The Maxxyz console has received a boost in speed and functionality with the release of version 1.5. Elements of the software have been completely revised resulting in performance improvement, and components of the user interface have received a face lift for more consistent operation.
With version 1.5 the console supports an enhanced internal database structure and improved internal networking, which has eliminated lag in fixture selection. Boot up speed has been enhanced as well.
The Maxxyz’s fixture patch has been redesigned using a theatrical command line structure with a powerful syntax and a new user interface for easier navigation of the 32 DMX universes the console supports. The patch also allows cloning of fixtures into cues, presets and groups to make adding more fixtures to a show an easy process. Fixtures can now have individual names for fast selection in the console’s fixture selection grid.
A new FAN tool makes smart use of four digital encoder belts to stretch and skew fixtures along a curve for building aerial focuses and fanned color saturations, even allowing offsetting of the center of the fan curve. Playback has added more options, rates can now be learned by using a tap sync function, any cuelist can be set to non-tracking, and cuelist can be protected from accidental release. The Maxxyz also boasts an innovative "hibernate" feature that archives cuelists by removing them from the show but then leaves them available for later use. Maxxyz is the first lighting console to offer this kind of ‘recycle bin’.
The timing features of the console have received additions with split timings for intensities, an enhanced timing resolution of 1/100th of a second (10X faster than before), new cue trigger syntax and the ability of presets to store and reference timing values into cues. In response to user feedback regarding the often-cluttered interface of lighting consoles, the Maxxyz development team has added interactive tools into the command syntax. Depending upon user input into the command line, pop-up boxes appear to keep the interface clean of unused buttons. The pop-up boxes guide the user by showing more complex operations, with short explanations, as available options on the screen.
The v1.5 software, as well as a more detailed overview of all changes and additional documentation, is available for download at www.maxxyz.com.