Hardware and Software requirements:

Using Microlux

How can I view a demo plan of Microlux plot and paperwork?

Select File, Open, and look in Program Files / Luxart/ Microlux  / Samples

Select the demo1.mlx file This demo is fully operational and can be adjusted by you for your learning pleasure.

How can I improve the display speed / refresh time?

Microlux will Zoom much faster when the Trusses and Spots are in Outline form. Go to the Edit/Options/Display pull down menu, deselect Show Truss Members, select Truss/Use Outline and Spots/Use Outline. Also make sure to deselect Adjust speed options automatically.

How can I select and add a truss or pipe to my design?

To add a new truss or pipe, you must be in one of the 2D views (i.e. Top View, Front View or Left View). First you must select a type of truss or pipe to add to your plan: click on the Select Truss button on the Toolbar. This will open up the Truss Library. Select the truss you want and click on OK. This will bring you back to the Microlux main module. Then to place the truss on the plan, if not already selected, click on the Add Truss button of the Toolbar and place the truss in the appropriate location. Place as many (of the same truss) as you want by clicking once with the mouse for each truss needed. When you have finished, click on the Pointer Tool button and you will notice that the Add Truss button will be deactivated.

How can I connect and/or combine several trusses?

To connect and/or combine trusses, select (highlight) the trusses using the Pointer Tool, next go to Items in the Pull Down menu and choose Truss.

How can I set the X(width), Y(height), Z(depth) coordinates for my truss?

There are a number of ways:

1. After placing your truss in the Top, Front or Side view, click once on the truss with the Pointer tool (the truss will then be highlighted), press the Move button, then drag the truss to its new location by holding down the left mouse button.(You can see the related coordinate values change in the field just above to the right of your plan). Switch views to set the other co-ordinates.  You can also use the keyboard Insert key that allow to type in your x,y and z coordinates.

2. Double click on the Truss with the Pointer tool; this will bring up the Truss properties window. Select the General tab and press the Position button. Drag the truss to its new location. To change to Front or Side views just right click.

3. To enter specific X, Y, Z, coordinates follow step 2 above, right click and select Specify Position.

How do I select and add spots to my design?

To add a Spot, you must be in one of the 2D views (i.e. Top View, Front View or Left View). First you must select a type of Spot to add to your plan: click once on the Select Spot button on the Toolbar. This will open up the Spot Library. Select the spot you want, and click on OK. This will bring you back to the Microlux main module. Then to place the spot on a truss, click on the Add Spot button of the toolbar and place the spot in the appropriate location. Place as many (of the same spots) as you want by clicking once with the mouse for each spot needed. When you have finished, click on the Pointer Tool and you will notice that the Add Spot button will be deactivated.(The spots can either be shown as graphic representations or symbols: go to View in the Pull Down menu and select Use Symbols).

How can I change the type of a spot or group of spots and keep the same parameters assigned to it?

Just select your spot or group of spots, go to the Items menu, select Spots and click Replace…the instrument library will appear for your new selection.

How can I assign Gels?

The Gel 1 or Gel 2 button on the Gel and Gobo Tab of the Spot Properties window does not work.

Make sure the Color Changer option box is not checked in the Parameters Tab of the Spot Properties window.

Why are my gel colors sometimes not the correct color in the Gel library or when I view beams?

Make sure your screen resolution is set above 256 colors.  Also make sure the proper RGB value is assigned in Gel in library.

How can I change gels on all my spots at once?

Select the spots you want by using the pointer tool, or drag a square around them while pressing the left mouse button. You will then see that the selected spots are highlighted. Then go to the View menu and select Spot Properties (or just select the Spot Properties button on the ToolBar). The Spot Properties window will appear. Scroll down and double right click on Gel 1 or Gel 2. The Gel library will appear allowing you to pick your new color (Make sure the Color Changer option is set to NO).

I did not choose to import all the different types of Gels, Spots, Theatres, and Gobos etc available when I first installed the program. How can I get them into the Microlux main module now?

Just start the library you want to add to.  Once the library is opened go to File on the Pull Down menu and select Import Combined Library. Then select the Official Combined library file located in the Luxart / Microlux  / Library folder.

How can I show my light beams?

Choose one of the Show Light Beams buttons on the ToolBar. (You may choose Single Lines, Conic Lines, Use Gobo or Show Half Peak). This is not available in the Light Version.

How can I turn on or off an individual spot or group of spots?

Just select the spots you want by using the Pointer Tool (For multiple spots select and hold down the Shift key or drag a square around them). Then go to Items on the Pull Down menu and select Spots. Choose Turn On or Turn Off (You may want to do this before or after you select one of the Show Light Beams buttons located on the Toolbar).

How do I program my focus points?

Click on the Focus Points button on the Toolbar or select Manage from the Pull Down menu. Then press the Add button in the Focus Point window, name your new point (ie: Drum Riser) and move the Cross Curser to your focus point position. Click OK. To enter exact X, Y, Z coordinates just right click. You can also access this feature by double clicking on a spot with the Pointer Tool (You may want to have your light beams on or off depending on your preferences).

How do I set up my Circuits and Dimmers?

Select Manage from the Pull Down menu and choose Circuits and Dimmers. For Dimmers select the Dimmer tab. Enter your requirements and press Add. Next press OK.

How do I assign Channels, Dimmers, Circuits and Spot numbers?

Highlight the spot you want and then press the Assignment Wizard button on the Toolbar. You can also do this via the Instrument Schedule. Another way is to double click on the spot to change it's properties one spot at a time. You might also want to have the  Spot Properties window displayed (Click on the Spot Properties button on the Toolbar) Select one on many spot to then change their properties.

What are some of the features of the Instrument Schedule?

Go to the Instrument Schedule button on the Toolbar. Here you can add or change many different parameters about your design. (For instance: if you want to change gels via the Instrument Schedule, right click in the square of the gel you would like to change then left click to bring up the Gel Library) Dimmers, Channels, Spots etc... can also be modified from here using the same method. Go to the Shop Order by selecting View from the Pull Down menu to see the different orders which are available.

How can I measure distances in Composer?

First click on the reshape button then click the origin from were you want to measure in the space then move the pointer and read the (dx,dy,dz).

I would like to see the measurement of foot-candles and camera lens aperture in order to design lighting requirements in television.

There is an area where you can see the intensity (in lux) at the focus point, but it is only for one instrument. It is located in the beam angle section of the spot parameters tab, which you can get to by double clicking on the spot (it does take into consideration the type of spot, height, and gel transmission rate).