Fixture Calibration Steps | Scribe

    Fixture Calibration Steps

    • Zhongtian Wang |
    • 19 steps |
    • 2 minutes
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      Fixture calibration is a function intended to improve the tracking accuracy of lighting fixtures. The information imported from BTwyg places the fixture in an approximate position in the virtual world. However, there are often minor discrepancies between real life and a CAD drawing. For example, the hanging structure might be angled by a few degrees, or the fixture may not be hung perfectly square. Fixture calibration allows you to correct these discrepancies and ensures the location of fixtures is accurate. It is recommended that all fixtures be calibrated when they are first installed in the space, moved/bumped, or when the ground plane location is moved.
      1
      Please check that all fixtures that will be used for tracking have been imported into BlackTrax.
      2
      Ensure the beacon used to perform fixture calibration is in the beacon list.
      3
      Click on "Calibration View"
      4
      Click on "Fixture Calibration"
      5
      Change the mode from "Normal Mode" to "Fixture Calibration."
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      In Fixture Calibration mode, BlackTrax takes control of extra parameters like zoom, iris, color, gobo, and prism, and clears all creative effects from the fixture to simplify the calibration process. **Fixture calibration must be turned off during normal operation of the system.**
      6
      Select a fixture you want to calibrate
      7
      Click on "Assign Beacon"
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      To perform a Fixture Calibration, the stringer must be connected to port 1.
      8
      Select the beacon that will be used for the fixture calibration. If a stringer is plugged into port 1 of the beacon; the X/Y/Z values will provide constantly updating tracking information.
      9
      Click "OK"
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      During fixture calibration, the software will use the collected five (or more) samples to calculate a new position that is more accurate to the real-world space, providing better tracking results.
      10
      The fixture shoud then starts to track the stringer. If the pan/tilt of the fixture is reversed, is could be changed in BTWyg (Follow fixture patch guide) As shown in the picture, the beam of the fixture is off-center from the stringer.
      11
      To collect a data point for fixture calibration, press button A on the beacon. (If using a mini beacon, the "Freeze Beam" button in the software functions the same way.) When the beam is frozen, the fixture will not pan or tilt, so the beam will stay in place.
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      If working in a large space, using the lighting wand in our Calibration Kit can help with the following process.
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      Move the stringer so that it is at the center of the beam. (Anywhere along the path of the beam, so long as it is centered)
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      Press button B on the beacon to collect a data point. (Or the "Collect Data Point" button in the software) Upon pressing the button, the fixture will perform a pan-flip and then continue to track the stringer.
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      Five data points are required for calibrating a fixture. The more varied samples taken, the better the calibration will be. An easy way to collect varied samples is to take samples at each of the four corners of the tracking space and once in the center. Adjust as needed based on the shape and size of the performance venue.
      14
      After taking 5 points, BlackTrax will automatically calculate and apply the calibration. The fixture should then be tracking much more accurately. To assess the calibration, walk around the space with the fixture following, and check if the beam is consistently centered. Add samples in any area where calibration is poor. If the tracking is generally poor, delete all samples and redo a full fixture calibration. Samples can be deleted by clicking on the "Delete Points" button.