An Introduction to ISIS®

Instruction Manual
Software v. 2.10

Lighting Technologies

M 1203 1106.01.203
 Chapter Overview

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

1. INTRODUCTION 2
2. QUICK START GUIDE 5
3. TURNING ON & OFF 8
4. AREAS OF THE DESK: “WORKING FIELDS” 9
5. CHANNEL CONTROL 12
6. GROUPS 17
7. SUBMASTERS 23
8. RECORDING AND LOADING MEMORIES 39
9. PLAYING BACK MEMORIES & OTHER EVENTS 63
10. CHASERS & EFFECTS 83
11. THE «LIVE» WORKING FIELD 110
12. USING COLOUR CHANGERS & MOVING LIGHTS 116
13. OUTPUT PATCH 138
14. SHOW MANAGEMENT 145
15. SYSTEM SETUP 153
16. TOUCHSCREEN CONTROL 162
17. HELP 170
18. ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION 172
19. CHAPTER OVERVIEW 173

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 Introduction

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Welcome
ISIS® software is used by many ADB high-end lighting control desks, including the PHOENIX and
Mentor ranges. ISIS® provides total control of conventional luminaires, colour changers and moving
light instruments.

One of the concepts behind ISIS® is to make the system intuitive for the operator, whether control is
required over a small generic lighting system, or a rig comprising many moving lights and DMX
instruments.

Any show programmed on an ISIS® system can be run on any other console or PC running the
software. This means that shows can be easily transported between different lighting desks, and the
operator can be quickly familiarised with other consoles of the ISIS® family.

ISIS® software runs on a powerful real-time 32-bit operating system, providing multi-user and pre-
emptive multi-tasking capabilities, with a very short boot-up time. This system has proved highly
reliable and stable.

1.1.1 About this short-form manual

This manual describes the key functions of ISIS® software that will be required by a new operator, and
provides examples of their use. A full explanation of all functions, including many advanced concepts,
is given in the full ISIS® Operators Manual.

This introductory manual is split into logical chapters, allowing the required information to be found
quickly. It is designed to be useful for those operators who prefer to use the manual when necessary,
as well as for those who would like to follow the chapters from start to finish.

In addition to this short-form manual, the ISIS® software contains a complete on-line help system,
accessed by pressing the <HELP> key. The on-line help system contains hypertext links between
various topics, allowing relevant information to be found. Importantly, using the on-line help does not
affect the physical operation of the lighting desk: all faders and controls can still be used whilst the on-
line help is active. Use of the on-line help system is described in the chapter *Help*.

The following chapter *Quick Start Guide* provides a very simplified guide to the most common
requirements and functions of the lighting desk: it can be used as a quick reference chart or as a basic
tutorial to the ISIS® system.

1.2 Introduction to the ISIS® system

Before using an ISIS® system for the first time, the basic methods used to navigate the system and
select functions should be understood.

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 Introduction

1.2.1 Access to functions

Access to ISIS® functions is provided through the menu bar, accessed by pressing the <MENU> key,
although there are also dedicated keys for many functions on the hardware platform.

The most commonly required functions are loaded onto the eight function keys F1 to F8, and are
displayed at the bottom of the screen. The functions assigned to these keys will change as the
operator performs different actions, providing immediate access to the most logical functions.

1.2.2 Navigation
The <MENU> key displays the main menu bar, from which functions can be selected. The menu bar
can be navigated using the function keys to make the selection indicated by the numbers 1 to 8, or the
arrow (or cursor) keys used to highlight a function which is then selected with the <ENTER> key.

Many menu selections will bring up a display, or dialogue box, on screen, where the operator can
browse and configure options and make selections. These dialogue boxes can be navigated using the
four arrow keys and the <ENTER> key, or the function keys F1 to F8 directly.

Items can be highlighted from lists using the arrow keys, but more directly by using the main fader
wheel. Pressing <ALT> in combination with an arrow key will produce the functions <HOME>, <END>,
<PAGE UP> and <PAGE DOWN> when navigating longer lists.

Numerical items in any manager or list can be directly selected by typing the number on the keypad.
The number entered will appear in the information bar at the bottom of the list, and can be reset one
digit at a time by pressing <CLEAR>.

1.2.3 User Profiles

At first glance, ISIS® software can appear complex or confusing to the untrained operator. This is not
surprising, as there are a huge number of functions and settings – and also the possibility of
customising many displays and actions! Of course, these are all necessary features when providing
advanced control of a lighting system.

