Command Line Patching

Edward Updated by Edward

To patch channels/fixtures using the Command Line Method:

  1. Use Encoder 4 to select the desired model from the tree view under the title “Fixtures”. To aid in locating a fixture brand and model, you can start typing in the “Fixture Make/Model” box and a popup with a list of matching entries will appear. The list becomes more refined as additional characters are entered. Once the desired model appears in the list, you may click on it to select it.
NEO Notes & Tips: The Standard Dimmer can be selected by [SHIFT] + [DIMMER].
  1. Under the picture of the selected fixture is a switch with two positions which determine the order in which the command is entered. The default is “Channel @ Output” but can be set to “Output @ Channel”. The examples below assume the default.
  2. Click on the Command Line Entry box and enter the desired channel/address mapping. The syntax of the command (assuming the default setting of the switch in 2 above) is: (channel list) [@] (address list) [ENTER]

Example: [2] [@] [1] [5] [Enter] would patch DMX address 15 to channel 2.

Example: [1]  [THRU]  [4]  [@]  [1] [3] [+] [1] [5] [THRU] [1] [7] [ENTER] would patch DMX address 13 to channel 1 and addresses 15 through 17 to channels 2 through 4.

A list can use a combination of commas to separate individual values and slashes to indicate an inclusive range of values. Addresses can take the form of {universe.channel}. If universe is not specified, universe 1 is assumed.

  • Example: [5] [1] [@] [2] [.] [1] [5] [ENTER] would patch DMX Address 15 in Universe 2 to Channel 51.
  • Example: “2 @ 15 <Enter>” would patch DMX Address 15 to Channel 2.
  • Example: “1/4 @ 13, 15/17 <Enter>” would patch DMX Address 13 to Channel 1 and addresses 15 through 17 to Channels 2 through 4.
  • Example: “51 @ 2.15 <Enter>” would patch DMX Address 15 in Universe 2 to Channel 51.

 

Entering “{channel list} @ <Enter>” with no address list will clear the patch from the listed channels.

  • (channel list) [@] (start address) [NEXT] [ENTER] – Will search for the next available unpatched block of DMX addresses that would accommodate the number of addresses needed by the fixtures in the channel list. If no start address is specified, the search will begin at address 1.1.
  • (channel list) [@] (address list) [@] (max level) [ENTER] – will patch the specified channel(s) to the specified DMX address(es) and se the profile of the channel(s) to “Proportional (max level)”.

[UNDO] [ENTER] will undo the last command line action, and (channel list) [@] [ENTER] with no address list will clear the patch from the listed channels.

Copy, Move & Swap Operations

Patched fixtures may be copied, moved or swapped using the following:

  • (Destination Fixture #) [COPY} ‘COPY FROM’ (Source Fixture #) ([+] ‘OFFSET’ (value)) [ENTER]
  • (Source Fixture #) [COPY] [COPY] ‘MOVE TO’ (Destination Fixture #) [ENTER]
  • (Fixture 1 #) [COPY] [COPY] [COPY] ‘SWAP WITH’ (Fixture 2 #) [ENTER]

For each command above, a dialog box will appear with the appropriate title and the same options (Example):

At least one of the options below must be checked for the operation to take effect.

Update patch table – When checked, will make permanent changes to the patch.

Update show data… - As the option implies, when checked, the operation will update the show data to take account of new and changed fixture locations.

Pan/Tilt Options

For moving fixtures, the patch detail has a column labelled “P/T Adj”, which can be set to adjust the axis and direction for a fixture, so it conforms to the position grid of the fixture control grid. The form of this command is: (channel list) [POSITION], where repeated presses for the [POSITION] key will cycle through the list of adjustment options. The list of options is: ‘Flip Pan’, ‘Flip Tilt’, ‘Flip Pan & Tilt’, ‘Swap Pan & Tilt’, ‘Swap Pan & Tilt, Flip Pan’, ‘Swap Pan & Tilt, Flip Tilt’, ‘Swap Pan & Tilt, Flip Pan & Tilt’, & ‘No P&T Adjustment’.

Setting Defaults

Fixture defaults may be set from values stored in palettes using the following:

(channel list) [@] ([POSITION] | [COLOR] | [BEAM] | [EDGE]) (#) [ENTER]

Example: [3][9] [THRU] [4][2] [@] [POSITION] [1] [ENTER] would set the default pan & tilt of fixtures 39 through 42 to the values stored in Position Palette #1.

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Patch Window

Drag & Drop Patching

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