Add a Fixture

Pick fixtures and their mode from the library, then set their universe and address for your project.

From the libraryCopy Anchor Link

Opening the libraryCopy Anchor Link

1. Go to Project > Library Manager.
2. Select the Fixtures tab.
3. Use the categories and the search box to find fixtures.

Finding fixturesCopy Anchor Link

In the search box, type words from the manufacturer, model or mode name in any order, such as "robe spiider". Typing "16ch" finds fixtures with a 16-channel mode. To browse instead, expand a manufacturer group.

Adding to projectCopy Anchor Link

The main way to add fixtures is the Fixtures panel:

1. Click the Add fixture button in the panel toolbar.
2. Click Select fixture… to open the Add fixture picker.
3. Browse by manufacturer or use the search box, then pick a fixture.
4. Choose its DMX mode.
5. Click Continue to addressing. The Add fixture form opens with the fields on the left and an Address space grid on the right. The grid shows existing fixtures and where the new ones will land.
6. Set the quantity and name.
7. Set the start address in one of three ways:
   • Type the universe and address.
   • Click Calculate universes/addresses to enter the next free address.
   • Click a cell in the grid. Hover over a cell to preview the placement.
8. Click Patch N fixtures.

The picker also lists the fixtures already in this show, marked Project. So you can add more of a fixture that your library lacks, such as one in a show made on another computer. If neither your library nor the show has a fixture, it may be on GDTF Share. See From GDTF Share.

For a moving head or scanner, the form also has a Pan and tilt section. Its settings apply to every fixture that you patch in that step. See Pan and tilt for what each setting does.

Adding multipleCopy Anchor Link

To add several fixtures at once, use comma-separated values:

1. Open the Add fixture dialog.
2. Enter multiple addresses (for example 1,100,200), multiple universes (for example 1,2,3), or both.
3. Click Patch N fixtures to create all fixtures.

From GDTF ShareCopy Anchor Link

GDTF Share is the online library of GDTF files that manufacturers and users upload. The fixture picker searches GDTF Share as well as your library. To search it, switch the picker to GDTF Share (Cmd+2). When your library has nothing for the search, or only close matches, you can also click Search GDTF Share for "…". You sign in with your GDTF Share account once, and Spectralite keeps the password in the macOS keychain.

Each fixture type lists its revisions. For each revision, the picker shows the uploader, the modes, and how those modes differ from the revision that your library already holds. A check marks the types and revisions that you already have, built in or in your library. If you pick one of those, the picker continues without a download.

Pick a revision and a mode, then click Import and continue. Spectralite downloads and converts the revision, saves it to your library and goes on to addressing. If the conversion drops something, the picker first stops on its notes. There you can read the notes and choose the mode before you continue.

Spectralite keeps a copy of the revision list and refreshes it when it is a day old. To fetch it at any time, click the refresh button beside Updated … ago.

Generic LED fixturesCopy Anchor Link

For pixel-based fixtures without specific profiles, Spectralite has three generic types:

• Generic LED Bar: a linear strip of pixels
• Generic LED Circle: a ring of pixels
• Generic LED Matrix: a 2D grid of pixels

Each type supports these color variants: RGB, RGBW, RGBA, RGBWA, WRGB, GRB, BRG, RBG. Set the pixel count and color variant in the Add fixture dialog.

After addingCopy Anchor Link

You set the DMX universe and address when you add the fixture. To change them later:

1. Right-click the fixture and select Edit, or click the pencil icon.
2. Update the universe (starts at 1), address (1-512), mode, or other settings.
3. Click Save changes.

Importing fixturesCopy Anchor Link

From Library ManagerCopy Anchor Link

1. Open Project > Library Manager.
2. In the Fixtures tab, select a fixture.
3. Choose Import to project. Spectralite embeds its full definition in the current project.

To bring an external definition into the catalog first, go to the Fixtures tab. Use Import from file for a .slf file or Import GDTF for a .gdtf file.

TroubleshootingCopy Anchor Link

Fixture not foundCopy Anchor Link

If your exact model is not available:

1. Search GDTF Share for it.
2. Try a similar model from the same manufacturer.
3. Use a generic fixture type.
4. Create a custom definition.

Wrong channel countCopy Anchor Link

If the fixture uses different channels than expected:

1. Make sure that you selected the correct mode.
2. Compare the channels with the fixture's manual.
3. If needed, create a custom definition.

Next stepsCopy Anchor Link

• DMX Patching: assign addresses.
• Create a fixture definition: make custom definitions.