VXCO Lighting Systems DMXCreator512MK2, DMXCreator512Basic, DMXCreator1024+, DMXCreator128 User Manual

User Manual

VXCO Lighting Systems Switzerland Email: info@dmxcreator.com Homepage: http://www.dmxcreator.com

DMXCreator Manual

1 T

ABLE OF CONTENT

1 TABLE OF CONTENT ........................................................................................................ 2

REVISIONS: .............................................................................................................................. 3

2 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 4

2.1 A

BOUT THIS MANUAL

............................................................................................................................. 4

2.2 L

ANGUAGE

............................................................................................................................................ 4

3 THE CONCEPT ................................................................................................................... 5

3.1 T

HE HARDWARE INTERFACES

................................................................................................................ 5

4 INSTALLATION .................................................................................................................. 8

4.1 V

ERIFICATION OF PACKAGE CONTENTS

................................................................................................... 8

4.2 S

UPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS

........................................................................................................ 9

4.3 S

YSTEM REQUIREMENTS

....................................................................................................................... 9

4.4 I

NSTALLATION OF SOFTWARE

............................................................................................................... 10

4.5 H

ARDWARE INSTALLATION

................................................................................................................... 10

5 WORKING WITH THE DMXCREATOR .............................................................................11

5.1 S

TARTING THE SOFTWARE

................................................................................................................... 11

5.2 C

ONFIGURATION OF INTERFACE WITHIN THE SOFTWARE

........................................................................ 11

6 THE SOFTWARE STRUCTURE ........................................................................................12

6.1 S

HOW

................................................................................................................................................. 12

6.2 S

EQUENCE

......................................................................................................................................... 13

6.3 S

CENE

................................................................................................................................................ 13

6.4 M

ULTISEQUENCE

................................................................................................................................ 13

6.5 CUE ................................................................................................................................................... 13

6.6 T

HE MASTER-MODE

............................................................................................................................ 14

6.6.1 The different Master Modes ...................................................................................................... 14

7 DMX-SETUP ......................................................................................................................15

7.1 C

HANGING THE

DMX S

TARTING ADDRESS

........................................................................................... 16

7.2 R

EMOVING FIXTURES FROM A SHOW

.................................................................................................... 16

7.3 S

ETTING OF

DMX-

ADDRESS ON THE FIXTURES

..................................................................................... 17

7.4 D

ELETING THE ENTIRE SETUP

............................................................................................................... 17

7.5 C

REATING A PRINTABLE

DMX-

SETUP REPORT

...................................................................................... 17

7.6 O

PENING THE PANEL DESIGNER

.......................................................................................................... 17

7.7 A

UTOMATIC ICON ARRANGEMENT

........................................................................................................ 17

7.8 E

XIT THE

DMX-

SETUP

......................................................................................................................... 17

8 WORKING SURFACE ........................................................................................................18

8.1 T

RANSPORT-BAR

................................................................................................................................. 18

8.1.1 Elements in detail ...................................................................................................................... 19

8.1.2 The Trigger Modes .................................................................................................................... 20

8.1.3 The Fade-Modes ....................................................................................................................... 21

8.1.4 The Scene Tool ......................................................................................................................... 22

8.2 T

HE PLAN

........................................................................................................................................... 23

8.2.1 The DMX-Monitor ...................................................................................................................... 24

8.2.2 The Fader Panel ........................................................................................................................ 24

8.2.3 The Plan / Multiplan ................................................................................................................... 25

8.2.4 The V/T-Editor ........................................................................................................................... 26

8.2.5 The Track-Editor ........................................................................................................................ 31

8.2.6 The Fixture Group Window ....................................................................................................... 34

8.2.7 The Sequence List ..................................................................................................................... 35

DMXCreator Manual

8.2.8

The Multisequence Player ......................................................................................................... 36

8.2.9 The Cue-List .............................................................................................................................. 37

8.2.10 The Media-Player ...................................................................................................................... 37

8.2.11 The 3D Visual Emulator............................................................................................................. 37

8.2.12 The Matrix Editor ....................................................................................................................... 43

8.2.13 The Multimedia Timeline Editor. ................................................................................................ 46

8.3 T

HE FIXTURE PANEL

........................................................................................................................... 49

8.3.2 The B/D/Z Buttons ..................................................................................................................... 50

9 THE MENUS ......................................................................................................................51

9.1 T

HE SHOW MENU

................................................................................................................................ 51

