How to control Enttec Open DMX USB via Python?

Question:

I’m wondering is that possible to control lights connected to Enttec Open DMX USB via Python shell. If it is, how to?

Asked By: Petja

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Answers:

The Open Lighting Project (formerly known as opendmx) provides a Python API, as part of their Open Lighting Architecture (OLA), for use the OpenDMX USB on OSX and Linux. If you’re on Windows then I’ve not found anything apart from the code from Enttec’s website which uses the FTD2XX.DLL libraries.

However it should be noted that one cannot use normal serial based libraries (pyserial etc). Basically OLA either needs to use a special kernel module on Linux, or use the generic FTDI non-serial kernel driver in combination with libftdi on Mac or Linux – for details see their device specific page. There is now pre-built support for Raspberry Pi’s on the OLA website.

The communication and protocols used are completely different from Enttec Pro range (which one can just control using simple serial commands with something like pyserial, though OLA also talks to them too).

Answered By: Pierz

I know this is quite an old post, however DmxPy has worked very well for me the last few months. It only works for Python 2 but I know there’s some Python 3 ports out there.

It’s stupid simple to use. I personally use it in my companies quality control software. While it only work for DMX (not RDM) I think it’s much easier to use than OLA’s Python Wrapper. It works flawlessly with our ENTTEC as well!

UPDATE: Here’s my Python 3 port: https://github.com/trevordavies095/DmxPy

Answered By: ltd9938

I had the exact same problem, so I wrote a simple python programm for all those that are running windows; have a look: https://github.com/Coronon/PyOpenDmxUsb

It uses a C# Server (Because their C# interface was the only one that worked for me) and a Python Client and is super easy to use.

It is compatible with the non pro version too. (The Pro Version is way easier to use and I would use the AcceptedAnswer instead [But the normal one isnt supported])

Edit: This may be ‘advertisement’ but my project is Open-Source and super easy to use, so I believe this can be useful to others 🙂

Answered By: Coronon
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