Method and apparatus for controlling images with image projection lighting devices

Abstract

A lighting system includes a central controller and multiparameter lights, including IPLDs. A display of the multiparameter lights at the central controller includes the IPLDs and their image parameters, which are used to evoke a display of graphics tools at the central controller for originating images. Images originating at the central controller are transmitted to the IPLDs either by or under control of the central controller. The graphics tools may also be able to manipulate images. The central controller is provided with one or more image editors, which include the graphics tools. The outputs of the image editors, which are referred to as “image banks,” are routed to multiple multiparameter lights (including IPLDs) in accordance with assignments made by the operator of the central controller. The central controller also uses a collage display screen of a collage generator to allow the operator to select an image to collage.

1. A method of controlling a lighting system having at least a plurality of IPLDs, comprising:
 displaying a first plurality of parameters of a first one of the IPLDs at a central controller, the first plurality of parameters including a first image parameter; 
 displaying a first plurality of images at the central controller; and 
 establishing at the central controller at least one first image for the first image parameter from the first plurality of images. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 displaying a second plurality of parameters of a second one of the IPLDs at a central controller, the second plurality of parameters including a second image parameter; 
 displaying a second plurality of images at the central controller; and 
 establishing at the central controller at least one second image for the second image parameter from the second plurality of images. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein:
 the first image establishing step comprises establishing at the central controller a plurality of images for the first image parameter from the first plurality of images; and 
 the second image establishing step comprises establishing at the central controller a plurality of images for the second image parameter from the second plurality of images. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 furnishing the first image established in the first image establishing step to the first IPLD from the central controller; 
 and furnishing the second image established in the second image establishing step to the second IPLD from the central controller. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 furnishing the first image established in the first image establishing step to the first IPLD from a computer other than the central controller, under control of the central controller; 
 and furnishing the second image established in the second image establishing step to the second IPLD from a computer other than the central controller, under control of the central controller. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2  wherein:
 the first image parameter is a number, word or symbol; 
 and the second image parameter is a number, word or symbol. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first image establishing step comprises:
 displaying a first image editor at the central controller; and 
 mixing at least two images from the first plurality of images with the first image editor at the central controller to establish the first image. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 2  wherein the first image establishing step comprises:
 displaying a first image editor at the central controller; and 
 mixing at least two images from the first plurality of images with the first image editor at the central controller to establish the first image; 
 and wherein the second image establishing step comprises:
 displaying a second image editor at the central controller; and 
 mixing at least two images from the second plurality of images with the second image editor at the central controller to establish the second image. 
 
 
     
     
       9. A method of controlling a lighting system having at least a plurality of IPLDs, comprising:
 displaying a first plurality of parameters of a first one of the IPLDs at a central controller, the first plurality of parameters including a first image parameter; 
 displaying a first plurality of images at the central controller in response to an operator selection of the first image parameter; and 
 originating from the central controller at least one first image for the first image parameter from the first plurality of images. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  wherein the originating step comprises:
 selecting at least one of the first plurality of images at the central controller to obtain the first image; and 
 transmitting the first image to the first IPLD. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9  wherein the originating step comprises:
 selecting at least two of the first plurality of images at the central controller to obtain selected images; 
 manipulating the selected images to obtain the first image; and 
 transmitting the first image to the first IPLD. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein the manipulating step comprises mixing the selected Images in accordance with operator input to obtain the first image. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9  further comprising effecting the operator selection of the first image parameter in response to a selection event for the first image parameter. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 displaying an identifier for the first IPLDs at the central controller; and 
 effecting the operator selection of the first image parameter in response to a selection event for the identifier. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 displaying a second plurality of parameters of a second one of the IPLDs at a central controller, the second plurality of parameters including a second image parameter; 
 displaying a second plurality of images at the central controller in response to an operator selection of the second image parameter; and 
 originating from the central controller at least one second image for the second image parameter from the second plurality of images. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  wherein:
 the step of displaying the first plurality of parameters of the first IPLD comprises displaying the first plurality of parameters on a first display screen of the central controller; 
 the step of displaying the second plurality of parameters of the second IPLD comprises displaying the second plurality of parameters on the first display screen of the central controller; 
 the step of displaying the first plurality of images comprises displaying the first plurality of images on a second display screen of the central controller; and 
 the step of displaying the second plurality of images comprises displaying the second plurality of images on the second display screen of the central controller. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15  wherein:
 the step of displaying the first plurality of parameters of the first IPLD comprises displaying the first plurality of parameters on a first display screen of the central controller; 
 the step of displaying the second plurality of parameters of the second IPLD comprises displaying the second plurality of parameters on the first display screen of the central controller; 
 the step of displaying the first plurality of images comprises displaying the first plurality of images on the first display screen of the central controller; and 
 the step of displaying the second plurality of images comprises displaying the second plurality of images on the first display screen of the central controller. 
 
