setting a default work space file in Qlab

[ra byn taylor]

I'm helping a theater that just purchased a redundant Qlab rig streamline their rig for the current production run. They do 1 month runs so making it easy for the operator (in this case the SM) to boot up & get everything working is desirable.

In the past I've just setup a login item that opens the right workspace file in Qlab but I wonder...

Is there a way to tell Qlab, everytime you open, load X workspace file?

If not, that seems like something that would be helpful after the show is finished tech-ing.

What is happening sometimes is the operator or the TD is opening Qlab from the dock Icon & then an empty work space file is sitting there.  Then they need to select "open recent / correct show file"

How about a preference option in Qab (maybe under GENERAL) to setup a specific file that always loads upon Qlab starting?

If no one likes that idea, maybe allow the option to turn on a confirmation at startup -  "would you like to start from scratch or load last workspace or select a default workspace file?" option at startup?

I'd prefer to just be able to tell Qlab, "always use this workspace file at startup".

Things are a bit complicated because the theater is also using MIDI CUES to  trigger Light Factory cues in Windows 7 via Parallels 7. 

FYI, a Mac version of LF is coming...

Here is what I'm trying to automate:

open qlab workspace X ( I can do this right now)

pause 15 secs 

open parallels

auto click past the "resume" function in Windows"

pause 15 secs

start Light Factory

Currently without the pauses, the USB dongle that authorizes Light Factory doesn't have time to load correctly in Win 7 before the software starts & midi triggering is hit & miss between Qlab & LF2 even though they both have their own USB to MIDI devices which are hard patched to each other. 

I know that 1/2 the problem has nothing to do with Qlab or even Mac OS but in case there actually is a way to tell Qlab to open the same workspace file when it starts, I thought I would ask how. If not, suggest such a function for Qlab 3. 

Best regards,

ra byn

[Mick Ritchie]

Drop an alias of the qlab session onto the macs :"log in" items in "accounts" prefs and
the mac will boot and load that session ready to go

mick

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[Mick Ritchie]

ooops I see you said that already and it doesnt have to be an alias either-

mick

[ra byn taylor]

On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 1:53 AM, Mick Ritchie <mick...@gmail.com> wrote:

ooops I see you said that already and it doesnt have to be an alias either-

 

Maybe it's from using DAW & other software but it just seems intuitive to have an app able to load a specific file or at least open the last one that was open automatically upon launching.

I've always found the empty workspace at launch an inconvenience.  95% of the time when I launch Qlab, I'm working on an existing show. 5% of the time I am starting from scratch. 

So a few official requests for those of us who rely on non sound / non audio playback type operators. 

1. allow for choosing to open the last workspace when Qlab launches

2. allow for setting up a default workspace Qlab loads when it is launched

Best regards,

ra byn 

[Dave "luckydave" Memory]

It's not exactly the feature you're looking for, but it's possible without waiting for updates: in the "Open Recent" menu, at the bottom, you can clear the menu. Then, open the only file you want them to use. Then, when they open QLab, they can go to the Open Recent menu, and there's only one option. Click that, and tada.

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luck...@figure53.com

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[Christopher Ashworth]

On Oct 3, 2012, at 12:25 AM, ra byn taylor <rabyn...@gmail.com> wrote:

Is there a way to tell QLab, everytime you open, load X workspace file?

Not in QLab, but the current version of OS X has this functionality built-in.   (To open all prior documents when launching the application.)

-C

[Sean Dougall]

You could always remove QLab from the dock and put the workspace file in the dock instead. You can drag it in anywhere between the divider and the trash icon.

Sean

[ra byn taylor]

Interesting! I tried doing exact this last night but the Qlab workspace file wanted to turn into trash. I guess I was trying to drop it in the wrong area. 

Thanks,

*

[Greg Casparian]

I just set up something like that in Automator. Your workflow would go:
Get Specified Finder Items (file path of show file) ->
Open Finder Items (default application) ->
Pause (15 seconds) ->
Launch Application (Parallels) ->
[You will need to record yourself clicking past the "resume function in Windows". Use the record feature in Automator to do this.] ->
Pause (15 seconds) ->
EITHER Launch Application (Light Factory) OR [Record your actions opening Light Factory]

(Items in Parentheses are options within Automator.)
[Items in Brackets are recorded actions.]

Show to show, all that would have to change is the file path of your show. You could even have it bring any given workspace to the front, or show a "Ready to go" message when everything is done.