Preparing for Programming
Brad Schiller · 2021
The phone rings and we are offered an automated lighting programming job. There are many things that must be taken into consideration before we can begin programming. In many ways lighting programmers are similar to airline pilots. As the programmer, we are responsible for the operation of our console. Many programmers find a version of software they are comfortable with and do not upgrade beyond it until absolutely required. Good programmers carry with them the version of software they intend to use on the console and do not count on the lighting supplier to have the console preloaded with a particular version. Most consoles require a certain amount of setup before we can begin programming. Our programming will proceed smoothly if the fixtures are all oriented in the same direction. Many programmers fully trust their fixture libraries without ever comparing them to the actual DMX protocol provided by the fixture manufacturer.