     
     
       18. A method of operating a lighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality of image projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”), comprising:
 maintaining a plurality of parameters for each of the IPLDs at the central controller, the parameters for each of the IPLDs including at least one image parameter; 
 originating a first image from the central controller for a first one of the IPLDs, the first image being defined by the image parameter of the first IPLD; and 
 originating a second image from the central controller for a second one of the IPLDs, the second image being defined by the image parameter of the second IPLD; 
 wherein the first image and the second image are different. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 forming the first image from a plurality of images; and 
 forming the second image from a plurality of images. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 mixing a plurality of images to form the first image; and 
 mixing a plurality of images to form the second image. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 forming the first image from a plurality of images, including a live camera image; and 
 forming the second image from a plurality of images, including a live camera image. 
 
     
     
       22. A method of operating a lighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality of image projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”), comprising:
 originating a first image from the central controller for a first one of the IPLDs; 
 projecting the first image from the first IPLD; 
 originating a second image from the central controller for a second one of the IPLDs, the second image being different than the first image; and 
 projecting the second image from the second IPLD; 
 wherein the first image and the second image are selected from a plurality of images stored at the central controller, the plurality of images having an identifying scheme for operator visualization of the images. 
 
     
     
       23. A method of controlling a lighting system comprising a plurality of multiparameter lights, including gobo-type multiparameter lights and IPLD-type multiparameter lights, controllable from a central controller, comprising:
 storing at least one image library at the central controller; 
 displaying at the central controller an identifier and a plurality of parameters for each of the multiparameter lights, wherein the parameters for each of the IPLD-type multiparameter lights includes an image parameter; 
 displaying an image editor at the central controller in response to an operator selection of any of the IPLD-type multiparameter lights, the image editor including an image library area having a plurality of images, a mixer area, and an image area; 
 selecting at least two of the plurality of images from the image library in response to an operator action; 
 mixing the selected images in the mixer area to obtain an output image; 
 displaying the output image in the image area; and 
 transmitting the output image from the central controller to the IPLD. 
 
     
     
       24. A method of operating a lighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality of image projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”), comprising:
 originating a first image from the central controller for a first one of the IPLDs, the first image resulting from a crossfade between two different images; 
 projecting the first image from the first IPLD; 
 originating a second image from the central controller for a second one of the IPLDs, the second image being different than the first image and resulting from a crossfade between two different images; and 
 projecting the second image from the second IPLD; 
 wherein the first image and the second image are respectively formed from a crossfade between at least two of a plurality of images stored at the central controller. 
 
     
     
       25. A central controller for controlling a lighting system comprising a plurality of image projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”), each having a plurality of parameters including an image parameter, the central controller comprising:
 a display screen; 
 a memory containing a plurality of images; 
 a first programmable component for creating a first display on the display screen of at least some of the images; 
 a second programmable component for forming a first image from the first display, under operator control, for an image parameter of a first one of the IPLDs; 
 a third programmable component for creating a second display on the display screen of at least some of the images; and 
 a fourth programmable component for forming a second image from the second display, under operator control, for an image parameter of a second one of the IPLDs; 
 wherein the first image and the second image are different. 
 
     
     
       26. The central controller of  claim 25  further comprising:
 a fifth programmable component for furnishing the first image to the first IPLD, and 
 a sixth programmable component for furnishing the second image to the second IPLD. 
 
     
     
       27. The central controller of  claim 25  wherein:
 the second programmable component comprises a component for forming the first image from a combination of at least two of the images in the first display; and 
 the fourth programmable component comprises a component for forming the second image from a combination of at least two of the images in the second display. 
 
     
     
       28. The central controller of  claim 27  wherein:
 the combination of the images in the first display is a crossfade combination; and 
 the combination of the images in the second display is a crossfade combination. 
 
