My lighting fixture is not supported by DMXIS. How do I add it?

Problem:

My lighting fixture does not appear in the DMXIS fixture library. How do I add it?

Solution:

Solution 1 - submit a support ticket and wait for the next library update

If you don't want to create a new fixture yourself, and it isn't urgent, you can submit a new support ticket (emailing support@enttec.com works the same way) and we'll add it to our list of requests. We won't get to all of them in time for a regular update necessarily, but we'll be prioritizing those which seem popular and filling in where time allows with the unusual items. Please include an online link to the user manual for the fixture, or attach a scan of the DMX table from the printed manual.

Solution 2 - write a new fixture file

Note: fixture files are UNIX format text files! Some Windows editors (such as Notepad) are not suitable for fixture editing, as thay always save in DOS format. We use the excellent Crimson Editor for creating our fixture files on Windows)

To add a new fixture to DMXIS, you simply need to create a new file in the appropriate folder...

Windows: C:/Program Files/ENTTEC/DMXIS/DmxLibrary/
OSX : /Library/Application Support/ENTTEC/DMXIS/DmxLibrary/

The DmxLibrary folder contains a number of subfolders, one for each manufacturer. When you right-click on a channel slider, these subfolders appear as submenus. You can create your new fixture files in an existing manufacturer subfolder or create your own. The file contains a list of channels, and each channel has one or more ranges covering the full range 0-255. A range line consists of Type/Min/Max/Label fields. For example, here is a really simple 3 channel fixture file for a device with Pan, Tilt and Speed:

Pan
V,0,255,
Tilt
V,0,255,
Speed
V,0,255,

Each Channel (Pan/Tilt/Speed) contains a single range covering the full slider range 0-255. The V at the start of the range line means Variable. Variable ranges are displayed as a percentage under the DMXIS slider.

The Label field in these channels is left blank, so we only see the percentage value under the fader.

A range can also be Static. Here is a Shutter channel with simple ON/OFF states:

Shutter
S,0,127,OFF
S,128,255,ON

Note that it NEVER makes sense for a channel to contain a single static range. If you're using static, you need at least two ranges, as above. Static ranges ALWAYS need a Label too.

Many manufacturers like to cram loads of features into one channel. DMXIS can handle this by mixing Variable & Static ranges. For example, here is a simple Gobo channel with static Closed,Circle,Tunnel,Open states in the lower range, and a variable Spin feature in the upper range:

Gobo
S,0,30,Closed
S,31,60,Circle
S,61,90,Tunnel,
S,91,120,Open,
V,121,255,Spin

There are two special cases to consider. The first is the Dimmer D range type:

Dimmer
D,0,255,

Only channels of type "dimmer" will react to the Master Level control on the DMXIS main screen.

The final special case is the Blackout B range type:

Shutter
B,0,127,OFF
S,128,255,ON

What's this for? Well, some fixtures (including most cheap scanners) do not have variable dimming. But they do usually have a "closed" gobo or an on/off shutter. If this closed/off state is marked in the fixture file with the B state, then that state will be activated when the Master Level control reaches zero.

If you have any questions about writing fixture files, just submit a support ticket and we'll do our best to help. Please attach a copy of the fixture file you are having problems with.

Keywords: fixture

DMXIS