It is possible to simplify the software by preventing access to some functions – this also prevents
inexperienced operators from changing certain configuration settings! ISIS® provides a system of
configurable “profiles”, which determine what functions and options are available.

Profiles can also be used to create customised settings for a number of operators – each of which
have their own preferences and favourite settings. A profile allows custom configurations to be stored
and quickly recalled.

This manual is written with the understanding that the default profile is active, allowing all dialogue
boxes to be accessed and all options to be selected. Information on selecting the active profile is given
in the chapter *System Setup*.

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 Introduction

1.2.4 Messages
From time to time, ISIS® displays messages to the operator on the screen (if these have been enabled
in the active profile). These messages appear in a small blue window which automatically disappears
after a few seconds, or on a subsequent keypress. The latest message is at the bottom of this
message list.

If the operator wishes to redisplay the blue message window, this facility is available from the Tools
option of the menu, under the function ‘Show Messages’.

1.3 Summary
ADB’s ISIS® software provides the operator with complete command over a lighting control system.
The software is very easy to use and, once the basics have been mastered, the system is highly
intuitive.

It is not necessary to understand all of the concepts and functions of the ISIS® system before it can be
used: the lighting for many shows can be controlled straight away using only the submaster faders.

However, the advanced functions of ISIS® give the operator control of stage lighting to a precise and
repeatable level. The software offers highly sophisticated functions and can be customised as required
by the operator. A full description of the software is given in the ISIS® Operators Manual.

We hope that you will enjoy using ISIS® software and, with the aid of this introductory manual, learning
to exploit this high performance system.

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 Quick Start Guide

2. QUICK START GUIDE

2.1 Turning on
When the desk is turned on, the monitor displays the system’s warm start routine: you can see all Warning:
the ISIS® files, and the current show being loaded. Selecting and initialising
the Configuration option
After a normal start, the desk configuration is exactly as it was when the desk was last used – will reset the monitor
submasters loaded, fades running, all memories intact. displays to their default
settings.
Show Initialisation (clearing the desk)
It may be desirable to initialise the system – clearing previous work from the desk. To initialise the
desk, allow the system to boot normally and then select <SHOW INIT> in the File option of the
Menu. This allows areas of the desk to be selected for deletion. Make the required selections …
and confirm with <F8 {OK}>.

2.2 Working field selection

All channel operations are sent to the selected working field (a submaster, Stage, Preset etc):
press the selector key associated with the desired field before entering channels and intensities.
The content of the working field is displayed on the monitor. … …

2.3 Channel selection

On systems with one keypad, any number entered is assumed to be a channel number unless
ISIS® is told otherwise. Therefore, simply type the desired channel number on the keypad.
On systems with two keypads, enter the desired channel number on the dedicated Channels
keypad.

Lists of channels can be quickly built up with the <+> <–>- <THRU> <NEXT> <PREVIOUS> <ALL>
<INVERT> functions.

2.4 Creating groups

Selected channels can be recorded as a group. Groups are simply lists of channels and can be channel selection …
used wherever a single channel can be entered. In this way, colour washes, stage areas or
instrument types, for example, can be grouped together for quick and easy modifications.
group number
A group is created via the key <RECGRP>.
OR

2.5 Intensity assignment

After a channel or group has been entered, the WHEEL can be used to set an intensity.
Alternatively, the <AT> key can be used to assign an intensity level. Intensities in ISIS® can be
entered as follows:
50% would be entered as <5>
25% as <2><.><5>
100% (or Full On) is <AT><AT>
0% is 0.
OR
The <AT> key is not required for use of the WHEEL, <FF>, <00>, <+5%> or <-5%> keys, although it
does not matter if <AT> is accidentally pressed prior to these keys. OR

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 Quick Start Guide

2.6 Memory number selection

On single keypad systems, precede the memory number with the <MEM> key.
On dual keypad systems, enter the memory number on the dedicated Memories keypad.

2.7 Recording memories

To record the contents of the selected working field only, enter the memory number and use
<REC>. To record the total desk Output, excluding any bypassed channels, use <SUM>. OR

Assigning memories times

When recording any memory, the default times will be associated to the memory.
To specify memory Up and Down times, press the <UP> (or <DOWN>) key, enter the time (in
seconds), then press <UP> (or <DOWN>) for a second time.

