GDTFLINK

GDTFLINK links the lighting blocks in your drawing to GDTF fixture files, either files you already have on your PC or files from GDTF Share. It then places the DMX blocks on the fixtures, the same way DMXAUTOINSERT does, and records the GDTF file and the GDTF mode on them. Fixtures that already have a DMX block get the GDTF information on that block. The MVR export packs the linked GDTF files.

Starting

• Type GDTFLINK on the command line.
• You can select blocks first to limit the run to those blocks.

How it works

1. The command collects the blocks with Post Licht: in model space and inside other blocks (not xrefs), grouped per block name. If there are none you get No blocks with Post "Licht" found in the drawing. (or None of the selected blocks has Post "Licht". when you made a selection).
2. The window GDTFLINK - link fixtures to GDTF opens and searches your local GDTF files and the downloaded GDTF Share list for every block type. There is one row per block type:
   • the checkbox on the left: place or update DMX blocks for this block type.
   • Block: the name, how many are in the drawing (and how many already have a DMX block) and the description.
   • Spot-Info: the manufacturer and fixture of the matching Spot-Info row, if any.
   • GDTF: the GDTF that was found. Open the drop-down to choose another one, or choose (no GDTF).
   • Source: where the file comes from (see the table below).
   • Mode: the GDTF mode for this block type.
3. Check the rows. Where a search gave several close matches the row is marked with a warning sign, pick the right one. To search by hand, select a row, type for example Martin MAC Ultra Performance at Search for selected block: and press Enter.
4. Click Download & place DMX. Files you do not have yet are downloaded first. If you chose rows marked with a warning sign you are asked to confirm.
5. The DMX blocks for the fixtures without one are placed with a live preview, the same as DMXAUTOINSERT: set the numbering and patch in the DMX Auto ID — Sort Order window and click OK to keep the result. DMX blocks that were already there get the GDTF information once you confirm.
6. The command reports what it did, for example GDTFLINK: GDTF set on 12 existing DMX block(s).

The default choice for a row is, in this order: the GDTF already on the DMX blocks of that block type, the pairing remembered from an earlier run, the best search result. Weak results are only suggestions.

Options

Control	What it does
Refresh index	Downloads the full GDTF Share fixture list and keeps it on your PC, so searching is fast and works offline. Needs a free GDTF Share account
Edit pairings	Shows the saved block-to-GDTF pairings. Select pairings and click Remove selected to let the search choose again next time, then Save
Account…	Sign in to GDTF Share with another account
Search	Searches for the selected row with the text you typed
(no GDTF)	In the GDTF drop-down. Removes the GDTF link from the DMX blocks of that block type
Download & place DMX	Downloads missing files and goes on to place and update the DMX blocks

What the Source column can show:

Source	Meaning
✓ Local	The file is on this PC
⬇ Download	The file is downloaded from GDTF Share when you continue
(linked) after the label	The GDTF comes from an earlier pairing
⚠ N options / ⚠ check after the label	Several close matches, check the choice
⚠ N suggestion(s), pick one	Only weak matches: pick one from the GDTF drop-down yourself, or search by hand
Not found	No GDTF found. Refresh the index or search by hand
= Keep current (file not on this PC)	The DMX blocks keep their GDTF, new DMX blocks get none

Settings

• Your choices are remembered per block type. The pairings are saved in the SCAD Database folder, so everyone who uses that folder shares them.
• The Mode defaults to the remembered mode, otherwise the Spot-Info mode (same name or same number of channels), otherwise the first mode of the GDTF.
• New DMX blocks take their Mode and Channels from the chosen GDTF mode. For DMX blocks that already exist, the mode with the same number of channels is chosen, so the patch stays valid. If the numbers differ you get a note to check the patch.