MA Lighting Releases grandMA2 Console Software 2.5.3 [6.6]

MA Lighting announced the release of version 2.5.3 [6.6[ of the grandMA 2 console software. Important note: Since the release of version 2.3 and the introduction of divorced values and effect values, older show files may not be 100% compatible with the new version of the software.

Main Features of 2.5.3 [6.6]:

• Sheet Masks
• The sheet masking has been revised and extended. The Feature Mask from previous versions has been improved and can be found by setting the right hand side of the new sheet mask options to: Show if in Saved Attributes, then pressing the ‘Define Mask’ button to choose what features or attributes to display.
• Filter
• Store filter, At filter, Circular Copy filter and link defined filter have been merged together to one attribute filter and can be stored and recalled by the filter pool. The filter pool is a global pool used by all users.
• There are a ton of new features with regards to filters
• grandMA Show Converter
• Users can convert grandMA series 1 show files to grandMA series 2
• grandMA Show Converter will convert only show data.
• There are some other limitations when converting show files.
• Fixed Bugs and improved Functionality
• There are three pages of bug fixes

In addition upgrades to the series 2 consoles, MA has also updated features for the MA VPU, grandMA 3d and grandMA series 1 consoles. You can read all of the release notes and download the software update from MA’s website, www.malighting.com. As with all software updates from MA, this is a free download.

MA Lighting Release grandMA2 Software Version 2.4.1[6.6]

MA Lighting has announced the release of version 2.4.1 [6.6], just a few short weeks after announcing the release of 2.4.0 at PLASA.  Looking over the change log, it looks like a bunch of bugs were fixed.  No new software functions were added to this release.

There is an important notice for grandMA2 consoles out, more from MA Lighting:

We are sorry to inform you that due to an issue with the initial BIOS, we ask grandMA2 owners of the following consoles to get in touch with their distributor or MA directly.

• gMA2 full-size S/N 240 -325
• gMA2 light S/N 555 – 793
• gMA2 ultra-light S/N 250 – 369

If you are in the states, contact A.C.T. Lighting for more information if your desk falls into those serial numbers. You can visit MA Lighting’s support page to download version 2.4.1 [6.6] for your desk.

 

MA Lighting Releases grandMA V2.3[6.6]

MA Lighting has published the software release version [2.3][6.6]. MA has integrated a lot of very useful new features into this release that enhance the performance of the grandMA2 even more.

As this release offers so many new and powerful features especially regarding effects we kindly ask you to read the following paragraph as well as the release notes very carefully before updating to the new software version.

Important!
–  Updating to this release version 2.3 of grandMA2 the values and effect values are divorced! Therefore older showfiles might not be 100% compatible. Therefore please check your showfile with the new version before using it live!

–  If you would like to update your dimMA system from any version below 6.x please contact your MA-dealer or MA directly for any update information. Should you be using grandMA2 in connection to our dimMA solutions, please get in touch with us, since a console update will now require an MA NDP update and vice versa. We are happy to assist you.

–  The current versions of grandMA2 onPC and grandMA 3D require minimum Windows XP with Service Pack 3. Furthermore the latest version of Microsoft’s Net. Framework (4.0) will be installed on your computer, if not already installed.

Please note that the connection of external touch screens is now possible, therefore we have published our hardware recommendations in our support area too.

The new software version can be downloaded here. Please read the release notes too!

Chameleon Lighting Software Releases V1 RC8 with New Features

Back in November, I mentioned a new lighting software title out there for the Mac called Chameleon.  Looks like development of the software is coming along nicely with the release of Version 1.0 RC8.

This release fixes a few bugs, includes the new USB drivers from FTDI (fully compatible with the 10.6.5 release now), and adds a couple of cool new features.

You can now assign user buttons to ‘radio button’ groups so you can make sure only one scene in a group can be on at a time. This is useful for making sure that scenes and looks don’t overlap when they shouldn’t. When you put your mouse over a button, a popup window appears telling you which group it is in, and all other buttons in that group appear outlined in light grey.

For more advanced users, we’ve now added a comprehensive set of keypad command allowing you to patch, re-patch and unpatch channels to addresses. In record mode, just hit the p key and patch away. Once you’ve got the hang of it, it saves a huge amount of time in set up.

Head over to www.maclightingsoftware.com to download and try the software or to update your version.

MA Lighting Releases grandMA Software 2.2.0 [6.6]

MA Lighting just announced the release of their latest software update for the grandMA2 control surface.  The update is intended for the the entire range of MA Lighting products, the grandMA 2 desk, grandMA 3D and MA VPU hardware devices.

