grandMA3 User Manual » Command Syntax and Keywords » Parent Child Concept

Version 2.0

The general selection syntax is not only applying to fixtures (Parent) and their levels of sub-fixtures (Child), but furthermore the general selection syntax applies to all types of objects that use a hierarchic structure. Objects that use hierarchic structures are, for example:

• Preset Pools with Presets.
• Pages with Executors.
• Macro with Macro lines.

	Hint:
	To learn more about selecting fixtures and its sub-fixtures using syntax commands, see Select Fixtures topic.

To gain a faster and more logical way (for example to select, copy, move or delete objects) in the hierarchical structure, the dot (.) is an important tool in the selection syntax:

• The dot (.) ends the selection on the current level and then steps one level down in the hierarchical structure.
  Instead of using the dot (.) as a separator, dedicated keywords for the objects in the next level of the hierarchy can be used. For example, Page 1 Executor 201.

To restart at the top level of the hierarchy within one command, the starting keyword (for example Fixture) has to be entered again. For example, Fixture 5.2 Fixture 3 .

To select fixtures in the same hierarchic structure within one command, (+) can be used. For example, Fixture 5.2 + 3.

Dot Selection Behavior

It is not necessary to recall the subcategory of an object in a syntax command, after the subcategory is already called using the dot (.). This behavior is shown in the examples below.

Do not use the following command:

Clone Fixture 101 At Fixture 102 If Preset 21.101 Thru 21.105

Use a command with a omission of "21." instead:

Clone Fixture 101 At Fixture 102 If Preset 21.101 Thru 105

Do not use the following command:

Move Preset 1.1 Thru 1.3 At 1.5

Use a command with a omission of "1." instead:

Move Preset 1.1 Thru 3 At 1.5

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Examples for Selection Syntax

To recreate the examples, the following should be prepared:

• The grandMA3 demo show file is loaded.
• A fixture sheet window is open.
• The following fixture type is patched:
  • Ayrton Alienpix - RS Ex 16 Bit
  • Quantity: 3
  • FID: 301 - 303 

1. To select the second sub-fixture of fixture 301.1, type:

User name[Fixture]>Fixture 301.1.2

2. To select only the sub-sub-fixtures 2 to 4 of fixtures 301 to 303, type:

User name[Fixture]>Fixture 301 Thru 303.1.2 Thru 4

In this example all fixtures on the top level have to be selected: Fixture 301 Thru 303.1..

And after the dot, the sub-fixtures are selected: 2 Thru 4.

3. To select sub-sub-fixtures 4 to 6 of fixture 301, all sub-fixtures of fixture 302, and sub-sub-fixtures 1 to 5 of fixture 303, type:

User name[Fixture]>Fixture 301.1.4 Thru 6 Fixture 302.1. Thru Fixture 303.1. Thru 5

In this example the . 4 in Fixture 301.1.4 steps down to the sub-fixture level. Fixture 302.1. needs to be entered to restart at the top level with fixture 302.

If Fixture 302 would not be entered, the second sub-fixture of sub-fixtures 4 to 6 would be selected.

4. To select the fixtures as a replacement for a lasso selection, starting at fixture 302 and ending it at fixture 303.1 including the parent fixtures as a replacement for a lasso selection, type:

User name[Fixture]>Fixture 302. Fixture 303 Fixture 303.1

5. To select all sub-fixtures on the first sub-fixture level for all fixtures, type:

User name[Fixture]>Fixture Thru.Thru

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Deleting Syntax

• The following examples are used in general, and are not in correspondence with the demo show file.

To delete executor 201 on all pages, type:

User name[Fixture]>Delete Page Thru.201

or type:

User name[Fixture]>Delete Page Thru Executor 201

This second example describes the additional rule of the first rule from above: Instead of using Page x.y, the Executor keyword is used to address the executors.