Q Light Controller Plus User Documentation Updated to version 4.5.
Basics Basic Concepts & Glossary Questions & Answers Advanced Command-Line Parameters Manual parameters tuning GUI style customization Kiosk mode Main Window DMX Monitor DMX Address tool DMX Dump Live Edit Fixture Manager Add/Edit Fixtures Fixture Group Editor Channels Groups Editor Fixtures remapping How to add fixtures Function Manager Scene Editor Chaser Editor Show Editor EFX Editor Collection Editor RGB Matrix Editor RGB Script API Function Wizard Select Functions Select Fixtures Show Manager Pag
Virtual Console Button Button Matrix Add Button Matrix Slider Slider Matrix Speed Dial XY Pad Cue List Frame Solo Frame Label Audio triggers Select Input Channel Widget Styling & Placement Simple Desk Input/Output Input/Output mapping Input profiles Plugins: ArtNet DMX USB Enttec Wing HID MIDI OLA OSC Peperoni uDMX Velleman Fixture Definition Editor Capability Editor Capability Wizard Channel Editor Fixture Editor Mode Editor Head Editor Tutorials Scene tutorial Page 3
Basic Concepts & Glossary Q Light Controller Plus (QLC+ for short) is meant to control lighting equipment used in various performances, like live concerts and theatres etc. The main purpose is that QLC+ could outperform commercial lighting desks with an intuitive and flexible user interface, without the need for a 500+ page manual. This page has been arranged in alphabetical order to ease searching for a specific topic. Audio An audio function is an object representing an audio file stored in a disk.
Fade In: The fade in speed of a step Hold: The hold time of a step Fade Out: The fade out speed of a step Duration: The duration of a step Copies of chaser functions can be created with the Function Manager. The scenes inside a chaser are not duplicated when a chaser is copied. Only the order and direction are copied to the new one. Click And Go Starting from version 4.3.0, QLC+ can benefit of the Click And Go technology.
Fade In: The time it takes for the fixtures in the EFX to fade their intensity channels up Fade Out: The time it takes for the fixtures in the EFX to fade their intensity channels back to zero Duration: The duration of one full round using the selected pattern Fixtures taking part in an EFX function can be set to follow the algorithm in certain order: Parallel: all fixtures follow the same pattern synchronously Serial: fixtures start following the pattern one after the other, with a little delay between eac
channels each one of them should have. Fixture Group A fixture group is, as the name says, a group of fixtures. They also define (in a rather basic level) the actual physical, real world arrangement of these fixtures. This knowledge can be used for example in the RGB Matrix to produce a wall of RGB-mixable lights that can act as individual pixels in a graphic pattern or scrolling text.
Limit: Affected channels cannot get larger values than directly set with the Grand Master slider. For example, Grand Master at 127 will result in all affected channel's maximum values being limited at exactly 127. Head A head represents an individual light output device in a fixture. Usually, a single fixture contains exactly one output, like the lens, the bulb, or a set of LEDs.
LTP (Latest Takes Precedence) All channels that have been assigned to the Intensity group obey the very simple LTP rule: The latest value that was set by a function or a slider gets sent out to the DMX universe. This scheme is useful for intelligent fixture parameters not related to intensity. For example, a gobo change is expected to happen immediately, regardless of what some other control has done to it. See also HTP.
depends on the function's speed settings: As of version 3.3.0, each function has their own speed settings: Fade In: The time used to fade all channels to their target values, from whatever value they had Fade Out: The time used to fade HTP/intensity channels back to zero. Note that ONLY HTP channels are affected by this setting. Copies of scene functions can be created with the Function Manager. All of the scene's contents are copied to the duplicate.
Questions & Answers In this page you will find the common questions that may come to your mind when starting with QLC+. Here you can find the direct answer or a help to point you in the right direction. Q: A: Q: QLC+ cannot detect my USB device QLC+ supports a wide variety of USB devices. First of all you should check if the physical connection is OK. Usually a LED on your device should indicate if it is powered up and working correctly.
Main Window QLC+ Main consists of three main parts: 1. Menu bar contains buttons for global functions 2. Active panel selected by respective tab 3. Tabs allow selecting one of the QLC+ panels Most controls throughout the software have tooltips, which pop up after holding your mouse cursor over them for a while.
Toggle full screen mode View this documentation View information about QLC+ DMX Dump Live Edit: allows you to modify a function while QLC+ is in Operate Mode Stop All Functions Toggle Blackout Switch between Design Mode and Operate Mode Active Panel (2) Everything happens here. What panel is active depends what tab is currently selected.
