RDM

Edward Updated by Edward

RDM is an extension to the DMX protocol that provides bi-directional communications with RDM compatible devices and fixtures.

 

Clicking on the RDM button will bring up a separate window for RDM control.

 

NEO Notes & Tips: Not all output devices support RDM functionality. The universe selection in the RDM window will only display hardware that supports RDM. If your device is not listed, then you will not be able to use the RDM functionality.

The RDM window can be used to find devices connected to the DMX network, change their labels and set start addresses and personalities. If the fixture supports identifying its attribute list, NEO can build a fixture and store it in the fixture library the first time it is patched.

To start the discovery process, select the DMX universe form the menu in the top left corner and click on Find All. The discovery process may take some time to return and if possible, NEO will notify you of its progress. This is not always possible, and it may appear as though nothing is happening. When the discovery process has finished the Find All button will become active again. If you add devices to the system you can use the Find Additional button to find those not already found.

 

Once the devices have been found they will be listed in the grid as shown. If not all the information is found correctly, you can use the small button to the right of the “Number” to attempt a second retrieve.

 

Model – The model field is a read only field that typically will tell you the device model.

 

Device Label – The device label is a changeable field stored on the device. You can use this to store your own information on the fixture itself. When the device is patched into NEO, the label will be placed into the first generic data field automatically.

 

Channel – When the devices are discovered, NEO will work out what channel is currently assigned to the DMX start address and display it in this field. If the channel number has an asterisk (*) attached to it then this indicates that the fixture definition does not match the model and footprint. This simply means that while the start address is patched the fixture is not.

 

NEO Notes & Tips: Any changes made to the channel field will not apply until the Patch button is pressed.

DMX Addr – The first DMX address that the fixture or device will use for control. Changing this field will update the device with the new value. If the value returns to the previous setting, then the change was not successful.

 

NEO Notes & Tips: Changes to the DMX address field will patch the fixture automatically.

 

Footprint – The footprint is a read only field to indicate how many DMX addresses the fixture uses for control.

 

Personality – Setting the personality will change how the fixture or device is controlled. Changing the personality by selecting from the drop-down list will update the device/fixture. If the value returns to the previous setting, then the change was not successful. Changing the personality may change the footprint of the fixture.

 

Identify – Use the identify button to find the fixture or device. The device/fixture shall identify itself using a visible or audible action. For example, strobing a light or outputting fog. Clicking on this button will put the device/fixture into identify mode and change the label to “Identify Off”. Clicking again will turn off the identify mode.

 

Clear Channel Assignment – Click on this button to clear all the channel numbers currently assigned to the devices. No changes will be made to the actual patch at this point. All the devices/fixtures will show “Not Patched”.

 

Clear DMX Address – Click on this button to clear all the DMX addresses shown. This will not change the assigned DMX start address on the device/fixture. Use this option when you want to patch all the fixtures found using the instructions below.

 

Automatic Patching

The NEO RDM window provides a quick and easy way to patch all the RDM devices that have been found. Before starting this process click on the Clear Channel Assignment and the Clear DMX Addresses buttons.

 

Next, use the Identify button to find the first fixture you want patched. Once you have found the first fixture, click on the Patch button. The selected fixture will be patched to the first channel and the first DMX address.

 

If the fixture (referenced by the Manufacturer and Model information) is not found in the NEO fixture database, then the software will interrogate the fixture using RDM and build a suitable fixture profile. The amount of detail contained in the new fixture profile will depend on the RDM commands supported by the device/fixture.

 

To patch the rest of the devices/fixtures use the Identify button to find the next fixture and click Patch to patch it into NEO. The software will assign the next channel and the correct DMX start address to fit the fixture.

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