Zero88 ILLUSION 120 User manual

ILLUSION 120/240
OPERATING MANUAL

If a portable or temporary three phase
mains supply is used to power this
desk, we recommend that the desk
mains plug is removed before
connecting or disconnecting the
supply. Serious damage will occur if
the desk is connected across two
phases.
This equipment is designed for use as
a lighting control desk only, and is
unsuitable for any other purpose. It
should only be used by, or under the
supervision of, an appropriately
qualified or trained person.
Zero 88 Lighting Ltd. reserves the right
to make changes to the equipment
described in this manual without prior
notice. E & OE.
Federal Communications Commission
This equipment has been tested and
found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to part
15 of the FCC rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference
when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance
with the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely
to cause harmful interference in which
case the user will be required to
correct the interference at his own
expense.
Issue 2 - November 2000
Manual Stock No. 73 - 740 - 00
Software Version 4.0
© Zero 88 Lighting Ltd. 2000
Tel: [phone] *
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.vari-lite.com
* 24 hour answerphone
ILLUSION 120/240
OPERATING MANUAL

1. Introduction
This Manual 1-1
The Illusion Lighting Desk 1-2
Front Panel Controls and Displays 1-3
The Monitor Screen 1-7
Mouse Interface 1-8
Remote Switches 1-8
2. Quickstart Tutorial
Getting Started 2-1
Setting Channel Levels 2-2
Recording Channel Data 2-2
Playing Back the Memories 2-3
Playback Using Submasters 2-3
The Cueline Screen 2-4
3. Setup
Setup Options 3-1
Floppy Disk Functions 3-2
Illumination 3-5
Display Schemes 3-5
Reports 3-6
Desk Setup 3-7
Desk Defaults 3-7
Load Default Setup 3-8
Assign Channels 3-9
Autopatching 3-11
Clear DMX Patch 3-11
Setup Auxiliary Buttons 3-12
Setup Remote Switches 3-13
Set Tracking Mode 3-14
Saving or Cancelling Desk Setup 3-14
4. Channel Data Window
Introduction 4-1
Selecting Channels 4-3
Setting Channel Levels 4-3
Using the Wheel 4-5
Using the Mouse 4-5
Scroller Channels 4-5
Groups 4-6
Unprogramming Channels 4-8
Undoing and Redoing Edits 4-8
Displaying Channel Information 4-8
Closing the Channel Data Window 4-8
5. Memories
Introduction 5-1
Memories - Common Data 5-2
Scene Memory 5-2
Multi-Part Scene Memory 5-2
Chase Memory 5-2
Sound to Light Memory 5-2
Ripplesound Memory 5-2
All-Fade Scene 5-2
Full and Partial Memories 5-3
Excluded Channels 5-3
Tracking Mode 5-4
The Memories Screen 5-5
Programming Memories 5-6
Saving Channel Data 5-11
Modifying Memory Data 5-14
Copying Memories 5-16
Inserting Memories 5-17
Previewing a Memory 5-17
Deleting a Memory 5-17
Transferring Memories onto Submasters 5-18
SMPTE/MIDI Time Modes 5-19
6. Submasters
Introduction 6-1
The Submaster Screen 6-2
Submaster Data 6-3
Programming Submasters 6-4
Transferring Memories onto Submasters 6-6
Editing Submasters 6-7
Previewing a Submaster 6-7
Clearing a Submaster 6-7
Copying Submaster Data 6-8
Triggering Macros from Submasters 6-9
Playback using Submasters 6-10
Triggering Chase Memories on Submasters 6-11
Submaster Flash Functions 6-12
7. Memory Stack
Introduction 7-1
Jumps, Loops and Macro Triggers in the Memory Stack 7-2
Programming Jumps 7-3
Programming Loops 7-4
Programming Macro Triggers 7-5
Playing Back the Memory Stack (Playback X) 7-6
Contents