DMX Monitor The DMX Monitor displays the current values that are being sent to the output universes. Only those channels are displayed that have actual fixtures behind them. The monitor's display options have no effect on actual fixture addressing, after all, it is just a monitor. Controls Change the monitor font. To prevent the numbers from flickering and jumping, you should choose a proportional (i.e. fixed width) font; for example Monaco, Andale or Courier.
DMX Address Tool The DMX address tool is a quite easy/self explanatory functionality of QLC+ introduced in version 4.3.2. It helps you to quickly calculate your fixtures addresses in a visual way. A representation of a common 10pin DIP switch is displayed and you can select the background color, the horizontal and vertical oriantation, to display the DIP exactly how you see it on your fixture. A particular note goes for the 10th pin.
DMX Dump The DMX Dump functionality allows you to save the current DMX values that are sent to the ouput universes in a particular moment. Basically it makes a "snapshot" of DMX channels and saves them for a later use.
Dump only non-zero values This option will tell QLC+ to save only the channels with values not equal to zero. If you know what you're doing, this could save project space and avoid channels conflicts with other Virtual Console widgets.
Live Edit Starting from version 4.5.0, QLC+ offers a functionality to adjust your Functions while in Operate Mode. The Live Edit icon is located in the QLC+ top bar, beside the DMX Dump icon and it is activated only when the user switch to Operate Mode. When clicking on the Live Edit icon, a Function selection panel will be displayed, allowing to select the function you are willing to adjust. When pressing OK, the proper editor will be displayed for function editing.
Fixture Manager The fixture manager is the heart of QLC+'s fixture-oriented architecture. As its name already says, you can manage (add, remove and edit) your lighting fixtures from the fixture manager. On the left side of the manager there is a list that displays all of the fixtures in the current workspace. When a fixture is selected, the right side of the window displays the details of the selected fixture.
Add/Edit Fixtures The same dialog (with slight differences) is used for both adding new and editing the properties of existing Fixtures. NOTE: When editing an existing fixture, you can always choose a completely different fixture type to replace the previous one, but if their channels don't match each other exactly, any Scene functions you may have created, will very probably do things that you don't want.
Fixture Group Editor The Fixture Group Editor is used when you select a Fixture Group in the Fixture Manager. This editor can be used to describe the physical arrangement of the fixtures and their heads that are assigned to the group. Controls Each Fixture Group has a name (for your convenience) and the fixture configuration in an unlimited [X,Y] grid. You can adjust the size of the grid as well as the placement of individual fixture heads on the grid. Fixture Group Name Change the name of the group.
Channel Groups Editor The Channel Groups editor it activated when you click on the "Channels Groups" tab in the Fixture Manager panel. With this functionality (introduced in QLC+ version 4.0.0), it is possible to create groups of channels with the same functionality. For example if you have 20 PARs you might want to control the RED channel of all of them with a single fader. Controls Add a new channels group to the workspace with the Add/Edit Channels Group dialog.
Fixtures remapping Starting from version 4.4.1, QLC+ offers a functionality called fixtures remapping. When performing live shows in different venues, you may only be able to find out at the last minute which fixtures are installed there. Well, fixtures remapping helps you to use your existing projects in this and many other situations, such as when you need to replace a faulty fixture or when you want to use hired in equipment alongside your own.
fixtures Remapped fixtures window. On the right side of the window, there is a tree representing the universes, fixtures and channels where you are going to remap your source fixtures. Add one or more fixtures to the Remapped fixtures list. Clicking this button will open the Add/Edit Fixtures window.
Adding Fixtures Fixture Manager Open the fixture manager by clicking its button on the main toolbar. Alternatively you can select Fixtures from the Manager menu. The fixture manager is the heart of QLC+ fixture-oriented architecture. As its name already says, you can manage (add, remove and edit) your lighting fixtures from the fixture manager. On the left side of the manager there is a list that contains all of the fixtures in the current workspace (it will be empty until you have added some fixtures).
manuals for more information. In short, a DMX address is the first DMX channel of a fixture. In the case of a DJScan250 (which uses 6 channels), assigning for example 1 as its DMX address, reserves channels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 for the fixture. The next fixture must then be assigned to DMX address 7 to prevent channel overlapping.
Function Manager With the function manager you can manage all of your functions that do the actual work to automate your lights. You can create new functions, remove and edit existing ones as well as create copies of them. Controls are on the upper part of the window; the lower part displays all of your functions as well as the function editor for the currently selected function (if any). Each function type can be found under its own category: Scene for scenes, EFX for EFX's etc.
