DiyLightAnimation
Forum Info => Getting started with Light Animation => Topic started by: clever1525 on March 09, 2012,
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I need help. I have purchased the 16 channel LOR controller and a RS485 adapter. I have downloaded Vixen and nothing is working. I am really new at this and all of the forums are confusing because everyone is talking about multiple controllers. I just want to SE a stran of light turn on controlled by the computer.
Anyone willing to help this noob?
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The first thing you need to do with LOR or any other controller is set the start address, or with LOR they call it the Unit ID.
Then the RS485 adapter you bought will not work using DMX without a converter from LOR OR buy & build a dongle & use a crossover Cat 5 cable.
My suggestion to keep from getting you more confused is purchase the LOR program & use it. After a year or so you will understand what you need to do to use LOR with the Lynx controllers. I know I started with LOR & then relized I could buy 3 Express or 48Ch for the price of 1 LOR controller. LOR sequence program will work with other controllers now.
Mike
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Like I said I'm a noob. How do I set the start address?
So far I have installed the driver for the Rs485 and when I insert the USB the computer recognizes it, but doesn't install anything.
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Have you assigned the proper output plugin in Vixen with the com port and channels?
Steve (from Edmonton)
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The ID is set using the LOR Hardware utility. You should be able to download the LOR software,install , and run in demo mode and use the hardware utility. There are some good videos below that should help. I like to "see it done" instead of having to read.
To work with LOR hardware I think you need the LRO software installed. At least the hardware utility. After that you can use whatever software you like, LOR S3, Viven, LSP or whatever.
I'm use the LOR software with both Lynx Controller and LOR controllers. This will be a big switch for me in hardware but I will stick with LOR software.
How to set Unit ID.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMhJiVqAgM8
Another good video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMhJiVqAgM8
Some LOR videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyRxsukfLKA&feature=youtu.be
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What kind of dongle should I use?
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In order to change the ID on a LOR controller that does not have dials like the CTB16PC model you will need the LOR USB dongle. I use the USB485B model.
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I would download the LOR software and use it instead of Vixen at first. From my experience, it's more user friendly when you are first starting out. Once you get an understanding of how things work then I would expand into other areas.
There are a number of us LOR users here that have both LOR and Lynx but you will have much more luck finding LOR help on the LOR forum.
It might help if you would post what your plans are for a setup if you know. From here most of us can point you down the road that we have probably already traveled and save you some time and money.
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Ok,
I broke down and purchased the software. I ran the utility and it tested successful. Now I am trying to get the sequence to play and I am not having any luck.
This is what I have done so far:
I created a sequence, I created a show, and I created a schedule. When I click enable schedule on the control panel it plays the sequence, but the lights do not react.
What in the world am I not doing?
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Did you set the channels in the sequence to the same as the controller number. Also test the sequence in the sequence editor before gring to setup a show. Also make sure the clntrll lights is enabled in the sequence editor.
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For some reason the light don't operate in the sequence editor. I changed the channel configuration to match the unit ID number. And If I try to open the utility it says the lights are being used by another program. So far the only place I've been able to turn the lights on is in utility.
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Only the sequence editor or the hardware utility can be open at the same time.
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When you play in the sequence editor make sure the control lights is checked on the play menu. Other than that you should get something if the sequence has activities in it.
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The control lights is checked in the Play menu and I have the channels set to the connected controller. I've even tried the demo sequences and it's just not controlling the lights.
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Did you setup the license for the software? I'm not sure what else to check if the hardware utility works.
"This download is the complete ShowTime Software Suite. It will run with or without a License Key. If you do not have a License Key the software will operate in Demo Mode. In Demo Mode, you have the features of the Basic License with one exception: you will not be able to actually control lights."
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Yes the licence is set up. I am downloading the software again, this will be the second time.
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Same result. Don't know why it's not working.
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Is the red LED on the controller blinking or solid when you have the sequence editor open? If not, you may have to setup the LOR network on the sequence editor. I didn't think this was necessary but it may be something to check. I forget the menu but it's labeled network preferences I think. This is usually setup in the hardware utility when you just have one network.
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It's a green light and it's blinking when the sequence editor is on.
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The light on the controller must be on solid when it "hears" the signal from the sequence editor, if the light is flashing it isn't getting the signal. In the editor, in the bottom right hand corner, are you getting the solid blue box, if it's red, then it isn't seeing the controller. If the dongle is not an LOR brand, that may be your problem.
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Green ? What model controller is it?
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It's a CTP16PCg3 model. When the sequence is running the green light is still flashing, and the box in the bottom right corner is blue.
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And yes it's an LOR dongle. Rs485b
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If the light on the controller is flashing, then the controller is not being recognized. Try another cat5 cable.
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I was mistaken. The light was blinking while I was looking at the forum. When the editor was launched the light became solid.
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That says that the controller is receiving a heartbeat for the software. Your problem must be the channel configuration in the sequence editor.
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Channel should look like the image for the first channel. The rest are like below. This is given your controller has an ID of 01. If you have this and the "Control Light" enabled on the play menu you should be able to hit the green arrow and see the lights flash given you turned the channel or some sort of on event, i.e fade, twinkle, on etc.....
Unit 01 Circuit 1
Unit 01 Circuit 2
Unit 01 Circuit 3
.....
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When we started in the beging of the forum we were talking about changing the ID on the controller. So, when I set the channels in the sequence editor I changed them all to controller 08, which is what I changed the ID to in utility.
After your last comment Jeffl, I went back and changed the ID back to 01 and changed the sequence channels back to 01. I'm up and rolling!
Thank you everyone for your help and patience!
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And the rest is a thing of beauty. ;D Glad we could help. Enjoy the fun.