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Difference between revisions of "LLA, OpenDMX USB and Q Light Controller Tutorial"
From wiki.openlighting.org
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Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
These are used to download source code. | These are used to download source code. | ||
+ | <code> | ||
sudo apt-get install git-core cogito curl | sudo apt-get install git-core cogito curl | ||
− | + | </code> | |
===Kernel source=== | ===Kernel source=== | ||
We need this in order to be able to compile the modules | We need this in order to be able to compile the modules | ||
+ | <code> | ||
sudo apt-get install linux-source | sudo apt-get install linux-source | ||
+ | </code> | ||
===Alien=== | ===Alien=== | ||
We will need to install some RPM files at some point (bah!) | We will need to install some RPM files at some point (bah!) | ||
+ | <code> | ||
sudo apt-get install alien | sudo apt-get install alien | ||
− | + | </code> | |
===Build essentials=== | ===Build essentials=== | ||
We're going to be building source, so we need the standard libraries: | We're going to be building source, so we need the standard libraries: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
apt-get install build-essential | apt-get install build-essential | ||
− | + | </code> | |
(if you're following this on a non-debian-style distibution, you need the libc, libstcd++ development files, C compiler etc.) | (if you're following this on a non-debian-style distibution, you need the libc, libstcd++ development files, C compiler etc.) | ||
Line 46: | Line 51: | ||
===Compile and install driver=== | ===Compile and install driver=== | ||
+ | <code> | ||
cd ~ | cd ~ | ||
− | |||
mkdir dmx-software | mkdir dmx-software | ||
− | |||
cd dmx-software | cd dmx-software | ||
− | |||
git-clone http://www.erwinrol.com/git/dmx_usb_module/ | git-clone http://www.erwinrol.com/git/dmx_usb_module/ | ||
− | |||
cd dmx_usb_module | cd dmx_usb_module | ||
− | |||
make | make | ||
− | |||
cp ./dmx_usb.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/serial | cp ./dmx_usb.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/serial | ||
− | |||
depmod | depmod | ||
− | + | </code> | |
===Blacklist the other serial drivers=== | ===Blacklist the other serial drivers=== | ||
Line 68: | Line 67: | ||
With your favourite text editor, as root/sudo, edit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist e.g.: | With your favourite text editor, as root/sudo, edit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist e.g.: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist | sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist | ||
− | + | </code> | |
add the following lines: | add the following lines: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
blacklist usbserial | blacklist usbserial | ||
− | |||
blacklist usb-serial | blacklist usb-serial | ||
− | |||
blacklist ftdi_sio | blacklist ftdi_sio | ||
− | + | </code> | |
===Remove the brltty package=== | ===Remove the brltty package=== | ||
According to Synaptic, "BRLTTY is a daemon which provides access to the Linux console (text mode) for a blind person using a soft braille display". Unfortunately it has a habit of interfering with anything that looks like it might be a serial console, USB to serial devices included. There's probably a more elegant workaround, but we'll go for the quick and dirty again, and remove it: | According to Synaptic, "BRLTTY is a daemon which provides access to the Linux console (text mode) for a blind person using a soft braille display". Unfortunately it has a habit of interfering with anything that looks like it might be a serial console, USB to serial devices included. There's probably a more elegant workaround, but we'll go for the quick and dirty again, and remove it: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
sudo apt-get remove brltty | sudo apt-get remove brltty | ||
− | + | </code> | |
===Test the driver=== | ===Test the driver=== | ||
Plug in your dongle!! Hopefully all will go well, and if you type: | Plug in your dongle!! Hopefully all will go well, and if you type: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
dmesg | dmesg | ||
− | + | </code> | |
you should see: | you should see: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
DMX USB device now attached to dmx192 | DMX USB device now attached to dmx192 | ||
− | + | </code> | |
If you've got other modules loading, ftdi serial drivers, etc. then something's wrong. | If you've got other modules loading, ftdi serial drivers, etc. then something's wrong. | ||
Line 106: | Line 108: | ||
There are debian packages available at the time of writing. Add the packages to your sources file: | There are debian packages available at the time of writing. Add the packages to your sources file: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list | sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list | ||
− | + | </code> | |
add the following line at the end: | add the following line at the end: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
deb http://www.nomis52.net/data/debian ./ | deb http://www.nomis52.net/data/debian ./ | ||
− | + | </code> | |
Install the packages: | Install the packages: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
sudo apt-get update | sudo apt-get update | ||
− | |||
