Editing Artist Help: Best Practice

The article describes the process of programming and the best ways to save time and effort. This recaps the previous articles to give a general overview of the process.

A new Workspace
Create a new Workspace using the Workspace Wizard. This will produce a blank set of files for you to create you show. 

Install all system Fixtures using Fixture Wizard. This informs Artist of all the fixture devices connected to your DMX512 lines. 

Position you fixtures on the combined Grid View. This provides a meaningful representation of your rig and thus make it easier and faster to access your fixtures. 

Test all system fixtures and Control panels. As you test your fixtures set some common and useable position, such as the centre floor. This position is useful for servicing purposes also. So set the fixture in each group to a centre floor and click 'Add to Focus Palette' and name the place holder. As you are programming the system you should save as many common positions as possible to the palette. These will prove very useful. 

Programming
Usually the preset levels on the fixture control panel provide most beam setting you will require. However, you may want to save special strobing or prism effects in Beam Palette place holders to be used repeatedly. 
Finishing off
Before leaving the system in the hands of the operator, set up a Security scheme to prevent unauthorised access.