Lesson 1 Tut3

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!!! to do: DMXControl Treffen 2012 - move kernel commands into appendix

Overview

This lecture introduces into the distributed architecture of DMXControl 3.0. You will learn some facts about the client and server communication and how to operate the kernel.

Lecture: Installation and Configuration

DMXControl 3.0 provides a distributed architecture, i.e. there is a kernel that can communicate with several clients. The kernel runs basically on Windows operating system, but can also be launched on Linux (with Mono).

One or multiple clients can be started on different systems (Windows, iOS, Android). Thus, you can even work in teams for implementing and performing your show. DMXControl 3.0 supports also cooperation during the life cycle, i.e. you can execute scene lists during your mate is still programming the missing cues!

The separation of server and clients provides some benefits:

the kernel continues in case of malfunction in the user interface and continues DMX output
several users can share the kernel to work in a team
kernel and user interface could run on different computers

The kernel

At first, lets start the kernel, i.e. the DMXControl server. Currently this application is called "DMXControl 3 Kernel" or "Lumos.exe" (hint: in the beta version you have to start the kernel as administrator when you have used the standard installation). In future a default user don't have to be aware about the kernel process. It will be automatically started with DMXControl and is (hopefully) continuously running.

During launching the kernel you can observe what is loaded by DMXControl. The kernel is the central master of all information about devices, cues, projects etc. that can be accessed by the clients. And it provides the DMX mixer engine and output system.

The kernel provides a command shell. By typing "help" you get an overview about all supported commands.

For further details see Appendix 2.

The client

In next step you should start the Windows based GUI client (currently called "DMXControl 3 GUI" or LumosGUI.exe"). This client will be explained in next lectures. At first a connection between client and server is initiated. You can also select the Menu "Connection-->Connect" in order to connect with the server.

If you have installed a firewall you have to grant the communication between client and server.

After establishing the connection you should see a small icon in the lower line of the client indicating the existing connection. A red cross indicates that the connection failed.

Now you are able to load your project. DMXControl will provide a default demo project. You can open it with menue point "Project".

Project Management

You can save a project as a default project. If you use Project -> New Project, DMXControl will load your default project, which can be a project you already patched your fixtures. To save a project as a default project, goto Project -> Save Project as, type the name "DefaultProject" and save it to the ressources folder of the kernel "\path\to\your\DMXControl 3.0\Kernel\Ressources\"

topics to be added (by beta testers)

how to save a project

Excercise

1) Please try following commands in command shell:

menue
status
shutdown -> uups!

2) Restart kernel and GUI and connect your client ("DMXControl 3 GUI") with DMXControl server.

Congratulation! Now you have successfully installed your own DMXControl configuration!

Assumptions for installation

DMXControl 3.0 requires following software to be installed:

DirectX 9.0c
.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 or higher
XNA Framework 3.0(xnafx30_redist.msi)

Additional links and references

DirectX 9.0c
.NET Framework 3.5
.NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1
XNA Framework 3.0 (Has to be installed even if a higher version of XNA framework is already installed)

Known Issues

GUI Elements display glitches

This could look like shown below: Also if you move windows it happens that thay are not displayed correct.

This can occur if you have a NVidia graphics card and use an old driver version.

I experienced this issue with a GeForce G 103M Driver Version 258.96 + PhysX 09.10.0513 on Windows XP x86_64.

Consider updating the driver to the latest version. Version 266.58 + PhysX 09.10.0514 is known to work.

Certificate

I have understood the topics of this lecture and want to continue with next course: Lesson 2