Nicolas Bats

D::Light Manuel
November 26, 2007

Contents
1

Introduction
1.1 Preambule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2 Recommandations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Visuel
2.1 Sequence Panel . .
2.2 Functions . . . . .
2.3 Launching . . . . .
2.4 Observation . . . .
2.5 Channels . . . . .
2.6 Submasters . . . .
2.7 Numeric keyboard .
2.8 Visualisation . . .

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

4
4
5

6
. . . . . . . . 7
. . . . . . . . 8
. . . . . . . . 9
. . . . . . . . 9
. . . . . . . . 9
. . . . . . . . 10
. . . . . . . . 10
. . . . . . . . 11

Starting

12

Menus
4.1 File . . . . .
4.2 Print . . . . .
4.3 OSC . . . . .
4.4 MIDI . . . .
4.5 Display . . .
4.5.1 Utility

.
.
.
.
.
.

14
14
14
15
15
16
17

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

18
18
20
20
20
21
21
22

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

Sequence panel
5.1 What s that . . . . . . . .
5.2 Sequence Control Protocol
5.2.1 Navigation . . . .
5.2.2 Create . . . . . . .
5.2.3 Insert . . . . . . .
5.2.4 Delete . . . . . . .
5.3 Graphical control . . . . .

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

CONTENTS

5.4
5.5
5.6
6

5.3.1 Sequence window

Text . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump . . . . . . . . . . . .
Master Link . . . . . . . .

Cues
6.1 Whats that . . . . .
6.2 Cue Control Protocol
6.2.1 Record . . .
6.2.2 Modifiy . . .
6.2.3 Delete . . . .
6.2.4 Load . . . .
6.3 Graphical control . .

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Times
7.1 Whats that . . . . . .
7.2 Time Control Protocol
7.2.1 Time in . . . .
7.2.2 Time out . . .
7.2.3 Delay in . . .
7.2.4 Delay out . . .
7.2.5 Wait . . . . . .
7.3 Graphical control . . .

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

. 22
. 24
. 24
. 24

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

25
25
25
26
26
26
27
27

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

30
30
30
31
31
31
31
31
31
32
32
32
33
33
33
34
34
34
34
35

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Channels
8.1 Whats that . . . . . . .
8.2 Channel Control Protocol
8.2.1 Solo . . . . . . .
8.2.2 Thru . . . . . . .
8.2.3 Plus . . . . . . .
8.2.4 Moins . . . . . .
8.2.5 Clear . . . . . .
8.2.6 All . . . . . . .
8.3 Fine adjust . . . . . . . .
8.4 Graphical control . . . .

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Submasters
9.1 Whats that . . .
9.2 Submaster Editor
9.2.1 Times . .
9.2.2 Record .

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

36
. 36
. 38
. 39
. 39

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.

CONTENTS

10 Master Link
40
10.1 Whats that . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
10.2 Command link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
11 Special Effect
42
11.1 Whats that . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
12 Patch
45
12.1 Whats that . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
12.2 Commandes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
12.3 Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
13 Shortcuts
49
13.1 Whats that . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
13.2 Shortcut reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
13.3 Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
14 X fade
14.1 Whats that . . .
14.2 Rules . . . . . .
14.2.1 GO . . .
14.2.2 PAUSE .
14.2.3 GOBACK

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

54
54
54
54
55
55

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

15 Setup and Utility

15.1 Setup . . . . . . . . . .
15.2 Utility . . . . . . . . . .
15.2.1 Check Channels
15.2.2 Hour Trigger . .
15.2.3 Background . . .

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

56
. 56
. 58
. 58
. 59
. 59

Introduction

1.1

Preambule

D::Light is a multimedia light-board fro the theater.

Associated with the UsbDmx Pro widget from ENTTEC, its possible to control
projectors thanks to DMX 512 protocol.
D::Light looks like a traditionnal light-board:

Grand-Master : adjust the general level of DMX output.

2 main class : preparation(X2) and scene(X1).
X2 content is fade to X1 according X2 times.
Sub Masters : other class under the control of the Grand-Master.

D::Light potentiel is:

initialisation or configuration from 1 to 100 channels.
100 submasters structured in 10 pages of 10 submasters.
very large cue numbers possibility (cues can be named 0.1, 0.2 etc ...).
1000 sequence steps.
can be controlled via OSC or MIDI.

