The dimming curve is one of the important parameters of the dimming device

The dimming equipment referred to herein is not limited to the light console. Anything related to dimming is a dimming device. The most common is the silicon box. The dimming curve is a parameter that is often listed in these equipment manuals.

The dimming curve is, in a nutshell, a dimming device that outputs light according to a predetermined function after receiving an input signal. This function image is a dimming curve.

The X-axis below represents the input, expressed as a percentage, and the Y-axis represents the output, expressed as a value from 0-255.

Dimming curve and light output effect

There are many kinds of dimming curves. The device will have presets at the factory, which allows users to switch between different curves. We use the following two.

These two curves are the default curves of the dimming device, and there is almost no difference in visual sense between the two, except that the former emphasizes linear output.

A straight-through line is a device that operates at full value once it receives a signal. This is a typical way to change the dimming silicon box to a straight-through silicon box.

The Super S curve is the default light dimming curve for many models of the light console. The advantage is that (in the traditional tungsten filament era), the lamp can have a small warm-up process when pushing the push rod.

Speaking of traditional lamps, you have to say the following brothers.

One is a 90% linear line and the other is an 80% linear line, which is very useful when using a silicon box for dimming traditional lamps. Even if the rated voltage range of the bulb is nominally 240V, the output voltage is appropriately limited, which is unsatisfactory in areas where the voltage is unstable.

There are also some curves that are not commonly used, like the following, and I will use my brain to imagine what effect it will be.

Have I said that using a linear line can get a perfect linear light output?

of course not! How can we get a smooth illumination output?

This is the goods, it looks a bit ugly, it seems to be a close relative of the S curve, using this curve can get a uniform change in brightness.

Don't forget that dimming curves are very simple mathematical graphics, and common functions are more than just these. There are also sine, cosine, square, cubic, etc. These graphics are applied to the built-in effects of the light console, by superimposing, modifying, shifting or creating new curves to achieve rich or original changes.

The "Effects Editor" in the MA console also has many function images. Therefore, the dimming curve is not only a review of the basic knowledge, but also an extension and innovation!

Dimming curve is the embodiment of the digital performance of dimming equipment

If a silicon box cannot customize the dimming curve, you can speculate that this silicon box is still an analog signal product. If a lighting console cannot modify the dimming curve, then the system of this station needs to be upgraded too much.

The dimming curve is important, but it is not omnipotent. It requires all dimming equipment to maintain consistent performance and use the same curve to function.

All digital products should have the ability to visually edit pre-production material and benchmark parameters based on usage requirements. This must also be the development direction of the future lighting control equipment in software.