grandMA3 User Manual » Cues and Sequences » What is Tracking » Tracking Distance

Version 2.1

Tracking and common tracking functions are described in the What is Tracking topic.

Tracking values can have a distance. This can be changed in the Tracking Distance column in a Sequence Sheet.

There are two types of tracking distances: Normal tracking tracks until a specific cue number. Delta tracks values to a cue number calculated by the cue number, where it is set, plus a number.

Both types release the attribute when the tracking distance ends. This will return the attribute to a previously tracked value or release it from the sequence. See the examples below.

A vertical white line next to the value displays the attributes affected and the number of cues the tracking distance is valid.

A tracking distance affects all values stored in the cue where the distance is set. The tracking distance value does not consider cue parts where the distance ends.

Tracking Using Cue Number

The tracking distance can be set to track to and include a specific cue number using the tracking distance with a normal number input. See the following example for an explanation.

Example

The starting point for this example is a simple sequence with nine cues and two fixtures dimmer value set to 50% in the first cue:

Normal tracking rules dictate that the values in cue number 1 are tracked to the end where the OffCue releases the value - because Release is set to "Yes"

A dimmer value of 70% for fixture 1 is added to cue number 3.

A tracking distance is set by editing the Tracking Distance cell for cue number 3.

This opens the Edit Cue Number pop-up, where a number can be typed.

The number typed is the cue number, after which the tracking should stop. The cue does not need to exist.

This is the result of the Tracking Distance set to a value of 5:

The tracking stops between the existing cues numbers 5 and 6 - notice the white line indicating the tracking distance. It will track to and include cue number 5. The previous tracked value of 50% continues tracking after the distance.

Adding or removing cues in between does not change that it tracks to and including cue 5.

Renumbering cue number 3 also does not change the distance.

Here, cue number 3 is renumbered to 2.5, and cue 4.5 is added.

The tracking still ends after cue number 5.

Tracking Delta Distance

Setting a tracking distance with a delta number will track the value to a cue number mathematically higher than the cue where it is set. See the following example for a better understanding.

Example

The starting point for this example is the same sequence used in the previous example but cleaned up a bit:

Now cue number 4 is updated with a dimmer value of 80% for fixture 2:

When the Tracking Distance cell for cue number 4 is edited, the Edit Cue Number pop-up appears again.

Notice the Δ+ button. Use this to tap Δ+ 2 . 5 Please.

The result is that the value of 80% is tracked from cue number 4 and forward to and including cue number 6.5 (4 + 2.5 = 6.5).

Cue number 6.5 does not exist, so the current last cue for the distance is cue number 6.

Any cue added between cue number 3 and cue number 6.5 will have the 80% tracked value, but a cue number higher than 6.5 will have the 50% value.

Make sure the programmer is empty and store empty cues number 6.5 and 6.6 in the sequence.

Now it can be seen that the tracking stops between cues number 6.5 and 6.6.

If cue number 4 is renumbered, this affects the distance. Renumber cue number 4 to number 3.1 by editing the cue number cell.

Now the tracking stops between cues number 5 and 6. It tracks from cue number 3.1 and up to number 5.6 (3.1 + 2.5 = 5.6).