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Dimmer problem

Posted: 21 Sep 2016, 16:55
by toob
Hi All, I have been using this brilliant software now for a week and have got most of the features to work with my moving head fixture, which is based on this one viewtopic.php?t=5401 but with the gobo images added, see attached.

The dimmer channel is on 6 and the values are between 134 - 8 (These are the values printed in the manual) however that channel also controls the strobes and blackout. In the software if I left click and release anywhere along the dimmer slider in the lamp panel, the robo's dim to the expected value. However if I left click hold and slide the slider then the robo head moves (pan & tilt) in a random manner and the light turns on and off randomly.
I'm also seeing a similar issue if I create any sequences with fades or playback any sequences with fades in them via the cue window, unless I press the "disable all fades" icons.

So in short I cannot use any fades! :x

I have tried this with a single robo head or two together, same issue.

Also the global fader does not work either.

BTW, I am using the uDMX controller interface if that makes any difference.

I also set-up some simple led par light and the fades work fine for those.

On another point, while I remember, is there any reason why I cannot increase the "output refresh rate" above the default 50? If I change the value, it states I should restart the software to take effect, but when I do the rate is back at 50

Re: Dimmer problem

Posted: 22 Sep 2016, 06:09
by Jan_K
Hej toob

Please upload the manual / DMX table so it is possible to see what the channels are for.
To me it sounds like the fixture channel don't have the functions you expect.


A quick way to check this is to use the sliders in right side of FreeStyler. There is one for each channel in the fixture.
Adjust them one by one and see that they actually does what you expect.
You can additionally open the output monitor so you can see what FreeStyler sends to the fixture.


/Jan

Re: Dimmer problem

Posted: 22 Sep 2016, 07:47
by toob
Thanks please see attached scan from manual

Re: Dimmer problem

Posted: 22 Sep 2016, 07:57
by Jan_K
Your fixture looks okay.

I think the only way forward is to use the sliders, look on the output monitor and then test each channel.

See that the channels behave as in the dmx table.

If no error found then use the output monitor when you operate the other fixture control panels.

Re: Dimmer problem

Posted: 22 Sep 2016, 09:04
by toob
When adjusting the dimmer holding down the left mouse button and dragging, the "show output" window does not show FS sending any new pan or tilt codes (they stay static as you would expect) just the lamp brightness values on chan 6. However my moving heads turn randomly and the lamps flash on and off as I dim up or down.
I'm guessing then that this either points to the uDMX adapter or the moving heads themselves??
Changing the dimmer values by left clicking in the slider (not dragging) does not cause this issue.
So it looks as if I cannot have any sequences that have fades in them.

Re: Dimmer problem

Posted: 22 Sep 2016, 09:09
by toob
Also, what is strange is if I deselect the moving heads group and select my par led's and adjust the dimmer slider by dragging, my moving heads are randomly moving, how can that be? I checked and FS is not sending pan and tilt on the unselected moving head group.

Re: Dimmer problem

Posted: 22 Sep 2016, 09:26
by Jan_K
There should be an refresh rate in the interface setup menu.

That could be worth looking at.

I don't know if you can update to fast so either the dongle or the moving head can't handle it.

But as you mentioned it seems to be related to the dongle or the moving head so that is where to look at the moment.

/Jan

Re: Dimmer problem

Posted: 22 Sep 2016, 09:40
by toob
I tried reducing the refresh rate and no change, but after setting it to 100, BINGO fixed! Now how to get the refresh rate to be maintained when restarting, it always reverts back to 50?

Re: Dimmer problem

Posted: 22 Sep 2016, 09:50
by Jan_K
Should be there when you save your changes in the interface setup window.

If no then I think there is a bug.
You can enter that in the bug tracker. Found in the "quick links" at the top of this page.

/Jan

Re: Dimmer problem

Posted: 22 Sep 2016, 10:01
by toob
Thank you Jan for all your help, I will post a report

Re: Dimmer problem

Posted: 23 Sep 2016, 07:52
by Partyman
you need to define your lamp channel in fixture creator. Lamp on 240 off 007. I believe this may help your issues, may not but I always like to have a lamp and intensity channel