Some of the new features:

• New help functions.
• Backup menu, load only “userprofiles”
• Better work flow when using “at filter”
• DMX Tester has a new “unpark” button

There are a ton of updates and bug fixes in the software update.  Read all of the changes in the Release Notes.  You can download version 2.2.0 [6.6] of the software update from MA Lighting’s website www.malighting.com.

ETC Releases Eos Family Software Update 1.9.6 – Critical Update From 1.9.5

Say What, I just updated my desk to Eos Family Software 1.9.5 just last week!  It happens from time to time, software goes out and has a glitch, but, ETC’s awesome users, programmers and tech services gurus caught the bugs. The offical statement about the update from ETC’s release notes:

The purpose of this release is to fix a critical effects bug along with a few other issues.
This software release is highly recommended for all users of the Eos Family platform (Eos, Ion®, and ElementTM).

From the key enhancements part of the release notes, it just list bug fixes.  ETC is highly recommending you either skip 1.9.5 all together or update to 1.9.6 if you already have updated your desk.  Get the console software and Client/off-line editor software all from the download section of ETC’s website, www.etcconnect.com.

ETC Announces Eos Family Software Update – v1.9.5

This morning ETC announced the long anticipated, and until 2.0 comes out, most significant update to the Eos family of consoles: software version 1.9.5.

The biggest update included in v1.9.5 is the addition of the Virtual Media Server. The VMS allows the creation of grids of fixture, to which static and animated images can be applied. It includes a variety of manipulation tools. Similar to an external media server, the desk maps channels as layers which can then be defined with content. A secondary software download, the Eos Family Pixel Mapping Installer, is required to add media content.

The second major improvement is the Color Picker has been updated so that it will correctly (or more so) assign colors to non-standard LED fixtures such as RGBA and RGBW. This will hopefully mean there are more third-party LED profiles in the software as well.

Another important feature worth noting is the change that Cue Releases now send channels back to their last active source. IE, if you had moving lights 10 thru 16 going in cue 5/5 running in the background and had to run cue list 10 for a keynote speaker, any fixtures in cue 5/5 will resume what they were doing previously.

In addition to the features mentioned above, a variety of other long asked for features have been included: Flash On/Off, Flexi-Encoder State, Shielded Submasters, Grand Master exempt channels, Non-Dim indicator, etc. For a full list, please see the release notes available at www.etcconnect.com.

As always, if you are not comfortable using your desk’s shell system, please call ETC’s tech support line before attempting to update the desk by yourself.

Visual Productions Releases Personality Builder for Cuelux

Visual Productions has released a tool for creating personality files for use within Cuelux. This tool – the ‘Builder’ – is available for Mac OS and Windows and is free for download from Visual Productions web site, www.visualproductions.nl.

The Builder offers a friendly GUI (Graphical User Interface) for creating and editing personality files. Users can amend existing fixtures or start building their own fixtures from scratch. The personality files (sometimes referred to as ‘profiles’) are visualized by a coloured diagram to indicate good data and to highlight typical mistakes when inputting the fixture’s DMX table; like overlapping channels and values. Personality files created with the Builder can be used directly by Cuelux; the Builder also features an upload function to send the newly created file to Visual Productions’ server to be included in the next software release.

With the release of the Builder application Visual Productions is still continuing its free-of-charge service to create personality files on user’s request, however, the Builder is specifically addressing situations where personalities are required outside office hours.

Vectorworks Releases Service Pack 2 for 2011

Fire up Vectorworks 2011 and check for software updates.  Nemetschek recently released an update to the software with Service Pack 2.  This update is for all version and flavors of your Vectorworks product.

The Service Pack 2 includes all kinds of things.  There are a number of fixes having to deal with areas of walls, planar objects, exporting PDF files and just general software stability.

Updating the software is pretty easy, just check for software update right in the software and Vectorworks will walk you through the process.  Service Pack 2 weighs in at 163 mb so depending on your network connection, prepare to download, update and get back up and running.

Learn more about Vectorworks by visiting www.nemetschek.net.

MA Lighting Releases v2.1.0 [6.6] of grandMA2 Software

It’s the Holiday Season and MA Lighting has a special present for you, a software update to your grandMA 2 desk!  MA Lighting just announced the release of version 2.1.0 [6.6] of the desk software for the grandMA2, grandMA series 1 desk, grandMA 3D and the MA VPU.

