Ma Dot2 User manual

Version 1.1 | 2015-04-07 English

dot2 User Manual

Table of contents

1. Introduction

1.1. Intended Use

1.2. System Requirements dot2 onPC

1.3. Installation of dot2 onPC

1.4. Error Handling

2. Getting Started Guide

2.1. Getting Started Guide - Introduction

2.2. Getting Started Guide - Physical setup and layout - how to connect stuff and what's what

2.3. Getting Started Guide - Create a new empty show and saving it

2.4. Getting Started Guide - Adding and patching dimmers

2.5. Getting Started Guide - Selecting and controlling dimmers

2.6. Getting Started Guide - Programmer - What is it and why do you need it

2.7. Getting Started Guide - Making and working with Groups

2.8. Getting Started Guide - Storing a cue and playback

2.9. Getting Started Guide - Making more cues in main cue list

2.10. Getting Started Guide - Adding LED fixtures

2.11. Getting Started Guide - Working with colors

2.12. Getting Started Guide - Creating the first Presets

2.13. Getting Started Guide - External screen

2.14. Getting Started Guide - Adding moving lights

2.15. Getting Started Guide - Controlling moving lights

2.16. Getting Started Guide - Making more groups and presets

2.17. Getting Started Guide - More about cues and playback

2.18. Getting Started Guide - A look at the Blind, Preview and DMX tester functions

2.19. Getting Started Guide - Fun with Macros

2.20. Getting Started Guide - Building chasers

2.21. Getting Started Guide - Effects

2.22. Getting Started Guide - Connect to onPC, 3D, Wings and Nodes

2.23. Getting Started Guide - Happy Programming

3. What are...

3.1. System Colors

3.2. What is the Programmer

3.3. What is Groups

3.4. What is Presets

3.5. What is Tracking

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3.6. What is Cues

3.7. What is Executors

3.8. What are Chasers

3.9. What are Effects

3.10. What are Preview and Blind

3.11. What is network in dot2

3.12. What is IPv6

3.13. What is the DMX Tester

4. How to...

4.1. How to Update the Console

4.2. How to add and patch fixtures

4.3. How to save and load your show

4.4. How to use the command line

4.5. How to Work with Groups

4.6. How to Work with Presets

4.7. How to Work with Cues

4.8. How to work with Chasers

4.9. How to Work with Effects

4.10. How to connect wings, nodes, 3D and onPC

4.11. How to use external input triggers

4.12. How to use the external screen

4.13. How to Reset the Console

5. Keys

5.1. Align Key

5.2. At key

5.3. Backup Key

5.4. Blind key

5.5. Black Out key

5.6. Clear key

5.7. Copy key

5.8. Cue key

5.9. Delete key

5.10. DMX key

5.11. . [dot] key

5.12. Down key

5.13. Edit key

5.14. Effect key

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5.15. Encoder key

5.16. Esc key

5.17. Exec (Executor) key

5.18. [Executor Flash] key

5.19. [Executor Go] key

5.20. Fix key

5.21. Fixture key

5.22. Flash key

5.23. Full key

5.24. Go- key

5.25. Go- (Large) key

5.26. Go+ key

5.27. Go+ (Large) key

5.28. GoFastBack or <<< key

5.29. GoFastForward or >>> key

5.30. Goto key

5.31. Group key

5.32. Help key

5.33. Highlt (Highlight) key

5.34. Label key

5.35. If key

5.36. MA key

5.37. Macro key

5.38. Magic key

5.39. [Minus] - key

5.40. Move key

5.41. Next key

5.42. [Numeric keys]

