instruction manual Design XPress for NetLinx Studio version 1.
Software License and Warranty Agreement LICENSE GRANT. AMX grants to Licensee the non-exclusive right to use the AMX Software in the manner described in this License. The AMX Software is licensed, not sold. The AMX Software consists of generally available programming and development software, product documentation, sample applications, tools and utilities, and miscellaneous technical information. Please refer to the README.
Table of Contents Table of Contents Introduction ...............................................................................................................1 Minimum System Requirements for DXP v1.5: ................................................................. 1 Required Applications .............................................................................................................. 2 Version Information ....................................................................................
Table of Contents Using the Design XPress Project Wizard ............................................................. 15 Overview ......................................................................................................................... 15 Required Information.............................................................................................................. 15 Launching the Design XPress Project Wizard ................................................................
Table of Contents Note for ALD-D48 Lighting Systems ...................................................................................... 43 Note for Radia Lighting Systems............................................................................................ 44 House Lighting Scenes dialog......................................................................................... 44 Control Button Labels dialog ...........................................................................................
Table of Contents iv Design XPress Programmer’s Guide
Introduction Introduction Design XPress ™ version 1.5 is a software package to allow AMX dealers to more quickly install a system that can distribute audio and video in a multi-room environment, control thermostats and lighting, provide intercom functionality, and display weather data. Design XPress (DXP) allows control from touch panels, DMS keypads, and SB2 keypads. Refer to Supported Subsystems and Equipment topic for a complete listing of supported equipment.
Introduction Required Applications The following applications must be installed on your PC before DXP v1.5 can be installed: Microsoft MDAC v2.6 (or higher) NetLinx Studio v2.2 (build 83 or higher) TPDesign v3.16 (build 199 or higher) TPDesign4 v2.4 (build 406 or higher) KPDesign 1.0 (or higher) DXP Image File - If the application fails to detect at least one valid set of background images, and at least one valid set of button images, a separate installation of the Image File is required.
Introduction 1-16 Touchpanels 0-32 HVAC Zones (ViewStat ICSNet, ViewStat RS-422 or OPStat) 0-32 SB2 Keypads 0-4 Door Phones (Techlon Instruments, Inc. or Generic I/O based) 0-24 Video Inputs Supported Subsystems and Equipment Design XPress (v1.
Introduction The nomenclature " AXT" indicates the table-top (tilt) model, and "AXD" represents the wall-mount version. Note: G3 panels do not support PictureFrame. MAX Content Servers by AMX MAX-MMS MultiMedia Servers MAX-IMS Integrated Music Servers MAX-BSM Backup Storage Module MAX-AVM Audio/Video Module Lighting AMX ALD-D48 (FW build 2.
Introduction Marantz DH9300 (XIVA protocol-controlled) ReQuest ARQ2 Any XIVA protocol MP3 player can be used by specifying one of the supported XIVA MP3 players, and physically connecting a different player (since the XIVA protocol is the same across all devices that use it). In this case the name of the player will be represented by DXP as the selected make and model MP3 player, as opposed to the actual make/model of the connected MP3 player.
Introduction Downloading the Application Design XPress can be downloaded from the AMX web site. You must first log in as a registered user to the AMX web site then, you can proceed to the Software Center to download the application. We recommend that you download all of the files in the Design XPress directory, or you may download the compressed file, which contains all of the other files in the directory.
Introduction Menu Bar Command Buttons Project Selection List Version/Release Information FIG. 1 Design XPress Main Screen Project Selection List The Project Selection List is displayed on the Design XPress Main Screen (along with the main menu and the command buttons). It is a list of all Design XPress Projects that have been created (or imported) and saved in Design XPress. To open a project, select the project, then click on the Open Project button or double-click on the selected project.
Introduction • Copy Launches the Copy Project dialog, which allows you to specify a Job Name and enter a description of the file copy. This is the same as clicking the Copy Project command button (or selecting File > Copy). • Delete Deletes the selected Project file. The program prompts you to confirm this action before the project file is deleted. This is the same as clicking the Delete Project command button (or selecting File > Delete).
Introduction The New, Open, Copy, Delete and Exit options are also available via the command buttons along the bottom of the Main Screen. Edit Menu The Edit menu provides several customizable settings for Design XPress: • User Information Opens the User Information dialog, where you can enter and save basic user information for the active Project (User Name, Company Name, Phone and E-mail Address).
