What is grandMA 3D?
The grandMA 3D is a unique new user interface, created for the visualization as well as the design of three dimensional stage layouts to be utilized in conjunction with the grandMA product range.
The software is designed as a pre-programming tool for light designers. It simplifies the process of creating shows to save time and money.
Rendering tools have two major expectations: Maximum speed and good rendering quality.
The major focus of grandMA 3D is real-time visualization to get an impression of what will happen on stage.
grandMA 3D allows a set up of any custom stage or scenery layout with 2D drawing facilities and a library of basic graphical elements. Multiple windows with front/side/top view can be opened and updated at the same time. All the stage elements can be positioned in x/y/z directions and may also be rotated around the various axes. Custom textures for the surface of these elements can be imported in a bitmap format or may be chosen from a library.
The set up of lanterns, luminaries or moving lights can be simply retrieved from the grandMA console's show file per electronic transfer. There is no need to set DMX lines, DMX addresses or operation modes for the single fixtures, as these details are already pre-adjusted in the grandMA. Once the transfer takes place the user just has to position these fixtures in the 3D environment of the grandMA 3D software. The user may also group them logically on bars, scenery elements or trussing.
When switching to 3D rendering mode, the grandMA 3D software becomes an extremely powerful visualizer with real time rendering facilities. All drawing elements, fixtures and lanterns are shown with surface textures, as a kind of virtual reality. All functions of the installed lights are remotely controlled by a connected grandMA and displayed with realistic movements, colors and images. At the same time the viewing angle can be changed by just moving the virtual camera around with full control of zoom, position and rotation. Or just switch to another pre-defined camera position and start a new movement from there.
All optical fixture parameters, like beam angle, color (even color mixing) and gobos can be displayed. Custom gobos can be inserted by simply assigning a color bitmap file to the gobo position of the related fixture.
With the use of special graphic cards supporting shutter glasses, the grandMA 3D software enables an even more realistic display of movements, by moving the “virtually” audience in the middle of the scenery. The full processing power of this new add-on software can be discovered in this real 3D-mode whereas as the user wears electronic shutter glasses to give him/her a vivid holographic view of his/her lighting design.
All the show data can later be received "online" from the grandMA and displayed in real time rendering. It may also be recorded live and converted into one of the standard video compression formats. These files can be easily viewed on any personal computer or MAC with standard media player software and may even be sent by e-mail.
Program Features
This new generation of visualization software comes with its own 3D engine and is based on the Microsoft DirectX® standard for best performance. It communicates directly with the grandMA via Ethernet and in this way it even receives the show ´s configuration and patching. No external interfaces or components are required – not even a dongle needs to be installed. The grandMA 3D Version is tailored for use with the new software in conjunction with the grandMA console range and the grandMA on PC software.
The internal structure of grandMA 3D is strictly object oriented and allows the definition of a group of elements for easy set up and design. A truss bar with connected fixtures can then be moved, rotated and repositioned in one go.
Although the grandMA 3D software runs on an external PC or notebook computer, it shares all databases and fixture libraries with the connected grandMA console. During offline applications, the software may even be used with the grandMA Off-line software, with both software programs running on the same PC. Both software packages, grandMA 3D, as well as the grandMA Off-line software, are available for free, via download on the Internet.
Technical Features
- Real-time visualization engine for all major features of lanterns and moving lights
- Followspot mode for movinglights in real-time
- Direct transfer of libraries, fixtures, patches and DMX address settings of the grandMA via Ethernet
- Live control of all fixtures via virtual DMX lines on a grandMA 3D Ethernet protocol
- Transfer of all grandMA 3D set ups for fixtures and dimmer to the grandMA's hard disk
- Built-in graphical editor for the design of basic stage layouts and scenery elements
- Extensive objects library with free upgrades via download from the Internet
- Recording of shows and show features, video compression standards "live"
- Complete offline creation of shows in conjunction with the grandMA Off-line software running on the same PC
- Undo, redo buttons
- Video machine for playing videos with grandMA 3D
- Visualization of fixture types
- Realistic fog
- Alignment manager for easy positioning of objects
- Dynamic moving pathes allow programmed camera movements
- Automatic download of all relevant fixture data of the current show (including gobos, color gels, and rigging coordinates)
- New fixture type editor
- Colour gel library for dimmers and fixtures
- Multilayer technology for objects, fixture etc.
- Own 3D library with objects like people, instruments etc.
- Direct import of the following file formats possible (also using drag and drop) – 3DS, dxf (3D only), jpg, bmp, gif, tif, pgm, ppm, tga, pcx, psd, eps. The import is realized using an „open plug-in“ import structure.
- Data monitoring for one or more fixtures
- Selectable data formats: Percent, 8 bit (DMX) or 16 bit (DMX)
- Automatic creation of multiple default cameras
- Additional data views: Grid mode (dependent on active layer)
- Objects can be controlled from the console and „moving paths“ can be assigned allowing console control of truss movement or other objects
- Sound file (.WAV) can be executed during show playback allowing demo shows with synchronized music
- Fog can be controlled via the desk
- Fixture Type plausibility function
- Fixtures can be controlled via the ‘Channel Test Dialog’
- Fixture Library and Setup Support makes it possible to build a complete Setup
- Visualization of two rotating gobo wheels
- 3D Visualization Quality Manager
- LED Fixture support
- Video creation via wizard
Plausibility & Structure check
- Working with grandMA „Worlds“
- Properties „Angle“ and „Intensity“ for every dimmer individual