5.43. Off key

5.44. On key

5.45. Oops key

5.46. Page key

5.47. Page+ key

5.48. Page- key

5.49. Pause key

5.50. Pause (Large) key

5.51. Please key

5.52. [Plus] + key

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5.53. Preset key

5.54. Prev (Previous) key

5.55. Prvw (Preview) key

5.56. Select key

5.57. Set key

5.58. Setup key

5.59. Speed key

5.60. Store key

5.61. Thru key

5.62. Time key

5.63. Toggle key

5.64. Tools key

5.65. Up key

5.66. Update key

5.67. View [Eye] key

6. Views & Windows

6.1. Control Elements

6.2. Used Icons in Views & Windows

6.3. Add New Fixtures Window

6.4. Backup Window

6.5. Beam Preset Type View

6.6. Calculator View

6.7. Calibrate Screens Window

6.8. Change Functions of Executor Buttons Window

6.9. Choose Clone Method Window

6.10. Choose Copy Method Window

6.11. Choose Delete Method Window

6.12. Choose Store Method Window

6.13. Color Preset Type View

6.14. Command History View

6.15. Command Line View

6.16. Configure Slot Window

6.17. Control Preset Type View

6.18. Cues View

6.19. Dimmer Preset Type View

6.20. DMX View

6.21. Edit Cue Number(s) Window

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6.22. Effects View

6.23. Empty Executor Window

6.24. Enter Name for... Window

6.25. Executor Bar Window

6.26. Executor Pool View

6.27. Fixtures View

6.28. Fixture Schedule Overview Window

6.29. Focus Preset Type View

6.30. Gobo Preset Type View

6.31. Groups View

6.32. Help View

6.33. Import Fixture Type Window

6.34. Key Backlight Window

6.35. Leaving Patch & Fixture Schedule... Window

6.36. Load Show Window

6.37. Macros Pool View

6.38. Network Interface Window

6.39. Network Protocols Configuration

6.40. Network Setup Window

6.41. New Show Window

6.42. Off... Window

6.43. Oops View

6.44. Page Pool View

6.45. Patch and Fixture Schedule Window

6.46. Position Preset Type View

6.47. Presets Pools View

6.48. Remote Inputs Configuration Window

6.49. Save Show As... Window

6.50. Select Button for Remote Inputs Configuration

6.51. Select DMX Address... Window

6.52. Select DMX Ports

6.53. Select Fixtures ID(s) Window

6.54. Select Fixture Type... Window

6.55. Select Function of Executor Buttons Window

6.56. Select Language... Window

6.57. Select Session Number Window

6.58. Select Station... Window

6.59. Select Trig View

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6.60. Select Type for Remote Inputs Configuration

6.61. Select View Window

6.62. Select View for External Screen Window

6.63. Select Wing... Window

6.64. Session Collision

6.65. Settings of Executor View

6.66. Setup Window

6.67. Shapers Preset Type View

6.68. Software Update via USB Window

6.69. Sound Input Configuration Window

6.70. Status and Messages Window

6.71. System Clock Window

6.72. System Information Window

6.73. Time defaults Window

6.74. Timecode Configuration Window

6.75. Tools Window

6.76. Video Preset Type View

6.77. Virtual Playbacks View

6.78. Window Settings

6.79. Wings Window

6.80. Wing Setup Window

7. Commands

7.1. >>> [GoFastForward] Command

7.2. <<< [GoFastBack] Command

7.3. - [Minus] Command

7.4. + [Plus] Command

7.5. Assign Command

7.6. At Command

7.7. Black Command

7.8. Blind Command

7.9. Call Command

7.10. Clone Command

7.11. CmdDelay Command

7.12. Copy Command

7.13. Cue Command

7.14. Default Command

7.15. Delay Command

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7.16. Delete Command

7.17. Dmx Command

7.18. DmxUniverse Command

7.19. Edit Command

7.20. Executor Command

7.21. Fade Command

7.22. Fix Command

7.23. Fixture Command

7.24. Flash Command

7.25. Full Command

7.26. FullHighlight Command

7.27. Go Command

7.28. GoBack Command

7.29. Goto Command

7.30. Group Command

7.31. Help Command

7.32. If Command

7.33. IfOutput Command

7.34. Invert Command

7.35. Label Command

7.36. Learn Command

7.37. Macro Command

7.38. Move Command

7.39. Off Command

7.40. On Command

7.41. OutDelay Command

7.42. OutFade Command

7.43. Page Command

7.44. Park Command

7.45. Pause Command

7.46. Preset Command

7.47. PresetType Command

7.48. Preview Command

7.49. Rate Command

7.50. Remove Command

7.51. Replace Command

7.52. Select Command

7.53. Selection Command

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7.54. SnapPercent Command

7.55. Stomp Command

7.56. Store Command

7.57. StoreLook Command

7.58. SyncEffects Command

7.59. Temp Command

7.60. Thru Command

7.61. Toggle Command

7.62. Top Command

7.63. Unpark Command

7.64. Update Command

7.65. View Command

7.66. Zero Command

8. Hints for Operating

9. Error Messages

10. Glossary

11. Index

dot2 User Manual

1. Introduction

MA Lighting embodies an extraordinary approach towards professional lighting control and enjoys an enviable

reputation for quality and reliability. Now MA presents a new compact series of lighting control solutions – the dot2

range.