sudo apt-get install liblla0 llad llad-console lla-examples | sudo apt-get install liblla0 llad llad-console lla-examples | ||
+ | </code> | ||
===Test the installation=== | ===Test the installation=== | ||
Line 125: | Line 130: | ||
First, start the daemon: | First, start the daemon: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
sudo llad | sudo llad | ||
− | + | </code> | |
Next, find out what number the OpenDMX device is: | Next, find out what number the OpenDMX device is: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
lla_dev_info | lla_dev_info | ||
− | + | </code> | |
you should get something like: | you should get something like: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
Device 2: Open DMX USB Device | Device 2: Open DMX USB Device | ||
− | + | </code> | |
If you can't see 'Open DMX USB Device' in there somewhere, then you haven't got the kernel driver installed properly. Go straight to jail, do not pass go. | If you can't see 'Open DMX USB Device' in there somewhere, then you haven't got the kernel driver installed properly. Go straight to jail, do not pass go. | ||
Line 142: | Line 150: | ||
Assuming everything is OK, you need to patch this device so we can use it: | Assuming everything is OK, you need to patch this device so we can use it: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
lla_patch -d2 -p0 -u0 | lla_patch -d2 -p0 -u0 | ||
+ | </code> | ||
(replace -d2 with whichever device number is your Open DMX USB) | (replace -d2 with whichever device number is your Open DMX USB) | ||
− | now do | + | now do: |
+ | <code> | ||
lla_dev_info | lla_dev_info | ||
− | + | </code> | |
and it should say | and it should say | ||
+ | <code> | ||
Device 2: Open DMX USB Device | Device 2: Open DMX USB Device | ||
− | |||
port 0, cap OUT, universe 1 | port 0, cap OUT, universe 1 | ||
− | + | </code> | |
Finally: | Finally: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
lla_dmxconsole | lla_dmxconsole | ||
+ | </code> | ||
and play with the console! | and play with the console! | ||
+ | Don't forget to remove your test patch afterwards: | ||
− | + | <code> | |
− | |||
lla_patch -r -d2 -p0 -u0 | lla_patch -r -d2 -p0 -u0 | ||
− | + | </code> | |
Line 174: | Line 187: | ||
Finally! There are Ubuntu/Debian packages, but at the time of writing they're not the most up-to-date and don't include the LLA plugin. You could compile from source, but the most recent RPM packages work fine and save time and hassle. | Finally! There are Ubuntu/Debian packages, but at the time of writing they're not the most up-to-date and don't include the LLA plugin. You could compile from source, but the most recent RPM packages work fine and save time and hassle. | ||
+ | <code> | ||
cd ~/dmx-software | cd ~/dmx-software | ||
− | |||
wget http://rpms.netmindz.net/FC6/i386/RPMS.netmindz/qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm | wget http://rpms.netmindz.net/FC6/i386/RPMS.netmindz/qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm | ||
+ | </code> | ||
(browse through the packages on that server and find the most recent qlc build if the above command fails) | (browse through the packages on that server and find the most recent qlc build if the above command fails) | ||
+ | <code> | ||
sudo alien qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm | sudo alien qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm | ||
− | + | </code> | |
wait a long time... (don't worry about the warnings)... then: | wait a long time... (don't worry about the warnings)... then: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
sudo dpkg -i qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm | sudo dpkg -i qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm | ||
sudo apt-get install libqt3-mt | sudo apt-get install libqt3-mt | ||
− | + | </code> | |
Now try it: | Now try it: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
sudo qlc & | sudo qlc & | ||
− | + | </code> | |
QLC should run OK. Don't get too excited yet, there's one more step... | QLC should run OK. Don't get too excited yet, there's one more step... | ||
Line 200: | Line 217: | ||
We now need a script that will start the lla daemon, patch the adaptor to the DMX universe (QLC uses 1 by default, LLA uses 0) and start QLC. This should do it: | We now need a script that will start the lla daemon, patch the adaptor to the DMX universe (QLC uses 1 by default, LLA uses 0) and start QLC. This should do it: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
#!/bin/bash | #!/bin/bash | ||
gksudo killall llad | gksudo killall llad | ||
Line 208: | Line 226: | ||
sleep 2s | sleep 2s | ||
sudo qlc & | sudo qlc & | ||
− | + | </code> | |
save it as something memorable (I use qlc-start) and make sure it's executable: | save it as something memorable (I use qlc-start) and make sure it's executable: | ||
+ | <code> | ||
chmod u+x qlc-start | chmod u+x qlc-start | ||
− | + | </code> | |
and you're away! | and you're away! |
Revision as of 12:33, 29 June 2007
Contents
Introduction
I got very excited when I first saw QLC. Then I got slightly annoyed, then very frustrated trying to get it to work. I ended up using Slackware so that I could have a relatively modern distro with Linux 2.4 in order to use dmx4linux. But it's a hassle to reboot every time I want to play with DMX. So...
This guide assumes you're using Ubuntu 7.04 (Fiesty Fawn), but should be usable for any apt-based distro. Could probably be adapted for rpm-based too.
