspects will be deselected (black).

As you select aspects, they will be added to the table in the CIA. For each component in the list, you can specify the desired range by pressing the proper area in the table and entering numbers from the keypad. The columns in the table are:

• List - The list you are taking data from (such as a cue list).

• Start - The first in a range of components (such as a range of cues).

• End - The last in a range of components.

To deselect all show aspects, press the {Reset} touchbutton and all buttons will return to black (deselected).

To return to the main print screen, press the {Advanced} button. To stop the show file from being saved to a PDF file and return to the browser, press the {Cancel} button. If you are ready to save the file, press the {Ok} button. You will be prompted to name the file.

The PDF will have the show name, date and time it was created, and date and times for when the show file was last saved. It also gives the Ion software version information. If multiple aspects were selected to save to the file, there will be hyperlinks at the top of the PDF so you can quickly jump to a section.

56 Ion Operations Manual

Saving the Current Show File

To save the current show data, navigate within the browser to: File> Save> and press [Select].

The Show File Archive is the default storage location for show files when they are saved. The new time stamp located beneath the show file name on the CIA indicates that the show file has been saved.

All previous saves are stored in the Show File Archive with the time stamp following the file name.

Using Quick Save

To save the current show data to the hard drive without having to navigate to the browser, hold down [Shift] & [Update].

Using Save As

To save an existing Ion show file to a different location or with a different name, navigate within the browser to: File> Save As> and press [Select].

Ion provides you with three locations to save an Ion show file (.esf) including the Show File Archive, the File Server (if connected) or a USB device (if connected).

Navigate to the desired storage location and press [Select]. When using “Save As” to save the show file to a specific location, the alphanumeric keypad will display on the CIA. Name the show file and press [Enter]. The show file will be saved in the specified location with the show file name you entered with a time stamp suffix.

By default, the current show file name will be used. Pressing [Label] or [Delete] on the console, or DELETE on an alphanumeric keyboard will remove the default show label when doing a Save As.

Importing Show Files

Ion supports the import of standard USITT ASCII and Lightwright® text files.

Note:

CAUTION:

Ion supports ASCII show file import from a number of other control consoles, including the Congo, Obsession, Expression and Emphasis product lines, as well as the Strand 300 Series. Please note that all show files must be saved in an ASCII format prior to importing them into Ion.

The way data is stored and used is often different between different desks. Imported data may not playback exactly the same between desks. Not all data (such as effects and macros) may be imported. This varies by product.

3 Managing Show Files 57

You have the option of importing standard USITT ASCII (.asc) or Lightwright (.txt or .asc) from the Show File Archive, a File Server (if connected), or a USB device.

To import a show file, navigate within the Browser to: File> Import> (Type of file to import) and press [Select]. If you are importing an USITT ASCII file, you will have two options, Import as Library Fixtures or Import As Custom Fixtures. Import as Library Fixtures will allow Ion to try to match the fixtures in the file with fixtures in the Ion library. Import as Custom Fixtures will bring the fixtures in as they are in the file. It is recommended to use Import as Custom Fixtures.

Navigate to the desired storage location and press [Select]. When using import, Ion displays only the available files. Navigate to the specific file and press [Select].

Exporting a Show File

Export your Ion show file to a a standard USITT ASCII, .csv, Focus Track, or Fast Focus Pro show file using the export feature.

To export your Ion show file in ASCII format, navigate within the browser to: File> Export> and press [Select]

You have the option of exporting your show file in ASCII format to the Show File Archive, to a File Server (if connected), or to a USB device.

Navigate to the desired storage location and press [Select]. The alphanumeric keypad will display on the CIA. Name the show file and press [Enter]. The file will be saved in the specified location with the file name you entered with a “.asc” file extension.

You can export Ion show files as a .csv format by navigating within the browser to: File> Export> CSV and select the location for the export, the Show File Archive, a File Server (if connected), or to a USB device.

Files can also be exported as in a Focus Track or Fast Focus Pro format by going to File> Export> Fast Focus Pro or Focus Track and select the location for the export, the Show File Archive, a File Server (if connected), or to a USB device.

Deleting a File

Ion provides you with the ability to delete show files from the Show File Archive and the File Server from within the browser.

To Delete a Show File

Navigate within the browser to: File> Open and press [Select]. Navigate to the desired show file and press [Delete]. Press [Enter] to confirm or any other key to abort the deletion process.

To Delete a Folder

The folder must first be empty.

Navigate within the Browser to: File> Open and press [Select]. Navigate to the desired folder and press [Delete]. Press [Enter] to confirm or any other key to abort the deletion process.

File Manager

Ion has a file manager, which provides a way to manage show files. See “File Manager” on

page 347.

58 Ion Operations Manual

Chapter 4

Patch

Patch is where fixture assignments and properties are stored and can be viewed. Once a channel is patched to an output, and the output is connected to a device (for example a dimmer, moving light, or accessory), the channel will then control that device.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• About Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

• Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

• Patching Conventional Fixtures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

• Using the Scroller/Wheel Picker and Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

• Patching Moving Lights, LEDs, and Accessories. . . . . . . . .75

• Display Pages in Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

• Using Device List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

• Clearing the Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

• Fixture Creator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

4 Patch 59

About Patch

Ion treats fixtures and channels as one and the same, meaning each fixture is assigned a single control channel number. Individual parameters of that fixture, such as intensity, focus, color, and beam are also associated with that same channel number but as additional lines of channel information.

Patching can be done via two different methods: manually entering a patch and by patching devices using RDM via the Device List in patch. RDM allows bi-directional communication between the desk and any RDM devices over RDM or Ethernet.See “Using Device List” on page 82.

For manual patching, you are required to enter only the simplest data to patch a device and begin programming your show, such as the channel number, the device type (if needed), and address. When you provide more information in the patch, you will have more detailed control and improved function during operation.

