Understanding T and D Indicators
What Do T and D Mean?
When working with individual fixture timing in Blackout, you may notice letters appearing in the fixture pillbox display:
T = Time (fade timing)
D = Delay timing
These indicators show that you've applied custom timing values to specific fixtures or parameters.
What Do the Colors Mean?
The color of these indicators tells you the status of your timing settings:
Red T or D: Manual timing values that haven't been saved yet and are not currently active
White: Timing values that have been saved and are active in your look(s)
How to Set Individual Fixture Timing
Select the fixture by either:
Keying in the fixture number, OR
Selecting the pillbox directly
Type
TIMEfollowed by the number of seconds for your fadeExample:
TIME 3for a 3-second fade
For delay instead of fade time:
Tap
TIMEtwice to switch from fade to delay modeThen enter your delay value in seconds
Important: After setting your timing values, you must hit
UPDATEto save them into your look. Until you update, the T or D will remain red and inactive.
IMPORTANT: 101 time 3 will add fixture timing versus 101 at 50 time 3 will bring the fixture to 50% over 3 seconds but will not give you timing to record into your look.
How to Remove Individual Fixture Timing
To clear custom timing from fixtures:
Select the fixture (by number or pillbox)
Type:
TIME HOME ENTERHit
UPDATEto save the changes
This will remove the individual timing and return the fixture to using the global timing settings.
Quick Access with T and D View States
Blackout provides a streamlined way to work with individual fixture timing through dedicated view states accessible at the top of your screen.
Using the T and D Buttons (View States)
Look for the T (Time) and D (Delay) buttons at the top of the Blackout interface. These buttons serve two purposes:
View existing timing: Click to see which fixtures have timing or delay values assigned
Simplified input: Enter timing mode for easier programming
Streamlined Programming Workflow
When you're in Time or Delay view state, you can skip the traditional command syntax:
Traditional method:
Fixture 201 THRU 202 TIME 2 ENTER
Simplified method in T view state:
Click the T button to enter Time view
Select your fixtures (201 and 202)
Simply type
2and press ENTERBlackout automatically applies this as fade timing
Example: Creating Staggered Fade Out
To create fixtures that fade out with a delay between them:
Select your fixtures (e.g., 201 and 202)
Click T to enter Time view
Type your fade time (e.g.,
2for 2 seconds)Click D to switch to Delay view
Select the fixture you want delayed (e.g., 202)
Type your delay time (e.g.,
1for 1 second)Click D again to return to intensity view
Set your fixture levels and record the look
Visual Feedback
The T and D buttons will show you at a glance which fixtures have timing applied
Flags appear on fixtures in the pillbox to indicate timing assignments
You can toggle between these views anytime to check your timing settings
Returning to Normal View
To exit Time or Delay view state, simply click the T or D button again, and you'll return to your previous view state.
Note: The traditional command line syntax still works in any view state - these view states simply provide a more visual and streamlined approach to the same functionality.
Advanced Usage
You can also apply individual timing to single parameters rather than entire fixtures. Access this through table view by selecting the specific parameter you want to time independently.
For complex effects like gradient timing across multiple cells, you can use "offset cells only" mode and apply gradient timing values across the selected cells.
Remember: Individual fixture timing allows you to create sophisticated lighting sequences where different fixtures fade at different rates, even within the same cue or look.