DMX KeyPad

[janosvitok]

I'm not lighting operator; I understand that keyboard entry allows much faster programming, especially if all fixtures are numbered (Universe.Fixture) and those numbers are printed on a paper lighting plot.

[mcallegari]

universe.fixture.channel would be a nice solution actually, even though Simple Desk acts on one universe at the time (so fixture.channel should be enough)
Also, we know fixture IDs are unique across universes, so fixture.channel is indeed an absolute reference.
However, it means QLC+ should provide those numbers (IDs) somewhere, and even better a way to print them. In QLC+ 5 it could be pretty easy and I can work on it

examples:
set channel 5 of fixtures from 3 to 8 to 127
FX 3 THRU 8 CH 5 AT 127 (maybe "3.5 THRU 8.5 AT 127" could work too)

set fixture 4 channel 7 to 255
ID 4.7 AT 255 (maybe "4.7 AT 255" could work too)
...something like that?

[edogawa]

For me the DMX keypad makes most sense for conventional dimmer channels, simply universe.channel.

I can see reason and benefit to include fixture as hierarchy layer, but I think it should be optional syntax if that's possible, buttons for sharable parameters (pan, tilt, R,G,B,W, Strobe etc.) make more sense than numbered channels for "intelligent lights" ... I nave no idea how much coding work that means, just my 2c.

[GGGss]

IMHO FX reads like eFX - I wouldn't use that keyword in QLC+ context.
Others use Effect for the EfX function. So renaming the EFX editor (and sub names used) to EFF(ect) editor could solve the keyword issue I'm posting about?

In the logic of making it universal -> the 5-dot principle:
'FX 5' -> [Uni 1, Fx(Id) 1], DMX channel 5
'FX .5' -> [Uni 1], FX(Id) 1, DMX channel 5
'FX 3.5' -> [Uni 1], Fx(Id) 3, channel 5
'FX 4.3.5' -> Uni 4, Fx(d) 3, channel 5

, a double dot could be used also?
'FX ..5' Would read as Uni 1, FX(ID) 1, DMX channel 5
'FX 3..5' ->Uni 3, [FX(ID) 1], DMX channel 5

For the theatre people:
'FX 3.-5' (notice minus) -> Uni 3, DMX channel 5 (real DMX channel, no fixture ID)
'FX -.' -> theatre; all fixtures in Uni 1

Don't forget Muti-headed-fixtures: (trailing double point)
'FX 3.18.7..1' (notice double trailing dot) -> Uni 3, FX(ID) 18, HEAD 7, channel 1
'FX 1..' -> [Uni 1] Fx(Id) 1, all heads
'FX 4.3.5..3' -> Uni 4, Fx(Id) 3, HEAD 5 at channel 3

Errors:
'FX 17' -> error: No fixture [at Uni 1 Fx(Id) 1] having channel 17
'FX .17 -> error: No fixture found at [Uni 1] with Fx(Id) 17
'FX 7.81' -> error: No FX(ID) 81 at Uni 7, there might be an DMX address 81 in Uni 7? Use '-'
'FX 3..17' -> error: You don't have channel 17 assigned in fixture Fx(Id) 1 in Uni 3
'FX 3.4.17' -> error: You don't have channel 17 assigned in fixture Fx(Id) 4 in Uni 3

'FX ..-17 -> error: No [FX(ID) 1 in Uni 1] has address 17 assigned (to a dimmer pack)
'FX 3.-18.-7..1' -> error: You cannot address Uni 3, address 18 because head 7 is at addressed elsewhere
'FX -7' -> theatre: soft error: no Fixture assigned at Uni 1, having a DMX channel 7
'FX .-17..' -> (trailing point) theatre: offending command: [Uni 1] does not have HEAD 1 defined at DMX channel 17

The zero keyword: '0' = all intensity channels
'FX 0' -> all intensity channels [in Uni 1 for Fx(Id) 1] (+all sub heads)
'FX 3.0' -> all intensity channels [in Uni 1], Fx(Id) 3 (+sub heads)
'FX 2.0.0' -> all intensity channels in Uni 2
...
'FX 0.0.0 -> warning: all intensity channels in all universes selected, repeat command if you are sure

I might go on like this, maybe it's better to have more clever people reviewing this idea...
More complex is more input power but apply KISS (Keep it Stupid Simple) where needed.

[giacomo]

hello,
interesting and I've a questions about these IDs:
in case would it be possible to edit them? or assign a number during the patch?
Because this could help the organization of the show design, with qlc+4 I usually re-patch the fixtures several times during a production to get an order - especially visual for selection ease - that make sense to me and unfortunately this happens only around the middle of the rehearsals phase when the ideas are more clear for everybody.
Also, if I understand right, these IDs would be the same during a tour and this is an extra nice help.

Just another idea, it could be good the ability to recall pallettes directly within the keypad in qlc+5,
personally I'm used to the mouse because of my laptop but I've seen light operators ultra fast with the keyboard.

@GGGss, I understand you but I would go with KISS

[giacomo]

out of topic, how are you all?
I'm slowly fading to crisis this second lock-down...!

[mcallegari]

I'll try to reply to some comments at once

FX -> EFX.... it's Simple Desk, not Function manager. I don't see any conflict there. Anyway it can be FXT. I just proposed it to be as short as possible
Implicit values 0 .0 0.0 0.0.0: too many implicit rules. Let's keep it simple and intuitive. Obviously a small guide needs to be written

IDs cannot be edited. They're the IDs emitted by QLC+ upon fixture creation. They are saved in the project. Adding a layer of "custom IDs" would be extra effort
Palettes from Simple Desk: that's not the purpose of SD. No functions, no palettes.

In general, i imagine Simple Desk to be useful for small operations. Not quite for a show design. I implemented other much more advanced tools and workflows in v5.
Also, in v5 I always keep in mind how a tool can work on a touchscreen, and I believe the keypad is much more usable with the fingers rather than mouse or keyboard.

[giacomo]

I see and agree with your vision but then why expose these IDs?
You're adding a extra layer of numbers that we cannot manipulate,
with this solution I'm with Edogawa for the straight simplicity, isn't it?

[mcallegari]

I see and agree with your vision but then why expose these IDs?
You're adding a extra layer of numbers that we cannot manipulate, with this solution I'm with Edogawa for the straight simplicity, isn't it?

I was responding to Jano's comment:

I'm not lighting operator; I understand that keyboard entry allows much faster programming, especially if all fixtures are numbered (Universe.Fixture) and those numbers are printed on a paper lighting plot.

So yes, you cannot edit those IDs, but you can see them, print them and use them in Simple Desk as a shortcut to modify fixture values.