How to Update the Eos Family Fixture Library
Overview
The Eos Family fixture library is an essential software component that includes information about each fixture type that can be patched in Eos.
The fixture library is installed alongside the main Eos software and will also be automatically updated when Eos is updated. The fixture library can also be manually updated, most commonly to allow the use of fixture profiles that are newer than the newest Eos software version.
To check what version of the fixture library is installed on your device, do the following:
- Press the [Clear] key (Backspace on ETCnomad) to clear the command line, then press the [About] key (Y key on ETCnomad).
- The About window appears in the CIA, on the bottom half of your primary monitor.
- The fixture library version is displayed on the third line of the About window, after "Fixture Library Version".
Compatibility
When manually updating the fixture library, you must install a fixture library version that is compatible with the version of Eos software that is running on your device.
Structure of version numbers
3 . 3 . 0 . 233
- The first number is called the major version number.
- The second number is called the minor version number.
- The third number is called the patch number.
- The fourth number is called the build number.
Compatibility rules
Compare the full version number of your Eos software with the full version number of the fixture library you want to install.
- The major version numbers must match.
- The minor version numbers must match.
- The patch number of the fixture library must be less than or equal to the patch number of the Eos version.
- The build numbers do not have to match, and will generally be completely different.
Compatibility examples
| Eos version | Fixture lib. version | Compatible? |
|---|---|---|
| 2 . 9 . 3 . 12 | 3 . 0 . 0 . 384 | No; major versions do not match |
| 3 . 2 . 10 . 36 | 3 . 3 . 0 . 215 | No; minor versions do not match |
| 3 . 1 . 5 . 8 | 3 . 1 . 3 . 6 | Yes; library patch number is lower than Eos patch number |
| 3 . 1 . 3 . 8 | 3 . 1 . 5 . 20 | No; library patch number is higher than Eos patch number |
| 3 . 3 . 0 . 549 | 3 . 3 . 0 . 233 | Yes; patch numbers are equal |
Resolving incompatible versions
If an incompatible fixture library version is installed, the device will not work properly (see Eos Family Fixture Library is Missing or Invalid). A compatible version of the fixture library version should be reinstalled by following the steps below.
Likewise, if the fixture library is corrupted or missing, a compatible fixture library should be reinstalled.
Back-porting 3.x fixture profiles to 2.9.x
Consoles and devices running Windows XP (see What Version of Windows is my Console Running?) cannot be updated to Eos software versions higher than version 2.9.3.12.
This means that the latest fixture library version that can be installed on these devices is library version 2.9.3.4.
If you need to use a newer fixture profile on a Windows XP device, see the article Merging Eos v3.x Fixture Profiles into v2.9.x for a workaround.
Updating the Fixture Library
Prepare the Update
First, download the fixture library package from our website.
| Download the latest version of the Eos fixture library from the Fixture Library Hub. | Download older versions of the Eos fixture library from the Eos Family Libraries download page. |
If you downloaded the file from the Fixture Library Hub, it will be a .zip file with a name beginning "EOS_FixtureLib". No unzipping is necessary.
If you downloaded the file from the Eos Family Libraries download page, it will be a .zip file with a name beginning "Fixture Library Update". Unzip this file and extract the .zip file inside with a name beginning "EOS_FixtureLib".
Copy the "EOS_FixtureLib" file onto the root directory of a USB flash drive; do not place it into a folder. Acceptable formats for the flash drive are FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS. Then safely eject the flash drive from your computer.
If you are updating ETCnomad, you do not need to copy the file to a USB drive; just save it somewhere on your hard drive that you can access later, then jump to step 3 below.
For ETCnomad on macOS prior to Eos version 2.4.0, fixture library updates must be installed manually; the process below will not work.
Apply the Update
- First, save your current showfile by pressing the [Shift] & [Update] keys simultaneously (or Z & U on ETCnomad). A green "Success!" message should be displayed.
- Plug the prepared USB drive into any USB port on your Eos family device.
- Go to the Eos Configuration Utility (ECU or "shell").
- Select {Settings} from the main shell menu.
- Select {General} in the top right corner.
- Select {Software Update...} from the menu on the left side. The Software Update dialog is displayed. The device will scan any connected USB drives for valid software installers.
- Select the file you copied onto the drive earlier, then select {Install}.
- Follow the prompts during the installation process. Select {Close} when the installation is complete.
After updating the fixture library, the fixture profiles in existing showfiles are not automatically updated to the newer versions. Follow the instructions in this article to update the fixture profiles in an existing showfile.
