LightDesigner provides basic and advanced levels of programming complexity. Both user access levels have the same layout and programming displays. The main difference between the two levels are the control elements that are displayed.
To effectively use the program, in whichever programming mode you choose, it is very important to understand the display features, tools, and the basics of its functionality and navigation.
LightDesigner allows multiple projects to be combined into a single Server Project that spans multiple systems. LightDesigner offers configuration of up to a maximum of 64 Paradigm Architectural Control Processors (P-ACP) which can span across up to 72 different projects. Each project must contain at least one Paradigm ACP, but not more than 12 Paradigm Processors are allowed per project. A Server Project must include a Paradigm Central Control Server (P‑CCS).
For more information about system capacities, reference System Requirements and Capacities.
The Energy Management features of Paradigm server systems (version 4.0 and later) include the collection and calculation of energy consumption data and the management of its connected loads through Demand Response load shedding.
These features are a common specification request and its use is likely to grow as Internet of Things (IoT) becomes more widely adopted and the need to share information from a lighting system becomes mandatory.
Reference Energy Management for more information and configuration details.
Beginning in version 5.1.0, communication of time‑related adjustments (such timezone and daylight saving time settings) for Paradigm systems over a network are fundamentally different than previous releases. Some fundamental changes that are important to understand include:
Any Paradigm Processor (P‑ACP) that is a member of a standalone project with a configured time server or is part of a server project (regardless of external time server settings) does not allow setting time, timezone, or daylight saving time (DST) from its facepanel. The information is shown on the facepanel is read-only information.
For systems previously identified,
All changes to timezone and daylight saving time (DST) for the systems identified above must be made through LightDesigner and the configuration must be uploaded to the processors and Central Control Server (when utilized in a server project).
Note: For Paradigm server systems that intend to change the timezone or DST settings, you must secondarily make adjustments to the Net3 Conductor.