wiki.openlighting.org - User contributions [en]

LLA, OpenDMX USB and Q Light Controller Tutorial

2016-09-01T21:12:45Z

Gmeader: /* Old tutorial, look for new methods */

[[Category:Tutorials]]

=== Old tutorial, look for new methods ===
'''(as of September 2016) This tutorial is extremely outdated.'''

'''The latest version of QLC is named QLC+ and is found at http://www.qlcplus.org/'''

'''You should probably should ignore the rest of this page...'''

Since this tutorial was made, [[QLC]] from v. 3.0.4 comes with a driver for Enttec Open DMX USB (in a plugin called FTDI), and LLA changed name to [[OLA]].
See the mailing list archive of "QLC-devel" for more info for now (January 2010).

It should no longer be necessary to use [[OLA]] together with a Linux kernel driver, if you just want DMX output from [[QLC]] to an OpenDMX USB dongle attached to the same computer that runs QLC. However, if you want to use [[OLA]] with an OpenDMX USB dongle, you need to follow both the instructions for building the driver below and the new tutorial on installing [[OLA on Linux]].

== Purpose ==
To show the steps to get the Enttec Open DMX USB interface working with the Linux Lighting Architecture, a general framework for lighting applications in Linux(LLA), via Erwin Rol's driver. Also getting the Q Lighting Controller (QLC) to work with LLA. This allows QLC to be used with the Enttec OpenDMX USB interfaces on a 2.6 kernel, for which dmx4linux is not yet fully working.

This may also be useful for people with a different interface supported by LLA who need some pointers on how to get LLA working with QLC, in which case you need only read from "Download and install LLA" onwards.

==Introduction==

I got very excited when I first saw QLC (http://qlc.sourceforge.net/). Then I got slightly annoyed, then very frustrated trying to get it to work. I ended up using Slackware so that I could have a relatively modern distro with Linux 2.4 in order to use dmx4linux. But it's a hassle to reboot every time I want to play with DMX. The other alternative is to use LLA, but this requires a separate computer for the Live CD.

LLA is available as packages for a standard distro, but needs an extra driver to work with Enttec OpenDMX USB, which is included on the Live CD but not in the standard packages.

This tutorial assumes you're using Ubuntu 7.04 (Fiesty Fawn), but should be usable for any apt-based distro. Could probably be adapted for rpm-based too.

This tutorial is deliberately quite verbose: although it could have been presented as one long cut'n'paste or a shell script, a walkthrough is more helpful for actually learning what's going on and will get out of date more slowly.

It would be really useful if users of other distros could modify this tutorial to make it more universal, or create other pages for distro-specific information.

==Operating System==

Install one of the supported linux distributions onto your machine: Ubuntu [http://www.ubuntu.com], Fedora [http://www.fedoraproject.org] or CentOS [http://www.centos.org]

==Prerequisite packages==
===GIT and Cogito===
These are used to download source code.

Ubuntu:
<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install git-core cogito curl
</pre></code>

Centos/Fedora:
<code><pre>
yum install git-core cogito curl
</pre></code>

===Kernel===
We need this in order to be able to compile the modules

Ubuntu:
<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install linux-source
</pre></code>

You may also need these:
<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r)
</pre></code>

Centos/Fedora:
<code><pre>
yum install kernel-devel
</pre></code>

===Alien (Ubuntu only)===
We will need to install some RPM files at some point (bah!)

<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install alien
</pre></code>

===Build essentials===
We're going to be building source, so we need the standard libraries:

Ubuntu:
<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install build-essential
</pre></code>

Centos/Fedora:
<code><pre>
yum install buildsys-build
</pre></code>

(if you're following this on a non-debian-style distibution, you need the libc, libstcd++ development files, C compiler etc.)

==Build and install the usb kernel module==

Erwil Rol's driver allows the Enttec OpenDMX USB driver to work with LLA.

It's best to make sure that you're running the kernel that you're intending to use - if you've upgraded from previous versions of Ubuntu you may have several versions hanging around. Removing old ones using Synaptic is probably a good idea.

===Compile and install driver===

<code><pre>
cd ~
mkdir dmx-software
cd dmx-software
git clone git://github.com/lowlander/dmx_usb_module.git
cd dmx_usb_module
make
sudo cp ./dmx_usb.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/serial
sudo depmod
</pre></code>

==== Kernel 2.6.37 and newer kernels ====
'''This should no longer be required if you are using the newer code from git://github.com/lowlander/dmx_usb_module.git; indeed the newer code has been confirmed to compile on a 3.1.9 kernel.''' The info below is left for historic reference:

* save as "dmx_usb,patch"
* patch < dmx_usb,patch

<pre><nowiki>
--- ../b/dmx_usb.c 2011-08-28 20:27:57.929828288 +0300
+++ dmx_usb.c 2011-08-28 20:32:41.075288289 +0300
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@

/* prevent races between open() and disconnect() */
-static DECLARE_MUTEX (disconnect_sem);
+static DEFINE_SEMAPHORE(disconnect_sem);

/* local function prototypes */
//static ssize_t dmx_usb_read (struct file *file, char *buffer, size_t count, loff_t *ppos);
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@

/* .read = dmx_usb_read, */
.write = dmx_usb_write,
- .ioctl = dmx_usb_ioctl,
+ .unlocked_ioctl = dmx_usb_ioctl,
.open = dmx_usb_open,
.release = dmx_usb_release,
};
@@ -618,7 +618,7 @@
}
memset (dev, 0x00, sizeof (*dev));

- init_MUTEX (&dev->sem);
+ sema_init(&dev->sem, 1);
dev->udev = udev;
dev->interface = interface;
</nowiki></pre>

===Blacklist the other serial drivers===
Because this dongle uses a usb to serial converter chip, it's recognised by the hotplug/udev/hal system and drivers are loaded - unfortunately not ones that work with QLC. The workaround is to blacklist the alternative drivers. If you have other usb to serial converters then they will stop working - if you need these then you will have to delve into the source and change the USB device IDs that the drivers detect... here we will go for the quick and dirty solution.

====Ubuntu====
With your favourite text editor, as root/sudo, edit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist e.g.:

<code><pre>
sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist
</pre></code>

add the following lines:

<code><pre>
blacklist usbserial
blacklist usb-serial
blacklist ftdi_sio
</pre></code>

====Centos/Fedora====
I do not know of any blacklisting in redhat based distros so just delete the offending module

<code><pre>
mv /lib/modules/`uname -r`/kernel/drivers/usb/serial/ftdi_sio.ko /lib/modules/`uname -r`/kernel/drivers/usb/serial/ftdi_sio.ko.disabled
depmod -a
</pre></code>

===Remove the brltty package (Ubuntu only)===
According to Synaptic, "BRLTTY is a daemon which provides access to the Linux console (text mode) for a blind person using a soft braille display". Unfortunately it has a habit of interfering with anything that looks like it might be a serial console, USB to serial devices included. There's probably a more elegant workaround, but we'll go for the quick and dirty again, and remove it:

<code><pre>
sudo apt-get remove brltty
</pre></code>

===Test the driver===
Plug in your dongle!! Hopefully all will go well, and if you type:

<code><pre>
dmesg
</pre></code>

you should see:

<pre>
DMX USB device now attached to dmx192
</pre>

If you've got other modules loading, ftdi serial drivers, etc. then something's wrong.

