Process Engines

Process Engines

Process engines are the core of DMXRouter. Each engine takes one or more DMX inputs, merges them according to a selected mode, and produces one output. You can run up to 512 engines simultaneously.

Creating an Engine

1. Go to the Engines panel (Alt+2)
2. Click the + button in the toolbar
3. Choose a name for the engine
4. The merge editor opens — configure inputs and output

Engine Configuration

Each engine has:

• Name — a user-friendly label
• Mode — the merge algorithm (see Merge Modes)
• Inputs — up to 4 DMX sources, each with protocol, universe, and interface selection
• Output — the destination protocol, universe, and interface
• Master — output level scaling from 0% to 100%
• Enable/Disable — toggle the engine without losing its configuration

Configuring Inputs

Each input specifies:

• Protocol — Art-Net or sACN
• Universe — the source universe number
• Interface — which network interface to listen on
• Source IP filter — optionally restrict to a specific sender IP
• Accept Own Data — whether to process packets from DMXRouter's own output
• Accept Preview — whether to accept sACN preview-flagged data

Configuring Output

The output specifies:

• Protocol — Art-Net or sACN
• Universe — the destination universe number
• Interface — which network interface to send on

The Absolute field shows the Art-Net port address + 1, making it easy to cross-reference with console universe numbering.

Per-Engine Features

Failsafe

Controls what happens when all inputs time out:

Mode	Behaviour
Hold	Keep the last received DMX values
Black	Output all zeros
Full	Output all channels at 255
Scene	Play a pre-recorded DMX scene

Startup Buffer

A stored DMX snapshot that is sent while waiting for live sources to appear after launch. Prevents fixtures from going dark during startup.

Channel Patch

A per-channel remap applied after the merge and before output. See Channel Patching for details.

Engine Templates

The Templates button in the toolbar creates pre-configured engine batches:

• 8× or 16× Forward (sACN or Art-Net)
• HTP Merge, LTP Merge
• Backup Pair
• X-Fade, Switch

Universe numbers are auto-assigned based on existing engines.

Bulk Operations

Select multiple engines (Ctrl+click or Shift+click) for bulk actions:

• Reroute — swap one network interface for another across all selected engines
• Rename — enter a base name ending in a number (e.g., "Stage 1") and engines are numbered sequentially
• Quick Universe Adjust — Uni −/+ buttons shift the universe number of all selected Forward engines
• Enable/Disable — toggle multiple engines at once