Connecting and editing channels

The following steps will be covered in this topic:

Connecting channels

Make sure that your devices are available on the network and start Avio Manager. If it has already been started click Refresh to show all nodes.
In front of the corresponding node click to list the channels which you would like to connect. Now drag one transmitting channel and drop it onto a receiving channel. Whether a connected channel receives or transmits can be seen from the arrow symbols. When a dialog for adjusting the value range appears select the desired option. See Adjusting the value ranges.

- When holding the Alt key while connecting the channels a bidirectional connection is created, i.e. a connection from A B and one from B A. This works also in combination with the shortcuts Ctrl and Shift for adjusting the value range. Refer also to topic Adjusting the value ranges.
- For a better overview start the Avio Manager twice so that two windows are open. Open the output channels on the left and input channels on the right, for example. This way, you always drag and drop from the left to right to make a connection.

If you want to connect several channels you start by opening a second Avio Manager window. In the left window highlight the transmitting channels and drag them onto the receiving channels in the right-hand window. In this case the Multi Channel Connect dialog will appear which allows you to make corrections after connecting the channels. Basically, the following scenarios are possible when it comes to connecting various channels:
One channel several channels ...highlight the required receiving channels in the right-hand Avio Manager window and drag the transmitting channel onto the receiving ones.
Several channels one channel ...highlight the required transmitting channels and drag them onto the receiving one. In the dialog every transmitting channel is first of all connected to a different receiving channel. Enable Assign only to one channel and select the required receiving channel from the dropdown list next to it.
Several channels several channels ...highlight the required transmitting and receiving channels and drag the transmitting channels onto the receiving ones.

In the Multi Channel Connect dialog finish by clicking Connect.

When functions are linked up, the corresponding information is exchanged on the network. Depending on the size of the network and the type of Avio resources it may take up to ten seconds until the entire connection information is shown in Avio Manager. So after you have dragged and dropped one channel on top of another one you just wait until the connection information is displayed. Do not jump the gun and create any double connections because you can't wait to see the information. If any previously made connections are not displayed in the Avio Manager click Refresh to update the information.
Avio Manager now also lists invalid connections, i.e. when channels involved are no longer available because the nodes have been deleted. In this case both the node and the channels in question are provided with a red dot and the corresponding entry under Connections appears in red. If you are sure that these connections are no longer required you should delete them.

Adjusting the value ranges

By default a query appears when connecting if and how the value range is to be adjusted:

Connect directly ...value ranges are not adjusted.

Connect scaled ...the value range of the transmitting channel is scaled to match the value range of the receiving channel, which is usually appropriate.

Connect smart ...value range is adjusted via a formula. If you choose this type of connection an additional window for formula entry opens up. A wizard for formula creation and a test function will be available. See also Scaling the value range using formulas.

There are further connection options:

In the Avio Manager settings you can choose whether a connection is to be established in a certain way (scaled/unscaled) by default without any query by enabling Connection behavior and choosing either No scaling, Scale or Formula for Automatic connection.
Independent of this default setting you can also influence scaling via shortcuts during connection. When you hold down the Shift key during connection the value range is scaled, whereas holding the Ctrl key causes it not to be scaled. This works also in combination with the shortcut Alt for a bidirectional connection. Refer to topic Connecting channels.
With data type Text channels are always connected directly, i.e. without scaling. In this case connections with scaled value range do not make sense.
If you want to change the value range for an existing connection you highlight the channel following which the connection is displayed at the bottom under Connections. White connection entries mean "unscaled", yellow entries "scaled" and green entries have been adjusted via formulas. To change scaling right-click the corresponding connection entry and choose Change scaling or Add Formula.

Displaying and editing channel values

For every node the display of the values can be enabled by check marking Show Values. How the values can be displayed and edited depends on the type of channels:

Switch ...offers conditions 0 and 1. By clicking the value you can change it .
Variable value ...offers a value range which can be changed with the slider or edited numerically by clicking Edit.
Read-Only value ...offers a value range too, which, however, is only indicated by a bar and cannot be edited.

How to transmit a command using two parameters can be found in topic Linking driver commands.
When you move across a node or channel with the mouse the details for the Avio resource, such as value range or port, are displayed.
A red dot next to a node, folder or channel is an indication that the incoming connection is no longer available, i.e. there is no sender. Make sure that the sender is available again or delete the connection.