Sean Meighan

Welcome => Do You Need Help? Post it here => Topic started by: dwbarnett on January 09, 2019, 12:41:59 AM

Title: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: dwbarnett on January 09, 2019, 12:41:59 AM
Hi, Just watched the updates from Keith on the latest versions. Thanks Keith.

He barely touched on the 3D stuff. Mentioned numerous videos done by Gil.  The only video I recall seing, was when Gil showed us what he was working on at the time.  Appreciate all the effort and time Gil has done to give us a 3D enviroment now. Thanks Gil.

Could someone point me in the right direction for some newer vids by Gil.  Searched our videos, didn't see anything.  Searched youtube, all I see are the preview vids.  Keith mentioned there were several covering the subject.

Thanks.
David
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: jnealand on January 09, 2019, 08:18:04 PM
I'm thinking we will start to see a lot of new videos on 3D layout creation so I've been dragging my feet on installing the latest release, but I am looking forward to jumping in with both feet.  Now if I could just finish taking down all my lights and getting thru the delayed honey do items.  sigh
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Gilrock on January 10, 2019, 06:21:30 AM
Between the people that said they don't need 3D and the ones that complained about it not working exactly how they wanted I've had enough.  I wish I had never added that code I should have kept it to myself for my own version.  I don't care if anyone doesn't want to use it but I'm not going to listen to a-holes bragging about not using it after I spent 200-300 hours.  And then I get a lecture yesterday about how the positioning should be done from some moron that can't take no for an answer.  I'm done.  This has been coming for over a month.  You'll notice I haven't posted on DIYC in over a month because the members and admins over there are even worse.  I deleted every post I ever initiated on the Facebook group.  I deactivated Facebook so nobody can bother me.  And I've deleted all 3D xLights videos from my YouTube channel.  I'm going to sit back like everyone else and just build myself props and enjoy sequencing.  The program can already accomplish everything I need to run a show.
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: babybear on January 10, 2019, 11:03:38 AM
I will say one thing I love the new 3D version. In some ways this reminds me of power injecting people are just afraid to try. The added value I'm getting out of this doing my sequencing. I started  xlights/nutcracker back on 3.4 or 6. I have never missed an update since. If people are complaining about 3D they should go back and try using the old software. The people who complain are the ones who are afraid.  Gil great work. Thank you so much for you talant.
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: RandyS on January 10, 2019, 12:38:09 PM
Just curious how folks feel that having a preview in 3D improves your ability to sequence...... ?
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: babybear on January 10, 2019, 02:18:32 PM
The way my house is set up most people can't sit straight in front to watch. When I play the sequences in 3D I can see what people are seeing from the angle.  What's on 180 mega tree, well.  Now I know to rotate the graphics towards them. My yard is shallow.  I'm in the process of building a new tune to sign.  It's 2 sided.  Once placed in the 3D layout I found it needed to be wedged shape for better viewing.   Also my house is not flat so if I have an effect on my candles and your parked to the Right of my yard u don't see them. I had one song that they were the only things going.  To them People watching looked like nothing was going on. Now I know I have to fill in something on the other side.  So yes previewing from right and left is important to me.  This year was quite different for me.  I was used to 2 to 3 cars at one time. Now I'm getting up to 14.  But yes if you only have a few props, your house is flat then 2D is for you.  If have a lot of depth then 3D.  As I'm sequencing I jump between the two. 2D 3D
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: algerdes on January 10, 2019, 05:22:02 PM
Hey Gil, if you want real frustration, try being a City Councilman!

First - I'm not sure if the 3D thing is going to be used all that much here or not, at this time.  I am sure that it is getting loaded just as soon as I can figure out how to put things where they need to be across the expanse we have to cover.  If I don't try it, I'll not know its benefits.

Second - Experience has shown that when you guys (the developers) come up with something like this, it just takes a bit of experimentation to find that thing that makes it really work for us.  At that time it becomes a "must have" instead of a "gee - that's nice." 

Third - The very last thing you need to do, in my opinion, is let anyone get to you.  We are appreciative of the advances you have brought into the program, especially those that take the amount of time you put into it. You developers are some of the nicest people I've come to know over the years.  Your contributions beat the heck out of anything I can do. 

THANK YOU.

Now, if you will excuse me, I've got to go find someone who knows how to move real s**t in a clogged City Sewer.
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: jspiker77 on January 10, 2019, 06:04:40 PM
Just curious how folks feel that having a preview in 3D improves your ability to sequence...... ?