Scene Editor The scene editor, as its name suggests, is used to edit Scene functions. The editor is divided into tabs; with the first, General tab, you control the list of fixtures and channel groups that take part in the scene editing, together with the Scene name. All subsequent tabs are used to control the individual channel values for each fixture and, if defined, the channels groups values.
capability provided by that channel. Hint: The keyboard shortcut to move between channels values edit boxes is 'Tab' Channel enabled/disabled status If a channel has not been enabled, the scene will not touch that particular channel's value ever. If a channel has been enabled, the scene will change that channel's value to a value defined in the scene.
Clone the current scene and add a new step to the Chaser selected from the drop down list beside this button Page 30
Chaser Editor The chaser editor, as its name suggests, is used to edit chaser functions. Controls Chaser name Change the name of the chaser.
Speed Per step: Apply a user defined speed for each step in this Chaser Default: Apply the default speed for each step (0 seconds). Fade Out Speed Common: Apply the same speed for all the steps in this Chaser Per step: Apply a user defined speed for each step in this Chaser Default: Apply the default speed for each step (0 seconds).
Show Editor The Show Editor is a panel to display the current structure of a Show created with the Show Manager. At the moment the Show Editor can only rename a Show, which is not possible in the Show Manager.
EFX Editor The EFX editor, as its name suggests, is used to edit EFX functions. The view is split into two tabs: General tab is for selecting Fixtures, speed and fixture order. Movement tab is for selecting details on how the fixtures should move their beams. General Tab Controls EFX name Fixture list Change the name of the EFX.
Remove the selected fixtures from the EFX. Raise the selected fixture upwards (earlier) in serial order. Lower the selected fixture downwards (later) in serial order. Fixture order Change the EFX's fixture order. Speed Change the EFX's speed settings. Movement Tab Controls Pattern area Shows a 2D-projection of the fixtures' head/mirror movement. Every time you change a parameter, one small dot for each fixture travels the complete path in its selected direction from its start offset.
Run order Pattern Parameters Single Shot: Run thru the steps once and then stop. Ping Pong: Run thru the steps over and over again, reversing direction at both ends. Select the movement pattern algorithm.
Collection Editor The collection editor, as its name suggests, is used to edit collection functions. Note: Collections don't have speed setting; each function you include in a collection follows its own speed settings. Controls Collection name Change the name of the collection. Add an existing Function to the collection, using the Select Function dialog. The order of the functions has no practical meaning. Remove the selected functions from the collection.
RGB Matrix Editor The RGB matrix editor, as its name suggests, is used to edit RGB matrix functions. The function works on predefined Fixture Groups created by user in Fixture Manager. Controls RGB matrix name Change the name of the RGB matrix. Fixture group The Fixture Group that is controlled by this RGB matrix. Preview area Shows a preview of the currently selected pattern imposed on the fixtures defined in the currently selected fixture group.
RGB Script Fundamentals Users can write their own RGB scripts to produce custom graphics projection with the RGB Matrix function. The scripts' operation principle is to produce a number of RGB maps that each represent one step in the graphics animation. The principle is basically the same as in movies: the audience observes a moving picture, which in reality is only a sequentially-played stream of static images that only produce an illusion of movement.
With this in mind we add declarations for these three properties to the script: ( function() { var algo = new Object; algo.apiVersion = 1; // Must be currently '1' algo.name = "My cool RGB script"; algo.author = "Your name"; return algo; } )() Functions Now we are getting to the actual business of producing data for the RGB Matrix.
rgbMap(width, height, rgb, step) This function is the actual brains of the script. It produces two-dimensional arrays whose size MUST be height times width. I.e. the array returned from this function must contain height items and each of these items must be an array that contains width items that must be 32bit integers, representing an RGB color as understood by QRgb without alpha channel (0x00RRGGBB). The rgb parameter is an integer-representation of the color selected by user in the RGB Matrix Editor.
Example Script: Full Columns /* Q Light Controller Plus fullcolumns.js Copyright (c) Heikki Junnila Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.
} return map; } /** * Tells RGB Matrix how many steps this algorithm produces with size($width, $height) * * @param width The width of the map * @param height The height of the map * @return Number of steps required for a map of size($width, $height) */ algo.rgbMapStepCount = function(width, height) { // Each column is lit completely at a time, so because there are $width // columns in the map, the number of steps must be $width to light all // columns per round.
Function Wizard The Function Wizard's purpose is to help users create some common functions for a quick start. Controls Fixture List List of fixtures that will be included in the functions created with the wizard. You can see each fixture's capabilities for Colour-, Gobo- and Shutter- type scenes on the Supported capabilities column. Include Fixtures to the functions that will be created with the wizard. Remove the selected fixtures from the function to be created.
