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| Merging
grandMA Showfiles |

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When you would like to combine programming elements of 2 or more
showfiles, you'll need to use a process called "Merging."

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What to start with...
First, you will need to have
both shows on either the hard drive, a connected FTP server, or
attached USB device. In the case of USB, the show must have been saved
using the "Internal & USB" option, not Import/Export.
There is a certain amount of preparation that
you'll want to do before initializing the partial show read. Basically,
the console is going to pay very close attention to Fixture/Channel
numbers when reconciling the patch, as well as the numbers of all of
the other objects (sequences, presets, et al.) that you will be
importing. For this reason, it's important to make sure that the
objects you wish to add from the old show do not overlap any existing
objects in your current show. Otherwise you will end up replacing data
or merging values where you really don't want them. The process is
easy, simply take note of the objects you wish to import and, if the
current show already has the same types of items with the same numbers,
move them to an empty space. As an example: if you have already have a
Sequence 1, and the sequence you want to import is also Sequence 1 (in
the other show), you'll need to move it to a different spot in the
Sequence Pool to avoid merging the two sequences of cues together.
Once your shows are prepped,
save a copy of your
show with a different name. This way, if anything goes wrong, you'll
always have a known, good copy to go back to. Also, now is a good time
to shut down, or at least leave, any network session you might be in.
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The Merging Process
In the
Backup menu, click Initialize. You will be presented with the same list
of shows that you would normally be able to simply load from your
chosen source. Pick the show that you have prepared for import.
The next
window allows you to reconcile the patch between the two shows. All of
the devices that show up in the list on the left represent the patch of
the show you were sitting in before you hit Initialize. The list on the
right is the patch of the show you chose to initialize. You will notice
the rows are aligned based on fixture/channel numbers. For each row of
devices, you will be able to select either the currently patched
fixture or the one from the show you've initialized. Everything that is
highlighted when you leave this window will become the patch of your
newly merged show. By default, all of the devices on the left are
highlighted (and none on the right), meaning that you will keep the
patch you had loaded without switching any fixtures or adding anything
extra to the patch. Most of the time, this is all you need to do. If
you want to import all or some of the patch from the show you've
initialized, simply click the devices you want in the right-hand column
so that they become highlighted.
Once you
are happy with the patch, click OK, Next in the bottom-right corner.
After
a quick progression of dialog boxes flash by in a flurry of beeps, this
will take you back to the Backup menu. You will notice that the Merge
button is now available. Press it.
You
will see the PSR (partial show read) menu. This is laid out in a
cascading folder tree. Every item that has additional sub-items will
have a box with a '+' preceding the name. Using the screen encoder, you
can highlight an item and tap. This will open that item to show its
sub-items. For instance, tap on Partial Show Read at the top, then
Presets, then Pan/Tilt. You will now see each of the individual
Pan/Tilt presets in the show you initialized. Tapping the encoder while
over an item that does not have a '+' next to its name (or simply
clicking the name of any item with the mouse or your finger) will
highlight that item in green. Clicking on an item that has sub-items
will select all of the sub-items. For example, clicking on the name for
Sequence 1 will highlight all of the cues in the sequence.
Once you
have highlighted all of the items you with to import, click Merge on
the right side of the screen. The items that have been imported will be
grayed out. You are free to import additional items if you so choose.
When you are done, close the window.
This is
another good time to save a copy of your show with a new name.
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One Final Note
While
Partial Show Read
can bring Sequences, it does not automatically assign them to your
executors. So, you will have to assign your sequences where you'd like
them to appear.
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