Art-Net Fixture Cues

Art-Net fixture cues control DMX lighting fixtures from the timeline. They combine a fixture definition with tween-based automation and output Art-Net DMX data at 44 frames per second. Embed DMX channel control alongside visual and audio cues on the same timeline.

What Art-Net fixture cues are

An Art-Net fixture cue is a Media cue with Art-Net options in its properties. The cue references an Art-Net Fixture asset that defines the fixture's channel layout. The cue's tween data drives each channel's value over time. At playback, WATCHOUT evaluates the tween values for every active fixture channel and transmits them as Art-Net DMX packets on the network.

The key components are:

• Fixture asset - defines the fixture type, its available modes, and the channels within each mode.
• Cue addressing - specifies which Art-Net universe and start channel the fixture occupies.
• Tween automation - each channel is controlled by an Art-Net tween keyframe, using any of the 31 easing curves.
• Optional recording - pre-captured DMX data layers on top of tween values.

A single timeline cue drives one fixture instance across its full channel range with frame-accurate automation.

Fixture definitions

Every Art-Net fixture cue is backed by an Art-Net Fixture asset that describes the fixture's identity and capabilities.

The fixture definition contains:

Field	Purpose
Name	Fixture name
Long Name	Descriptive long name
Short Name	Abbreviated name for compact UI display
Description	Fixture description
Fixture Type ID	Unique identifier for the fixture type
Modes	List of available fixture modes

Each fixture mode defines:

Field	Purpose
name	Mode name (e.g., "Coarse (8bit)")
description	Mode description
channels	List of channels available in this mode
relations	Channel relations (leader/follower bindings)

Built-in fixture presets

WATCHOUT ships with two built-in fixture presets:

Preset	Modes
1ch Generic	Coarse (8bit), Fine (16bit), Ultra (24bit), Uber (32bit)
10 ch Generic	Coarse (8bit), Fine (16bit), Ultra (24bit), Uber (32bit)

Use 1ch Generic for single-parameter devices such as dimmers or relay triggers. Use 10 ch Generic for fixtures with multiple independent parameters. Both presets expose all four resolution modes.

The selected mode sets each channel's footprint. In the 10 ch Generic preset at Uber (32-bit), every channel reserves 4 consecutive addresses. Channel 1 starts at the Channel field value, channel 2 at that value plus 4, channel 3 at plus 8, and so on.

Channel resolutions

Each channel in a fixture mode has a resolution that sets its bit depth and how many consecutive DMX addresses it occupies. WATCHOUT supports these channel resolutions:

Resolution	Bit Depth	DMX Addresses	Description
Coarse	8-bit	1	Standard DMX precision; one address per channel
Fine	16-bit	2	High precision; two consecutive addresses
Ultra	24-bit	3	Very high precision; three consecutive addresses
Uber	32-bit	4	Maximum precision; four consecutive addresses
Virtual	-	0	No physical DMX address; internal logic only

Each channel carries common properties:

Property	Purpose
offset	DMX address offset(s) within the fixture's footprint
pretty_name	Name shown in the UI
name	Internal identifier
default	Default channel value
highlight	Highlight value (used for identification during setup)
capabilities	Channel capability descriptors

Creating fixture assets

Before adding a fixture cue to the timeline, create a fixture asset in the Asset Manager.

1. Open the Assets window.
2. Open the add menu and point to New Art-Net Fixture.
3. Select a preset from the submenu (1ch Generic or 10 ch Generic).
4. The fixture asset appears in the Assets window.

Fixture assets are definition files, not media. They appear under the Art-Net Fixtures type in the asset list. See Asset Types for how Art-Net assets are classified.

Adding fixture cues to the timeline

The workflow follows the same pattern as other Media cues (see Adding Media Cues), with fixture-specific configuration afterward:

1. Locate the fixture asset in the Assets window.
2. Drag the fixture asset onto the target timeline at the start time and layer.
3. Drop the cue. The cue is created with default fixture settings.
4. Open the Properties panel for the cue. A Fixture section appears because the cue references an Art-Net Fixture asset.
5. Set the universe and channel to match your DMX infrastructure.
6. Select the fixture mode that matches the physical fixture's operating mode.
7. Add tween keyframes to automate channel values over time. Each fixture channel appears as an Art-Net tween type.
8. Optionally attach a recording to layer pre-captured DMX data onto the tween automation.

Fixture cue properties

When a cue references an Art-Net Fixture asset, the Properties panel shows a Fixture section with these settings:

Setting	Purpose	Notes
Name	Fixture instance name	Identifies this fixture cue
Universe (absolute)	Absolute universe number (0--32767)	See Universe Addressing; the Net, Sub-Net, and Universe fields are read-only and derived from this value
Channel	First DMX address (1--512)	First address for this fixture
Mode	Selects the fixture mode	Determines the active channel layout

Channel relations and a recording source are also part of the cue's Art-Net options. See Channel Relations and Art-Net Recording.

Universe Addressing

WATCHOUT stores an absolute universe number (range 0--32767) for Art-Net addressing. This value maps to the standard Art-Net hierarchy of Net, Sub-Net, and Universe:

Component	Range	Calculation from Absolute Value
Universe	0--15	Absolute value mod 16
Sub-Net	0--15	(Absolute value / 16) mod 16
Net	0--127	Absolute value / 256

In the Fixture section, the Net, Sub-Net, and Universe fields are read-only. Edit the Universe (absolute) field to set the address. The three components update automatically.

