Each light controller has embedded intelligence that controls dimming, ramping, fading, patterns, and a number of other lighting effects. These are all handled locally, relieving the handling of tedious details on the controlling computer or stand alone Monster Brain Animation Processor. 

The light controllers are connected together in a network using standard Category-5 LAN cables or wireless radios.

In this type network configuration, one command can instruct a lighting controller to perform complex lighting effects on a specific channel.  The controllers also have the ability to memorize scenes and groups allowing multiple lights to be controlled by a single command. This allows complex effects to be predefined across multiple controllers and triggered simultaneously.

Animated Lighting’s controllers are meant to be part of an intelligent distributed network of animation controllers. Other controllers on this network can include digital controllers, servo controllers, and sound controllers.

With your computer or our stand alone Monster Brain Animated Processor in control, an Animated Lighting physical network consists of industry standard RS485 protocol over standard cabling. The total network length can be up to 4000’ (or longer with repeaters). Wireless options are also available.

Built-in Lighting Effects

Because Animated Lighting controllers have a built-in processors, issuing a simple command puts the light channels to work.

• Ramp: The ramp effect turns on the on the output of the light controller to the specified on level. The Ramp effect uses the ramp Rate when turned on, and the Fade rate when turned off.

• Fade: The fade effect controls how fast a lighting channel travels from its current level to completely off. The Fade effect uses the Fade rate.

• Blink: The blink effect turns on and off a light on the output of the light controller at a specified rate. The Blink effect uses the Ramp rate, Fade rate, and Blink rate.

• Pop-Fade: The pop-fade effect turns on the light or group of lights instantly then fades to off at the specified fade rate. The Pop-Fade effect uses the Pop-Fade rate.

• Reverse-Pop Fade: The rev-pop fade effect turns an already on light off instantly then ramps back to the on level. The Rev-Pop Fade effect uses the Rev-Pop rate.

• Sparkle: When used with an individual light, the sparkle effect will pop fade the light at random times. When used with a group, the sparkle effect will pop fade individual lights in a group at random times. The Sparkle effect uses the Sparkle rate.

• Flicker: The Flicker effect make the light or group of lights appear to look like a burning candle. When used with groups the lights will flicker individually. The Flicker effect uses the Flicker rate.

• Shimmer: The Shimmer effect varies the intensity of the lights connected to the light controller. When used with groups the shimmer effect the light will shimmer simultaneously. The Shimmer effect uses the Shimmer rate.

Stand Alone Macros

Macros are small programs the user can define and store on individual light controllers.  These are incredibly useful if you need a controller to be stand alone and not connected to the entire network.  The most popular macro use is with our 4 channel controller and wreaths with four different colored strings of lights.  The wreaths will change color independently and in any sequence you can imaging.

Macros are used for several purposes:

• A macro can run whenever the controller is turned on. This is useful if the board will be used in standalone mode.

• Macros can be run from ACL programs. This is useful for storing pre-defined sequences. Then you only need to issue one command and the board will run by independently.