Introduction Help Menu Design XPress provides help information to assist you in developing the system. • Contents Opens the online help file. • View System Capabilities Displays a text file detailing the capabilities and resource numbers for Design XPress systems. • Web Update Will search the AMX site for an update to the Design XPress software. Selecting Yes will close Design XPress, begin the download of the update, and run the installation of the update.
Introduction Warn On Duplicate IR Functions and Channels: Alerts you to the creation of duplicate IR functions and Channels. All IR Function and Channel assignments must be unique. Warn On Duplicate Scene Names: Alerts you to the creation of duplicate Lighting Scene names. All Lighting Scene names must be unique. Warn On Duplicate Surround Sound Names: Alerts you to the creation of duplicate Surround Sound mode names. All Surround Sound names must be unique.
Introduction If you make changes to any file other than Custom.axi, Custom_External_Buttons.axi, and Custom_i!-Schedule.axi, you are taking it upon yourself to not use the application for any further updates. Using the application will overwrite your changes. In a sense this is one of the nice features of Design XPress.
Introduction Design XPress Programmer’s Guide 13
Introduction 14 Design XPress Programmer’s Guide
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Overview Design XPress uses a Project Wizard to step you through the process of designing a control system. To launch the Wizard, click the Create New Project button on the Main page. Before you start, gather all required information for the project, such as the locations for the user-interface panels, the audio, lighting and HVAC zones, equipment used (DVD, CD, DSS receiver, etc.), and so on.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Launching the Design XPress Project Wizard There are three ways to approach launching the DXP Project Wizard: Select File > New. Click the Create New Project command button (in the lower-left corner of the Main Screen). Double-click on the sample project ("DXP Sample Project") in the Project Selection List. This invokes the first Project Wizard dialog: System Information, containing a summary of the system information for this project.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Using the Design XPress Project Wizard The first step in defining the system is to run the Design XPress application. This Windows® based wizard should probably be run in the office well in advance of going on-site. With this wizard you define the locations of all equipment, the number of user interface devices, lighting scenes, audio source equipment, etc. To launch the Project Wizard, click the Create New Project button on the Main screen.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard System Information dialog When a project is created or opened the System Information dialog (FIG. 1) is shown first. This screen contains the information used by Design XPress to create and program the control system. FIG. 1 System Information dialog The following is a list of fields in the System Information dialog and their descriptions: System Information dialog • Job Name: Enter the name of the project here (up to 40 characters).
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard System Information dialog (Cont.) • DMS keypads (range: 1 - 32): Select the number of DMS keypads. At least one DMS Keypad must be included in each project. The system is capable of having up to 32 DMS keypads. DMS keypads are configured in the DMS Keypads dialog. • Touch Panels (range: 1 - 16): Select the number of touch panels. A system created by Design XPress must have at least one Touch Panel. Touch Panels are configured in the Touch Panel Control dialog(s).
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard System Configuration dialog Use the options on the System Configuration dialog (FIG. 2) to specify several basic configuration options for a new system. FIG. 2 System Configuration dialog The following is a list of fields in the System Configuration dialog and their descriptions System Configuration dialog • Intercom: Intercom Timeout prevents an unused intercom station from being left on.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard System Configuration dialog (Cont.) • Weather: Use these options to specify general weather data preferences for the system: • Use i!-Weather: Check this box if you are using the i!-Weather application to manage weather data (enabled by default). If this option is disabled, the other weather-related options are disabled as well. • Default ZIP Code: Enter a five-digit ZIP code for the location of the system, to retrieve local weather data.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Audio Zones dialog The Audio Zones dialog (FIG. 3) is used to configure up to 30 Audio Zones, and create groups of room/locations. This dialog effectively connects a room/location name to an audio zone. FIG. 3 Audio Zones dialog The options in this dialog also allow you to connect a video output to an audio zone: The Zone column lists the audio zones.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Setting Up Audio/Video Zones Design XPress can support up to 30 audio zones per system. For instance, in the Sample Whole House project, the Kitchen and Dining rooms are grouped (Group 1), as are the Pool and Family rooms (Group 2), and the front door (Fdoor) and BedRM1 and BedRM2 (Group 3), as shown below. FIG. 4 Audio/Video Zones example configuration In this example, when an A/V source is selected in the Kitchen it will also be broadcast to the Dining room.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard 2. Click the checkbox for Group 1 to add the specified Room/Location to Group 1. Now you need to add at least one more Room / Location to Group 1. 3. Open the drop-down list of Room / Location Names for Zone 2 and select another Room / Location to add to Group 1 (in the example above, the designer selected to group the Dining room with the Kitchen).
