Inverting DMX Values 0-255 -> 255-0?

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etchonmind
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat Jan 18, 2020 12:12 am
Real Name: Oliver Keller

Is there an option to invert DMX values for a single fixture/channel?
The idea is to have a group of different units work synchronously, even if min/max is different per device and channel.

In detail:

So here is my problem: I have a group of fixtures that are out-of-production. One of them got toasted and was sent in for repair. Luckily the vendor could scrap some replacement parts from overseas. However, these are a different version of the mainboard or firmware and now a single unit behaves differently. So when 3 units turn left, this one turns right etc. I played with the menu settings a bit, but couldn´t make it behave like the others. If I fixed left-right, then up-down became the issue. Driving me nuts :D The vendor had the idea of rewiring the motors, but I wonder if it can be done in software.

Assuming people may run into the same situation with a group of fixtures of the same type, but probably different vendors or models, I wonder what can be done to make a group of fixtures behave in the same way. This may be positioning like in my case or something else like strobe speed, when vendor A sets 0 to slow and 255 to fast and vendor B decides to implement it the other way run just for the fun of it.

I´ve seen something close to what I need in the XY-Pad Properties, namely the "reverse" radio button on the fixtures tab. Unfortunately, there is no such thing in the slider or knob options. Likewise, the simple desk also isn´t aware of any flipping, so that makes workflow tricky. Not sure if this will bite me in EFX as well, as I´m just learning those.

The best point to fix the little §$%&F§$ would be the fixture definition, ie having 3 instances of "lovely unit type A" and 1 instance of "lovely unit type A1 (modified)" . That way, every part of QLC+ can operate normally as if all fixtures were the same. In other words: For the 4th unit, when QLC+ thinks it´s sending 0-255, it is actually flipped by definition and 255-0 is sent instead . I tried to set the corresponing values in the fixture definition editor, but it´s not possible to use 255-0 instead of 0-255. Sigh. Being still new, I´m probably looking in the wrong places.

So what are you thoughts, can this be cured in software or should I get the soldering tools ready?
janosvitok
Posts: 1325
Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2015 7:05 am
Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
Real Name: Jano Svitok
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https://www.qlcplus.org/docs/html_en_EN ... rties.html Channel Modifier in Fixture Manager tab.
You can invert any channel for any fixture.

Jano
etchonmind
Posts: 22
Joined: Sat Jan 18, 2020 12:12 am
Real Name: Oliver Keller

Jano,

many thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Looks like this fits the bill 100%, I´ll test in the next days.

Note to self: Always check all the icons you saw but didn´t check - and RTFM ;).

Have a good one,
Oliver
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GGGss
Posts: 3052
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 7:15 pm
Location: Belgium
Real Name: Fredje Gallon

IMHO - I would solder the servo otherwise...
I don't like gear acting strange or wrong.
The channel modifier comes on top of the hardware settings on top of a correct working fixture and not they other way around.
Channel modifier is your last resort fixing things on fixtures hanging 8m above the ground.
All electric machines work on smoke... when the smoke escapes... they don't work anymore
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