DMX Universes

Universe Menu

All the 1024 DMX universes are listed in the DMX Universes menu. This can be accessed by Menu - Patch - DMX Universes.

The menu has several columns showing information about each universe.

• Lock:
  This shows if the row is locked.
• No:
  This is the universe number.
• Name:
  This is the name of the universe. It can be a good idea to give the universes a name for a better overview.
• Scribble:
  A scribble can be assigned to the universe.
• Appearance:
  An appearance can be assigned to the universe.
• Merge Mode:
  This is the merge mode used with incoming DMX data. These are described in the DMX Port Configuration topic.
• Request:
  A universe can be requested or not. Requesting a universe means that there is a desire to send DMX data to the universe. This request might not be granted - normally because there are not enough unlocked parameters (read more in Expand the Amount of Parameters topic). The setting has three options:
  • Auto (default): This automatically requests the universe if there is something patched to it.
  • On: This requests the universe.
  • Off: This does not request the universe. It can be useful to turn off the request if there are not enough unlocked parameters but a test is needed for a  specific universe. For instance, during preprogramming.
• Granted:
  This shows if the universe output is granted. It says "Yes" if the universe is requested and granted. This field is information only.
• Coarse Params:
  This is the number of parameters patched to the universe.
• Used:
  This is the number of fixtures patched to the universe.

 

Universe Pool

The universe pool has a pool object for all the 1024 universes that the system can handle.

The pool is a window created like any other window. Learn how in the Add Windows topic.

Each pool object represents a DMX universe.

The pool object shows some information about the universe.

There is a colored bar at the top of the pool object. This is green if the universe is requested and granted. It flashes bright green when the DMX data is outputting. It is red if it is requested but not granted.

If a universe is assigned to a DMX port, then there is a small port icon. This can have different colors depending on the port is set to output (green), input (orange) or if it is output with RDM enabled (cyan).

There are black indicators to show if the universe is output using sACN (a small "S") or Art-Net (a small "A"). These flashes green when the DMX output values are updated. See universe 3 and 4 in the example image above.

There are also indicators to show if DMX data is merged into the universe from Art-Net or sACN. This is indicated with an orange text: Art-Net In and sACN In. This is a dark orange text to show the assignment. It flashes orange when there is an incoming signal. See universe 5 and 6 in the example image above.

Read the topics in the DMX In and Out section to learn how to set up the DMX ports and how to set up Art-Net and sACN.

Moving a universe in the pool also changes the universe for the fixtures patch in the universe but keeps the DMX start addresses.

A universe can be selected by tapping it in the pool or using the Select keyword together with the DMXuniverse keyword. The DMX Sheet can be set up to only show the selected universe in the sheet settings - using the universe setting.

Editing a pool object opens the Edit DMX Universe pop-up:

Here it is possible to edit the same settings as in the DMX Universe menu.