The 2D View provides a top-down visualization of your fixture layout, allowing you to position fixtures, see their real-time output, and select fixtures spatially.
Overview
The 2D View offers:
- Visual fixture positioning on a grid
- Real-time color and intensity preview
- Spatial fixture selection
- Custom background images
- Multiple point-of-view perspectives
- Grid scaling and measurement units
Grid System
Grid Configuration
The 2D View uses a configurable grid system for fixture placement:
// From mainview2d.h:95
/** Get/Set the grid width/height */
QSize gridSize() const;
void setGridSize(QVector3D sz);
/** Get/Set the grid position in pixels */
QPoint gridPosition() const;
void setGridPosition(QPoint pos);
Grid Properties
- Grid Size: Width and height in grid cells
- Grid Position: X/Y offset in pixels for centering
- Grid Units: Measurement units (meters, feet, etc.)
- Cell Pixels: Size of each grid cell in pixels
- Grid Scale: Temporary scaling factor for zoom
// From mainview2d.h:149
/** Size of the grid. How many horizontal and vertical cells */
QSize m_gridSize;
/** X/Y offset of the grid (in pixels) to keep it centered */
QPoint m_gridPosition;
/** Scale of the grid */
qreal m_gridScale;
/** Size of a grid cell in pixels */
qreal m_cellPixels;
The grid system allows you to work in real-world dimensions. Set the grid units to match your venue measurements for accurate fixture placement.
Fixture Positioning
Creating Fixture Items
Fixtures are added to the 2D view when created in the project:
// From mainview2d.h:57
void createFixtureItems(quint32 fxID, QVector3D pos, bool mmCoords = true);
void createFixtureItem(quint32 fxID, quint16 headIndex, quint16 linkedIndex,
QVector3D pos, bool mmCoords = true);
fxID: The fixture ID in the projectpos: 3D position (X, Y, Z coordinates)mmCoords: If true, coordinates are in millimeters; otherwise in grid unitsheadIndex: For multi-head fixtures, which head this representslinkedIndex: For linked fixtures
Position Updates
Fixture positions can be updated dynamically:
// From mainview2d.h:86
/** Update the position of a Fixture with the provided $itemID */
void updateFixturePosition(quint32 itemID, QVector3D pos);
Select Fixture
Click on a fixture in the 2D view to select it
Drag to Position
Drag the fixture to its physical location on the grid
Fine-tune
Use property panel for precise coordinate entry
Rotate
Adjust fixture rotation to match physical orientation
Point of View
The 2D View supports multiple viewing perspectives:
// From mainview2d.h:115
/** Get/Set the 2D grid point of view */
int pointOfView() const;
void setPointOfView(int pointOfView);
- Top View: Looking down from above (default)
- Front View: Looking from the audience perspective
- Side View: Looking from the side of the stage
Changing the point of view updates how fixtures are displayed and positioned, but doesn’t change their actual 3D coordinates.
Real-time Preview
Fixture Updates
The 2D View updates in real-time as channels change:
// From mainview2d.h:71
/** Update the fixture preview items when some channels have changed */
void updateFixture(Fixture *fixture, QByteArray &previous);
/** Update a single fixture item for a specific Fixture ID,
head index and linked index */
void updateFixtureItem(Fixture *fixture, quint16 headIndex,
quint16 linkedIndex, QByteArray &previous);
- Color: RGB/CMY color mixing
- Intensity: Dimmer value
- Position: Pan/tilt for moving heads
- Beam: Beam characteristics
The 2D View uses QML components for rendering:
// From mainview2d.h:161
/** Pre-cached QML component for quick item creation */
QQmlComponent *fixtureComponent;
Single Selection
Click on a fixture to select it:
// From mainview2d.h:69
/** Return the ID of a Fixture at the given $pos or -1 if not found */
Q_INVOKABLE int itemIDAtPos(QPointF pos);
Rectangle Selection
Drag to select multiple fixtures:
// From mainview2d.h:66
/** Select some Fixtures included in the provided $rect area */
QList<quint32> selectFixturesRect(QRectF rect);
Selection Updates
// From mainview2d.h:77
/** Update the selection status of a list of Fixture item IDs */
void updateFixtureSelection(QList<quint32>fixtures);
/** Update the selection status of a Fixture with the provided $itemID */
void updateFixtureSelection(quint32 itemID, bool enable);
Selected fixtures in the 2D View are automatically synchronized with other views and the Fixture Manager.
Background Images
Setting Background
Add a stage plot or venue layout as background:
// From mainview2d.h:118
/** Get/Set the main background image */
QString backgroundImage();
void setBackgroundImage(QString path);
- PNG
- JPEG
- SVG (scalable)
- BMP
Prepare Image
Create or obtain a stage layout image file
Load Image
Use the background image selector
Scale Grid
Adjust grid scale to match image dimensions
Position Fixtures
Place fixtures over their physical locations
Fixture Properties
Rotation
Adjust fixture rotation in the 2D plane:
// From mainview2d.h:83
/** Update the rotation of a Fixture with the provided $itemID */
void updateFixtureRotation(quint32 itemID, QVector3D degrees);
Size
Update visual fixture size:
// From mainview2d.h:89
/** Update the size of a Fixture with the provided $itemID */
void updateFixtureSize(quint32 itemID, Fixture *fixture);
Flags
Set various fixture display flags:
// From mainview2d.h:62
/** Set/update the flags of a fixture item */
void setFixtureFlags(quint32 itemID, quint32 flags);
- Selection highlighting
- Visibility
- Label display
- Active state
Integration
Universe Filtering
Filter view by universe:
// From mainview2d.h:52
/** @reimp */
void setUniverseFilter(quint32 universeFilter) override;
Monitor Properties
The 2D View uses the document’s monitor properties:
// From mainview2d.h:146
/** Reference to the Doc Monitor properties */
MonitorProperties *m_monProps;
- Grid configuration
- Fixture positions
- Background image
- View settings
Context Management
Enable/Disable
// From mainview2d.h:50
/** @reimp */
void enableContext(bool enable) override;
- Loads fixture items
- Starts real-time updates
- Prepares rendering
Disabling the context:
- Pauses updates
- Saves current state
- Releases resources
Refresh View
// From mainview2d.h:140
/** @reimp */
void slotRefreshView() override;
- Recreates all fixture items
- Updates positions and states
- Reapplies settings
Best Practices
- Scale Appropriately: Match grid scale to your venue dimensions
- Use Background: Load a stage plot for accurate positioning
- Organize by Universe: Use universe filtering for complex setups
- Selection Efficiency: Use rectangle selection for multiple fixtures
- Real-time Feedback: Watch the 2D View while programming for immediate visual feedback
- Document Layout: Save screenshots of your 2D layout for documentation
Technical Details
Grid Item Reference
// From mainview2d.h:143
/** References to the 2D grid item for positioning */
QQuickItem *m_gridItem;
- Grid line rendering
- Coordinate transformations
- Mouse event handling
Coordinate System
The 2D View uses a 3D coordinate system:
- X: Horizontal position (left/right)
- Y: Vertical position (up/down or front/back depending on view)
- Z: Depth (typically height from ground)
Coordinates can be specified in:
- Millimeters: Absolute real-world measurements
- Grid Units: Relative to grid cell size