==Download and install LLA==
LLA is Linux Lighting Architecture, a general framework for lighting applications in Linux. It's available as a live CD, but we're just using the package as a way to interface QLC with the USB driver. More info about LLA on its webpage.

===Install the packages===
====Ubuntu====
There are debian packages available at the time of writing. Add the packages to your sources file:

<code><pre>
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
</pre></code>

Add the following line at the end:

<code><pre>
deb http://www.nomis52.net/data/debian ./
</pre></code>

Install the packages:

<code><pre>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install liblla0 llad llad-console lla-examples
</pre></code>

====Centos/Fedora====
There are packages available for CentOS 4 and 5 and Fedora 5,6,7 & 8 at the time of writing. You need to add the netmindz.net repo to yum

<code><pre>
yum install http://rpms.netmindz.net/all/noarch/RPMS.netmindz/netmindz-repo-1.1.3-1.noarch.rpm
</pre></code>

This will create a new file in /etc/yum.repos.d/netmindz.repo and register the GPG key used to sign netmindz.net packages

Install the packages:

<code><pre>
yum install lla llad-console lla-examples
</pre></code>

===Test the installation===
With your dongle connected as in section 3, you're now ready to test. Connect a DMX device up to your dongle, make sure you know the channel number it's on, make sure it's working correctly, make sure you got the polarity in your DMX lead right, etc. etc. Being sure that the dongle/hardware/software combination is the only weak link will save a lot of hair-pulling...

Fix the permissions on /dev/dmx:

chmod a+rw /dev/dmx

First, start the daemon with debug mode on:

llad -d 3 -f -s

Next, in another terminal find out what number the OpenDMX device is:

<code><pre>
lla_dev_info
</pre></code>

you should get something like:

<pre>
Device 2: Open DMX USB Device
</pre>

If you can't see 'Open DMX USB Device' in there somewhere, then you haven't got the kernel driver installed properly. Go straight to jail, do not pass go.

Assuming everything is OK, you need to patch this device so we can use it:

<code><pre>
lla_patch -d2 -p0 -u0
</pre></code>

(replace -d2 with whichever device number is your Open DMX USB)

now do:

<code><pre>
lla_dev_info
</pre></code>

and it should say

<code><pre>
Device 2: Open DMX USB Device
port 0, cap OUT, universe 1
</pre></code>

Finally:

<code><pre>
lla_dmxconsole
</pre></code>

and play with the console!

Don't forget to remove your test patch afterwards:

<code><pre>
lla_patch -r -d2 -p0 -u0
</pre></code>

==Download and install the latest build of QLC==
====Ubuntu====
Finally! There are Ubuntu/Debian packages, but at the time of writing they're not the most up-to-date and don't include the LLA plugin. You could compile from source, but the most recent RPM packages work fine and save time and hassle.

<code><pre>
cd ~/dmx-software
wget http://rpms.netmindz.net/FC6/i386/RPMS.netmindz/qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm
</pre></code>

<code><pre>
sudo alien qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm
</pre></code>

wait a long time... (don't worry about the warnings)... then:

<code><pre>
sudo dpkg -i qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.deb
sudo apt-get install libqt3-mt
</pre></code>

====Centos/Fedora====

<code><pre>
yum install qlc
</pre></code>

Now try it:

<code><pre>
sudo qlc &
</pre></code>

QLC should run OK. Don't get too excited yet, there's one more step...

==Put it all together==
We now need a script that will start the lla daemon, patch the adaptor to the DMX universe (QLC uses 1 by default, LLA uses 0) and start QLC. This should do it:

<code><pre>
#!/bin/bash
gksudo killall llad
sleep 2s
sudo llad
sleep 5s
sudo lla_patch -d2 -p0 -u1
sleep 2s
sudo qlc &
</pre></code>

save it as something memorable (I use qlc-start) and make sure it's executable:

<code><pre>
chmod u+x qlc-start
</pre></code>

and you're away!

LLA, OpenDMX USB and Q Light Controller Tutorial

2016-09-01T21:10:01Z

Gmeader: /* Old tutorial, look for new methods */

[[Category:Tutorials]]

=== Old tutorial, look for new methods ===
'''(as of September 2016) This tutorial is extremely outdated (as of September 2016).

The latest version of QLC is named QLC+ and is found at http://www.qlcplus.org/

You should probably should ignore the rest of this page...'''

Since this tutorial was made, [[QLC]] from v. 3.0.4 comes with a driver for Enttec Open DMX USB (in a plugin called FTDI), and LLA changed name to [[OLA]].
See the mailing list archive of "QLC-devel" for more info for now (January 2010).

It should no longer be necessary to use [[OLA]] together with a Linux kernel driver, if you just want DMX output from [[QLC]] to an OpenDMX USB dongle attached to the same computer that runs QLC. However, if you want to use [[OLA]] with an OpenDMX USB dongle, you need to follow both the instructions for building the driver below and the new tutorial on installing [[OLA on Linux]].

== Purpose ==
To show the steps to get the Enttec Open DMX USB interface working with the Linux Lighting Architecture, a general framework for lighting applications in Linux(LLA), via Erwin Rol's driver. Also getting the Q Lighting Controller (QLC) to work with LLA. This allows QLC to be used with the Enttec OpenDMX USB interfaces on a 2.6 kernel, for which dmx4linux is not yet fully working.

This may also be useful for people with a different interface supported by LLA who need some pointers on how to get LLA working with QLC, in which case you need only read from "Download and install LLA" onwards.

==Introduction==

I got very excited when I first saw QLC (http://qlc.sourceforge.net/). Then I got slightly annoyed, then very frustrated trying to get it to work. I ended up using Slackware so that I could have a relatively modern distro with Linux 2.4 in order to use dmx4linux. But it's a hassle to reboot every time I want to play with DMX. The other alternative is to use LLA, but this requires a separate computer for the Live CD.

LLA is available as packages for a standard distro, but needs an extra driver to work with Enttec OpenDMX USB, which is included on the Live CD but not in the standard packages.

This tutorial assumes you're using Ubuntu 7.04 (Fiesty Fawn), but should be usable for any apt-based distro. Could probably be adapted for rpm-based too.

This tutorial is deliberately quite verbose: although it could have been presented as one long cut'n'paste or a shell script, a walkthrough is more helpful for actually learning what's going on and will get out of date more slowly.

It would be really useful if users of other distros could modify this tutorial to make it more universal, or create other pages for distro-specific information.

==Operating System==

Install one of the supported linux distributions onto your machine: Ubuntu [http://www.ubuntu.com], Fedora [http://www.fedoraproject.org] or CentOS [http://www.centos.org]

==Prerequisite packages==
===GIT and Cogito===
These are used to download source code.

