Pathway DMX QConnect Software for CR Manual User Manual

Page 18

DMXQConnect for CR - User Guide

Getting Familiar with DMXQConnect

Mode pane. The bar graph will confirm, as before, that the file transfer function
was successful, the Backup patch is now stored in the Pathfinder’s backup
patch memory.

Now we have two files (albeit with the same data) stored in the
DMXPathfinder’s internal memory. Let's try swapping patch configurations.
Using the Main Menu, click on View, DMXPathfinder Options. Select the
DMXPathfinder Patch Mode tab. Click on the Select Backup Patch Mode
button. You will see a message asking you to confirm the command – click
Yes. “Backup Patch Selected” will appear in the black response window. The
backup patch has now been activated in the Pathfinder rack. Note that this
time we didn't transfer any data from the PC to the Pathfinder, instead we sent
a command to change its active patch configuration from Normal to Backup.

Let's try another communications function. Using the Main Menu, click on
View, DMXPathfinder Options. Select the DMXPathfinder Patch Mode tab.
Click on the Clear Existing Patch Mode and Normal Patch Data button.
Again, you will see a message asking you to confirm the command – click Yes.
“Patch Cleared” will appear in the black response window. What happened?
The Clear command has struck the entire active DMXPathfinder configuration
to an unpatched state, the electronic equivalent of pulling all the cords from a
conventional patch panel. It has also erased the Normal Patch data from the
rack’s internal memory (but not the Backup Patch data). This is, of course,
another function to use carefully but it should always be used when a
production ends to ensure that the Pathfinder is completely isolated from the
installed DMX wiring.

There are two more communications functions available: System Loopback

and Reset. The System Loopback function is fully described in Chapter 5:
Diagnostics and Troubleshooting. This function is not likely to be used in day-
to-day operations. Reset will remotely re-activate the currently selected patch
file at the DMXPathfinder, and it's useful when a module has been replaced
and the local reset switch was not pressed afterwards. Avoid using the Reset
command during live performance, however, since it will result in a momentary
pause in DMX data transmission.

ETTING UP THE

YSTEM

Now that we've had a chance to get familiar with DMXQConnect’s patch
creation, editing and communications features, it's time to customize the
software installation to suit the particular requirements, or parameters, of the
DMX distribution system as installed in your facility.