Fixture Groups [Group Control]

Fixture groups allow you to organize fixtures that are included in your Patch in clusters and then to control them together as a group.

Note: Fixture groups are part of the Patch. Changing the Patch will likely result in changes to the Fixture Groups as well.

All items from the menu shown above are also available for quick access in the toolbar of the Patch Editor.

1] Go to Fixture Groups > Create Empty Fixture Group
[Toolbar: Create]

2] A new window opens.

▪Enter a Display Name
- Choose a name that helps you easily identify the fixture group later.

▪Set the Display Color
- This color is useful to distinguish between fixture groups when controlling them in the Group Control. Learn more Controlling Fixture Groups

▪Set the Fixture Group ID
- The ID is a unique identifier for this specific fixture group.
- Each fixture group must have a different ID!
[The Fixture Group ID is different to the Display Name of the fixture group. Several fixture groups can have the same Display Name, but the ID must be different.]

▪The new fixture group will be created. The fixture group will not yet include any fixtures.
[See the bottom left of the Patch Editor.]

	1] First, select all the fixtures you wish to include in the fixture group. Learn more »Patch Editor
	2] Go to Fixture Groups > Create Fixture Group From Selected Fixtures [Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+G] [Toolbar: Create From Selection]
	3] A new window opens. ▪Enter a Display Name - Choose a name that helps you easily identify the fixture group later. ▪Set the Display Color - This color is useful to distinguish between fixture groups when controlling them in the Group Control. Learn more Controlling Fixture Groups ▪Set the Fixture Group ID - The ID is a unique identifier for this specific fixture group. - Each fixture group must have a different ID. [The Fixture Group ID is different to the Display Name of the fixture group. Several fixture groups can have the same Display Name, but the ID must be different.]
	▪The new fixture group will be created. All previously selected fixtures will already be assigned to the fixture group. [See the bottom left of the Patch Editor.]

The Patch Editor will show your fixture groups in the bottom left. Use the following options to work with the list of fixture groups:

	Expand List - Shows the fixture groups including the fixtures that are assigned to the fixture groups.
	Collapse List - Shows only the fixture groups.
	Expand Item - Shows the fixture group and extends the list to show the fixtures assigned to this particular fixture group.
	Collapse Item - Shows the fixture group but hides the fixture assigned to this particular fixture group.
	Fixture Group Selection - Shows the currently selected fixture group.
	Fixture Selection - Shows the currently selected fixtures of a fixture group. - At the same time, the fixture will be selected in the list of fixtures in the general Patch Editor. Learn more »Patch Editor
	Left Mouse Double Click - Allows you to rename a single fixture group [and thereby editing General Fixture Group Settings > Display Name] or single fixture [and thereby editing General Fixture Settings > Display Name]. Right Mouse Click - Allows you to rename several fixture groups [and thereby editing General Fixture Group Settings > Display Name] or several fixtures [and thereby editing General Fixture Settings > Display Name] at once. First, select multiple list entries via Right Mouse Click or via Strg + Left Mouse Click.

Follow these steps if you wish to assign fixtures to an empty fixture group or if you wish to add more fixture to a fixture group that already includes fixtures:

	1] Select all fixtures you wish to assign to an existing fixture group.
	2] Select the fixture group or multiple fixture groups in the fixture group list in the bottom left of the Patch Editor. Both, fixtures and fixture groups, will now be selected in the Patch Editor.
	3] Go to Fixture Groups > Assign Selected Fixtures To Selected Fixture Groups [Toolbar: Assign]
	▪The Patch Editor will assign all selected fixtures to the selected fixture groups.

Follow these steps if you want to revoke the assignment of a fixture from a single fixture group or multiple fixture groups:

	1] Select all fixtures you wish to release.
	2] Select the fixture group or multiple fixture groups in the fixture group list in the bottom left of the Patch Editor. Both, fixtures and fixture groups, will now be selected in the Patch Editor.
	3] Go to Fixture Groups > Release Selected Fixtures From Selected Fixture Groups [Toolbar: Release]
	▪The Patch Editor will release all selected fixtures from all selected fixture groups.

Follow these steps if you want to revoke the assignment of a fixture from a single fixture group or multiple fixture groups:

	1] Select all fixtures you wish to release.
	2] Go to Fixture Groups > Release Selected Fixtures From All Fixture Groups [Toolbar: Release From All]
	▪The Patch Editor will release all selected fixtures from all the fixture groups they are currently assigned to.

