Create a Fixture Profile

When a fixture isn't in the library, create your own definition.

When to create a profile

• Fixture not in the library
• Custom or DIY fixtures
• Modified fixtures with different channel layouts
• Rebranded fixtures with unique addressing

Fixture definition basics

A fixture profile includes:

Identity

• Name: Fixture model name
• Manufacturer: Brand name
• ID: Unique identifier (auto-generated from name for custom fixtures)

Channels

Each channel specifies:

• Number: Position in DMX range
• Name: Descriptive label
• Type: What it controls (color, dimmer, position, etc.)
• Default: Starting value

Modes

Fixtures often have multiple modes with different channel counts and feature sets. Match the profile mode to the physical fixture's current setting.

Creating a profile

Step 1: Gather information

From the fixture's manual, collect all DMX modes and channel counts, a channel-by-channel breakdown, the value ranges for each function, and any special behaviors.

Step 2: Create new definition

1. Go to Project > Fixture Editor.
2. Click New Fixture.
3. Fill in the basic information in the Metadata section.

Step 3: Define pixels

In the Pixels section:

1. Click Add Pixel to add individual pixels, or use Generate Pattern to create patterns (Line, Grid, Ring, Cube).
2. Select a color variant (RGB, RGBW, RGBA, RGBWA, RGBWAUV).
3. Adjust pixel positions in the 3D viewport.

Each pixel is assigned DMX channels automatically.

Step 4: Channel types

Step 5: Add modes

If the fixture has multiple modes:

1. Click Add Mode in the mode selector bar.
2. Name the mode (for example "9-Channel", "Full").
3. Define pixels and parameters for each mode separately.

Each mode has its own pixel layouts, parameters, and channel count.

Step 6: Test

1. Add the fixture to a project.
2. Patch it to your hardware.
3. Test each channel individually.
4. Verify all functions work.

Step 7: Save

1. Click Save to Library to save globally, or Save to Project to save for the current project only.

The fixture is now available for use.

Example: Simple LED par

A basic 7-channel LED Par:

Mode: 7-Channel

Channel 1: Dimmer
Channel 2: Red
Channel 3: Green
Channel 4: Blue
Channel 5: Strobe
Channel 6: Color Macros
Channel 7: Mode Selection

Example: Moving head

A moving head with two modes:

Mode: 16-Channel
1: Pan
2: Pan Fine
3: Tilt
4: Tilt Fine
5: Speed
6: Dimmer
7: Shutter
8: Red
9: Green
10: Blue
11: White
12: Color Wheel
13: Gobo Wheel
14: Prism
15: Focus
16: Control

Mode: 8-Channel
1: Pan
2: Tilt
3: Dimmer
4: Red
5: Green
6: Blue
7: Color Wheel
8: Speed

Advanced features

Value ranges

Some channels have discrete values such as color wheel positions, gobo selections, and special functions. Define these as value ranges within the channel.

Saving fixtures

When saving a fixture definition:

• Save to Library - Saves to your local fixture library (persists across projects)
• Save to Project - Saves only to the current project

Troubleshooting

Channels don't match

• Re-check the manual
• Verify fixture's current mode
• Test with raw DMX values

Colors are wrong

• Check RGB channel order
• Verify channel numbers
• Test each channel individually

Position is inverted

• Check pan/tilt polarity settings
• Some fixtures invert axes
• Add invert flags to the channel

Related

• Adding Fixtures
• Generic LEDs
• Library Manager