One or more devices may be patched to a single channel. For example, you may want to patch a group of dimmers to the same channel. In addition you may patch multiple devices to the same channel for building a compound or accessorized fixtures. For example a Source Four scroller and a gobo changer may be patched to a single channel. This is referred to as a compound channel.See “Creating multi-part and compound channels” on page 67.

with a color

60 Ion Operations Manual

Displays

To begin patching your show, you must first open the patch display. To open the patch display, press [Displays] and then {Patch}.

The patch display will open on an available external monitor and the CIA will display patch controls. If there are no monitors attached, patch will open on one of the on-board monitors.

From within the patch display, you can open the Device List to use RDM to patch any RDM compatible devices. For more information about Device List, see Using Device List, page 82.

The patch screen will display the following information if available:

• Channel - the patched channel number. In patch by address mode, channel will appear blank if not currently patched.

• Address - the patched output address. In patch by channel mode, address will appear blank if not currently patched. Pressing [Data] toggles the display from showing address as patched by the user, output address, and the port/offset. See “Using Output Address vs Port/Offset” on

page 64.

• Type - device or dimmer type that is patched.

• Label - displays the assigned label of the channel or address. See Labeling, page 62.

• Interface - displays which interfaces will be used for the device. See {Interface} in {Patch}

Display and Settings, page 76.

• Output - displays the current live intensity level. Value is displayed as 0-255, with 255 being full.

Status in the Patch Display

Status flags will display on the far left of the patch display to advise you when a channel or address requires your attention.

A red “!” or yellow “?” will display when there is a warning or error from an RDM, CEM+, CEM3, or ACN device. See “Errors and Warnings” on page 86.

4 Patch 61

Flexichannel Views in Patch

In patch by channel mode, [Flexi] can be used to view only those channels that are currently patched. In patch by address mode, [Flexi] can be used to view only those addresses that are currently patched. By pressing [Flexi], you can toggle the view between patched channels/ addresses, selected channels, and all channels/addresses.

Holding down [Flexi] will display the following softkeys:

• {Flexi All} - displays all the channels or addresses depending on which view is used.

• {Patch} - displays only the patched channels or addresses.

• {Selected} - displays any selected channels or addresses.

• {View Channels} - displays those channels selected for the View Channels flexichannel state.

• {Partitioned} - only available when partitioning is enabled. Displays the following options:

• Partitioned Channels

• Partitioned Patched Channels

• Partitioned Selected Channels

• Partitioned View Channels

Labeling

To label a channel or address, press the [Label] key with the channel or address selected on the command line. You can use the virtual alphanumeric keyboard or an external keyboard to enter the desired label text.

62 Ion Operations Manual

Patching Conventional Fixtures

For patching fixtures, there are two different patch modes: patch by channel and patch by address. Ion defaults to patch by channel mode. Pressing [Format] while in the patch display will toggle the mode between patch by channel and patch by address.

Note:

When working with conventional devices, you can patch in either mode easily. When working with compound channels or multiple parameter devices, such as moving lights, it is recommended to work in patch by channel.

Patching By Channel

In patch by channel mode, [2] [0] [At] [1] [Enter] patches channel 20 to address 1. Pressing [At] will post address to the command line while patching by channel.

Additional examples of patch by address:

[5] [At] [1][0][0] [Enter] - patches channel 5 to address 100.

[2][0][3] [At] [1][2] [Enter] - patches channel 203 to address

12.

Range Patching

Range patching using the [Thru] key allows you to quickly patch a group of channels. [1][Thru][2][0] [At] [1] [0] [Enter] patches channels 1 through 20 to addresses 10 through 29.

You can also use the [+] and [-] keys. [1] [+] [4] [+] [8] [At] [1] [Enter] patches channel 1 to address 1, channel 4 to 2, and channel 8 to 3. The [Group] key can also be used if groups have been created.

Note:

Range patching only works with channels. If you try to range patch addresses, parts for the channel will be created. See “Creating multi-part and compound

channels” on page 67.

If you try to patch a channel or address that exceeds the desk's capacity, an error message saying number out of range will display on the command line.

Patching By Address

Note:

If, at any point, you try to patch an address that is already in use, Ion will post an advisory to indicate this, preventing you from duplicating addresses in your patch.

Pressing [Format] while in the patch display will toggle the

mode between patch by channel and patch by address.

[2] [0] [At] [1] [Enter] patches address 20 to channel 1.

Pressing [At] will post channel to the command line while

patching by address.

Additional examples of patch by address:

[5] [At] [1][0][0] [Enter] - patches address 5 to channel 100.

[2][0][3] [At] [1][2] [Enter] - patches address 203 to channel

12.

4 Patch 63

Using Output Address vs Port/Offset

The output address is the DMX or network DMX (often called EDMX) address. Examples of output addresses are 510, 1, and 1024.

Port/offset refers to the DMX universe or port and the offset of the address. For example, since a single DMX port can transmit 512 addresses (known as a “universe”), the port/offset for address 515 would look like 2/3 because address 515 is the 3rd address of universe 2.

An example of patching by port/offset in patch by address mode is [2][/][1][0] [At] [2][0] [Enter], which patches universe 2 address 10, or 522, to channel 20.

Note:

As it is possible to patch by either address or port/offset, pressing the [Data] key will move between showing the patch as it was originally entered, then the output address values, and last the port/offset.

An address can not be assigned to multiple channels, but a channel can have multiple addresses assigned to it.

Replace

By default, if you patch an address to a channel that is already patched, Ion will create a new part for the new address. If you want to replace the current address with the new, use {Replace}:

• [n] {Replace} [n] [Enter] - replaces the address in part 1 of the selected channel.

Helpful Hints

[At] [Next] [Enter] finds the next available address range large enough to accommodate the selected device.