	1] Select all fixture groups you wish to remove.
	2] Go to Fixture Groups > Remove Selected Fixture Groups [Toolbar: Remove]
	▪The Patch Editor will remove all selected fixture groups from the Patch.

▪Select a fixture group [to the left of the Patch Editor] in order to change its settings [to the right of the Patch Editor].

▪You can also select multiple fixture groups in order to change their settings.

▪Display Name - Allows you to change the name for the fixture group. [Or use the default name provided by MADRIX 5.]

▪Display Color - Allows you to change the individual color for the fixture group.
- This color is useful to distinguish between fixture groups when controlling them in the Group Control.
- Learn more Controlling Fixture Groups

▪Fixture Group ID - Defines the unique identifier for the selected fixture group.

▪Default Value - Defines the standard value of a fixture group fader. This is important when launching the Group Control for the first time and when restoring the default values in the Group Control.
- Valid values range from 0 to 255 [0% to 100% intensity]. By default, the default is set to 255.

▪Minimum Value - Defines the lowest value a fixture group can be set to.
- Setting a fixture group fader to 0 will set the intensity to this Minimum Value.
- Valid values range from 0 to 255 [0% to 100% intensity]. By default, the default is set to 0.

▪Maximum Value - Defines the highest value a fixture group can be set to.
- Setting a fixture group fader to 255 will set the intensity to this Maximum Value.
- Valid values range from 0 to 255 [0% to 100% intensity]. By default, the default is set to 255.

▪Reset - Allows you to discard changes before having confirmed any changes in order to use the values that were set up last.

▪First, make sure to create fixture groups in the Patch Editor.
- Otherwise, the Group Control will be empty and no fixture group can be controlled.
- Learn more Managing Fixture Groups

▪The Group Control will include a fader for each fixture group you have created.

▪Each individual fader will be shown with the color you have set up as the fixture group's Display Color

▪Each individual fader will be shown with the label you have set up as the fixture group's Display Name

	Undock - Creates a separate window to freely use the window detached from the main user interface. The separated window can be enlarged in size and shown on multiple monitors.
	Dock - Brings the separate, detached window back again into the main user interface.

▪Each fader regulates the intensity of a single fixture group.
- You can set the fader to a specific position.
- You can enter a value in the input field.
- You can flash the fader.

▪When controlling fixture groups, your settings will be immediately applied and visible on the output/the LEDs!

▪Single Selection
- A single fader regulates the intensity of a single fixture group.
- Left Arrow / Right Arrow - Quickly switch between faders by using the left or right arrow key.

▪Multiselection
- Use Ctrl + Left Mouse Click to select multiple faders at the same time. A green outline will show that a fader is selected. When multiple faders are selected, you can control them at the same time.
- Use Shift + Left Mouse Click to select multiple faders at the same time. A green outline will show that a fader is selected. When multiple faders are selected, you can control them at the same time.
- Ctrl+A - Selects all faders of the Group Control.
- Ctrl+D - Deselects the current fader selection.

▪ Flash
- Use the button showing the fixture group's Display Name or the keyboard shortcut Spacebar
- It instantly sets the intensity to 255 as long as you hold the button/key down.
- To use this feature, the fader needs to be set to a lower value than 255 first.

▪Restoring The Default Value
- Left Mouse Double-Click - Perform a double-click with your left mouse button directly on a single or multiple faders to restore the Default Value
- Right Mouse Click - Perform a click with your right mouse button directly on a single or multiple faders to restore the Default Value

▪A fixture group fader in the Group Control always ranges from 0 to 255, independently of what Minimum Value or Maximum Value you have defined for the fixture group.

▪Setting a fixture group fader to 0 will set the lowest intensity for this fixture group as defined by Minimum Value.
- That means that a fader set to 0 will not necessarily set the intensity of the fixture group to 0. Instead, it will be set to the minimum value you defined.

▪Setting a fixture group fader to 255 will set the highest intensity for this fixture group as defined by Maximum Value.
- That means that a fader set to 255 will not necessarily set the intensity of the fixture group to 255. Instead, it will be set to the maximum value you defined.

Quickly reset any changes and set all fixture group faders to their default values in the Group Control:

	1] Set each fixture group fader to its required position. - A value of 0 is shown in red in order to make its severe affect on the visual outcome clear.
	2] Enter a description for the Group Preset.
	3] Click Set
	4] A new window opens. ▪Define the Preset Number - Your Group Preset will be saved there. - Valid values range from 1 to 256. - MADRIX 5 will automatically suggest the next free Group Preset number [which is one number higher than the currently highest preset number].
	5] MADRIX 5 will save the currently set fader positions as a Group Preset. - Saved presets will be shown as blue on the left side of the Group Control. - Empty Group Presets are deactivated and shown in gray.