8. Playback A/B
Introduction 8-1
Manual Load Operation 8-2
Auto Load Operation 8-2
Monitor Display 8-2
Clearing the A/B Masters 8-2
9. Cueline
Introduction 9-1
The Cueline Screen 9-2
Programming Cues 9-3
Editing Cues 9-4
Previewing Cues 9-5
Deleting Cues 9-5
Copying Cues 9-5
Transferring Cues onto Submasters 9-6
Zoom Buttons 9-6
Scroll Bar 9-6
Playback Buttons 9-6
10. Super User
Entering Super User 10-1
Clear Memories 10-2
Renumber Memories 10-2
Clear Submasters 10-2
Clear Auxiliary Controls 10-2
Clear All 10-3
Reset Desk 10-3
Set Date and Time 10-3
Lock Desk Function 10-4
Exiting Super User Mode 10-4
11. Other Features
Introduction 11-1
DMX Output Screen 11-2
DMX Patch Screen 11-2
Auxiliary Outputs 11-3
Topset 11-4
Macros 11-5
Entering Channel Values 11-7
Entering Text using Front Panel Keys 11-8
Entering Real Times from Numeric Keypad 11-8
DMX In 11-8
Upgrading Software 11-8
12. Technical Specification
Desk Power Supply 12-1
Audio Input 12-1
Remote Switches 12-1
DMX Output 12-2
Backup Data Storage 12-2
Printer 12-2
Serial Port 12-2
Mouse 12-2
Keyboard 12-2
Video Output 12-2
Desk Light 12-2
MIDI 12-2
SMPTE 12-2
13. User Notes
Contents

Contents

Introduction This Manual
This manual describes the operation
and programming of the Illusion 120
and Illusion 240 lighting desks.
The operating software and
functionality of the two desks is the
same. Where the Illusion 240 differs
from the Illusion 120, this will be
indicated in parentheses, eg The
Illusion lighting desk has 120 (240)
channels of control.
This chapter contains a general
overview of the desk followed by a
brief description of the front panel
controls and displays, and details of
layout and content of the monitor
screen.
The quick start tutorial chapter is
provided to help you get the desk up
and running quickly and lead you
through the basic functions on the
desk.
For a more detailed description of each
of the desk functions (setup,
memories, submasters, cueline etc.)
refer to the appropriate chapter(s) in
the manual.
The manual concludes with chapters
on the Super User functions, other
features and the technical specification
of the desk.
Conventions
Throughout this manual the following
conventions are used.
References to controls, buttons and
lights on the front panel appear in
capital letters, for example:
GRAND MASTER, GO, PAUSE.
Data entry via the numeric keypad and
associated keys is shown in bold type,
for example:
1 @ 50 ENTER
Options and fields which appear on the
monitor screen are shown in italics, for
example:
Floppy Disk, Illumination, Desk Setup.
The colours specified in this manual for
various items displayed on the monitor
screen refer to those defined in the
Normal display scheme.
If a diffferent display scheme is
selected, the colours displayed on the
monitor may be different to those
specified in this manual.
1- 1
Figure 1- 1: The Illusion Lighting Desk

