Glossary DMXC2

Glossary DMXC2

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Magic 3D Easy View Plugin Command overview Contents Chapter 1: Foreword Chapter 2: Introduction Chapter 3: Installation Chapter 4: Control center Chapter 5: Graphical view Chapter 6: Devices Chapter 7: Output plugins Chapter 8: Channel overview Chapter 9: Scenes Chapter 10: Cue list Chapter 11: Chasers tool Chapter 12: Submaster Chapter 13: Master Chapter 14: Sound analyzer Chapter 15: BeatTool Chapter 16: Command Box Chapter 17: Audioplayer Chapter 18: Timecode player Chapter 19: Textbook Chapter 20: Command line Chapter 21: Scheduler Chapter 22: Motion cue Editor Chapter 23: Shape editor Chapter 24: PDA remote control Chapter 25: Keyboard control Chapter 26: Joystick control Chapter 27: MIDI remote control Chapter 28: DMXIn remote control Chapter 29: Program settings Chapter 30: Plugins Chapter 31: Pack And Go Function Chapter 32: DDF basic Appendix 1: Glossary Appendix 2: Command overview

Inhaltsverzeichnis A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 

A

ArtNet

ArtNet (or Art-Net) is an IP based protocol for the assignment of large quantities of DMX information about LANs or WANs under use of the default network topology. The present ArtNet uses UDP about IP. The specification was made by the company "Artistic Licence" and is freely available in version 3 at the moment (Download). She was appreciated by bigger manufacturers. The advantage of ArtNet consists that the DMX cables are replaced by Ethernetkabel in parts of the transmission path. One needs no more classic DMX transmitter at the PC with that since the signals are sent about a mostly per default available network interface. A complete show can theoretically be steered over the Internet with that. WLAN ways are more practice relevant so that the wiring can be dropped on unfavorable ways or even for the most part. Another advantage is the bi direktionale communication for re-registrations by means of RDM which, however, isn't supported of DMXControl yet. Also proprietary protocols are conceivable since the UPD protocol bi direktional is interpreted. Since the steered equipment has DMX interfaces for the most part by means of 5-pole XLR sockets furthermore, one needs another one or several so-called ArtNet knots which one, the ArtNet information in standard DMX 512 signals zurückverwandeln. So an ArtNet knot gets the signals about a network interface for one and or more DMX university verses distributes the DMX signals separated according to university verses about XLR. These Nodes even can be built themselves: Art-Net-Node für 25 Euro.

Audio cue

Audio cues permit playing an audio file in a definable length. You are usable for cues in various modules equally. The light technician also can synchronously steer audio sequences to the light with that. E.g. there is an important application for this at the theater control by means of script.

Picture 1: Create a audio cue

Picture 1: Create a audio cue

To other cues an audio cue analogously gets an eloquent name so that these are re-traceable also in the cue library. As a wave file WAVE, MP3, MP2, MP1 and OGG-Vorbis files can be used. Like other cues also can the audio cue a duration be assigned to control the temporal sequence of the cues and with that the length of the wave file as of the beginning. Has suitably to be broken off around the audio input after the adjusted time the option "after passed duration stop account". The duration also can on be limited manually to carry out the control over the "GO" button. Audio cues can be assigned to one by 16 (audio-)channels. About the channel number audio cues can be broken off by command. Siehe auch Audio manager

Audio manager

The audio manager as a drop down menu hides behind the "audio stop" button or courage button in the control center (loudspeaker with a red point). An overview has active audio streams (channels) opened out for itself there. The left symbol says to the statuses of the respective audio cue the audio stream can be manipulated with the respectively right symbol group with the usual functions break, rewinding, stop. The channels can be changed in the volume one by one and switched dumbly about orders. Several audio cues also can be on a channel.

Picture 2: View of the audio manager in the control center

Picture 2: View of the audio manager in the control center

B

Bank

Banks which serve for the ready attitude of different attitudes of the same module can be laid out within certain modules. By means of commands you can change between the Banks. Banks can be made in the following modules:

DMXIn remote control

Different assignment of DMX channels

Command box (Pages)

Choice of different pages (at most 10)

Midi Fernsteuerung

Different assignment of MIDI channels

Sound Analyzer

Different assignment of settings

Submaster

Assignment of the 12 sub-masters. It is for " possible to order groups of equipment logically front ", "Audience" "hall light" for example bench parse.

Blackout

A blackout describes turning off immediately ( or in the lighting engineering. Darken ) all light sources. Transferred to the DMX protocol this means that all dimmer channels are immediately put on 0%. A "blackout" buttone is in DMXControl in the control center. If this is activated, all channels defined as dimmer channels are backed 0% and the version closed on these channels until the blackout is lifted again.