     
     
       29. A method of controlling a lighting system, the lighting system having a central controller and at least a plurality of IPLDs and each of the IPLDs having a plurality of parameters including an image parameter, the method comprising:
 selecting a first one of the IPLDs at the central controller; 
 editing the image parameter of the first IPLD at the central controller to visualize a first image on a visual display device of the central controller; 
 establishing a first effect for the first image; 
 visualizing a first final image on the visual display device, the first final image comprising the first image with the first effect as being projected by the first IPLD; 
 selecting a second one of the IPLDs at the central controller; 
 editing the image parameter of the second IPLD at the central controller to visualize a second image on the visual display device; 
 establishing a second effect for the second image; and 
 visualizing a second final image on the visual display device, the second final image comprising the second image with the second effect as being projected by the second IPLD. 
 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 29  further comprising:
 applying the first effect to the first image at the central controller; and 
 applying the second effect to the second image at the central controller. 
 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 29  further comprising:
 applying the first effect to the first image at the first IPLD; and 
 applying the second effect to the second image at the second IPLD. 
 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 29  wherein:
 the first image and the first final image are visualized as separate images on the visual display device; and 
 the second image and the second final image are visualized as separate images on the visual display device. 
 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 29  wherein:
 the first image and the first final image are visualized as one image on the visual display device; and 
 the second image and the second final image are visualized as one image on the visual display device. 
 
     
     
       34. A method of operating a lighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality of image projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”), comprising:
 maintaining a plurality of parameters for each of the IPLDs at the central controller, the parameters for each of the IPLDs including at least one image parameter; 
 originating a first image from the central controller for a first one of the IPLDs, the first image being defined by the image parameter of the first IPLD; and 
 originating a second image from the central controller for a second one of the IPLDs, the second image being defined by the image parameter of the second IPLD; 
 wherein the first image and the second image are first and second sections of a collage. 
 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 34  further comprising forming the first and second sections from a single image selected by the operator. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 34  further comprising forming the first and second sections by selecting the first and second sections from a plurality of images stored at the central controller. 
     
     
       37. A method of operating a lighting system that includes a central controller, a plurality of first-type multiparameter lights having a plurality of parameters except for an image parameter, and a plurality of second-type multiparameter lights having a plurality of parameters including an image parameter, comprising:
 varying the parameters for each of the first-type multiparameter lights at the central controller; 
 varying the parameters for each of the second-type multiparameter lights at the central controller, wherein for each of the second-type multiparameter lights, varying the particular image parameter thereof comprises:
 originating a first image from the central controller for a first scene, the first image being defined by the particular image parameter; and 
 originating a second image from the central controller for a second scene, the second image being defined by the particular image parameter. 
 
 
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 37  wherein:
 the first scene comprises a plurality of sections of a collage; 
 the first image originated for a first one of the second-type multiparameter lights in the first image originating step is a first one of the sections of the collage; 
 and the first image originated for a second one of the second-type multiparameter lights in the first image originating step is a second one of the sections of the collage. 
 
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 38  further comprising creating the sections of the collage from a style selected and applied by an operator to a single image. 
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 38  further comprising creating the sections of the collage on a visual display device of the central controller. 
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 38  further comprising:
 projecting the first section of the collage from the first second-type multiparameter light; and 
 projecting the second section of the collage from the second second-type multiparameter light. 
 
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 37  wherein:
 the first image for each of the second-type multiparameter lights is unique; and 
 the second image for each of the second-type multiparameter lights is unique. 
 
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 37  wherein for each of the second-type multiparameter lights, varying the particular image parameter thereof is performed by the operator with reference to a graphics visual display device of the central controller. 
     
     
       44. A method of operating a lighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality of image projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”), comprising:
 displaying a plurality of parameters for each of the IPLDs at the central controller, the parameters including at least one image parameter; 
 evoking a graphics tool at the central controller in response to selection of one of the IPLDs by operator action; 
 displaying a plurality of images for the graphics tool at the central controller and; 
 originating an image from the central controller for the image parameter of the selected IPLD, in response to operator action with the graphics tool, from the plurality of images. 
 
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 44  further comprising acquiring the images for the graphics tool from image storage local to the central controller. 
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 44  wherein:
 the image parameter of the first IPLD is an image bank; 
 the step of evoking a graphics toot comprises displaying an image editor for the image bank on a display screen of the central controller; and 
 the step of displaying a plurality of images comprises displaying an image library. 
 
     
     
       47. The method of  claim 44  wherein:
 the central controller comprises a first display screen and a second display screen; 
 the IPLD parameter displaying step comprises displaying the parameters for each of the IPLDs on the first display screen; 
 the evoking step comprises displaying the graphics toot on the second display screen; 
 and the images displaying step comprises displaying the images for the graphics tool on the second display screen. 
 
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 44  wherein:
 the central controller comprises only one display screen; 
 the IPLD parameter displaying step comprises displaying the parameters for each of the IPLDs on the display screen; 
 the evoking step comprises displaying the graphics tool on the display screen; 
 and the images displaying step comprises displaying the images for the graphics tool on the display screen. 
 