Designed for small and mid-sized projects and installations, dot2 offers advanced functionality without confusing

options.

Intuitive operation is the core of the dot2 philosophy and with all connectivity onboard, the dot2 range is suitable for

most theater, touring, corporate, television and education lighting environments.

Discover the free dot2 onPC software and the free dot2 3D visualization software. Test it for yourself!

1.1. Intended Use

The dot2 is a console intended for control of all kinds of lighting genres such as conventional, moving lights, LEDs,

video and other media via DMX signal.

Every other use is not intended and could follow personal injury and damage to property.

MA Lighting does not cover damages which can result of a not intended use of the console.

1.2. System Requirements dot2 onPC

Your system should have the following system requirements for the dot2 onPC.

Processor: Dual Core Processor with 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) CPU with support for SSE2

RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB)

Hard disk space: 32 GB

Graphic card: 512 megabyte (MB) graphic RAM

Operating systems: Microsoft® Windows® 7, Microsoft® Windows® 8, Microsoft® Windows® 8.1

Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD

Network card: 100/1000 TX/T

Additional requirements to use certain features

To use Art-Net with a dot2 onPC and Windows® 8 or Windows® 8.1, it is necessary to start the application as

administrator.

To change settings like the system clock, you need admin rights on your Windows® system.

To use the online help manual, you need internet access.

1.3. Installation of dot2 onPC

dot2 User Manual

1.3. Installation of dot2 onPC

For running the dot2 onPC software, it is necessary to copy and install the program files on your PC.

The installation is possible in every root directory or in the standard directory "C:\ProgramData\MA Lighting

Technologies\dot2".

To make sure that there are no troubles with the installation, deactivate your safety software.

1. Download the installation file from www.ma-dot2.com .

2. Start the file with a double click.

The installation program opens. You get detailed hints and information regarding the installation.

Watch out for the suggested directory and change it if you want to.

The installation directory is not changeable in the dot2 onPC.

After confirmation, the program files will be copied into the selected directory.

1.4. Error Handling

If the dot2 is not working like in the description of the following manual, there are the following opportunities.

Error message: You can not go forward to the next step of the description and you get an error message:

Refer to, Error Messages and repeat the procedure.

If the problem is still there contact the technical support.

System is not working: If you can not go forward to the next step of the description and you do not get an error

message:

Contact the technical support and describe the last steps you did.

Technical Service and Support

MA Lighting and its extensive distributor network offer an unparalleled technical service.

Call on our expertise for help with any problem, no matter if it is regarding operation, software features, software

installations or trouble shooting.

Please send an e-mail (in English or German) to support@ma-dot2.com with your contact details and subject

information.

This e-mail service is monitored during MA Lighting's regular business hours in Germany from 8.30 a.m. until 5 p.m.,

Monday through Friday.

For emergency services please contact your local MA distributor or the MA Lighting Service Hotline.

Call: +49.5251.688865-99. Please note, this 24/7 hotline is strictly for emergency cases – for people being in

trouble out in the field.

dot2 User Manual

2. Getting Started Guide

This is a guided tour through most of the functions of the dot2.

It's meant to be read from the beginning to the end (follow the numbers), but it's separated into different chapters

for convenience.

The goal is to give you a hands-on experience with the console. Even through the general idea with the dot2 is to

have a console that doesn't need a manual, you still might want to take the tour to get familiarized with the

functions and principles of the dot2.

It could be a good idea to have this guide on a computer next to the console (or onPC). If you read this online you'll

have the advantage of always having the latest and most updated version of this text. If your console isn't the latest

version then you can change the version of these pages in the top right side of the browser. If you read this on the

console, then it'll match the version of the software.

Enjoy :-)

2.1. Getting Started Guide - Introduction

"Don't Panic"

- Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Welcome to this guide through the dot2.

We are going to have a look at most of the functions of the dot2 console.

It's a learning curve and we suggest that you follow the steps in this guide precisely and then might experiment on

your own afterwards.

It's also recommended that you read this guide from the beginning to the end. It doesn't make much sense if you

jump around between the chapters.

The design and idea about the console is that it should be easy to use and easy to understand.

When you are presented with different possibilities on the console, then you also see a short explanation of the

options. In this guide we are going to explain it a bit further and explore some of the differences.

This guide is written as if you are sitting at a physical console. I'll suggest you use an external USB keyboard and an

external screen - preferably a touch screen, if you don't have a touch screen, then you'll also be happy with a USB

mouse.

