Tips on rotating fixtures within pixel matrices, and how to split a composite fixture into individual nodes.
Posts Tagged ‘Pixel Matrix’
First Pharos Designer screencast: matrix and transparency effects
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009A while ago we posted about the effects that are possible with multiple pixel matrices, but we felt that text and screenshots weren’t the best media to present the information. So here’s our first screencast!
Cool transparent effects with multiple pixel matrices
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009If 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.
Getting media inside text on pixel matrices
Friday, June 12th, 2009
Dynamic Text preset with Invert Colour checked
With the new Dynamic Text preset in Pharos Designer you can display scrolling or static text on a pixel matrix that is filled with whatever lighting effect is running underneath. Transparent text, if you like.
Create a timeline with some cool programming for your pixel matrix, such as the new Perlin Noise preset. Now create another timeline and add the Dynamic Text preset to the same pixel matrix. Select Invert Colour to set the text to be transparent.
You’ll need to start the dynamic text timeline after the media timeline to let the playback engine know that you want the text on top. You can do this in one trigger by adding Start Timeline actions one after the other.
Starting timelines in the right order for transparency
Text on Perlin Noise shown in the Simulate view