     
     
       49. The method of  claim 44  wherein the lighting system further includes at least one gobo-type multiparameter light, further comprising:
 providing for selection of at least one parameter of the gobo-type multiparameter light at the central controller; and 
 varying the selected parameter. 
 
     
     
       50. A method of operating a lighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality of image projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”), comprising:
 displaying a plurality of parameters for each of the IPLDs at the central controller, the parameters including at least one image parameter; 
 evoking a first graphics tool at the central controller in response to selection of a first one of the IPLDs thereof by operator action; 
 displaying a plurality of images for the first graphics tool at the central controller; 
 originating an image from the central controller for the image parameter of the first IPLD, in response to operator action with the first graphics tool, from the plurality of images; 
 evoking a second graphics tool at the central controller in response to selection of a second one of the IPLDs by operator action; 
 displaying a plurality of images for the second graphics tool at the central controller; 
 and originating an image from the central controller for the image parameter of the second IPLD, in response to operator action with the second graphics tool, from the plurality of images for the second graphics tool. 
 
     
     
       51. The method of  claim 50  wherein:
 the image parameter of the first IPLD is a first image bank; 
 the step of evoking a first graphics tool comprises displaying an image editor for the first image bank on a display screen of the central controller; 
 the step of displaying a plurality of images for the first graphics tool comprises displaying a first image library; 
 the image parameter of the second IPLD is a second image bank; 
 the step of evoking a second graphics tool comprises displaying an image editor for the second image bank on a display screen of the central controller; and 
 the step of displaying a plurality of images for the second graphics tool comprises displaying a second image library. 
 
     
     
       52. The method of  claim 51  wherein the first image library and the second image library are one image library. 
     
     
       53. The method of  claim 51  wherein the first image library and the second image library are different image libraries. 
     
     
       54. The method of  claim 50  further comprising:
 acquiring the images for the first graphics tool from image storage local to the central controller; and 
 acquiring the images for the second graphics tool from image storage local to the central controller. 
 
     
     
       55. The method of  claim 50  further comprising:
 acquiring the images for the first graphics tool from image storage remote from the central controller; and 
 acquiring the images for the second graphics tool from image storage remote from the central controller. 
 
     
     
       56. The method of  claim 50  wherein:
 the central controller comprises a first display screen and a second display screen; 
 the IPLD parameter displaying step comprises displaying the parameters for each of the IPLDs on the first display screen; 
 the first graphics tool evoking step comprises displaying the first graphics tool on the second display screen; 
 the step of displaying images for the first graphics tool comprises displaying images for the first graphics tool on the second display screen; 
 the second graphics tool evoking step comprises displaying the second graphics tool on the second display screen; and 
 the step of displaying images for the second graphics tool comprises displaying images for the second graphics tool on the second display screen. 
 
     
     
       57. The method of  claim 50  wherein:
 the central controller comprises only one display screen; 
 the IPLD parameter displaying step comprises displaying the parameters for each of the IPLDs on the display screen; 
 the first graphics tool evoking step comprises displaying the first graphics tool on the display screen; 
 the step of displaying images for the first graphics tool comprises displaying images for the first graphics tool on the display screen; 
 the second graphics tool evoking step comprises displaying the second graphics tool on the display screen; 
 and the step of displaying images for the second graphics tool comprises displaying images for the second graphics tool on the display screen. 
 
     
     
       58. The method of  claim 50  wherein the lighting system further includes at least one gobo-type multiparameter light, further comprising:
 providing for selection of at least one parameter of the gobo-type multiparameter light at the central controller; and 
 varying the selected parameter. 
 
     
     
       59. The method of  claim 50  wherein:
 the step of displaying images for the first graphics tool comprises displaying at least a first sectional image of a collage; 
 the step of displaying images for the second graphics tool comprises displaying at least a second sectional image of the collage; 
 the step of originating an image for the image parameter of the first IPLD comprises furnishing the first sectional image to the first IPLD; and 
 the step of originating an image for the image parameter of the second IPLD comprises furnishing the second sectional image to the second IPLD. 
 
     
     
       60. A method of operating a lighting system that includes a central controller and a plurality of image projection lighting devices (“IPLDs”), comprising:
 displaying a plurality of parameters for each of the IPLDs at the central controller, the parameters including at least one image parameter; 
 evoking a first graphics tool at the central controller in response to selection of a first one of the IPLDs by operator action; 
 displaying a plurality of images for the first graphics tool at the central controller; 
 originating a first sectional image of a collage from the central controller for the image parameter of the first IPLD, in response to operator action with the first graphics tool, from the plurality of images; 
 evoking a second graphics tool at the central controller in response to selection of a second one of the IPLDs by operator action; 
 displaying a plurality of images for the second graphics tool at the central controller, including a second sectional image of the collage; and 
 originating a second sectional image of the collage from the central controller for the image parameter of the second IPLD, in response to operator action with the second graphics tool, from the plurality of images for the second graphics tool. 
 