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Audio Sources dialog Use the options Audio Sources dialog (FIG. 5) to define the types of audio source devices (CD players, tuners, MP3 players, etc.) to be used in this project. The number of audio sources available for selection on this dialog is based on the number of Audio Sources specified in the System Information dialog (with a maximum of 8 Audio Sources). FIG.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Audio Sources dialog (Cont.) Pulse: If the selected device is IR-controlled, this field is enabled, displaying the IR pulse time in 1-10 tenths of a second. The pulse time is the length of time the IR signal is transmitted by the control system.) Most devices will work with the default pulse time (3, or 3/10 of a second), but this value can be adjusted if the source device does not respond correctly. Use the up and down arrows to adjust the value in .
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard The Changer Size is required for source types CD Changer and CD/DVD. 5. If you have selected either an MMS Server or an MP3 player as the audio source, enter its IP Address. For all other source types, this field is disabled. Format of IR Files For Audio Sources Design XPress directly supports three types of audio sources using IR: tuners, satellite receivers, and CD players/changers. AMX has a library of thousands of IR files for equipment.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Design XPress was designed with simple audio sources in mind (i.e. tuners, satellites, CD players, etc). These devices are directly supported by Design XPress. But let's step outside the box for a moment and think about how we control these devices: IR. Since IR is nothing more than a code that gets delivered when we pulse a channel does it really matter what device is attached to the IR emitter? Not really.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard You can also enter a Video Source manually (for example "Camera"). HVAC Zones dialog Use the HVAC Zones dialog (FIG. 7) to name the zones for the HVAC system (up to 32 HVAC zones in a system). The number of zones that are available for naming in this dialog depends on the number of HVAC Zones specified in the System Information dialog. FIG.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Use the use i!-Weather and use HVAC Sensor radio buttons to specify the source of the outdoor temperature display on the user interface (panel). Naming HVAC Zones The HVAC Zones dialog is used to name the zones for the HVAC system. Note that the HVAC zone names do not have to correlate to the audio zone names. HVAC zone names are limited to 10 alphanumeric characters.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard DMS Keypads dialog Keypad Location: Click the drop-down arrow next to each Keypad Location field to display a list of available Rooms / Locations. Select the room or location name where the keypad is located. If you need to change or edit a room or location name select the Edit Rooms/Locations button via the Edit Rooms/Locations dialog. The list is based on the Room/Location Names entered in the System Information dialog.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard from the list (on the right-hand side of the dialog), manually edit the selected name in the Name field (maximum of 10 characters), and click OK. Once a Keypad Location name has been established, when that Keypad is selected, the Zone and Lighting Control options (on the right-hand side of the dialog) become focused on that keypad, as indicated by the text at the top of the section (i.e. Zone and Lighting Control on DMS keypad 2 (Kitchen)).
