Avolites R20 Personality Builder Portable Full May 2026
The Avolites Personality Builder is the modern software tool used to create and edit fixture "personalities" (profiles) for Avolites lighting consoles. While modern Titan-based consoles use .d4 files, the R20 format is specifically designed for older "Classic" consoles, such as the Pearl 2000, 2004, 2008, 2010, and Pearl Tiger. Understanding the R20 Format
Historically, R20 files were simple text files edited in Notepad. Each DMX mode of a fixture required its own separate .r20 file, unlike modern .d4 files which can hold multiple modes. Using the Modern Personality Builder for R20
Although the Avolites Personality Builder is primarily built for Titan/D4 files, it includes built-in functionality to export personalities as R20 files for legacy hardware. Key Steps to Build a Full R20 Personality:
Identify the Fixture Mode: Determine the exact DMX channel map for the fixture.
Assign Attributes: Use the Personality Builder to add attributes like Pan, Tilt, Dimmer, and Color. For R20 compatibility, ensure you use the Classic Pearl Reference field for each mode. avolites r20 personality builder full
Wheel Mapping: You must manually configure the Wheel Mapping specifically for the "Classic Pearl" tab. This determines which encoder wheels control which attributes on the physical console.
Handle 16-bit Dimmers: R20 consoles often struggle with 16-bit dimmers. It is often necessary to separate them into two 8-bit attributes or swap the MSB/LSB in the builder before exporting.
Export as R20: Navigate to File > Generate R20 files. This will convert your modern D4-style profile into the legacy format compatible with older Pearl consoles. Why You Might Need a Custom R20
Unsupported Fixtures: Avolites officially stopped creating new R20 personalities in 2019. If you have a brand-new fixture you want to use on a Pearl 2010, you must build it yourself or convert a modern D4 file. The Avolites Personality Builder is the modern software
Third-Party Tools: There have been independent projects like the "R20 Personality Builder" software (released circa 2006) designed to make R20 creation faster than manual coding, though these are no longer officially supported. Tips for Success
Create personality on Pearl Tiger - The Avolites Discussion Forum
REPORT TITLE: Comprehensive Technical Analysis and User Guide: Avolites R20 Personality Builder
DATE: October 26, 2023 SUBJECT: Functionality, Architecture, and Operational Procedures of the Avolites R20 Personality Builder The R20 File Format Avolites uses the
The R20 File Format
Avolites uses the .r20 file extension for its fixture libraries. These files contain:
- Attribute mapping: Which DMX channel is Pan, which is Fine Tilt, etc.
- Default values: Where the gobo wheel parks, or the default color.
- Ranges: Defining what DMX value 0-127 means (Open) vs 128-255 (Strobe).
Without the R20 builder, you are left using generic profiles, which is like driving a Ferrari with square wheels.
3. Mode Creation & Merging
Modern moving heads are notorious for having 10 different DMX modes (Basic, Standard, Extended, RGB, etc.). The Full version lets you clone, merge, and branch these modes from a single source file. If a fixture has 50 channels in "Extended Mode" and 20 in "Basic Mode," the full builder handles the truncation seamlessly.
2. Attribute Groups (Macro control)
The Full version lets you create "Groups" of attributes. For example, grouping "Red, Green, Blue" into a single "Color Mix" category that appears on the console’s soft keys. You can also disable attributes physically on the fixture to prevent accidental resets (e.g., locking the "Reset" channel to zero).