Hi Randy,

For me it comes down to being able to view a sequence at the angles my audience will. Between my front gates and my house is about 50ft and I no props between them, with the exception of my mega tree. By virtually being able to see how different positioning affects their view I can adjust my layout and sequence to provide them the best view from any angle.  For example, I have singing face on the left and right side of my roof, if you are viewing from the left side of my house you cannot see the singing face, on that side of the house. Know this I updated my sequence to have both sides sing at the same time where feasible.

John,
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Gilrock on January 10, 2019, 06:22:46 PM
Yeah it wasn't just that one thing but it was the final straw that caused me to not want to be on Facebook.  And like I said I knew most people didn't need 3D heck I didn't really need it I just wanted it and wanted the challenge to create it.  This started because a bunch of people kept posting how they weren't going to use it.  I was like that's fine but there's 6000 people here and we don't need everyone that isn't going to use 3D to tell us about it.   So of course whenever you ask people to not do something they got be a-holes about it.  We never expected everyone to use it but you know there were features added because of 3D that benefits 2D like panning and zooming on the view.  Anyways I'm taking a break and working on my arcade cabinet.
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: robbiet on January 10, 2019, 07:00:29 PM
Hey. I just wrapped up my first year of this hobby and had a blast and it was only possible because of the work you and all the others before you have done. I think most of us are just excited to try out what you’ve created.  Thanks for all your contributions.


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Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: babybear on January 10, 2019, 08:12:42 PM
Gil if you would not mind I would like to see a few pix of your arcade stuff I myself have built 6 units now with MAME   My first one I actually ripped apart a key board jumped the matrix for my buttons. 
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Gilrock on January 10, 2019, 09:25:06 PM
Gil if you would not mind I would like to see a few pix of your arcade stuff I myself have built 6 units now with MAME   My first one I actually ripped apart a key board jumped the matrix for my buttons. 

This is the guts of it.  Started it long ago and got it running but never finished the outside and I don't like the control panel I had bought so I'll be building my own.  Currently drawing all the side art.  Just a snippet below shows the dragon I drew tonight.  In fact I drew everything in that section except for the Daphne art I found already drawn but I created the bubble to put her in.  The bottom part I drew some of those characters and I drew the entire pinkish bluish girder system all the characters are on.
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Gilrock on January 10, 2019, 09:30:58 PM
I spent some time making a custom bezel artwork for Dragon's Lair so it would look nice when it's played.  This shows the control panel I had bought 4 years ago but I'll be building my own for this cabinet.  It works good enough to make the cabinet playable though.
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: DMJPixel on January 10, 2019, 09:49:07 PM
Wow!  Those look amazing...nice work.


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Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Gilrock on January 10, 2019, 10:07:27 PM
Wow!  Those look amazing...nice work.

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Thanks...  I'm not an artist I'm somewhat tracing an existing image and turning it into vector graphics.  Once its a vector it can be scaled without losing detail.  It does take a lot of work to add gradient shading to really make it look nice though.  Here's the flyer I'm using to create the Dragon's Lair art.

Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: poporacer on January 11, 2019, 10:46:15 PM
Gil,
Don't let dumb people get to you. You guys have done an amazing job and some people don't like change or learning new things..... at first. Yes, many people could get by without 3D, but hell, they could also get by without half of the effects that are available, but in the end, they will use it. Some people just like being negative. If people are making comments or judgments without totally understanding something, then they are idiots and should just keep their mouths shut.
BTW, you are a man of MANY talents!
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: jnealand on January 12, 2019, 08:37:21 AM
Working in IT for my whole career, I came to realize that I was in a change agent career.  I learned early on that while most folks don't like change there are some that just cannot accept it.  I learned to just smile and move on.  Eventually all those folks got to the point that they would never go back to the old way of doing things.  For some it just takes longer than others.  At my age I have learned to never say never although there are at times that I move slowly into new things.  I don't have any teenagers living in my house that can teach me stuff anymore.  LOL
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: stampedeboss on January 13, 2019, 11:33:34 AM
Think of the impact 3D effects on a model group could have.


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Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: algerdes on January 13, 2019, 02:50:22 PM
Working in IT for my whole career, I came to realize that I was in a change agent career.
Come on now Jim, you forgot the "Evil" part of "Evil Change Agent."  ;D
I learned early on that while most folks don't like change there are some that just cannot accept it.  I learned to just smile and move on.  Eventually all those folks got to the point that they would never go back to the old way of doing things.  For some it just takes longer than others.  At my age I have learned to never say never although there are at times that I move slowly into new things.  I don't have any teenagers living in my house that can teach me stuff anymore.  LOL 

So True! So True!
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Gilrock on January 14, 2019, 09:32:34 AM
Yeah I might not be on Facebook right now but my wife still is so I can go look at what's being said anytime.  Funny how people will talk about you when they think you can't see it.  I looked yesterday and saw many reasons to not be in the xLights group.  You guys have no idea you've come close to losing Keith as a developer a couple times also.
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: gunther on January 14, 2019, 10:58:57 AM
Yeah I might not be on Facebook right now but my wife still is so I can go look at what's being said anytime.  Funny how people will talk about you when they think you can't see it.  I looked yesterday and saw many reasons to not be in the xLights group.  You guys have no idea you've come close to losing Keith as a developer a couple times also.
Facebook at times is a cesspool of unsolicited advice and commentary from folks who arent aways aware or informed.    Some of us still love what you do, Gil. 

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Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: SaZo on January 14, 2019, 03:17:26 PM
Hello to all hard workers at Xlights,
good job
I know why I am no longer on Facebook this nonsensical talk of people who do not want changes.
please continue into the future.
great job
Sorry for my english but my translation is from Google as I can not speak english
keep it up
with greetings from Germany
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: dkulp on January 14, 2019, 03:59:06 PM
  You guys have no idea you've come close to losing Keith as a developer a couple times also.

Just want to say... it's not just Gil and Keith.  I've been fairly pissed of quite a lot lately.   Less so with xLights than FPP, but I've debated walking away from a lot of this. 

The main issue for me is it would end up being a bit hypocritical.   As my day job of "VP - Open Source Development" for a $B company, one of the things I really try to stress with my team is:

One of the greatest benefits of working in Open Source software is that you get to interact directly with end users.   Most developers on product teams in software companies don't get that opportunity as any interactions are filtered through support organizations and product managers.   However, one of the worst parts of working in Open Source is interacting with end users.  You have to be able to just let it go and know when to not feed the trolls.





Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: babybear on January 14, 2019, 04:34:51 PM
Someone said there were more offerings over on facebook. So I have gone and looked. Only after 2 weeks I'm ready to drop it. The negativity is off the charts. I want to just explode and I'm just a user for 4-5 years now. If I posted what I truly feel I would be removed and is that really a bad thing?  Then I post here and on Falcon I try many things first before asking or explaining what I see. You, the developers I cant say enough, how much you guys are appreciated. There is a solid core of us who know. 
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: robbiet on January 14, 2019, 06:51:09 PM
Just one more reason I dumped Facebook years ago. I know I am probably missing out on a lot of the conversation but I’m not willing to go back. It always made me feel bad about myself for some reason so not worth it. These forums seem to work for me and everyone seems pretty pleasant to me.  This is my escape from the daily grind...always appreciate the collaboration that happens here with a group of like minded crazy people!


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Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: bwinter on January 14, 2019, 07:30:59 PM
In general terms, could you developers summarize (for us end-users) some of the most frustrating things you encounter in this hobby, so that we could be more aware of what’s its like on your side?
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Dazzled on January 15, 2019, 05:52:11 AM
WOW and here I was thinking it was just me becoming a cranky old fart and getting angry at a lot of posts on FB. I have come so close recently to telling some people what I think of their comments but have been stopped by the wife and the fact that I would probably be booted out of the group and I didn't want to put Keith in that position as I consider him a very good friend. I makes me so angry to see some of the things people say, I can't begin to imagine how all the developers feel when they read this garbage. I don't understand why people have to be complete jerks on FB but as a general rule both here and the ACL forum things are much more civil. The only reason I got a FB account was because things started to get really quiet in here so I was missing a lot of stuff that was happening. I will continue with FB for the time being but have decided that the best thing for me to do is to block those that get me angry so I can get on and enjoy my life and so I wont see their posts in a few months wanting help with 3D when they see what the rest of us have been able to do with it.

Sorry for the rant guys but had to get it off my chest and at least I wont get an endless barrage of smart ass comments in the first 30 seconds of posting this.

Stuart Walker
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Gilrock on January 15, 2019, 06:55:43 AM
I think in general I just don't really want to be on Facebook but so many others are there.  Every so often I get fed up and deactivate it for a bit.  I reactivated yesterday because I wanted to post a video for my family back home but I'm staying out of the xLights group for awhile.  For me I want to help everyone and it becomes stressful trying to keep up with all the questions.  It helps if others answer the easier questions because I might give short answers and next thing you know I hurt someone's feelings because they couldn't hear my tone.

