Open Function (DDF-Syntax) DMXC3 |
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With the help of open functions, all functions of a device in DMXControl 3 are mapped, which (currently) cannot be implemented through a native function such as Dimmer, Strobe, Color Wheel, or comparable. If a function of a device cannot be represented natively through one of the specific functions such as goborotation
for the gobo rotation of a gobo wheel or strobe
for the (simply put) flashing of the device, so-called general functions or completely free functions can be defined in the DDF.
General Functions
Index
This function can be used, for example, when the lenses of a beam effect device can be positioned at a certain angle.
For indexing of gobos, the function index should not be used. The slider Gobo index in the Gobo window can only be used via the goboindex function.
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Case | Code example |
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Standard | <index dmxchannel="0">
<range range="60" mindmx="0" maxdmx="127" minval="0" maxval="60" />
</index>
Index on DMX channel 1:
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Attribute | range | mindmx | maxdmx | minval | maxval |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | Maximum rotation angle for the lens | DMX value for the start position | DMX value for the end position | Start position of the lens | End position of the lens |
Permissible attribute value | 0° to 720°
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0 to 255
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0 to 255
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0° to 720°
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0° to 720°
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Rotation
This function can be used, for example, when the lenses of a beam effect device can be rotated or to control the rotation of a mirror ball motor.
For rotating gobos, the function rotation should not be used. The slider Gobo rotation in the Gobo window can only be used via the goborotation function.
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Case | Code example |
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Standard | <rotation dmxchannel="0">
<step type="stop" mindmx="191" maxdmx="192" />
<range type="cw" mindmx="190" maxdmx="128" minval="0.05" maxval="5" />
<range type="ccw" mindmx="193" maxdmx="255" minval="0.05" maxval="5" />
</rotation>
Rotation on DMX channel 1:
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Attribute | type | mindmx | maxdmx | minval | maxval |
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Description | DMX value for minimum rotation speed | DMX value for maximum rotation speed | Minimum rotation speed | Maximum rotation speed | |
Permissible attribute value | stop
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0 to 255
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0 to 255
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0.01 1/s to 10 1/s
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0.01 1/s to 10 1/s
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Cool
Heat
Free Functions
Since not all functions of a DMX device can be accurately represented, there are elements that can be freely defined. However, these are only output in the Device Control. The advantages of the Hardware Abstraction Layers (HAL) can also be applied to these freely defined functions.
The following elements are currently available to freely define functions of a DMX device:
rawstep
: Generates a list with options for functions.raw
: Generates a simple slider.const
: Constantly sends
a specific DMX value on a DMX channel.
All the elements mentioned above are completely device-specific. After replacing the device, the HAL cannot automatically apply values stored in Cuelists etc. to the new device. These elements should only be used if mapping the function through a native function is not possible. |
rawstep
The rawstep
element generates a list in the Device Control to select specific functions of the DMX device. Typical use cases include:
- Selection of different operating modes of a DMX device such as direct DMX control, playing automatic programs, activation of music control
- Inserting and removing an animation disc in a moving head
- Switching the mode for pan-tilt movement from the normal, "classic" control mode to endless movement mode
In contrast to the fixed defined functions, with rawstep
, in addition to the DMX channel, a name or a short description of the DMX channel must be specified in the name
attribute. The description of each step
can be freely chosen. The chosen description does not affect the operation of the HAL.
Case | Code example |
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Standard | <rawstep dmxchannel="0" name="Mode">
<step caption="DMX" mindmx="0" maxdmx="9" />
<step caption="Auto" mindmx="10" maxdmx="199" />
<step caption="Music" mindmx="200" maxdmx="255" />
</rawstep>
Freely defined function with the name "Mode" on DMX channel 1:
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Attribute | caption | mindmx | maxdmx |
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Description | Description of the function | Minimum DMX value to activate the function | Maximum DMX value to activate the function |
Permissible attribute value | Text
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0 to 255
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0 to 255
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The text for the description must not contain an ampersand (&). Otherwise, the DDF cannot be loaded. |
raw
The raw
element generates a single slider in the Device Control. Typical use cases for this are:
- Control of the playback speed of automatic programs
- Adjustment of microphone sensitivity for sound-to-light control
- Speed and direction for endless movements of moving heads
- Direction and speed for animation discs
- Use for additional motion axes
- Adjustment for effect speeds for color and gobo wheels
If multiple internal programs of the present device can be selected and their playback speed changed via a DMX channel, these should be implemented using the rawranges element.