     
     
       61. The method of  claim 60  further comprising applying a style to a single image at the central controller to form the first and second sectional images. 
     
     
       62. The method of  claim 60  wherein the first and second sectional images are predefined. 
     
     
       63. A stage lighting controller for controlling a plurality of addressable multiparameter lights having remotely variable pan and tilt parameters, a first plurality of the multiparameter lights being without light valves and a second plurality of the multiparameter lights respectively comprising light valves, comprising:
 a first display device;   a first input device;   an image library comprising a plurality of library images including a first camera image, a first still image, and a first continuous video image;   a first image editor for forming an edited image from one or more of the library images, the first image editor comprising a plurality of thumbnails of the library images, including a first thumbnail of the still image, a second thumbnail of the continuous video image, and a third thumbnail of the camera image; wherein:
 the first thumbnail has a first identifying scheme for displaying to an operator on the first display device that the first thumbnail represents a still image; and 
 the second thumbnail has a second identifying scheme for displaying to an operator on the first display device that the second thumbnail represents a continuous video image; and 
   a final image area for displaying to an operator on the first display device a visualization of a final image for projection by a first one of the second plurality of multiparameter lights, the final image resulting from operation of the first input device by the operator to apply effects to the edited image.   
     
     
       64. The stage lighting controller of claim 63 further comprising a first camera input. 
     
     
       65. The stage lighting controller of claim 63 wherein the first camera image is derived from the first one of the second plurality of multiparameter lights. 
     
     
       66. The stage lighting controller of claim 63 comprising means for controlling routing of an image from the first one of the second plurality of multiparameter lights to a second one of the second plurality of multiparameter lights. 
     
     
       67. The stage lighting controller of claim 63 further comprising means for mimicking the effects applied to the first image by the first one of the second plurality of multiparameter lights, to achieve the final image. 
     
     
       68. A stage lighting controller for controlling a plurality of addressable multiparameter lights having remotely variable pan and tilt parameters, a first plurality of the multiparameter lights being without light valves and a second plurality of the multiparameter lights respectively comprising light valves, comprising:
 a first display device;   a first input device;   an image library comprising a plurality of library images;   a collage generator responsive to operation of the first input device by an operator for selecting a first image of the plurality of library images to collage, wherein the selected first image is separable into a plurality of sectional images; and   means for varying the pan and tilt parameters for the multiparameter lights.   
     
     
       69. The stage lighting controller of claim 68 further comprising means for displaying the library images as thumbnail images by the first display device, wherein:
 the library images include still images and continuous video images; and   the thumbnail images include likenesses of the still images and the continuous video images, and have an identifying scheme for displaying to an operator on the first display device a still image identifier for the thumbnails of the still images, and a continuous video image identifier for the continuous video images.   
     
     
       70. The stage lighting controller of claim 68 wherein:
 the library images include camera images; and   the thumbnail images include likenesses of the camera images, and have an identifying scheme for displaying to the operator on the first display device a camera image identifier for the thumbnails of the camera images.   
     
     
       71. The stage lighting controller of claim 68 further comprising a first camera input. 
     
     
       72. The stage lighting controller of claim 71 wherein the first image is a camera image that is derived from the first camera input. 
     
     
       73. The stage lighting controller of claim 68 wherein the first image is a camera image that is derived from one of the second plurality of multiparameter lights. 
     
     
       74. The stage lighting controller of claim 68 further comprising means for updating the image library by the addition of the plurality of sectional images. 
     
     
       75. The stage lighting controller of claim 68 further comprising means for identifying a first one of the plurality of sectional images with a first identifier, and a second one of the plurality of sectional images with a second identifier, the first and second identifiers being different. 
     
     
       76. A stage lighting controller for controlling a plurality of addressable multiparameter lights having remotely variable pan and tilt parameters, a first plurality of the multiparameter lights being without light valves and a second plurality of the multiparameter lights respectively comprising light valves, comprising:
 a first display device;   a first input device;   an image library comprising a plurality of images of different image types including a camera image type, a still image type, and a continuous video image type;   means for displaying a collection of thumbnails representative of the images in the image library on the first display device in response to action by an operator, the thumbnails being displayed in accordance with an identifying scheme that identifies the image type to an operator viewing the first display device, and   means for varying the pan and tilt parameters for the multiparameter lights.   
     
