Effects and Filters are intended to create dynamic lighting moods. This includes movements for moving heads and scanners, but also color gradients, running lights, and other lighting effects.
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| Figure 1: 1D and 2D effects in the Effects tab. |
Overview
Effects can be applied to individual devices or preferably to device groups. The Effects and Filters window can be accessed via « Windows »⇒ « Effects and Filters ».
The effects are divided into three groups:
- Effects and filters for devices and groups (see Figure 1)
- Filters for matrix devices (Figure 2)
- Filters for Radix devices (Figure 3)
However, the Effects and Filters window shows four tabs (see Figure 5). The fourth tab for saved effects collects the effects that the user has stored.
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The effects for devices and device groups are further categorized. These categories include:
- 1D effects, which can only be applied to a function such as dimmer, color, or tilt.
- 2D effects, which can only be used for position.
- Filters, which allow you to influence various functions like dimmer or color, etc.
- List Chaser, such as the Gobo Chaser, which targets the corresponding function. In the case of the Gobo Chaser, it can be used for effects on the "Gobo" property. Additionally, these chasers always have an equivalent Item List as their basis, such as the Gobo List for the Gobo Chaser.
A list of currently available effects is provided in the Functions section.
Once an effect is applied to a function, the respective parameters of the effect are directly set in the Device Control.
Key Features
How an effect is applied to the desired devices depends on:
- Individual devices: The order in which the devices were selected in the Stage View.
- Device groups: The sorting of devices within the device group in the Project Explorer.
If an effect is applied to a device group, DMXControl 3 recalculates it as soon as the number of devices in the group changes.
Controls
In the Effects and Filters Window
The buttons on the menu bar of the Effects and Filters window work depending on the selected tab.
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| Figure 2: Menu bar of the Effects and Filters window. |
| Icon | Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| English GUI | |||
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Edit | Modify an existing effect. | |
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Rename | Change the name of the effect. | |
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Delete | Delete the selected effect. | |
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Apply | Apply the effect to a specific property of the selected device or device group. | |
In Device Control
The controls in Device Control for an effect are limited to an additional block below the function, where the effect was applied. The parameter input is done in the same way as entering values for a function itself.
Usage
Prerequisites for Using Effects
Effects are most effective when applied to more than one device. This is especially true for the phase. From this point on, Fanning comes into play, as it can be used for nearly all parameters.
Applying Effects to Devices and Device Groups
All effects can be applied in several ways to a device, a selection of devices, or a device group:
- Drag & Drop: Drag the effect directly onto a property in the Device Control or onto the desired device or device group in the Stage View. A context menu will appear on the target device/device group, asking which property the effect should be applied to. If you use the Device Control, this prompt is skipped, but it is required to have the desired devices or device groups selected in the Stage View beforehand.
- Apply: Via the « Apply » menu, effects can also be inserted into a selection of devices and device groups in the Stage View without using Drag & Drop. As with assigning an effect via Drag & Drop in the Stage View, the pop-up menu lists which functions can be controlled with this effect.
- Double-click: A double-click on the desired effect directly opens the context menu on the icon, prompting you to choose which function you want to apply the effect to.
Parameterizing Effects
Each effect has its own set of parameters, which allow it to be customized to suit individual needs. The following table provides an overview of the most commonly used parameters.
| Parameter | Allowed Values | Description |
|---|---|---|
| "Amplitude" | numeric value | Specifies the working range of the effect, indicating how large the effect will be. |
| "+/- Amplitude" | "False" "True" |
"False": The amplitude value is added or subtracted from the static value "True": The static value is the midpoint of the effect, around which the effect moves "up" and "down" with the amplitude. |
| "Frequency" | numeric value | Specifies the playback speed of the effect in Hertz. |
| "Duration" | numeric value | Specifies the playback duration of the effect in milliseconds. |
| "Phase" | numeric value | Defines a time shift in the playback of the effect. |
Multiple effects can be applied simultaneously to a device property. This works through an additive method, meaning that in addition to the static value, the effect values are added or subtracted when the parameter "+/- Amplitude" is set to true. This applies to both 1D and 2D effects. For example, the starting value of a circle effect for Moving Heads or the minimum value for a sine effect on the dimmer can be set. Both positive and negative values can be entered for amplitudes.
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Some parameters of an effect depend on the function to which the effect is applied. Examples include parameters such as Peak in the Chaser effect. |
Live Manipulation of Effects
Instead of fixed, unchangeable values, effects can be manipulated live at runtime in two ways:
- A general way to manipulate effects is provided by the Speed Factor control in the Cuelist. This will accelerate or slow down the effect, even to a standstill. However, note that this control affects all effects stored in all scenes (Cues) of the associated cuelist.
- For targeted manipulation of specific parameters, the available Masters in DMXControl 3 can be used. Depending on the parameter to which the master is applied, there are different options:
** The Speed Master is used for the parameters "Frequency" and "Time". ** If the parameter to be manipulated is a color or position, the Color Master or Position Master is used. ** For all other numeric parameters, such as "Amplitude" or "Phase", the Parameter Master can be used.
