In Designer 2.9, we will be upgrading our current method of authentication: encouraging password use to improve security for controllers on networks, and for safer remote access. There are many aspects to this, some more complex than others. This Tips and Tricks post will cover the basics, and give instructions on how you can upgrade to v2.9. There are additional steps required if you are using
LPC and VLC Families
We have started introducing the idea of Pharos families in the Designer range to help clarify some areas where the products differ in behaviour. This explainer video provides an overview of the main differences between the families, then in the rest of this Tips and Tricks we will dive into more detail about differences in content processing, level of fixture control, mapping and
New in Designer 2.8 – API Propagation
Custom web interfaces offer end users a useful device-based override control solution. Prior to 2.8.0, triggering web API (JavaScript/HTTP) commands via a custom web interface would only affect the controller on which it was fired. For projects with multiple controllers, which all needed to respond to a web UI command, this necessitated many additional triggers to send commands
New in Designer 2.8 – sACN Sync
sACN Sync is a new feature that aligns with the specification for the sACN protocol. It works in a similar vein to ArtSync or KiNET Sync, although there is a keen difference that will be covered in this introduction to the new feature. But, firstly, why would you need to use sACN Sync? When you are outputting lighting data to your fixtures from a controller via network nodes, there are occasions
Introducing the SDI (Serial Data Interface)
With the cost of LEDs becoming incredibly low over the past few years, new protocols were developed to drive large numbers of LEDs easily; the SDI was designed to convert our current DMX functionality into an ability to speak these new protocols. This is where serial data comes in; by this, we mean two types; Synchronous Serial Data (also known as SPI, or Serial Peripheral Interface) and
New in Designer 2.8 – VLC enhancements
With our continuous development of Designer software, we have upgraded a few of the capabilities of the VLC family Controllers. From 2.8.0, the following changes/additions have been made: White space management; allowing a content target multiplier to scale content on arrays where there is a lot of physical space between pixels Support for 60Hz Improvements to 16-bit support to ensure full