     
       77. The stage lighting controller of claim 76 wherein the identifying scheme comprises a color scheme. 
     
     
       78. The stage lighting controller of claim 76 wherein the identifying scheme comprises a border scheme. 
     
     
       79. The stage lighting controller of claim 76 wherein the identifying scheme comprises written identification in proximity to the thumbnails. 
     
     
       80. The stage lighting controller of claim 76 further comprising means for selecting a first thumbnail and dragging the selected first thumbnail. 
     
     
       81. The stage lighting controller of claim 76 further comprising means for selecting a first thumbnail and dropping the selected first thumbnail. 
     
     
       82. A stage lighting controller for controlling a plurality of addressable multiparameter lights having remotely variable pan and tilt parameters, a first plurality of the multiparameter lights being without light valves and a second plurality of the multiparameter lights respectively comprising light valves, comprising:
 a first input device;   an image library comprising a plurality of library images; and   a display device for displaying information comprising:   identifying information for at least a portion of the library images in the image library;   a first output area for displaying a visual of a first mixed image derived from two or more of the library images;   means for sending the first mixed image to a first one of the second plurality of multiparameter lights, in response to operation of the first input device by an operator; and   a second output area for displaying a visualization of a final image for projection by the first one of the second plurality of multiparameter lights, the visual of the final image depicting the mixed image with manipulation with effects by the first one of the second plurality of multiparameter lights.   
     
     
       83. The stage lighting controller of claim 82 further comprising means for mimicking application of the effects to the mixed image by the first one of the second plurality of multiparameter lights to achieve the final image. 
     
     
       84. The stage lighting controller of claim 82 further comprising a communications port for transmitting the mixed image to the first one of the second plurality of multiparameter lights. 
     
     
       85. The stage lighting controller of claim 82 further comprising means for scrolling the plurality of library images. 
     
     
       86. The stage lighting controller of claim 82 further comprising means for selecting two or more of the library images to derive the mixed image by dropping representations of the library images. 
     
     
       87. A stage lighting controller for controlling a plurality of DMX controllable lighting devices, comprising:
 means for communicating DMX signals to the DMX controllable lighting devices;   a first input for receiving content, including a first video image;   means for generating a plurality of sectional images from the first video image; and   means for communicating with the plurality of DMX controllable lighting devices to cause the plurality of DMX controllable lighting devices to display the respective sectional images to form a representation of the first video image.   
     
     
       88. The stage lighting controller of claim 87 further comprising:
 an image library comprising a second video image; and   means for storing the first video image in the image library with the second video image.   
     
     
       89. The stage lighting controller of claim 87 wherein the sectional images generating means is a collage generator comprising means for enabling an operator to specify a number of the sectional images that form the representation of the first video image. 
     
     
       90. The stage lighting controller of claim 89 further comprising a display device for enabling an operator to interact with the collage generator. 
     
     
       91. The stage lighting controller of claim 88 further comprising:
 a display device; and   means for displaying the first and second video images in the image library as thumbnail images by the first display device.   
     
     
       92. The stage lighting controller of claim 88 further comprising means for scrolling the image library. 
     
     
       93. The stage lighting controller of claim 88 further comprising means for layering the image library. 
     
     
       94. The stage lighting controller of claim 90 further comprising a final image area for displaying a visualization of a final image to an operator by the display device. 
     
     
       95. The stage lighting controller of claim 88 further comprising means for providing a scene notation for display. 
     
     
       96. The stage lighting controller of claim 87 further comprising means for specifying a number of the DMX controllable lighting devices to be involved in making the representation of the first video image. 
     
     
       97. The stage lighting controller of claim 88 further comprising means for mixing the first video image and the second video image. 
     
     
       98. The stage lighting controller of claim 87 further comprising means for sizing the first video image to fit a particular aspect ratio. 
     
     
       99. The stage lighting controller of claim 87 further comprising means for cropping and trimming the first video image. 
     
     
       100. The stage lighting controller of claim 87 further comprising means for operating with a network hub. 
     
     
       101. The stage lighting controller of claim 87 wherein the first input is a network port. 
     
     
       102. The stage lighting controller of claim 87 wherein the first input is a peripheral port. 
     
     
       103. A stage lighting controller for controlling a plurality of addressable lighting devices, comprising:
 a communications port for communicating instructions to the addressable lighting devices;   a first input for receiving content, including a first video image;   means for generating a plurality of sectional images from the first video image; and   means for communicating with the plurality of addressable lighting devices to cause the addressable lighting devices to display the respective sectional images to form a representation of the first video image.   
     