If both times are to be changed to the same value, the keystrokes can be shortened by pressing
the <UP> key, entering the time (in seconds), followed by the <DOWN> key.

2.8 Loading memories

Select the desired working field, then enter the desired memory number and press <LOAD>.

Alternatively, the direct load window can be displayed by pressing <MEM> twice, the required OR
memory selected with the wheel and confirmed with the <LOAD> key.
…

2.9 Sequential memory playback

Each playback has two sides: S for Stage, which is active, and P for Preset, which is effectively
blind. The stage and preset halves of the playbacks are analogous with a two preset manual
desk. In order to playback pre-recorded memories in sequential order, the <SEQ> button must be
illuminated.

Playbacks can be operated manually by moving the S and P fader pairs, or automatically by
pressing the <GO> key. A running crossfade can be paused and un-paused by using <HOLD>.

2.10 Erasing working field contents

The content of a Working Field can be removed by pressing the <ERASE> key twice.
If the content is a recorded entity (such as a memory or chaser), it is not deleted from the system
memory and can be re-loaded when required.

2.11 Deleting
All deleting (permanent removal) is done from the relevant manager. For example:
to delete a memory, use Memory Manager; …
to delete a group, use Group Manager.

2.12 Creating chasers

Select a submaster, press <CHASER> then press <F4 {NEW}>.

Press <ADD> to create each new step, and then enter the channels, groups, or memories required
and assign an intensity level. Chasers are started and stopped using the Flashkey associated
with the submaster containing the chase, whilst the overall intensity level is set with the fader.

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 Quick Start Guide

2.13 Creating effects

Select a submaster, press <effect> then press <F4 {NEW}>.
Enter the channels, groups, or memory contents required in the effect in the order desired. The
effect type can be changed by selecting <TYPE> and selecting from the list of effects.

Effects are started and stopped using the Flashkey associated with the submaster containing the
effect.

2.14 Output patch

To change the output patch, press <PATCH> to enter the Patch Screen. The syntax for patching
is:
channel number to DMX address at proportional level

To patch to alternate DMX universes (lines), the “dot syntax” can be used to distinguish the
required universe, instead of calculating the numerical DMX address. In this case, the DMX
address is preceded by the DMX universe number, and separated with a dot.

Press <PATCH> a second time or <F8> when complete.

2.15 Saving a show

The current show can be saved to disk. Use the Menu as shown, or the dedicated
<TO DISK> key, enter a filename and description using the alphanumeric keyboard, and then press …
<F8 {OK}> to complete the operation. The save progress is shown on the monitor.

2.16 Shut Down

If the desk is to be turned off, it is important to shut down the software properly before turning off
the power. A correct shutdown ensures that current show is properly updated and saved. The …
show is automatically restored on the next power-up.

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 Turning On & Off

3. TURNING ON & OFF

3.1 Turning on the system: Startup

When the desk is turned on, the monitor displays the system’s start routine: you can see all the ISIS®
files, and the current show, being loaded.
After a normal start, the desk configuration is exactly as it was when the desk was last used –
submasters loaded, chases running, all memories intact.

3.2 Show Initialisation (clearing the desk)

It may be desirable to initialise the system when starting a new show – clearing previous work from the
desk. To initialise the desk, allow the system to start normally and then select <SHOW INIT> in the File
option of the Menu. This allows areas of the desk to be selected for deletion.

Make the required selections using the cursor keys and <ENTER> and confirm with <F8 {OK}>.

Note: The Show Initialisation function is described in more detail in the chapter *System Setup*.

3.3 Turning off the system: Shutdown

The file structure of ISIS® includes a directory on the internal hard drive called “work”. Most of the time
this directory is hidden from the operator, but it is where all the data in the current session is stored.

When the system is properly shutdown, the work directory is updated and saved, so that when next
using the desk, the show and the desk configuration are restored to the same condition as that at
shutdown, and any errors are prevented.

It is very important to shut down the system properly.

examples of keystrokes

<MENU> <F1 {FILE}> <F6 {SHUTDOWN}>

Î Selects the Shutdown procedure from the File options of the menu.

A WARNING IS ISSUED.
Î A warning is given: This will stop all ISIS services - Are you sure?

<F7 {YES}>
Î Confirms the shutdown.
Î All the files in the “work” directory are properly updated, saved, and closed.

POWER DOWN
Î The system can be safely switched off when the monitor displays the message “Power Down”.

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