Select Function(s) Whenever a Function needs to be selected, for example when you're adding steps to a Chaser, using the Chaser Editor, the Select Function dialog is used. Sometimes the place you are selecting the function to, might allow selecting multiple functions, for example, when adding steps to a Chaser or a Collection. In those cases, the order in which the functions are selected will also be the order in which they are added to their destination.
Select Fixture(s) Whenever a Fixture needs to be selected, for example when adding fixtures to a Scene function, the Select Fixture(s) dialog is used. The dialog is very straightforward; there is only a list of fixtures that you can select from. Sometimes the place you are selecting the fixture to, might allow selecting multiple fixtures, for example, when adding fixtures to a Scene or an EFX.
Show Manager The Show Manager has been introduced in QLC+ starting from version 4.0.0, after forking the original QLC code on November 5th, 2012. This feature is meant to give users the possibility to setup a time driven show in a friendly and completely graphical way. The graphic interface shows a multitrack view, typical of audio sequencers or video editing softwares, and with it users are allowed to place QLC+ Functions at the desired place and time in the view.
Delete the currently selected item. This can be a sequence, an audio item or a track. Note that deleting a track will delete also all its sequences/audio children. Note: Show Manager will only perform a "visual removal" of functions. To permanently delete them, please use the Function Manager Assign a custom color to the selected item Enable/disable the "Snap to grid" functionality.
A newly created track will be set automatically as active. An active track has a green light on the left side. A Track can be set to mute and solo states. Mute state will exclude the track from the playback, while the solo state will mute all the other tracks of the Show. When right clicking on a track, it is possible to move it up or down for logical ordering. Once selected, a track will display its Scene Editor on the bottom of the screen. 3.
Virtual Console The purpose of the Virtual Console is to act as an open sandbox where the user can create a lighting desk layout of his choice.
Add a new Label to the currently selected frame. Add a new Audio triggers widget to the currently selected frame. Add a new Clock widget to the currently selected frame. Cut the currently selected widget(s) to the clipboard. Copy the currently selected widget(s) to the clipboard. Paste the widget(s) in clipboard to the currently selected frame. Destroy the currently selected widget(s) completely. If a frame has been selected, this destroys everything inside it, including other frames.
Virtual Console Button A Button is the simplest and at the same time the most powerful widget in QLC+; with it, you can start, stop and flash your functions. Configuration Buttons can be configured with the properties clicking the button itself. Button label button found in the toolbar or by double Set the friendly name of the button. The name appears on the button in Virtual Console. NOTE: If you set an icon to a button with the Edit -> Icon -> Choose menu, the icon overrides this label.
On button press... Adjust function intensity Toggle function on/off: When you click the button, the attached function is started. When you click the button a second time, the function is stopped, unless it has already stopped by itself. Flash function: You can "flash" the attached Scene when you keep the button pressed. If another type of function is attached to the button, nothing happens when you click it.
Virtual Console Button Matrix A Button Matrix is basically just a way for quickly creating multiple Buttons at a time inside a common container Frame. When creating a new button matrix, you can assign functions to each of the buttons quite quickly with the Add Button Matrix dialog. Configuration Refer to Frame and Button on how to configure them.
Virtual Console Slider Sliders are used for two distinct purposes: Fixture channel level setting and Function playback & intensity adjustment. Any slider can operate on either of these modes and each mode has its own configuration options. Configuration Sliders can be configured with the properties clicking the slider itself. button found in the toolbar or by double Configuration - General Tab The General tab holds all of the sliders properties that are shared between the slider's two modes.
Value Range Low limit: Set the lowest DMX value that the slider can set High limit: Set the highest DMX value that the slider can set From capability: You can limit the slider's level value range to a certain capability range within a fixture's channel.
zero, the function is stopped and any value above zero will start the function (unless already started) and simultaneously adjusts the function's intensity (if applicable). Function Displays the function that is currently attached to the slider. Attach a function to the slider. Detach the currently-attached function.
Virtual Console Slider Matrix A Slider Matrix is basically just a way for quickly creating multiple Sliders at a time inside a common container Frame. Configuration Refer to Frame and Slider on how to configure them.
Virtual Console Speed Dial Speed dials are meant for adjusting the speed of a set of functions from virtual console, much like bus-mode sliders in the previous versions of QLC+. While the bus concept relied on assigning functions and a slider to the same bus, the speed dial's method is a simpler and more straightforward one: User directly selects a set of functions whose speed properties are controlled with the dial, thus removing the need for buses in the middle.
