It would also be great if the user could set default preferences for symbol attributes-which legends are showing, relative positions of the labels, et cetera. I think they should be grouped by default, and one should see a larger indication that you've got the whole symbol selected without having to zoom way in. One ends up accidentally moving only the color label or circuit number. (The Arrow keys without a modifier nudge selected symbols around.) It is hard to select an entire instrument symbol sometimes. Or some other means of navigating around a plot. I just think getting there is harder than it needs to be. Don't get me wrong, LXFree will make absolutely beautiful plots. The plot side of things is a little messier. A fix might be as simple as reordering a few sections. The documentation is a little old and occasionally references material in later chapters without making it explicitly clear that you haven't read something yet, but we're talking about it anyway. Doing this graphically, in the plot window, works very well but isn't always practical after the first hundred instruments. It's either a deal-breaker or I'm just being stupid. There is even a database field for "Group," though no apparent way to select all the members of say, the Cool Torms group and change the color for every instrument. It may be there somewhere, or perhaps some other means of editing data for groups of symbols meeting some criteria. I couldn't find a way to edit in a list view though, with sortable columns and multiple selections. The database side of things is very good in general. I gladly stick with it confident that its a mighty good choice that will keep evolving, with mine and other users help and feedback, from great to fabulous.Īnd seriously, if you look around, which are the comparable alternatives to the prize of 0 bucks?Ĭurrently at version 1.7.1, the symbol libraries are great-no moving fixtures, but that's okay with me. However I can tell since Im an old user that the software has evolved greatly and just keeps getting better and better everyday. Setting up devices like moving lights is also a bit of a weak spot I think. Ive never managed to make much sense of it. The part I like the least in this free app is the Symbol Editor and the way symbols and "Keys" are connected. Now anyone who understands the basics of lightdesign can create and edit a lightplot, easily and for free. Sending pdf attachments and a list of requests and questions to touringsites or guesting groups is finally a thing of the past! Its great to be able to communicate editable plots. Of course I also do all my lightplots in LXFree or LXBeams and encourage venues, collegues and others who may have any opinion of value regarding my plans to download this app. Its a strong side of the LXFree project with great potentials. The part I use most is its integration with LXConsole, Qlab MIDI, OSC and Applescript. Im an old Maclux user but since a few years I use only the LXBeams version of LXFree so maybe I shouldnt review the LXFree, but most stuff of any importance is in the free version as well so I guess it´s OK. The symbol tool can be selected by pressing the "2" key when a plot window is the front window.A very good app with absolutely marvellous support! Positions and symbols also interact to automatically number lights as they are added When the View menu's Snap To Grid option is active, symbols will "attach" themselves to positions when they are dragged. Dragging a selection "marquee" will not select them. Second, text fields can only be selected by clicking directly. Text fields, on the other hand, share a font and style with all other fields of the same property. First, the font and style of any text object is independent of any other. There are several differences between text objects created with the text tool and text fields associated with symbols. This then allows you to move other symbols' fields into the same relative positions using the Paste Field Locations command. The locations of a symbol's text fields relative to it's center can be copied using the Format menu's Copy Field Locations command. In fact, changing the text of one of these field changes the associated property of the symbol that "owns" it.Īny text fields created for a symbol will move when the symbol moves. Any of the info fields can be shown on the drawing as text fields which behave like the objects created with the text tool. Symbols have information attached to them that is edited using the inspector's info tab. The location of the symbol (it's center) can also be edited using the inspector's measurements tab. The line and fill characteristics of the symbol are controlled by the inspector's Drawing tab. However, when they are selected they can be rotated or replaced with a different symbol using the inspector. The symbol tool will draw a symbol of the type selected in the inspector's symbols tab.
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