Mapping the Pixel Forest

It's easy for designers to get lost in the forest of LED mapping systems. ENTTEC, working hand in hand with LightJams developer Mathieu Jacques, has created a solution that gives users a clear path through the trees: E.L.M., the ENTTEC LED Mapper. This new, Windows based software supports up to 512 DMX universes. "It will revolutionize the control of LED tape, and allow projects to grow far larger than was previously considered the limit using ArtNet or sACN control from a lighting console," says Jeremy Kumin, GM of ENTTEC Americas.

The E.L.M. comes in three versions -- 16 universes, 96 universes, and the 512 universe version. There will be three levels of licensing: the Student edition controls 16 universes worth of LEDs, which is 2,720 pixels; the Professional edition controls 96 universes - 16,320 pixels, and the Architectural edition encompasses up to 512 universes, which is 87,040 pixels. The E.L.M. gives designers total control over their LED systems, regardless of shape and size.

Layouts are created with vector-based objects that can be quickly resized, stretched, deformed, or moved around on the screen. Shows can be built in stages, and those stages can be layered on top of one another. The E.L.M. also provides designers with a pixel map that reflects what the pixel strips look like in reality.

The ENTTEC E.L.M. enables designers to easily import a variety of files into the design. Video files, still images, camera feed, and live streams can be moved into the slots in the E.L.M. library. A professional video loop library is included as well.

Another strength of the E.L.M is playback. Any show can be played back with live designer interaction, giving users the ability to change designs on the fly. Scheduled playback, including high definition files, is another option. The E.L.M. also has DMX control from any lighting console.

RGB, RGBW, and white fixtures are all naturally supported by the E.L.M. There are color output filters, and an auto shutdown feature during the daylight. In case of issues, there's a troubleshooting mode that helps designers sort out questions and get back to the business of designing.

The E.L.M. is, of course, compatible with the entire family of ENTTEC products. Kumin says, "The E.L.M. LED Mapper is the perfect accompaniment to the Pixelator, the Phero 30 RGB Pixel Bar, as well as all of our LED pixel tape and pixel dots. ENTTEC can give a customer an end-to-end solution with our brand name on it. This is a huge development for the firm, and it happens to be a really elegant, easy, and fun-to-use program."

The new ENTTEC E.L.M can be found supporting the Pixel Punk Revolution at LDI at Booth 161.