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I apologize if this has already been covered, but I can't find it anywhere...

- Built-in automated programs via master/slave
- Built-in sound activated programs via master/slave

Blizzard Pucks and many other fixtures seem to have built-in programs, can these be used within freestyler?

thank you-

If you set up some fixtures one the master and the rest is slave, the master will use the DMX cabels to send out what the slaves should do. This looks like DMX - but is not!
Normally you start the build in programs and master/slave mode by selecting a specific dip switch position or by seting the fixture to a special mode using the display and buttons - depending on how your fixture is controlled.
If you want to control the fixtures using DMX, you set up an other mode. The DMX mode. In this mode the fixtures will react like the way you told them by DMX signals.
So most fixtures can not be set up to their internal programs by DMX. Some do, but thats a minority. Check the manual of a fixture. If there is nothing in the DMX discription telling you how to set them to internal programms, you can not do so!

bummer! I really like the slow random fades that the PUCKs can do on their own, I guess I'll just have to recreate something similar through freestyler. It should be simple enough, but I'm still having trouble getting the right output with the program. baby steps I guess!

You can do this via macro in the fixture creator. Just open the file for the fixture you want to use and edit the macro or add a macro. You simply put the DMX value you want for each channel to access the fixtures own automation. I just tried it on a Chauvet Colorstrip and it works great.

Let me know what your fixture is and what you want it to do and I will create it for you.

Wow, that's great! A little above my head I think, but I haven't tried macros. On channel 7 I can access a random color snap with adjust able speed, but not the fades and snaps available when it's not tied to freestyler. They are Blizzard RGBA Puck lights, we made our own fixture files - I'm thinking that might be a problem? You are awesome for offering to create this!

Give this file a try. I added a few macros. Nothing fancy since I don't have the fixture to play with. You can edit the values for the desired effect.

ok, so how do I access the macros? I see them in there in the fixture creator, but I'm not sure what to look for within FS. thanks!

When selecting a fixture with macros programmed for, the "Fixture macros" button will be selectable. It is the 8 button in the FS menu bar, start counting at the left side, located beetween "iris, focos, zoom, ..." and "Show all panels".