Speeds to Adjust Fade In: Adjust the functions' fade in speed Fade Out: Adjust the functions' fade out speed Duration: Adjust the functions' duration Page 60
Virtual Console XY Pad An XY Pad is for manually controlling the pan and tilt channels of intelligent lighting fixtures, namely scanners and moving heads. The pad is a resizable canvas with a handle and two sliders that you can grab to obtain direct access to the attached fixtures' mirror/head position. Starting from QLC+ version 4.5.0, two more sliders have been introduced to give you the possiblity to set a working range window where your moving heads will operate.
Vertical Y-Axis Minimum: Set the minimum tilt limit for the fixture Maximum: Set the maximum tilt limit for the fixture Reverse: Reverse fixture's movement on the vertical (tilt) axis External input configuration (Input Tab) You can attach an external input channel from an input device (like a tablet) to XY pads so that you don't always have to use the mouse to control your fixtures. Input universe: The input universe that you wish to get input data to the XY pad.
Virtual Console Cue List A Cue List provides a list of Functions that you can step through with a single keyboard key. The Cue List is at home in theatrical shows where the lighting operator needs only to follow the script and toggle the next cue as the performance goes on. The first column on the Cue List displays the cue number that runs from 1 to infinity and beyond . The second column shows the individual Function name that has been assigned to that particular cue.
Operate mode When switching QLC+ to Operate Mode, the Cue List will become active, allowing the selection of the desired steps included in the associated Chaser. Four buttons are displayed at the bottom of the Cue List widget: Start/stop the selected action in the Cue List The previous action in the Cue List will be activated. When reaching the top, the previous action will be the last of the Cue List The next action in the Cue List will be activated.
Virtual Console Frame A Frame is a container that can hold other widgets and other frames inside. In fact, the whole Virtual Console is already your bottom-most frame. Also, if you apply some styling attributes to a frame, all of its children (that don't have their own non-default style settings) also inherit their parent's style properties. Configuration Frames can be configured with the properties clicking the frame itself.
Virtual Console Solo Frame A Solo Frame is almost exactly the same kind of a container as a normal Frame that can hold other widgets and other frames inside. However, the difference with Solo Frame is that it treats any Buttons inside it a bit differently by allowing only one button to be enabled at a time. For example, consider you have Button A and Button B inside a Solo Frame with Button A currently enabled.
Virtual Console Label A Label is just a simple text field that can be placed for additional information, for example as a heading for a group of buttons or the title of a frame. Configuration You can only set the displayed text content for a Label with the Rename button. It does not have any other purpose nor configurable options, other than the standard styling & placement options that all Virtual Console widgets have.
Virtual Console Audio Triggers Starting from QLC+ version 4.4.0, this functionality allows you to use an audio input source like a microphone, to add more life to your light shows. 1 Introduction When clicking on the icon, an audio trigger widget will be added to your Virtual Console. The widget graphics area shows the live monitoring of the captured audio, displaying a number of spectrum bars and a volume bar.
Enable threshold When selecting a Function or a VC Widget button, this column allows you to set an activation threshold percentage. When the spectrum or volume bar will go above this value, the associated function/VC button will be started/activated. Divisor For speed dials, this will divide the taps: only every n-th tap will be actually sent to the speed dial. In other words, the tap happens only every n-th beat. If you want the tap every beat, enter 1, for every other beat enter 2.
Select Input Channel Whenever an Input Channel needs to be selected, for example when manually attaching a channel from an Input Plugin to a Virtual Console widget, the Select Input Channel dialog is used. The dialog is very straightforward; there is a list of input universes and each universe that has an Input Line attached to it, displays the line's (or the attached device's) name after the universe number. Under each operational universe, there is a list of channels provided by that universe.
Virtual Console Widget Styling & Placement Each widget can be "tuned" in terms of colors, font, frame style, stacking order, size and placement to better suit your vision of the perfect lighting console. Most of these options, except for moving and resizing, are available in the Virtual Console Edit menu that is accessed from the menu bar as well as a popup menu by right clicking a widget you wish to adjust.
Border menu. To completely remove the borders of a widget, choose None from the Border menu. NOTE: Some operating systems and/or visual themes do not allow manual setting of borders. Try changing the desktop theme if you encounter this problem. Fonts You can change the font for all child widgets of a frame at the same time by changing the font of the frame itself. Alternatively, you can change the font for each widget separately. Fonts can be changed by selecting Font... from the Font menu.
Simple Desk The simple desk emulates a typical 12/24 lighting console that is able to control a full 512channel DMX universe with a multiple cue stacks operated with playback sliders. The desk can be thought of as a desk within a desk since it operates separately from other QLC+ components. For example, cues within the cue stack are not visible in the Fixture Manager and Scenes are not visible in the cue stack.