Ubuntu:
<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install git-core cogito curl
</pre></code>

Centos/Fedora:
<code><pre>
yum install git-core cogito curl
</pre></code>

===Kernel===
We need this in order to be able to compile the modules

Ubuntu:
<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install linux-source
</pre></code>

You may also need these:
<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r)
</pre></code>

Centos/Fedora:
<code><pre>
yum install kernel-devel
</pre></code>

===Alien (Ubuntu only)===
We will need to install some RPM files at some point (bah!)

<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install alien
</pre></code>

===Build essentials===
We're going to be building source, so we need the standard libraries:

Ubuntu:
<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install build-essential
</pre></code>

Centos/Fedora:
<code><pre>
yum install buildsys-build
</pre></code>

(if you're following this on a non-debian-style distibution, you need the libc, libstcd++ development files, C compiler etc.)

==Build and install the usb kernel module==

Erwil Rol's driver allows the Enttec OpenDMX USB driver to work with LLA.

It's best to make sure that you're running the kernel that you're intending to use - if you've upgraded from previous versions of Ubuntu you may have several versions hanging around. Removing old ones using Synaptic is probably a good idea.

===Compile and install driver===

<code><pre>
cd ~
mkdir dmx-software
cd dmx-software
git clone git://github.com/lowlander/dmx_usb_module.git
cd dmx_usb_module
make
sudo cp ./dmx_usb.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/serial
sudo depmod
</pre></code>

==== Kernel 2.6.37 and newer kernels ====
'''This should no longer be required if you are using the newer code from git://github.com/lowlander/dmx_usb_module.git; indeed the newer code has been confirmed to compile on a 3.1.9 kernel.''' The info below is left for historic reference:

* save as "dmx_usb,patch"
* patch < dmx_usb,patch

<pre><nowiki>
--- ../b/dmx_usb.c 2011-08-28 20:27:57.929828288 +0300
+++ dmx_usb.c 2011-08-28 20:32:41.075288289 +0300
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@

/* prevent races between open() and disconnect() */
-static DECLARE_MUTEX (disconnect_sem);
+static DEFINE_SEMAPHORE(disconnect_sem);

/* local function prototypes */
//static ssize_t dmx_usb_read (struct file *file, char *buffer, size_t count, loff_t *ppos);
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@

/* .read = dmx_usb_read, */
.write = dmx_usb_write,
- .ioctl = dmx_usb_ioctl,
+ .unlocked_ioctl = dmx_usb_ioctl,
.open = dmx_usb_open,
.release = dmx_usb_release,
};
@@ -618,7 +618,7 @@
}
memset (dev, 0x00, sizeof (*dev));

- init_MUTEX (&dev->sem);
+ sema_init(&dev->sem, 1);
dev->udev = udev;
dev->interface = interface;
</nowiki></pre>

===Blacklist the other serial drivers===
Because this dongle uses a usb to serial converter chip, it's recognised by the hotplug/udev/hal system and drivers are loaded - unfortunately not ones that work with QLC. The workaround is to blacklist the alternative drivers. If you have other usb to serial converters then they will stop working - if you need these then you will have to delve into the source and change the USB device IDs that the drivers detect... here we will go for the quick and dirty solution.

====Ubuntu====
With your favourite text editor, as root/sudo, edit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist e.g.:

<code><pre>
sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist
</pre></code>

add the following lines:

<code><pre>
blacklist usbserial
blacklist usb-serial
blacklist ftdi_sio
</pre></code>

====Centos/Fedora====
I do not know of any blacklisting in redhat based distros so just delete the offending module

<code><pre>
mv /lib/modules/`uname -r`/kernel/drivers/usb/serial/ftdi_sio.ko /lib/modules/`uname -r`/kernel/drivers/usb/serial/ftdi_sio.ko.disabled
depmod -a
</pre></code>

===Remove the brltty package (Ubuntu only)===
According to Synaptic, "BRLTTY is a daemon which provides access to the Linux console (text mode) for a blind person using a soft braille display". Unfortunately it has a habit of interfering with anything that looks like it might be a serial console, USB to serial devices included. There's probably a more elegant workaround, but we'll go for the quick and dirty again, and remove it:

<code><pre>
sudo apt-get remove brltty
</pre></code>

===Test the driver===
Plug in your dongle!! Hopefully all will go well, and if you type:

<code><pre>
dmesg
</pre></code>

you should see:

<pre>
DMX USB device now attached to dmx192
</pre>

If you've got other modules loading, ftdi serial drivers, etc. then something's wrong.

==Download and install LLA==
LLA is Linux Lighting Architecture, a general framework for lighting applications in Linux. It's available as a live CD, but we're just using the package as a way to interface QLC with the USB driver. More info about LLA on its webpage.

===Install the packages===
====Ubuntu====
There are debian packages available at the time of writing. Add the packages to your sources file:

<code><pre>
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
</pre></code>

Add the following line at the end:

<code><pre>
deb http://www.nomis52.net/data/debian ./
</pre></code>

Install the packages:

<code><pre>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install liblla0 llad llad-console lla-examples
</pre></code>

====Centos/Fedora====
There are packages available for CentOS 4 and 5 and Fedora 5,6,7 & 8 at the time of writing. You need to add the netmindz.net repo to yum

<code><pre>
yum install http://rpms.netmindz.net/all/noarch/RPMS.netmindz/netmindz-repo-1.1.3-1.noarch.rpm
</pre></code>

This will create a new file in /etc/yum.repos.d/netmindz.repo and register the GPG key used to sign netmindz.net packages

Install the packages:

<code><pre>
yum install lla llad-console lla-examples
</pre></code>

===Test the installation===
With your dongle connected as in section 3, you're now ready to test. Connect a DMX device up to your dongle, make sure you know the channel number it's on, make sure it's working correctly, make sure you got the polarity in your DMX lead right, etc. etc. Being sure that the dongle/hardware/software combination is the only weak link will save a lot of hair-pulling...

Fix the permissions on /dev/dmx:

chmod a+rw /dev/dmx

First, start the daemon with debug mode on:

llad -d 3 -f -s

Next, in another terminal find out what number the OpenDMX device is:

<code><pre>
lla_dev_info
</pre></code>

you should get something like:

<pre>
Device 2: Open DMX USB Device
</pre>

If you can't see 'Open DMX USB Device' in there somewhere, then you haven't got the kernel driver installed properly. Go straight to jail, do not pass go.

Assuming everything is OK, you need to patch this device so we can use it:

<code><pre>
lla_patch -d2 -p0 -u0
</pre></code>

(replace -d2 with whichever device number is your Open DMX USB)

now do:

<code><pre>
lla_dev_info
</pre></code>

and it should say

<code><pre>
Device 2: Open DMX USB Device
port 0, cap OUT, universe 1
</pre></code>

Finally:

<code><pre>
lla_dmxconsole
</pre></code>

and play with the console!

Don't forget to remove your test patch afterwards:

<code><pre>
lla_patch -r -d2 -p0 -u0
</pre></code>

==Download and install the latest build of QLC==
====Ubuntu====
Finally! There are Ubuntu/Debian packages, but at the time of writing they're not the most up-to-date and don't include the LLA plugin. You could compile from source, but the most recent RPM packages work fine and save time and hassle.

