I don't often give away programming secrets...

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore how to create and customize a color layout view for your MA2 showfile, as demonstrated by Christian Jackson. This guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions to implement macros, store sequences, and link them to your layout view, enhancing your lighting design experience.

Step 1: Understand the Basics of Sequences and Macros

Before diving into the layout view, familiarize yourself with key concepts:

• Sequences: These are predefined commands that control your fixtures. Each sequence corresponds to a specific lighting state or color.
• Macros: Macros are scripts that trigger sequences. They allow for complex operations with a single button press.

Practical Tips:

• Organize your sequences in a grid format for easy reference.
• Ensure that your macros are consistently labeled to match the sequences they trigger.

Step 2: Setting Up Your Layout View

To create a functional layout view, follow these steps:

1. Access Layout View: Enter the layout view in your MA2 software.
2. Change Background: Set the grid size to zero for a clean black background.
3. Assign Macros:
   • Select the macros (e.g., 832 through 844 for color buttons).
   • Click in an empty space to assign these macros to the layout view.
4. Add Spot Macros: Repeat the assignment for your spot macros (e.g., 848 through 860).

Practical Tips:

• Lay out your buttons logically, allowing for easy access during performances.
• You should see that pressing buttons triggers the corresponding sequences, even without color feedback yet.

Step 3: Implementing Color Feedback

To enhance your layout view with color feedback:

1. Image Pool Setup: Create an image pool that matches your layout structure.
   • Include filled and empty images for each color.
2. Link Macros to Images: Edit each macro to include commands that swap images as follows:
   • Use the command to copy and overwrite images in the layout view.
   • For example, to set an orange filled image, your macro might look like:

     copy image 371 at image 275 overwrite
     

3. Prioritize Sequence Commands: Ensure the first line of each macro is the command that triggers the sequence.

Practical Tips:

• Test each macro after editing to verify that colors change as expected.
• Organize your images clearly to avoid confusion during live performances.

Step 4: Testing and Troubleshooting

Once your layout view is set up, conduct thorough testing:

1. Test Each Macro: Press each button to ensure it triggers the correct sequence and image.
2. Adjust as Needed: If a button does not work correctly, revisit the macro settings and image assignments.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Forgetting to prioritize the command that fires the sequence in your macros.
• Not verifying that images are properly linked and showing the appropriate colors.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you will have created a functional and visually appealing color layout view for your MA2 showfile. Remember to focus first on the sequence functionality before enhancing the visual elements with images. Experiment and adjust as needed to create an efficient and user-friendly interface for your lighting designs. For further learning, consider diving deeper into advanced macro programming and image manipulation techniques.