The cue stack box shows the currently selected playback's cue stack contents. Skip to the previous cue (or start playback on the last cue in the cue stack with full intensity). Stop the currently-active cue stack. Skip to the next cue (or start playback on the first cue in the cue stack with full intensity). Switch to/from cue edit mode. When this button is pressed, you can edit the contents of individual cues; the currently active cue's contents are reflected on the DMX sliders.
Input/Output Mapping Howto This howto document tells you how to patch plugins and their input/output lines (physical input/output devices) to QLC+'s universes. QLC+ by default provides 4 input and 4 output universes. These numbers may be increased if needed, but a recompilation is necessary, since they are hardcoded (look in engine/src/doc.h). Input/Output Manager To access the Input/Output Manager, just click on the tab with the of the QLC+ main screen.
Devices such as Behringer BCF2000 support this feature. At the moment feedbacks are supported only through MIDI. To learn how to setup your external input device for the best use with QLC+, please continue your reading with the howto for input profiles.
Input Profiles Howto This howto document tells you how to associate input profiles to input universes and how to edit these profiles. You should first read the howto on input/output mapping so that you can access the input/output manager and know how to edit input universes. Input Profile Manager To access the Input/Output Manager, just click on the tab with the icon placed on the bottom of the QLC+ main screen.
Click the automatic wizard button to attempt automatic channel detection. You'll receive further instructions from QLC+. You must have an input plugin assigned to the current universe for this feature to work. Also, you must first stop the wizard to be able to navigate away from this dialog page. Channel properties When you add or edit a channel, a small window will be displayed, asking you to fill or change some parameters: Number: The channel number.
ArtNet input/output plugin Introduction QLC+ supports the ArtNet protocol through an input/output plugin that receives and transmits packets on the network. No extra requirement is needed, since QLC+ has a native implementation of the ArtNet protocol that works on Linux, Windows and OSX systems. Configuration The ArtNet plugin can be configured to send and receive packets from multiple network cards, virtual addresses and multiple universes per network card.
DMX USB input/output plugin 1 Introduction The DMX USB plugin supports a variety of FTDI-based USB-to-DMX devices: DMXKing USB DMX512-A DMXKing ultraDMX micro DMXKing ultraDMX Pro Enttec DMXUSB Open Enttec DMXUSB Pro Enttec DMX USB PRO Mk2 DMX4ALL USB-DMX STAGE-PROFI MK2 FTDI USBCOM 485+ 2 Configuration DMX USB devices should be automatically detected from QLC+ and displayed in the input/output panels list.
2.3 Windows On Microsoft Windows, the plugin needs the latest D2XX drivers from FTDI. Consult the FTDI installation guides on how to install the drivers. DO NOT INSTALL VCP drivers as they will probably interfere with the D2XX interface. 4 Tuning Note: Manual tuning should never be performed except for some very particular cases. Use it at your own risk ! It is possible to change the DMX frame frequency for Enttec Open (and like) devices with a hidden settings key on each platform.
MIDI input/output plugin Introduction This plugin gives input/output support for the MIDI protocol and leave the user the freedom to control typical parameters like channels, Program Change, Control Change. The MIDI plugin can be quite powerful used in combination with MIDI devices such as keyboards, MIDI controllers (like Behringer BCF2000 or KORG nanoKONTROL) or software audio sequencer like Cubase or Ardour 3.
Input: OSC ---> Output: DMX USB --> Feedback: MIDI Input: Enttec Wing --> Output: ArtNet --> Feedback: MIDI MIDI beat clock Starting from version 4.5.0, QLC+ supports MIDI beat clock Not to be confused with the MIDI timecode, the MIDI beat clock is a useful signal to sync BPMbased devices such as a drum machine with your lights controlled by QLC+. Two special MIDI channels have been mapped in QLC+ to control your Virtual Console widgets with a beat clock.
OLA output plugin Introduction The OLA plugin allows direct communication between QLC+ and the OLA framework on the same machine. Requirements The OLA plugin requires OLA to be installed on the system. Since OLA doesn't run on Windows, only Linux and OSX users can benefit from this plugin. Information on how to download and install OLA can be found here. QLC+ needs the OLA server to be running to be able to communicate with the OLA framework.
OSC input/output plugin Introduction QLC+ supports the OSC protocol through an input plugin that receives packets from the network. Requirements The OSC protocol is available thanks to the liblo library, which is linked dynamically on Linux systems and statically on Windows and OSX. In other words, Windows and OSX don't need any extra software, while Linux systems need the liblo library installed. Configuration The OSC plugin supports up to 4 inputs, one for each QLC+ universe.