You can follow this guide using just a console, but you get a better experience with an external screen. There's

more about connecting these external devices in the next chapter.

The different markup in this guide

Throughout this guide I'll use some different markings in the text.

If you need to press a key or I'm just referring to a key on the console it'll look like this: Help

dot2 User Manual

Some keys have symbols and when we need to talk about them, I'll show you the key and also introduce the written

word for those keys.

You also need to tap areas on the screen. It will look like this: System Clock

If I need you to write something on the keyboard, I'll write it like this: f 42 at full I might also use this for a quick

demonstration of syntax and commands.

If you need to enter text into the command line using a keyboard (I know you might not know yet what the

command line is) or just look at the actual command the console is about to execute, it'll look like this:

Fixture 42 At Full

And the response from the console would look like this:

Fixture 42 At Full

Please follow the step of this guide and I hope you'll have a great experience with the dot2.

That's it! We should be ready to move on to the next chapter.

2.2. Getting Started Guide - Physical setup and layout - how to connect stuff and

what's what

You should always place your console on a flat and stable surface. It's also a good idea to avoid a dirty and dusty

environment - yeah I know, not often a possibility, but it's recommended anyway .

The back

dot2 User Manual

The back

The back panel looks like this (on a dot2 core):

There's a lot of different connectors on the back of the console. For this tour we'll need to connect power (the

connector at number two) and I would suggest that you connect a USB keyboard to one of the USB connectors at

number four. You should also connect an external screen (connector number five). The best is a screen with touch

function (be aware that many screens don't work with this console). If you don't have a touch screen then you

should connect a mouse. Both are connected to the USB connectors at number four. That's the devices we need

for the beginning of this guide. Later we'll look at connecting the console to a network (using the Ethernet

connector at number three).

When you have connected the needed devices, then you can press the power button (at number one) to turn on the

console - remember to connect it to a suitable power source.

The following is a short description of all the connectors on the back:

1. Power switch - This is used to turn on or off the console.

2. Power connector - Here you connect the power cord.

3. Ethernet connector - This is for connecting to a network.

4. 3 x USB connectors - for USB memory sticks, touch screen, Keyboard & Mouse, etc.

5. DVI connector - for en external screen.

6. Balanced Audio in - this is a mono audio input for sound to light functionality.

7. DMX input - This DMX input is currently only for DMX remote control.

8. MIDI in and out - The MIDI can be used also as a remote control and for MIDI Time Code.

9. DC Remote Control - this is for contact closure remote control.

10. Lamp connector - this if for the console goose neck lamp.

11. LTC connector - this is used for SMPTE Time Code.

12. 4 x DMX out - here you can get universe 1 to 4 out of the console.

The front

dot2 User Manual

The front

The front of a dot2 core looks like this:

Throughout this guide I'll mention different areas of the console.

This is a short walk-through of the different ares:

1. Command section - This is where you have access to most of the functions on the console using keys.

2. Encoders - The encoders are used to select and change values and options. You can press an encoder to

confirm your current choice and sometimes open other windows. The functions of the encoders changes

throughout the different sections of the console. The current function and values can be viewed on the

screen above them (indicated with number 10 - Screen 1).

3. Main Executor - This is the main executor section. Here you'll most likely put your primary cue list.

4. Executors with faders - These executors can also have cue lists, but they could also have chasers, group

masters and other functions. There's one key under the fader with this symbol . This is the executor GO

key. The one below this have this symbol , this is the executor Flash key. The executors are numbered

from the Main executor (number three) to the left. So the one closest to the Main executor is executor

number 1.

dot2 User Manual

5. Executors without faders - There are two rows of extra executors above the ones with faders. They are

independent of each other. They are only executor GO keys - . The functionality don't have to be Go. They

are also numbered from the Main executor and to the left. The top row begins with number 101 and the next

row begin with 201. If you press and hold the key then you can see the numbers at the bottom of the

screen above them (number 11 - Screen 2). Moving forward I'll just use the executor numbers.

6. Page keys - Pressing these keys you can change the page numbers for your executors. This allows you to

organize your show onto different pages. Active executors are always visible and will stay "on top" when you

change page. We'll have a look at this later. You can't change the page for the Main executor.

7. Grand Master - The grand master fader allows you to pull down the intensity of your output. The B.O. key

will take the output to zero as long as it's pressed. If it flashes then, your grand Master fader isn't at 100%.