One of the main features of the new desk software is the implementation of the brand new grandMA2 Remote App for your iOS devices. MA Lighting recently released their latest version of the iOS app for the new grandMA2 software and in 2.1.0, it is full implemented!

Some of the other features that version 2.1.0 [6.6] brings:

• Partial show read
• DMX Tester
• Full configuration for MA VPU
• RDM first implementation
• Art-Net in / Pathport implemented

You can read more about the changes and updates in the software by reading over the release notes.  To download and install the new software, visit www.malighting.com.

Martin Releases v2.80 for M1, M-PC & Maxxyz Desk AND Expands M1 to 16 Universes

This is what I love about lighting desk as of late.  You want a new feature or more capabilities, just wait for the next FREE software update!  Since most desk these days are computer passed, getting new features on your desk of choice is as simple as running an update.  Martin Professional is a prime example of that with the release of version 2.80 for the M1, M-PC and Maxxyz desk.

Here is more from Martin:

By adding a host of new features, including full RDM support and introducing a new DMX licensing system, version 2.8 software for Martin’s M1, M-PC and Maxxyz lighting consoles is a milestone release that further enhances the value of Martin’s professional controller line for its rapidly growing user base.

Over the past year, Martin has positioned its controller systems as a feature-packed, powerful, but affordable solution in the professional lighting market by offering attractive solutions without compromising the usability and quality of the hardware.

RDM Support
Martin continues its company-wide support of the RDM standard by adding a comprehensive RDM control system to its controllers. Users can now monitor RDM-enabled fixtures connected to a Martin console either directly inside the software or remotely from a website hosted inside the console. This features the ability to download status reports across the Internet, showing real world usability of RDM and adding real value for the customer. RDM is supported over the integrated DMX ports and over Artnet.

DMX Remote Input and Capture
It is now possible to receive up to 16 Universes of DMX input for remote control of cues, fixture levels or simply to manage HTP and LTP merging of an additional lighting desk into the system. 16 Universes can also be captured into the console programmer to read out cues from existing shows into the console. The comprehensive DMX Input feature set allows Martin’s controllers to stay at the heart of the DMX system while having full control over the merging behavior.

Quick-Peek
A new innovative feature is the ability to “peek” at any screen view. Holding down a screen-view button for more than two seconds automatically enters the Quick-Peek function. The view reverts to the original one once the button is released, allowing for quick glances at information on the desk while reducing unnecessary button presses.

Customizable Function Keys
Martin controllers are known for their elegant and uncluttered hardware surfaces. To enhance fast access to often used functionality, all consoles offer a variety of F-Keys which now have a newly designed management system for fast configuration by the operator. Functions include Group and Preset selects, console locking, semitransparent onscreen keyboard, and many more useful options right at a user’s fingertips.

Martin One-Key DMX Licensing
With Version 2.80, the Martin M1 console increases its DMX support from 12 to 16 Universes. Additional Universes to the 4 included in the standard package of the desk can be added by purchasing a license package, connecting Martin’s Ether2DMX8 devices or by connecting a Martin One-Key with an M-PC license. More Universes are simply added dynamically as soon as the additional license is seen by the M1 console. This allows Martin M1 programmers to bring their own Martin One-Key and unlock any M1 console immediately for their shows, independent of the DMX Universes activated in the console.

Version 2.80 also increases existing Maxxyz PC and M-PC systems to 64 Universes from 32, and includes balanced multi-threaded DMX processing for modern multi-core CPUs. Version 2.80 software is available at www.martin.com.

Cast Software Preparing to Launch Vivien 2011 Early 2011

Cast Software, the company that brings us the WYSIWYG software package is planning to launch their latest update to their virtual event designer software title, Vivien 2011.

In January 2011, Cast Software will begin to ship out the latest version of Vivien, 2011.  Here is a sneak peak at some of the new features coming in Vivien 2011.

Seating Assignments

• Integrate event guest lists into your Vivien files
• Create robust seating arrangements by using the new Seating Assignment Wizard
• Facilitate moving guest and trying different seating plans
• Use the seating locations to coordinate, produce place cards, mail merge, name tags, etc.

Al Fresco

• New, real tents and marques
• Easier to build and layout

Spreadsheets

• Even more powerful import/export functions with
• Ability to export to and send Excel files
• More than 100 onboard spreadsheet calculations & instant access to event specific information by using the new custom SmartCells.

Improved 2D plots

• Create Cleaner and more concise event plans with the new and refined tools.

For more information on Vivien, head over to Cast Software’s website www.cast-cost.com to learn more.