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

1.2

Recommandations

D::Light is designed to be used in association with USBDMX Pro from ENTTEC (OpenUsbDmx widget is on work).
D::Light works on PPC and INTEL Macintosh platforms or on PC
.
its known to work on the following system :
10.3.9 (ppc)
10.4 (UNIVERSAL)
10.5 (intel)
Windows XP
Minimum requirement: Mac PPC: CPU 800MHz - 256Mo RAM - OS 10.3.9
PC : Pentium 2 - Windows XP
You need to download usbdmx drivers at Ftdi.
and to restart the computer

Visuel

CHAPTER 2. VISUEL

2.1

Sequence Panel

Parameters are :
Step : X1 and X2 can be modify.
Cue : cue associated to a step
UP : up time for a step.
DOWN : down time for a step.
(UP): delay up time for a step.
(DOWN) : delay down time for a step.
Wait : wait time before processing fade for a step.
Jump : next step to process after x-fade.
M-Link : numbers of submasters linked to the sequence
Times are printed in seconde, the minimum resolution is 0.1 seconde (1/10 seconde).
Times will be detailled precisely in section 7 page 30.
The sequence panel display elapsed time during fading.
This function is active for all times associated to X2 step.
You can view 5 steps of the sequence in this window.
Its automatically adjusted to the step before X1 and the three steps after X2.
Each parameters of this panel can be modify by mouse click or by keyboard command (cf 5 page 18).
Switch from X1 to X2 by clicking on the white rounds. If X1 is choosed, it becomes the active class.
if X2 is choosen, it becomes the active class.
Modifications in sequence parameters can be done in several ways:
using function button * click on the parameter, enter a new value, validate by
ENTER. * enter a value, double-click on the parameter you want modify.

CHAPTER 2. VISUEL

2.2

Functions

Four buttons to acces to main functions :

Cue : validate an entry as a cue. Sub-menu display:

LOAD : load a cue in choosen step, or in the active class.

RECORD : record a cue according to active class.
MODIFY : modify and record the choosen cue, or the cue printed in the active
class.
REMOVE : delete a cue.

Channel : validate an entry as a channel.

Step : validate an entry as a step. Sub-menu display:

NEW : create a new step at the end of the sequence.

LOAD : load a step in the active class.
INSERT : insert a step before the choosen step, or before the active class.
DELETE : delete the choosen step, or the step in the active class.

Times : acces times sequence parameters. Sub-menu display:

TIME IN : validate an entry as the up time for the choosen step, or the step in the
active register.
TIME OUT: validate an entry as the down time for the choosen step, or the step
in the active register
DELAY IN : validate an entry as the delay up time for the choosen step, or the
step in the active register.
DELAY OUT : validate an entry as the delay down time for the choosen step, or
the step in the active register.
WAIT : validate an entry as the wait time for the choosen step, or the step in the
active register.

CHAPTER 2. VISUEL

2.3

Launching

The big blue button process initialisation of the given show.

Text zone below display USBDMX Pro widget informations, and also, cues and
submasters manipulations messages.

2.4

Observation

Display a text linked to the step in X2.

You can also record text for every steps via this panel.

2.5

Channels

During the initialisation process, channels are created in this panel.

Theyre displayed as following:

channel number (white).

level of the channel in X1 (red).
level of the channel in X2 (green).

CHAPTER 2. VISUEL

2.6

10

Submasters

Submaster panel is buid as following :

display zone : display the content of he submaster.
Flash/Time button : open the submasters according to the selected mode
Mode button: little square below flash button.
Toggle flash effect button between normal or solo mode (cf ??).
Level zone : as for channels, click and scroll zone to adjust the level of the
submaster.
Name zone : display designation of the content of the submaster.
Submaster number : open submasters editor.

Two others buttons are in this panel :

@ 0 : switch off each openned submasters .
Pages : select a page of submaster.

2.7

Numeric keyboard

@ : validate an entry as the level of a channel or a channels group.

> : (mean thru) validate an entry as the last channel of a selection.
A : (mean all) select every channels with a level in the active class.
F : (mean full) put selected channel to 100%.
C : (mean clear) clear channel selection.
+ : (mean plus) validate an entry as a channel to add to a selection of
channels.
- : (mean minus) validate an entry as a channel to remove from a selection of channels.

CHAPTER 2. VISUEL

11

ENTER : used for validation.

+ % and - % : adjust the level of selected channel.
STEP + and STEP - : acces to the next step with STEP +, or the previous step with STEP -.
GO : launch x-fade.
PAUSE : pause x-fade.
GO-BACK : go back to the previous step, or at the beginning of the fade
if one was launch.

2.8

Visualisation

Is displayed in this panel :

fade state
Grand-Master state. As for channels, you have to click and scroll to adjust the level

Black button put at zero the DMX output (result a black stage).
Freeze button hold DMX output till de-freeze. every actions wont be output to
the DMX.
XFade is for manual fade.

Starting

At launching, the software is empty.