Operating System
Pretty obvious, but... get the latest Ubuntu installed on your machine. www.ubuntu.com
Prerequisite packages
GIT and Cogito
These are used to download source code.
sudo apt-get install git-core cogito curl
Kernel source
We need this in order to be able to compile the modules
sudo apt-get install linux-source
Alien
We will need to install some RPM files at some point (bah!)
sudo apt-get install alien
Build essentials
We're going to be building source, so we need the standard libraries:
apt-get install build-essential
(if you're following this on a non-debian-style distibution, you need the libc, libstcd++ development files, C compiler etc.)
Build and install the usb kernel module
We're not using dmx4linux since there's no version that supports kernel 2.6 and the OpenDMX USB dongle. There's a few attempts to port floating around, but none work with this adaptor.
Instead we will use Erwil Rol's driver.
It's best to make sure that you're running the kernel that you're intending to use - if you've upgraded from previous versions of Ubuntu you may have several versions hanging around. Removing old ones using Synaptic is probably a good idea.
Compile and install driver
cd ~
mkdir dmx-software
cd dmx-software
git-clone http://www.erwinrol.com/git/dmx_usb_module/
cd dmx_usb_module
make
cp ./dmx_usb.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/usb/serial
depmod
Blacklist the other serial drivers
Because this dongle uses a usb to serial converter chip, it's recognised by the hotplug/udev/hal system and drivers are loaded - unfortunately not ones that work with QLC. The workaround is to blacklist the alternative drivers. If you have other usb to serial converters then they will stop working - if you need these then you will have to delve into the source and change the USB device IDs that the drivers detect... here we will go for the quick and dirty solution.
With your favourite text editor, as root/sudo, edit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist e.g.:
sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist
add the following lines:
blacklist usbserial
blacklist usb-serial
blacklist ftdi_sio
Remove the brltty package
According to Synaptic, "BRLTTY is a daemon which provides access to the Linux console (text mode) for a blind person using a soft braille display". Unfortunately it has a habit of interfering with anything that looks like it might be a serial console, USB to serial devices included. There's probably a more elegant workaround, but we'll go for the quick and dirty again, and remove it:
sudo apt-get remove brltty
Test the driver
Plug in your dongle!! Hopefully all will go well, and if you type:
dmesg
you should see:
DMX USB device now attached to dmx192
If you've got other modules loading, ftdi serial drivers, etc. then something's wrong.
Download and install lla
LLA is Linux Lighting Architecture, a general framework for lighting applications in Linux. It's available as a live CD, but we're just using the package as a way to interface QLC with the USB driver. More info about LLA on it's webpage.
Install the packages
There are debian packages available at the time of writing. Add the packages to your sources file:
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
add the following line at the end:
deb http://www.nomis52.net/data/debian ./
Install the packages:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install liblla0 llad llad-console lla-examples
Test the installation
With your dongle connected as in section 3, you're now ready to test. Connect a DMX device up to your dongle, make sure you know the channel number it's on, make sure it's working correctly, make sure you got the polarity in your DMX lead right, etc. etc. Being sure that the dongle/hardware/software combination is the only weak link will save a lot of hair-pulling...
First, start the daemon:
sudo llad
Next, find out what number the OpenDMX device is:
lla_dev_info
you should get something like:
Device 2: Open DMX USB Device
If you can't see 'Open DMX USB Device' in there somewhere, then you haven't got the kernel driver installed properly. Go straight to jail, do not pass go.
Assuming everything is OK, you need to patch this device so we can use it:
lla_patch -d2 -p0 -u0
(replace -d2 with whichever device number is your Open DMX USB)
now do:
lla_dev_info
and it should say
Device 2: Open DMX USB Device
port 0, cap OUT, universe 1
Finally:
lla_dmxconsole
and play with the console!
Don't forget to remove your test patch afterwards:
lla_patch -r -d2 -p0 -u0
Download and install the latest build of QLC
Finally! There are Ubuntu/Debian packages, but at the time of writing they're not the most up-to-date and don't include the LLA plugin. You could compile from source, but the most recent RPM packages work fine and save time and hassle.
cd ~/dmx-software
wget http://rpms.netmindz.net/FC6/i386/RPMS.netmindz/qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm
(browse through the packages on that server and find the most recent qlc build if the above command fails)
sudo alien qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm
wait a long time... (don't worry about the warnings)... then:
sudo dpkg -i qlc-2.6.1-2.fc6.i386.rpm
sudo apt-get install libqt3-mt
Now try it:
sudo qlc &
QLC should run OK. Don't get too excited yet, there's one more step...
Put it all together
We now need a script that will start the lla daemon, patch the adaptor to the DMX universe (QLC uses 1 by default, LLA uses 0) and start QLC. This should do it:
- !/bin/bash
gksudo killall llad sleep 2s sudo llad sleep 5s sudo lla_patch -d2 -p0 -u1 sleep 2s sudo qlc &
save it as something memorable (I use qlc-start) and make sure it's executable:
chmod u+x qlc-start
and you're away!