DMX control allows for triggering the internal intelligence inside the Laser mainboard. There is always one signal "sender" in one DMX "universe" and several signal "recipients".
The intelligent ShowNET Laser mainboard can be both - a DMX signal sender or a DMX signal receiver. In most cases the Laser shall just be triggered with a normal lighting desk / lighting software, so the lighting desk is the signal sender and the Laser receives the control commads from the lighting desk / lighting software.

To learn more about how to use the Laser mainboard as DMX controller, please see this part of the manual: Use DMX OUT of the Laser mainboard

This is the schematics for the standard DMX control wiring for the Laser:

Set the correct DMX address per Laser with the DIP switches, so it can be individually addressed via the DMX console / DMX control software. If Lasers have the same address, then they will follow the same control commands (not recommended, as individual control is not possible then).





DMX addresses are decimal values, like 212, 255 or 334. But with the DIP switches it is only possible to specify binary values, so the values for the DMX address need to be calculated.
There are instructions on how to calculate binary values on the internet, but we created a handy DMX Address tool to sort this for you:

DMX Address DIP Switch Calculator (opens in new window)

The ShowNET Laser mainboard is extremely powerful and provides a multitude of control options. For DMX operation, there are two different DMX settings available - the DJ Mode, which is set as standard for the smaller units, and the Professional Mode. Both modes are different in the number of DMX channels and also the behavior.



Please see the specifications below:

A. DJ-Mode DMX control - 19 channels (standard setting)

• Standard Setting for most Laser systems with ShowNET equipment
• Designed for easy control and automated effects (size, rotation, etc.)
• X- and Y-Position start centered for straightforward laser output
• Safety measures prevent too small projections
• Reduced number of channels for better compatibility with basic DMX controllers

If the ShowNET mainboard runs in DJ-Mode DMX, the DMX chart for the DJ-Mode applies:

Download DMX Chart for DJ Mode

B. Professional Mode DMX control - 34 channels (recommended for professionals)

• Advanced Setup Mode to setup the projection Zone, Safety Zone, Color Balancing and Geometric Corrections with the DMX controller without having to use any software and store these settings back to the ShowNET Laser Mainboard as globa setting. This setting is then hard-stored inside the laser, so all DMX operation happens withing this given frame.
  
  How to activate the Setup mode:
  

  1. Channel 24 must be set to a value of 134-135 AND Channel 25 must be set to value 94-95 AT THE SAME TIME - this setting must remain active during the setup programming process.
  2. Channel 2 can be used to select an appropriate pattern ("Gobo") for the settings - it's recommended to use a grid test pattern for this (the standard SD-card set has one on Channel 2 value 255)
  3. The projection of the pattern flashes, indicating that the Setup mode is active.
  4. Use the Channels marked in orange in the DMX chart to set the Projection Zone, the Safety Zone, the Color Balancing and the Geometric Corrections
  5. To store the settings made back to the Laser mainboard:
     Put Channel 24 to value 204-205 AND Channel 25 to 168-169 (you have 20 seconds to do that) and leave the setting active for 5 seconds - the projection flashes three times to indicate that the settings have been stored to the Laser mainboard
  6. After having stored the settings, zero back all your DMX values to start programming. Everything that is done with DMX (and also in automatic modes or computer control!) now happens within the framework specified in Setup mode!

  
  For more options in Setup Mode, like reset or abort, pelase see the DMX chart. The logics is the same: The Channels 24 and 25 need to have specific values at the same time to actiavte the desired feature.
  
  Info: The Settings made in Setup mode via the DMX controller can also be made via Admin Tool - they have the same effect!
• Individual control over all features
• No zoom limitations (be careful!)
• 16bit resolution for crucial features like positioning and rotation
• Color balancing
• Individual control over color values

Download DMX Chart for Professional Mode

The DMX profiles / DMX personalities / fixture profiles that are available for professional consoles, like GrandMA or Avolites, usually always refer to the Professional Mode if not stated differently.

Get DMX fixture presets / profiles / personalities (opens in new window)

The DMX operation mode can be changed by using the ShowNET Admin Tool:



Do not forget to click "Store Data" after having made changes in the settings with the Admin Tool!

These are the standard patterns, or "Gobos", that are stored in the ShowNET SD-card memory. You can customize these to your desire.
Remember: These pictures are only static, but "Gobos" with lasers can have animations and color changes added, which can obviously not be shown in plain pictures.




Here is the standard ILDA Fileset for download, if it needs to be restored somehow: Download Standard ShowNET ILDA FileSet

It is very easy to create custom "Gobos" for the ShowNET Laser Mainboard - they can not only be static, like with conventional lighting, but be animated and colorful.
Here are detailed instructions on how custom laser content can be created, saved and uploaded to the ShowNET Laser mainboard:

How to create and upload custom Laser content

The standard setting of the Laser mainboard makes the connected laser software listen to the DMX IN port of the laser. It is possible to switch that port from DMX IN to DMX OUT (see further up on this page), so make sure that the Laser is switched back to DMX IN if this feature shall be used.
The remote trigger control source can be specified using the middle one of the three drop down menus in the Admin Tool. It should be set to "DMX IN":

The instructions on how to make these settings depend on the control software. Here is a selection of instructions:

Showeditor:
https://www.showeditor.com/en/manual/12-remote-control-of-the-software-via-dmx-and-midi/12-1-remote-control-with-dmx.html

Showcontroller:
https://www.showcontroller.com/en/manual/showcontroller-live/0-9-remote-control-the-software/0-9-b-artnet-control-the-software
The DMX integration in Showcontroller is pretty similar to ArtNET.