Preferences¶

In Preferences you configure global dmXLAN behavior such as universe defaults, node discovery options, file locations, logging, network interfaces, and Plan View appearance.

Open Preferences via Cmd + , (macOS) or Ctrl + , (Windows).

Universe¶

Standard Universe Type¶

Sets the default universe protocol used when creating universes or when entering universe shortcuts without a prefix.

• sACN — Default is sACN
• Art-Net — Default is Art-Net
• Shownet — Default is Shownet (when supported in your workflow)

Tip: Choose the protocol you use most often. This affects shortcuts like 1 (without s or a prefix).

Art-Net ID mode¶

Defines how dmXLAN interprets numeric Art-Net universe inputs.

• Art-Net ID in Decimal value (1 = Subnet 0, Universe 0)
• Input 1 maps to Subnet 0 / Universe 0
• Art-Net ID in HEX value (1 = Subnet 0, Universe 1)
• Input 1 maps to Subnet 0 / Universe 1

When to change this:

• Use Decimal if your project documentation counts Art-Net universes starting at “1” but expects the first to be Subnet 0 / Universe 0.
• Use HEX if your project counts in a way that matches the Art-Net “Universe 1 = 1” style.

sACN Priority¶

Max tolerated sACN Priority¶

Sets the maximum priority value that dmXLAN will tolerate/accept in your sACN workflow.

• Field: Max tolerated sACN Priority

Use case: Helps prevent unexpected behavior when priority values exceed what your system design expects.

Universe Enumerate Style¶

Controls how universes are displayed/ordered in lists and selectors.

• Numerical
• Alphabetical

Tip: Use Numerical for standard show workflows; Alphabetical can help if you use naming conventions heavily.

Universe Control¶

Universe Control Window position¶

Defines where the Universe Control window appears on screen:

• Upper Left
• Lower Left

Default Highlight Level (%)¶

Sets the default highlight intensity used in Universe Control “Highlight/Next”-style workflows.

• Field: Default Highlight Level (%)

Node¶

Default Node Choice¶

Selects the default node type/device family for node-related actions.

• Dropdown example shown: ELC dmXLAN Buddy

Use case: Speeds up wizards and default selections during commissioning.

Softpatch Settings¶

• Use Softpatch Generation 3 (2.xx firmware)

Enable this when working with devices using 2.xx firmware that expect Softpatch Generation 3 behavior.

RDM Mode¶

Controls if/how dmXLAN loads RDM properties.

• RDM Disabled
• RDM Enabled, Load properties on Refresh
• RDM data is retrieved when you manually refresh
• RDM Enabled, Load properties Automatically
• RDM data is retrieved automatically (more background traffic)

Recommendation:

• Use Load on Refresh during normal work (predictable + lighter traffic).
• Use Automatically when you actively need live RDM data during troubleshooting.

Used Node Brands¶

Choose which node brands dmXLAN should include when discovering/working with nodes.

• Use Nodes from ELC lighting dmXLAN
• Use Nodes from LSC Control Systems Nexus
• Use Nodes from Vari-Lite Networking Nodes

Tip: Disable brands you don’t use to keep discovery lists cleaner and faster.

Password¶

A global password field used for devices/workflows that require authentication.

When to use: Only fill in if your network items require a password for configuration or access.

Paths¶

Fixture Library Location¶

Path to the main fixture library dmXLAN uses.

• Field: Fixture Library Location
• Button: Browse

Impact: Determines which fixture definitions (modes/parameters/ranges/tests) dmXLAN can use.

Custom Fixture Library Location (Optional)¶

Optional second location for custom or project-specific fixture definitions.

• Field: Custom Fixture Library Location (Optional)
• Button: Browse

Use case: Keep your custom fixtures separate from the official library to simplify updates.

Default Layout Location¶

Defines where dmXLAN stores/loads layouts by default.

• Field: Default Layout Location

• Buttons:

• Browse

• Save Current — stores the current layout to the default location

• Option:

• Always use default Layout — forces dmXLAN to prefer this location

Tip: Useful for teams that standardize layouts per venue or project.

RDM Fixture Profiles¶

Path where dmXLAN stores or reads RDM fixture profiles.

• Field: RDM Fixture Profiles
• Button: Browse

Fixture Notes Log¶

Location for a log file used to store fixture notes (project documentation / service notes).

• Field: Fixture Notes Log
• Button: Browse

Log¶

Universe Logging¶

• Enable DMX Logging
• Turns DMX logging on/off globally

Minimum Log Time (s)¶

Sets the minimum duration dmXLAN logs before finalizing/storing output.

• Field: Minimum Log Time (s)

Practical guidance: - Increase this if you want fewer/smaller log segments. - Decrease for short troubleshooting captures (but you may create more files/entries).

Log Panel¶

• Play sound if Network Items or Universes Fail
• Audible warning when items/universes fail
• Do not show DMX Feedback Messages
• Suppresses DMX feedback messages in the log panel

Tip: Turn off DMX feedback messages if you’re troubleshooting network stability and want to reduce log noise.

Network¶

Network Interface Options¶

Select which network adapter dmXLAN should use for discovery and network communication.

• Use all network interfaces
• Or select a specific adapter from the list (e.g., Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Virtual adapters)

Recommendation: - Use a specific adapter on show networks to avoid conflicts with VPNs, virtual adapters, or secondary NICs. - Use all interfaces if you’re unsure or in a simple setup.

Web Server¶

Enables remote control / web UI access from browsers on the same network.

• Enable
• Web Server Port

Use case: Access dmXLAN from a device by navigating to: <computer-ip>:<port>

MA Viewer¶

Toggles support for MA viewing integration.

• MA 2 Enable
• MA 3 Enable

Enable only what you need to reduce complexity.

PSN Viewer¶

Enable or disable the PSN Viewer feature.

PSN Multicast Address
Set the multicast IP address used to receive PSN data (must match the PSN source).

PSN Port
Set the UDP port used to receive PSN data (must match the PSN source).

Plan View¶

Grid Settings¶

Controls the visual grid in Plan View.

• Grid Color
• Button: Default (reset to default color)
• Default Grid Spacing
• Numeric field (example shown: 50)

Tip: Increase spacing for cleaner high-level layouts; decrease for precise positioning.

Plan View¶

Controls the Plan View background.

• Background Color
• Button: Default (reset to default)

Tip: Use a darker or lighter background depending on venue lighting and screen readability.