9.2 T

HE SEQUENCES MENU

...................................................................................................................... 51

9.3 T

HE SCENES MENU

............................................................................................................................. 51

9.4 T

HE OPERATION MENU

....................................................................................................................... 52

9.5 T

HE SETTINGS MENU

.......................................................................................................................... 53

9.6 P

HYSICAL MASTER

.............................................................................................................................. 61

9.7 T

HE VIEW MENU

................................................................................................................................. 69

9.8 T

HE FIXTURES MENU

.......................................................................................................................... 69

9.9 T

HE HELP MENU

................................................................................................................................. 69

10 STAND ALONE MODE ...................................................................................................70

11 THE PANEL DESIGNER.................................................................................................80

12 TROUBLESHOOTING ....................................................................................................83

12.1 S

UPPORT INFORMATION AND HOTLINE

.............................................................................................. 83

REVISIONS:

Doc. version

Date

Software Version

Changes

V1.0 15.10.00 V5.58 Initial V1.1 24.04.01 V5.62 3D Visual Emulator, CMY-RGB, V1.2 15.08.02 V5.7x Update Position Memory, DMX-Off, Panel structure, Dimmer, Focus V1.3 15.02.03 V5.80 General refresh, added Remote control function and other details V1.4 25.08.03 V5.81 Added DMXCreator512Basic Interfaces V1.4 02.02.04 V5.81 Minor changes and corrections V1.6 21.09.05 V5.87 Updated to 32 Multisequence Players, lots of details V1.7 15.07.07 V5.93 Lots of new features, support for DMXCreator1024+ V1.9 29.08.08 V5.94K Expanded Stand Alone, Colour Master, Fade Bar, Save options V2.0 13.10.09 V6.46 Support for 2’048 channels, new design… V2.1 09.02.11 V6.50 Added DMXCreator128 V2.2 24.08.13 V6.61 New features like TouchPanel, Plan settings and more V2.3 29.11.15 V6.95 Added new features and details

DMXCreator Manual

2 I

NTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing the DMXCreator! With this versatile and modern “tool”, the only limit to your light show is your imagination! For club use, rental companies or architectural lighting, the DMXCreator is the right choice for any number of professional tasks!

Here are some of the main features of the DMXCreator:

- PC-lighting controller for Windows™ based systems

- Suitable for desktop, industrial or notebook personal computers

- Control of fixtures using the dedicated DMX512 interfaces

- DMX input (available on DMXCreator512MK2, DMXCreator1024+, and DMXCreator1024 interfaces) with multiple possibilities for routing, recording or controlling

- Simultaneous control of up to 4’096 channels and fixtures, with a maximum of 256 DMX512 channels per fixture

- 128 output channels with the DMXCreator128 Interface

- 512 output channels (1 Universe) with the DMXCreator512Basic and DMXCreator512MK2 Interface (LPT)

- 1024 output channels (2 Universes) on the DMXCreator1024 and DMXCreator1024+ Interface (USB)

- “Autonome (stand alone) mode” with DMXCreator512MK2 and DMXCreator1024+ for usage without a PC

- “3D Visual Emulator” to preview the pre-programmed Show without physically connected fixtures

- Music trigger using the PC’s soundcard

- 32 “Multi Sequence Players”

- Graphical Pan/Tilt “Track Editor”

2.1 About this manual

We have attempted to lay out this manual as simple as possible. Many functions of the DMXCreator are self explanatory and easy to understand. This manual is meant to introduce you to the world of the DMXCreator, and to convey to you the basic skills to work with this versatile system. Of course, it also takes a certain amount of creativity and fantasy to create an impressive light Show.

We encourage you to read through this manual attentively. For the fastest results, it is a good idea to try out everything on your DMXCreator as we go along. This, of course, is also possible without having the actual interface or fixtures attached to your computer.

All features are described in detail and some of them have visual aids to assist easy learning. Software features described in this manual will be presented using square brackets.

E.g.: [load Show]

2.2 Language

The basic language of the DMXCreator software is English. However, if you like to have the main menus in another language, open the “Help” menu and load the file dmxcreator.key from the corresponding folder. on your installation CD or our homepage.

