When you record a palette, parameter values can be recorded as global, per fixture type, or per fixture. The three kinds work in different ways when you apply the palette to fixtures during programming:

By default, the following rules determine how the palette is recorded:

In the palette's editor, the parameter values in a Global palette will appear as All Types. Similarly, a palette with Per Fixture Type values will show them grouped by fixture type; see Figure 8.3, “A Palette with Global Parameter Values”, Figure 8.4, “A Palette with Per Fixture Type Values” and Figure 8.5, “A Palette with Per Fixture Values”. Make sure that you have aggregation turned on; see Aggregation.

Figure 8.3. A Palette with Global Parameter Values

Figure 8.4. A Palette with Per Fixture Type Values

Figure 8.5. A Palette with Per Fixture Values

You can override the default settings using the Record Options Toolbar; for example to record a single fixture's parameter values as per fixture:

Similarly, to force a palette with one of each fixture type to be recorded as Per Fixture Type rather than the default Per Fixture, use the Per Fixture Type button on the Record Options Toolbar.

Forcing a palette to be Per Fixture Type can be useful if you want a palette that contains programming for more than one type of fixture, but that you can apply to any fixture of a type included in the palette. For example, you want to create a ‘red’ palette that can be applied to both Studio Colors and Studio Spots. If you select the first Studio Spot and make red then select the first Studio Color and make red (with different parameter values) and record this as palette, it will by default be by fixture and work only for those two fixtures. However if you select Per Fixture Type when recording, then the palette will work for all Studio Spots and all Studio Colors, assigning them the same values as was used to create the palette.

The Hog 4 OS determines which function values are recorded into palettes based on the kind masking specified at the time of recording. If the kind mask is empty (no kinds are selected) then the directory's kind mask will determine which function values are recorded into the palette. In this section we will look at using kind masking as a method for filtering which function values are recorded into palettes.

The Palette Directory will display which fixed kinds are included in each palette, indicated by I for intensity, P for position, C for colour, B for beam, E for effect, T for time and L for control; see Figure 8.6, “Example of Palettes containing different parameter types”.

Figure 8.6. Example of Palettes containing different parameter types

Masking Using the Record Options Toolbar

To specify masking when recording a palette using the Record Options Toolbar:

1. Assign the parameters of the fixtures as required.

2. Press Record. The Kind Mask menu will automatically pop up above the record options toolbar and displays a grid of buttons containing all of the fixed kinds and user kinds included in your show. See Figure 8.7, “The Record Options Toolbar”. (If kind masking menu does not automatically appear then check the "Automatically show kind masking toolbar" option in Programming pane of the user preferences window)

3. Deselect which kinds you do not want to include in the palette by toggling off the buttons.

4. Press one of the fixed kind keys to choose a palette type destination, for example Colour. The Palette Directory will open.

5. Select a palette location in the directory by pressing on any button in the Palette Directory window.

Figure 8.7. The Record Options Toolbar

To include timing when recording palettes ensure that the "Time" kind in the kind masking menu is selected after pressing record; see Masking Using the Record Options Toolbar.

You can also record palettes that contain only timing information (no function values) by only masking in "Time" when recording the palette. For example, to record a time only colour palette with a fade time of 6 seconds:

You can also edit timings in the palette's editor. See Editing Palette Contents.

When you record a cue using a palette, a reference to the palette is recorded instead of a numerical value for the parameters. Similarly, you can record palettes using other palettes, so that the new palette contains references rather than numerical values. A palette recorded in this way is known as a reference palette, and is marked in the palette directory window by this icon:

Reference palettes are useful when you want to create palettes to use as simple ‘building blocks’ which you then make more complex building blocks from. For example, you might create a position palette that focuses some Studio Spot 575s onto the lead singer, and further position palettes that position other fixtures onto the remaining band members. You could then make an ‘All Band’ position palette with one fixture lighting each band member, in which each fixture references another palette, instead of having parameter values. If the drum riser was later moved, you could adjust the position palette that focused onto it, and the change would not only be updated in all scenes and cues programmed with that palette, but also all programming done with the ‘All Band’ palette.

By default, palettes are not recorded as reference palettes; any fixture parameters assigned using another palette is recorded as a numerical value. If you want to record a palette as a reference palette, select the Allow Refs record option:

Normally, when you use a palette to assign parameter values for recording in a cue or scene, a reference to the palette is inserted rather than numerical values. To insert numerical values instead of references, use direct palettes. Cues and scenes recorded using direct palettes will not update if the palette is later changed, because they contain ordinary parameter values rather than references to a palette.

You can use a palette as a direct palette on a one-off basis as you program, or you can assign it to always act as a direct palette; a direct palette is shown in the directory with this icon:

To temporarily use an existing palette as a direct palette when calling it into the Programmer or editor:

To create a direct palette:

To convert an existing palette to a direct palette:

Note that converting a palette to a direct palette will not alter any programming done previously using the palette; cues and scenes already recorded will still contain references to the palette. Only subsequent programming will be effected.