Youll need to fill it by creating a show, or loading an existing show.
To create a new show (menu File/New):
give it a name in the entry SHOW.
give a number of channels (this can be adjust later).
give a number of step (this can be adjust later).
select a folder where data will be recorded via Folder button.
click on Create button.
Its necessary to validate each choice with Enter.
To load an existing show (menu File/Open):
select the folder with the name of the show.
You can also open the last show you were working on (menu File/Open Recent):
After loading, its necessary to click on the big blue button to launch initialisation process (cf 2.3 page 9).
D::Light will recover the state before the last shut down.

12

CHAPTER 3. STARTING

13

Shows data are recorded in a folder with the name of the show.
This folder has some sub-folder :
bind : files for shortcut and midi binding.
conduite : sequence file.
context : files for setup.
curves : files for dimmers curves.
fx : files for fx.
group : group files.
memory : cues files.
patch : file for the patch
print : files in html format (sequence and patch) for printing.
After the initialisation with show parameters,

dont forget the Grand Master level

Menus

At D::Light launching, 6 menus are displayed in the menu bar, but only File
menu is active.

4.1

File

This menu primaly give acces to show creation, but is also the place for loading
an existing show(cf 3 page 12).
Its possible to load or create a new show while one is running without shutting
down the software.
Thus allow show loading one by one during for example a festival.
Files menu parameters are :
New : create a new show
Open : open an existing show
Oen Recent : open previously loaded show
Import ASCII : import ASCII files (according AVAB format)
Export ASCII : export the show as ASCII file
Save As : make a copy of the folder of the show
Check for updates : to check youre not using a prehistoric version
Quit : run away

4.2

Print

This menu is usefull to format and record either the sequence, or the patch in the
shape of HTML table, thereafter readable by any Web navigator.

14

CHAPTER 4. MENUS

4.3

15

OSC

Open Sound Control : is a protocol for communication among computers, sound

synthesizers, and other multimedia devices that is optimized for modern networking technology.
Thus permit others computers to control D::Light wich becomes a simple
DMX translator.
In this menu, you can choose if D::Light is listenning network for OSC packet
incomming, or if it is deaf...
Default is listenning.
parameters OSC can control are:

/seq [#] : control the step to be displayed in the X1 register. This command
can also be a goto.
/circ [#] [#] : the first parameter is the channel number, the value is the
second one.
/sub [#] [#]: the first parameter is the submaster number, the value is the
second one.

In association with PureData wich can create OSC packets, it becomes easy to
create unexpected lights controlled by sensors (ouf-malade as we say in french
in seine-saint-denis style)

4.4

MIDI

This menu is use to choose wich route will take incomming Midi signals.
Associated sub-menus are :
MIDI/Settings : choose the In port.
MIDI/Bind : view and create binding to parameters.

CHAPTER 4. MENUS

16

Parameters that can be controlled by Control-Change are:

Channels
Submasters
Xfade X1 : X1 class
Xfade X2 : X2 class
Parameters that can be controlled by Program-Change are:
Go
Go Back
Pause
Parameters that can be controlled by Note On/Off are:
Flash
Step+
Step-

4.5

Display

This menu give acces to several pop-up windows and sub-menus :

Utility : give access to other sub-menus
Setup : general functions
Shorcut : keyboard binding management.
Cue : Cue management including contents modification and naming.
Sequence : Sequence management. This is like another main board.
Patch : Channels and dimmers affectation management.
Group : Group management including contents modification and naming.
Fx : Fx management including contents modification and naming.

CHAPTER 4. MENUS

4.5.1

17

Utility

This menu pop-up (cf 15 page 56):

Check Channel : usefull for testing channels one by one at the desired level.
Channels can also be named within this menu.
Hour Trigger : Sequence can be automated according hours of the day.
Background: change the background color.

Sequence panel

5.1

What s that

D::Light can manage over 1000 sequence steps.

Theyre not fully displayed in the main window, but theyre all displayed and
reachable via Display/Sequence menu (cf 5.3.1 page 23).

Each sequence operation is automatically recorded.

Step contains :
a cue.
Up Time and Down Time.
Delay-up Time and Delay-down Time.
Wait Time.
different links.
Steps are usually following one by one each others.
Floating numbers steps doesnt exists.
D::Light automatically create at the first launching all desired steps with 0 cue
associated.
0 cue, initially a black one, can be repeated in the sequence whenever the scene
shall go down to black.
Following graphic is main window sequence panel.
each displayed parameters can be modified by mouse in one click or via the trackpad.

