The Avolites Discussion Forum

I'm a big fan of the key frame shape generator and use it for all of my dimmer and colour shapes, but I'm having a problem with a colour shape I'm trying to create.

I can sort of create the shape I want in shape generator but key frame gen has much more control so would like to recreate as a key fram shape if poss.

The shape I'm trying to create is Colour>White in shape generator, if I create this in shape generator the add a bit of spread I get a nice white swipe effect across fixtures and I can simply change the background colour using a palette and now I have a new look, so I can run a white effect over any colour, Red, Blue, Magenta etc etc....

Trying to recreate this in key frame shape gen but don't seem to be able to.

I can add first frame 'White' but is there a way to add second frame which effectively is transparent allowing the original colour show?

I can add a colour for the second frame but then I have to write shapes for every colour combo.

The desired effect is to be able to fire the shape that would just do a white spread over whatever colour is already up and with key frame shape I can easily edit spread, curve, start time etc to get lots of different looks.

Any ideas?

.......Also I've just realised a problem with using the shape generator for this. If I want a white spread then the fixture must have a white channel, so just tried to do this shape for an RGB wash but 'White' is not a colour shape option. If I can create this in Key Frame gen then I can use a palette to set the frame colour....

Key frame shapes do not have a concept of a transparent frame. Please consider voting on the following idea which I believe is similar to your request: KeyFrame Shape : Release per frame.

Regarding the Shape Generator you might be able to run Red, Green and Blue shapes at the same time (to see this properly in the programmer you will need to use the Restart Shapes function).

Other alternatives include using the pixel mapper which can move a geometric shape over a transparent background. You can also set gradients or motion blur if you don't want harsh edges.

Another option might be to use a chase with Cue Release turned on. As with releasing a whole playback you would need something like another active playback containing the colour to release back to.

Thanks Gregory,
Yes the 'Release by frame' idea is exactly what I would need, I voted on this idea.

I've played with pixel mapper and yes I can create what I'm after....... sort of.

Pixel mapper is not as intuitive as KFSG so not as easy to setup what you want but eventually I did get close, the main issue I have with it is no real control over things like 'dimmer curve' and fixture overlap... I know it's not really a dimmer curve more a movement of an element but that means I can't really get a clean snap effect which I like sometimes.

It does work as in the 'background' is transparent so i get the overlay effect I'm after and I like the fact I can assign a layer master which I can then use colour palettes on to change the colour of the 'on top' effect.

I'll stick with it and keep playing around, I'm sure I'll get some good, flexible and quick FX I can use busking.

Thanks

Thought I'd just give my thoughts on the other options...

using RGB in shape generator just isn't flexible enpough, we all know ost RGG LED fixtures when cols are all set to 100% you don't get a nice white hence mixing a good white and making a palette, unfortunately shape generator doesn't seem to be able to use palettes.

The chase option for me is a no go as I really don't like the way release works, I know as you say I can have a playback up that it releases to but again when busking I may have changed my whole stage colour and release just won't release to whatever was running before, it's either home or a 'safe' playback. KFSG and pixel mapper are good for this as they sit completely outside the programmer and when you kill them the look just goes back to whatever it was doing.... perfect.

Thanks