▪Left Click - Calls a previously saved Group Preset. MADRIX 5 will automatically fade according to the Fade-In Time.
- Make sure to click on preset number shown in blue.
- An activated Group Preset will be shown in green for a short while. This indicates that it has been activated.

▪Left Mouse Double-Click - Calls a previously saved Group Preset and activate it immediately without using the Fade-In Time.
- Make sure to click on preset number shown in blue.
- An activated Group Preset will be shown in green for a short while. This indicates that it has been activated.

- Note: MADRIX 5 will not automatically overwrite a Group Preset!
[When changing group values, you need to save the current values again as a Group Preset or overwrite an existing Group Preset if you want to store the new values.]

Fade-In Time - Defines the duration of the automatic fade between fader positions [in s], when selecting a different Group Preset.
- To change the time, select the value via left double-click first. Then, enter a value using the keyboard, use the mouse wheel, or use a left mouse click and hold while dragging the mouse up or down.
- A value of 0 means that no fade-in is applied. Faders will be set immediately to their new positions [using a hard transation].

▪Right Mouse Click on a Group Preset number to quickly perform various actions.

Set - Saves the current group values as Group Preset to this Group Preset number.

Open... - Loads a previously saved MADRIX 5 Group Preset file [of the file type *.mgpz or *.mgpx]. A new window opens for you to select the file on your harddisk.
Save... - Stores a previously saved Group Preset as an external file [of the file type *.mgpz or *.mgpx]. A new window opens for you to select a location on your harddisk. Simply enter a name and click Save

Copy - Copies a previously saved Group Preset into the clipboard as a duplicate.
Cut - Copies a previously saved Group Preset into the clipboard and then applies a Clear
Paste - Inserts a copy of a Group Preset from the clipboard into the currently focused Group Preset.

Clear - Removes the currently focused Group Preset.

▪Click on File to open a submenu.

Open... - Loads a previously saved MADRIX 5 Group Control file [of the file type *.mgcz or *.mgcx]. A new window opens for you to select the file on your harddisk.
Save As... - Saves the Group Control to an external file [of the file type *.mgcz or *.mgcx]. This includes all Group Presets and the Fade-In Time. A new window opens for you to select a location on your harddisk. Simply enter a name and click Save

Clear - Removes all Group Presets and restores the default Fade-In Time.

▪Left Mouse Click And 2 Sec. Hold - You can perform a Copy and Paste with the mouse.
Use a left mouse click on a Group Preset and continue to hold for 2 seconds. A small + appears. Continue to hold and move your mouse to another Group Preset number. Release the mouse button to paste a copy onto the new Group Preset.

▪Left Mouse Click And 2 Sec. Hold + Shift - You can perform a Cut and Paste with the mouse.
Use a left mouse click on a Group Preset and continue to hold for 2 seconds. Press Shift in addition. A small rectangle appears. Continue to hold the buttons and keys and move your mouse to anotherGroup Preset number. Release the mouse button to move the previously selected Group Preset to the new position.

▪File Drag And Drop - You can select a MADRIX 5 Group Preset file [of the file type *.mgpz or *.mgpx] in Windows and drag it to a Group Preset of your choice in MADRIX 5 in order to load it in MADRIX 5.

In addition to controlling fixture groups directly in the Group Control, you can use fixture groups in other ways. Since fixture groups include specific fixtures, these fixtures cover a well-defined area of the Patch. As such, you can use a fixture group as preset for the Map Settings of a Layer.

▪The list will include an item for each fixture group you have created by using the fixture group's Display Name
[You will find these items below Full Size]

▪MADRIX 5 will automatically set the correct Map Settings.
- The Mapping or Tiling will be repositioned and resized according to the fixture group.
- The adjusted Map Settings will always be a rectangular selection since MADRIX 5 uses the bounding box of the fixture group with only its largest dimensions in X, Y, and Z.

Controlling fixture groups in the Group Control is mainly a live feature that works independently of other controls, such as Storage Places for example. But you can further integrate Group Presets into your workflow. You can use a Cue List to trigger Group Presets for each Cue.

▪Open the Cue List Editor and make sure to set up the Group Preset for a Cue where required.
- Valid values range from 1 to 256.