18

CHAPTER 5. SEQUENCE PANEL

19

Figure 5.1: Sequence panel

Red line represent X1, the green one is X2.
With the two white buttons, you can switch active register between X1 or X2.
Here, X1 is active with 0 step loaded, step 1 is loaded in X1.
In case of new shows, parameters are all set to 0.
Four buttons are designed to modify sequences parameters:

Figure 5.2: Command buttons

Hitting a button flash the associated led in blue.
As indicated before (cf 2.2 page 8), click on CUE, STEP or TIMES buttons give
access to functions sub-menu.

CHAPTER 5. SEQUENCE PANEL

5.2

20

Sequence Control Protocol

Belowed instructions modify sequences parameters.

Each modification is automatically recorded.
Later will be described Cues modifications (cf 6.2 page 25), and Times modifications (cf 7.2 page 30).

5.2.1

Navigation
[step+] & [step-]

This panel is usefull to scroll in the sequences steps.

Each displayed steps in the sequence panel will be adjusted.
The number displayed in this panel is the step loaded in X1.
This panel can also be used as a GOTO function.
by entering a number and hitting ENTER, you can directly load desired step in X1.

[#] [step] [load]

Load desired step [#] in active register (X1 or X2).
Every sequences steps including X2 will be modified if X1 is active.
if X2 is active, X1 wont be modified.

5.2.2

Create

Adding some new steps can be done with the NEW function, present as a submenu of the STEP function (cf 2.2 page 8).
The blue Led indicate STEP function is active

CHAPTER 5. SEQUENCE PANEL

21
[step] [new]

This command add a new step at the end of the sequence.

[#] [step] [new]

This command add [#] new step at the end of the sequence.

5.2.3

Insert

Inserting some new steps can be done with the INSERT function, present as a submenu of the STEP function (cf 2.2 page 8).
The blue Led indicate STEP function is active

[step] [insert]
This command insert a new initialized step (all parameters to 0 in the active
register.
Initial step is moved down.

[#] [step] [insert]

This command insert a new initialized step (all parameters to 0 at the desired
[#] position.
Initial step is moved down.

5.2.4

Delete

Deleting existing steps can be done with the DELETE function, present as a submenu of the STEP function (cf 2.2 page 8).
The blue Led indicate STEP function is active

CHAPTER 5. SEQUENCE PANEL

22
[step] [delete]

This command delete the step loaded in the active register.

Each following steps are moved up.

[#] [step] [delete]

This command delete the step loaded at the desired [#] position.
Each following steps are moved up.

5.3

Graphical control

Each sequences parameters can be done graphically, thanks to mouse or computers trackpad.
Either in the main sequence panel, or in the sequence window, each parameters
modifictaion is automatically recorded.
When hitting desired parameter, a blue selection label enroll the parameter.
X1 and X2 can be modified with the load step command, others steps cant...

5.3.1

Sequence window

As presented in Display menu chapter (cf 4.5 page 16), the sequence window
give acces to the entire sequence and allow the user to modify each parameters of
every steps.

CHAPTER 5. SEQUENCE PANEL

23

Figure 5.3: Sequence window

The square next to steps numbers reflect the active register.
Here, X1 is active (so the square is red ) with 0 step loaded.
Yellow line indicate wich step is choosen in this window for modification.
If you srcoll in the sequence (thanks to step+ and step- shortcut (cf 13.1 page 49)),
only choosen steps selection for this window will scroll.
The main sequence panel wont be affected.
By hitting ENTER when the entry zone at the bottom of the window is empty,
user can directly access to cues edition window (cf 6.3 page 28) associated to the
choosen step.
When hitting desired parameter, a blue selection label enroll the parameter.
As written before, each parameters can be modified via mouse, trackpad or shortcuts.

CHAPTER 5. SEQUENCE PANEL

5.4

24

Text

A short text ( < 200 characters) can be associated to each steps.

As described in the Observation chapter (cf 2.4 page 9), panel right after sequence panel display text associated to step loaded in X2.
By hitting the text panel, a new window pop-up where you can directly modify
text associated to the step loaded in X2.
Right-click give acces to step number selection to modify text.
User must validate new text by hitting ENTER.

5.5

Jump

This function is usefull to loop the sequence between two steps.

In addition with Wait parameter, the sequence can run forever automatically.
step+ and step- are used to break the loop.
0 step is used to reset the Jump parameter of a step.

5.6

Master Link

Its possible to link 10 submasters to a sequence step.

To access to the Master Link editor, user must click on the star associated to the
step he wants to link the submasters.
Is diplayed the number of link associated to a step.
This function will be described later (cf ?? page ??).

Cues

6.1

Whats that

D::Light can deal with a very large number of cue ...