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In contrast to the fixed defined functions, with raw
, in addition to the DMX channel, a name or a short description of the DMX channel must be specified in the name
attribute.
Case | Code example |
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Speed controller for automatic programs in simplified version | <raw dmxchannel="0" name="Macro speed" />
Freely defined function with the name "Speed" on DMX channel 1:
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Speed controller for automatic programs with own value range | <raw dmxchannel="0" name="Macro speed" >
<range type="linear" mindmx="0" maxdmx="255" minval="0" maxval="100" />
</raw>
Freely defined function with the name "Speed" on DMX channel 1:
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Template for animation disc | <raw dmxchannel="0" name="Animation disk rotation" >
<step type="stop" mindmx="125" maxdmx="130" />
<range type="cw" mindmx="131" maxdmx="255" minval="0.05" maxval="2" />
<range type="ccw" mindmx="124" maxdmx="0" minval="-2" maxval="-0.05" />
</raw >
Freely defined function with the name "Rotation Animation Disc" on DMX channel 1:
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Attribute | type | mindmx | maxdmx | minval | maxval |
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Description | Minimum DMX value to activate the function | Maximum DMX value to activate the function | Minimum value | Maximum value | |
Permissible attribute value | linear
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0 to 255
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0 to 255
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No restriction | No restriction |
rawranges
The rawranges
element generates a slider in the Device Control for multiple different functions with a variable value range. The functions can be selected via the associated, automatically generated dropdown menu. Typical use cases for this are:
- Changing the playback speed of internal programs
For a clear assignment in the Device Control, in addition to the dmxchannel
attribute, a name or a short description of the DMX channel must also be specified in the name
attribute. The basic definition does not differ from the raw
element, but is only supplemented by the type
attribute, in which the description of the respective function on the DMX channel is made.
Case | Code example |
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Selection and playback speed for automatic programs | <rawranges dmxchannel="0" name="Auto show" >
<step type="Off" mindmx="0" maxdmx="31" />
<range type="Show 1" mindmx="32" maxdmx="63" minval="0" maxval="100" />
<range type="Show 2" mindmx="64" maxdmx="95" minval="0" maxval="100" />
<range type="Show 3" mindmx="96" maxdmx="127" minval="0" maxval="100" />
<range type="Show 4" mindmx="128" maxdmx="191" minval="0" maxval="100" />
<range type="Show 5" mindmx="192" maxdmx="255" minval="0" maxval="100" />
</rawranges>
Freely defined function with the name "Auto show" on DMX channel 1:
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Attribute | type | mindmx | maxdmx | minval | maxval |
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Description | Minimum DMX value for the function | Maximum DMX value for the function | Minimum value | Maximum value | |
Permissible attribute value | Short description of the function | 0 to 255
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0 to 255
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No restriction | No restriction |
const
The const
element is used whenever a specific DMX value needs to be set permanently on a DMX channel, but otherwise this DMX channel is not used. Examples could include DMX channels where various internal programs of the DMX device are stored but should not be used.
No graphical user interface is provided for the const
element. Adjustment of the set DMX value is not possible.
In contrast to the fixed defined functions, with const
, in addition to the DMX channel, a name or a short description of the DMX channel must be specified in the name
attribute. The val
attribute specifies the DMX value that should be permanently set on this DMX channel.
Case | Code example |
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Standard | <const dmxchannel="0" name="Macro Effects" val="0" />
Macro effects on DMX channel 1:
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