User Guide Chapter 10 Automated Devices
Rev. 1.30.03.07.r1 Page 167
Device Definition Language
The Device Definition Language (DDL) is used to describe a device’s
personality (its traits). Devices can include moving lights, fog machines,
color scrollers or simply a series of dimmer channels. Through the use of
the DDL, the console can present the individual traits of the device with
descriptive labels rather than simple channel numbers as you would with a
standard lighting console.
For a list of the Automated Devices which are factory pre-loaded into the
console see
Appendix D Resident Devices
.
If the console does not contain the device you need, you can download the
device’s definition from the company website: www.nsicorp.com or
www.colortran.com.
If a DDL you need does not yet exist, even on the website, you can
program a new DDL directly into the console through the Device
Assignment sub-display of the Setup display. You can also create a DDL on
a PC by using an ASCII text editor (such as Notepad). Examples using both
techniques are given further in this chapter.
If your device is not loaded in the console or available from the
website, you may want to experiment with making new DDLs as soon
as possible before you begin programing. Defining a device’s DDL is a
very detailed orientated and meticulous process and may require extra
time to complete successfully.
Loading a new DDL into the console
A DDL is loaded into the console from a floppy disk which contains the new
DDL. Depending on the console model, the floppy disk drive is located on
the front edge or on the rear back panel. The console uses only 3.5"
double-sided HD (High Density) 1.44MB disks formatted for IBM compatible
PCs.
The procedure for loading a new DDL into the console is performed from
the Disk sub-display of the Setup display. Please see
Chapter 11 Memory
Functions
for more information on loading console memory.
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