A Macroboard is a button matrix with visual feedback that can be used in the Input Assignment to control program functions. This can either be a purely virtual Macroboard Profile, or it can be transferred to a physical device such as an Elgato Stream Deck.
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Overview
A Macroboard provides inputs and outputs in the Input Assignment. The inputs can be used for various applications or actions. Graphics in the form of bitmaps can be placed on the outputs, which then respond to actions within DMXControl 3 and visualize the status.
Two basic use cases must be distinguished in the Macroboard area. Either a physical macroboard is controlled directly, in which case everything is linked to a specific macroboard. Alternatively, a virtual Macroboard Profile can be used, which can later be transferred to a physical macroboard. Macroboard Profiles, in particular, simplify working with a macroboard because they are not tied to any physical device and can be prepared and tested at any time without one.
Currently, the following macroboards available on the market are directly supported by DMXControl 3.
| Type | Revision | Buttons | Resolution | Support | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | DMXC- Version | |||||
| Elgato | ||||||
| StreamDeck Mini | 2 x 3 buttons | 72 x 72 pixels |  Yes |
3.2.0 | ||
| Rev. 2 | Yes |
3.3.0 | ||||
| StreamDeck (Standard) | 3 x 5 buttons | 72 x 72 pixels | Yes |
3.2.0 | ||
| Rev. 2 | Yes |
3.2.2 | ||||
| MK.2 | Yes |
3.3.0 | ||||
| StreamDeck XL | 4 x 8 buttons | 96 x 96 pixels | Yes |
3.2.2 | ||
| Rev. 2 | Yes |
3.3.0 | ||||
| Stream Deck + | 8 buttons, 1 touchbar, 4 encoders | varies |  No |
Extensive changes and additions required for support | ||
| Stream Deck Neo | 8 buttons, 1 infobar, 2 touchpoints | |||||
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New hardware revisions are usually accompanied by an update of DMXControl 3. |
Key Features
Usage
Creating a Macroboard Profile
Macroboard Profiles can be added in the Project Explorer under the Macroboard Profiles section. The context menu contains the entry « Create Macroboard Profile ». This command opens the window Add Macroboard Profile.
At the top of this window, there is an option to use a "Template". Currently, the following choices are available: "Custom", "Stream Deck Mini", "Stream Deck", "Stream Deck XL". Only with the custom template can the number of buttons per "Column" and "Row" be freely defined. The arrangement and number of buttons are predetermined for the specific macroboard templates.
At the bottom, below the settings, a preview of the macroboard profile is displayed.
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Once created, a Macroboard Profile cannot be modified in terms of the number of buttons. |
It is possible to create any number of Macroboard Profiles. This allows a single macroboard to dynamically display multiple pages through appropriate routing in the Input Assignment.
Assigning Actions
For macroboards, the Input Assignment contains separate folders in both the Input and Output trees. These folders list:
all physical macroboards recognized by DMXControl 3, identified by their serial numbers,
all virtual macroboard profiles available in the project. Each folder then contains individual buttons corresponding to the number of keys on the physical macroboard or virtual macroboard profile.
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| Figure 2: Linking a Macroboard Profile Node with a Macroboard Node. |
Displaying Macroboard Profiles
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| Figure 3: Macroboard display window. |
Through « Windows »⇒ « Macroboard Profile » in the menu bar, the Macroboard window can be opened, displaying both a running output of a Macroboard and a single Macroboard Profile, allowing (simulated) control.
External Control
The Input Assignment provides the following nodes for macroboards:
Additionally, various converter nodes generate graphics for function representation on the buttons.
Application Examples
The article Stream Deck collects and explains various examples of using a macroboard.