I've searched all over, without any success in finding this answer. I would be totally shocked if this hasn't been answered a million times, but my search skills have let me down. So I apologize in advance for asking this question
What is the most common way to handle scene/mode changes within the home? Im not new to Indigo, but have never had my system where I need it to be in terms of "good" automation. So far we have gotten by with basic Action Groups and using the touch client to manually cycle through devices we wanted to control. However, I have decided to really automate things, and take the system beyond a fancy remote control.
With that said, I haven't found a good way to create scenes efficiently. Ian example I am trying to solve:
1. Asume multiple lights are on in the kitchen, the family room, and surrounding rooms.
2. We want to "Read A Book", which typically happens in the same place in our family room, with the same three lights on
3. Id like to kill all of the kitchen lights, turn on the three family room lights
Ive accomplished this with Action Groups, and explicitly defined each step, such as: "Turn Off Kitchen Table Light", "Turn Off Under Cabinet Light", "Turn Off Main Kitchen", "Turn On Table Lamp" ... etc
Is there a more efficient way to do this, where I can essentially say "Turn off all kitchen"? Ive looked for a way to group all of the kitchen lights together and I must be dense ..because I haven't found the answer.
Also, how do most people design for house modes?
Thanks,
-j