Reviewed and corrected September 21, 2026.
DMXSmartLink's Follow Spot workflow provides manual steering of a compatible moving head. An operator watches the performer and adjusts the beam. This is not a claim of automatic person tracking, and a moving head does not necessarily match a dedicated follow spot's optics or handling.
Prepare the fixture
- Select the exact fixture and DMX mode. Confirm pan, tilt and any fine channels against the fixture manual.
- Open Follow Spot from a device that can reach the HUB.
- Select the intended fixture and start with conservative movement speed.
- Test direction, stopping and travel limits in a clear area.
Track and Aim serve different purposes
Where offered by your installed version, Track uses directional movement while Aim selects a position. Rehearse both before deciding which suits the operator. Fine control helps with small corrections, but the usable resolution also depends on the fixture and profile.
Mounting orientation can change how controls feel. Test pan and tilt separately and configure the relevant inversion controls. Do not assume every fixture hung upside down needs exactly the same inversion.
Controllers and additional channels
Game-controller support depends on the controller, operating system, connection path and software version. Connect it using the documented method and confirm detection. Use the displayed mapping rather than assuming every Xbox or PlayStation device works without setup.
Dimmer, shutter, color, zoom and focus controls are useful only when the fixture actually exposes those capabilities and the profile maps them correctly. Do not send arbitrary values to reset or maintenance channels.
Rehearse loss of control
Test releasing the control, losing the network connection and reopening the page. Check that scenes or external input are not competing for the same movement channels. Keep an operator ready to stop movement or return to a known scene. Follow the fixture's installation and beam-safety guidance; test away from people.
Check your version and your lights
DMXSmartLink runs on supported macOS, Windows 11, Ubuntu and Raspberry Pi 5 systems, or on a preconfigured HUB. It accepts Art-Net and sACN input and provides Art-Net output; physical DMX requires a supported interface. Smart-light functions depend on the model and integration, including Homebridge or Home Assistant. The bundled Home Assistant companion on Pi/Ubuntu is experimental. Cloud integrations require internet; local paths have their own compatibility requirements.
See current capabilities and beta limitations and compare setups. Use the free 14-day trial, with no credit card required, to test your actual lights. Current prices and included items are on the product pages.
