writting custom fixture files

I am wanting to change the order and loose some of the parameters in a catalyst personality on the Hog2.

So far I have been able to move the parameters I never use to F, leaving what I need in B. But how can I then change the order the B parameters come up in on the desk, is this possible??

Robin
:trink26:
  • You have to rearrange the order in the "FUNCTIONS.TXT" which is found in the same folder as the Library file
  • The Wholehog 2 library works in a manner that is based on the DMX protocol for the fixtures. Altering the "functions.txt" can be very dangerous and is likely to corrupt your show file. It is not recommended by HES/FPS.

    thanks,
  • Oh no, dont tell me that!

    I have reorganized everything into my preferred order in the function file succesfully.

    I have also created a NEW show with my new fixture file and everything looks good on the Hog2PC.

    Have not seen it for real yet.

    Do you really recommend I do not do this??
  • Yes, they really recommend you to not do this, hehe... I've learned that just like you..-after i've told people how to do it with functions, and i've done this for years with succes.. a thing worth noting is that i've always done that on a new show, before i've programmed anything at all.. So i would say that it has been working for others before you, but as they say, you can get into troubble! so i guess it's up to you, if you wan't to live on the edge or not.. If you deside to try it, do it with a new show, and test it thorrowly in a noncritical enviroment first..
  • As Anders has said, it might not be recommended but it works. We have been doing this also for years and never had a problem. The law says you shouldn´t drive faster than 120 Km/h on the highways as well but they still go and build cars that top 350 km/h. No risk no Fun

    And if you really want to stay on the safe side, copy the library with a new "user99" ID etc and give the parameters new individual names that aren´t in the functions txt ( G1 instead of gobo1, blu instead of blue etc ) and put them in the functions txt in the order you want, then you want have to worry about anything ( or changing the present function order around ).
  • Hmmmm, even though I am only 30, I do not think my heart could manage to cope with living life on the edge.

    I think this time I will just use the default catalyst personallity!

    Thanks for all your help and advice.
  • for what it's worth, the functions.txt file used to get edited a fair amount by users. ( before the libraries got so comprehensive and before the ROM library came around)
    I don't think doing so is living life on the edge, more like driving while you talk on the cell phone... If you aren't careful and don't watch what you are doing, you're gonna have a big wreck...

    my 2 cents...
  • I admit that it is true that many users have and do edit various items within their show files and have success. However as the manufacturer, it is similar to someone "hot roding" their car. Once you start changing components around then it makes it harder for our support department to help when something does go wrong.

    You might have a successful show with a modified function.txt, but then later if you decide to merge with another show, clone to new fixtures, convert to Wholehog 3, etc you will find problems.

    So feel free to add nitrous to your engine or a new gear shift, but be warned that in doing so you are risking the integrity of your show file because you are not utilizing it in the "expected" method.