<code><pre>
cd ~/dmx-software
wget http://rpms.netmindz.net/FC6/i386/RPMS.netmindz/qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm
</pre></code>

<code><pre>
sudo alien qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm
</pre></code>

wait a long time... (don't worry about the warnings)... then:

<code><pre>
sudo dpkg -i qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.deb
sudo apt-get install libqt3-mt
</pre></code>

====Centos/Fedora====

<code><pre>
yum install qlc
</pre></code>

Now try it:

<code><pre>
sudo qlc &
</pre></code>

QLC should run OK. Don't get too excited yet, there's one more step...

==Put it all together==
We now need a script that will start the lla daemon, patch the adaptor to the DMX universe (QLC uses 1 by default, LLA uses 0) and start QLC. This should do it:

<code><pre>
#!/bin/bash
gksudo killall llad
sleep 2s
sudo llad
sleep 5s
sudo lla_patch -d2 -p0 -u1
sleep 2s
sudo qlc &
</pre></code>

save it as something memorable (I use qlc-start) and make sure it's executable:

<code><pre>
chmod u+x qlc-start
</pre></code>

and you're away!

LLA, OpenDMX USB and Q Light Controller Tutorial

2016-09-01T21:09:21Z

Gmeader: Update about recent version of QLC

[[Category:Tutorials]]

=== Old tutorial, look for new methods ===
'''This tutorial is extremely outdated (as of September 2016).'''

The latest version of QLC is named QLC+ and is found at http://www.qlcplus.org/

You should probably should ignore the rest of this page...

Since this tutorial was made, [[QLC]] from v. 3.0.4 comes with a driver for Enttec Open DMX USB (in a plugin called FTDI), and LLA changed name to [[OLA]].
See the mailing list archive of "QLC-devel" for more info for now (January 2010).

It should no longer be necessary to use [[OLA]] together with a Linux kernel driver, if you just want DMX output from [[QLC]] to an OpenDMX USB dongle attached to the same computer that runs QLC. However, if you want to use [[OLA]] with an OpenDMX USB dongle, you need to follow both the instructions for building the driver below and the new tutorial on installing [[OLA on Linux]].

== Purpose ==
To show the steps to get the Enttec Open DMX USB interface working with the Linux Lighting Architecture, a general framework for lighting applications in Linux(LLA), via Erwin Rol's driver. Also getting the Q Lighting Controller (QLC) to work with LLA. This allows QLC to be used with the Enttec OpenDMX USB interfaces on a 2.6 kernel, for which dmx4linux is not yet fully working.

This may also be useful for people with a different interface supported by LLA who need some pointers on how to get LLA working with QLC, in which case you need only read from "Download and install LLA" onwards.

==Introduction==

I got very excited when I first saw QLC (http://qlc.sourceforge.net/). Then I got slightly annoyed, then very frustrated trying to get it to work. I ended up using Slackware so that I could have a relatively modern distro with Linux 2.4 in order to use dmx4linux. But it's a hassle to reboot every time I want to play with DMX. The other alternative is to use LLA, but this requires a separate computer for the Live CD.

LLA is available as packages for a standard distro, but needs an extra driver to work with Enttec OpenDMX USB, which is included on the Live CD but not in the standard packages.

This tutorial assumes you're using Ubuntu 7.04 (Fiesty Fawn), but should be usable for any apt-based distro. Could probably be adapted for rpm-based too.

This tutorial is deliberately quite verbose: although it could have been presented as one long cut'n'paste or a shell script, a walkthrough is more helpful for actually learning what's going on and will get out of date more slowly.

It would be really useful if users of other distros could modify this tutorial to make it more universal, or create other pages for distro-specific information.

==Operating System==

Install one of the supported linux distributions onto your machine: Ubuntu [http://www.ubuntu.com], Fedora [http://www.fedoraproject.org] or CentOS [http://www.centos.org]

==Prerequisite packages==
===GIT and Cogito===
These are used to download source code.

Ubuntu:
<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install git-core cogito curl
</pre></code>

Centos/Fedora:
<code><pre>
yum install git-core cogito curl
</pre></code>

===Kernel===
We need this in order to be able to compile the modules

Ubuntu:
<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install linux-source
</pre></code>

You may also need these:
<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r)
</pre></code>

Centos/Fedora:
<code><pre>
yum install kernel-devel
</pre></code>

===Alien (Ubuntu only)===
We will need to install some RPM files at some point (bah!)

<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install alien
</pre></code>

===Build essentials===
We're going to be building source, so we need the standard libraries:

Ubuntu:
<code><pre>
sudo apt-get install build-essential
</pre></code>

Centos/Fedora:
<code><pre>
yum install buildsys-build
</pre></code>

(if you're following this on a non-debian-style distibution, you need the libc, libstcd++ development files, C compiler etc.)

==Build and install the usb kernel module==

Erwil Rol's driver allows the Enttec OpenDMX USB driver to work with LLA.

It's best to make sure that you're running the kernel that you're intending to use - if you've upgraded from previous versions of Ubuntu you may have several versions hanging around. Removing old ones using Synaptic is probably a good idea.

===Compile and install driver===

<code><pre>
cd ~
mkdir dmx-software
cd dmx-software
git clone git://github.com/lowlander/dmx_usb_module.git
cd dmx_usb_module
make
sudo cp ./dmx_usb.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/serial
sudo depmod
</pre></code>

==== Kernel 2.6.37 and newer kernels ====
'''This should no longer be required if you are using the newer code from git://github.com/lowlander/dmx_usb_module.git; indeed the newer code has been confirmed to compile on a 3.1.9 kernel.''' The info below is left for historic reference:

* save as "dmx_usb,patch"
* patch < dmx_usb,patch

<pre><nowiki>
--- ../b/dmx_usb.c 2011-08-28 20:27:57.929828288 +0300
+++ dmx_usb.c 2011-08-28 20:32:41.075288289 +0300
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@

/* prevent races between open() and disconnect() */
-static DECLARE_MUTEX (disconnect_sem);
+static DEFINE_SEMAPHORE(disconnect_sem);

/* local function prototypes */
//static ssize_t dmx_usb_read (struct file *file, char *buffer, size_t count, loff_t *ppos);
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@

/* .read = dmx_usb_read, */
.write = dmx_usb_write,
- .ioctl = dmx_usb_ioctl,
+ .unlocked_ioctl = dmx_usb_ioctl,
.open = dmx_usb_open,
.release = dmx_usb_release,
};
@@ -618,7 +618,7 @@
}
memset (dev, 0x00, sizeof (*dev));

- init_MUTEX (&dev->sem);
+ sema_init(&dev->sem, 1);
dev->udev = udev;
dev->interface = interface;
</nowiki></pre>

===Blacklist the other serial drivers===
Because this dongle uses a usb to serial converter chip, it's recognised by the hotplug/udev/hal system and drivers are loaded - unfortunately not ones that work with QLC. The workaround is to blacklist the alternative drivers. If you have other usb to serial converters then they will stop working - if you need these then you will have to delve into the source and change the USB device IDs that the drivers detect... here we will go for the quick and dirty solution.

