Dealing with DMX LED Decoders

Hey all,

I have a question about DMX Decoders for LEDs.

I have LED fixtures that are fed from 4x channel decoders. When I change the address of the decoder, I'd like the 4x fixtures that are fed by that decoder, to change their addresses as well. Very much as though I were to change the address of a dimmer rack. The fixtures plugged into the dimmer would (if I turned that feature on) change their addresses with their output/circuit number associated with the pack. All good so far. However, I ALSO want to DRAW the decoders in Vectorworks and treat them like a fixture too. My plots need to include the decoder placement and my paperwork needs to include the properties that are unique to the decoder that don't neccessarily track with the fixtures plugged into them.

So far, my solution is to draw decoders, give them a fixture (channel) number of "D1". I've called a user definable perameter, "Fixture outputs" then just type in the fixture numbers that patch to D1. Say fixtures "1401-1404"
THEN I draw some LED fixtures and in one of their user defineable perameters, I put "Decoder" and write "D1"

This way, I can search for the fixture and find out which decoder it gets its data/power from. Each fixture has its own info and I can see that that decoder is now full. No more outputs available.
AND
I can search for the decoder and see which fixtures it supplies. I can make a label with address, circuiting info. I can on that label indicate what fixtures patch there.


Still no ACTUAL problem. Feels like I'm doing double work but... eh, here we are. Such is life




My REAL problem is when I need to CHANGE the addresses of the decoder. When I do, I would LOVE the fixtures to track with their decoder. Frequently, I have to move the decoder to other universes or addresses. Then, find the 4x fixtures that patch to that decoder and change their addresses. Sure, sounds like I'm whining. But when I have dozens, and the fixtures from the decoders aren't consecutive, and some of the decoders have 32 outputs, and some of the fixtures are multi-perameter (RGB, RGBA, WwCw etc) it starts to get..... risky.

So to sum up.

I have to draw the decoders.
The decoders need to be fixtures.
The decoders have properties that are different to the fixtures they feed.

I have to draw the fixtures.
They need the source decoder name AND the "circuit" output number (Generally 1-4, but could be as many as 1-32)


And when I change the decoder, I need all the fixtures to match to the decoder, as though it was a dimmer pack.




Thoughts?