Cues are build with channels number and associated level.
They doesnt contains any time or any name.
As said in sequence chapter (cf 5 page 18), only steps contains times.
Cues can be recorded as decimal numbers.
Cue 1 is the same as cue 1.0.
After recording, cues are not automatically loaded in the sequence.
This special intention is designed to allow the user to load the same cue several
times in the sequence without needeed to record it again.
0 cue, initially a black one, can be repeated in the sequence whenever the scene
shall go down to black.
Cue loading protocol will be described in following chapter (cf 6.2.4 page 27).
Its necessary to load cues in the sequence after creation in order to use them.

6.2

Cue Control Protocol

Belowed instructions modify cues parameters and sequence loading.

Each modification is automatically recorded.
Whenever a cue is recorded or modified, result (done or error) is indicated in the
text zone below the big blue button.

25

CHAPTER 6. CUES

6.2.1

26

Record
[#] [cue] [record]

This command record channels level of the active register as the desired [#]
cue.
.
[cue] [record]
If the cue number is not given, a new cue afte the last one will be recorded.
A message will be display querying confirmation.

6.2.2

Modifiy

Whenever user wants to modify an existing cue, its faster to use Modify function
than Record.

[cue] [modify]
This command record channels level of the active register as the cue associated with the step loaded in the active register.
.
Only cues associated to steps loaded in X1 or X2 can be modified with this command.
In order to modify a specific cue, user should use cue editor window (cf 6.3
page 27).

6.2.3

Delete
[#] [cue] [remove]

This command delete cue [#] and remove it from the sequence if loaded.
.0 will take place at the step it was loaded.

CHAPTER 6. CUES

6.2.4

27

Load

Whenever cues exists, its necessary to load them in the sequence in order to use
them.

[#] [cue] [load]

This command load cue [#] in the step loaded in the active register.
If the cue doesnt not exists, an alert window pop-up.

[#] [step] [#] [cue] [load]

This command load cue [#] in the desired [#] step.

6.3

Graphical control

As mentionned previously (cf 5.3 page 22), cues can be load in the sequence either via main sequence panel, or sequence window.
Display / Cue sub-menu (cf 4.5 page 16) give acces to cue management window.
Each recorded cue (even if its not loaded in the sequence) appears in the cue listing.

CHAPTER 6. CUES

28

Figure 6.1: Cue management window

Existing cues are sort in ascending order.
Cues can be named with a very short text.
Select the desired cue, enter a text in the text panel and hit ENTER.
Here, 0 cue is selected and text Black is associated.
This is initial configuration.
Edit Cue button pop-up a window loaded with the content of the selected cue.
Remove Cue button delete selected cue as described previously.
Cue modification window is usefull to modify a cue, or create a new one.
If the modified cue is loaded in X1 or X2, output will be automatically updated.

CHAPTER 6. CUES

29

Figure 6.2: Cue modification window

Each channels level modification as record or modify shortcuts are available in
this window.
RECORD button at the bottom of the window process recording.

Times

7.1

Whats that

Times are generally displayed in seconds.

However, D::Light accept 1/10 seconds time.
The smallest resolution is 0.1 second.
0 second time will be process as 0.1 second.
Times parameters are :
TIME IN : up time for step fading.
TIME OUT : down time for step fading.
DELAY IN : delay up time before step fading.
DELAY OUT: delay down time before step fading.
WAIT : wait time before auto-go.
Times can be recorded following several forms :
20 = 20 seconds.
90 = 90 seconds.
130 = 1 minute 30 seconds (display 1:30).
0.5 = 0.5 second.

7.2

Time Control Protocol

Belowed instructions modify times sequences parameters.

Each modification is automatically recorded.

30

CHAPTER 7. TIMES

7.2.1

31

Time in
[#] [Time-in]

This command record [#] up time for the step loaded in the active register.

7.2.2

Time out
[#] [Time-out]

This command record [#] down time for the step loaded in the active register.

7.2.3

Delay in
[#] [Delay-in]

This command record [#] delay up time for the step loaded in the active register.

7.2.4

Delay out
[#] [Delay-out]

This command record [#] delay down time for the step loaded in the active
register.

7.2.5

Wait
[#] [Wait]

This command record [#] wait time for the step loaded in the active register.

7.3

Graphical control

Graphical control possibilities are the same as for the sequence (cf 5.3), and as for
the cue (cf 6.3).

Channels

8.1

Whats that

Figure 8.1: Output window

White is for channel number.
Red is for channels level in X1.
Green is for channels level in X2.
You can adjust channels level with the mouse or the trackpad by scrolling the
level number.

8.2

Channel Control Protocol

Belowed instructions modify channels levels once theyre selected.

When a channel is selected, its colored in yellow.

