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Converts Art-Net or sACN to DMX Output using uDMX or OpenDMX USB interfaces

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Qlab2USBDMX

Qlab2USBDMX is a small utility that bridges the gap between Art-Net and an OpenDMX/uDMX USB interface, specifically for Qlab.

Download

https://github.com/patriot1889/LXNet2USBDMX/releases

Qlab settings

For Qlab2USBDMX to work correctly, the Use broadcast mode for Art-Net lighting setting must be enabled. The Art-Net Lighting Network Interface must also be set to Automatic. (https://qlab.app/docs/v4/general/qlab-preferences/)

Usage

Upon launch, an ArtNet socket is created, the relays to OpenDMX and/or uDMX are started providing the correct drivers are installed and the devices are present.

After that, Qlab is launched. It is advised to use Qlab2USBDMX as a launcher for Qlab if you are wanting to use the OpenDMX or uDMX interfaces. This ensures that the ArtNet socket is live before Qlab loads. If Qlab is already open when you open Qlab2USBDMX, you must visit the QLab Preferences... panel and change the Art-Net Lighting Network Interface to Automatic. If Automatic is already selected then select a different interface and then re-select Automatic.

This application is not intended to replace the officially compatible DMX interfaces for Qlab. This application comes with no warranties and is therefore used at your own risk.

Qlab2USBDMX was developed as a quick fix to enable such interfaces to work with Qlab at short notice - potentially saving a show, or to provide a way to test DMX output with cheaper interfaces. Of course, feel free to use it as you wish but it is always recommended to use officially supported interfaces in show critical conditions.

OpenDMX

OpenDMX USB widgets are available from ENTTEC. An OpenDMX widget is a USB-to-Serial-to-EIA-485 converter. You can make your own using an FTDI "Friend" such as this one from Adafruit and a MAXIM 481 driver IC.

The OpenDMX USB interface requires an FTDI D2XX driver (http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/D2XX.htm). To use the D2XX driver with the most recent versions of OSX, it is also necessary to install D2XXHelper (https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/D2XX/MacOSX/D2xxHelper_v2.0.0.pkg). Qlab2USBDMX requires d2xx 1.4.16.

uDMX

uDMX USB tiny bus powered interfaces are available from https://www.anyma.ch/research/udmx/

The uDMX USB interface requires libusb-compat to be installed. See https://www.anyma.ch/libusb-compat/

Credits

This application is heavily based on LXNet2USBDMX from Claude Heintz. https://www.claudeheintzdesign.com/lx/lxnet2opendmx_about.html

Figure 53 and QLab are registered trademarks of Figure 53 LLC.

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Converts Art-Net or sACN to DMX Output using uDMX or OpenDMX USB interfaces

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