Displaying A Dali Line

At the heart of Commission Tool is a very powerful Device Tree.  Selections in this tree control many of the software functions.  The Device Tree is designed with speed and comprehensive management in mind.  

Scanning the DALI Line

At the bottom of the Device Tree are controls to scan the Line.  

Three scan levels are supported.  Dali Scan will retrieve the device address and naming data (Stored in Dali Memory).  Quick Dali Scan will only discover whether a device exists at a certain address.  No naming data will be retrieved.  Devices will be listed according to device type.  Finally, Detailed Dali Scan retrieves all user configurable settings from the device.  Several functions for CT rely on a detailed scan in order to display information.   In future revisions it will be possible to sort the device tree by many of these variables. 

If you are only interested in ascertaining whether a device still exists on the network, the Quick Dali Scan remains the quickest method of verification.  Each type of scan can be instantly stopped by clicking the button again.  If you are expecting a string of devices with no missing devices, CT can also finish scanning at the first missing device (e.g. if 0,1,2,3 and 4 are addressed and there is no device at 5, ticking the Stop If Device Hole checkbox will cause the scan to stop once address 5 is reached).

Viewing the DALI Line

By default, devices are listed in Address order.  Options for Fitting View (multi device Fitting), Location View (Store in Dali Memory) and Detailed (all variables) view are a click away.  Simply select the appropriate view to try it out.

Location View uses data stored in Dali Memory via the Dali Memory Tab.  An expandable list of devices, sorted into their locations, provides a useful way to classify devices.

To view the E-Dali Line, either use the Switch To E-Dali View button or choose Split View. Split view will display a split view of both the Dali and E-Dali devices on the Line.  The regular switch button will display only the selected addressing method.  You can return to the other views by using the same buttons. These will dynamically change to indicate the previously available view.

Moving Devices Between DALI and E-DALI

In compatible E-DALI peripherals, moving a device to and from the E-DALI Bus is as easy as clicking the -> and <- buttons.  Rescanning is not necessary as stored, scanned values will be remembered for this device.

Recalling A Scan

By default, Commission Tool is designed to archive the last DALI and E-DALI line scan, respectively.  Should the program be interrupted or the system OS experience an error, one can simply rerun Commission Tool and Recall Last Scan.  The Device Tree will be repopulated with the values for the last scan.   This feature cuts down on unnecessary, time-consuming rescans of the line.

Selection of Devices

Left-Clicking on a device selects the device.  This selection is used in a number of Tabs for manipulation of variables such as Groups and Scenes and address moves.

Double-Clicking on a device triggers a flash routine for visual identification.

Right-Clicking on a device brings up a device-dependent menu.  For manipulation of a device's variables, select the ever-present Device Data Window.  This will bring up the window to adjust variables for the device. Depending on the device type, there may be options such as easy access to lighting controls for ballasts, as pictured below.