32

CHAPTER 8. CHANNELS

8.2.1

33

Solo
[#] [Channel] [#] [@]

The first argument is the number of the channel, the second is the level.
This command set a level for selected channel in the working class.
While a channel is selected, you can adjust his level with the following command
sequence ([#] [@], [#] [@], [#] [@]...)

8.2.2

Thru
[#] [Channel] [#] [>] [#] [@]

The first argument is the number of the first channel of the list, the second is
the last channel of the list, third is the level.
This command set a level for each selected channels in working class.
While selection is active, you can adjust his level with the following command
sequence ([#] [@], [#] [@], [#] [@]...)

8.2.3

Plus
[#] [+] [#] [@]

The first argument is the number of the channel to add to the list, the second
is the level.
This command set a level for selected channel in the working class.
While a channel is selected, you can adjust his level with the following command
sequence ([#] [@], [#] [@], [#] [@]...)

CHAPTER 8. CHANNELS

8.2.4

34

Moins
[#] [-] [#] [@]

The first argument is the number of the channel to delete from the list, the
second is the level.
This command set a level for selected channel in the working class.
While a channel is selected, you can adjust his level with the following command
sequence ([#] [@], [#] [@], [#] [@]...)

8.2.5

Clear

C button is the clear command.

One click delete the last entry, double-click clear selected channel list

8.2.6

All

A button select each channel with a level different of 0 in the working class.

8.3

Fine adjust

This command add (with + button) or remove (with - button) x% to level of

selected channels

CHAPTER 8. CHANNELS

8.4

35

Graphical control

As written before (8.1 page 32 ), you can adjust level of selected channels with
the mouse or the trackpad by scrolling their level number.
Its also possible to create a channel selection by hitting the number of the channel
(the white number). To delete a channel from a selection, do the same manipulation, the number becomes white again.
Another way consit to draw a rectangle ( maintain Ctrl key down and mouve
mouse or trackpad pointer) around channels to add to a selection. Channels numbers becomes yellow.
When you scroll an elements level of a selection, each channels level are modified.

Submasters

9.1

Whats that

Figure 9.1: Submasters main window

Figure 9.2: Submaster detail

Submasters are basically others working class. They can handle Cue, Group or
Fx.
100 submasters are available, they can be flashed or timed.
Submasters editor is the place to load or modify their content. The button at the
bottom that indicate he number of the submaster open it.
36

CHAPTER 9. SUBMASTERS

37

Each submasters unit contain:

Identification
Show whats inside (G = Group, Q = Cue, Fx = Fx).
When you hit this zone, it becomes orange. That means if you record a cue from
the main output window, the content of the submaster will not be recorded within
the cue.

Flash/Time button
Open the submaster according to the setting (cf 9.2.1).

Flash/FlashSolo Mode
In flash mode, the behaviour can be switch between normal or solo. When the led
is red, the flash button is in solo mode.
In solo mode, the submaster overhead all open submasters, and only his content
is send to the output.

Level
Show opening level. As for channel, use mouse or trackpad to scroll its level.

Text
Show text associated with the content of the submaster

Number
Open submasters editor.

CHAPTER 9. SUBMASTERS

9.2

38

Submaster Editor

This is the submasters editor. From this window, its possible to deal with submasters contents and behaviour (Flash / Time).

Figure 9.3: Submaster Editor

Here, cue 1 is loaded. The submaster is in Time mode, a time Properties panel is
also displayed. Its like a mini-sequence (cf 9.2.1).
Record and Modification keyboard shortcuts, as channels manipulations shortcuts
(cf 13 page 49) are available is this window.
Load button pop up a window to selected a content to load in this submaster.
Keyboard shortcuts as cue load, group load and fx load are also available.

CHAPTER 9. SUBMASTERS

9.2.1

39

Times

Its possible to time each submasters unit.

Time parameters are :
UP : up time
DOWN : down time
(UP) : delay the up time
(DOWN) : delay the down time
Wait : automatisation between down after up
Level : opening level

Figure 9.4: time Properties panel

Loop parameter control up after down process.
Times unit are the same as the one of the main sequence (cf 7.1 page 30).
In this mode, a little button is present under the Time button in submasters unit.
Its usefull to make a pause in openning or closing.

9.2.2

Record

Figure 9.5: Record button

RECORD button modify whats loaded in the submaster.
If nothing is loaded, it creates a new Group.

