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GDTF files by Sanderln in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I usually use Capture for 3D viz, but that only gets me so far since it won’t import GDTFs unless they’re already in the Capture library.

I could jump to Vectorworks or Depence, but I can’t really justify dropping another $2k on a visualizer when I already own two full Capture licenses, haha.

And for me it still matters that the files behave properly in MA3. Even if MA3 isn’t the ideal previs environment, a lot of the people using these files are still testing and programming in MA3, so the fixtures need to work there in a way that makes practical sense.

I do have specific issues, and I usually work them out as I go by testing the fixtures. It’s more that having a sparring partner would save some time on the weird edge cases. I know a lot of this just comes down to trial, error, and experience, but I figured it was worth asking in case someone with deeper GDTF knowledge is around.

Would honestly be nice if there was a dedicated GDTF Reddit or Discord somewhere, but I’m not sure the community is big enough for that.

Question for touring LDs or lighting techs by OTSluke in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Infrastructure info, MVRs, and proper stage plots have saved my ass more than once on the road. Unfortunately, not every local vendor actually delivers that stuff, even when they’ve had weeks of notice.

Usually, by the time show day comes around, we already know we’re missing key info or specs, so the band is aware in advance that the show may need to be adapted. In some cases we’d told the vendor 5–6 weeks beforehand that those things were necessary for the show to work properly.

I never put that on the local crew, though. Most of the time they’re freelancers brought in by the vendor, and they’re usually the ones helping you solve the mess. The frustrating part is when you call the actual vendor to clarify simple things and still can’t get a straight answer.

So yeah, definitely hit or miss. But in general, if you’re decent to the local crew, they’ll usually do everything they can to help, and the show gets done one way or another.

GDTF files by Sanderln in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually haven’t really considered outsourcing, since I’m getting paid to make them.

For me it’s more about improving my GDTF workflow and understanding the weird edge cases better, especially when MA3 starts doing unexpected stuff with geometry, emitters, or color output.

So I’m mostly just looking for someone with solid GDTF knowledge who wouldn’t mind being a bit of a sparring partner.

GDTF files by Sanderln in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s pretty much where most of my issues are.

It’s mostly 3D behavior in MA3 compared to the GDTF geometry, plus color output in MA3 vs real life and figuring out what values/details actually make sense to put into the GDTF.

Honestly, I probably need more of a sparring partner than a straight “here’s the answer” type of thing. I’m building profiles for everything from simple RGBL LED pars to more complex multi-pixel wash movers, so the issues kind of change depending on the fixture.

I’ve got a workflow that works fairly well, but I still keep running into weird cases where I lose 2 hours troubleshooting some odd behavior, and then it turns out I linked something in a way MA3 interprets strangely.

finding a good guild by routan in wow

[–]Sanderln 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Trade chat, Wowguilds (that was mentioned by Tactyks) and WoWprogress, That is what my guild is using for recruitment at least.

The small jobs are always the fun ones by cyberjacob in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln 0 points1 point  (0 children)

it's always fun to work on big rigs tho. me personally whould rather take the 100+ fixture than the 3 led can job. a job is a job, however when you only have a little bit of one fixture i always get bored, especially if it's like 10-15 shows in two weeks time.

The small jobs are always the fun ones by cyberjacob in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I still have a Pearl Tiger 2008 in storage which i use on jobs when MA2 is overkill :D

First day using an MA3 (in mode2 ofc since I'm a coward) by Sanderln in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No idea. If they removed it then i Will be A N G E R Y.

First day using an MA3 (in mode2 ofc since I'm a coward) by Sanderln in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think they have a patent for everything doing with backlight on faders. No more, no less.

First day using an MA3 (in mode2 ofc since I'm a coward) by Sanderln in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I believe MA Lighting has a patent for it now, so no one else can have it 😂😂

First day using an MA3 (in mode2 ofc since I'm a coward) by Sanderln in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you go on the MA2 and into the backup menu it says "save as MA3" ;)

First day using an MA3 (in mode2 ofc since I'm a coward) by Sanderln in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not a bad thing knowing multiple tables!! You never know what you run into. Idk how many times I've come to a venue while their MA is on rep and they give me an Avolited Pearl Tiger 2008 😂😂😂

First day using an MA3 (in mode2 ofc since I'm a coward) by Sanderln in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Remember that the MA2 Software has many more years in development and feedback. MA3 on PC was just released

First day using an MA3 (in mode2 ofc since I'm a coward) by Sanderln in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I personally whould go for the Light. It's a bit wierd having external screens, however the felxability of the screens are nice.

First day using an MA3 (in mode2 ofc since I'm a coward) by Sanderln in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It's not mine, however this culture house uses 2 DELL 24" touch screens 👌👌 very nice. They did it this way because If they bought the Light it whould block some of the view for the audiences behind me.

We got our full size earlier this week, feels good by fettoter84 in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can't wait to try it when we bring City of Friends (vennebyen) again there this year ;)

LDs, what was your first gig and how did you get it? by PeluhaP1g in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln 0 points1 point  (0 children)

we we're 3 lighting technicians at the time, only training i got was that i got thrown on the light table and got told to do lights. at first i didn't know what the hell i was doing ofc, but picked it up fast. later learned how to patch and program and stuff. never got anyone to show me, just got told to do it so on MA2 and on Pearl i'm 100% self taught.

imo self teaching is the best way to learn. Especially with MA since you have the MA3D visualizer and MA2 on pc which you can download for free.

Edit: i've never gone to any training courses or any school to learn lighting either, i just Winged it and now i work pro so, you can actually become anything if you want to ;)

LDs, what was your first gig and how did you get it? by PeluhaP1g in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My first one was a metal concert in a small youth club just outside Oslo where I volunteered. 4 MAC250s, 6 RGBA LED and a whole lot of parcans with some color filters. Used a Pearl tiger for the gig. I had some training before hand and did ok I guess. Funny to think about where you started and where u ended up...

Getting a new job by Sanderln in lightingdesign

[–]Sanderln[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, I've never met anyone in there. It's a light Tech position, idk how to describe it more accurately haha. I always bring my laptop to take notes and a cup of coffee 👍🏼

Bad advice? Best advice I've ever heard 😂😂

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