Examples of [At] [Next]:

• [At] [2] [/] [Next] [Enter] - finds the next available address range on universe 2.

• [At] [7] [7] [7] [Next] [Enter] - finds the next available address after 777.

[At] [/] [n] [Enter] can be used to patch an address on the same universe that was last used.

Note:

You can open or merge patch data from other show files, see Partial Patch

Opening, page 53 and Partial Patch Merging, page 55 for more information.

{Address} [n] [/]

The syntax {Address} [n] [/] can be used to select a full universe in patch.

• [channel list] {Address} [n] [/] [Enter] - changes the addresses of all the selected channels to a new universe while using the same offset.

• {Address}[2] [/] [Copy To] [Copy To] <Address> [3] [/] [Enter] - moves all channels with addresses in universe 2 to the same offsets in universe 3.

• {Address} [n] [/] {Unpatch} - unpatches all patched addresses in the selected universe.

64 Ion Operations Manual

Dimmer Doubling

You can patch channels in Ion to accommodate for dimmer doubling with Sensor dimmer racks. This is done using the softkeys available in patch ({No Dim Dbl}, {A}, and {B}).

For Example:

Let’s assume you patch 96 channels of dimmers to addresses 1-96.

• [1] [Thru] [9] [6] [At] [1] [Enter]

Now you wish to dimmer double 1-12 of your Sensor+ rack and you want these to be channels 97-108. To patch this, press:

• [9] [7] [Thru] [1] [0] [8] [At] [1] {B} [Enter]

Channels 97-108 are patched to address 1-12 B, while channels 1-12 are now patched to address 1-12 A.

To remove the dimmer doubling from these addresses, you must first press [Format] to enter Address mode and then press:

• [1] [Thru] [1] [2] {NoDimDbl} [Enter]

Addresses 1-12 have been returned to single dimmer modes and channels 97-108 are now unpatched.

By default, doubled dimmers start with an offset network DMX address value of 20000. Therefore, in the above example, address 1B (channel 97) is actually controlled by network DMX address

20001. Address 2B is actually controlled by network DMX address 20002 and so on. This offset matches the default offset in CEM+ / CEM3 when configuring your Sensor dimmer rack for dimmer doubling. To change the default offset value, see Show Settings, page 96.

Note:

For Ion, dimmer doubling needs to be turned on per DMX port in the ECU. See

“Local DMX Outputs” on page 351.

There is also a Dimmer Doubling setting for Net3 Gateways with DMX outputs. This is used with Sensor racks that are connected via DMX. The Gateway must be properly configured.

Moving and Copying Channels

Channels and their data can be moved from one location to another within patch. Channel data can be copied between different channels. You can also move the channel data from one channel to a different one.

• [1] [Copy To] [Copy To] [7] [Enter]

The second press of the [Copy To] key changes the command from copy to into move to.

This syntax will move the patch information for channel 1 to the patch for channel 3. All data in the show file that was stored at channel 1 is also move to channel 3.

To copy a channel to another location within patch:

• [1] [Copy To] [2] [Enter]

To copy a channel to another location within patch and all record targets in the show:

• [1] [Copy To] [2] {Plus Show} [Enter]

To copy a channel to another location with all record targets in the show but not the patch data:

4 Patch 65

• [1] [Copy To] [2] {Only Show} [Enter]

To copy on the notes and keyword fields from one channel to another:

• [1] [Copy To] [2] {Only Text} [Enter]

Swapping Channels

Channels can be swapped for each other in patch:

• [1] {Swap} [2] [Enter]

This syntax will replace channel 1's data with channel 2's and vice versa in patch and throughout the entire show.

Note:

Move To and Swap always impact the entire show.

Unpatch a Channel

To unpatch a channel while in patch you can press:

• [n] {Unpatch} [Enter]

The {Unpatch} softkey, will reset all the properties of the channel to the default. This includes removing the device type if specified.

To retain all the elements of the channel, besides the address, you would instead use:

• [n] [At] [0] [Enter]

Unpatched channels may also have data stored.

Deleting Channels

It is possible to delete channels in patch. Deleting channels is different from unpatching in that deleted channels cannot be manipulated or have data stored for them. When deleted, the channel numbers will still be visible in the live/blind display, but the channel graphic will be removed from the display.

For Example:

To delete channels in the patch display, press:

• [6] [Thru] [1] [0] [Delete] [Enter] [Enter]

-or-

• [Delete] [1] [Thru] [1] [0] [Enter] [Enter]

66 Ion Operations Manual

Using {Offset} in Patch

Using the {Offset} feature in patch allows you to force a numerical offset between the starting address of channels in patch or for offsetting your channel selection. This feature is useful when you want to start your addresses at some known multiplier.

• [1] [Thru] [5] [At] [1] {Offset} [3] [1] [Enter] - fixtures will be patched with a patch address offset of 31 channels, allowing you to have additional space within the patch for a given fixture type regardless of configuration or personality.

• [1] [Thru] [2] [0] {Offset} [2] [At] [1] {Offset} [2] [0] [Enter]- selects every other channel in the list and patches them with an offset of 20 addresses.

Note:

For multiple parameter devices, Ion will automatically offset the addresses based on the fixture type.

Creating multi-part and compound channels

A multi-part channel is any channel that has more than one dimmer patched to it. A compound channel has multiple profiles patched to it that make up one channel, an example would be a dimmer with a scroller and auto-yoke. By default, Ion will add a part if you are trying to patch to a channel that has already been assigned an address.

To patch a multi-part channel in address format:

• [5] [1] [3] [At] [8] [Enter]

Assuming channel 8 was previously patched to an address, this will create a part 2 and address it at 513.

To patch a multi-part channel in channel format:

• [9] [At] [5] [4] [0] [Enter]

Assuming that channel 9 is already patched to an address, this will create a part 2 and address it at 540.

