I'm using a projector that I would like to be able to turn off and on during a show, so the bulb doesn't shine on the stage when there's no image or video to display.
The projector has a remote, but because of the location, I can't use it to control the projector from the booth.
The project has a serial port and can take asynch commands to turn the bulb on and off, but I have found a way within QLC+ to access a serial port to send asynch commands.
I'm currently using a Mac for this production, but I also have several Windows laptops.
Thanks,
Ken
Sending asynch messages via serial port
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kenact
- Posts: 437
- Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:43 am
- Real Name: Ken Coughlin
After some trial and error, I figured out how to do this. I do have another question.
The script I created was to send the command to turn off a projector. In this case, the projection was on a curtain, which is pulled back at the top of the show, and I needed the projector bulb to turn off, so it didn't interfere with the rest of the lighting plot.
After getting the script to work, I wanted to embed it in the Show I created to start the play, but I can't add the script to the Show. I can add it as a step in a Chaser, but that interrupts my scene fades, so I'm left with having it as a button in Virtual Console.
Is there a reason the script isn't available in a Show?
The script I created was to send the command to turn off a projector. In this case, the projection was on a curtain, which is pulled back at the top of the show, and I needed the projector bulb to turn off, so it didn't interfere with the rest of the lighting plot.
After getting the script to work, I wanted to embed it in the Show I created to start the play, but I can't add the script to the Show. I can add it as a step in a Chaser, but that interrupts my scene fades, so I'm left with having it as a button in Virtual Console.
Is there a reason the script isn't available in a Show?
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mlohrey
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2015 5:07 am
- Real Name: Mark Lohrey
I am not sure exactly how you have added it to your Show, but if you create a chaser with only that script in it and then add it to a new track in the Show then it shouldn't interfere with anything else in the Show.
Very impressive to get the bulb to turn off btw. I have a similar problem in an upcoming play we are planning for next year. I have read that in some theatre productions using projections they build a little 'shutter' using old CD-Rom mechanisms and cheap DMX boards to open and close to block the light.
I also have an IR to wireless transmitter and receiver that I find very useful for controlling remote projectors. But even when you 'mute' the projector there is still a small amount of light being projected.
Very impressive to get the bulb to turn off btw. I have a similar problem in an upcoming play we are planning for next year. I have read that in some theatre productions using projections they build a little 'shutter' using old CD-Rom mechanisms and cheap DMX boards to open and close to block the light.
I also have an IR to wireless transmitter and receiver that I find very useful for controlling remote projectors. But even when you 'mute' the projector there is still a small amount of light being projected.
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kenact
- Posts: 437
- Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:43 am
- Real Name: Ken Coughlin
In my case, I have a video which I've put into a show, along with a scene, with my preshow lights. In the show, the video plays, and during the last 30 seconds of the video, the house lights are faded.
I have one 2 channel fixture, strobe and intensity, where I keep the strobe at 255. I never want the strobe to fade.
Right now, I have the a Chaser with the Preshow "show", followed by the opening scene. In both steps, the strobe channel is kept at 255, so regardless of a fade in or fade out, strobe does not change.
If I insert the script to turn off the project, between the preshow and opening scene, my Strobe will go from 255 to 0, and then fade in for the opening scene.
What I guess I can do is add a step, that sets the strobe to 255, before the opening scene fade in.
The projector does have an IR remote, but I can't hit the projector from the booth. I'm at a 90 degree angle to the projector. I've even tried setting a mirror at a 45 degree angle, but I can consistently his the IR receiver. The script actually works better in my case. Sending the turn off command shuts down the bulb immediately, while using the remote, displays a message asking you to confirm that you want to turn it off.
I have one 2 channel fixture, strobe and intensity, where I keep the strobe at 255. I never want the strobe to fade.
Right now, I have the a Chaser with the Preshow "show", followed by the opening scene. In both steps, the strobe channel is kept at 255, so regardless of a fade in or fade out, strobe does not change.
If I insert the script to turn off the project, between the preshow and opening scene, my Strobe will go from 255 to 0, and then fade in for the opening scene.
What I guess I can do is add a step, that sets the strobe to 255, before the opening scene fade in.
The projector does have an IR remote, but I can't hit the projector from the booth. I'm at a 90 degree angle to the projector. I've even tried setting a mirror at a 45 degree angle, but I can consistently his the IR receiver. The script actually works better in my case. Sending the turn off command shuts down the bulb immediately, while using the remote, displays a message asking you to confirm that you want to turn it off.
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mlohrey
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2015 5:07 am
- Real Name: Mark Lohrey
I think I am getting confused about the word show in all of this.
Do you mean 'show' as in the QLC+ 'shows' section or show as in a performance, play etc?
Maybe sharing your workspace might help?
Also, when you say 'shut down the bulb immediately' do you mean that you are turning the projector completely off immediately? It is not being used later in the performance by the sound of it.
I could imagine that bouncing the IR off a mirror or two would be challenging. My issue is distance. The IR to wireless converter works over a large range. Just place the 'sender' on your desk and the receiver near the projector and then direct the IR to the sender. Most of my applications require the projections to be turn on and off several times and shutting down the projector takes too long, as does the restart. I use the picture mute option rather than shutting the projector down completely.
Do you mean 'show' as in the QLC+ 'shows' section or show as in a performance, play etc?
Maybe sharing your workspace might help?
Also, when you say 'shut down the bulb immediately' do you mean that you are turning the projector completely off immediately? It is not being used later in the performance by the sound of it.
I could imagine that bouncing the IR off a mirror or two would be challenging. My issue is distance. The IR to wireless converter works over a large range. Just place the 'sender' on your desk and the receiver near the projector and then direct the IR to the sender. Most of my applications require the projections to be turn on and off several times and shutting down the projector takes too long, as does the restart. I use the picture mute option rather than shutting the projector down completely.
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kenact
- Posts: 437
- Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:43 am
- Real Name: Ken Coughlin
"Do you mean 'show' as in the QLC+ 'shows' section or show as in a performance, play etc?"
QLC+ Show
"Also, when you say 'shut down the bulb immediately' do you mean that you are turning the projector completely off immediately? It is not being used later in the performance by the sound of it."
Shutting off the bulb, not the projector.
I'm not sure what you mean by "picture mute". I don't have a setting for that in my projector, or in windows. There is a brightness setting in my projector, so I might try setting that to 0.
I'm in a bit of a rush right now, but I'll try to upload a project tomorrow morning.
QLC+ Show
"Also, when you say 'shut down the bulb immediately' do you mean that you are turning the projector completely off immediately? It is not being used later in the performance by the sound of it."
Shutting off the bulb, not the projector.
I'm not sure what you mean by "picture mute". I don't have a setting for that in my projector, or in windows. There is a brightness setting in my projector, so I might try setting that to 0.
I'm in a bit of a rush right now, but I'll try to upload a project tomorrow morning.