Support Forum

The new "Show In" and "Formula" features brings up a dilemma:

For an existing fixture, do we create a new profile with a new name or do we simply overwrite the old profile?

With the Martin 918, there are three fixture profiles and versions:
"PRO918 MODE2" --> Pro918-2.fxt
"PRO918 MODE2" --> Pro918-Mode2.fxt
"PRO918" --> Pro918.fxt

If we keep renaming new fixture versions, in the long run there will be a whole bunch of .FXT files in the library for the same device, with older ones being irrelevant to the latest FreeStyler version. Giving new names to new versions is good because it gives a fall-back to previous versions if the latest one fails; but as you can see above, this can become confusing. Do we really need three profiles for the same fixture? I don't think so.

If we keep the same file name (overwrite) for new versions, we don't have the ability to revert to older versions. BUT the biggest benefit is that in FreeStyler, the revised fixture automatically updates, and one doesn't need to re-write sequences that used the old profile. I like this method better because it is automatic and it doesn't mess up sequences. It is also good (or maybe bad?) because it forces people to update their FreeStyler to the latest version, since older fixture files eventually will disappear from the library.

What do you think, guys?

Anybody?

im with you on the same fixture name, version numbers can be added as a note in the fixture editor.
one of the many projects i want to start is a propa fixture library manager.

migrate away from the forum for managing new fixtures, fixtures will be tested and tweaked before being added to the database, duplicates rejected, naming convection adhered to and a standard for fixture images.
This database will contain search, fixture images and associated magic3d file if available.
This was something i had running before we moved to this forum.

There will also be an update program available to update your library to the latest version but also submit your own fixtures files for vetting if you have any the database doesn't.

All excellent ideas, Mattotone! Sounds like you've been thinking about this for a while.

Is there such a program, database, or web server that can do this? Is WebDAV a possible solution? I have only heard about it, but don't really know how it works.

Mattotone wrote:....This database will contain search, fixture images and associated magic3d file if available....

Also, there should be a place to store .BMP and .GIF files used for color and gobo icons. Fortunately, not many are duplicate of each other right now, but it could become a problem as time goes by.