Using Art-Net for DMX control

Art-Net is a protocol that allows sending of DMX information via a standard IP network using UDP. It requires an interface between the network and the DMX device which converts Art-Net to DMX-signals. These interfaces are called Art-Net nodes. Devices with LAN interface and support of Art-Net can be connected directly as they are some sort of Art-Net node themselves.

Art-Net can be used to transfer multiple DMX universes simultaneously. A DMX universe consists of 512 DMX channels with 8 bits = 256 values per channel, i.e. everything that can be sent via a standard DMX cable using the DMX protocol. Every DMX universe requires an interface. However, there is also hardware that may include several interfaces and the corresponding number of DMX connections. On the other hand, some interfaces offer one DMX output and one DMX output which, however, cannot be used simultaneously.

The Avio system supports Art-Net version 1 to 3 but without acknowledgement evaluation (RDM). The Art-Net function is provided by Avio Service.

The Art-Net configuration is usually done directly via Avio Service. Alternatively, this is also possible via the Avio Service web interface.

Configuration via web interface.

Searching for Art-Net nodes

Start Avio Manager and right-click the node Service Computer XXX and select Open in Web Browser.
On the Avio Service website click Art-Net t-Net at the top following which the configuration page will be displayed. It is split up into three sections:
Art-Net Configuration ...is used for creating and saving Art-Net configuration files Name.artnet.xml.
Art-Net Live Node Viewer ...searches the network for existing Art-Net nodes and lists them.
File Upload ...imports Art-Net configurations in the form of *.artnet.xml files as they are saved at C:\ProgramData\AV Stumpfl\Wings Avio Service\drivers.

Once you have connected your Art-Net nodes to the network and powered them up click Start under Art-Net Live Node Viewer following which the network is searched and the Art-Net nodes that have been found are listed. The own node, i.e. the computer running Avio Service is not listed.

Note: Movement of the blue bar indicates that information is being exchanged. Hit Stop to interrupt searching. Hit Clear to delete the list of Art-Net nodes found.

Basically the following types of nodes are distinguished:

Broadcast Node (Art-Net 1) ...are Art-Net Version 1 nodes that communicate via the address 255.255.255.255.
Unicast Node (Art-Net 2+) ...are Art-Net nodes version 2 and 3 that communicate via addresses 10.255.255.255 (standard) or 2.255.255.255. Note: By default the viewer searches at address 10.255.255.255. If it is to search at address 2.255.255.255 an empty Art-Net configuration with the corresponding Broadcast Address must be created and started. See Creating an Art-Net configuration file.

For the Unicast nodes addressing requires the Net (0 to 127) and the Subnet (0 to15) information which must therefore be specified in the configuration file.

Universe data mean the following:

DMX Art-Net Universes ...is a DMX input at the interface that sends its DMX information into the Art-Net. The next line is the universe address which must also be specified in the configuration file.
Art-Net DMX Universes ...is a DMX output at the interface that receives its information via the Art-Net from the address following after.

Note: For Unicast nodes there are addresses that consist of several number blocks and contain superfluous zeros. For the configuration file only the first number block is relevant and must be entered as address.

Creating an Art-Net configuration file

In order to allow Avio Service to display the required Art-Net ports and to manage this information a configuration file needs to be created and started.

In the Avio Service web interface on page Art-Net in field Art-Net Files click+add new Artnet File following which an additional field is displayed. If you want to change an existing configuration click the corresponding configuration file.
Under Filename enter a name for the new configuration file.
For Broadcast Address select the address range to be searched for Art-Net nodes:
255.255.255.255 ...lists all Art-Net nodes.
10.255.255.255 ...lists Art-Net nodes using 10.xxx addresses, i.e. usually Art-Net versions 2 or 3.
2.255.255.255 ...lists Art-Net nodes using 2.xxx addresses, i.e. usually Art-Net versions 2 or 3.

The Avio Port is preset with a default value, which normally does not need to be changed. A change is only necessary when there are conflicts with other Avio nodes.
Using Art-Net nodes Version 2 or up requires an entry for Net and Subnet for correctly addressing your Art-Net node. This information can be found in the Art-Net Live Node Viewer. See above.
Now you need to specify the number and type of universes to be created:
Number of Art-Net Avio Universes ...here you enter the number of universes for the DMX inputs of those interfaces that send their information via Art-Net to the Avio System.
Number of Avio Art-Net Universes ...here you enter the number of universes for the DMX outputs of those interfaces that receive their information via Art-Net from the Avio System and pass on this information in the form of a DMX signal to the DMX devices.

After entering the required number the universes and additional fields are displayed. For Broadcast nodes select Broadcast Node.
In the field below enter the universe address determined in the Art-Net Live Node Viewer. After entering all the required information click Save or Save and overwrite if you have changed an existing configuration file.
Highlight the configuration file in the field below Art-Net Files and click on Start selected Artnetfile. When you open Avio Manager the universes are listed as Avio to Art-Net XXX or Art-Net to Avio XXX, with XXX standing for the address. If you open one of these folders the DMX channels are listed as Channels und you can connect them with other channels. See also Connecting and editing channels.

Searching for Art-Net nodes

The Art-Net configuration is done on the web interface of Avio Service. We recommend the Firefox web browser for this purpose.

Note: The animated circle symbol indicates that information is being exchanged. Hit

Stop to interrupt searching. Hit

Clear to delete the list of Art-Net nodes found.

Filters allow filtering of Art-Net nodes in list view. For filtering check or remove the checkmark in line Filters. Basically the following types of nodes are distinguished:

This information contains the address of the universe that is important for the project file. See Topic below.

Creating an Art-Net project file

In order to allow Avio Service to manage the required Art-Net ports an Art-Net project file needs to be created and started.

Note: If the Art-Net node is visible in Live Viewer you can click

next to the universe address following which the universe is added with its correct address.