Canvas2DMX

🚀 Getting Started with Canvas2DMX

Canvas2DMX lets you map pixels from your Processing sketch directly to DMX fixtures in real-time.
This quickstart will guide you through installation and your first test sketch.

1. Requirements

Processing 4.x
DMX4Artists library by Jayson-H
Compatible DMX controller (ENTTEC USB Pro, SP201E, etc.)
macOS / Windows / Linux with USB DMX adapter

2. Installation

Install the DMX4Artists library in Processing:
- Open Processing → Sketch → Import Library → Add Library…
- Search for DMX4Artists and install.

Download or clone the Canvas2DMX library:

git clone https://github.com/jshaw/Canvas2DMX.git

Copy the built library folder into your Processing libraries directory:
```
Documents/Processing/libraries/
```
Restart Processing. You should now see Canvas2DMX listed under Sketch → Import Library.

3. Your First Sketch

Create a new Processing sketch and paste the following code:

import com.studiojordanshaw.canvas2dmx.*;
import com.jaysonh.dmx4artists.*;

Canvas2DMX c2d;
DMXControl dmxController;

void settings() {
  size(200, 200);
  pixelDensity(1);
}

void setup() {
  c2d = new Canvas2DMX(this);
  // Map one LED at the center
  c2d.setLed(0, width/2, height/2);
}

void draw() {
  // Animate background color
  background(frameCount % 255, 100, 200);

  // Get LED colors (samples canvas)
  int[] colors = c2d.getLedColors();

  // Visualize in a small swatch
  c2d.visualize(colors);

  // Show LED marker
  c2d.showLedLocations();
  
  // Send to DMX only if controller is connected
  if (dmxController != null) {
    c2d.sendToDmx((ch, val) -> dmxController.sendValue(ch, val));
  }
}

Run the sketch — you’ll see LED markers drawn over your canvas, with sampled colors shown in a visualization strip at the bottom.

4. Next Steps

Try the examples included with the library:
- Basics — minimal LED mapping demo
- StripMapping — mapping a line of LEDs
- InteractiveDemo — drag shapes and see DMX output in real-time
Check out:
- Advanced Features (gamma correction, channel patterns)
- Troubleshooting if your DMX isn’t working

✅ That’s it! You’re ready to build interactive Processing sketches that control DMX lighting in real time.

📚 Learn More

Canvas2DMX — repo link
Getting Started — installation and first sketch
Troubleshooting — common issues and fixes
Develop — contributing and building from source
Release — packaging and Contribution Manager

📜 License

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