• [8] [Part] [2] [At] [5] [1] [3] [Enter]

This will create a part 2 for channel 8 and address it at 513. If you wish to patch by address while in the channel view, press:

• {Address} [5] [1] [3] [At] [8] [Enter]

This will perform the same action as the previous example, assuming channel 8 was previously patched to an address.

To select multiple parts for editing:

• [1] [Part] [1] [Thru] [5]

This is useful for deleting or assigning new addresses to existing parts.

To patch a compound channel in channel format:

• [1] [Part] [2] [At] [5] {Type} <scroller profile>

Creates a part 2 for channel 1 and assigns it the selected scroller profile. See {Patch}

Display and Settings, page 76 for more information on using {Type}.

4 Patch 67

Using the Scroller/Wheel Picker and Editor

Select the scroll / wheel type.

The scroller and wheel picker allows you to choose a specific scroll, color wheel, gobo wheel, or effect wheel from standard manufacturers and associate them with fixtures. You may also create customized scrolls/wheels using the editor to match custom devices installed in your fixture.

Note:

Scrollers, color wheels, gobo wheels, and effect wheels can be created without first selecting or patching a fixture.

Using the Picker

Default color and pattern media for the selected fixture, as determined in the fixture library, is displayed in the {Attributes} page. Only the media attributes that are available for the selected fixture will display.

In the image below, the selected channel is a Source Four Revolution gobo wheels. If the selected channel included other wheels, each device would be represented in the display with a button.

with a color scroller and two

The picker displays on the left half of the CIA when you select the specific attribute ({Scroller}, {Color Wheel}, {Gobo Wheel}, or {Effect Wheels}). The picker displayed is specific to the selected attribute (the scroll picker will display when {Scroller} is pressed, the color wheel picker will display when {Color Wheel} is pressed, and so on).

68 Ion Operations Manual

The picker displays buttons for the standard scroll or wheel type of the selected channel. The default selection is the wheel as shipped from the manufacturer (derived from the fixture library). Displayed to the left of the standard scroll/wheel selection is a list of each color/gobo as they are installed in the selected device (frame by frame). When the color or pattern image is available, it will display next to the frame name.

In the above image, {ETC Scroll} is the default scroll for the selected ETC Source Four Revolution. The list of gel colors as they are installed in the scroll are displayed to the left with a color chip for easy reference. Selecting any other type, such as {Martin Scroll}, updates the frame list.

The softkeys displayed beneath the picker are {Clear Calib}, {Copy Scroller}, {Clear}, {New}, {Copy}, {Edit}, and {Delete}.

• {Clear Calib} - clears out the calibration data for the whole scroller wheel and returns to the wheel’s default data.

• {Copy Scroller} - used to copy a scroller wheel and its calibration to another channel. See

“Scroller Calibration Column” on page 73.

• {Clear} - clears the selection type from the selected channel in the picker.

• {New} - creates a new scroll or wheel and provides additional softkeys to enable the Editor. See Using the Editor below.

• {Copy} - makes a copy of the currently selected scroll/wheel type, which can then be edited using the editor. See Using the Editor below.

• {Edit} - used to edit an existing scroll or wheel.

• {Delete} - used to remove the selected frame only from a scroll or wheel that you have created.

Using the Editor

The editor is used to create new or edit copied scrolls and wheels. While in the picker display, you can create a new scroll or wheel by pressing the {New} softkey or make a copy of an existing scroll or wheel by selecting the source, then pressing the {Copy} softkey.

The editor does not limit how many frames you can add to the scroll or wheel for the selected fixtures. Keep in mind that any fixture has its own limitations. For example, a Source Four Revolution color scroller is limited to 24 frames. If you have created a custom color scroll with 30 frames, the Source Four Revolution will only provide you access to the first 24 frames that you created. This applies to wheels as well.

When using the editor, the following softkeys are available for use:

• {Insert} - inserts a new frame above the selected frame.

• {Delete} - removes the selected frame.

• {Edit} - changes the selected frame.

• {Invert} - reverses the order of the frames.

• {Done} - completes the editing process.

4 Patch 69

Creating a new scroll or wheel

To modify a color, gobo, or effect selection with a mouse, you need to click on the gray box in the C/G column of the frame you wish to change.

The media selection includes the following

softkeys:

• {Gel}, {Color}, {Gobo}, and {Effect} - each will display available media selections as they are cataloged by the associated scroll or wheel manufacturers.

• {Open Frame} - places the frame in Open White. Generally, the first media frame is open.

• {Cancel} - cancels the media selection and returns to the frame editor.

Manufacturer

List

Manufacturer

catalog

Cataloged media

When you create a new scroll or wheel, {New Wheel n} appears in the wheel list as the selected button. The frame list will be empty with only “New” displayed in frame 1.

You can label the new wheel by pressing the [Label] and typing the desired label on the virtual keyboard and pressing {Enter}.

To select a color or pattern for the specific frame in the scroll/wheel, select the “NEW” text. The available gel, color, gobo and effect media selections will be displayed.

When a manufacturer is selected from the list, the catalog selection changes to display only the selected manufacturer’s offerings. When a specific catalog is selected, the media will display in the last three columns of the editor.

When you make a media selection, the display returns to the new wheel frame list where additional frames can be added to the scroll or wheel (using the {New} frame button) or you can touch/click in the next frame area to add more frames.

Note:

An {Invert} softkey will display when creating or copying a wheel or scroller. {Invert} is used to reverse the order of frames.

70 Ion Operations Manual

Editing a copy of a scroll or wheel

The media selection includes the following

softkeys:

• {Gel}, {Color}, {Gobo}, and {Effect} - each will display available media selections as they are cataloged by the associated scroll or wheel manufacturers.

