Fixture Reverse Engineering & Camera Capture
Use Reverse Engineering in Fixture Editor to discover a fixture's channel functions with live DMX output. This is a bench workflow: prepare a test fixture and a suitable output, then select the temporary output, fixture address and channel count in the workspace. On Unilighter Solo discovery uses the device's local output.
Discover channels and positions
- Start the output session. Reverse Engineering uses a temporary universe, initialized for discovery. While the session is live, project outputs are paused and are automatically restored when you end or leave the session.
- Move a channel fader and observe its function. Label the channel and choose the appropriate type; new channels start as unnamed misc channels.
- Record individual enum, color-wheel or gobo-wheel positions at their actual DMX values. Click a recorded slot to move the fader to it.
- Add descriptive named ranges for continuous or multiplexed functions. Add one range at a time and check its endpoints.
- Use the extra probe channel beyond the defined footprint to investigate the next slot. Define all real channels, including inactive spacers, before patching the profile.
Holding + or − continues moving the fader. In a slot field, Ctrl+Enter adds another slot; it keeps a free current value or advances by the previous gap when that value is already occupied. The new name receives focus. The live connection remains while switching editor tabs.
Capture wheel colors and gobos
Color-wheel slots can use a color picker, including a half-color with two colors at one DMX position. Camera capture can sample a wheel color. For gobos, project a white pattern on a dark surface and use capture to trace it into the pattern editor.
The capture controls allow camera selection and, where the device supports them, exposure and focus adjustments. A phone can join through the editor's QR workflow; the capture session stays available across shots and the QR can be reopened. Position the captured image, adjust brightness/contrast, zoom, then drag and resize the traced pattern before accepting it. Check every result against the actual projected gobo.
Finish the profile
Test the resulting controls and save the fixture. Reserved channels belong to unknown; real auxiliary controls belong to misc. Check coarse/fine resolution and channel order, then use Device Patch to patch the finished mode. Wheel positions and descriptive ranges are separate from the operational Strobe/Shutter configuration.
