Grandma2 Color Picker Plugin | 2024 |

A grandMA2 color picker plugin automates the creation of interactive layout views, macros, and presets, allowing users to quickly change fixture colors with visual on-screen feedback. Unlike the console's built-in color picker, these plugins—such as the Color FX Picker or Color Grid Generator—are designed for high-speed "busking" by mapping groups of fixtures to specific color sequences. Core Functionality

Dynamic Layouts: Generates a grid in the Layout View where each row typically represents a fixture group and columns represent color presets.

Live Effect Updates: Specialized versions like the Color FX Picker can update color presets referenced in active effects or chasers on the fly.

Macro Automation: Automatically populates the Macro Pool with commands that trigger specific colors for selected groups. Installation & Setup

File Management: Copy the plugin's .lua and .xml files into your console or onPC plugin directory. For custom visuals, you may need to import specific "unfilled" and "filled" icons into the Image Pool.

Import to Pool: Open the Plugin Pool in grandMA2 and import the plugin file.

User Configuration: Edit the plugin script to define starting points for your pools. Common variables include: MACRO_START: The first slot for generated macros. IMAGE_START: The first slot for color images. LAYOUT_START: The pool number for the final color grid.

Execution: Run the plugin by tapping it in the pool. Most plugins will prompt you to input the Group numbers and Color Preset numbers you want to include. Popular Plugin Options

Color FX Picker (Giaffo Designs): Specifically for updating colors within running effects.

Color Grid Generator: Creates a full interactive layout for standard fixture color changes.

Color Picker Update: Automates the creation of 11 standard color presets (Red, Green, Blue, etc.) and assigns them to sequences on page 100.

Egidius Mengelberg Plugin: A popular open-source LUA-based picker available on GitHub. Usage Tips grandma2 color picker plugin

Prerequisites: Ensure you have already created the fixture groups and at least some color presets before running the plugin.

Version Compatibility: Most advanced LUA plugins require v3.2.2.3 or later to function properly.

Cleaning Up: Many professional plugins include an "Uninstall Macro" that safely removes all generated objects if you need to rebuild the picker. MA2 Plugin: Color FX Picker

The story of the grandMA2 Color Picker Plugin is one of transition from manual tedium to high-speed automation in the world of professional lighting design. The Quest for Efficiency

Before these plugins, lighting designers spent hours manually building color layouts. To create an interactive "picker," you had to manually store dozens of presets, link them to macros, and meticulously arrange them in a Layout View

. If you added a new group of fixtures, you had to start the process all over again. The Breakthrough: LUA Automation The game changed when developers like Jason Giaffo (Giaffo Designs) and others in the MA community began using LUA scripting to automate these tasks. Key iterations of the story include: The Original Vision Giaffo's Color Grid Generator

introduced the idea of a grid that could fire colors across an entire rig with one click. The "Christian Jackson" Style : Modern forks, like those by Egidius Mengelberg

, evolved to create the visually sleek layouts popularized by YouTube lighting influencers. These versions automatically assign images to layout items and organize everything into clean rows and columns. Advanced Logic : Later versions, such as the Color Picker Update by Hugo Otth , added advanced features like using gel library swatches

for consistent matching and automatically building sequences and executors on specific pages. Why Designers Love It

Instead of digging through groups and presets during a high-pressure "punt" (busking) session, a programmer can simply tap a color on a visual grid. The plugin does the heavy lifting—deleting old data, building new cues, and even creating High/Low FX presets for dynamic effects—in a matter of seconds. Color Picker Macro - grandMA2 Plugins & Lua Scripts

 EgidiusM.  October 24, 2018. EgidiusM. Posts 6. October 24, 2018. Hello guys, Here is a link to the color picker macro I wrote. MA Lighting Forum MA2 Plugins Documentation - Mintlify A grandMA2 color picker plugin automates the creation

A "color picker" in typically refers to a custom-built interface (often a Layout View) that allows you to trigger color presets for different fixture groups using visual buttons or "swatches" rather than just a list of presets.

Because grandMA2 doesn’t have a built-in interactive "color grid" native to the layout view, programmers use LUA plugins or macros to automate the creation of these interfaces. 🎨 Popular Color Picker Plugins & Tools

Several versions exist, ranging from simple preset-to-macro generators to fully automated layout builders.

1. Color Grid Generator (by Jason Giaffo / Adapted by Jonas Arnold)

This is one of the most widely cited "standard" plugins for creating a visual color picker.

How it works: It takes existing color presets and generates a grid of macros in a Layout View.

Visual Feedback: It often includes "all triggers" at the top to change the entire rig to one color and individual rows for specific fixture groups (e.g., Washes, Spots, Beams).

Availability: You can find community-maintained versions on GitHub. 2. Hugo Otth’s MA2 Plugin Collection

A more modern, streamlined set of tools designed for rapid show preparation.

Features: Automates the creation of 11 color presets (White, Red, Blue, etc.) across up to 7 fixture groups.

Workflow: It builds the presets, sequences, and cues automatically, assigning them to executors for immediate use. Documentation: Detailed guides are available via Mintlify. 3. Egidius Mengelberg’s LUA Plugin Using the Plugin in a Show Once imported,

A highly customizable option that focuses on automating the layout view creation.

Versions: There is an "Original" version that handles High/Low FX and a "LeonReucher" fork that prioritizes automatic image assignment to layout items.

Automation: Great for users who want the plugin to do the "heavy lifting" of placing objects in the layout pool and assigning images. 🛠️ Key Considerations Description Fixture Compatibility

Some plugins struggle with color wheels (fixed colors) versus CMY/RGB mixing. Always test if your specific fixtures are supported. Super Groups

Advanced pickers allow "Super Groups"—selecting a color for a parent group changes all child subgroups at once. Visual Feedback

The best setups use Images in the layout view that change color or "highlight" when a specific color is active. Manual vs. Auto

Simple macro-based systems are easier to troubleshoot, while LUA plugins are faster to set up but harder to modify if the code breaks. 🚀 Pro Tip: The "No Color" Preset

Before running any picker plugin, ensure you have a "No Color" (Open White) preset in your pool. Most plugins use your existing presets as a "base." If your white preset isn't correctly stored (containing all relevant values like CTO/CTC), your picker might cause unexpected color shifts when returning to white. Grand MA 2 Tutorial: Interactive Color Picker

Using the Plugin in a Show

Once imported, open the plugin window. Here’s a typical workflow:

  1. Select your fixtures (e.g., moving heads, LED pars).
  2. Open the Color Picker Plugin.
  3. Click on the color wheel or enter a hex code like #FF5733.
  4. Hit Apply → the plugin sends CMY/RGB values directly to fixtures.
  5. (Optional) Press Save as Preset → choose preset type and number.

Pro tip: Assign the plugin to a macro button on your external keyboard or console touchscreen. One tap opens the color wheel instantly.

The Problem with Default MA2 Color Picking

Advanced Workflows: Beyond Basic Color Picking

Once you have installed your grandma2 color picker plugin, you can integrate it into advanced programming workflows.

Limitations to Keep in Mind