• {Open Frame} - places the frame in Open White.

• {Cancel} - cancels the media selection and returns to the frame editor.

Manufacturer

List

Manufacturer

catalog

Cataloged media

If a copy has been made of an existing scroll or wheel, the copied scroll or wheel will display as {New Wheel n} before the standard manufacturer offerings. The frame list will include an exact duplicate of the copied selection.

To make a change to a frame, first select the frame then press {Edit} to display the media selection. Or you can insert a new frame above a selected frame using the {Insert} softkey.

For example, to insert a new frame in between existing frames 2 and 3, select frame 3 and press the {Insert} key. The media selection will display.

When you make a media selection, the display returns to the new wheel frame list where additional frames can be edited in the scroll or wheel.

Scroller Fan Curves

Curves can be applied to the scroller fan parameter allowing for the output of the fan to be controlled by the intensity of the channel. The curves available for this are the same used for intensity parameters and cues.See “Storing and Using Curves” on page 277.

To set a curve to a scroller fan, go to Displays>Patch>Attributes>Fan Curve for each scroller.

4 Patch 71

Calibrating a Scroller Using the Encoders

You can calibrate the center point of any frame in a scroller using the calibrate feature. Calibrating a scroller is normally done from the live display. You can also calibrate using the ML display. See

“Calibrating a Scroller Using the ML Display” on page 74.

Note:

To calibrate a scroller:

Step 1: Select the channel of the scroller you wish to calibrate. Step 2: Press the [Color] encoder button. Multiple presses may be required before the

Step 3: Use the encoder to move all the way to the last frame of the scroller. Step 4: If you are in course mode, press the encoder to switch to “Fine” mode. The

Step 5: Continue adjusting the frame in fine mode until the frame is centered in the desired

Step 6: Press {Calibrate} in the encoder LCD. The new center position is now stored for the

Step 7: Press {Last} in the encoder LCD to move to the center point of the previous frame. Step 8: Visually verify if the center point of the new frame is accurate. If it is, press {Last}

Step 9: Repeat steps 4-8 until you have calibrated all of the frames

It is recommended that you calibrate your scroller frames starting with the last frame and working backward to the first frame. This will help ensure a complete and accurate calibration.

Calibration may need to be performed when you initially patch a scroller and may need to be adjusted through the course of operation as spring tension changes in a color scroller.

scroller encoder is visible in the encoder LCD.

{Calibrate} touchbutton will appear as one of the scroller buttons in the LCD.

position.

selected channel.

again to move to the previous frame in the scroll. If not, follow the calibration procedure again.

72 Ion Operations Manual

Scroller Calibration Column

Values in gray are default data, and the values in blue are calibrated data.

Calibration information will be displayed in the scroller calibration column.

The displayed calibration information is the DMX address that puts the frame into its center position. Information in the calibration column can be manually edited by clicking on it and typing in a new DMX address.

Note:

Pressing the softkey {Clear Calib} will clear out the calibration data for the whole scroller wheel, returning it to the default data.

Scroller wheels and their calibration data can be copied to other channels.

• [1] {Copy Scroller} [2] [Enter] - copies the scroller and calibration data from channel 1 to channel 2.

Scrollers that have calibrated data will display a “~” after their name.

The {Calibrate} button will now only appear on scroller parameters that are currently not at the center of a frame.

Calibration data will only be applied to scroller wheels that are assigned to a channel. Data will not be displayed when viewing a wheel with an empty command line.

Calibration data can be returned to its default by clicking on the data and pressing [Clear]. If you are entering in new data and hit [Clear], the data will return to the default and not any previously calibrated data.

4 Patch 73

Calibrating a Scroller Using the ML Display

Scroller Encoder

Frame Picker

You can calibrate the center point of any frame in a scroller using the calibrate feature. This will ensure that color scroll frames will be centered over the aperture of the fixture when you advance a color scroll frame-by-frame. You can do this using the ML Controls display.

Note:

To calibrate a scroller:

Step 1: In the Live display, select the scroller channel. Step 2: Use the [ML Controls] key to open the ML Controls display.

Step 3: To begin calibrating, click on the {Scroller ::} button. The scroller encoder will be

Step 4: Use the scroller encoder to adjust the centerpoint of a frame. It is recommended that

Step 5: When the frame is centered, click {Calibrate}. Step 6: Repeat for any remaining frames that need to be calibrated.

It is recommended that you calibrate your scroller frames starting with the last frame and working backward to the first frame. This will help ensure a complete and accurate calibration.

Calibration may need to be performed when you initially patch a scroller and may need to be adjusted through the course of operation as spring tension changes in a color scroller.

• The color category will display automatically with the Hue and Saturation encoders and a frame picker.

displayed.

you start with the last frame in the scroll.

74 Ion Operations Manual

Patching Moving Lights, LEDs, and Accessories

The process of patching moving lights requires more detail than patching a dimmer. Specific information is required for more advanced control of the features offered by moving lights.

It is recommended that when patching moving lights, LEDs, and accessories that you work in patch by channel mode.

After you have entered the channel number, click {Type}. You will then select a device type from the fixture library.

Press {Manfctr} from the CIA to display the fixture library. The two columns on the left are pageable and show manufacturer names. Use the arrow buttons to scroll the list of manufacturers. Selecting a manufacturer repaints the device columns with all devices from that manufacturer that are available for patching.

Scroll through the device list and make your selection. If a fixture has multiple modes, clicking on its name will open a list of available modes. After the selection is made, the fixture or device type will be placed on the command line after the channel number and displayed in the box beneath the {Type} button.

Notice the three softkeys {Favorites}, {Manfctr}, and {Add Favorite} located beneath the CIA.