     
       104. The stage lighting controller of claim 103 further comprising:
 an image library comprising a second video image; and   means for storing the first video image in the image library with the second video image.   
     
     
       105. The stage lighting controller of claim 103 wherein the sectional images generating means is a collage generator comprising means for enabling an operator to specify a number of the sectional images that form the representation of the first video image. 
     
     
       106. The stage lighting controller of claim 105 further comprising a display device for enabling an operator to Interact with the collage generator. 
     
     
       107. The stage lighting controller of claim 104 further comprising:
 a display device; and   means for displaying the first and second video images in the image library as thumbnail images by the first display device.   
     
     
       108. The stage lighting controller of claim 104 further comprising means for scrolling the image library. 
     
     
       109. The stage lighting controller of claim 104 further comprising means for layering the image library. 
     
     
       110. The stage lighting controller of claim 106 further comprising means for providing a scene notation for display by the display device. 
     
     
       111. The stage lighting controller of claim 103 further comprising means for specifying a number of the addressable lighting devices to be involved in making the representation of the first video image. 
     
     
       112. The stage lighting controller of claim 104 further comprising means for mixing the first video image and the second video image. 
     
     
       113. The stage lighting controller of claim 103 further comprising means for sizing the first video image to fit a particular aspect ratio. 
     
     
       114. The stage lighting controller of claim 103 further comprising means for cropping the first video image. 
     
     
       115. The stage lighting controller of claim 103 further comprising means for operating with a network hub. 
     
     
       116. The stage lighting controller of claim 103 wherein the first input is a network port. 
     
     
       117. The stage lighting controller of claim 103 wherein the first input is a peripheral port. 
     
     
       118. The stage lighting controller of claim 103 wherein the first video image is a camera image. 
     
     
       119. The stage lighting controller of claim 103 further comprising a display device, wherein images shown on the display device can be positioned on the display device by an operator. 
     
     
       120. The stage lighting controller of claim 103 further comprising means for selecting which ones of the plurality of addressable lighting devices to involve in making the collage. 
     
     
       121. The stage lighting controller of claim 103 further comprising a means for communicating a DMX signal. 
     
     
       122. A stage lighting controller for controlling a first plurality of addressable multiparameter lights comprising a light valve and having remotely variable pan and tilt parameters, comprising:
 a first display device:   a first input device;   an image library comprising a plurality of library images; and   a mixed image at least partially comprising two or more or the plurality of library images;   wherein at least a portion of the plurality of library images comprise images of a first image type, the first image type images being video movies;   wherein the plurality of library images are displayed on the first display device as a plurality of thumbnail images, the plurality of thumbnail images being likenesses of the plurality of library images; and   wherein a first one of the plurality of thumbnail images displayed on the first display device is moveable to multiple locations on the first display device under control of an operator using the first input device.   
     
     
       123. The stage lighting controller of claim 122 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of library images comprise images of a second image type, the second image type images being camera images. 
     
     
       124. The stage lighting controller of claim 122 wherein the first one of the plurality of thumbnail images displayed on the first display device is moveable to multiple locations on the first display device by dragging. 
     
     
       125. The stage lighting controller of claim 122 wherein the first one of the plurality of thumbnail images displayed on the first display device is moveable to multiple locations on the first display device by dropping. 
     
     
       126. The stage lighting controller of claim 122 wherein the first one of the plurality of thumbnail images displayed on the first display device is moveable to multiple locations on the first display device by scrolling. 
     
     
       127. The stage lighting controller of claim 122 wherein the image library comprises means for sourcing images from the memories of any of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights. 
     
     
       128. The stage lighting controller of claim 122 comprising means for controlling routing of an image from the first one of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights to a second one of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights. 
     
     
       129. The stage lighting controller of claim 122 further comprising a means for producing sectional images from a first one of the library images to be displayed as a collage by a portion of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights. 
     
     
       130. A stage lighting controller for controlling a plurality of addressable multiparameter lights comprising a light valve and having remotely variable pan and tilt parameters, comprising:
 a first display device;   a first input device;   an image library comprising a plurality of library images;   wherein:
 at least a portion of the plurality of library images comprise images of a first image type, the first image type images being video movies; and 
 at least a portion of the plurality of library images comprise images of a second image type, the second image type images being sectional images of a collage; 
   means for selecting which ones of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights to involve in displaying a collage; and   means for varying the pan and tilt parameters of at least a portion of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights with the first input device.   
     
     
       131. The stage lighting controller of claim 130 wherein the image library comprises means for sourcing images from the memories of any of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights. 
     