C

Color filter

A color filter is a firm intention for a lamp which shall ink her light. Color filters are usually colored plastic films. Besides that there is also dichroic filter, which consist of glass and make a considerably better filtration possible at a higher price.

Color wheel

A color wheel is often found in moving heads and other multifunction headlights. It is a plate on which glass color filters are arranged circularly and reach to the course of ray. Discreet light colors or half colors are produced by the color wheel be able to into been different.

Command

see Command overview

Cue

A show consists of various cues. A cue is an instantaneous adjustment of all connected devices (DMX values​​). A fade and hold time can be specified for each scene, which remain within it comes to fruition scene list or [#Chaser|chaser]. Values ​​of a cue to remain active on the issue, until they are explicitly overridden, for example by a different cue.

Picture 3: Create a new cue

Picture 3: Create a new cue

In addition to the "simple cue" can commands, motion or audio cue can be used. All cues can be managed in the cue library and can be selected and reused from there. Composition cues can combine any types of cues.

The concept of cue from DMXControl corresponds to the scene from various other light control programs.

Cue list

One or more cues form a cue list. The maximum number of cues per cue list is limited only by the resources of your computer. Playing a cue list indicates the sequential execution of all individual cues taking into account its duration and fade. The cues can also be forwarded manually. Multiple lists can run in parallel cue at a time.

D

DDF

DDF is the abbreviation of "DEVICE definition file". DDFs are used by DMXControl to describe information about the used equipment in the XML format. Among other things the channel occupancy of the device, the layout of the control window as well as further information are contained in a DDF. The DDFs are in the sub-folder "DEVICEs" of the DMXControl contents directory. The accompanying device image files which are shown on the graphical view lie name in another sub-folder „Images“. A DDF library is installed per default. For the construction of DDFs see DDF basics.

Device

In DMXControl the term device refers to a point in the DMX chain, where the signal is evaluated. This can happen, for example by:

• an dimmer
• an fog machine
• an multi-function spotlight as moving head or scanner
• an Application plugin
• everything DMX can process

A device is usually (but not necessarily) physically present and responsive to the transmitted signals DMX. Devices are described by DDF, containing all the necessary information for control. In the graphical view of the Stage devices can be created, deleted, and moved in front of the background image. A click on the device icon opens the Control Panel. Devices always need a Start address.

DMX512

The DMX512 protocol 1986 of the USITT, an American organization was defined, which deals among others with theater technology (short DMX). With various improvements it is also standardized in Germany since 1994 (DIN 56930/Teil2). DMX stands for D 'igital', 'M ultiple 'X, which means that the signals are transferred digitally over a line to the dimmers and other devices. Unlike this the earlier ones had systems one analogous line each for every single device. Since the equipment is switched at DMX behind each other, one also talks about a DMX chain (engl. daisychain). In a plain verse attached equipment has a clear start address between 1 and 512 everybody. However, at most 32 equipment only should be attached at a DMX rope since otherwise the burden on the line gets too big. Remedial action then can be taken with amplifiers or splinters. A value between 0 and 255 sent can weden over the DMX protocol on every channel in a cycle. The meaning of the value isn't defined in the DMX protocol but depends on the device individually. Protected two wire lines shall be used for DMX with 5-pole XLR plugs. However, in the practice one finds 3-pole XLR verb Indians at a favorable equipment particularly in front of - these aren't then, however, standard-compliant and mustn't bear the name DMX512.

DMXC plugin

DMXControl defines two kinds of Plugins for the expansion of the functionality:

• Outout plugins to the support of different new DMX interfaces
• Application plugins for inserting new modules and functions in DMXControl

DMX interface

A "DMX interface" (also frequently called "DMX transmitter") represents the hardware interface between PC and the DMX universe. There are the values produced by DMXControl on the DMX chain. The transmitters can parallel or about USB serially internally be attached at the PC. One needs a DMX interface for productive use of DMXControl or the real drive of a DMX-capable device, in principle the program works completely (primarily for exercise purposes) also without interface. DMXControl uses output plugins to mention different DMX transmitters with a uniform interface. A complete list of the DMX interfaces supported by DMXControl is found on our [dmxcontrol. de/unterstuetzte-interfaces. html|Website]. The DMXControl interface specification is available so that you your self can make an output plugin. At the program start DMXControl is looking for files in his contents directory with the ending "*.out.dll" which the output plugins represent. One then can activate and configure the required plugins over the menu item of output plugins.