The Illusion Lighting Desk
This section provides a summary of the
Illusion 120/Illusion 240 lighting desk,
highlighting its main functions.
Graphical Interface
All setup, programming and playback
information is displayed graphically on
the monitor screen. Continuous
on-screen help is provided at the
bottom of the screen.
Function keys on the front panel
enable quick and direct access to the
main setup, programming, playback
and information screens.
Channels
The Illusion Lighting desk has 120
(240) channels of control.
Each channel can be named and set
up to operate as either a Brightness,
Attribute or Scroller channel.
The desk is therefore capable of
handling generics, scrollers and
intelligent fixtures.
Desk channels can be patched to one
or more DMX channels (1 - 512).
Brightness channels can be patched
proportionally, if required.
Channels can be excluded from
memory data, if required. This allows
data for particular channels to be
loaded directly onto submasters (eg.
house lights, orchestra lights etc.)
These channels are not affected by
outputting memory data via the
Playback X, Playback A/B or
submasters.
A channel may be associated with
another channel (eg. lamp and scroller)
allowing ease of fixture programming.
Channel data for memories and
submasters is programmed, edited and
previewed from the Channel Data
Window (CDW).
Channel selection is via the numeric
keypad on the front panel or the
mouse. Groups of channels can be
defined in Desk Setup. Data values
can be set using the data input wheel,
numeric keypad or external keyboard.
Memories
Memories can be recorded as scenes,
multi-part scenes, chases, sound to
light or ripplesound. In multi-part
scenes, specified channels and
transition times can be programmed in
each part.
Chase, Sound to Light and
Ripplesound memories have their own
modifiers (Direction, Attack, Drive, and
Speed).
Memories can be created, modified or
deleted from either the Memories or
Cueline screens.
Tracking
If Tracking is enabled, only changes
made to the channel data are recorded
into the memories. Otherwise all
channel values are recorded into the
memory.
Memory Stack
The Memory Stack is made up of all
the programmed memories. Jumps
and loops can be programmed into the
Memory Stack, if required.
Cueline
The Cueline screen provides a
graphical representation of the Memory
Stack.
Playback X
Playback X provides a simple method
of playing back the memory stack
using the GO button. There are also
MASTER, PAUSE, OVERRIDE and
GO PREVIOUS controls.
Playback A/B
Playback A/B allows memories to be
loaded manually or automatically onto
the A and B MASTERS and then faded
in/out manually or timed.
Submasters
There are 108 (240) submasters,
divided into 9 (20) pages of 12 which
can be loaded with channel data or
memories.
Each submaster has its own fade
times, trigger levels and modifiers
(where applicable).
The submasters can be used when
programming memories and for playing
back channel data and memories.
One page is always active, which is
indicated by the display on the front
panel. Page Overlay is provided to
allow submasters from different pages
to be used at the same time.
Other Functions
There are 4 AUXILIARY CONTROL
buttons which can be programmed and
patched to DMX channels.
There are 10 (50) macros available
which can be programmed with a
series of button pushes.
Up to 6 remote switches may be
assigned to certain front panel buttons
or macros.
Super User
Super User functions are provided for
clearing memories, submasters and
show data, renumbering memories,
resetting the desk and locking the desk
to prevent unauthorised editing of desk
setup and show data.
Desk Output
The 120 (240) desk channels are
output via DMX 512. The desk
channels can be patched to any DMX
channels between 1 - 512.
Peripherals
The desk has a floppy disk drive to
enable desk setup and show data to be
saved and loaded. Software upgrades
will also be performed via floppy disk.
Various desk setup and show data
reports can be printed out via the
parallel port.
1- 2
Introduction

Front Panel Controls and
Displays
This section provides a brief
description of the controls and displays
on the front panel of the desk.
The front panel controls have been
divided into the following sections:
•Submaster Controls
•Playback X Controls
•Memory Controls
•Effects Controls
•Playback A/B Controls
•Other Controls
Submaster Controls
•SUBMASTER FADERS
The 12 SUBMASTER FADERS control
the output levels of the channel data or
memory data loaded onto them.
•SUBMASTER FLASH BUTTONS
The 12 SUBMASTER FLASH
BUTTONS are used to flash or solo the
channel data or memory data on the
submaster to the level of the GRAND
MASTER. The action of the buttons is
determined by the FLASH FUNCTION
button.
The SUBMASTER FLASH BUTTONS
can also be used to start and stop a
chase, when applicable.
Each button has a yellow light in it
which is used to indicate page overlay.
•FLASH FUNCTION BUTTON
This button determines the function of
the SUBMASTER FLASH BUTTONS .
The accompanying red lights show the
function selected - OFF, FLASH,
SOLO or ‘Go’ (FLASH and SOLO lit).
•SUBMASTER PAGE UP/DOWN
The submaster PAGE UP and PAGE
DOWN buttons are used to select the
current Submaster page, 1-9 (1-20).
•PAGE DISPLAY
The current submaster page is
indicated on the seven segment PAGE
Display.
Playback X Controls
•MASTER FADER
The MASTER fader controls the
maximum output level of the brightness
channels in the memories on the
memory stack. Attribute and scroller
channels are not affected by the
MASTER fader.
•GO BUTTON
This button initiates a dipless
crossfade between the memory
currently being output and the next
memory on the memory stack.
•GO PREVIOUS BUTTON
This button initiates a crossfade
between the memory currently being
output and the previously output
memory from the memory stack.
•PAUSE BUTTON
This button is used to halt progression
through the memory stack and will stop
a cross fade between memories if one
is in progress.
When the show is paused, the red light
in the PAUSE button flashes. When
the PAUSE button is pressed again,
the light in the PAUSE button goes off
and the show continues.
•OVERRIDE CONTROL
This control is used to slow down or
speed up progression through the
memory stack. When the control is
moved away from the central neutral
position the red SLOW or FAST light
flashes accordingly.
1- 3
Introduction
Figure 1- 2: Submaster and Playback X Controls