====Ubuntu====
With your favourite text editor, as root/sudo, edit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist e.g.:

<code><pre>
sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist
</pre></code>

add the following lines:

<code><pre>
blacklist usbserial
blacklist usb-serial
blacklist ftdi_sio
</pre></code>

====Centos/Fedora====
I do not know of any blacklisting in redhat based distros so just delete the offending module

<code><pre>
mv /lib/modules/`uname -r`/kernel/drivers/usb/serial/ftdi_sio.ko /lib/modules/`uname -r`/kernel/drivers/usb/serial/ftdi_sio.ko.disabled
depmod -a
</pre></code>

===Remove the brltty package (Ubuntu only)===
According to Synaptic, "BRLTTY is a daemon which provides access to the Linux console (text mode) for a blind person using a soft braille display". Unfortunately it has a habit of interfering with anything that looks like it might be a serial console, USB to serial devices included. There's probably a more elegant workaround, but we'll go for the quick and dirty again, and remove it:

<code><pre>
sudo apt-get remove brltty
</pre></code>

===Test the driver===
Plug in your dongle!! Hopefully all will go well, and if you type:

<code><pre>
dmesg
</pre></code>

you should see:

<pre>
DMX USB device now attached to dmx192
</pre>

If you've got other modules loading, ftdi serial drivers, etc. then something's wrong.

==Download and install LLA==
LLA is Linux Lighting Architecture, a general framework for lighting applications in Linux. It's available as a live CD, but we're just using the package as a way to interface QLC with the USB driver. More info about LLA on its webpage.

===Install the packages===
====Ubuntu====
There are debian packages available at the time of writing. Add the packages to your sources file:

<code><pre>
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
</pre></code>

Add the following line at the end:

<code><pre>
deb http://www.nomis52.net/data/debian ./
</pre></code>

Install the packages:

<code><pre>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install liblla0 llad llad-console lla-examples
</pre></code>

====Centos/Fedora====
There are packages available for CentOS 4 and 5 and Fedora 5,6,7 & 8 at the time of writing. You need to add the netmindz.net repo to yum

<code><pre>
yum install http://rpms.netmindz.net/all/noarch/RPMS.netmindz/netmindz-repo-1.1.3-1.noarch.rpm
</pre></code>

This will create a new file in /etc/yum.repos.d/netmindz.repo and register the GPG key used to sign netmindz.net packages

Install the packages:

<code><pre>
yum install lla llad-console lla-examples
</pre></code>

===Test the installation===
With your dongle connected as in section 3, you're now ready to test. Connect a DMX device up to your dongle, make sure you know the channel number it's on, make sure it's working correctly, make sure you got the polarity in your DMX lead right, etc. etc. Being sure that the dongle/hardware/software combination is the only weak link will save a lot of hair-pulling...

Fix the permissions on /dev/dmx:

chmod a+rw /dev/dmx

First, start the daemon with debug mode on:

llad -d 3 -f -s

Next, in another terminal find out what number the OpenDMX device is:

<code><pre>
lla_dev_info
</pre></code>

you should get something like:

<pre>
Device 2: Open DMX USB Device
</pre>

If you can't see 'Open DMX USB Device' in there somewhere, then you haven't got the kernel driver installed properly. Go straight to jail, do not pass go.

Assuming everything is OK, you need to patch this device so we can use it:

<code><pre>
lla_patch -d2 -p0 -u0
</pre></code>

(replace -d2 with whichever device number is your Open DMX USB)

now do:

<code><pre>
lla_dev_info
</pre></code>

and it should say

<code><pre>
Device 2: Open DMX USB Device
port 0, cap OUT, universe 1
</pre></code>

Finally:

<code><pre>
lla_dmxconsole
</pre></code>

and play with the console!

Don't forget to remove your test patch afterwards:

<code><pre>
lla_patch -r -d2 -p0 -u0
</pre></code>

==Download and install the latest build of QLC==
====Ubuntu====
Finally! There are Ubuntu/Debian packages, but at the time of writing they're not the most up-to-date and don't include the LLA plugin. You could compile from source, but the most recent RPM packages work fine and save time and hassle.

<code><pre>
cd ~/dmx-software
wget http://rpms.netmindz.net/FC6/i386/RPMS.netmindz/qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm
</pre></code>

<code><pre>
sudo alien qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm
</pre></code>

wait a long time... (don't worry about the warnings)... then:

<code><pre>
sudo dpkg -i qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.deb
sudo apt-get install libqt3-mt
</pre></code>

====Centos/Fedora====

<code><pre>
yum install qlc
</pre></code>

Now try it:

<code><pre>
sudo qlc &
</pre></code>

QLC should run OK. Don't get too excited yet, there's one more step...

==Put it all together==
We now need a script that will start the lla daemon, patch the adaptor to the DMX universe (QLC uses 1 by default, LLA uses 0) and start QLC. This should do it:

<code><pre>
#!/bin/bash
gksudo killall llad
sleep 2s
sudo llad
sleep 5s
sudo lla_patch -d2 -p0 -u1
sleep 2s
sudo qlc &
</pre></code>

save it as something memorable (I use qlc-start) and make sure it's executable:

<code><pre>
chmod u+x qlc-start
</pre></code>

and you're away!

The Newbie Guide for OLA on Ubuntu

2016-09-01T19:54:06Z

Gmeader:

[[Category:Tutorials]]
Written by Karsten Wolf. 19/7/2012

This guide is written to recount the steps and lessons learned while I attempted to configure Ubuntu to as a stand alone ArtNet Node. This tutorial is split into two guides both tailored towards absolute linux beginners. The first covers installation and configuring of OLA on ubuntu, the second covers configuring of the system to run as a stand alone Artnet Node with a general overview of Plugins and OLA configuration and use.

Prior to this I had no practical linux experience and this guide is written for other users with no practical experience. I found the other information on the wiki either hard to find or over my head due to my inexperience. This guide was written for complete beginners, it incorporates information from almost all the other guides on this wiki, so credit where credit is due.

Also see the guide to configure OLA as a Artnet Node in Ubuntu for some more helpful hints. [[Configuring_OLA_as_a_Artnet_Node_in_Ubuntu]]

__TOC__

===Some important newbie information===

A quick rundown of how some things I learned the hard way.

* ‘sudo’ stands for ‘super user’ and ‘do’. It runs a command with Super User Permission. Usually requires entry of a password.
* If a folder name is preceeded by a ‘.’ such as ‘/.ola’ or ‘/.mozilla’. That file is hidden.
* Ctrl + Alt + T opens a new Terminal.
* Case Sensitivity is important.
* In this How-to anything preceeded by ‘$’ needs to replaced to match your setup. So $USER is a stand in for your Ubuntu username. $IP, $FILENAME, $FILEPATH
* ‘~’ means your home folder. So ‘~/Documents’ is the same as ‘/home/$USER/Documents’
* If you are using lights to test output, be sure to make sure they’re connected properly :)

==Installing Ubuntu==

Your choice here, Pull the latest version from the ubuntu site and install however you like. This guide uses Ubuntu 12.04. Installation is very straight forward and there are plenty of sites out there with how-to’s on this. The most straightforward and simple way to do this is with a LiveCD or LiveUSB key. You should be safe putting ubuntu onto a 5-10gig partition if OLA is all the installation will be used for.

