Patch
Edit Patch / Inhibit a Channel
Menu: Channel > Patch
This allows a Control-Channel number to be assigned at each Dimmer circuit whilst at the same time giving the option to set percentage levels pre-show on different fixtures.
This proportional level patching is useful when coupling multiple spots with different lighting efficiency and, if Dimmers allow this, when using 110 Volt spots in a 220 Volt installation.
The percentage modifier may be greater than 100% in order to compensate the lighting differences between fixtures in both ways. Whenever the patched level exceeds 100%, the level is automatically corrected (or "clipped") at 100% by the program.
The default patch for a Dimmer circuit is the Channel with the same number (Dimmer No.1 is controlled by Channel No.1 at 100% and so on).
It is possible to swap some Channels (Dimmer No.1 is controlled by Channel No. 8 and vice-versa), to select a group of Dimmers that respond to the same number (Dimmers No.1, No.2, No.3 are controlled by Channel No.1 and so on) which is useful when large surfaces, like a large white background, are to be lighted by multiple spots lit at the same intensity and large power (5 or 10 kW) Dimmers are not available.
The following commands are provided by the " patch " submenu of the " Channel " menu:
View Patch by Channel, View Patch by Dimmer
This opens a dialog box that displays all patches by Channel or by Dimmer, letting the user check that the specified patches are correct.
Set Patch default, Set all at zero
With this function it is possible to clear all defined patches and go back to default patch (1-1, 2-2 etc.) or to a blank patch (1-0, 2-0 etc.) at any time.
This is useful when a patch application has to be totally changed.
The complete patch dialog box can be activated at any time clicking the patch icon of the toolbar.
Another use of the patch is to inhibit a Channel (in all Scenes/Cue/Group) patching it to Dimmer 0 or assigning it a 0 level, which is not a valid number and nullifies the Channel action.
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