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Do not be alarmed if the scene label in the KPD file does not match the one you assigned in Design XPress. The scene labels will appear on the keypads once you download them to the Master and reboot it. SB2 Keypads dialog The options in the SB2 Keypads dialog (FIG. 9) allow the assignment of SB2 keypads to a room/ location and an audio zone. Design XPress can handle up to 32 SB2 keypads per system. FIG.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Configuring SB2 Keypads Use the SB2 Keypads dialog to specify locations and audio zones for up to 32 SB2 keypads in the system: 1. Select a SB2 Location for each SB2 keypad in the system. The number of available SB2s in the system is based on the number specified in the System Information dialog. 2. For each SB2 Location, select an Audio Zone.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Every door phone in the system uses two intercom zone inputs. Intercom zone inputs are also required for DMS keypads that will utilize intercom (one per keypad). Therefore, each door phone in the system reduces the total of allowed DMS keypads with intercom connections by two. For example, four door phones would use eight intercom zone inputs, leaving a maximum total of 22 DMS keypads (with intercoms) in the system, based on the max of 30 audio zones.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard you only need to remove any audio zones that you do not want to be called from this Door Phone. Design XPress will allow you to select a Door Phone as a valid zone to call, but it will be filtered out when you press the Next button. 4. Repeat steps 1-3 for all remaining Door Phones in the system. Each Door Phone in the system uses two audio zones. Touch Panel Declarations dialog The options in the Touch Panel Declarations dialog (FIG.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Touch Panel Declarations dialog • Touch Panel Interfaces This table lists all of the touch panels currently defined in your Project (via the Touch Panels entry in the System Information dialog. This table displays several types of information for each panel, separated into five columns: • Panel ID: The Panel ID is based on the number of panels specified in the System Information dialog. This field cannot be edited in this dialog.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Choose Background Images dialog The options in the Choose Background Images dialog (FIG. 12) allow you to select a background image to apply to the pages for each touch panel in the project. FIG. 12 Choose Background Images dialog The panel preview window contains one tab for each touch panel in the project. Use the tabs to set background images on each panel individually: 1. Select the tab that represents the panel that you want to set the background image for. 2.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Choose Button Colors dialog The touch panels utilize 6 button sizes. You can assign each button state (On/Off) its own color, shape and texture using the options in the Choose Button Colors dialog (FIG. 13). FIG. 13 Choose Button Colors dialog There are several custom texture/shape palettes available to choose from. To access these palettes, use the navigation window on the left-hand side of this dialog. Under the main folder Images are several subfolders (i.e.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Once you have assigned a texture/shape/color to the buttons, you can hover the cursor over any button to view the button color assignment (as a tool tip). Choose Button Text Colors dialog You can set the button text color for each state of the button (on/off), via the options in the Choose Button Text Colors dialog (FIG. 14). The tabs in this dialog allow you to set a button text color scheme for each panel individually.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Choose Bargraph Color dialog The options in the Set Bargraph Color dialog (FIG. 15) allow you to specify a color for bargraphs. FIG. 15 Choose Bargraph Color dialog The tabs in this dialog allow you to set the bargraph color for each panel individually. Conversely, the All panels the same option allows you to apply the same bargraph color to all panels in the project (disabled by default).
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Touch Panel Control dialogs Design XPress can assign up to 16 touch panels in a system. Each touch panel included in the system must have its location, audio and lighting zones assigned. This assignment is done on the Touch Panel Control dialog (FIG. 16). There is one Touch Panel Control dialog for each touch panel in the system (based on the number of touch panels specified in the System Information dialog), and each Touch Panel Control dialog is identical. FIG.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Touch Panel Control dialog (Cont.) Lighting Control (Cont.) For the AMX ALD-D48, the address is always "1" (read-only). The only valid keypad address characters are 0-9, A-F, and : (colon). For reference, here are the formats for the various supported lighting systems: • Lighting Control (Cont.) • Button #: The Button # refers to the button number or scene number the Design XPress system is to emulate when communicating to the lighting system.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard For instructions on developing NetLinx code to program scenes for the D48, refer to Tech Note # TN 543, available via www.amx.com (Dealers > Tech Center > Tech Notes). For detailed configuration information on the ALD-D48, refer to the ALD-D48 Network Lighting Solution Instruction Manual, also available via www.amx.com (Dealers > Tech Center > Tech Docs > Instruction Manuals).