     
       132. The stage lighting controller of claim 130 comprising means for controlling routing of an image from a first one of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights to a second one of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights. 
     
     
       133. The stage lighting controller of claim 130 further comprising means for selecting a type of collage from a list of predefined collages. 
     
     
       134. A stage lighting controller for controlling a plurality of addressable multiparameter lights having remotely variable pan and tilt parameters, a first plurality of the multiparameter lights being without light valves and a second plurality of the multiparameter lights respectively comprising light valves, comprising:
 a first display device;   a first input device;   means for selecting a first one of a plurality of collage types, each collage type representing a predetermined plurality of sectional images that form a collage type and   means for selecting which one of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights to be involved in forming the first one of the selected plurality of collage types.   
     
     
       135. A stage lighting controller for controlling a plurality of addressable multiparameter lights comprising a light valve and having remotely variable pan and tilt parameters, comprising:
 a first input device;   means for varying the pan and tilt parameter of at least a portion of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights by the first input device;   a first image; and   a first display device for displaying a final image and a plurality of thumbnail images;   wherein the first image is altered by applying effects to the first image by a first one of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights; and   wherein the final image displays a likeness of a projected image projected by the first one of the plurality of addressable multiparameter lights.   
     
     
       136. A stage lighting controller for controlling a plurality of addressable multiparameter lights having remotely variable pan and tilt parameters, a first plurality of the multiparameter lights being without light valves and a second plurality of the multiparameter lights respectively comprising light valves, comprising:
 a first display device;   a first input device;   wherein the display device displays a first fixture identifier for the first plurality of multiparameter lights and a second fixture identifier for the second plurality of multiparameter lights; and   wherein the first and second fixture identifiers are displayed on the display device during a set up phase.   
     
     
       137. The stage lighting controller of claim 136 further comprising means for defaulting parameter values for the second plurality of multiparameter light fixture types. 
     
     
       138. The stage lighting controller of claim 136 further comprising means for evoking an image editor when a first one of the second plurality of multiparameter light identifiers is selected. 
     
     
       139. The stage lighting controller of claim 136 further comprising means for manipulation of a camera image. 
     
     
       140. A stage lighting controller for controlling a plurality of addressable multiparameter lights having remotely variable pan and tilt parameters, a first plurality of the multiparameter lights being without light valves and a second plurality of the multiparameter lights respectively comprising light valves, comprising:
 a first display device;   a first input device;   an image editor for forming an edited image from one or more images, the image editor comprising a plurality of thumbnails, including a first thumbnail of a still image, a second thumbnail of a continuous video image, and a third thumbnail of a camera image;   wherein the plurality of thumbnails can be scrolled by operation of the first input device; and   means for varying the pan and tilt parameters for the multiparameter lights.   
     
     
       141. A stage lighting control system for controlling an image protection device, comprising:
 a first input for receiving content, including a first and second continuous video image;   means for DMX communication;   means for mixing the first continuous video image with the second continuous video image;   means for applying effects to the first or second continuous video image;   means for storage of the first and second continuous video image in an image library;   means for generating a plurality of sectional images from the first continuous video image;   means for determining with an operator display means a first one of the sectional images to be projected by an image projection device; and   means for furnishing the first sectional image to the image projection device for projection by the first image protection device as a component of a collage that forms a likeness of the first continuous video image.   
     
     
       142. The stage lighting controller of claim 141 further comprising means for an operator to specify how many sectional images comprise the collage. 
     
     
       143. The stage lighting controller of claim 142 wherein a number of image projection devices make up the collage, further comprising means for displaying a plurality of tiles equal in number to the number of image projection devices that make up the collage. 
     
     
       144. The stage lighting controller of claim 141 further comprising:
 a display device; and   means for displaying the first and second continuous video images in the image library as thumbnail images by the first display advice.   
     
     
       145. The stage lighting controller of claim 141 further comprising means for sizing the first continuous video image to fit a particular aspect ratio. 
     
     
       146. The stage lighting controller of claim 141 further comprising means for cropping the first continuous video image. 
     
     
       147. A stage lighting system comprising a plurality of addressable multiparameter lights having valves and remotely variable pan and tilt parameters, comprising:
 means for operation of a central controller to determine a first collage from a list or collection of different collage types;   means for operation of the central controller to determine a first image for use with the first collage from a plurality of images in a library;   means for operation of the central controller to determine a plurality of sectional images that comprise the first image;   means for operation of the central controller to determine the multiparameter lights to respectively project the sectional images; and   means for operation of the central controller to determine a first projected image in the likeness of the first image that is comprised by assembly of the plurality of sectional images on a projection surface.