Sean Meighan
Software => Bugs in xLights/Nutcracker => Topic started by: gadgetsmith on February 09, 2016, 07:51:59 AM
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Just getting around to messing with the 2016 Beta's of XL.
After running v2016.7 for the first time, I notice that my Layout is not showing correctly. Models that were not 'part of my display' in V4 are now showing up, regardless of the fact the check box is not selected for these models. Here are pictures from v4.3.2 compared to v2016.7
Just thought i'd mention this as I don't see anyone having posted this issue, so maybe just something with my setup?
Thanks,
Charlie
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Click on the "Select Model Groups" button and see if you have any model groups selected. If you do, only models in those groups will be displayed. If none are selected, then the models with "Part of my display" are shown.
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Models that were not 'part of my display' in V4 are not showing up, regardless of the fact the check box is not selected for these models.
You say models without the checkbox checked are not showing up. That's correct. Check the box if you want them to show up.
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Also you have several groups selected. They have to be in one of the selected groups to show up or like Dan said uncheck all groups to see everything.
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Click on the "Select Model Groups" button and see if you have any model groups selected. If you do, only models in those groups will be displayed. If none are selected, then the models with "Part of my display" are shown.
:lightbulb:
Finally sunk in. I've been struggling with the 'model groups' vs. 'part of my display' thing last year. I couldn't get some models to display, so actually had to make a model group for a single model in order for it to show up.
In essence, one must choose if the layout will be displayed based on the 'part of my display' checkbox when creating the model, OR create model groups, and if checked, they will appear in the layout.
Now knowing this, I deselected all the model groups. I can now delete all the model 'groups' that were not groups at all, but only single elements, like my star, sign, orb topper, megatree, etc. This caused me some confusion last year as I had models and model groups for star and sign named the same thing, so when I was adding them to the timeline in the sequencer I would see two items for star and sign, not knowing which was which.
Thanks Dan!
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Models that were not 'part of my display' in V4 are not showing up, regardless of the fact the check box is not selected for these models.
You say models without the checkbox checked are not showing up. That's correct. Check the box if you want them to show up.
yea, typo.... 'not' should have said 'now'
After Dan's comment... it finally dawned on me how it is working. Thanks Gil.
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People do seem confused by uncheck every model group and they will all be visible.
Maybe we need to title the model group "Filter your Layout by Model Group"
You check a model group, only the models in that group are visible.
You wont see your entire display if you check anything here. The idea is, with a large number of models, you can filter to just look at your arches , move them around. When done turn off all check boxes so your entire display comes back on.
I normally never have anything checked in Models Groups.
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I've never liked a lot of things about the Layout page. It seems strange to me to have to click on the Models button to be able to edit a model. It feels awkward. I select a model in the list and then hit the Models button and then I gotta re-select the model and hit another button to edit it. I think the Models button should go away and then you can double-click the model name in the list to edit or use a right-click menu for the other options. Use some type of visibility eyeball icon to allow hiding or showing a model. I don't think most people have the need to filter the display to a particular model group. I think the visibility filtering could be done differently where you disassociate the filtering from the model groups. There may be other ways you want to show things that have nothing to do with the groups you want for sequencing. Maybe allow the user to create visibility filters they could select in a drop-down and not tie filtering to the groups.
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I hate to start talking about this as I'm nowhere close to being able to pursue this yet, but a lot of the work I've been doing on the Models this last couple weeks is to help in re-doing some of this page. I'd LIKE to get rid of the ModelDialog and Models dialog completely and lay this out more like CodeBlocks. The "Top Left" would be more of tree view showing the models and model groups (which can be expanded/selected). Below that would be a wxPropertyGrid just like in CB. (The current sliders would go away) When you select a model, all the model properties are there and editable. By moving each model type into it's own class, we can have class specific properties that are easily displayed and edited there. I'd also be combining a bunch of the types. All the "Tree" types would just be Tree and one of the properties is the degrees around (180/270/etc...) that can be relatively arbitrary.
Thus, the buttons at the top would just be "Add" and "Delete" and maybe something to help manage the groups. Renaming can be done right on the tree (or in the properties). An "Add" would just ask for the base type (Tree/Arches/Star/etc..") and then the editing would be in the properties. (either that, or no buttons at all and have a toolbar of types that you drag/drop from onto the layout)
Anyway, this is all "vision in my head". Not sure if we'll ever get there.
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Dan, that would be awesome!
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People do seem confused by uncheck every model group and they will all be visible.
I normally never have anything checked in Models Groups.
The only issue I see is now is that I can no longer see models listed to the left side unless the 'part of my display' is checked. Example: I create a single string model type for my orb topper. I want to be able to see this in the list, along with it's starting and ending channel, but I don't want to see it as part of the preview layout.
The changes that Gil and Dan mentioned would change this behavior. For now, I just plan to keep model groups all unchecked.
Another quick question.