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard House Lighting Scenes dialog Name: This field represents the name of the lighting system. Address: This field represents the address of the lighting system or lighting system keypad depending upon the lighting system used (see Lighting Addresses for details). Button #: The Button # refers to the button number or scene number the Design XPress system is to emulate when communicating to the lighting system.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard CD Titles dialog If a CD Changer has been selected on the Audio Sources dialog, the CD Titles dialog (FIG. 19) will be shown, with the CD Changer (as specified in the Audio Sources dialog) indicated in the title bar. Use the CD Tiles screen to add up to 400 CD titles to appear in the CD Titles list. FIG.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard CD Titles dialog (Cont.) Display order: Select the preferred text format for the disc display (Artist, CD Title or CD Title, Artist). CD Titles Maintenance dialog Select Edit > CD Titles Maintenance to open the CD Titles Maintenance dialog (FIG. 20). Use this dialog to create and maintain a library of CD titles to be used in any and all of your projects.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Editing CD Information Select a CD title from the list to populate the Artist and CD Title fields, where you can enter new information as desired. Click the Update button to update that CD in the list. Retrieving CD Information (from freedb.org) 1. Insert a CD into the CD player on your PC. To prevent the CD from playing when it is inserted, hold down the shift key on the keyboard while loading the CD. 2.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard FIG. 21 DSS TV Favorites dialog Adding a New DSS TV Channel Select Edit > Edit DSS Channels > DirecTV or Dish Network > TV to open the DSS Preferences - TV Channels dialog, where you can add/remove and/or change the names on TV channels for either DirecTV or Dish Network, depending on your DSS selection. Enter a name for the new channel (in the Name field), enter the new channel number (in the Channel field), and click the Add button.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard DSS Music Favorites dialog Up to 22 DSS Music genres (channels) can be selected to appear in the DSS Music Favorites list on the touch panels. The names for these channels come from the list of DSS channels selected in either the DSS Preferences - DirectTV - Music Channels dialog (Edit > Edit DSS Channels > DirecTV > Music) or the DSS Preferences - Dish Network - Music Channels dialog (Edit > Edit DSS Channels > Dish Network > Music). FIG.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Adding a New DSS Music Channel Select Edit > Edit DSS Channels > DirecTV or Dish Network > Music to open the DSS Preferences - Music Channels dialog, where you can add/remove and/or change the names on music channels for DirecTV or Dish Network, depending on your DSS selection. Enter a name for the new channel (in the Name field), enter the new channel number (in the Channel field), and click the Add button. The new channel appears in the Channel list.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Un-named presets will be displayed on the touch panel as blank buttons and can be named directly on the touch panel. Finishing a Project When you have reached the final Project Wizard dialog, the Next button becomes disabled, and the Finish button is enabled. Click the Finish button to close the Design XPress Project Wizard. At this point, Design XPress generates the NetLinx code for the system according to your specification in the Wizard. 1.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard The results of the Design XPress project are placed in "Projects\Job Name\Rev #", in the application directory. We recommend that you view and print the project report (Report.html). This report gives you information vital to properly installing the project. This report is saved in the Projects folder of Design XPress. Opening the project in NetLinx Studio will allow you to download the program data and user interface files to the NetLinx system.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard devices on each touch panel. So, if the touch panel is set to use device ID 128 with 4 devices used, that panel will actually occupy device IDs 128, 129, 130, and 131. This does not apply to G4 panels, since their device address is set by the TPD4 file. Wiring/Connections This section details the locations where all of the cables will connect.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard 6. Assuming the IP Address was entered correctly, and the Master is connected properly, you are presented with a dialog prompting you to enter the User Name and Password for the Master. The default User Name is NetLinx The default Password is password. 7. Enter the User Name and Password, and click the Log On button. Once you are logged on to the Master, you should see directories associated with your Design XPress project. 8.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Importing a Design XPress Project There are two ways to import an existing Design XPress project file into the Project Selection list. Both methods have the same result; they each invoke the Select Import Design XPress File dialog, where you can locate and select a Project (*.DXP) file to import. Select File > Import Project. Select Import from the Project Selection List context menu.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Using NetLinx Studio Once you have created and saved a Design XPress project, typically you will then open the project file in NetLinx Studio to download the program data and user interface files to the NetLinx system. For more information on how to operate NetLinx Studio see the NetLinx Studio Tutorial on the training page of the AMX web site at www.amx.com, and consult the on-line help file and NetLinx Studio Instruction Manual (also available via www.amx.com).
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard assign to the master, the subnet mask to apply, and the gateway address, if applicable. When all entries are filled, click the Set IP Info button. The master will need to be rebooted for the changes to take affect. Addressing the System The NetLinx NXI system used by Design XPress consists of two devices: the master and the NXI (serial ports, relays, IR ports, and I/O ports). Each is addressed separately on the NetLinx bus with a unique device ID.
Using the Design XPress Project Wizard Downloading Software and Transferring Files In order for the system to operate, the NetLinx program and all supporting files (touch panels, DMS keypads, IR files, text files, etc.) must be downloaded to the master. NetLinx studio can be used for most downloads, but any file in the Other branch of the project tree will need to be loaded on the master using FTP (file transfer protocol).
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033-004-2662 3/05 ©2005 AMX Corporation. All rights reserved. AMX, the AMX logo, the building icon, the home icon, and the light bulb icon are all trademarks of AMX Corporation. In Canada doing business as Panja Inc. AMX reserves the right to alter specifications without notice at any time.
