Fanning is a function in DMXControl 3 that allows you to distribute values according to specific patterns across Devices or Device Groups. These can be values for functions like Dimmer, Color, etc. in Device Control, parameters of cues like fade time, or parameters for effects. Predefined operators like <, >, or >< are used.
Overview
Fanning is one of several ways to create your own light scenes or even effects in DMXControl 3. Unlike functions that are assigned to a specific device, fanning works dynamically. This means the output values automatically adjust to the selection in the Stage View or the number of devices within a group. This is particularly useful when working with frequently changing light setups or when you want to create smooth color transitions over a larger number of devices without manually calculating and entering color values for each device.
Key Features
Fanning is automatically recalculated for each function and parameter as soon as the number or order of Devices in the respective Device Group changes. However, this only happens if the associated Cuelist is stopped. If a Cuelist is active, changes within the device group are not taken into account.
Usage
Preparations
To use fanning, devices should ideally be grouped together. This is possible, among other places, in the Project Explorer. Alternatively, fanning can also be applied to a selection of multiple devices in the Stage View. The details of how this works are described in the article about Device Groups.
In the next step, the group can be selected in the Stage View, and the fanning operators can be entered in the device control.
Fanning Operators
The following table describes all operators with the example Dimmer. The DMXC-Version column indicates which operator is available since which version of DMXControl 3.
| Operator | DMXC-Version | Examples | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fanning Dimmer 0 and 100 | Fanning Phase Effect Bump 0 and 180 | ||
| linear | |||
< |
3.0.0 |  |
|
> |
3.0.0 |  |
|
<> |
3.0.0 |  |
|
>< |
3.0.0 |  |
|
| alternating | |||
# |
3.0.0 |  |
|
## |
3.2.0 |  |
|
| symmetric | |||
I |
3.2.0 |  |
|
II |
3.2.0 |  |
|
| crossed | |||
~< |
3.3.0 |  |
|
~> |
3.3.0 |  |
|
~<> |
3.3.0 |  |
|
~>< |
3.3.0 |  |
|
| random | |||
? |
3.2.0 |  |
|
?? |
3.2.0 |  |
|
?# |
3.3.0 |  |
|
Fanning with the Mouse Wheel
In the Device Control and in the Control Panels (Control Panel), the fan settings can also be adjusted using the mouse wheel. By pressing the mentioned keys, values can be set in different increments.
Fanning in the Color Control Panel
| Key | Increment | Change Rate | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| no key | normal | ±7,06 |
Changes the Hue value |
Fanning in the Position Control Panel
When turning the mouse wheel in the Position Control Panel, a fanning effect is always generated. By pressing different keys or key combinations, you can influence the change rate and direction of the two (outer) fanning points.
| Key | Increment | Change Rate | Change Direction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pan Axis | Tilt Axis | |||
| no key | normal | ±1° |
 Yes |
|
| Ctrl | ±1° |
Yes
| ||
| Shift | coarse | ±10° |
Yes |
|
| Shift + Ctrl | ±10° |
Yes
| ||
| Alt | fine | +0.1° |
Yes |
|
| Alt + Ctrl | +0.1° |
Yes
|
Fanning in the Device Control Panel
By pressing different keys or key combinations while rotating the mouse wheel, you can influence both the change rate of the value and generate a fanning effect. To work with the mouse wheel, the slider for the corresponding value must be expanded.
| Key | Increment | Change Rate | Fanning | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimmer | Rotation | Index | Zoom Angle | |||
| no key | normal | ±1 |
±0.01 |
±10° |
±0.1° |
 No
|
| Shift | coarse | ±10 |
±0.1 |
±100° |
±1° |
No
|
| Alt | fine | ±0.1 |
not assigned | ±1° |
±0.01° |
No
|
| Ctrl | Generates a fanning effect in normal increments | Yes
| ||||
| Ctrl + Shift | Generates a fanning effect in coarse increments | Yes
| ||||
| Ctrl + Alt | Generates a fanning effect in fine increments | Yes
| ||||
Application
Fanning can be used in many areas of DMXControl 3. The last table provided examples with fixed dimmer values and their use in a phase of the sine effect. Additionally, fanning can also be applied in cues for fade and delay times.
The same applies to fade and delay times in the Cue Timing Editor.
Links and References
Video Tutorials
On our YouTube-Kanal, you can find the following videos on this topic.