10

Master Link

10.1

Whats that

Figure 10.1: Master lik editor

Each sequence step can hold 10 submasters link.
You have to click on the star (*) that depends of the step you want to add submasters link.
Use Insert and Delete buttons to add or remove links. When you create a new
link, each parameters are set to 0.
First thing to do is to define a submaster for the link.
Content parameter is automatically set according to the content of the linked submaster. If the submaster is empty, this parameter wont change.
Its possible to set a different content for the linked submaster than the one initially set.
Hit the blue square that indentify the content, and choose among proposed con40

CHAPTER 10. MASTER LINK

41

tents.
Second thing to do is to give a level to open the linked submaster thanks to Target
parameter.
If you let 0 to this parameter, the submaster wont open.
After, record wanted times.
Once youve set each parameters, dont forget to record the link thanks to the
Record button at the bottom of the window.

10.2

Command link

Its possible to record a link as a command link.

A command link is a link that modify one or several parameter for an open submaster .
For example, if a submaster has been open with Loop parameter set to 1, and you
want to reset this parameter later in the sequence, you can add a command link to
perform this operation and set the parameter to 0.
You have to record untouch parameters with * caracter.
But dont forget to set the Master parameter to define the submaster you want to
link.

Figure 10.2: Example of command link

11

Special Effect

11.1

Whats that

Figure 11.1: Special effect listing

This window is available from Display/Fx menu.
From this window, you can create, delete, name or edit an effect.
Thereafter, effects must be load in submasters to be used.
Once created, user must edit the effect.

42

CHAPTER 11. SPECIAL EFFECT

43

Figure 11.2: Fx editor

Fx are composed in this window.
An effect is like a mini-sequence except that steps are automatically computed.
As for every sequence in D::Light, steps are following one by one and Fx Cue
can be load in step in no precise order.
First, user has to adjust channels level in order to create the fisrt Fx Cue and hit
the button Record Fx Cue to record it. Record button at the bottom of the window
is usefull to modify existing Fx Cue .
Fx Cue are automatically loaded in the Fx sequence.

CHAPTER 11. SPECIAL EFFECT

44

After, user must record times for each created steps of the Fx.
The left part of the window is usefull to insert, remove or create new initialised
steps.

Figure 11.3: Fx step navigation

Load Fx Cue button is used to load desired Fx Cue in channels panel.
Load Cue button is used to load a cue from the main sequence in channels panel.
Keep in mind an Fx is composed at least with 2 steps.

12

Patch

12.1

Whats that

Select menu Display/Patch to pop up the patch window.

Figure 12.1: Patch window

45

CHAPTER 12. PATCH

46

From this window you can connect one or many dimmer to a channel.
Default patch is (1:1). That means channel 1 is connected to dimmer 1, channel 2
to dimmer 2, etc ...

12.2

Commandes

To connect a dimmer to a channel, select the channel you want to use in channel
box, dimmer you want to use in dimmer box and hit + button.
Up and Down arrows of the keyboard can be used to move in the channel list.
+ et - buttons of the keyboard can be used to add or remove a dimmer from a
channel.
T buttons near CHANNEL and DIMMER are usefull to test at 100% directly the
dimmer or the channel.
1:1 button initialise the patch.
1:0 button initialise the patch in the way that no dimmers are connected to channels.

12.3

Curves

With CURVE button, you can adjust dimmer response curve.

Each curve can be saved and used for anny dimmers.
SAVE record the curve.
LOAD is usefull to load an existing curve.

CHAPTER 12. PATCH

47

Figure 12.2: y=x curve

Default is linear curve. 3 others mathematical curves are available :
y=n : static curve.
f(n)->up : fast response curve.
f(n)->down : slow response curve.

Figure 12.3: y=n curve

CHAPTER 12. PATCH

48

Figure 12.4: y=f(n)->up curve

Figure 12.5: y=f(n)->down curve

Its also possible to draw the curve you want.

Figure 12.6: manual curve

13

Shortcuts

13.1

Whats that

Figure 13.1: Shortcut window

Shortcuts window is available via Display/Shortcut menu.

49

CHAPTER 13. SHORTCUTS

50

Each shortcut is editable by the user following some rules. These rules will be
describe later.
Available shortcuts are:

prepa : select X2 as the workin class.

sc`ene : select X1 as the woking class.
cue : select CUE function.
record : record a cue.
modify : modify a cue.
cue load : load a cue for the step present in the working class.
cue delete : delete a cue.
step : select STEP function.
step load : load a step in the working class.
step insert : insert a step in the workng class
step delete : delete the step present in the working class
channel : select CHANNEL function.
time : record time in and time out for the step present in the working class.
time in : record time in for the step present in the working class.
time out : record time out for the step present in the working class.
delay : record delay in and delay out for the step present in the working
class.
delay in : record delay in for the step present in the working class.
delay out : record delay out for the step present in the working class.
wait : record automatisation time for the step present in the working class.
go : launch the X fade.

