RDM Templates

RDM Templates

RDM Templates save a fixture's configuration and automatically apply it to matching devices on discovery. This enables hands-free commissioning of replacement fixtures and consistent configuration across a fleet.

What a Template Stores

• DMX start address (optional)
• DMX personality (with all available modes cached for offline editing)
• Device label
• Lamp hours warning limit
• Device hours warning limit (for LED fixtures without lamp hours)
• Firmware version (for mismatch detection)
• All E1.37-1 dimmer parameters (curve, output response time, modulation frequency, maximum level)

Templates are keyed by manufacturer ID and device model ID — they match any fixture of the same model regardless of its UID.

Creating a Template

1. Select a device in the RDM tree
2. Open the Templates tab in the inspector
3. Click Save Template

The current configuration of the selected device is saved. If a template already exists for that model, it is updated (extended settings from the previous template are preserved).

DMX Address per Model

Each template stores an optional DMX start address, editable directly in the template table. A global toggle — Apply DMX address when using templates — controls whether the address is sent to devices.

This is useful for warehouse testing where every fixture of a model should start on the same channel.

Personality Offline Editing

When saving a template, all available personalities (modes) are cached — not just the currently active one. This means you can change the personality in the template table or settings dialog even when the fixture is offline. The dropdown shows every mode with its description and channel count, just as it would with the device connected.

Templates saved with older versions that only stored the active personality are upgraded automatically — the single cached mode is shown in the dropdown, and the full list is populated the next time the device is discovered.

Lamp Hours Limit

Set a warning threshold in the template table. When a discovered device exceeds this value:

• The device name turns orange in the tree
• The Info tab highlights lamp hours in red
• If Alert Identify is enabled, the fixture enters identify mode automatically

Device Hours Limit

Same concept as Lamp Hours Limit, but for LED fixtures that don't report lamp hours. Set a device hours threshold in the "Device Limit" column of the template table. The warning only activates when lamp hours are zero (i.e. the fixture doesn't have a lamp).

Firmware Mismatch Warning

Templates capture the firmware version at save time. When applying to a device running different firmware:

• A warning dialog explains that personalities or behaviour may have changed
• The Model column shows orange in the template table
• Auto-apply logs mismatches to the transaction log

Auto-Apply on Discovery

Enable the Auto-Apply toggle to automatically apply templates to newly discovered devices matching a saved manufacturer/model pair. This enables hands-free commissioning — connect a replacement fixture and it receives the correct address, personality, and label automatically.

Alert Identify

Enable the Alert Identify toggle to automatically put fixtures into RDM Identify mode when:

• A firmware mismatch is detected
• The lamp hours or device hours limit is exceeded

The fixture flashes on the rig so the technician can locate it without checking the screen — essential for pre-show checks in large installations.

Manual Apply

Select a device and click Apply Template to apply the stored configuration manually. This is useful for selective deployment without auto-apply.

Template Management

• Templates are stored as JSON and persist between sessions
• Delete a template by selecting it and pressing the Delete key (with confirmation)
• Templates appear in the template table with manufacturer, model, address, personality, lamp hours limit, device hours limit, and firmware version columns
• Fetch All button in the toolbar fetches extended info for every discovered device at once — populates all personality lists, operating hours, and sensor data without clicking each fixture individually. Shows a progress bar and can be cancelled