CD-ROM: Directory ...:\DMXCreator Software\Software\Language patches On the internet: http://www.dmxcreator.com

DMXCreator Manual

3 T

HE CONCEPT

The DMXCreator control system is composed of two parts in principle:

1. The PC- software

2. The DMX512 Hardware – Interface

In order to facilitate live shows, further devices can be used connected either to the PC, or directly to the DMX512 hardware interface. For example: DMX fader desks, Midi keyboards etc.

3.1 The Hardware Interfaces

The Interfaces provide the gateway between your PC and your DMX512 compatible fixtures (i.e. scanners, moving heads, fog machines etc.). To run the DMXCreator software you have to use one if this dedicated interfaces. No third party interface will work.

The DMX Software is able to control the following DMX512 hardware interfaces:

1. DMXCreator512Basic & DMXCreator 128: USB-interface, 512 (128) channels of output, power supplied through USB- port.

The DMXCreator128 is upgreadeable to 512 output channels. Please visit our homepage www.dmxcreator.com to get more information on how to proceed.

2. DMXCreator512MK2: LPT interface, 512 channels of output, 512 channels of input, autonome (stand alone) mode with keyboard control, external power supply (included in shipment for some countries)

USB 2.0

DMX ouptut (3 Pin)

LPT connector

DMX Output

DMX input

PS-2 connector for keyboard

DMXCreator Manual

Newer interfaces have a small pull relief loop on the side next to the DC socket. Loosen the screw and thread the cable through the loop, and then refasten the screw.

DMXCreator1024: USB-interface, 1024 channels of output, 512 channels of input, power supplied

through USB-port

4. DMXCreator1024+: USB-interface, 1024 channels of output, 512 channels of input power supplied through USB-port or through external power supply (included in shipment for some countries).

Pull relief loop for DC cable

Power supply

USB 1.0 connector

DMX Input

DMX Outputs 1 & 2

Link-LED (flashes during USB

transmission)

SD card holder

Midi IN connector PS-2 connector for keyboard

USB 2.0 connector

Switch for USB or external power supply

DMXCreator Manual

Your DMX512 capable fixtures can be connected directly to the hardware interface. Make sure to only use cables suitable for transmission of DMX512 data (No standard microphone cables!). Close each data line using a 120 Ohm line terminator (connect terminator to the DMX-output of the last fixture in the line).

DMX input

DMX outputs 1 & 2

Power supply connector (supplied*)

Pull relief loop for DC cable

DMXCreator Manual

4 I

NSTALLATION

4.1 Verification of package contents

Please verify that you have received all components of the system. In case that something is missing, please contact your DMXCreator dealer immediately.

DMXCreator512Basic & DMXCreator128:

- DMXCreator DMX512 hardware interface cable

- CD-ROM

- Printed manual

DMXCreator512MKII:

- 1 DMXCreator DMX512 hardware interface (red)

- 1 Centronics cable

- 1 CD-ROM

- 1 Power supply (AC, 9-12V, 700mA. Polarity is insignificant), may not be included in some countries

- Printed manual

DMXCreator1024:

- DMXCreator DMX512 hardware interface (blue)

- USB (A to B) cable 1,8m

- CD-Rom

- Printed manual

DMXCreator1024+:

- 1 x DMXCreator DMX512 Hardware Interface (orange)

- 1 x USB (A to B) cable

- 1 x CD_ROM

- 1 Power supply (AC or DC, 9-12V, 700mA. polarity is insignificant), may not be included in some

countries

- 1 x Printed manual

- 1 x SD-Card min. 512MB

DMXCreator Manual

4.2 Supported Operating Systems

The operating systems supported are dependent on the DMX512 interface used:

OS DMXCreator512MK2

DMXCreator128,

512Basic

& 1024

1024+

Windows 95b OK (up to version 5.88) OK (up to version 5.88) Windows 98 / SE OK (up to version 5.88) OK (up to version 5.88) Windows ME Millennium OK (up to version 5.88) OK (up to version 5.88) Windows 2000 OK (up to version 5.88) OK (up to version 5.88) Windows NT OK (up to version 5.88) - (no USB-support) Windows XP (use SP3) OK OK Windows Vista 32bit OK (Administrator Mode) OK Windows Vista 64bit - OK Windows 7/8 32bit - OK Windows 7/8/10 64bit - OK

4.3 System Requirements

PCs are flexible systems, and there are any amounts of possibilities to combine hardware and software. The base for a stable work with the DMXCreator lies in a stable PC system. The DMXCreator software has proven in countless tests that it works without problem on systems using a standard configuration.

