Art-Net over Wi-Fi: Tablet -> Wi-Fi -> Router -> Wi-Fi -> RR-R2 | Wired Art-Net: Tablet -> Wi-Fi -> Router -> cat5 -> RR-R2
There are a number of tablet-based apps that will transmit Art-Net over Wi-Fi. These systems allow for control of fixtures and freedom of movement for the user while transmitting. Although each applications setup requirements may differ, they all have a number of common settings that will be required.
One way to set up this system is to have both the tablet and the Quasar Science fixture connect to a Wi-Fi network using a wireless access point (WAP). This network will need a DHCP server handing out IP addresses on it.To connect the Quasar Science fixture to an existing Wi-Fi network
- Set the Wireless mode to Config->Wireless Mode->WiFi
***In this mode the Wifi Settings menu is active - Configure the fixture to join a Wi-Fi network. Go to Config->Wireless Settings->WiFi Mode->Client
- Select the Wi-Fi network you would like to join. Go to Config->Wireless Settings->WiFi Settings->Set Network. The status LEDs will flash as the fixture scans for the wireless networks and displays them in order of signal strength
- Use the
and
arrows to scroll through the listed networks and
to select.
- Use the
and
arrows to scroll letters and numbers to set the network Password.
- Use the
to advance the cursor.
- Press and hold
after entering the last character in the password.
- The WiFi Status Screen will display the name of the Wi-Fi network the fixture has joined. If there is a controller broadcasting Art-Net on the WiFi the status LEDs on the fixture will be Data = Yellow, WiFi = Magenta.
To connect the Tablet to an existing Wi-Fi network
- Open Settings->Wi-Fi
- Select the Wi-Fi network and enter the password
- Launch the control app. In this case it will be Luminair
- In the App, load your project and open the left tab of the Luminair interface
- Select Connections. This opens up the Connections window
- Select Art-Net. This opens the Art-Net configuration window
- Enable the universes of the fixtures to be controlled
Luminair defaults to Broadcast Art-Net. For more information see this article. - Once Luminair is connected, the Wireless Status Light will be purple and Data Status Light will be Yellow. Unless the Status Lights have been turned off in the menu.
Another way to set up this system is to have the tablet connect the network using Wi-Fi, and the Quasar Science fixture connect to the network using a cat5 cable and a switch.
To set up the fixture to use Art-Net Broadcast:
- Go to Config->Wired Settings->Wired Mode and set the light to Art-Net.
- Go to Config->Ethernet Settings->Universe
Set the fixture to the universe it is patched to. Art-Net Offsets the universe by -1 so for a fixture patched in Universe 1 set this to Uni 0 on the fixture. - Optional Config->Ethernet Settings->IP Add Mode->Static
The user will can now set the IP and subnet mask of the fixture in the Ethernet Settings menu. Detailed instructions can be found here - Go to Config->Ethernet Settings->DMX Channel
Set the DMX Address the fixture is patched to - Connect the fixture to the control network using a Cat5 cable.
To connect the Tablet to an existing Wi-Fi network
- Open Settings->WiFi
- Select the Wi-Fi network and enter the password
- Launch the control app. In this case it will be Luminair
- In the App, load your project and open the left tab of the Luminair interface
- Select Connections. This opens up the Connections window
- Select Art-Net. This opens the Art-Net configuration window
- Enable the universes of the fixtures to be controlled
Luminair defaults to Broadcast Art-Net. For more information about this see this article. - Once Luminair is connected, the Wireless Status Light will be off and Data Status Light will be Yellow. Unless the Status Lights have been turned off
Important: On iOS 14 and above, "Local Network" needs to be turned ON for Luminair in the iOS/iPadOS Settings app > Privacy. It's a new setting in iOS 14 (or later) that needs to be turned on, otherwise local network communications are blocked.
Recent changes to the iOS operating system may require the iPad be set in airplane mode when using Wi-Fi to transmit Art-Net. This can be found in Setting General on the iPad