Effects

Introduction to Effects on QuickQ

QuickQ contains user selectable effects for each attribute set that can be found under the effects header on the top right of each attribute page. An effect applies a “shape” to a given attribute; this shape can be controlled in size and speed. Changing the size will change how far from the original value that attribute will move for each part of the effect.

Adding Effects to Fixtures

To add an effect, first select the fixtures you would like to add the effect to then choose the attribute set you would like to apply the effect to on the top left of the screen.

Next you can choose the Effects Header located on the left of the screen.

QuickQ will display all the applicable effects for that attribute type; each attribute type will have its own unique effects. Once on the effects tab of, the encoders will change to reflect the settings for those effects, you will also see a Tap Time button appear on the middle right edge of the screen. Once you choose the effect you will be able to manipulate the settings for that effect via the encoders.

The options are:

Parts: allows the effect to be broken up into multiple sets of fixtures, for example: 2 parts will give an even/odd effect.
Speed: sets the rate of the effect from beginning to end and is displayed in BPM (Beats per Minute) and can be set via the speed encoder, or using the tap to time on the middle right edge of the screen.
Size: Sets the amplitude of the effect, this is relative to the starting value of the attributes when you applied the effect. For example: if your fixtures are at 50% intensity, and you put a 100% size on your dimmer effect the lights will chase from 0%-100%, where a 50% size will chase them from 25% to 75%.* Effects will start from the current value on an attribute, the size will increase from that starting point based on the size given to that effect.

It is possible to “oversize” an effect, this will flatten out the curve or "clip" the effect at the top and bottom of the attributes range. The larger the size the longer it will be at those extremes.

Recording Effects to Cues

Once you have added an effect and have the desired look on stage you can record the effect to a cue stack the same as any other cue. A cue can contain any number of attributes and an effect, or it can contain just an effect and NO attributes. The advantage of recording an effect with no attribute values in it is that it can be used at any time and it will get it’s starting value for the effect from the output on stage at that time, this would allow an effect like a circle position effect to change where it is pointing from cue to cue, without having to record multiple circle effects

Effects on Dimmer Channels

Adding effects to dimmer channels is a little different than other attributes, as dimmers are treated as HTP or Highest Takes Precedence channels. This means that the highest value will always be what shows on stage. This needs to be taken into consideration when writing effects on dimmer channels, if the dimmers is at 100% and you try to put a dimmer chase on them the effect will not show, as the channel is already at 100% and HTP will not allow the effect to set a level less than that honouring the channel as HTP.

Other attributes are treated as LTP or Latest Takes Precedence channels. This means that last value they are sent is what will show on stage, allowing these channels to go below the current value when adding effects. LTP channels will use the current value as the starting point for the effect. For example: a circle effect on pan and tilt, will use the current position of the fixture as the centre of the circle movement relative to the size value of the effect.