If youi’re a Hog 3 user and a WYSIWYG user, you might already know this, but I just started using Hog 3 (being a lifetime Wholehog 2 guy, figuring it was time), and I do lots of pre-viz stuff offline.  As you’re setting up WYSIWYG Perform to connect to the virtual console, in this case, Hog 3 PC, you might notice that you’re only able to bind 4 DMX universes at a time to the Hog 3 PC through WYG.

This, at first, might seem like a real problem - especially if you’re using more than the alloted 4 bindable universes in Hog 3 PC.  For example, I’m designing a rig right now with 5 universe of DMX - my fifth universe has a bunch of VL3500 Spots on it.  So what do you do when you need to have to use more than the alloted 4 universes?  Simple - add another Hog 3 PC and connect!

So, you might recognize the image above as the patch screen on a Hog 3.  At the bottom I have my 8 VL3500’s patched into what appears to be a second DP-8000.  Yeah, that’s right.  A second DP-8000.  How this needs to work is that since WYSIWYG needs to bind four universes of 512 at a time, you have to add a second DP-8000 digitally to the mix.  SO:  universes 1-4 on the first DP stay labeled as 1-4, but universe 5 will appear as universe 1 on the second DP-8000.  Simple.

The next step is to add another DP-8000 in Hog 3 PC.  After clicking the “Patch @” key in the patch you’ll arrive at the Fixture Patch screen.  Once you’re there, click “Add” to add a second DP-8000.  Make sure that you number it 2, and that the first DP is number 1.  Click OK.

The way I have mine set up is that the first DP is using the first 4 universes, and the second DP is mapping the fifth universe to the first output on the second DP.  Confusing yet?  It’s not really.  I have my addresses labeled A-E in WYSIWYG, so 1-4 on DP1 are A-D, and E is on DP2’s first output.  Like below - this image below is DP2’s first output.

What you have to remember is that when you’re patching whichever fixtures you wanted in those universes above 4, you’ll need to make sure to select the second DP, like I have done here.  Only after you patch, obviously, will the data show up on the second DP.  The next step is to tell WYSIWYG that there are two DP’s.

Once you add your two “Wholehog III DP” devices in WYSIWYG, you need to bind to universes and number them.  Mine, just like in the patch, are labeled 1 and 2, with 1 being bound to universes A-D, and 2 being bound to universe E.

Here’s the second DP, numbered, bound, and ready to go.

As in the image above, once you have both of your DPs numbered and bound to universes in WYSIWYG, click each one and click “Connect.”  If you’ve done everything correctly, you should be right as rain and ready to go.  If stuff is still funky, check your settings on DPs in both WYSIWYG and Hog 3 PC, which is usually where the problem lies.

This is repeatable for more than ive universes as well.  If you were using 8 for example, A-D and E-H, A-d would still be on DP1 and E-H would be bound in DP2.  Easy as cake - no, it’s easy as pie.

Mmmm, pie.

Imagine a world in which a device existed that could coordinate all worlds of production (INCLUDING AUDIO), not control mind you, but coordinate - communication between gear and systems, systems helping out systems, and systems watching out for other systems to help systems do their respective jobs.

Now imagine a world where a device like this is in R+D, and a working model already exists.

Cast is developing Black Box - a project between several companies that is going to revolutionize our industry and our markets.  I’ve talked with Gil Densham a few times now, and I finally had a chance at LDI to see the Black Box in action.  Cast is shooting for a fully capable production model in September of 2009 (don’t hold me or Cast to that date, as the universe is the universe).  There are several companies that are teaming up to get this thing a kickin’, and everything depends on the coordinated efforts.  Patience, young camper, patience.

Gil explained Black Box to me with a very simple couple of scenarios - let me list one now.  Scenario 1, a moving screen.  Imagine a projection screen on a motor system that moves the projector around the stage, and a director who wants that screen to do different stuff every night.  There is an image being projected on that screen, and as the screen movess, the image needs to be constantly updated with reference to keystoning.  That image on the screen might also come in contact with some moving lights as it moves.  What happens when all of this stuff happens?  Anyone who’s programmed a DL-1 or DL-2 knows that this would be some pretty incredible progrtamming to do this live every night - how do you correct all of the keystoning on the fly?  How do you douse the moving lights that cross the screen’s path?  This is where the Black Box concept comes in.

From Cast’s press release about the Black Box concept:

BlackBox is built with special hardware and proprietary software to be an all-in-one, bi-directional high-speed communications nerve centre which enables all control devices to instruct or receive instructions from each other. Live, realtime input in all forms is received by the BlackBox, which acts as the brains - running an ultra high-speed hybrid version of wysiwyg that works with a special new wysiwyg file version (that CAST is working on now). BlackBox receives and converts live positional data about any or many moving objects, selected or deselected for tracking as required from one or several sources, applies its brain power and speed to establish the exact 3D positions of those objects, then computes instructions in XYZ, yar, pitch and roll terms, and then shoots out moving positional information to whatever control devices need it. So moving lights, set pieces, cameras etc. are synchronized and tracking the action of those moving objects - all in live realtime, all in true 3D.

These are exciting times, kids.  Exciting times.  More on Black Box to come.

