Controlling lights via DMX from Resolume

[alienskies101]

Currently VidVox are developing a plug-in for VDMX which will send data to DMX light systems. Wondering if there are any plans to do the same for Resolume?

[Basic]

is this not already possible?

[Joris]

It's relatively straightforward to send some values for a few DMX channels. But professional lampies require their software to be able to connect to and program for a variety of lights, all from within that software. To create a intuitive and comprehensive interface for that is another matter entirely.

If you have some ideas to share on the matter, we'd love to hear them. We're not going to stick in a function without thinking it all the way through first.

is this not already possible?

Resolume Arena only supports DMX input, not output.

[Tecno`]

As a lampy doing video I would not want to control my lights from Resolume - or any computer for that matter.
Lighting desks generally do a great job at controlling lights.

I would much rather see Resolume talk with lighting desks in a much more comprehensive way. Artnet support goes some way towards this but MSEX or similar would be make it really useful so that you can see the thumbnails from Resolume on the desk and maybe the output as well. This would also enable Resolume to talk with lighting visualisation programs so that this can be incorporated into pre-programming.

As I see it MSEX is the final thing needed for Arena to really compete with the established media servers such as Hippo.

There may be some value for being able to output Artnet to grids of LED fixtures and play video over them.
This could be done in the advanced output by placing fixtures into an Artnet slice configured in the same layout as they are on stage.
You could probably get away with a few generic fixture personalities for now and the ability to create your own using XML or similar.

Tim

[alienskies101]

What I'd like to do is sync the lights to the video and control both at same time from midi controller.

For example sweep all spots or scanners to the screen by tweaking a midi controller for a big effect. Maybe I could trigger a black out or all lights on for dramatic moments when I want the video to be the only source of light. Trigger strobes. Also to match the lights modulation from Resolume audio analysis.

Doesn't have to be complex stuff but I'm doing audio visual with the DJ so we want more control over the light in the room.

[Joris]

I'm going to go out on a limb here, and assume you have quite a bit of experience doing video and AV, and a good eye for what makes an awesome stage show work and what doesn't. I'm also going to assume you haven't done much work with actually programming lights and the DMX protocol in general.

Working with DMX is very different from working with video. With video, when you send red pixels to the output, it doesnt matter what sort of projector, LED wall or monitor you're sending to. The pixels will always turn red.
With DMX, every light fixture works differently, so one type of light would expect values 0-10 on its first channel to turn red, while another brand expects value 27 on channel 5.

On top of this, light fixures are addressed in groups or individually based on configurable addresses. So depending on how the fixtures are configured, the same set of lights can require a different DMX channel to start on. As opposed to video, where the top left pixel is always the top left pixel.

All in all it comes down to that even a 'simple' task like triggering a black out requires different DMX output for each fixture setup. There's no way of knowing how to turn a light off, since it's differnt for every light. A lot of the LD's work goes into programming cues that handle this addressing correctly. To build something like this into Resolume goes far beyond programming a plugin. Even if we would do this, it would only really be useful for a crew traveling with their own light rig, in which case they already have a dedicated controller that does it much better.

So you're best bet is to look into a software solution for controlling lights (and there are free options like FreeStyler and MagicQ), or just talk to your light guy and make the show together. My apologies if I'm wrong about your skillset, but I hope it at least explains why we're hesistant about a huge feature like this.

but MSEX or similar would be make it really useful so that you can see the thumbnails from Resolume on the desk and maybe the output as well. ( ... )
There may be some value for being able to output Artnet to grids of LED fixtures and play video over them.
This could be done in the advanced output by placing fixtures into an Artnet slice configured in the same layout as they are on stage

This is a lot more in line with how Resolume and lighting desks can work together, and definitely a direction we want to explore in the future.

[cocopouf]

Hello all,

I am currently working with Resolume (we have 4 licenses) controlled by an MA2 lighting console, I am on the final touch with a new Resolume device aka fixture, it is build in 2 part, there is a compose part, similar to a global with Axon/Dl2-3 family, and a layer part like most of the media servers on a MA, at this moment, one of the problem is the adjustment of the positions scaling and rotation, which are all in 8bits, and should be like many other MS, 16 to 24 bits DMX, which 2 to 3 channels more so it would be much more precise. Other problem, the layer devise should also have many more channel to control FX, and Picture adjustment control, I had to put the keystone on the dial, since we wish to attach these servers on DML (Digital Moving Light) from Barco, you understand from one position to an other, all the previous parameter will be readjusted, and at 8 bits, it is quite complicated, I must say I have a workaround, but the workaround is time consuming, we also will own AI servers, which require a full dmx universe to be controlled, there is no problem of channels availability, since the console support 256 universes, so don't be shy to put extra channels, it will bring the resolume to a better control, and more peoples will enjoy it in DMX, I am also used control Catalyst I started with it... Hippo, and PB, Archaos, and PRG Mbox in DMX, they all had to start somewhere, as you, and had there problems too, from what I can patch in DMX on a resolume, it is reponding quite right on the light console, but as I said previously, few little change here and there would be a great help. And is your system can send CITP? I have not notice it in the manual, I haven't read all of it either. Thanks

Jacques Levesque
EPS-China

[Joris]

@cocopouf

I replied to you with some questions in the thread you started on this topic: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9611. Shall we continue the discussion there?