Both the Masters and the Speed Factor of a Cuelist can be controlled through the respective nodes in the Input Assignment, for example, using the Softdesk or another external controller.
Custom Effect Templates
In DMXControl 3, it is possible to save frequently used effects with all their defined parameters, such as amplitude, frequency, or phase, for use in another project or for reuse on another device group as templates. To do this, the fully set effect is dragged and dropped from the Device Control into the « Saved » tab in the Effects and Filters window.
Once the effect is listed, it can be renamed with a meaningful name using the [Rename] button or deleted if not needed using the [Delete] button.
Functions
Effects
| Effect | Icon | DMXC Version | Footnote | Short Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2D | |||||
| Circle |  |
3.0.0 | Draws a circle or a horizontally or vertically oriented ellipse. | File:DMXC3 Effects-Filters Circle Default.gif | |
| Ellipse |  |
3.2.1 | Generates an ellipse that can be rotated and also drawn only in sections. | File:DMXC3 Effects-Filters Ellipse Default.gif | |
| Epitrochoid |  |
3.2.0 | File:DMXC3 Effects-Filters Epitrochoid Default.gif | ||
| Epizykloide |  |
3.0.0 | File:DMXC3 Effects-Filters Epizykloide Default.gif | ||
| Hypotrochoide |  |
3.2.0 | File:DMXC3 Effects-Filters Hypotrochoide Default.gif | ||
| Hypozykloide |  |
3.0.0 | File:DMXC3 Effects-Filters Hypozykloide Default.gif | ||
| Lissajous |  |
3.0.0 | File:DMXC3 Effects-Filters Lissajous Default.gif | ||
| Polygon |  |
3.1.0 | Generates a polygon with at least two corners, which can be oriented and rotated freely in the area. | File:DMXC3 Effects-Filters Polygon Default.gif | |
| Star |  |
3.2.1 | Creates the outer contour of a star with any number of points. | File:DMXC3 Effects-Filters Star Default.gif | |
| Starpolygon |  |
3.2.1 | Generates a star with at least five points, where the contour is continuous and does not have any internal corners. | File:DMXC3 Effects-Filters Starpolygon Default.gif | |
| 1D | |||||
| Bump |  |
3.0.0 | The Bump effect creates consecutive peaks where the output values remain in the upper range of the set amplitude. As a result, the effect appears bright when applied to the dimmer. | 
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| Capacitor |  |
3.0.0 | The Capacitor effect simulates the charge and discharge curves of batteries or capacitors. Depending on the chosen parameters, this effect can create both dark and bright values when used on the dimmer, as the width of the bright part can be freely determined. Within certain limits, the Capacitor effect can also replicate both the Bump and Swing-Up effects. | 
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| Cardinalsinus |  |
3.0.0 | 
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| Pows |  |
3.0.0 | 
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| Rectangle |  |
3.0.0 | The Rectangle effect produces continuously changing values between the set minimum and the maximum value determined by the amplitude. This effect does not include fade-in or fade-out phases, making it very harsh. | 
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| Sawtooth |  |
3.0.0 | 
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| Sinus |  |
3.0.0 | 
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| Swing |  |
3.0.0 | 
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| Swing up |  |
3.0.0 | The Swing-up effect generates continuous peaks, where the fade-in or fade-out to the maximum amplitude value is smooth. Overall, the Swing-up effect is relatively dark when applied to the dimmer, as the bright part is narrow and short. | 
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| Trapezoid |  |
3.0.0 | The Trapezoid effect can be widely adjusted by setting the times for the phases "fade in," "hold maximum value," "fade out," and "hold minimum value." This allows the effect to be configured as a "dark effect" or a "bright effect." The transition between light and dark is linear, so the transitions between the four phases are abrupt. | 
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| Triangle |  |
3.0.0 | 
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| Filter | |||||
| Chaser |  |
3.0.0 | 
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Creates a running effect for any function with various patterns, where any maximum value can be specified for each function. | 
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| List switch |  |
3.0.0 | Runs through a selected range of elements in a DDF. | File:DMXC3 Effects-Filters List switch Default.gif | |
| PWM |  |
3.2.0 | Dynamic PWM effect similar to a level indicator or bar graph. | 
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| PWM static |  |
3.2.1 | Static version of the PWM effect, whose deflection can be manually controlled via an assigned Parameter Master. | 
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| Sparkle |  |
3.2.3 | Generates a random sparkle on the assigned function. | 
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| Random value |  |
3.0.0 | Generates random values between any minimum and maximum value. | 
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| List Chaser | |||||
| Color Chaser |  |
3.0.0 |
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Effect for automatically cycling through a selected color list. | 
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| Gobo Chaser |  |
3.1.0 | Effect for automatically cycling through a selected gobo list. | 
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| Position Chaser |  |
3.3.0 | 
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Runs through a selected position list where a manually created curve or points are stored. | 
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Footnotes
: The effect has received an update in the current version, such as new parameters.
: This effect is completely new.
Links and References
Video Tutorials
On our YouTube-Kanal you can find the following videos on this topic.