Dimmer channel

Channels which function as dimmers become in the DDF of the respective device by means of type=dimmer when such defines. Using this information DMXControl only can apply certain functions to channels which also steer the brightness of a device. Among other things these are:

• Grandmaster
• Blackout
• Automatic HTP
• Joist below the device icon in the Graphical view

F

Fade in time

One can define a one dazzling time in DMXControl for every cue around gentle fadeing to realize between cues. Be the DMX values brought closer to the stored values continuously and finally put on these during this period of time (engl. fading). The contrast to this is a sudden change of the values at a one dazzling time of 0 seconds. Which not faded are (e.g. Gobo wheels) one can fading point do for channels be defined.

Fader

A fader is a mechanical slider more classically wisely which changes an electrical resistance and is found at audio or light sound mixers, for example. The English verb to fade expresses a fluent, continuous transition between two values. This is primarily confessed dull one and dull out as volume change at the beginning and end of a piece of music. (Software-)faders are used in DMXControl mainly in the submaster. You serve to adjust exact DMX values or to realize gentle transitions between cues. Also in much DDFs faders are defined and make the attitude possible there among other things of trick and strobe speed or colors.

Flash button

Flash buttons set their assigned channels temporarily (for the duration of the operation) to the maximum allowable value. This is in DMXControl by the maximum values ​​in the DDF and the Flash master defined

G

Gobo / Gobo wheel

A gobo (Graphical optical blackout) alters the beam of a spotlight. It is a mask that can be cut out of geometric shapes, texts or images. The light beam then assumes this shape. Gobos are constructed of metal stamped from thin sheet metal or glass gobos more expensive than in combination with dichroic filters. In the headlamps often even more screens sit on a circular gobo. Depending on the rotation of the gobo wheel, there is a certain gobo in the beam, the beam then becomes the subject. Also there is the possibility to have gobos rotate around itself.

H

HTP

HTP stands for "highest takes precedence" (the highest value prevails ) and is usually used for dimmer channels ,e.g. To prevent flicker by parallel changes from several sources. DMXControl HTP can be applied to all channels that are marked as type="dimmer" in DDF. Thus, the highest value is always output on one channel, for example we can the sound analyzer and run at the same time can also create an chaser. Would be possible that a preheat , because the value "10" would be compared to the "0" as by setting an ongoing chaser. By default, the HTP mode is disabled, but can be switched to the application configuration easy. HTP / LTP processed per channel - channels in the DDF as a " dimmer type = " are registered HTP are mixed , the rest of LTP . But if you completely shut down the program configuration HTP , then dimmer channels are mixed LTP . If you have problems with "hanging " channels , which probably has to do with the HTP mode. In the channel list is displayed which channel of which was last modified mixer channel . If for example a fully wound channel of a cue, it can only be set by the next cue, or by closing the cue module back to a lower value . When a cue fades into another , the old values ​​should also be reduced .

L

LTP

LTP stands for "latest takes precedence" (the last value prevails) and is automatically used when DMXControl for all channels that are not marked as "Dimmer". The last channel change is passed directly to the output system. If the mixer channel is closed, the state before the first change by the just closed mixer channel will be restored on each DMX channel.

Line termination

To ensure a low-loss and trouble-free transmission of the DMX signal DMX512 protocol requires a terminating resistor of 120 ohms at the end of the DMX chain between Data + and Data-(pin 2 and 3). So that feedback and to prevent signal reflections that could distort further transmitted values​​. There are to buy commercial terminators (5-7 €), but you can be prepared in a DMX connector such a device itself also through the incorporation of an appropriate resistor.

M

Master

A master is the load Which authority has influence on the signal before it reaches the output. Changes to a master controller act synchronously on all channels and give maximum values ​​for them before in DMXControl there is the module Master, where grand master (dimmer), secondary master (dimmer), flash master and Speedmaster (speed of chasers and fading times) maximum value for.

Mixer channel

DMXControl internally uses a mixer that collects the DMX outputs of the various active modules and generates the output values​​, which are then displayed on the respective DMX transmitter. The different sources (ie mostly modules) are referred to as "Mixer channels", not to be confused with DMX channels. A mixer channel usually covers the entire DMX channel space that the respective DMXControl version is available (256 or 512 channels). If a mixer channel " closed ', are also calculates the new output values​​. The blender system of DMXControl always the module that was operated by the user as a last resort reserves the Controlle until:

• the module is closed,
• another module is operated
• the module is reset.

