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4 Ion Operations Manual
Important Concepts
Before using Ion, you should read and familiarize yourself with the concepts defined below. You will
find that understanding these terms and concepts will improve your efficiency with Ion.
Channel = Fixture
A fixture is defined as a group of related addresses that together control a device. An
examples of a fixture would be an ETC Revolution. This moving light contains 31
parameters that together allow you to perform various functions such as pan and tilt. Each
of these attributes is addressed by a different output.
Ion treats fixtures and channels as one and the same. Unlike former ETC consoles where
a fixture occupied one channel for each parameter, Ion assigns each fixture a single
channel number. Individual parameters are then associated with that channel as additional
lines of channel information.
Output
Outputs are the method by which level changes to channels are conveyed to attached
devices. These outputs are patched to channels. In its simplest form, an output is the data
signal sent from the console to turn on a light or modify a fixture parameter.
Record Target
A record target is any data location that you can store data using a [Record] or [Record
Only] command. Examples of record targets are cues, palettes, presets, and macros.
Move Instruction
A move instruction is any change to a parameter from its previous stored value. Any change
to a channel’s intensity is a move instruction. Any change to a channel’s pan or tilt is a move
instruction. Any change to a channel’s color mixing is a move instruction, and so on.
Manual Data
Manual data is any value set for a channel via the command line. Manual data will remain
at its value until a move instruction is provided for it.
Syntax Structure
Most instructions can be entered into Ion through the command line. The Ion command line
expects instructions to be entered in a specific structure, or syntax.
Generally speaking, the order of syntax can be described as:
• What are you trying to affect? (Channel, group)
• What do you want it to do? (Change intensity, focus, pan and tilt)
• What value do you want? (Intensity at full, Iris at 50)
Naturally other commands will be used in the course of programming your show, but most
other functions are modifiers of these three basic steps: modifying the channel(s) you are
are working with, determining what parameters of those channels you are impacting, and
what value you want them to assume. When working with record targets, the syntax is
similar.
Note:
Not all actions on Ion must be entered from the command line, although many will
result in a command line instruction. Other actions bypass the command line
entirely.