Peperoni output plugin 1 Introduction The Peperoni Output plugin supports USB-DMX output devices produced by Peperoni Light. 2 Requirements 2.1 Linux On all Linux distributions, you need to install libusb. If you install QLC+ with the Ubuntu Software Center or some other automatic installer tool, this library will be installed automatically for you. 2.2 Mac OS X Nothing special is needed for Mac OS X.
uDMX output plugin 1 Introduction The uDMX Output plugin supports the Anyma uDMX USB-DMX interface on Linux and Mac OS X. 2 Requirements 2.1 Linux On all Linux distributions, you need to install libusb. If you install QLC+ with the Ubuntu Software Center or some other automatic installer tool, this library will be installed automatically for you. 2.2 Mac OS X On the Apple Mac OS X, you don't need any drivers at all since QLC+ uses the OS X native USB interface. 2.
Velleman output plugin 1 Introduction The Velleman Output plugin supports the Velleman K8062D interface on Windows operating systems. 2 Requirements 2.1 Windows You must install the proprietary Velleman K8062D library to C:\Windows\System32.
Fixture Definition Editor Fixture Definition Editor is a separate application for creating and modifying fixture definitions used by QLC+. The definitions tell QLC+ (and users) important details about fixtures, such as which channel is used for pan movement, what value in which channel changes the beam colour green, how the fixture is reset etc... The main window in the Fixture Editor is just an empty workspace that contains the actual editor windows used to actually edit fixture definitions.
Capability Editor With the Capability Editor you can define a value range for a certain functionality provided by a fixture channel. For example, if values 0-15 produce a white colour capability, you might put: 0 to the Min field 15 to the Max field, and "White" to the Description field Controls Min The minimum value of the capability Max The maximum value of the capability Description The name or description of the capability. Don't be too elaborate, just a few words.
Capability Wizard Capability Wizard is a handy tool for creating multiple capability value ranges of same size. Usually this applies to fixed colours, gobo indices and various macro channels. Controls Start The starting value for new capabilities. Sometimes there might be other capabilities at the start of the channel's value range that you can skip by adjusting this value. Gap The size of each value range. Amount Number of capabilities to create. Name The common name for each capability.
Channel Editor The Channel Editor is used to edit individual channels and the value ranges of each capability (a green colour, a certain gobo, prism rotation, etc..) that a fixture channel provides. Refer to your fixture's manual to get a detailed list of the fixture's channels and values. Controls Name The name of the channel The channel's logical group (role in the fixture). Assign a channel to the Colour group if the channel controls a fixed colour wheel or pre-defined colour macros.
available only if a fixture provides Intensity channels for RGB/CMY, whose Colour properties have been set accordingly (see the Colour setting below). Colour Only available when the channel has been assigned to the Intensity group. Tells, whether the channel controls a specific colour out of the primary colours Red, Green, Blue or Cyan, Magenta, Yellow. If the channel controls the fixture's master intensity, the Generic colour setting should be used.
Fixture Editor Fixture Editor windows contain everything needed to edit one Fixture Definition at a time. The windows are separated in three tabs: General, Channels and Modes. Controls - General Tab Manufacturer The fixture's manufacturer name. For example "FooCompany". Model The fixture's model name. For example "FooZapper 2000". Type The fixture's generic type. Controls - Channels Tab The channels tab contains all possible channels that the fixture understands in all of its modes.
Remove the currently selected mode from the fixture. Removing a mode does not destroy any channels or other modes. Edit the currently selected mode, using the Mode Editor. Create a copy of the currently selected mode to the same fixture. Since modes are tightly coupled to a certain fixture's channels, modes cannot be copied across fixtures. Open or close all mode items.
Mode Editor The Mode Editor is used to create and edit modes by picking sets of Channels in certain order (as defined by the fixture's manufacturer). Each editor window is divided into three tabs: Channels, Heads and Physical. Controls - Channels Tab In the Channels tab you can place the fixture's channels in some order to form an actual representation of DMX channels that the fixture understands when it has been configured in that particular mode.
define them as 4, 2, 1, 3 or something likewise annoying. Head list Displays the list of heads currently defined for the fixture. Add a new head to the fixture, using the Head Editor. Remove the selected head from the fixture. Edit the selected head using the Head Editor. Raise the selected head upwards by one. You can use this to change the order of the heads within the fixture. Lower the selected head downwards by one. You can use this to change the order of the heads within the fixture.