{Favorites} provides you with the option of showing only the library of fixtures or devices that are already patched in the show, your favorites, and Ion’ default devices. {Manfctr} shows all fixtures or devices available in the library sorted by manufacturer.

{Add Favorite} will add a fixture or device to your favorites list. If you want to delete a fixture or device from the favorites list, click {Edit} while in the favorites display. Select the device you wish to remove and click {Delete}.

Press [At] and then enter a starting address for the selected channel or group of channels. The desk will automatically offset addresses based on the fixture type selected.

To select a device interface (optional), click {Interface}. See “Protocols” on page 221.

Click the {Attributes} softkey to set detailed moving light attributes. The following buttons may be available on this page depending on the device selected: {Preheat}, {Proportion}, {Curve}, {Fan

Curve}, {LD Flags}, {GM Exempt}, {Invert Pan}, {Invert Tilt}, {Swap P/T}, {Scrollers}, {Gobo Wheels}, {Color Wheels}, and {Effect Wheels}.

page 78.

If your moving light includes parameters such as a color scroller or gobo wheel and you have custom gels or non-standard patterns installed, use the Scroller/Wheel Picker and Editor to modify the device patched. The more specific your patch data (including accurate colors and patterns), the more detailed programming and operating will be. See “Using the Scroller/Wheel Picker and Editor”

on page 68.

See “{Attribute} Display and Settings” on

4 Patch 75

Display Pages in Patch

Softkeys available for use while in patch include {Patch}, {Attributes}, and {Database}. Pressing any of these softkeys opens a paged view of the patch display and redraws the CIA to an expanded view of fields related to the selected page.

When creating and editing your patch, page through each of these softkeys individually to enter more specific data about your selected device.

{Patch} Display and Settings

When patch is opened, Ion defaults to this display. It provides access to data input fields that you may use to define devices in your lighting system.

• {Channel} - In the patch display, all channels are displayed in numerical order. When multiple devices are patched to the same channel, the channel number is only displayed in the first row, additional devices are indicated with part extensions (example P2) on the next row of the table.

• Select the channel number using the control keypad or the direct selects.

• {Type} - Ion defaults to patching dimmers. To specify a specific device type for the selected channel, press the {Type} button from the CIA.

• The two columns on the left side of the CIA are pageable and show manufacturer names. The four columns to the right of the manufacturer’s list are pageable devices that are available from the selected manufacturer for patching.

• Selecting a specific manufacturer repaints the display with all devices that are

available from that manufacturer. After you select a device, the fixture/device type appears in the command line, in the {Type} box in the CIA, and in the “Type” field for that channel in the patch display.

• {Label} - An optional user-defined label. You can use the [Label] key to display the virtual PC keyboard on the CIA. Pressing {Label} or [Label], after a label has already been assigned, will display the label on the command line for editing purposes. Pressing [Label [Label] will delete the text.

• [1] [At] [5] [Label] <S4 house right> [Enter] - patches channel 1 to output 5 and labels channel it “S4 house right”.

76 Ion Operations Manual

• {Address} - A required entry field for any device. You may use [At] instead of the {Address} button.

• Use the keypad to define the starting address for the device (from 1 to 65536) or a port and offset value.

• You may enter a start address without defining an end address. Ion will draw this information from the library data. If you wish to leave a larger output gap than required by the library, use [Offset]. See Using {Offset} in Patch, page 67.

• If you specify a start address that conflicts with other channels already patched, the conflicting channels will be unpatched after a confirmation is provided by the user.

• {Interface} - An optional field used to specify what network interfaces should be used for the output. When the field is left blank, the default data output is used as selected in the {Network} and {Local I/O} sections of the ECU. For more information about setting defaults see Output Protocols, page 342 and Local DMX Outputs, page 351. The interface options available are sACN, Net 2- EDMX, ArtNet, Avab UDP, and Local DMX, depending on what has been enabled in the {Network} and {Local I/O} sections of the ECU for the desk. If an output option is not enabled, it will not appear in the {Interface} list.

• {Flash} - will bring a channel or address to full, and then every other second the level will move to 15%. That will hold for 1 second, and then the level will return to full. The channel or address will keep flashing until either the command line is cleared or {Flash} is selected again.

4 Patch 77

{Attribute} Display and Settings

The {Attributes} page provides you with optional fields for additional information and details about the configuration of your rig. Attribute settings include {Preheat}, {Proportion}, {Curve}, {Fan Curve}, {LD Flags}, {GM Exempt}, {Invert Pan}, {Invert Tilt}, and {Swap P/T}.

When the selected device includes a color scroller, a {Scroller} button will be displayed in the CIA, when the selected device includes a color wheel, a gobo wheel, and/or effect wheel, {Color Wheel}, {Gobo Wheel}, and/or {Effect Wheel} buttons will appear.

Press the desired attribute button and use the keypad to set the attribute value.

• {Preheat} - This field allows you to specify an intensity value to preheat incandescent filaments. When a preheat flag is applied to a cue, any channels that are fading from zero to an active intensity and have been assigned a preheat value in patch will preheat in the immediately preceding cue.

• [1] {Preheat} [0] [3] [Enter] - channel 1 is assigned a patched preheat value of 3%.

The preheat flag is applied to a cue as an attribute when the cue is recorded.

• {Proportion} - An attribute to set a modifier for the intensity of the device. If the patch limit is set at 90% (for example), the actual output will always be 10% lower than the specified intensity parameter, as impacted by the various playbacks or submasters. This value is set numerically in a range of 0% to 200%.

• [1] {Attributes} {Proportion} [1] [2] [5] [Enter] -applies a 125% proportion to channel

• [1] {Attributes} {Proportion} [Enter] - removes the applied proportion from channel 1.

• {Curve} - Used to assign a curve to an address in patch. In patch, curve is applied to intensity parameters only.

