Artist Help:DMX Interfaces
For Artist to perform any useful functions it must be connected to the outside world via any of the supported interfaces. The most important of these interfaces are the DMX devices.
ShowCAD USB-DMX Interfaces[edit]
See the Artist Notes documentation for the specifics of installing drivers. These are the recommended interfaces for systems with up to three interfaces. Each Interface is known as a node.
Once the required drivers are installed Artist will see these nodes when opened. To view connected devices click the Resources tab in the Navigator. Open the Interface Manager branch by clicking on the + sign. Open the ShowCAD USB-DMX branch in the same way to see the nodes.
They are displayed with the serial numbers of the interface for ease of identification. If there is a problem with any of the nodes a red asterisk will overlay its icon.
Art-Net Interfaces[edit]
No driver installation is necessary for Art-Net devices to connect. However, by default the connection is disabled. To enable it open Resources/Interface Manager/Art-Net. Right-click on Art-Net and select Properties. Check the Enable box and select the Network that Art-Net is to use then click OK.
In general, as devices are connected they will appear under the Art-Net icon as nodes. However, not all Art-Net interfaces will automatically be displayed. In this case, you will need to add the nodes manually.
Also, even though interfaces may announce their availability, due to the limitations of the protocol the number of input and output ports cannot be relied upon. It is recommended that you manually set the values in each connected nodes so that Artist can fully utilise their potential.
PathPort Interfaces[edit]
No driver installation is necessary for PathPort devices to connect. However, by default the connection is disabled. To enable it open Resources/Interface Manager/PathPort. Right-click on PathPort and select Properties. Check the Enable box and select the Network that PathPort is to use then click OK.
You should use Pathways PathPort Manager to set the interfaces IP addresses and configure their features. Connected Interface will appear under the PathPort icon in Resources/Interface Manager as nodes.
Basic USB[edit]
These interfaces are no longer recommended but they are still supported. Any connected Basic interfaces will appear under Resources/Interface Manager/Basic USB as nodes. If there is a problem a red asterisk will overlay the interface icon.
Saving Configuration[edit]
The configuration of these interfaces is saved when you create and save a new workspace. If any of the saved devices are not connected when the workspace is reloaded they are still shown in the Interface Manager but they have a red asterisk overlaid on their icon.