Desktop Clarity
Clarity
Operator Manual
Page 6
3
Desktop (PC or MAC) Clarity
3.1
OVERVIEW
Desktop
The desktop version of Clarity consists of a software application and optional control surfaces
and interfaces. In its simplest form, Clarity can be run with just a computer where control is via
a Graphical User Interface (GUI) or Command Line input and output is via ArtNet (DMX over
Ethernet). Hardware can be added in the form of USB to DMX adaptors and USB Playback and
Programming wings that also include DMX outputs.
The desktop version of Clarity is available for both PC and MAC operating systems. Purchased
versions of Clarity desktop include a USB dongle (HASP) that you plug into a USB port of the
same computer that is running Clarity or into the secure compartment in the rear of a VX10 or
VX20 wing. When you start Clarity, it reads the license from the dongle and automatically
enables the channel capability that you have purchased. Multiple dongles can be plugged in at
the same time to increase your available DMX channels.
Your Clarity USB Hasp Dongle is a valuable item. Without it, Clarity will operate in “Demo
Mode” as described below. Therefore you should care for it as you would any other valuable
piece of equipment. LSC recommends that you insure your USB Hasp Dongle against loss, theft
or damage as LSC cannot supply a replacement in these circumstances.
3.1.1
Software
The Clarity software contained on the Clarity CD is also available as a download from the LSC
website,
www.lsclighting.com
.
Both the CD and downloaded versions are identical although both LSC Lighting Systems (Aust)
Pty. Ltd. and OpenClear Pty. Ltd. have a corporate policy of continuous improvement. To
achieve this goal, we undertake to release software updates for all products on a regular basis.
In light of this policy, the website might contain a later version of Clarity than the version on
your CD or in your console. Please check the web site for the latest version of Clarity software.
3.2
INSTALLING CLARITY ON A PC
When using a PC type of computer, LSC recommends running Clarity on Windows Vista
©,
Windows 7
©,
or
Windows 8
©
operating systems.
Note: The Clarity software and device drivers must be installed before connecting any QX DMX
nodes or VX wings to your computer.
Install the software by double-clicking on the Clarity installation file supplied on the CD or
downloaded from the LSC website (
www.lsclighting.com
).
Note: The name of the Clarity installation file will be different depending on which version of
software you are loading but will be of the form Clarity-PC-x.y.z.exe where x.y.z is the version
number of the software.
Windows will ask you if you want to allow Clarity to make changes to your computer. Click
Yes
and the “LSC Clarity Setup” dialog box appears.