The DMXCreator carries out millions of calculations per second, so that virtually all parameters are rendered parallel and in real-time. The CPU load is mainly dependent on the following criteria:

- Number of occupied DMX512 channels

- 3D Visual emulator in use or not

- Single or Multi Sequence use

- DMX input enabled / disabled

- Audio trigger with low-pass filter enabled / disabled

Here a few tips on how to increase the stability of your PC:

1. Do not run other applications simultaneously to DMXCreator

2. Disable any Windows power save faction!

3. Un-install interfering printer drivers or printer management software (only DMXCreator512MK2)

4. Connect the interface directly to the PC whenever possible. Avoid intermediate devices like Zip drives

on the parallel port (DMXCreator512MK2), or USB Hubs.

Besides having the right operating system, and free ports for your interface, please be advised of the following absolute minimum system requirements:

- IBM compatible PC

- Minimum Pentium CPU/ 100 Mhz

- 32 MB RAM

- VGA graphics card with SVGA resolution (800 X 600, 256 colours)

- 10 MB available hard disk space

- CD-ROM drive (for installation)

- Mouse

DMXCreator Manual

Recommended system requirements for full use of all features:

- Minimum Intel Core 2 processor with 2.6Ghz

- 1 GB RAM

- Fast graphics card with UXGA resolution

- Soundcard / MIDI-Interface

4.4 Installation of Software

The next step is to install the DMXCreator software. Close all running applications on your PC.

Please make sure, that the DMXCreator Hardware interface is not connected to the PC right now.

1. Start up your computer

2. Insert the shipped product CD into the CD-Rom drive

3. Wait until the CD-Menu appears. (If no menu appears after 20seconds, change to your CD-Rom drive

and click on “Menu.exe”)

4. Choose “Install DMXCreator Software Vx.xx”

5. Setup will guide you through the installation process. Please also follow the driver installation for the

USB interfaces.

Once DMXCreator is installed, you can start it by clicking on the DMXCreator icon located in the programs folder of the Windows start menu.

You can also find new software versions on our website at http://www.dmxcreator.com If you install a software version above 6.0, it will be installed parallel to versions previously installed on the

PC. These versions may be de-installed separately. No Data will be deleted.

4.5 Hardware Installation

USB Interfaces: During the software installation you will be prompted to connect the USB interface and the drivers will be installed automatically.

Warning! Never disconnect a DMX512 interface while in use! This can lead to system crashes. VXCO Lighting

Systems will not be held responsible for any damages incurred through such misuse.

DMXCreator512MK2:

1. Plug the shipped Centronics cable to the DMX512 interface

2. Plug the other side of the cable to the free printer connector of your computer (LPT)

3. Connect the power supply to mains

4. Plug the power supply connector to the DMX512 interface (If your interface is equipped with a black

latch near the AC/DC connector, you may pull the power wire trough the latch to prevent unwanted “pull off’s”

5. During work, the LED does Shows the beat detection trigger of the internal microphone circuit. This is

used in standalone mode only.

Note: Be sure that the printer port mode of your PC is set to bidirectional EPP / ECP mode. You can check and change this in the Bios setup of your PC (at boot time). If your Printer port mode is not in this mode, you may encounter problems if using the DMX-input or downloading a Show into the interface box for standalone mode.

DMXCreator Manual

5 W

ORKING WITH THE

DMXC

REATOR

5.1 Starting the software

The initial menu provides you with four choices:

- New Show create a new Show

- Last Show load the most recent Show used

- Load Show load a saved Show

- Panel Designer see chapter “The Panel Designer”

Choose “new Show” to define your new Show, or choose “load Show”, if you have already programmed a Show. You can also load a pre-installed sample Show. For first start, we recommend to load the provided sample Show.

5.2 Configuration of Interface within the Software

It is now necessary to tell the software which DMX512 interface you are using. You only have to do this once, if you are planning on using only one kind of interface (e.g. always using DMXCreator1024). The default interface setting after installation is “USB”.

Once you have reached the main window of the DMXCreator software, please follow these steps:

1. Open the “settings” menu

2. Click on “sync and hardware”

3. Click on “hardware”

4. Choose USB if you have connected the DMXCreator128 / 512Basic, the DMXCreator1024 or

DMXCreator1024+ Interface.

5. Choose LPT if you have connected the DMXCreator512MK2.

6. Click on the „test“ button.

7. If the connection to the interface is ok, a message containing the interface type and firmware version is

displayed. You are now ready to start programming your first show!

