High End Systems DL.2 - Manual (Page 63)

CHAPTER 4
DMX Programming Basics and Quick Start
DL.2 Digital Light User Manual 41
Lighting Console Tips
Lighting consoles differ in many aspects and it is important to understand how your console
operates with Axon and DL.2 media servers.
Fixture Libraries:
Many sophisticated lighting consoles utilize pre-made fixture libraries. A fixture library consists
of profiles for various types of lighting fixtures and devices. Each profile corresponds to the
fixture’s DMX protocol and allows for ease of programming. Depending upon the manufacturer
of your lighting console, some parameters might have different labels for parameter names and
functions than are listed within this manual. Consult your lighting console manual for further
information.
Patching DL.2 Fixtures and Axon Media Servers
The DL.2 fixture consists of three different “fixture types” in the Wholehog 3 library systems.
This allows for ease of programming as well as the ability to adjust quickly for any of the various
DMX protocol options. The Motion fixture type controls the actual moving yoke, projector, and
integrated camera. The Global fixture type controls the global graphic engine functions such as
intensity, keystone correction, viewpoint, etc. The Graphic fixture type controls each graphic
object functions such as opacity, object, media, etc. The DL.2 protocol allows for 1, 2, or 3
graphic objects.
An Axon media server had no motion control but utilizes the same Global and Graphic fixture
types. In the Fixture Schedule or Add Fixtures window of Wholehog software, you would add 1
motion, 1 global, and 3 graphic “fixtures” for each complete DL.2 unit, or 1 global, and 3 graphic
“fixtures” for each complete Axon unit.
The best way to organize your patching is to assign user numbers for these items. Patch the
motion first, the global second, and the graphic fixture types last. For example, set up user
numbers 1-5 that correspond to DL.2 fixture number 1, where user number 1 is the motion, 2 is
the global, and 3-5 the graphic fixture types.
DMX Output Displays
Although all lighting consoles output the same 512 DMX channels per universe, the on-screen
labeling often differs. Parameter functions are displayed in either alpha-numeric descriptions
(strobe 1), percentage (0-100%) or decimal (0-255 for 8-bit and 0-65535 for 16-bit). Consult
your lighting console manual for further information.