==Installing OLA==

===Dependencies===

====The Easy Way====
To run OLA you need certain bits of software, this command will pull all the needed software, you will need an internet connection. This is by far the easier route.

Enter this text into Terminal.

sudo apt-get install libcppunit-dev libcppunit-1.12-1 uuid-dev pkg-config libncurses5-dev git libtool autoconf automake g++ libmicrohttpd-dev libmicrohttpd5 protobuf-compiler libprotobuf-lite9 python-protobuf libprotobuf-dev libprotoc-dev zlib1g-dev bison flex make

Note: Older Ubuntu distributions may require libprotobuf-lite8 (or 7 or 6) instead of libprotobuf-lite9, which are an acceptable substitutions.

====Dependancy Hell====
The above is recommended, but if it does not work (ie: no direct internet connection), you can also download and install the packages manually.

# Google for the package.
# Download the archive. ($FILENAME.tar.gz)
# Extract the contents. (Documents folder makes sense)
# Open Terminal. (Ctrl + Alt + T)
# Type "''''cd $FILEPATH''''" then hit ENTER. (Example: “''cd /home/tux/Documents/bison-2.5''”)
# Type "''''./configure''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''make''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''make check''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''sudo make install''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.

Do this for all dependancies.

cppunit

uuid or ossp uuid

pkg-config

curses

lex (or flex)

yacc (or bison)

the protocol buffers library http://code.google.com/p/protobuf/ (version 2.3.0 or later)

microhttpd ftp://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/libmicrohttpd/ (if you want the web UI). You need version >= 0.4.0 of microhttpd

If you're building from git you'll also need the following:

libtool

automake

autoconf

After you’ve installed all the of the dependencies run ''ldconfig''. This will make the new libraries usable.

sudo ldconfig

===Installing OLA===

Good now that you have all the dependancies you can install OLA. There are several ways to do this. [http://www.opendmx.net/index.php/OLA_on_Linux#Checkout_or_Download_an_Archive]

The way I did this was to download the Ubuntu packages from (http://imaginux.com/lighting/) or (http://www.opendmx.net/index.php/Download_%26_Install_OLA#Linux).
Ubuntu 12.04 uses the ‘precise’ packages. Download the appropriate packages and just install.

Another way to install OLA is to build it from the tarball :
https://github.com/OpenLightingProject/ola/releases

# Open Terminal. (Ctrl + Alt + T)
# Go to the extracted files. Type "''''cd $FILEPATH''''". (Example: “cd /home/tux/Documents/ola-0.8.20”
# If this is the first time run "''''autoreconf -i''''", else run "''''autoreconf''''". Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''./configure''''" then hit ENTER. There are additional options available through "''''./configure --help''''". Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''make''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''make check''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''sudo make install''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''sudo ldconfig''''" then hit ENTER.

OLA should now be installed.

You can start it with the commands

cd
olad -l 3

Test it by opening up a web Browser and go to

http://localhost:9090

If the OLA web gui opens it works.

==Device Setup==

This is where the fun begins. These steps apply to Ubuntu 12.04, other versions may vary. Because OLA cannot run as root, it can not access the USB device on some systems. Two ways to do it, both methods take a different means to the same end. One route may be preferential to advanced users, but for a simple setup either way works.

===Option 1===

Suggested by RenZo

Add a udev rule (and it will work with hotplug):

sudo gedit /etc/udev/rules.d/my_dmx_usb.rules

a blank page will appears, write this line:

KERNEL=="ttyUSB*", MODE="0666"

Save and close the editor, then replug your usb device and it should
work forever.

===Option 2===

Suggested by Simon Newton

Add the username to the permissions groups dialout and plugdev. In Ubuntu ‘plugdev’ should be a default group. Be sure to replace $USER with your username.

In terminal check what groups your user is part of already

cat /etc/group | grep $USER

If your user is not a part of plugdev or dialout run these commands

sudo adduser $USER dialout
sudo adduser $USER plugdev

This should give OLA access to the usb device.

The Newbie Guide for OLA on Ubuntu

2016-09-01T19:52:30Z

Gmeader:

[[Category:Tutorials]]
Written by Karsten Wolf. 19/7/2012

This guide is written to recount the steps and lessons learned while I attempted to configure Ubuntu to as a stand alone ArtNet Node. This tutorial is split into two guides both tailored towards absolute linux beginners. The first covers installation and configuring of OLA on ubuntu, the second covers configuring of the system to run as a stand alone Artnet Node with a general overview of Plugins and OLA configuration and use.

Prior to this I had no practical linux experience and this guide is written for other users with no practical experience. I found the other information on the wiki either hard to find or over my head due to my inexperience. This guide was written for complete beginners, it incorporates information from almost all the other guides on this wiki, so credit where credit is due.

Also see the guide to configure OLA as a Artnet Node in Ubuntu for some more helpful hints. [[Configuring_OLA_as_a_Artnet_Node_in_Ubuntu]]

__TOC__

===Some important newbie information===

A quick rundown of how some things I learned the hard way.

* ‘sudo’ stands for ‘super user’ and ‘do’. It runs a command with Super User Permission. Usually requires entry of a password.
* If a folder name is preceeded by a ‘.’ such as ‘/.ola’ or ‘/.mozilla’. That file is hidden.
* Ctrl + Alt + T opens a new Terminal.
* Case Sensitivity is important.
* In this How-to anything preceeded by ‘$’ needs to replaced to match your setup. So $USER is a stand in for your Ubuntu username. $IP, $FILENAME, $FILEPATH
* ‘~’ means your home folder. So ‘~/Documents’ is the same as ‘/home/$USER/Documents’
* If you are using lights to test output, be sure to make sure they’re connected properly :)

==Installing Ubuntu==

Your choice here, Pull the latest version from the ubuntu site and install however you like. This guide uses Ubuntu 12.04. Installation is very straight forward and there are plenty of sites out there with how-to’s on this. The most straightforward and simple way to do this is with a LiveCD or LiveUSB key. You should be safe putting ubuntu onto a 5-10gig partition if OLA is all the installation will be used for.

==Installing OLA==

===Dependencies===

====The Easy Way====
To run OLA you need certain bits of software, this command will pull all the needed software, you will need an internet connection. This is by far the easier route.

Enter this text into Terminal.

sudo apt-get install libcppunit-dev libcppunit-1.12-1 uuid-dev pkg-config libncurses5-dev git libtool autoconf automake g++ libmicrohttpd-dev libmicrohttpd5 protobuf-compiler libprotobuf-lite9 python-protobuf libprotobuf-dev libprotoc-dev zlib1g-dev bison flex make

Note: More recent distributions may offer libprotobuf-lite8 (or 7 or 6) instead of libprotobuf-lite9, which is an acceptable substitution.