Some modules such as the audio player example provide a button with which you can reset the module (small red circle with a slash through). 'Example:' If one uses a channel with the flash button on the submaster, the submaster is the last module, which accesses the channel. Thus, another chaser of this DMX channel acts again, you can do 3 things:

• close the submaster window,
• start the chaser again and
• reset the Submaster.

Mixer mode

The channel of the internal mixer can be mixed to 2 standards, these are LTP and HTP.

O

Output plugins

The union on the side of the software which processes the generated DMX data represents a version Plugin between DMXControl and a hard or software. This mainly is DMX interfaces (transmitters) which pass the data (mostly cable-bound) on to a DMX-capable device. The union to a visualisierer or by ArtNet is but also taken by output plugins. See also Output plugins.

P

Preheat

The preheat (also Pre Heat) serves to increase the life of your bulbs. The lamps are not switched off completely, but always operated slightly dimmed, so that the lamp is not currently visible. In DMXControl can reach a preheat by

• activate the HTP mode (in the program settings)
• save a cue that contains the desired channel values ​​for the preheating and
• this cue a command call at startup can (also program settings).

Project

You can generate various projects (shows), and save (one at a time just a project) load. DMXControl in a project contains all project data that are relevant for a show. Such data include which DMX devices are used, created scenes and effects, input and output configurations and more. However, they are stored by the individual modules of DMXC in a shared folder with different file extensions.

In addition, there are also so called global data, the DMXControl across projects in a separate directory ( "%appdata%/PopSoft /" ) stores. These global data including settings of the MIDI and DMX remote controls. Therefore, these data must be copied when copying a project to another computer. How this works easiest, may be found in Chapter 31 Pack and Go.

S

Spectrum

Decomposition of the frequency band of an audio file in different intervals. All intervals together form the spectrum. DMXControl in the intervals can be assigned to channels.

Start adresse

Each physical device in a DMX chain has a so called starting or base address. This is set on the device itself, ideally it is identical with the start ardress the device in DMXControl. This address refers to the lowest, but not necessarily the only one channel from a device processes the DMX values​​. A 4-channel dimmer with the start address 5 evaluates the channels 5,6,7 and 8, a moving head can prove quite 15 or more channels for its functions. It is also possible to assign the same start address multiple devices. This can lead to unwanted results, but are also deliberately used in the same headlights for synchronous outputs. As the start address is set, depends on the device, please note here the manufacturer's instructions.

In the Device Configuration dialog box, the positions of DIP switches own piano are displayed to the selected start address.

Submaster

A submaster is a fader can control the values ​​of different channels together. The submaster concept in DMXControl by realized, each consisting of a submaster fader and flash button Submaster module. Using a submaster, for example, the same functions are bundled, so all channels of 10 red LED headlights.

T

Termination resistor

To ensure of a loss and trouble-free assignment of the DMX signals the DMX512 protocol requires RS485 standard a terminating resistor of 120 Ohm at the end of the DMX chain between the signal leads (exact this). Feedbacks and signal reflections which could distort further sent values are prevented with that. €Zhowever, one gets her aurochs guarantee of a loss and trouble-free also by the installation of a corresponding resistance into a DMX plug between datas+ and data ), (Pin 1 and 2) produce themselves.

Transition point

The " use point" is used when blending between two cues. While the channels with the attribute "fade = yes" (dimmer) are soft fade, the other channels (shutter, gobo wheel) must be set at a point abruptly to a new value. The insertion point is the location on the timeline represents (between 0 and 100% of the fade), the switching happens. In this way, gobos can be changed either at the beginning or at the end of the fade.

Referenzen

 

Magic 3D Easy View Plugin Command overview Contents Chapter 1: Foreword Chapter 2: Introduction Chapter 3: Installation Chapter 4: Control center Chapter 5: Graphical view Chapter 6: Devices Chapter 7: Output plugins Chapter 8: Channel overview Chapter 9: Scenes Chapter 10: Cue list Chapter 11: Chasers tool Chapter 12: Submaster Chapter 13: Master Chapter 14: Sound analyzer Chapter 15: BeatTool Chapter 16: Command Box Chapter 17: Audioplayer Chapter 18: Timecode player Chapter 19: Textbook Chapter 20: Command line Chapter 21: Scheduler Chapter 22: Motion cue Editor Chapter 23: Shape editor Chapter 24: PDA remote control Chapter 25: Keyboard control Chapter 26: Joystick control Chapter 27: MIDI remote control Chapter 28: DMXIn remote control Chapter 29: Program settings Chapter 30: Plugins Chapter 31: Pack And Go Function Chapter 32: DDF basic Appendix 1: Glossary Appendix 2: Command overview