Pharos Architectural Controls

If you’ve experimented with pixel matrices in Pharos before, you’ll know about the huge possibilities that the matrix presets offer, including transparency.  You can take this one step further by using the flexible tools for creating, resizing and laying out pixel matrices in Designer.

For this example I’ve used a 16 x 9 array of Color Kinetics’ iColor Tiles.  To start with, select all the fixtures in the Setup view in Designer and click the New Pixel Matrix button.  If you view this matrix in the Media view you’ll see the matrix is the same size as the pixel array (192 x 108).

Pixel matrix of all Color Kinetics' iColor Tiles

2D Colour on Colour applied to matrix of all iColor Tiles

If you program the 2D Colour on Colour preset onto this matrix with a Radial shape, the effect will spread out from the centre of the fixture array.

Offset radial 2D Colour on Colour

If you want to adjust the origin of the radial effect you can make a pixel matrix that’s larger than your fixture array and then place the fixture array off-centre.  If you move the fixtures to the bottom right of the oversized pixel matrix then the origin of the radial effect will move towards the top left of the fixture array, and vice versa.

By the way, once you have the first matrix containing all the fixtures, you can click the Copy button in the Media view to quickly create a new matrix ready for experimentation.

Fixtures positioned in bottom right of oversized matrix to offset effect origin

Simultaneous, transparent, radial effects on offset pixel matrices

Now for the interesting part: Pharos not only lets you create multiple pixel matrices for the same fixtures, but also allows you to run effects on them simultaneously.  So, if you create another oversized matrix with the fixtures in the top left and then program a radial 2D Colour on Colour effect with a transparent base onto all three matrices, you’ll end up with multiple, overlapping ripples being generated from three points on the fixture array!

This is a simple example, but it highlights the scope of the built-in matrix presets before media is even considered.

Tags: Pixel Matrix

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at 1:31 pm and is filed under tips & tricks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.