I've installed two versions of XL. V4.3.2 and v2016.7. If I run v4.3.2 and choose a directory, say c:\xlights\2015\, when I run v2016.x it will default to that same directory. I can change the directory, say to c:\xlights\2016\, which is fine, but when I go back and run v4.3.2 it will have switched from the 2015 directory to the 2016 directory. I can' seem to figure out why or where this is occuring? Is there a setting somewhere to keep the programs to defaulting to the directory where the other version of the software is using?
Thanks.
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The only issue I see is now is that I can no longer see models listed to the left side unless the 'part of my display' is checked. Example: I create a single string model type for my orb topper. I want to be able to see this in the list, along with it's starting and ending channel, but I don't want to see it as part of the preview layout.
I'm pretty sure that has been the case for a long time. When you click the Models button and get the Models Dialog it has the full list of models so that's where you find the ones that aren't marked Part of my Display.
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I've installed two versions of XL. V4.3.2 and v2016.7. If I run v4.3.2 and choose a directory, say c:\xlights\2015\, when I run v2016.x it will default to that same directory. I can change the directory, say to c:\xlights\2016\, which is fine, but when I go back and run v4.3.2 it will have switched from the 2015 directory to the 2016 directory. I can' seem to figure out why or where this is occuring? Is there a setting somewhere to keep the programs to defaulting to the directory where the other version of the software is using?
The show/media directories are stored in the registry. Each instance of xLights is going to read the same value for those directories. Unless a change is made to use local config files rather than the registry you won't be able to separate out the instances as you are trying to do.
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As a side note to my last post. I guess you could export the registry entries to a .reg file and then create a batch file that will first apply the registry settings that you want and then launch the appropriate version of xLights.
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As a side note to my last post. I guess you could export the registry entries to a .reg file and then create a batch file that will first apply the registry settings that you want and then launch the appropriate version of xLights.
I'll make a feature request and see if anyone else see's the merit in such change. (local settings file, or multiple registry entries for say the major versions (v3.x, v4.x, 2016.x, etc.)
I'll have to look into a batch file with appropriate registry entries. Thanks!
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I'll have to look into a batch file with appropriate registry entries. Thanks!
If you do go the batch/registry file route I would actually only export the LastDir and MediaDir values. There are other values in there that look like they could be updated by the software itself at runtime and you will overwrite those every time you apply the "old" registry.
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I'll have to look into a batch file with appropriate registry entries. Thanks!
If you do go the batch/registry file route I would actually only export the LastDir and MediaDir values. There are other values in there that look like they could be updated by the software itself at runtime and you will overwrite those every time you apply the "old" registry.
Instead of messing with the registry, you could just use hard links [mklink /J] (Windows) or sym links [ln -s] (Mac/Linux) from your configured show dir to your actual show dir. The batch/script file would only need to update the link to point to the right place.
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There shouldn't be a need to swap versions that often and when you do just spend 3 seconds to change your show directory.
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Lesson from the Vixen team..... you can have a default profile and any number of other profiles that can be selected at app start.
Whilst we may not change versions often, profiles would solve the issue and add functionality to have different show directories.. test, pumpkin, xmas, etc.
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The Show directory basically is the profile. You change Show directories to change profiles. That's exactly how you're supposed to be using them. I have folders like 2014, 2015, 2016. Then under each one of those I have Christmas, Halloween, P10_large, P10_small. Then I have a Users folder and a show directory for the 30-40 user's I've helped. The issue being discussed is that we save the last active "profile" in the registry so when you change versions of the program it still defaults to the same "profile" you were using with another version.
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Lesson from the Vixen team..... you can have a default profile and any number of other profiles that can be selected at app start.
Whilst we may not change versions often, profiles would solve the issue and add functionality to have different show directories.. test, pumpkin, xmas, etc.
Phil;
I have 22 xmas profiles and 7 halloween profiles. I can pick any of them and then work them. We dont have a default profile, we remember the last profile you used.
So "add functionality to have different show directories.. test, pumpkin, xmas, etc." we have this now, or am I missing something?
We didnt give a way to have old version software and new version software and switch between them, but i didnt think that is what you were referring to?
What we dont have is the ability to have multiple profiles. For example some people are sequencing the same song for four houses. I imagine being able to see Whole House layout so it is divided in 4 parts and you see what the single sequence looks like on 4 different houses, 4 different background images or 6 or 8 or 9 .etc.. It would be nice, but i think it is a small group that is sequencing multiple houses to one song.
thanks
sean
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Also note that the bottom of the File menu displays the last four show directories that you used. Thus, flipping back and forth between a couple is relatively quick and easy.
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Personally, I much prefer the way xLights handles "profiles", simply change directory, and that is the new profile. Easy to keep track of, easy to share.
Yes, the "issue" (if it can even be called that) is one of convenience than anything else. When I switch between two versions of xLights, it's reading the last profile opened out of the registry, and defaulting to that. I'm wanting each version to have their own separate registry setting, unique to the version of the software.
Dan has pointed out another way to change directory that I wasn't aware of. Under 'file' there are the last 4 directories used, just click on one to set it. Have to say I don't often, if ever, visit the 'file' menu up there! lol.
Anyway, I appreciate all the input on this. If I find myself not being able to live with the way it is, I've been given the clues as to how to accomplish it. For now, i'm just gonna keep playing with these Beta's, and i'll worry about this stuff minor stuff when I get started sequencing for the 2016 show(s).
cheers
charlie
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Lesson from the Vixen team..... you can have a default profile and any number of other profiles that can be selected at app start.
Whilst we may not change versions often, profiles would solve the issue and add functionality to have different show directories.. test, pumpkin, xmas, etc.
That's not a lesson.
Xlights is better the way they have it. I've used both.
James
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The problem is not in switching between show directories, that is easy enough. I have multiple show directories like everyone else. The issue is having two copies of xlights running at the same time. One showing my layout and one showing the layout and sequence of a shared show that I am trying to copy/convert to my own show.
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Just buy another computer Jim.
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I've tried two computers but then you can not copy and paste. So many solutions to every problem I hardly know where to begin. This week and last I am in the process of upgrading most of the family computers to Win10. So far have done 4 laptops and 1 desktop. Still have a netbook and three desktops to go if I even do the remaining desktops.
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Yeah I'm just not sure a good way to have multiple copies of the program running that are disassociated from a common registry location.
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Yeah I'm just not sure a good way to have multiple copies of the program running that are disassociated from a common registry location.
I'm not a programmer, so I'll ask this question, because I really don't have a clue.
Why are registry settings needed? Can't info about how a program is run just be stored in the program install directory? Is there a benefit of one vs another?
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Would it be silly to have the sequence path part of the sequence?
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Yeah I'm just not sure a good way to have multiple copies of the program running that are disassociated from a common registry location.
I'm not a programmer, so I'll ask this question, because I really don't have a clue.
Why are registry settings needed? Can't info about how a program is run just be stored in the program install directory? Is there a benefit of one vs another?
On certain platforms, you cannot write to anything in the install directory unless you have administrator permissions. It just won't work. You have to have a per-user place to store settings.
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Parallels or VMware allow for this?
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From a "non-programmer" we could use something like a drop box to take effects from one program to another
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We have a "drop-box"...it's called the Clipboard.
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Phil;
I have 22 xmas profiles and 7 halloween profiles. I can pick any of them and then work them. We dont have a default profile, we remember the last profile you used.
So "add functionality to have different show directories.. test, pumpkin, xmas, etc." we have this now, or am I missing something?
We didnt give a way to have old version software and new version software and switch between them, but i didnt think that is what you were referring to?
What we dont have is the ability to have multiple profiles. For example some people are sequencing the same song for four houses. I imagine being able to see Whole House layout so it is divided in 4 parts and you see what the single sequence looks like on 4 different houses, 4 different background images or 6 or 8 or 9 .etc.. It would be nice, but i think it is a small group that is sequencing multiple houses to one song.
thanks
sean
hi Sean,
I have quite a few xmas folders but not that many.
Your right I wasn't referring to switching versions per se or multiple setups for different houses.
What I was referring more to is a simple pick list/drop down allowing quick switching including saving open work between different show/music directories (ie profiles in vixen speak)
yep, you can go to setup tab, select your show and music folders and your right to go..... all a dropdown gives is presets to this information without invoking folder browse/select dialogue boxes.
One thought (as I typed this) how much stuff is actually in the registry? I've longed to have a portable windows version but registry entries prevent this.
Cheers
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On win 10 when I have (2)xlights running on 2 separate monitors I can't use the clip board, from one program to the other. maybe I have it setup wrong.
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What I was referring more to is a simple pick list/drop down allowing quick switching including saving open work between different show/music directories (ie profiles in vixen speak)
yep, you can go to setup tab, select your show and music folders and your right to go..... all a dropdown gives is presets to this information without invoking folder browse/select dialogue boxes.
We have this on the File menu. The last 4 directories you used are right there. Simple click and you're there.
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Out of curiosity I searched the registry to see what items were stored by xLights. (Turns out just over a dozen or so). One item that came up during the search was the system PATH. It turns out, that every time I installed xLights, it kept appending c:\program files\xlights to the path, even when it was already there. While it doesn't pose any issues that I know of, just thought i'd bring it up, as it shouldn't keep adding it if it's already there. I cleaned it up on my own by removing the unwanted ones... turns out I had nearly 20+ xlights entries in my PATH. Here are the before and after PATH's.
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That must be coming from inno setup. Ill take a look . They have a routine that us supposed to add a path if it is not there otherwise skip. What version of windows are using?
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What I was referring more to is a simple pick list/drop down allowing quick switching including saving open work between different show/music directories (ie profiles in vixen speak)
yep, you can go to setup tab, select your show and music folders and your right to go..... all a dropdown gives is presets to this information without invoking folder browse/select dialogue boxes.
Thanks Dan,
We have this on the File menu. The last 4 directories you used are right there. Simple click and you're there.