====Dependancy Hell====
The above is recommended, but if it does not work (ie: no direct internet connection), you can also download and install the packages manually.

# Google for the package.
# Download the archive. ($FILENAME.tar.gz)
# Extract the contents. (Documents folder makes sense)
# Open Terminal. (Ctrl + Alt + T)
# Type "''''cd $FILEPATH''''" then hit ENTER. (Example: “''cd /home/tux/Documents/bison-2.5''”)
# Type "''''./configure''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''make''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''make check''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''sudo make install''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.

Do this for all dependancies.

cppunit

uuid or ossp uuid

pkg-config

curses

lex (or flex)

yacc (or bison)

the protocol buffers library http://code.google.com/p/protobuf/ (version 2.3.0 or later)

microhttpd ftp://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/libmicrohttpd/ (if you want the web UI). You need version >= 0.4.0 of microhttpd

If you're building from git you'll also need the following:

libtool

automake

autoconf

After you’ve installed all the of the dependencies run ''ldconfig''. This will make the new libraries usable.

sudo ldconfig

===Installing OLA===

Good now that you have all the dependancies you can install OLA. There are several ways to do this. [http://www.opendmx.net/index.php/OLA_on_Linux#Checkout_or_Download_an_Archive]

The way I did this was to download the Ubuntu packages from (http://imaginux.com/lighting/) or (http://www.opendmx.net/index.php/Download_%26_Install_OLA#Linux).
Ubuntu 12.04 uses the ‘precise’ packages. Download the appropriate packages and just install.

Another way to install OLA is to build it from the tarball :
https://github.com/OpenLightingProject/ola/releases

# Open Terminal. (Ctrl + Alt + T)
# Go to the extracted files. Type "''''cd $FILEPATH''''". (Example: “cd /home/tux/Documents/ola-0.8.20”
# If this is the first time run "''''autoreconf -i''''", else run "''''autoreconf''''". Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''./configure''''" then hit ENTER. There are additional options available through "''''./configure --help''''". Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''make''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''make check''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''sudo make install''''" then hit ENTER. Wait for it to finish.
# Type "''''sudo ldconfig''''" then hit ENTER.

OLA should now be installed.

You can start it with the commands

cd
olad -l 3

Test it by opening up a web Browser and go to

http://localhost:9090

If the OLA web gui opens it works.

==Device Setup==

This is where the fun begins. These steps apply to Ubuntu 12.04, other versions may vary. Because OLA cannot run as root, it can not access the USB device on some systems. Two ways to do it, both methods take a different means to the same end. One route may be preferential to advanced users, but for a simple setup either way works.

===Option 1===

Suggested by RenZo

Add a udev rule (and it will work with hotplug):

sudo gedit /etc/udev/rules.d/my_dmx_usb.rules

a blank page will appears, write this line:

KERNEL=="ttyUSB*", MODE="0666"

Save and close the editor, then replug your usb device and it should
work forever.

===Option 2===

Suggested by Simon Newton

Add the username to the permissions groups dialout and plugdev. In Ubuntu ‘plugdev’ should be a default group. Be sure to replace $USER with your username.

In terminal check what groups your user is part of already

cat /etc/group | grep $USER

If your user is not a part of plugdev or dialout run these commands

sudo adduser $USER dialout
sudo adduser $USER plugdev

This should give OLA access to the usb device.

MiniStageConsole

2008-04-12T03:30:22Z

Gmeader: added images

Link: http://www.chromakinetics.com/DMX 
{{Features|win=yes|osx=yes|tx=yes|free=yes}}

MiniStageConsole is a simple 24 channel light board with unlimited cue memory and auto timed cross fades. This software is designed for conventional theatrical lighting. It works in a way that is easy to understand for a person who does theatrical lighting. It does not have features for moving lights, fancy chasing and nightclub-style control. The cues for a show are stored in a simple text file that you can edit with a text editor or Excel and print out. Works only with both the Enttec [[DMX USB Pro]]. Works on Macintosh OSX and Windows. Supports MIDI input so that control surfaces sucha as the Behringer BCF2000 and programs such as QLab can control it (execute cues, move faders, etc).
[[image:MiniConsoleFadersWin.png]]
[[image:MiniConsloeCiesWin.png]]
[[Category:Controllers]]

File:MiniConsloeCiesWin.png

2008-04-12T03:28:11Z

Gmeader: miniStageConsole CueList window screenshot

miniStageConsole CueList window screenshot

File:MiniConsoleFadersWin.png

2008-04-12T03:27:24Z

Gmeader: miniStageConsole Fader window screenshot

miniStageConsole Fader window screenshot

MiniStageConsole

2008-04-10T00:15:46Z

Gmeader: added new software

DMX USB Pro

2008-04-10T00:09:58Z

Gmeader: added MiniStageConsole as related product

[[Category:USB]]

[[Image:Dmxusb_pro.jpg|right]]

Link: http://www.enttec.com/index.php?main_menu=Products&prod=70304&show=description&name=dmxusbpro 
Made by: [[Enttec]] 
{{Features|win=yes|osx=yes|linux=yes|tx=yes|rx=yes|rdm=yes}}

The pro widget unlike it's little brother (The Open DMX USB) contains a microprocessor (ATMEGA88) responsible for framing and transmission, or reception of dmx. Also it's USB interface is a FTDI FT245BM, VCP (virtual com port) drivers make programming easy as opening a serial port and sending/receiving! it has 1500v dmx line isolation, A green LED which indicates RX or TX activity, and gold plated neutrik XLR's (1xmale, 1xfemale wired in parallel).

Related Products:

* [[RDM USB Pro]]
* [[Open DMX USB]]
* [[Pro Toolkit]]
* [[StageConsole]]
* [[MiniStageConsole]]

DMX USB Pro

2008-04-10T00:07:54Z

Gmeader: added StageConsole as related product

NonConformDMX

2007-01-31T14:27:21Z

Gmeader:

Feel free to add DMX equipment that does not conform to the ESTA DMX Spec.

OpenDMX.net

2007-01-31T14:25:58Z

Gmeader:

<center>Welcome to opendmx.net. This site aims to be a resource for those involved in the lighting industry looking for low cost and DIY DMX solutions.</center>

----
==== Out of Spec DMX Equipment List ====

Listing of DMX equipment that does not conform to the ESTA specification [[NonConformDMX]]

==== Site Changes ====

With the new year we've changed to a new format. After realizing that I was never going to complete the CMS that I wanted, we've ended up going with a wiki. All the previous content has been moved over, but user accounts were deleted (you'll need to signup to upload pictures). Hopefully this will allow more people to add content.

----

==== LLA Live 0.2.0 Released ====

LLA Live 0.2.0 has been released with new features including a web-based lighting console, Sandnet support and the ability to use the Enttec Open DMX USB devices.

As always no install is required, simply boot from the CD and you have a multi-protocol DMX gateway.

This new release can be downloaded from [https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=126566&package_id=192352 Sourceforge] or the [[LLA]] page

----

==== ACN Specification now available ====

The final step in the ACN specification process has been completed and the full document is available now from [http://www.estafoundation.org/pubs.htm ESTA]. Priced at $40 US, it's available as either a PDF download or on CDROM.