DMXCreator Manual

8..If version number Vi5 is displayed, then the LPT port of your pc is not in bidirectional mode. See section

4.5 for instructions,

9. If the software is unable to establish a connection to the interface, the following message is displayed:

[Hardware inaccessible]

possible problems:

- The DMX512 interface is not properly connected. Verify all cable connections.

- The power supply is not turned on (

DMXCreator512MK2 only)

- If there is a hardware version i.5 Shown, the printer port is not set to “bidirectional mode”

- The USB driver may not be installed properly. Please use the supplied tool: DMX-USB Driver installer

- If you have installed software version 6.0 and above, please refer to chapter 9.5.2.3

6 T

HE SOFTWARE STRUCTURE

The software has the following structure for Shows

Each Show consists out of one or more Sequences. Each Sequence consists out of one or more Scenes that may or may not have fade times.

6.1 Show

The pool of programmed Sequences is called a “Show”. Show can be saved as files, and include all other components like the DMX-setup, Sequences, Scenes, Cues, Play Lists, emulator settings etc.

The following items are optionally stored into a Show file (see settings menue):

- The plan image (background picture)

- The fixture panel files

SHOW

Sequence 1

Sequence 2

Sequence 3

Scene 1

No Fade

Fade 10sec.

Scene 2

Fade 3sec.

Scene 3

Scene 4

Fade 10sec.

Fade 5sec.

Fade 10sec.

Sequence x

Scene x

Fade x sec.

DMXCreator Manual

6.2 Sequence

A Sequence can consist of single, or multiple connected Scenes. Each Show can have a maximum of 16’384 Scenes.

6.3 Scene

A Scene is the lowest or most basic entity of a Show. Scenes are the entered variable values of all fixtures connected at a given time (static). A Sequence is built out of one or more Scenes. The maximum number of Scenes per Sequence is 65’536. You may define an individual fade time from one scene to the next.

6.4 Multisequence

With the DMXCreator, it is possible to run up to 32 Sequences at one time. This is helpful, among other applications if you:

- wish to control different fixture groups independent of each other (i.e. Scanners group / Statics / moving heads group)

- wish to combine Sequences that for example only have “pan movement” with Sequences that only have “color change”

- wish to run pan-tilt movement and color change at different rates, or with differing trigger sources

For live programming, it is possible to combine previously programme Sequences to from new compositions (Cues)

The DMXCreator Software can play up to 32 different sequences with different speeds at one time. This is helpful for the following applications:

- controlling different fixture groups independently of each other

- combining fixtures with separate functions such as „pan-tilt only“ with „color change only“

- running color changes and pan-tilt movements with different speeds or using separate trigger sources.

If you want to program different fixture types separately, or single functions of a fixture, please take note of the following:

The DMXCreator operates according to the HTP principle. This means that when multiple channels of the Multisequence Player access a DMX-channel, the output will be the highest value. Example:

Player 1 assigns DMX value 50 to channel 27 (ex. color red) Player 2 assigns DMX value 127 to channel 27 (ex. color green)

If players 1 and 2 run separately, the output will be according to the programmed values (red or green) If however the players are both running at the same time, the output will be of the higher value (green in this case). This means that sequences that are to be combined at a later point should have all unused channels assigned to a defined value (normally “0”). To this end, use the „Zero“ function in the fixture panel when creating a new sequence.

6.5 Cue

A selection of Sequences from the Multi Sequence Player can be saved and called up as a Cue. Cues can be stored and recalled via hotkey, in the Cue List, via MIDI or via DMX-In.

DMXCreator Manual

6.6 The Master-Mode

The “Master Mode” plays an important role within the DMXCreator. It has two different functions:

1. Stop Mode function (Sequence is not running, Stop button is pressed) In this mode, you can control single or multiple fixtures simultaneously by holding the “Ctrl” key on

the keyboard, and then clicking on the fixture icon. The text base of the icon at this point turns from green to red. If different fixture types are selected simultaneously, it is possible to change to and from the different types. All changes made in the fixture panels are saved in the given Scene instantly.

You can turn the Master mode off by clicking the “Master Off” button on the menu bar (may be set on Hot-Key too).

2. Play Mode function (Sequence is running, play button is pressed) When in used in play mode, the fixtures selected to the Master are excluded from the running Sequence. Like this, they could be used for follow-spot functions, for example. All changes made in the fixture panels are temporary, and are not saved. When the Master Mode is disengaged, the fixtures return to the running Sequence.

