Artist Help:Automation

Automation is the name given to connecting external devices to the controller Artist or for Artist to control other applications, local or networked.

The following is a list of connection methods.

Automation Sources

MIDI Outputs	to output MIDI messages to external equipment. For example, Synthesiser, MIDI controllable Laser Controller, etc.
MIDI Inputs	input messages from an externally connected MIDI device. For example, a musical keyboard, electronic drum pads, MIDI Control panel, etc.
Serial Output and Input	input or output messages from the computer's communication ports. For example, Video Switchers, Laser Controllers, other computers, environmental Lighting Controller, etc.
Network commands	access from another computer connected on a network. For example, remote control from a PDA or a remote site, etc.
Real-time control	the computer time system is used to trigger system commands at a specific time of day.
Embedded in Scene or Cue	system commands can be embedded in a scene or a cue.
Time-Code MIDI or Multimedia	timecode can trigger system commands.
DMX Inputs	with a DMX512 input interface installed analogue and digital data from an externally connected DMX512 source such as another lighting desk.
Industrial Automation	analogue and digital input cards can be installed to input contact closures or external analogue signals.
Keyboard	key presses from an additional keyboard connected to the computer.

There are many ways to add control surfaces to Artist. The most common and readily available are MIDI devices such as keyboard controllers and MIDI control panels.

These provide switching and linear control data to control the operation of Artist.

Keyboard Activation

A MIDI keyboard control (music keyboard without the synthesiser part) can be configured such that, for example, 16 keys are configured to display cues lists 1 through 16. A further 16 keys are configured to activate cues 1 through 16 in the currently displayed list. Thus 256 (16 X 16) cues can be accessed quickly.

Some of the other keys can be assigned to blackout, fade out etc. You cab also define a key to always access a specific cue, i.e. a smoke machine cue.

This configuration is similar to the Operator GUI.

Using MIDI controller

Often you may want to have linear control of Artist for adjusting dimmers, rates etc.

You can assign a control change MIDI message to adjust the global BPM rate or the rate or level of the last activated cue. This is a very dynamic and simple way of providing level control.

You can assign control change MIDI messages to the level or rate of the currently displayed cue list. In combination with the previous Keyboard Activation, a very powerful console type of control can be provided.

The MIDI controller can also be configured to provide direct access to fixture parameters.

System Commands	programmatic access to all Artist functions
Event Flags	Example
Text Commands	Example
[[Artist Help:Flash MX] | Flash MX]	Example
PowerPoint	Example
HTML Menu	Example
COM & .Net	Example
Mini Control Panel	Example
Keypad	Example
Request Commands	Example
Web Control	Example