Match

Why do we need that

prepare needs to know which fixture in the loaded data corresponds to which FixtureType and Mode, and which Attributes each fixture has. To get this information, we align these two elements. The Match view opens automatically after an import, or with the Match button in the drawer.

Each row shows a symbol name from your data (From CAD) with a dropdown for the Fixture and one for the Mode. Both dropdowns are searchable. The dot at the end of the row shows the state of the match:

Indicator	Meaning
⚪ grey	Not processed yet.
🟠 orange	prepare has a suggestion, or you changed the row. Not saved yet.
🟢 green	The match is saved.
🔴 red	No matching FixtureType found.

To begin the process, you have two options:

Option 1: Your FixtureTypes are already in the showfile

If your Showfile already contains the matching FixtureTypes, the process is straightforward. First, ensure that your desk is connected via the network. Then, press the Download FixtureTypes button. prepare will load the FixtureTypes from the desk and attempt to automatically match them with the symbol names from the loaded data.

Review all lines and make any necessary changes. Once you’ve finished, simply press the Save button. After saving, all indicators will turn to 🟢.

Everything is now set. You can start creating. 🚀

Option 2: The Showfile Has No FixtureTypes Loaded

When you want to add FixtureTypes to your Showfile using fixtures from the internal library or Types from your local computer, there are a few additional steps to follow. Don’t worry; it’s still straightforward.

Select where to look for FixtureTypes with the Local Path and Desk Library checkboxes. If you want to include a folder from your local computer, set the path to that folder first by clicking on the Set Local Path button. Local files are expected to be named manufacturer@fixture@mode.xml.

After setting the path, click on Automatch XML and the system will attempt to find matching FixtureTypes for each symbol in your data.

Next, review each symbol to ensure the correct FixtureType and mode are selected. If the selection is incorrect, press the file button at the end of the row. The Search FT dialog lets you search by Manufacturer and Fixture, run the Automatch for this row only, or choose a generic dimmer with Set Dimmer.

Once you’ve selected the correct files, press Upload FixtureTypes to send the files to the desk. This will import them into your Showfile, and the system will then automatically download the necessary data for the app to function correctly.

Review all lines to confirm the selections are correct, then press Save. After saving, all indicators will turn to 🟢.

Everything is set. You can start creating. 🚀

Saving and Loading the Fixture Data

In certain situations, it may be beneficial to save only the loaded fixture data to a file. This can be achieved using the Save Settings and Load Settings options. The file type for these settings is .ppft. A file can only be loaded in the MA mode it was created in.

Adjusting SubFixtures

If the rotation or position of SubFixtures is incorrect in the FixtureType, you have a couple of options to resolve this issue. First, you can check the Instance positions on the desk and make necessary adjustments there. Alternatively, if the SubFixtures are simply rotated incorrectly or flipped, you can use the Edit Sub-Fixtures button.

In the Adjust Subfixtures dialog, choose the FixtureType, set the rotation (Rot X/Y/Z) or flip the values (Flip X/Y/Z-Values) and press Apply.

Remember to press Save before leaving the Match view to ensure your changes are applied. If you leave with unsaved changes, prepare asks whether you want to save them.

Updating FixtureTypes

When you make any changes to the Fixture Types on your desk, such as adjusting the Instance Positions or adding or updating Attributes, it is important to also update prepare. To do this, return to the Match view and click on Download FixtureTypes. If the Fixture Type number has not changed, the system will still recognize which symbol was matched to which Fixture Type and update the data in the software accordingly.