Quick selection of multiple fixtures, as well as further Master- options are possible by using the “Group Function”  see also “The Fixture-Group Window”

6.6.1 The different Master Modes

If you exclude one or more fixtures from the Show they will stop playing the current Sequence and are available for full manual control. If you don’t like to exclude all functions of the selected fixtures, you may choose one of the available Master Modes

Non-excluded functions of fixtures in Master will continue to play the current Show [Full Master] All fixture functions are excluded from the Show (standard Master)

[Color Only] Only the color functions (color wheels, CMY systems) of the fixtures are

excluded from the Show [Ex Pan/Tilt] All functions except pan/tilt are excluded from the Show [Pan/Tilt only] Only Pan/Tilt of the selected fixtures is excluded from the Show [User Red Master] User may define channels that should be excluded [Master Group off] Release the Master (all Master fixtures will be deselected) [Colour Master] The colour of all fixtures in Master Mode (or fixture group) can be selected

simultaneously using the Color Master preset which opens automatically.

This function is fixture-type independent, so it works as a macro for multiple

different fixtures (and fixture types) in Master mode or as group.

Note: The Master Mode has to be chosen before selecting the fixtures into Master. It’s not possible to change the current Master Mode while fixtures are selected in Master.

 Check also chapter 9.7 “The [Fixtures] menu“

DMXCreator Manual

7 DMX-S

ETUP

To create a new Show from beginning, the connected DMX fixtures must first be defined and addressed.

- Start the DMXCreator software

- Choose [New Show]

- The following window will appear:

- The window is divided into three parts:

1. The DMX address field. Here you will find a visual representation of up to 4096 channels (8 universes). If your interface has 512 channels, use the first 512 channels in the field only.

2. The fixtures-pool. This is a list of all currently installed fixture panels. This set of panels can be arbitrarily modified by copying the desired panel files (with .dsp file extension) into the corresponding directory, or by erasing them.

Directory: c:\program files\dmxcreator V6.XX\devices The new fixture panels will be available for addressing after restarting the DMXCreator software. Any number of fixture panels is available on the product CD-ROM, or on our website at

http://www.dmxcreator.com

generate printable DMX setup report text file (optional)

Call the Panel Designer  see chapter „the Panel Designer“

assigned fixtures (names are editable)

Clear current patch

Arrange icons on Plan

Exit setup

Shows setting of dip switches for selected address

DMX addresses 513 – 4096 below

DMXCreator Manual

Should you not be able to find the panel corresponding to your fixture, please contact us at

info@dmxcreator.com, and we will happily assist your needs.

If you wish to generate your own panels please refer to the chapter called “The Panel Designer”.

3. The setup field. Here you see the following information:

- Patched DMX output of the interface  OUT

- The DMX-starting address of the assigned fixtures  START (this number has to be set on the corresponding fixture)

- Amount of DMX-channels occupied by this fixture NN

- The fixture type  FIXTURE NAME

- Your designated heading for fixtures within the Show  USER HEADER (e.g. MAC600 down stage right)

- Pan inversion  PAN - This means the pan movement becomes reversed. Indicated by “I” while active. This setting may be changed at any time. It has no relation to the values of a programmed Show

- Tilt inversion  TILT - This means the tilt movement becomes reversed. Indicated by “I” while active. This setting may be changed at any time. It has no relation to the values of a programmed Show

- Pan-Tilt-Swap  SWAP, this means the pan and tilt channels are exchanged. This setting may be changed at any time. It has no relation to the values of a programmed Show

To add a fixture to your Show, there are two possibilities:

1. Choose your fixture within the fixture pool. Click and hold down the left mouse button on it. Now

you can drag the the icon to a free starting address on the DMX address field.

2. Double click on the desired fixture within the fixture field, and it will appear at the next available

starting address on the left-hand field.

7.1 Changing the DMX Starting Address

After placing the fixtures in the DMX address field, you can move it within the field using the mouse. If you do this in a complete Show, the following window will appear:

- Confirm by clicking on “YES”, and the programmed data for this fixture will be moved to the new starting address as well.

- If you click “NO”, the data for the fixture will be deleted.

7.2 Removing fixtures from a Show

Fixtures can be removed from the Show setup in two ways

1. Point and drag the fixture you wish to remove using the left-hand mouse button from the

starting address field, or from the setup field on the right hand side and place it in the trash can located on the bottom right-hand side of the screen.