CHAPTER 13. SHORTCUTS

pause : make a pause in the X fade.
goback : go back of 1 step in the sequence.
At level : give a level to a channel selection.
+ : add a channel to channel selection.
- : remove a channel from channel selection.
thru : add many channel to channel selection.
all : select every channel with a level different of 0 in the working class.
full : shortcut for 100%
step+ : move up in the sequence.
step- : move down in the sequence.
+% : adjust channel selection level.
-% : adjust channel selection level.
jump : make a loop in the sequence.
dimmer : select a dimmer (in patch window).
pages : move in channel page.
sub open : open submasters editor for the selected submaster.
sub pages : move in submaster page.
group record : record a new group.
cue goto : load step that contain desired cue in the working class.
sub loop : set or unset the loop fonction for selected submaster.
text : edit text for the selected step.
fx load : load an existing Fx in the submasters editor.
MLink : open Master Link editor for the selected step.

51

CHAPTER 13. SHORTCUTS

52

There is other shortcuts that are not editable by the user. They concern FLASH
buttons for submasters.

F1 : Flash 1
F2 : Flash 2
F3 : Flash 3
F4 : Flash 4
F5 : Flash 5
F6 : Flash 6
F7 : Flash 7
F8 : Flash 8
F9 : Flash 9
F10 : Flash 10

Be carefull that these buttons are not used exclusively y the OS .

Be also carrefull to the Roll-Over of the keyboard.
Also:

Backspace : reset last entry.

Double-Backspace : reset channel selection.

13.2

Shortcut reminder

This button is usefull to know which shortcuts are avilable for the actve window.

CHAPTER 13. SHORTCUTS

13.3

53

Rules

Shortcuts are generally composed of 1 or 2 letters except for plus = +, minus = -,

greater = >, space, Up, Down ....
In order to record new shortcut for a function, click on the existing shortcut, type
a new one and valid with ENTER .
Following shortcuts are not available:
Backspace
Shift
Control
Meta
Alt
Caps Lock
Num Lock
Escape
There are 3 kinds of shortcuts :
simple : 1 letter.
double : 2 times the same letter.
mixed : 2 different letters.
Some rules define shortcuts edition :
You cant use in simple the first letter of a double shortcut.
You cant use in simple the first letter of a mixed shortcut.

14

X fade

14.1

Whats that

Figure 14.1: X fade buttons

X fade is mainly controlled by 3 buttons :
GO
PAUSE
GOBACK

14.2

Rules

14.2.1

GO

GO button launch the fade from the step present in X2 according to his times to
X1.
If a fade is launched and the user hit GO button again, the step after the one in X2
will be loaded in X2, and the fade will start again with the new values (without a
drop of channels level).

54

CHAPTER 14. X FADE

14.2.2

PAUSE

PAUSE button hold the X fade while pause is active.

Use have to hit GO button to resume transfert.

14.2.3

GOBACK

GOBACK button launch X fade with X1 parameters as X2.

If theres no running X fade, default times defined in Setup will be used.
Otherwise, elapsed time will be used.

55

15

Setup and Utility

15.1

Setup

Figure 15.1: Fenetre du setup

Setup window control general parameters :

Channels : adjust channels number

Its possible to change the number of used channels with this parameter.
Type the number of channel you want to use and hit ENTER. Its allowed to use
from 1 to 512 channels.

56

CHAPTER 15. SETUP AND UTILITY

57

Inhib Wait Times : Dont process X2 automatisation

No wait time will be process.

Auto Load Cue In Sequence : Automatically load new cues in sequence

Default behaviour is to not load new recorded cues in the sequence.
With this function, new recorded cues will be loaded in sequence and a new step
will be inserted to hold them.

Display Only Used Channels

While this function is active, only used channels will be displayed on screen.

Go Back default time

Value is express in second.

Output : output widget to use.

User can choose wich widget to use to output DMX. 3 widget are or will be allwed
: UsbDmxPro and Artnet protocol on MacOS X, UsbDmxPro, OpenUsbDmx and
Artnet on Windows.

CHAPTER 15. SETUP AND UTILITY

15.2

Utility

15.2.1

Check Channels

58

Figure 15.2: Channel test

You can test at a defined level each channel individually.
You can also give a name to each channel. Sometimes, during check, is usefull
to know if a channel is connected to HMI lamp for not testing it at 50% (if theres
no static curve).
Use Up and Down arrows of the keyboard to select the channel you want to give a
name, click in the blue zone at the bottom of the window, give the name and valid
with ENTER.

CHAPTER 15. SETUP AND UTILITY

15.2.2

Hour Trigger

Figure 15.3: Hour Trigger window

This function is usefull to launch a sequence at the given time of he day.

15.2.3

Background

Figure 15.4: Background color picker

You can change the background color of the software to be more sexy.

59