From channel view:

• [1] {Curve} [4] [Enter] - applies curve 4 to the intensity parameter of channel 1.

• [2] [Part] [3] {Curve} [3] [Enter] - applies curve 3 to the intensity assigned to channel 2, part 3.

From address view:

• [3] {Curve} [3] [Enter] - assigns curve 3 to address 3.

• [3] [/] [2] {Curve} [4] [Enter] - assigned curve 4 to universe 3, address 2.

• {Fan Curve} - Used to assign a curve to the scroller fan parameter, which allows for the output of the fan to be controlled by the intensity of the channel. Curves available for this are the same used for intensity parameters and cues.

Note:

78 Ion Operations Manual

When {Curve} or {Fan Curve} is pressed, a list of the available curves will be displayed. Clicking on an available curve will assign it.

• {LD Flags} - This field allows channels to contribute to live and dark move flags in the playback status display. Disabling will prohibit those channel moves from contributing to the live and dark move flags. This is enabled by default.

• {GM Exempt} - Used to exempt channels from grandmaster, blackout, rem dim, and go to cue 0 operations.

• {Invert Pan} {Invert Tilt} - A moving light attribute used to invert the output of pan, tilt, or both. Select either the {Invert Tilt} or the {Invert Pan} button on the CIA.

• [2] {Attributes} {Invert Pan} - inverts the output of the pan parameter on channel 2.

• {Swap P/T} - A moving light attribute used to exchange pan and tilt levels. Select the {Swap} button on the CIA.

• [2] {Attributes} {Swap} - swaps the pan and tilt parameters for channel 2.

• {Scrollers} - An attribute used to change the scroll loaded in a scroller or moving light. Select the {Scrollers} button on the CIA to display the scroller picker and the scrolls available for your device. See “Using the Picker” on page 68.

• [2] {Attributes} {Scrollers} -opens the Scroller Picker in the CIA for scroll selection for channel 2.

• {Color Wheels} - An attribute used to change the color wheel loaded in a moving light. Select the {Color Wheels} button on the CIA to display the wheel picker with the options available for your device. See “Using the Picker” on page 68. “More” as shown in the patch display, indicates additional parameter properties are available for the selected device, such as the color and gobo wheels.

• [4] {Attributes} {Color Wheels} - selects channel 4 and opens the wheel picker in the CIA for color wheel selection.

• {Gobo Wheels} - An attribute used to change the gobo wheel loaded in a moving light. Select the {Gobo Wheels} button on the CIA to display the wheel picker with gobo options available for your device. See “Using the Picker” on page 68.

• [3] {Attributes} {Gobo Wheels} - selects channel 3 and opens the Wheel Picker in the CIA for gobo wheel selection.

• {Effect Wheels} - An attribute used to change the effect wheel loaded in a moving light. Select the {Effect Wheels} button on the CIA to display the wheel picker with the options available for your device. See “Using the Picker” on page 68. “More” as shown in the patch display, indicates additional parameter properties are available for the selected device, such as the color and gobo wheels.

• [5] {Attributes} {Effect Wheels} - selects channel 5 and opens the wheel picker in the CIA for effect wheel selection.

4 Patch 79

{Database} Display and Settings

The {Database} page provides you with additional fields for entering information that can be used by the “Query” function. These fields include {Notes} and {Text 1} through {Text 4}. Clicking on {Text 1} through {Text 4} will open up a display for selection of keywords. It will display keywords that were already created as well as showing an option for creating new keywords. Clicking on {New Keyword} will display an alphanumeric keyboard for entering in a new keyword

• {Text} - Text fields are used to provide up to four keywords about any channel or group of channels. These fields can be anything that you think is important about a channel, such as its location (FOH), an attribute of it (wash, spot) or other characteristics of the channel (such as gel R80). You may use the virtual keyboard in the CIA, or an external keyboard, to provide up to 30 characters of key words about the device.

• [5] {Database} {Text 1} < FOH right> [Enter] - adds text to channel 5.

• {Notes} - Provides you the ability to attach a text note to a channel or group of channels. Select the {Notes} button on the CIA to display the virtual keyboard. You may type a label or any length of note regarding your channel in this space.

• [5] {Database} {Notes} <this fixture is a backup to channel 15 for front of house right / new lamp installed on 10/4/06> [Enter] - adds a note to channel 5.

Adding Keywords in Patch

If you plan on being able to query channels based on a keyword association, the keyword must be defined in patch.

To enter a keyword for a channel:

Step 1: Press [Displays], to the right of the CIA. Step 2: Press {Patch} at the bottom of the CIA. Step 3: Press {Database}. Step 4: Select a channel or range of channels in the command line.

Step 5: Touch one of the {Text (1-4)} touchbuttons in the CIA to specify which keyword you

are entering. A list of previously defined keywords will be posted. Select from these

or press {New Keyword}. A virtual alphanumeric keyboard will appear. Step 6: Type the keyword or words you wish to use. Step 7: When finished, press [Enter].

Once keywords have been created, they will appear in the keyword section of the CIA when a query is performed. For more information on keyword queries see Using {Query}, page 232.

80 Ion Operations Manual

Deleting Keywords from the Database

Keywords can be deleted from any of the four text fields in the database. To delete a keyword from the entire database, you would use the following syntax:

• [Delete] {Text1} <orange> [Enter] [Enter]

This will delete orange anywhere it was used in any text field of any channel.

To just delete a keyword from a specific channel, you would use the following syntax:

• [1] {Text1} [Enter]

That would delete the text from channel 1's first text field only. If you wanted to delete the second text field, you would select {Text2} and so on.

4 Patch 81

Using Device List

The Device List is used to discover, configure, and monitor compatible Remote Device Management (RDM) and network devices. RDM allows for bi-directional communication between a RDM compatible device, such as a lighting fixture, and your desk.