2. Point to the fixture with the mouse cursor, either in the left-hand field, or on the right-hand setup

field, click the right button, and choose “remove fixture”

DMXCreator Manual

7.3 Setting of DMX-address on the fixtures

Please refer to the user manual of the fixture you wish to control, in order to find out how to set its DMX starting address. If this is done using a DIP-Switch within the DMX512 standard, you can use the graphical image at the bottom left as help.

Below the „DMX Channels Field“ you will see the graphical dip switch setting for some kind of fixtures. If you move the mouse pointer to the desired starting address for a fixture (into the address field) you will see the correct switch setting for this address. Please note, that some manufacturers use a different kind of coding (like High End Systems) and subtract 1 form the address value to set. In this case you may uncheck the „+1“ option below.

7.4 Deleting the entire setup

If you want to delete an existing setup, please click on the button at the bottom right of your screen called “Clear All”

7.5 Creating a printable DMX-setup report

In order to facilitate the addressing of the fixtures, you can generate a printable text file of the entire DMX setup. Press the button on the lower right hand side called “create list”, and a window will appear with all specifications. You can now print or save this file in .txt format.

7.6 Opening the Panel Designer

By pressing the button that is located farthest in the lower right hand corner, the “Panel Designer” will open.

For more information on this feature please read the chapter “The Panel Designer” in this manual.

7.7 Automatic Icon Arrangement

When this option is enabled, the fixture icons on the Plan are arranged automatically with fixed spacing. Icons can be moved manually after.

7.8 Exit the DMX-setup

Click the “Close” button in order to leave the DMX-Setup. You will now be taken to the working surface

DMXCreator Manual

8 W

ORKING SURFACE

The main window is where you will “create” your Show. It consists out of three main areas

8.1 Transport-bar

The Transport-bar field is the main control window for Scenes and Sequences.

Transport

bar

Panel

Plan

DMXCreator Manual

8.1.1 Elements in detail

Effective as of version V5.68, this field will include an additional function that will enable you to turn on and off the DMX output. By pressing this button, the current Scene becomes frozen. The DMX output remains off, until the button is pressed again. This function is also called “preview” or “blind” sometimes.

Switch on/off the DMX output (if available)

Switch on/off the DMX input

New Show

Save Show

DMX

Setup

Load Show from file

Save Show as... (enter name)

Undo changes made since last accessing Scene

Name of the Show (click to rename)

Gene

ral Blackout

favourite Scene (assign using right hand mouse button)

play/stop current Show

Name of current Sequence (choose by clicking on arrow button)

Create new Sequence

delete current Sequence

Number of this Sequence within Show

DMXCreator Manual

8.1.2 The Trigger Modes

Within each Sequence, the way of synchronization can be chosen individual. There are 4 different trigger modes available:

1. Main Tempo Trigger (green field)

The time from Scene to Scene is constant while in Main Tempo Trigger.

2. The Tempo-Track Rate (blue field)

The time between Scenes can be varied from Scene to Scene using Tempo-Track Mode.  See also “The V/T Editor”

current Scene name

Enter rate by pressing twice at rate of music (this function can also be entered to a “Hot Key” see also chapter called “Hot Keys”

create new Scene (current Scene is template for new Scene)

delete current Scene

single play/cycle Scene

change synchronization mode by pressing

Scene speed rate in BPM (e.g. 120 BPM = 0.5s)

change synchronization mode by pressing

Current time between Scenes - can be adjusted directly here or into “Tempo-Track Editor”

DMXCreator Manual

1. The Music-Trigger Rate (yellow field)

In this mode, a Sequence can be triggered using an external music signal. This feature requires a sound card in your PC To find out how to activate the external trigger, please refer to the chapter called  “Menus”

Starting with the software version V5.68, there will be a fourth trigger mode implemented:

2. Manual-Trigger Mode (pink mode)

Using this feature, you can trig manually on the drum symbol(or a set hotkey) to get from one Scene to the next. If you use a fade time between Scenes, the fade will be executed first.

