Software
How to control lights using the free software QLC+, Resolume or Data flow software etc
QLC+
QLC+ is designed to streamline and simplify the process of controlling DMX or analog lighting systems.
QLC+ is open source, compatiblte with most fixtures & dmx hardware. Can be triggered with midi, audio & osc. Runs on Windows, MacOS or Linux.
Check out: https://www.qlcplus.org/ for in depth info.
Download QLC here
Go for the stable 4.x.x version if you are practising to use this tool in the Blackbox @ HKU
Use this startup guide when working with a pre-programmed version of QLC (template), like installed in the Blackboxes. The added fixtures and virtual console will be different in every Blackbox, depending on the facilities.
To start working on a scene in QLC+ and make a que list, follow this guide:
Touchdesigner
In Touchdesigner DMX data is sent to the daisy-chain of fixtures through USB (via an ENTTEC available at the uitleen) or ArtNet.
In Touchdesigner you can create 'presets' called Toxes. You can save these on your computer for easy acces:
| DMX Config | TOX | Example fixtures |
|
5 channels: Intensity |
ETC_Colorsource_Par.tox
|
ETC ColorSource Spot jr (inventory Blackboxes & klein Zaal)
ETC ColorSource Par (inventory Blackboxes)
ColorSource Spot Deep Blue (inventory Kleine Zaal) 
|
| 6 channels: Red Green Blue White Amber Uv |
ETC_Colorsource_Junior_6ch.tox
|
High End PAR uitleen Theater : >>
Mid Range PAR uitleen Theater |
|
6 channels: Red Green Blue |
Eurolite Basic PAR uitleen theater manual & dmx traits : Eurolite
|
|
| 7 channels: Red Green Blue White Amber Uv Master Dimmer |
7CH_Par_RGBWAUI.tox |
High End PAR uitleen Theater :
Mid Range PAR uitleen Theater >> |
| 14 channels (see Briteq manual) |
Moving_Head_Briteq_BT_W19L10ZOOM_14ch.tox
|
Briteq BT-W19L10 Zoom (uitleen Oudenoord) |
. 
Easy DMX_Out for Artnet (use a merge to connect multiple fixtures, dive in & adjust de DMX out to use another interface)
dmx_out_Artnet.tox
Patch for the Blackbox @ Janskerkhof (to connect with OSC via ipad)
Check out the WLED page to connect TD to LEDstrips
Resolume Arena.
Resolume Arena is Vj software, normally used for sending visuals to screens. But can also can output the color or brightness of your pixels to LED strips or other light fixtures via DMX. Beware that you need a hardware controller to covert you signal to DMX, NOT an Enttec..... (see below)
Control lights using visuals as input, straight from within the software.
Check out the explanation of the basics on the Resolume Website it's really clear & helpfull. https://resolume.com/support/en/dmx
Creating custom fixtures in Arena:
The basic explanation for creating fixtures can be found here : https://resolume.com/support/en/fixture-editor#creating-a-new-fixture
Use the fixture editor to create fixtures as output in Arena. Remember, a Par or Spot is 1 x1 pixel, so if you select a bigger input, it wil still output one color. Choose the Color Format that matches your fixture (see the dmx traits when you do a search for the brand & model)
Many of the (theater)lights you can use or borrow at HKU can be put in RGB mode. But in some cases you may want to acces a fixture without changing the mode even if it is set to 5 or 6 channels including intensity and strobe, which cannot be used by Resolume. The fix for this is to work with dummy channels/custom parameters, like in this picture:
Intensity is set to a fixed 100 (else the colours won't be visible) & strobe to a fixed 0. The rest will be done n RGB mode.
Add these parameters with the + icon blow & drag them to the right order.
Tutorial about Mapping Pixels with DMX
In this tutorial, Resolume Arena is used to create and control various DMX Light fixtures.
Every dmx light has its own specifications, pixel mapping possibilities and/or channel modes. Learn how to make your own light fixture layout for your personal lights in Resolume. Also how to decide what animations run over your fixture(s).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKtKUMT4ZOs screenshot from YouTube video:
example of fixture output in Arena:
example of a pixelstrip as output in Arena:
ArtNet Devices supported by Resolume Arena.
Resolume Arena 6 and up do not support Enttec DMX USB devices! If you'd like to use an Enttec DMX USB device, your only option is to stick with Arena 5. Or to use a different USB to DMX device.
At the HKU Blackbox we use a LanBuddy or Showtec NET 2/5 or Showtec NET 2/3, as output device for sending DMX information from the PC to the lights.
What is convenient about this setup vs using Enttec DMX USB (MKII and such), is that we can extend the Showtec NET 2/5 by use of network cable, instead of USB cable. Example: if you want your lamps all the way at the far end of a large room, you can connect the PC and dongle via 30m network cable without signal loss, vs having to extend DMX cables/usb cables.
These ArtNet converters can also be used wireless, over Wifi, when plugged in to your router (ethernet). Bye bye cables :)
Manual about the NET 2/3 https://www.huss-licht-ton.de/images/products_download/Manual_34954_1.pdf
Manual about the NET 2/5 https://www.highlite.com/en/mwdownloads/download/link/id/17428216
Lanbuddy MAnual https://www.elclighting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Buddy-quickstart.pdf
Isadora
ENTTEC-DMX from Isadora
With this Isadora file you can control DMX lighting directly using an ENTECC DMX USB PRO download the Isadora patch here
updated : ENTTEC-DMX-USB_lightcontrol.izz
this Isadora patch the works with Par LED High-end | RGBAW+UV
EMU
EMU intuitive sound-to-light controller designed for professional live musicians and DJs.
Easy to use software, EMU allows you to run automated or responsive DMX light shows, leaving you to focus on your show.
@Hku we use EMU mainly to get a dependable install of the drivers for ENTTEC