Groups in GrandMA3 are more than just convenience—they're essential for maintaining selection order, running consistent effects, and organizing your rig for faster access. Whether you’re working with a few fixtures or a full stage of intelligent lights, setting up smart groups with proper structure will save you serious time.

Why Selection Order Matters

Every preset, phaser, and cue runs based on selection order, and groups let you recall that exact order instantly. The Selection Grid provides a visual way to see not just what’s selected—but the order in which it's selected, across both X and Y axes.

Creating and Storing Groups

You can store a group in several ways:

• Press Store, then tap an empty pool slot.

• Long-press an existing pool object.

• Use the command line (Store Group 23).

Once stored, label it for easy recall. For example, a two-row fixture layout can be stored as a grid-based group to retain spatial logic during programming.

Selection Grid Tricks

• Change the grid cursor mode to “New Line” to create multi-row layouts quickly.

• Use Set and Next to step through X or Y axes—great for testing or live control.

• Lasso selections in a 3D view to generate groups that reflect your rig's real-world layout.

Editing and Locking Groups

Use Setup Mode to move fixtures around inside a group layout, then update the group if needed. For groups that shouldn’t be modified week to week, use the Lock function to prevent changes while still allowing selection.

This is especially helpful in church environments where volunteers may operate the desk—you can protect critical programming elements while still keeping them accessible.

Best Practices

Always double-check selection order if a phaser or cue isn’t behaving as expected. A small adjustment to the grid layout can make a big difference in how effects play back on stage.