8.1.3 The Fade-Modes

In order to program smooth transitions between Scenes, the DMXCreator software offers four different fade-Modes:

1. No Fading. The transition from Scene to Scene is not smooth. The DMX-values switch immediately

from Scene to Scene at each trigger. You can activate/deactivate fading by pressing the symbol Shown below:

2. Equal Fade time for all Scenes. Using this mode, the Fade time for all Scenes in a given Sequence is

equal. The Fade time can be adjusted by pressing the plus- or minus-buttons, or by entering the desired Fade time directly in to the display.

change synchronization mode by pressing

Fading on/off

Fade

Mode symbol

Fade time for all Scenes

DMXCreator Manual

3. Fade-Track Time. In this mode, the Fade time can be adjusted for each Scene individually, using the

“V/T-EDITOR”. This can also be done by using the plus- and minus-buttons, or by entering the desired value directly into the display

4. Fade time equal Scene time. In this mode, the entered Scene time (trigger) equals the Fade time. With

this mode, you can create smooth, seamless Pan/Tilt movements (e.g. Circles).

8.1.4 The Scene Tool

The Scene Tool enables you to jump forwards and backwards between Scenes whilst programming. The current Scene number is Shown in the yellow field.

“COPY” copies the current Scene into a temporary buffer. “INSERT” pastes the saved (copied) Scene to current location. “Replace” replaces the Scene in current location with the saved Scene.

Insert and Replace will only appear once a Scnene has been loaded into the memory with “Copy”

Fade time for current Scene

Fade time for current speed rate

DMXCreator Manual

8.2 The Plan

The Plan is your workspace. When you create a new Show, the fixture icons appear in the upper left hand corner. You can drag and drop them in the place you desire using your mouse. By double clicking on the icons, it is also possible to rotate them 90 degrees at a time. After placing the icons in the desired spots, you can now lock them in place, by using the “lock icons” function in the “settings” menu. This is to prevent unwanted displacement of the icons whilst programming your Show

DMXMonitor

FaderPanel

Plan (this view)

opens V/TEditor

TrackEditor

Physical Master

Sequence list

Multisequence player

Cue Liste

MediaPlayer

3D Visual

Emulator

Timeline Editor

Background picture ( Plan)

Fixture Icons

Group Window

CPU use

Matrix Editor

Play in Background See Chapter

9.4

DMXCreator Manual

8.2.1 The DMX-Monitor

The DMX-Monitor is used to illustrate the decimal DMX-values (0-255) of a chosen fixture (green highlight).

To enter a DMX- channel directly, click on its corresponding field

8.2.2 The Fader Panel

Starting address

direct entering of DMX-value

Selected

one Fader per DMX-channel

fine tuning

DMXCreator Manual

Each used DMX channel of the selected fixture is represented by a Fader. You can adjust the DMX-values by using the Faders, or by using the fine tuning buttons

8.2.3 The Plan / Multiplan

8.2.3.1 Plan

The background of the Plan is a standard Bitmap picture. To create your own background picture, you can use the Windows™ program called “Paint” or any other software that can output bmp compatible files. The file name of the background picture is:

Planimg.bmp -it is located in the program directory (i.e. c:\program files\dmxcreator timeline\). In the “Settings” menu, you can change the background image by selecting “Change Plan image”. Just

enter the file name, and click on “open”. The chosen image is copied and saved in the directory as Planimg.bmp. The size of your image can be selected based on your screen resolution.

Screen Resolution Recommended Picture Resolution (Pixel)

800 x 600 480 x 480

1024 x 768 600 x 600

1280 x 1024 820 x 820

File type: Bitmap (.bmp) Colors: 16 or 256

There are some example images on the provided product CD-Rom available

Note: The Plan image will not be saved into the Show file. The Show file only save the plan image position i.e. c:\program files\dmxcreator timeline\image.bmp

8.2.3.2 Multiplan

If you are using a large number of fixtures in your Show, you can use the Multiplan feature, which gives you multiple layers of fixtures. This avoids confusion. From the “Settings” menu, select “Multi-Page Plan”

On the right hand margin of the Plan, a letter “A” will appear. To add more layers, click on the letter with the right mouse button, and select “Add Plan page”. You can do this up to 16 times, resulting in layers with the letters from “A” to “P”.

You can now add fixture icons to different layers by clicking on the desired icon with the right mouse button, and selecting “Place on page”. The next Plan (A-P) you choose will be the destination for the icon.

To move multiple icons simultaneously, use the “Master” or “Group” functions.

+ 58 hidden pages

VXCO Lighting Systems DMXCreator512MK2, DMXCreator512Basic, DMXCreator1024+, DMXCreator128 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual