Sean Meighan
Software => Nutcracker Models => Topic started by: ozaz on December 16, 2016, 06:09:54 PM
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How would I model and sequence a DMX RGB LED Smoke / Fog machine in xLights?
Unfortunately I don't think I can use Gil's great DMX model as it doesn't match what this machine does.
It looks like the LEDs are dumb RGB.
It has 4 channel DMX control (see pic):
Channel 1 controls smoke level - 0 - 100%
Channel 2 - not used
Channel 3 controls the 3 RGB LEDs - 000 Off; 001 - 255 various
Channel 4 controls Strobe/Fade/Speed - 0 - 100%
I'm guessing some sort of custom model with 4 channels, something like this?:
1
333
444
but I'm not sure what sort of String properties I should use?
In Sequencer I'm guessing I'll have to put each effect on at the node level?
For channel/node 1 and 4 I guess I just put an On effect? How do I set the 0-100%? By setting both Start and End Intensity to level required?
For channel/node 3 do the same as 1 and 4 but where 100 would equal 255?
Any suggestions recommendations tips would be really appreciated.
I don't have the device yet, it's a xmas present. But thought I'd start programming it up so I can add it into a NYE sequence :D
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You can still use the DMX model which allows you to name all the channels. You'll just leave all the special definitions at 0 which disables them. Then to sequence you use the DMX effect which will give you sliders for each channel. String type doesn't matter because I make whatever you set it to work. The data is just written out to channels in the end.
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That worked Gil, as did the DMX Floods I got.
So... is there any chance in Layout the DMX Style could get DMX Floods and DMX LED Smoke machines added to it? With relevant matching pictures? You know, if you're not too busy. ;D
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Someone once asked for skull control and we joked that if one showed up on Gil's doorstep he would probably get it running in xLights. Well a skull showed up and now 3 days later I'm running it in xLights with a corny preview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LRjWVWVDh4&t=8s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LRjWVWVDh4&t=8s)
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Any info on the skull of where it came from or who makes it.
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Any info on the skull of where it came from or who makes it.
I'll give you a hint. Its the first 2 words in the title of the video.
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Is Skull tracking going to be a new feature and the next version of xlights? I'd be interested because I built a skull last year and bought a Servo dog controller and played with LOR but I want to do it in xlights. I also read a really old post that Sean made in the light O Rama forum that he wanted to control something like a 3D cube, when's that coming? http://forums.lightorama.com/index.php?/topic/26161-nutcracker-in-2013/&do=findComment&comment=245774
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You can buy a skull tracking system from Skulltronix and it will produce VSA files that can be imported into xLights once I check in my new work.
Well just like the post says when there is enough demand for 3D cube effects we'll add it. You could create effects for one right now with some creativity. Show us a picture of your 3D cube.
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Did you use their files in your video? I liked the way you had that preview.
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Yes I'm working on a VSA file importer so I imported a VSA file created by Skulltronix and then played it back in xLights.
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When you made your sequence did you use a joystick or there IR system with the camera? And I'm curious what you thought of their software. Maybe we should start a whole other thread for this discussion.
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I did not make the sequence I imported the VSA file create by Skulltronix. They sell a system that will do what you're talking about. It would be better to browse their website than ask me.
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Fair enough. I've been to their website off and on and I was intrigued by their software. I thought you made the sequence so I thought I would ask some questions. I may have to get a little more serious about it now that I made my own skull (no kit)
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Hey Gil, with the Skull are you using there control board or another DMX servo board? If you are using theres, which one is it. The BOC or SOC.
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I have no idea. They just sent me the skull and the board is buried inside.
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How did you connect from xlights to the boards. Do you have a USB to DMX converter? If so what are you using. I am interested in getting xlxights to control a servo skull I have so any informationn is appreciated.
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Anything that will do DMX. I started by using an output on a F16v2. I've also got an Entec USB dongle that works fine also.
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Thanks. Going to give it a whirl on a skull that I have
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Gil, now you've done such a great job on the skulltronix heads, could you please make a Model style / image for DMX Floods/Spots.
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Gil, now you've done such a great job on the skulltronix heads, could you please make a Model style / image for DMX Floods/Spots.
What's wrong with the DMX 3D option I just added?
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http://giphy.com/gifs/26xBAIkXhX7iWLoek (http://giphy.com/gifs/26xBAIkXhX7iWLoek)
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Damn Gil, that's sweet. Now I'm going to have to go buy some DMX moving head spotlights just to try that out.
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Keith has come up with a neat alternative to the DMX Floods mapping/layout/visualisation issue and made a nice video how to :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=878M6nNOhAs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=878M6nNOhAs)
thanks Keith
Now to get some moving heads to try Gil's DMX 3D effect...
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Hey Gill,
I am starting to work on my Skull with the Board from Skulltronics and was wondering if you could share how you set it up in xlights and on the Falcon controller? I am looking at using the DMX4 port on an F-16 V2R and am having difficulty figuring out what goes where.
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Bump. I have been unable to figure out how to get the pinout from the DMX4 on the falcon board to talk to the skull I have set-up. At this point I have no idea how to even test this. I have the starting channel or the skull set to 8, and in my Falcon F16 I have dmx4 set to start at channel 8. I have taken wires 1, 2, and 8 form the cat5 cable and mapped them to the 1, 2, 3 on the control board. I cannot get the servos to move or do anything.
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I've always had my start channel set to 9 but you will need to set the Falcon to start at channel 1 because you need the skull to be offset 8 channels into the universe. Also there is a power channel right in front of the Jaw channel which I do not have mapped into the DmxModel. That channel needs to be written with a 1 then a 0 to turn on the board electronics. You could map a different model to run the power. It seemed non-standard so I didn't try to make it part of the built-in model. I usually will run my Skull a few seconds using a sequence in VSA which will activate that channel.