Intensity (DDF-Syntax) DMXC3
Intensity (DDF-Syntax) DMXC3 | Article describes DMXControl 3.2.3 |
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Dimmer, Switch, Shutter, and Strobe are functions in the DDFs for DMXControl 3, which are assigned to the group Intensity and thereby influence the brightness of a device. For this purpose, the GUI provides a corresponding control panel.
Dimmer
The dimmer channel controls the brightness of a device. LED PAR spotlights or moving heads usually have only one dimmer channel. Depending on the configuration, resolutions ranging from the standard resolution of 8 bits to finer resolutions up to 32 bits are possible. For this purpose, the element is expanded to <dimmer dmxchannel="0" finedmxchannel="1" ultraddmxchannel="2" ultrafinedmxchannel="3" />
. DMXControl automatically handles the corresponding calculation of which DMX channel to control.
Unlike LED PARs, scanners, or moving heads, dimmer packs have multiple dimmer channels. However, it is not necessary to map the dimmer pack with its four, six, or twelve dimmer channels itself. It is more helpful and easier to add the connected halogen PAR spotlights to the project accordingly. |
Case | Code example |
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Standard | <dimmer dmxchannel="0" />
Dimmer on DMX channel 1 with a standard linear dimming behavior from 0% brightness (off) at DMX value 0 to maximum brightness of 100% at DMX value 255. |
Dimmer with 16-bit resolution | <dimmer dmxchannel="0" finedmxchannel="1" />
Dimmer with 16-bit resolutions on DMX channels 1 and 2 |
Simple dimmer in a specific DMX value range | <dimmer dmxchannel="0">
<range type="linear" mindmx="0" maxdmx="127" minval="0" maxval="100" />
</dimmer>
Dimmer on DMX channel 1:
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Attribute | type | mindmx | maxdmx | minval | maxval |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | DMX value for low brightness | DMX value for maximum brightness | Lowest brightness | Maximum brightness | |
Permissible attribute value | linear
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0 to 255
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0 to 255
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0 % to 100 %
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0 % to 100 %
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Switch
The function switch
is used whenever only two states need to be toggled, for example, the state "work light on" and the state "work light off".
Apart from the DMX channel, no further information needs to be provided for this element. DMXControl 3 automatically outputs a DMX value of 0 for brightness values less than 50% and a DMX value of 255 for brightness values above 50%.
It is recommended to use this function only with a switch pack. For activating another operating mode, such as sound-to-light control, the rawstep
element is better suited.
Case | Code example |
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Standard | <switch dmxchannel="0" />
Switch on DMX channel 1 |
Shutter
The shutter is usually found in moving heads or scanners with a discharge lamp. Mechanical shutters are inserted into the light beam when the device should not emit light. Additionally, the strobe effect is generated via the shutter. For moving heads or scanners with LEDs as a light source, this behavior is simulated electronically.
Usually, several functions need to be assigned to the shutter channel, but at least the functions "shutter closed" and "shutter open".
Case | Code example |
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Standard | <shutter dmxchannel="0">
<step type="closed" mindmx="0" maxdmx="21" />
<step type="open" mindmx="234" maxdmx="255" />
</shutter>
Shutter on DMX channel 1:
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Attribute | type | mindmx | maxdmx |
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Description | Lower DMX value for the state | Upper DMX value for the state | |
Permissible attribute value | closed open
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0 to 255
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0 to 255
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Strobe
Basic functions
Various functions such as different strobe effects can be assigned to the strobe channel. The following strobe effects are common:
linear
: Strobe frequency steadily increases to almost continuous lightingpulse
: Pulsating strobe effectrandom
: Flashes occur at random intervals with increasing intensityramp up
: Flashes become brighter up to the maximum value and then go out abruptlyspikes
: Individual flashes are generated
Case | Code example |
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Standard | <strobe dmxchannel="0">
<step type="open" mindmx="0" maxdmx="5" />
<range type="linear" mindmx="6" maxdmx="89" minval="1" maxval="12" />
<range type="pulse" mindmx="90" maxdmx="172" minval="0.5" maxval="6" />
<range type="random" mindmx="173" maxdmx="255" minval="1" maxval="12" />
</strobe>
Strobe on DMX channel 1:
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Attribute | type | mindmx | maxdmx | minval | maxval |
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Description | DMX value for minimum strobe frequency | DMX value for maximum strobe frequency | Minimum strobe frequency | Maximum strobe frequency | |
Permissible attribute value | linear pulse random ramp up ramp down ramp up/down lightning spikes
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0 to 255
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0 to 255
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0 Hz to 50 Hz
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0 Hz to 50 Hz
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Subfunctions
The following subfunctions are possible for individual functions of the strobe channel:
strobetype
: Selection of the strobe effect via a separate DMX channel
Strobe type
The strobetype
selects the strobe effect via a separate DMX channel. This function is usually available when the device can generate many different strobe effects, and the strobe frequency should still be precisely adjusted in this context.
Case | Code example |
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Standard | <strobe dmxchannel="0">
<strobetype dmxchannel="1" />
<step type="open" mindmx="0" maxdmx="5" />
<range type="linear" mindmx="6" maxdmx="255" minval="0.5" maxval="25" >
<step handler="strobetype" mindmx="6" maxdmx="42" />
</range>
<range type="random" mindmx="6" maxdmx="255" minval="0.5" maxval="25" >
<step handler="strobetype" mindmx="43" maxdmx="85" />
</range>
</strobe>
Strobe frequency on DMX channel 1, strobe effect on DMX channel 2:
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Attribute | handler | mindmx | maxdmx |
---|---|---|---|
Description | Minimum DMX value | Maximum DMX value | |
Permissible attribute value | strobetype
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0 to 255
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0 to 255
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Additional functions
The following additional functions are possible for the entire strobe channel:
duration
: Setting the duration of a single flash
Duration
The duration
sets the length of the flash duration of a single flash. The maximum flash duration corresponds to the strobe frequency. For certain combinations of strobe frequency and duration, a continuous lighting is generated if technically possible.
Case | Code example |
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Standard | <strobe dmxchannel="0">
<step type="open" mindmx="0" maxdmx="5" />
<range type="linear" mindmx="6" maxdmx="255" minval="1" maxval="12" />
<duration dmxchannel="1" >
<range type="linear" mindmx="0" maxdmx="255" minval="0" maxval="650" />
</duration>
</strobe>
Strobe frequency on DMX channel 1, flash duration on DMX channel 2:
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Attribute | type | mindmx | maxdmx | minval | maxval |
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Description | DMX value for shortest flash duration | DMX value for longest flash duration | Shortest flash duration | Longest flash duration | |
Permissible attribute value | linear
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0 to 255
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0 to 255
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0 ms to 2000 ms
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0 ms to 2000 ms
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