or
Blocked data in cues looks like this:
or
Knowing when it is appropriate to have these symbols is key to understand how to use a tracking console properly. It is fully explained in the topic called A Note on Redundant Data.
Block cues are best explained as a 'dam' that does not let things pass through them. If you are working on a long cue list and are jumping around while you are editing it, it is handy to put block cues at the top of each scene. Imagine this:
You're building a traditional theatrical GO show in a single cue list.
You start out by doing a tiny bit of work on the first scene. You know you're going to return to clean it up later.
You then do a lot of work on the second scene of the show and are quite pleased with yourself.
You then go back to Scene 1 and continue working.
When you get around to running Scene 2 later, there are things in there you didn't expect to see. They 'tracked' from the first scene.
To prevent this from happening, what you should do is BLOCK the first cue of Scene 2. You can either choose to do it before you start working on Scene 2 or after you're happy with it. It doesn't matter. Just do it before you go back to work on cues in Scene 1. When you do, a horizontal line will be drawn above the cue you blocked. No information will track past that line, but rest assured, the cue below the line has all the information to make sure that there are no surprises on stage.
To block a cue click on the desired cue then right click to open the Cue List Right-Click menu:
Choose Block Cues.
Note:
You can also select multiple cues using the Blue Box to Block more than one cue at a time.
The syntax [CUE] [75.5] [S5 - BLOCK] is also valid (cue ranges are also allowed)
Warning:
If you are using multiple cue lists in your show, you may want to reconsider blocking cues. Blocking a cue puts hard values for every attribute of every fixture in your show into the cue. If you are running a linear show, this is a great way to stop attribute values from tracking from one scene to the next, but be aware, it may 'steal' fixtures away from other cues with long fade times that are still running or more dangerously other cue lists. You may consider Going to this cue Live and re-record it using the Record Option called State.
Get into the habit of 'cleaning up' cues by Unblocking them. This makes it easier when you are maintaining the show at a later date. Knowing that all the information in the cue is needed to produce the desired look on stage allows you to 'clear the clutter'. Also, as you make edits, they won't revert to old levels in subsequent cue that used to have blocked data in them. To Unblock a cue, move the Blue Box to the row of the desired cue, right click and select Unblock Cues. You can also select multiple cues using the Blue Box to Unblock more than one cue at a time. The syntax [CUE] [5] [THRU] [10] [S6 - UNBLOCK] is also valid.
Sometimes it is desirable to 'clean shop' and get rid of all the redundant data that may be cluttering up your cue list. To do it all in one fowl swoop, right click anywhere in the cue list and select Unblock Entire Cue List. If you are running multiple cue lists and each cue list is a specific section of a greater show, this is good habit to get into as you'll be sure that Unblocked Cue Lists will not 'steal' away from other cues lists. All the data they have is needed for the effect you were building. If you intentionally Blocked a cue within the cue list, be aware that it will no longer function as a Block Cue.
The syntax [CUE] [0] [THRU] [1000] [S6 - UNBLOCK] works even if you don't have a Cue 0 or 1000.
If you for some reason you want every attribute of every fixture recorded in every cue (i.e., a like a Preset Desk would have), you can Block the entire cue list. Select the Block Entire Cue List option from the right click menu.
Blocking an entire cue list can be counter-productive and prohibits you from taking advantage of multiple cue lists across the console and unlimited simultaneous fades within a single cue list. Blocking the cue list will put hard values into every cue for every attribute. If you then edit or insert a cue, any changes made will not track through your show. While editing cues, if you don't want data to track when you update or insert new cues, uncheck the Edits Track Forward check box in the Record dialog box. Read the topic called A Note on Redundant Data for more information and examples.
See Also: