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Setup JMRI

• Preparing to Install

Getting Started

• What is DCC?
• What DCC systems will DecoderPro work with?
• What hardware do I need?
• How do I start the program?
• How do I start DecoderPro® program for the First Time User?
• How do I set up my Preferences?

Using DecoderPro

• How do I set up to program a decoder?

DecoderPro Programming Modes

• Single CV Programmer
• Service Mode Programmer
• Ops Mode Programming

The Basic Programmer

• Entering Locomotives in the "Roster"
• The basic programmer
• Reading the data from the decoder
• Entering and editing new data
• Writing the new data to the decoder
• Saving the new data to a file
• What if I need to do more?

The Comprehensive Programmer

• Setup and Roster Panes
• Expanded Basic Pane
• Motor Control Pane
• Speed Control Pane
• Speed Table Pane
• Function Mapping Pane
• Lights Pane
• Consisting Pane
• Advanced Features Pane
• Analog Controls Pane
• Sound Pane
• Sound Levels Pane
• Global CV Pane
• Manufacturer-Specific Pane
• Printing the Decoder Data

Advanced Features

• Function Labels Pane
• Roster Media

DecoderPro® Main Window

• Menu Bar
• Toolbar
• Roster Table
• Decoder Information
• Status Bar

Error Messages

• Error Codes explained

Getting Started with DecoderPro®

How to set up Preferences

The current JMRI Preferences Help is here.

From the Edit menu in DecoderPro select Preferences. On Mac OS X choose Preferences... from the DecoderPro application menu. This window may open automatically the first time you run the program.

As a first time user the most important information is the Connections screen where you describe how the computer will talk to the command station. Most of rest you can leave at the initial or "default" settings until you find a need to change things to suit your fancy.

Most importantly, you must click to finalize your settings and then re-start the program to have them take effect.

The Preferences window provides access to the basic configuration information to connect your computer to your DCC system. You will be using that system to actually program and operate trains equipped with DCC decoders. An important concept to keep in mind is that JMRI is nothing more than a very smart throttle. If you can do something with your throttle you can probably do it faster and easier with JMRI. However, if your system can't do what you want, either because your system is not connected properly (it's broken) or the system manufacturer did not incorporate that capability, then JMRI will not be able to do it either. In the latter case JMRI will probably give you an error message or have the command "greyed out" to help you identify why it can't accomplish your request.

The window is split into two panes, on the left side is a list of preference groups that may be set. Clicking on one of the items opens the options that may be set in the right side pane. No selection have been made

Connections	Allows you to select the system connection that you are using for controlling DCC and the connection to your computer. This is the only required preferences to define your DCC system. The rest of the features are used to customize your specific system.
Defaults	Shows system default settings
File Locations	Set default location for saving User files and Script Files
Start Up	Allows you to set Actions, Buttons, Files and Scripts that run at Start Up
Display	Allows you to select your computer display mode
Messages	Set default actions for system message when displayed
Roster	Allows you to set your default Programmer and roster location
Throttle	Allows you to set up you Throttle preferences
Wi Throttle	Allows you to set up a Wi Throttle settings
JSON Server	The JMRI Json Servlet provides web access to lists and values for numerous JMRI-defined entities, in the modern JSON format.
Web Server	Sets up the Decoder Pro® miniServer

Now we will set up preferences for the JMRI environment with your command station.

I am using a Digitrax Super Chief Command Station (radio) interfaced to the computer via LocoNet, PR3 (MS100 mode) and USB port. I keep master roster on the System Drive.;

Connections Pane (TABS are configured to the system your selected)

Now select Connections and connection options display in right pane. After saved and restarted, the TAB will read LocoNet. This the set up for Digitrax Chief system with PR3 interface.

System manufacturer:	Drop-down list with all the supported DCC manufacturers, select the manufacturer of your system.
System connection:	Drop-down list with all of the supported DCC system interfaces supported by the manufacturer that you selected, select the interface that you are using.
Settings:	Serial Port:	Drop-down list to select the serial port to which your DCC interface is connected. If you do not know, check your system hardware configuration manual. A second drop-down list may include a selection if there are more than one possibility. possibilityDrop-down list to select the serial port to which your DCC interface is connected. If you do not know, check your system hardware configuration manual. A second drop-down list may include a selection if there are more than one possibility
	Command station type:	Drop-down list to select the command station type that JMRI will be using to send your DCC commands.
	Connection prefix	Include the prefix for your connection, in the case shown the "L" is default
	Connection name	Should default to the connection used

Additional Connection Settings, if checked:

will disable all the connection settings.

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Defaults Pane

Shows the default settings which will depend upon the system used.

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File locations Pane

User File Locations	Select the location for your user files on your system
Jython Script Location	Set the location of Jython Script files

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Start Up Pane

Start Up preferences allow windows and files to be opened, scripts to be run, and additional buttons to be placed on the main window when the application starts.

Click the Add ▾ button and select the type of start up action to add. The new action will be added last.

Start up action order is important. In most cases, scripts should be the last items in the start up order. Start up order can be changed by selecting a start up item and moving it up or down in the list.

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Display Panes

GUI TAB

Select your preferred appearance for buttons, menus, etc.	Metal
	Windows Classic
	CDE/Motif
	Windows
	Nimbus
Select font size in points	Select font size [12] points
If you experience clicks not working, select	Use non-standard release event for mouse click?

Locale TAB

Drop-down list to select your location and language

Console TAB

Display settings for the JMRI system console.

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Messages Panes

TABS and selections can be used to set how and when messages are displayed.

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Roster Panes

Programmer TAB

Used to set the preferred decoder programmer.

Roster TAB

You may set the default location of the locomotive roster and the default owners name.

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Throttle Pane

Select throttle startup conditions, shown are defaults, but you may change the settings.

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WiThrottle Pane

This pane allows WiThrottle users to customize the setup.

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JSON Server Pane

The JMRI Json Servlet provides web access to lists and values for numerous JMRI-defined entities, in the modern JSON format.

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Web Server Pane

Use this pane to setup MinServer if you are using it.

Ajax is now in use for smoother image refresh and clicking. For older browser you may want to unselect Ajax.

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Before you exit the preferences, Click on button to save all your selections.

You must restart DecoderPro for preferences to take effect

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