Editing Artist Help: Parameter Flags

The parameter flags are an important part of Artist programming and use. They determine where an output gets it's source data and what data will be saved to cues and scenes.

Normally the output data comes from cues only. When a parameter flag is set the data from cues is disabled and the output data comes from the Fixture Control Panel  (i.e. parameter, chases or effects) and from any manually activated scenes.

What Flags look like
In the Fixture view a parameter's flag is indicated by a small square flag icon in the top right corner of the fixture. 
 
 
In the Fixture navigator a set flag is indicated by a red asterisk on the parameter. The parent Fixture image also has a red asterisk to indicate that one of its parameters has a set flag.  

How Flags are Set
Flags are set automatically when you change a parameter the Fixture Control Panel. Only the parameters changed are flagged.

Activating a chase or an effect in the Fixture Control Panel will set the specified Effect flag in all fixtures in the group.

Manually activating a scene will set the Effect flag of all parameters accessed by the scene. 

Flags in Operation
When a parameter flag is set, any data from cues will be blocked and only data from the Fixture Control panel (.e. Parameters, Chases and Effects) and manually activated scenes will be passed to the outputs.

This provides a method of dropping a parameter out of a cue in order to manually change its value. To return the parameter to the control of the cue or scenes, select 'Clear Flags' from the Fixture Control tool bar.

This is how the Palette works. It sets the flags of the selected parameters and sends levels direct to the outputs.

Manually activating Chases, Effects and Scenes will also override Cue by setting flags. This feature will be extended greatly in future versions.

Flags in Programming
When the 'New' button in the Cue or Scene programming sections is clicked, a new Scene or Cue is created. The system then checks all the flags that are set and displays them in the Program Data dialog. There you can deselect any parameters or scenes that are flagged. Thus the system saves only data for those objects whose flags are set and checked in the dialog.

The flags are cleared when a new scene, cue or step is created or can be cleared by selecting 'Clear Flags' from the Fixture Control tool bar.