Mike Zinman, creator of iSwitch (the dipswitch calculator), GelCalc (the color filter calculator), and excellent titles like AutoBlock for AutoCAD has released yet another awesome iPhone program - Pocket LD for iPhone.  First and foremost, if you’re an LD and need touch-of-the-finger photometrics calculations and fixture database info, just go buy it right now.  It’s ten bucks.

The official release:

I just discovered an AWESOME tool at Cablepick.com - the Gobo Visualizer.

The Gobo Visualizer allows you to simulate a dual-gobo rotator with a static gobo behind, and either a solid sheet of color, no color, or split color.  Speeds are adjustable in either direction, from 0 to 30 RPM, and has gobos from Apollo, Rosco, GAM, Goboman, and Goboland.  You can also alter the projected focus of the gobo pair.  This is a great tool!  I hope it lasts!

Sometimes you can surprise yourself with two gobos that look like they do not belong rotating together.  For example, try Goboland #2100000 (5-pointed star) and Goboland #2100001 (5-pointed dancing star) rotating each a different direction.  Amazing!  It’s not always easy to visualize rotating templates before you order 50 of them for your rig, so this is an excellent place to visit if you have some rotating gobos designed into your upcoming rig.

We were first inundated with Mike Zinman’s code-creating antics with AutoBlock for AutoCAD.  Then Mike teased our palate with iSwitch DMX, which I just used this weekend to address a bunch of old Lightwave Research gear.  Now Mike Zinman is up to it again with his new lighting-related iPhone app, GelCalc. This application is geared towards us folk in the lighting industry, and takes away the reason to ask the age-old question, “what the hell size color frame does that old beam projector take?”

Behold:  GelCalc from The Zinman Co!  $5.99 was never better spent.  Thanks Mike!

A bit of info from Mike’s website:

For about the price of a sheet of gel, Gel Calc can save you hundreds of dollars each year from wasteful cuts.

Gel Calc is a calculation app for stage lighting designers, electricians, and stage hands.

With Gel Calc, quickly calculate number of sheets, best cutting direction to yield the most frames per/sheet and pricing.

Gel Calc includes a frame picker with over 60 common frame sizes for easy and quick entry, or you can manually enter any frame size using the text fields.

A lookup list, sorted by manufacturer, features over 100 popular frame sizes AND sheet/roll sizes for reference.

No more “What is the frame size for a Selecon Pacific Zoomspot” or “What roll sizes are available for Roscolux color?” This information is ready at your finger tips, just press the LOOKUP button underneath the frame picker.

KEY FEATURES:
-Determine total sheets needed for any frame size and qty.
-Determine total yield per sheet.
-Determine the best cutting direction for rectangular frames.
-Use Gel Calc to determine pricing information, including sales tax.
-Use as a reference tool to lookup popular frame, sheet and roll sizes, sorted by manufacturer.
-Imperial and metric units supported.

I’m going to be presenting a weekly post on Cast Software’s WYSIWYG lighting design program.  I’m a full-time user, and I’m going to write a weekly article on every aspect of the program I can write about, including the rendering engine, user interface, pre-viz awesomeness, and other aspects of it that make it a great tool.

If you have user experiences, tips and tricks, renderings, or problems you’d like answered, please email them to me and I’ll address them as best as I can.

We all have our choices in drafting software, and there’s three main platforms out there with several smaller companies making programs.  What’s your poison?  I’m a WYSIWYG man myself, with AutoCAD being my goto 3D platform..  But I also know Vectorworks too.  So - what do you use?  Post in the comments, I’d love to hear your preferences.  Also, if you draft by hand (and many do) tell us!

If you’re an AutoCAD user, then you remember AutoBlock for AutoCAD - the lighting block tool that pretty much all of us AutoCAD users used back in the day.  Mike’s come up with a great new iPhone app for we lighting designers and technicians - the iSwitch DMX dip switch calculator for iPhone!

The official press release:

iSwitch DMX iPHONE APP RELEASED

Michael Zinman, developer of the successful AutoBLOCK 2000, software for AutoCAD, has released iSwitch DMX for the iPhone or iPod touch. This is an easy-to-use calculator for addressing DMX devices and generating a graphical Dip Switch Layout.

Entering any number between 1-512 generates a graphical dip-switch layout in real-time.
Includes an offset picker and Regenerate button to quickly generate the next DMX Address and dip-switch layout for that address.

iSwitch DMX can be purchased directly though iTunes via the App Store under Utilities for $4.99. Follow this link to go directly to the iSwitch DMX site on iTunes:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=286911472&mt=8.

For more information, or to watch a video of this app, visit the website at http://www.lightingiphoneapps.com.

Go support the maker of AutoBlock! It’s $4.99!

Designers all have their own preferences when it comes to CAD programs.  I try to stay in a wide triangle of CAD and visualization suites, with my favorites being Vectorworks 2008, WYSIWYG (I have R21), and AutoCAD.  It seems that every few years I encounter a reason to brush up on one of the three, so I just got proficient on all three.  Go figure.

AutoCAD users can benefit from a new build of a lighting-specific design and CAD program called LD Assistant, by Design and Drafting.  Christian Choi, a standard in the concert production realm, wrote a fantastic review of the product for LiveDesign Magazine.  Check it out.