Newsgroups: rec.arts.theatre.stagecraft
Subject: Re: Chase Generator Software
References: <[email protected]>
"Dooza"  writes:

> Hi there,
> I am new here, so before I ask my question I will give you some
> background, as I am not your normal lighting dude.
> 
> Several years ago I was putting on techno parties in back rooms of pubs
> and needed some lights. I bought really basic moonflowers and strobes.
> Along with a switching box I thought it was great. As I got more
> interested I bought 4 Ryger Challenger 250 scans of a mate, they were
> old and needed some attention but I got them going. I then got some
> Abstract Gladiators and Gallactic Moons. To control them I have an
> Elektralite CP16/24.
> 
> I am a web designer by trade, but love playing with lights.
> 
> I am sure during my hours of surfing I found a program that gives you
> the DMX levels for each fixture. You tell it the chase type and the
> fixtures, and it reads out the values. I would then enter these values
> into the desk so that I have some great chases.
> Does anyone know what I am talking about? Or did I just dream it? 

I saw at http://www.dmx512-online.com/dloads.html
something called DMX SHAPES GENERATOR (Zipfile:42Kb)
The description says:
"This is a DOS-based EXE file which will run best in MS-DOS ver 5.0 or
better. Before going for a gig you can use this little utility to
generate a printout of PAN/TILT values for generating 3 sizes each of
CIRCLES & FIG of 8s when entered as steps of a CHASE. Any console with
a screen display or a LCD display for channel values can be used. You
don't need an expensive Effects Engine!! Store it on a floppy if your
console has one and use it for as many show as you need. A help screen
is built into the programme."
 
I have not tested that program, but sound like something 
that coudl be useful to you...

> I want to make decent chases without having to buy a bigger desk that has
> a chase generator built in.

How about using a PC (maybe laptop) as your moving light console ?
You can find software links at 
http://www.epanorama.net/links/lights.html#dmx512

There is nowadays a lot of free software (in addition to 
some commercial packegs) that can make your PC to work 
as a lighting console. Some software make the PC 
as a quite sophisticated lighting console. 

-- 
Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/)
Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at 
http://www.epanorama.net/