Memory Controls
•TRANSFER BUTTON
This button is used to transfer a
memory onto a submaster. It is
applicable when the Memories,
Cueline or Submaster screen are
displayed on the monitor screen.
•PREVIEW BUTTON
This button allows the user to preview
the channel data for a selected
memory or submaster on the monitor
screen. While the channel data is
being previewed, the red light in the
PREVIEW button is illuminated.
•EDIT LIVE BUTTON
This button brings up the Channel Data
Window allowing the user to edit live
the channel data for the selected
memory or submaster. While the
channel data is being edited live, the
red light in the EDIT LIVE button is
illuminated.
•EDIT BLIND BUTTON
This button brings up the Channel Data
Window allowing the user to edit blind
the channel data for the selected
memory or submaster. While the data
is being edited blind, the red light in the
EDIT BLIND button is illuminated.
•UNDO EDIT BUTTON
This button allows the user to
systematically undo edits made to
channel data in the Channel Data
window. Each time the button is
pressed the last edit is undone.
•REDO EDIT BUTTON
This button undoes an UNDO EDIT, ie.
reverses the action of the UNDO EDIT
button.
•SAVE STEP BUTTON
This button is used to save the current
step when programming a chase,
sound to light or ripplesound memory.
•DELETE STEP BUTTON
This button is used to delete a step
from a chase memory.
•GROUP BUTTON
This button is used in conjunction with
the numeric keypad to select a
pre-defined group of channels.
•CURSOR BUTTONS
These four buttons are used to move
around the fields on the monitor
screen. These buttons are equivalent
to the cursor keys on the external
keyboard.
•CHANNEL BUTTON
This button is used to open the
Channel Data Window for
programming purposes. This button
can also be used in conjunction with
the numeric keypad to select channel
numbers, where applicable.
•MEMORY BUTTON
This button is used in conjunction with
the numeric keypad to select a
memory number.
•SUBMASTER BUTTON
This button is used in conjunction with
the numeric keypad to select a
submaster number.
•COPY BUTTON
This button allows the user to copy
memory data or submaster data from
one location to another.
•SAVE BUTTON
This button is used to save memory or
submaster data to the currently
selected memory or submaster. The
action is dependent on the currently
active screen.
•SAVE AS BUTTON
This button is used to save the channel
data to a different memory or
submaster from that currently selected.
The action is dependent on the
currently active screen.
•ON, THRU, AND, EXCEPT, ‘@’
BUTTONS
These buttons are used in conjunction
with the numeric keypad to select
combinations of channels and set their
values. The value of the ON button can
defined by the user in Setup.
The ‘/’, ‘+’, ‘-’ and ‘*’ buttons on the
external keyboard can be used to
mimic the THRU, AND, EXCEPT and
‘@’ buttons on the front panel
respectively.
1- 4
Introduction
Figure 1- 3: Memory Controls