An EFX function generates mathematical movement paths on pan/tilt or RGB channels for automated fixture motion

EFX automates moving heads by driving pan and tilt channels along algorithmic paths: Circle, Eight, Diamond, Line, Square, Lissajous, and others. Parameters: Width, Height, X/Y Offsets, Rotation, Start Offset. Fixtures follow the path Parallel, Serial (staggered start), or Asymmetric (simultaneous, offset phase). Relative Mode: instead of absolute positioning, EFX adds offsets to a Scene’s current position, enabling fewer presets (3 EFX types × 4 positions = 7 instead of 12 presets). Lissajous adds X/Y frequency and phase for figure-of-eight variants. EFX also controls RGB and Dimmer channels.

Examples

Circle EFX in Serial order on 4 moving heads creates a cascading sweep. Relative mode with a pan-saw EFX layered over a position scene lets heads orbit their current aim point.

Assessment

What is the difference between Serial and Asymmetric fixture order in an EFX? Describe a scenario where Relative Mode reduces the number of EFX presets needed.