Observation:: With the latest build of the Builder, I've noticed the 'choose file dimensions' as a check box on the Import; great idea. This doesn't seem to parse the values over to the web interface however; IE, the dimension boxes arrive with 0 value and thus the object/model/file is non-rendering in the GUI....that's slightly confusing?! I have to manually input the actual values of the file....:}, which is no better than previous build where a default value was jammed into the entry field...and I had to look up the models actual dimensions and manually input them to get a proper Size of the geometry. I think/hope most modellers/3D artists construct to a logical size and/or MFGers specifications on the drawings/DWG/DXF files...just sayin', as the hippy kidz say they're saying...lol.

It does help, I see where it fits in now, from the 3rd party render/controller linking...thanks.

Is there any intention to allow the Fixture Builder to also generate the .MVR filetype as a feature update? That's a suggestion I have for a future release...or is the intent to have the 3rd party rendering apps like Vectorworks do this heavy lifting? Thanks

The online fixture builder allows for building objects/models from either a default range of primitives/parts or Imported 3DS files you create yourself/purchase. The online fixture builder should be the only 3D program you'll need to create either the .GDTF or .MVR files, it's an 'open-source' parser of the data. The fixture builder generates the .GDTF file format and it would be great if they improve it to also spit out the .MVR type as well, but at the wiki for the format you'll find this explanation of the file: IMHO, What it will take to really get full benefit from this paradigm leap in standardization is to be able to create an uncompressed zip folder[eh, maybe checkSum as well....]and some low cost DMX control/visualizer software that consumes the formats; eventually. MA Lighting series comes to mind immediately as the fixture profile schema follows very closely how MA desks understand "fixtures"; ;), and MA3 will consume GDTF as well, not sure about MVR. To me, GDTF is about allowing manufacturers of gear/fixtures to be able to control how their items function across a spectrum of platforms...and getting everybody on the same page in how we conceptualize 'attributes' and how they're controlled. Rex

You can delete the files you've uploaded...I've been doing this to remove early versions that are faulty in some way. Build something, upload to parse it out, then delete the online result. You still get the copy to your local drive...not elegant, but it works. Then,Drop the .gdtf into the builder to view.

It does help, thanks! I hadn't seen the updates to the format wiki with the model building outline. Some of the descriptions loose a little something in translation...I think, especially when describing the 'offsets' in model building. I've just uploaded my very first simple GDTF profile to the Share site, a 16 bit Dimmer as a ETC Source4 19 degree ERS with custom models! It took me a few attempts to get all the entry fields hooked up correctly...lol. Good thing you can delete files, ;). This was my testing of the waters...as it were. Web based builder seemed fairly stable, had some issues with editing an existing profile/default fixtureType with custom models and naming the Geometry based upon the workflow...if I referenced/uploaded the model file first then linked the Geometry to the existing Model, I could not edit the Geometry 'Name', arrives as Geometry1, Geometry2, etc.... When I Added a Geometry, then named it "Body","Beam", then referenced the 3DS files, all things seems to link fine. Also, in the DMX entries, if you edit a fixture to be 16 bit resolution and then all the channel sets and function sets to 16 bit to follow along, if you change Tabs to another step and then return to DMX, all the channel set 16 bit entry fields revert to 8 bit, except for the main Resolution at the head of the file. Not sure if by simply adjusting the 'Resolution' to 16 bit then defaults all the channel sets and function sets to 16 as well, but entry fields read 8 bit. That seemed odd, or I don't understand the paradigm for 'resolution' beyond 8 bit. Thanks!! Cheers! Time to celebrate the inaugural visualization in GDTF! Rex

The V 1.0 of the format and the Fixture Builder looks great! Seems intuitive and I really love the visualization while you build!! Also the ability to embed your custom 3DS files is appreciated! Love to know how 'pivots' are handled, seems as though World Origin is used as the reference.... Thanks from all of us out here! Rex

Thanks for the feedback...

Good day! I see the new visualization format has a Community Forum where we may inquire and share success and challenges. My first challenge is to view and build these files, ;). Is there 'closed' beta program to become involved with? Are there any tools that currently write and view the files/models, etc... My goal is to write the 3D models I've created into the format protocol. Thanks! Rex