I've committed to still do the xEssentials 3D training in February but I'll probably take a short break from coding.  I still read all the issues posted to GitHub and I silently review all the code checkins.  I got my CNC back to life and I'm having fun cutting out parts for my arcade cabinet I mentioned earlier.
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Ebuechner on January 15, 2019, 07:29:46 AM
Sometimes it's good to just take a break for a while. Like most Hobbies it's easy to get caught up in things and Hyper focused and stress yourself out.

You did some good work with the 3D I think you deserve a breather.
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: keithsw1111 on January 15, 2019, 11:29:29 AM
I've committed to still do the xEssentials 3D training in February but I'll probably take a short break from coding.  I still read all the issues posted to GitHub and I silently review all the code checkins.  I got my CNC back to life and I'm having fun cutting out parts for my arcade cabinet I mentioned earlier.

Hopefully you will pipe up if one of my 3D fixes are a bad idea.


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Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Gilrock on January 15, 2019, 11:44:52 AM
I've committed to still do the xEssentials 3D training in February but I'll probably take a short break from coding.  I still read all the issues posted to GitHub and I silently review all the code checkins.  I got my CNC back to life and I'm having fun cutting out parts for my arcade cabinet I mentioned earlier.

Hopefully you will pipe up if one of my 3D fixes are a bad idea.


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Haha I see my smart panning change for 3D broke 2D.  Forgot to even test 2D...lol.
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: keithsw1111 on January 15, 2019, 11:45:57 AM
Took me hours to workout that might be the best way to fix it.


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Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Gilrock on January 15, 2019, 12:06:14 PM
Yeah from looking at your change it appears the 2D and 3D are treating the Y axis opposite but I thought the positioning should be the same for both.  Makes we want to inspect it more.
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Dazzled on January 15, 2019, 02:15:55 PM
Gil that's great news to hear that you're still going ahead with the presentation of 3D, I'm sure it will be a packed house that day. I had noticed you commenting in GitHub and your comment on ACL adout Shaun's 3D object import so I figured we hadn't totally lost you to your arcade games. As for your short answers offending people they don't come much shorter  than Keith's YES or NO'S but sometimes that's all that's required. LOL

Stuart
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: needbrew on January 15, 2019, 04:32:50 PM
I just want to post that all of you developers do an amazing job and I am sorry that some people cannot just be happy that they have access to you and to get to use this great software.  Gil, Dan, Keith, Shawn and any others have done an amazing job.  I wish people could just accept that if it is not the way they want, write your own or move on.  I for one will always appreciate the massive amount of work all of you put it.  Don't let the trolls get you down.  Plenty of us support you.

Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: abrianbaker on January 18, 2019, 03:09:55 PM
I just want to add to the kudos to Gil, Keith, Dan, Captain, Sean, David, James and the countless others who have given so much to us. There are far more folks that appreciate your hard work and dedication than the few keyboard warriors who offer little, other than negativity. I have been doing this for 10 years now and unfortunately don't have the coding skills to offer however I will say that my admiration and appreciation for all of you is extremely high. You are most appreciated!!

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Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: bhays on January 19, 2019, 10:13:46 AM
I fully appreciate your efforts on the 3D visualizer.  It's awesome.. I am just confused because it looks good in layout view, but when I go over to the sequencer tab, everything seems to be in the bottom left corner in house preview.. even if I move it as far right as I can in layout, it's still way left and down in house preview.

Am I missing something super simple?
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: QldKing on January 19, 2019, 03:29:22 PM
I fully appreciate your efforts on the 3D visualizer.  It's awesome.. I am just confused because it looks good in layout view, but when I go over to the sequencer tab, everything seems to be in the bottom left corner in house preview.. even if I move it as far right as I can in layout, it's still way left and down in house preview.

Am I missing something super simple?
Have you right clicked on the preview and selected 3D?


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Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: Ebuechner on January 19, 2019, 08:04:20 PM
With helping people on Zoom I think the biggest problem I've seen is people using laptops and touch pads trying to figure out how to get things to work.
You really need a good Mouse with a scroll wheel to make it work well.
Title: Re: Videos showing the features of the "New" 3D stuff
Post by: dkulp on January 20, 2019, 06:00:09 AM
With helping people on Zoom I think the biggest problem I've seen is people using laptops and touch pads trying to figure out how to get things to work.
You really need a good Mouse with a scroll wheel to make it work well.

Or use a MacBook.  I've hooked up the gestures to the various things so doing rotations and resizing can be done with the gestures on the Mac's.