ETC Element v2.1.0 - Manual (Page 64)

52 Element User Manual
About Patch
Element treats fixtures and channels as one and the same, meaning each fixture is assigned a
single control channel number. Individual parameters of that fixture, such as intensity, pan, tilt,
zoom, or iris are also associated with that same channel number but as additional lines of channel
information.
You are required to enter only the simplest data to patch a device and begin programming your
show, such as the channel number, the device type (if needed), and address. When you provide
more information in the patch, you will have more detailed control and improved function during
operation.
One or more devices may be patched to a single channel. For example you may want to patch a
group of dimmers to the same channel. In addition you may patch multiple devices to the same
channel for building a compound or accessorized fixtures. For example a Source Four
® with a color
scroller and a gobo changer may be patched to a single channel. This is referred to as a compound
channel.
When you open a new show file, Element creates a 1-to-1 patch. This means that the patch will
automatically have channel 1 patched to address 1, channel 2 to address 2, and so on up to the
maximum channel count of your console.
Depending on your situation, you may need to create a custom patch, which associates certain
addresses with certain channels.
N o t e : You can open or merge patch data from other show files, see Partial Patch
Opening, page 36 and Partial Patch Merging, page 38 for more information.
Selected to create a 1-to-1 Patch Will not create a 1-to-1 Patch