ETC to strand palette Updated?

Hi

I can help here.

I convert show files between different formats for my own shows as well as for others.

I have got it down to a fine art and can do the conversions in the time it takes rather than it taking time!

There are some quirks and workarounds. Kinda depends on what exactly you want to keep/cross over. If you have a standard show with normal up/down intensity etc, this should come through quite easy. If you have moving lights or similar, you are best to start again. Depending on the type of FX's, these "might" come through. I do not normally look for them so I rarely check them.

The version of OS for Palette is a factor too. I use OS version and I find that it accepts the files without problems. Older versions of software plus the classic models have their quirks...

You do not require showport for this type of conversion. Show port is only intended to convert .ssf (500 series ) to .txt/.asc etc. Palette conversions do not require showport.

The thing to watch out for is that more modern show files add in information to the ASCII format and other consoles sometimes cannot handle this e.g. I can convert .esf to .ssf (strand 500) but I have to clean up the ASCII file and export it in a certain way otherwise it chokes the strand ole/OS.




How to:

a) In EOS OLE, go to EXPORT and select your location.

b) When the EXPORT window comes up (D0 you wan to export file? is in red), there are 4no. tabs to your right. I am doing this from memory so I might need to check. You need to de-select the 1st option (manufacture data) and the 3rd option (hexadecimal levels). This information will not go into your ASCII export.
This will export your file in the format of thisfile.asc to your location.

c) Navigate to your now exported show file and right-click. Open the file with NOTEPAD (win os is better for this but a text editor is what you need). If the format and channel levels look correct, re-save the file as thisfile1.txt .

I put the 1 (or whatever) to give it a new name and the appendage as .txt. Albeit the asc/alq/txt are all text files, the appendage does matter sometimes e.g. congo show format is .asc only etc.
WIth the text editor, you might end up removing aspects of the show file you do not need. The patch should be read 1@50 etc and not in hexadecimal format. Obviously enough, if you delete something, it will not be in the finished show file etc!

d) Open your Palette OLE.

e) Go to FILE and pick the IMPORT ASCII option. Select your new thisfile1.txt and the desk should read it.


As I have said, I do this regularly for myself and others and have done for about 10 years. Most of the time it works fine but there are quirks.

You will not get moving light to transpose correctly. I stopped trying a good while back as different manufacturers do things differently and it is easier to re-plot considering palettes etc.

A generic show file with subs/groups is the best you will get.

I cannot guarantee the above instructions are 100% correct as I just do the conversions without thinking about it if you know what I mean.

You can also send me the file and I will convert it to .esf or others. Can do .esf/.ssf/.txt/.asc/.spf/.shw.

Hope this helps

eamon

eamondofox at me dot com

Hi

I can help here.

I convert show files between different formats for my own shows as well as for others.

I have got it down to a fine art and can do the conversions in the time it takes rather than it taking time!

There are some quirks and workarounds. Kinda depends on what exactly you want to keep/cross over. If you have a standard show with normal up/down intensity etc, this should come through quite easy. If you have moving lights or similar, you are best to start again. Depending on the type of FX's, these "might" come through. I do not normally look for them so I rarely check them.

The version of OS for Palette is a factor too. I use OS version and I find that it accepts the files without problems. Older versions of software plus the classic models have their quirks...

You do not require showport for this type of conversion. Show port is only intended to convert .ssf (500 series ) to .txt/.asc etc. Palette conversions do not require showport.

The thing to watch out for is that more modern show files add in information to the ASCII format and other consoles sometimes cannot handle this e.g. I can convert .esf to .ssf (strand 500) but I have to clean up the ASCII file and export it in a certain way otherwise it chokes the strand ole/OS.




How to:

a) In EOS OLE, go to EXPORT and select your location.

b) When the EXPORT window comes up (D0 you wan to export file? is in red), there are 4no. tabs to your right. I am doing this from memory so I might need to check. You need to de-select the 1st option (manufacture data) and the 3rd option (hexadecimal levels). This information will not go into your ASCII export.
This will export your file in the format of thisfile.asc to your location.

c) Navigate to your now exported show file and right-click. Open the file with NOTEPAD (win os is better for this but a text editor is what you need). If the format and channel levels look correct, re-save the file as thisfile1.txt .

I put the 1 (or whatever) to give it a new name and the appendage as .txt. Albeit the asc/alq/txt are all text files, the appendage does matter sometimes e.g. congo show format is .asc only etc.
WIth the text editor, you might end up removing aspects of the show file you do not need. The patch should be read 1@50 etc and not in hexadecimal format. Obviously enough, if you delete something, it will not be in the finished show file etc!

d) Open your Palette OLE.

e) Go to FILE and pick the IMPORT ASCII option. Select your new thisfile1.txt and the desk should read it.


As I have said, I do this regularly for myself and others and have done for about 10 years. Most of the time it works fine but there are quirks.

You will not get moving light to transpose correctly. I stopped trying a good while back as different manufacturers do things differently and it is easier to re-plot considering palettes etc.

A generic show file with subs/groups is the best you will get.

I cannot guarantee the above instructions are 100% correct as I just do the conversions without thinking about it if you know what I mean.

You can also send me the file and I will convert it to .esf or others. Can do .esf/.ssf/.txt/.asc/.spf/.shw.

Hope this helps

eamon

eamondofox at me dot com