A dimmer curve determines the DMX level a dimmer outputs for any level of the driving channel. The default dimmer curve always sets the output DMX level equal to the input channel level, but PCStage allows you to create your own dimmer curves and assign them to dimmers. For those of you who are mathematically inclined, a dimmer curve is a transfer function with the identity function as its default.

Customised dimmer curves can be used to:

Correct perceived non-linearity (relative to slider position) in the light output of fixtures

Alter the behaviour of crossfades

Limit the power supplied to special fixtures such as dimmable fluorescent lamps

Control the path taken by moving fixtures during crossfades.

Send a number of discrete DMX values to a robotic device (a "staircase" curve)

Create special effects

You may create up to nine custom dimmer curves, which are stored as part of the PCStage production. Curves are assigned to dimmers in the Soft Patch Editor. The default curve is numbered 0, and cannot be edited; the editable curves are numbered 1-9. Each curve may be assigned a name to help you remember its purpose.

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