Two lists, dimmer and RDM, make up the device list.

The dimmer list is the area of patch that handles setting up dimmer feedback from CEM+, CEM3, and FDX 2000. You can also do some configuration of dimmers from this list.

The RDM List is the area of patch that handles RDM feedback with devices. You can also do some configuration of devices from this list. Once RDM compatible devices have been patched, they keep communicating with the desk to allow you to know when things like blown lamps happen or if a device goes offline for some reason.See “RDM Device List” on page 84.

The Device List displays all discovered devices during the current session and all devices that have been stored in the show file.

Note:

Desks only support RDM devices that are connected through an external ACN gateway. Supported gateways are the ETC Net3 4 or 2 port Gateways. Gateways need to be running version 5.1 or newer.

Dimmer List for CEM+, CEM3, and FDX 2000

Note:

To use the Dimmer Feedback area of the Device List, you must first enable feedback. In the network tab of the ECU, when using CEM+ or CEM3, make sure {Sensor Feedback} is enabled, or when using FDX 2000, make sure that {FDX} is enabled. The default setting is disabled for both.

See “Interface Protocols” on page 343.

Open the Dimmer Feedback display while in the patch display by pressing {Device List}> {Dimmers}. When the dimmer list is opened, the dimmers will be displayed in Patch by Address

mode.

For Dimmer Feedback, these software versions are required: CEM+ v3.0 and newer, CEM3 v1.3.1 and newer, and FDX v3.4.0 and newer.

82 Ion Operations Manual

Ion will display the following information that it receives from the dimmers:

•Address

• Channel

• Label

• System

•Rack

•Lug

• Properties

• Module Type

• Firing Mode

• Control Mode

•Curve

• Loads

• Recorded Loads

Note:

With a dimmer or dimmers selected, you can edit various dimmer settings in the property view, which will display in the CIA. Items with a caret (>) are editable. When multiple dimmers are selected together for editing, an “*” will show for data that is different between the selected dimmers.

The System ID number from CEM3 is not currently supported.

Rack numbers and dimmer numbers need to be unique for Ion to properly recognize them. For CEM+, dimmers also need to be patched to different sACN addresses.

FDX dimmers will not display data for the following:

• Recorded Load

• Actual Load

• Rack Dimmer Source

• Threshold

• Scale Minimum

• Preheat Enable

• Preheat Timing

•AF Enable

Note:

When dimmers are discovered, they are not automatically attached to patched channels in Ion; you must attach a dimmer to a channel. See “Patching

Discovered Dimmers and RDM Devices” on page 86.

4 Patch 83

RDM Device List

RDM Activity Indicator

Before you can start using the RDM Device List, you must first enable {RDM} in the network tab of the ECU. By default RDM is disabled. See “Interface Protocols” on page 343. RDM must also be enabled on the DMX ports of the Gateway. The Gateway needs to be running version 5.1 or newer.

Open the RDM Device List while in the patch display by pressing {Device List}> {RDM}.

You will need to make sure that {Device Discovery} is enabled.

{Device Discovery} is disabled by default. The {Device Discovery} option will not display if {RDM} is disabled in the ECU.

Note:

When the RDM device list is opened, the devices will be displayed in Patch by Address mode. At the top of the list is a RDM indicator. This indicator shows incoming and outgoing RDM traffic.

Ion will display the following information that it receives from the RDM devices:

• Address (a part will be added if multiple devices are discovered with the same address)

• Channel

• Label

• Manufacturer

• Model

•Footprint

Ion will also display what personality from the Ion library the device matches in the Ion Type column. This information will not display until you first select the device. Once the device has been selected for the first time, Ion will extract the type information from the device and display it.

{Device Discovery} will automatically disable when you leave the patch display.

The following messages may display in the Ion Type column:

• No RDM Data Available - no model specific RDM data has been extracted from the device.

• Extracting RDM Commands - currently getting the command data from the device.

• Extracting RDM Fixture -currently getting the data required to create a fixture definition for the

device.

• Extracting RDM Sensors - currently getting the sensor definitions from the device.

• Offline - no model specific RDM data has been extracted from the device and it is now offline.

84 Ion Operations Manual

ETC Ion User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Introduction

Using this Manual

Register Your Ion

Help from ETC Technical Services

Important Concepts

Channel = Fixture

Output

Record Target

Move Instruction

Manual Data

Syntax Structure

Parameters and Parameter Categories

Tracking vs. Cue Only

Move Fade

Block vs. Assert

Live and Blind

HTP vs. LTP

Other Reference Materials

Help System

Online Eos Family (Eos Ti, Eos, Gio and Ion) User Forums

System Overview

System Components

Console

Remote Processor Unit (RPU)

Remote Video Interface (RVI)

Radio Focus Remote (RFR)

iRFR and aRFR

Gateways

Console Geography

Terminology

Cleaning Ion

Outputting DMX

Console Capacities

Output Parameters

Channel Counts

Cues and Cue Lists

Record Targets

Faders

System Basics

Setting Up the Hardware

Power

Power Up the Console

Power Down the Console

Your First Interaction

Single Monitor Configuration

Dual Monitor Configuration

The Central Information Area (CIA)

Browser

Parameter display

Collapse/Expand the CIA

Lock the CIA

Favorite CIA Display

Locking the Facepanel

Using the Browser

Virtual Keyboard

Fader Module

Using Direct Selects

Direct Selects in Flexi Mode

Clear Functions

Display Control and Navigation

Opening and Closing Displays

Selecting Displays

Moving Displays

Scrolling within a Display

Expanding Displays

Zooming Displays

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Display Conventions

Indicators in the Live/Blind Display

[Data] Key

[Time] Key

[Label] Key

Using Flexichannel

Indicators in the Playback Status Display

Using [Format]

Encoders

Encoder Navigation