For example, absolute universe 289 maps to: Universe = 289 mod 16 = 1, Sub-Net = (289 / 16) mod 16 = 2, Net = 289 / 256 = 1. This is Net 1, Sub-Net 2, Universe 1.

Channel Relations

Channel relations define dependencies between channels within a fixture mode. Each relation specifies:

Field	Purpose
leader	Name of the leader channel
follower	Name of the follower channel
kind	Relation type: Override or Multiply

The two relation types differ:

• Override - the leader channel's value replaces the follower channel's value. The follower's own tween value is ignored.
• Multiply - the leader channel's value is multiplied with the follower channel's value. Use this for a leader dimmer that scales individual channel outputs.

Relations are defined in the fixture mode. Per-cue overrides are stored in the cue's Art-Net options.

Art-Net Recording

Art-Net Recording assets capture live DMX data for playback on the timeline. Use them to replay complex lighting sequences programmed on an external console, or to capture live performance data.

Recording format

Recordings capture a sequence of DMX frames with timestamps:

• Header - metadata describing the recording (version and the set of recorded channels).
• Frames - one entry per captured frame, each with a timestamp and the channel values at that moment.

During optimization, the raw recording is processed into a playback format. WATCHOUT handles the conversion automatically.

How recorded values combine with tween curves

Recorded values do not replace tween automation. They multiply with it. The output value is tween_value * recorded_value / 255:

• A tween value at full (255 for 8-bit) passes the recorded value through unchanged.
• A tween value at half (128) halves the recorded value.
• A tween value of 0 suppresses the recorded value entirely.

Use tween keyframes as a primary intensity control over recorded data.

Output behavior

WATCHOUT transmits Art-Net DMX data at a fixed rate of 44 frames per second. This rate is not configurable.

At each output frame, WATCHOUT:

1. Evaluates every active fixture cue's tween values at the current timeline position.
2. Applies any recording multiplication.
3. Packs the channel values into Art-Net DMX packets addressed to the configured universe and channel.
4. Transmits the packets on the network.

All 31 easing curves are available for fixture channels. The Art-Net tween type uses the same keyframe interpolation and curve selection as other tween types.

Art-Net Recorder application

WATCHOUT includes a standalone Art-Net Recorder application. Its window title is Artnet Recorder.

The recorder captures real-time Art-Net data from one universe. Import the result into WATCHOUT and place it on the timeline as a cue.

Configuration

The top of the application sets the universe to capture, with three parameters:

Parameter	Range
Net	0--127
Subnet	0--15
Universe	0--15

The Channels area shows all 512 channels of one Art-Net universe. Select all channels or pick individual channels to record.

Recording workflow

1. Set the universe (Net, Subnet, Universe) to match the source.
2. Select the channels to record — all 512 or a custom selection.
3. Start recording.
4. Stop the recording.
5. After stopping, jump back, play a preview, save the recording, or discard it.

The recorder saves to an .ndjson file.

Using recordings in WATCHOUT

1. Import the saved .ndjson file by dragging it into the Assets window.
2. Drag the Art-Net recording asset onto a timeline to create a cue.
3. WATCHOUT creates tween layers for each recorded channel.
4. Each recorded channel defaults to its maximum value (100%). Override it as needed.

Art-Net recording cue properties

An Art-Net recording cue is a Media cue with a recording source. It shows the standard Media cue properties (Name, Start Time, Duration, Free Running, Looping, In-time) plus the Fixture addressing (Universe, Channel) and Asset Version.

Channel remapping

The Recording section of the cue's Properties panel has a channel mapping table. It maps each recorded channel to an output channel. Redirect captured data to different addresses without re-recording.

Limitations

• Not supported inside compositions. Place fixture cues on a regular timeline.
• Channels can span universe boundaries. If a fixture's channels extend past DMX address 511, WATCHOUT wraps the remainder into the next universe. This is automatic but can cause address conflicts when adjacent universes are in use.
• Fixed output rate. The 44 FPS Art-Net output rate cannot be changed.

Best Practices

• Lock addressing early. Agree on universe and channel assignments with your lighting team before building fixture cues. Changing addresses after cues are built requires updating every affected cue individually.
• Use the lowest sufficient resolution. Most DMX fixtures operate at 8-bit (Coarse). Selecting Fine, Ultra, or Uber modes on fixtures that do not support high-resolution channels wastes DMX addresses and adds no benefit.
• Name fixture instances descriptively. Use the fixture cue's Name field to identify the physical device (e.g., "House Dimmer Rack A" or "Spot USL"). This makes large shows with many fixture cues navigable.
• Validate on the production network. Art-Net packets are transmitted over the network. Always test fixture output on the same network infrastructure used in production to catch routing, firewall, or subnet issues before the show.
• Use recordings for complex sequences. If a lighting look was programmed on an external console, record it and attach the recording to a fixture cue rather than manually recreating it with tween keyframes. This preserves the original timing and nuance.
• Control recordings with tween curves. Because recorded values multiply with tween values, you can use a simple tween fade to bring a recording in and out without editing the recording data itself.
• Document non-default universe assignments. Record which universe and channel ranges are assigned to which fixtures in your show documentation. This is critical for troubleshooting and show handoff.

Troubleshooting

For Art-Net fixture cue problems (no effect on stage, wrong parameters, universe wrap, no packets on network), see Timeline and Cue Issues → Art-Net Fixture Cues.

Related

• Output Types Overview — choose between an output cue and Art-Net
• Adding Media Cues — Art-Net cues are media cues
• Variables and Variable Cues — drive channels from variables