Head Editor The Head Editor is used to create and edit heads by picking sets of Channels that are dedicated to a single head (as defined by the fixture's manufacturer). Controls The controls are very simple: place a checkmark on each channel that is used ONLY by the head you are currently editing. To add a head, see Mode Editor. Channel list Displays the list of all fixture channels available in the current mode.
Scene tutorial This tutorial covers just the basic chain of creating a fixture, a scene and a button and how to make them work. The point is to give the user a quick yet complete here-hold-my-handexperience on how the Q Light Controller Plus is thought to work as a software for DMX lighting automation. Before you start reading this tutorial, please familiarize yourself with the Main window and its parts. Now we can really start! Fixture Manager Open the fixture manager panel now by clicking its icon.
On the left side of the fixture manager you can now see the fixture that we just added. On the right side, you can see the fixture's information. You can edit the fixture's name, address and universe by clicking the Configure button. You can also change the fixture definition thru the configuration dialog, but since we're quite happy with the fixture's information, we don't go there.
Open the Functions wizard Copy the selected functions Destroy the selected functions Below the toolbar, there is a list of functions within the current workspace. Since we haven't yet created any, it's very much empty. Scene editor Add a new scene to the workspace by clicking the scene button With the scene editor, you can create scene functions that basically contain values for a number of channels that relate to certain fixtures.
Back in the function manager You can now see that the function manager displays a function called "DJScan250 Orange Gobo 7". If you click the right mouse button over a function item, you get the same menu functionalities that are available in the upper part of the function manager. You can add new functions or edit existing ones. But let's not edit this function anymore.
Attaching a function to the button Double click on the button or on the icon to bring up the button's configuration dialog. From this dialog you can edit the button's properties: * Set the Button label that is displayed on the button * Attach a Function to the button * Bind a Key combination to act as button presses * Bind the button to an External Input source * Set the Button press behaviour Click the attach button to open a function selection dialog.
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Command-Line Parameters -c or --closebutton Description:Define a place for a close button in virtual console. The button can be used to close QLC+. Has effect only in kiosk mode (see -k) and is most useful when in fullscreen mode without a window manager. Parameters: x,y,w,h Examples: Create a button at (x400, y500) whose size is (w70, h50): qlcplus -c 400,500,70,50 qlcplus --closebutton 400,500,70,50 -d or --debug Description: Enable debug mode and optionally set the output level.
qlcplus -h qlcplus --help -k or --kiosk Description: Enable kiosk-mode (only virtual console is visible and the application is locked in operate mode) Parameters: None Examples: Start the application in kiosk mode: qlcplus -k qlcplus --kiosk -l or --locale Description: Use the given locale for translation Parameters: Locale name (currently supported: en_GB, fi_FI, fr_FR, es_ES) Examples: Use finnish language: qlcplus -l fi_FI qlcplus --locale fi_FI -o or --open Description: Open the given workspace file
Description: EXPERIMENTAL: Enable remote web access - starts webserver on port 9999 Parameters: None Examples: qlcplus -w qlcplus --web Page 107
Kiosk Mode QLC+ has a special mode when you need to run the light by inexperienced people, or you just want to prevent unwanted changes. It's called the Kiosk mode. In this mode, only Virtual Console is displayed, so no editing is possible. When you want to start QLC+ in kiosk mode, run: qlcplus -k -f -o workspace.qxw -p -c 500,10,32,32 -k enables the kiosk mode -f puts QLC+ in fullscreen mode -o workspace.
Parameters tuning This section explains how to manually reach and tune some QLC+ parameters not reachable from the UI. Keep in mind that if you cannot change them from the UI it means there is a good reason. Warning: DO NOT edit the configuration files manually unless you know what you're doing. Any misplaced change can cause program crashes or awkward instability. 1 QLC+ configuration location Linux Configuration files are located in your user $HOME directory, in the .config/qlcplus folder.
Parameters are stored in the Windows registry and can be modified with the regedit tool included in every Windows version. They are presented as follows: "category" is displayed as a folder "parameter" is contained in "category" and is represented as a key. Most likely all QLC+ keys are an integer type. "value" is the actual value of "parameter" Mac OSX Parameters are stored in a plain text file that you can modify with a plain text editor like TextWrangler or similar.
GUI style customization Starting from version 4.5.0, QLC+ can read a user custom file to change the GUI appearance in a very accessible way. If no file is found, QLC+ will start with the default style. The GUI style file The file name is hardcoded into QLC+ and must be: qlcplusStyle.qss The style file must also be placed in a specific path which is: Linux: $HOME/.qlcplus Windows: Your user folder/QLC+ OSX: Library/Application Support/QLC+ The style file must have a CSS syntax.