8. Level wheel - You can change the intensity of your selected fixtures using this level wheel.

9. Menu keys - These three keys gives you access to the three main menu sections of the console. A lot more

about this in the next chapters.

10. Screen 1 - This screen changes content dynamically with your work. At the bottom of the screen you can

always see the function and values of the encoders below. There will also be a command line input. On the

right side of the screen you'll be able to select different functions for the fixtures (when we add some).

11. Screen 2 - This screen allows you to view and select different things and functions. We'll talk a lot more

about this one.

If you have a dot2 XL-F or dot2 XL-B, you have some more executors and you have another screen (screen 3) on the

left side. Please press the key to see the executors numbers.

Ok that's what it looks like. Let's start doing something - Next chapter please.

2.3. Getting Started Guide - Create a new empty show and saving it

Create new show

We should begin with a new clean show. Just to make sure we begin at the same point, please turn on the console

(if it's not already on).

dot2 User Manual

When it's done booting, you should press the Backup key. This gives you the Backup menu:

Please press the New show button. This will create a new and empty show.

The next that will happen is a pop-up that asks for a name of your new show. Please type in: Getting Started 01

dot2 User Manual

Now you might be presented with a window that tells you that there already is a show with this name. Then you can

choose to overwrite the existing file/show or tap Cancel to give it a new and different name.

Now the console will create the new show.

Save show

If we ignore everything on the screens for a second and just focus on saving your new (but still empty) show.

This is also handled from the Backup Menu. Please press the Backup key once more.

Besides the New Show option there's three more options. One of them is to Save Show .

Save Show as... is used if we wanted to save with a new name.

But as you can also read in the text on the Save Show button, you could just have pressed the Backup key like

double clicking a mouse. We can't do this when the Backup Menu is open. So now you have two choices: Press the

Save Show button or press the Backup key three times (one to close the menu and then twice to do the save

show command).

Remember to save your show often. There's no inbuilt power backup in the console and if you turn it off or looses

power then the console shuts down (without saving).

You should also save your show on an external device like a USB memory stick. Please insert one in the last USB

connector. And then save the show. Now it's saved both on the stick and in the console.

Ok? Let's move on to the next chapter.

2.4. Getting Started Guide - Adding and patching dimmers

So we have a new empty show. We need to add some lights for it to be fun (without it, then console is just a rather

expensive paper weight).

dot2 User Manual

We are going to pretend we have a small black box theater and we are going to add some dimmers. We got 12

dimmer to play with. This is our basic plot:

So let's add those 12 dimmers to the setup in the console (don't worry, we'll add more fun stuff later).

Ignore what your screen says and just press the Setup key. Now turn the rightmost encoder until it says "

Select

Patch & Fixture Schedule

" and then shortly press the encoder.

Notice how the external screen (and screens 3 to 5, if you have them) now shows you the help file for this view.

Please ignore it for now - I'm going to tell you what to do and what's what.

Press on the right side of screen 1 where it says Add New Fixtures .

This gives you Add New Fixtures window. All the green areas can be adjusted to make sure we add the correct

fixtures.

There are already a generic dimmer fixture selected in the 'Type' (don't worry about the number "2" and the "00"

part of the name).

We need to change the quantity to 12. The best way to do this is by turning the second encoder from the left until it

says "

Quantity 12

dot2 User Manual

We want to have a Fixture ID that begins with number 1 and the name can be changed later (so can the rest by the

way). We are also happy with patching them to universe 1 and from the first address and forward. It should look like

this when we are gone with our adjustment:

OK, we are happy. Press the OK in the upper right corner.

This displays the Fixture Setup view (and now with fixtures in it). You can use the rightmost encoder to scroll

through the list. If you done it right, then you'll have 12 dimmers with ID numbers '1' to '12' and patched from

address '1.001' to '1.012'.

Now press the upper right corner again - this time it says Done .

You are now asked to confirm that you are leaving the patch and fixture schedule and you are asked what should

happen. We want to press where it says Apply All Changes .

That's it, we have added 12 dimmers to our show - please save your show. In the next chapter we are going to look

at ways to control these dimmers.

2.5. Getting Started Guide - Selecting and controlling dimmers

So, we got our 12 dimmers patched and ready. In the console they are identified as fixtures. All fixtures should have

a unique fixture ID that allows you to select each of them individually.

Let's have a look at them. Press the Fixture key on the console.

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