[[ACN]]
----

==== ACN Finally Approved ! ====

On the 19th of October, the ANSI Board of Standards approved E1.17-2006, Entertainment Technology - Multipurpose Network Control Protocol Suite or simply known as ACN. No major changes have been made since the last public review and the document should be available for purchase in the next few weeks.

More than 5 years after ACN was first proposed, this marks the final step before manufactures can start shipping true ACN Compatible devices.

----

==== Unofficial DMX 4 Linux 2.6 Release ====

Bastien Andres has made an unofficial release of [[DMX 4 Linux]] for the 2.6 series of kernels. A number of drivers have been modified to compile cleanly on 2.6 and the build system has also been cleaned.

Some drivers do not compile or are incomplete, see the STATUS_BA file in the archive for more details. Sources available [http://www.nomis52.net/data/sources/dmx4linux-2.9-ba-061001.tgz here]

----

<center>[[Old News]]</center>

__NOTOC__

ACN

2007-01-10T19:52:48Z

Gmeader:

[[Category:Articles]]
===ACN - Architecture for Control Networks===

Wikipedia article on ACN: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_for_Control_Networks

ACN is a suite of documents that specifies an architecture, including protocols and language, which may be configured and combined with other standard protocols to form flexible, networked audio, lighting, or other control systems. It can be implemented on networks that support UDP, IP, and related protocols. It is not bound to Ethernet as a transport medium, but Ethernet is an obvious choice.

ACN is being distributed via download as a five megabyte ZIPped archive of 17 PDF and two DDL files. The "hardcopy" is a CDROM; there is no paper version offered.

Article on ACN in PLSN magazine: http://www.plsn.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1437&Itemid=101

StageConsole

2007-01-10T19:44:01Z

Gmeader:

{{Features|win=yes|tx=yes|free=yes}}

StageConsole is a simple 512 channel 2-scene preset light board with unlimited cue memory and auto timed cross fades. This software is designed for conventional theatrical lighting. It works in a way that is easy to understand for a person who does theatrical lighting. It does not have features for moving lights, fancy chasing and nightclub-style control. I wrote this software in VB6 and am releasing it to the public domain. The cues for a show are stored in a simple CSV text file that you can edit with a text editor or Excel and print out. Open source code in VB6 included. Now works with both the Enttec OpenDMX USB widget and the Enttec USB DMX Pro.

Free Download from http://www.chromakinetics.com/DMX

[[Category:Controllers]]

ACN

2007-01-10T19:32:41Z

Gmeader:

ACN

2007-01-10T19:27:42Z

Gmeader:

===ACN - mArchitecture for Control Networks===

Wikipedia article on ACN: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_for_Control_Networks

ACN is a suite of documents that specifies an architecture, including protocols and language, which may be configured and combined with other standard protocols to form flexible, networked audio, lighting, or other control systems. It can be implemented on networks that support UDP, IP, and related protocols. It is not bound to Ethernet as a transport medium, but Ethernet is an obvious choice.

ACN is being distributed via download as a five megabyte ZIPped archive of 17 PDF and two DDL files. The "hardcopy" is a CDROM; there is no paper version offered.

OpenDMX.net

2007-01-10T19:22:17Z

Gmeader: /* ACN Specification now available */

<center>Welcome to opendmx.net. This site aims to be a resource for those involved in the lighting industry looking for low cost and DIY DMX solutions.</center>

----

==== Site Changes ====

With the new year we've changed to a new format. After realizing that I was never going to complete the CMS that I wanted, we've ended up going with a wiki. All the previous content has been moved over, but user accounts were deleted (you'll need to signup to upload pictures). Hopefully this will allow more people to add content.

----

==== LLA Live 0.2.0 Released ====

LLA Live 0.2.0 has been released with new features including a web-based lighting console, Sandnet support and the ability to use the Enttec Open DMX USB devices.

As always no install is required, simply boot from the CD and you have a multi-protocol DMX gateway.

This new release can be downloaded from [https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=126566&package_id=192352 Sourceforge] or the [[LLA]] page

----

==== ACN Specification now available ====

The final step in the ACN specification process has been completed and the full document is available now from [http://www.estafoundation.org/pubs.htm ESTA]. Priced at $40 US, it's available as either a PDF download or on CDROM.

[[ACN]]
----

==== ACN Finally Approved ! ====

On the 19th of October, the ANSI Board of Standards approved E1.17-2006, Entertainment Technology - Multipurpose Network Control Protocol Suite or simply known as ACN. No major changes have been made since the last public review and the document should be available for purchase in the next few weeks.

More than 5 years after ACN was first proposed, this marks the final step before manufactures can start shipping true ACN Compatible devices.

----

==== Unofficial DMX 4 Linux 2.6 Release ====

Bastien Andres has made an unofficial release of [[DMX 4 Linux]] for the 2.6 series of kernels. A number of drivers have been modified to compile cleanly on 2.6 and the build system has also been cleaned.

Some drivers do not compile or are incomplete, see the STATUS_BA file in the archive for more details. Sources available [http://www.nomis52.net/data/sources/dmx4linux-2.9-ba-061001.tgz here]

----

<center>[[Old News]]</center>

__NOTOC__

Category:Controllers

2007-01-10T19:16:17Z

Gmeader:

[[Category:Software]]

StageConsole

2007-01-10T19:15:40Z

Gmeader:

{{Features|win=yes|tx=yes}}
StageConsole is a simple 512 channel 2-scene preset light board with unlimited cue memory and auto timed cross fades. This software is designed for conventional theatrical lighting. It works in a way that is easy to understand for a person who does theatrical lighting. It does not have features for moving lights, fancy chasing and nightclub-style control. I wrote this software in VB6 and am releasing it to the public domain. The cues for a show are stored in a simple CSV text file that you can edit with a text editor or Excel and print out. Open source code in VB6 included. Now works with both the Enttec OpenDMX USB widget and the Enttec USB DMX Pro.

Free Download from http://www.chromakinetics.com/DMX

[[Category:Controllers]]

StageConsole

2007-01-10T19:12:55Z

Gmeader:

StageConsole is a simple 512 channel 2-scene preset light board with unlimited cue memory and auto timed cross fades. This software is designed for conventional theatrical lighting. It works in a way that is easy to understand for a person who does theatrical lighting. It does not have features for moving lights, fancy chasing and nightclub-style control. I wrote this software in VB6 and am releasing it to the public domain. The cues for a show are stored in a simple CSV text file that you can edit with a text editor or Excel and print out. Open source code in VB6 included. Now works with both the Enttec OpenDMX USB widget and the Enttec USB DMX Pro.

Free Download from http://www.chromakinetics.com/DMX

Category:Controllers

2007-01-10T19:10:52Z

Gmeader:

[[Category:Software]]

[[StageConsole]]

Category:Controllers

2007-01-10T19:10:27Z

Gmeader:

[[Category:Software]]

[StageConsole]

Category:Controllers

2007-01-10T19:09:52Z

Gmeader:

[[Category:Software]]

StageConsole