Messages

1

Nutcracker Models / Re: Custom model channel numbering with gaps

« on: December 21, 2016, 01:13:26 AM »

Sorry, I'm sure I stomped on these models multiple times quickly trying everything I could think of. When I did have the custom model and matrices overlayed, the output would still have been sequential which would not have lined up with the actual lights and controllers.
I have gotten it working for now with the reordering of controllers so the matrix rows are sequential. Actually, that may have been the original design when I first built it. It makes sense that way, but I am fairly sure I created the models with the gaps for last years show successfully. It was in last years show directory .xml files that way.

Maybe after the season I'll take some more time to investigate the modelling possibilities.

Thanks again!

2

Nutcracker Models / Re: Custom model channel numbering with gaps

« on: December 20, 2016, 11:18:17 AM »

Okay, I have a new idea I'll try the next chance I get. I can reorder the controllers so that the five rows are on Universe 7 and the two rows are at the start of universe 8. And then I can resize Universe 7 to just be 140 pixels and that should give me a sequential Matrix I can work with. I'll let you guys know how that turns out.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

3

Nutcracker Models / Re: Custom model channel numbering with gaps

« on: December 20, 2016, 10:14:18 AM »

Thanks again for dealing with me, but I'm a bit confused (obviously). You say the numbers on the grid don't matter? I thought by numbering the bottom two rows 1-56(RGB) and then skipping to 171(RGB) and counting in the custom model would yield the necessary gap in pixels/output channels. The output on the test page matches your description that it ends up sequential.
Text works and looks fine in preview on the custom ornament sign, but goes out to the lights sequentially which they are not.
The combined Group model of two matrices does not show text, but does light the appropriate pixels as it is defined as two sets of rows, each starting at the first of a universe.
In the screenshot with the correct "TEXT" in the center of the three elements is text effect on the custom model.
In the second screenshot, the text effect is applied to the group model, the top of the three, and I think I'm getting closer. I changed the layout mode. Maybe there is a path there I can work.
Only text effects are in the animation I used for the screenshots, so the lit portions of the ornament shape are in error.

Thanks again for sticking with me. I am working long and odd hours this week, but I'll keep close tabs here when I can.

4

Nutcracker Models / Re: Custom model channel numbering with gaps

« on: December 20, 2016, 12:34:15 AM »

Thanks for the responses guys.

I am running 8 universes of 510 channels. I run Komby RF1 wireless controllers, so just one universe per controller. This particular sign covers the first 56 of Uni7 and first 140 of Uni8 with the middle pixels being the decoration around the text.  It was built that way by accident, but xlights modeled it well last year. This year, something is not quite right.

I am running xLights 2016.52 at the moment. All universes are E1.31 and are fed into my personal homespun Raspberry Pi 8 Universe transmitter. This ornament sign is my only current problem.

My sequential custom models are working fine, but they are a bit smaller, square matrices of 49 pixels in 7x7 arrangement with no gaps.

When I use the test tool in xlights and expand only the CustomOrnamentSign model, the nodes are sequential even though the model is not numbered as such. Also, the channels in the Controllers listed at the top are sequential. If I change the RGB outputs and toggle the nodes, around 56-65, it sequentially changes the output data as visible in SACNviewer or my own wireless sniffer or the ornament sign itself.

I updated the matrix models to accommodate the zigzag, and combined them in a group but the sequencer still won't do Text or Pinwheel type effects. Colorwash works on this model.  I'll keep trying.

5

Nutcracker Models / Custom model channel numbering with gaps

« on: December 19, 2016, 12:32:49 AM »

Has anyone else had difficulty with custom models requiring sequential numbering? This wasn't the case last year, but this year I can't get my tune to sign modeled. It is 7 rows by 28 pixels wide, but the first bottom two rows are in universe 7, followed by the decorative outline of the sign and then the top five rows are in the next universe 8. Last year the model counted 1-56, then skipped to pixel 171/channel 511, the first of the next controller.
I've even tried creating two matrices, one 2x28 and one 5x28 and then creating a model group, but that didn't allow me to drop text on the group. Color washes worked.
It is the customOrnamentSign in the xml attached.
Any suggestions?

6

General Software / Re: Not getting E1.31 output consistently

« on: December 14, 2014, 09:49:15 PM »

I am now running at least. It bothers me that I don't know why the other laptop doesn't work, but my older laptop is doing ok still.
I had one freeze this evening, luckily as I was backing out of my drive, music and lights stopped mid song.  I toggled the run schedule checkbox and it pick right up and completed the night. Thanks for the support and thanks Sean et al. for the software.

7

General Software / Re: Not getting E1.31 output consistently

« on: December 13, 2014, 04:08:09 PM »

Today, I swapped computers from win7 lowly entry level laptop to an above average at the time vista laptop and everything is working thus far.  I have a Raspberry Pi Falcon Player in the wings. I'll update as I figure anything more out.

8

General Software / Re: Not getting E1.31 output consistently

« on: December 11, 2014, 09:28:19 PM »

I'll look into the power saving modes, but that wouldn't explain the issues I'm having getting the output to lights started. It might explain why it kept stopping tonight, though. Thanks.

9

General Software / Re: Not getting E1.31 output consistently

« on: December 11, 2014, 08:15:23 PM »

Tonight the programmed schedule started, but didn't drive any lights. When I got home I switched to the test tab and everything worked. I switched back to schedule, toggled output to lights and run schedule check boxes and it eventually started driving lights. I left the house and when I returned again no output. I closed xlights and restarted as admin, started schedule and again lights output stopped sometime later.
I'm running on a low level win7 celeron laptop. I have no other sw running, antivirus included. Wifi has been off all day. My guess is there is something weak about my laptop.
I'm going to throw together a FPP pi, real quick if I can and hope the export function works.
Is there anything debug or logging I can turn on? It is weird that the test page works so much more successfully.

10

General Software / Re: Not getting E1.31 output consistently

« on: December 10, 2014, 11:41:42 PM »

Thanks for the suggestions. Tonight I did get a sequence to run and repeat for three hours showing "Merry Christmas.... More coming soon" on my matrix gift box. It didn't start on the first try, but once going, it succeeded.
I have the Ethernet going to Ron's 8 channel FPGA board with the Komby adapter and one USB to 485 to Renard plus TR16s. No other wired network, just straight to FPGA. The paths work good with V2.1 and xlights test page and other xlights functions occasionally.
I'll post pics and XML when I get back to the lappy.
I do use the WiFi on the lappy to research and move files, so maybe that's part of the issue. I'll pay attention to it's on/off state.

Thanks again and keep the ideas coming. I really need xlights to be a win for my setup.

11

General Software / Re: Not getting E1.31 output consistently

« on: December 10, 2014, 05:19:05 PM »

Anyone? Tonight I can't get anything out to the lights except for the test page. I can't run a sequence on the preview, nutcracker, or on the playlist or scheduler. Everything looks good on the laptop screen, but nothing goes out.
 Any ideas?

12

Nutcracker Models / Multiple universe custom frame

« on: December 10, 2014, 08:24:03 AM »

Is it possible to create a custom window frame type effect from 4 strings on 4 different universes? The universes are not full or sequential.  This is my roof line, a rectangle with four strings starting from the bottom left and right corners and ending near the middle top and bottom. Each string is it's own universe and own wireless channel.

If I create the XML, will nutcracker handle it? The model generator doesn't seem to offer a direct solution to span universes, but maybe a text editor can.

Again, thanks for a great powerful and flexible tool, but "with great power comes great" ... complexity. 

13

Nutcracker Models / Multiple universe custom frame

« on: December 10, 2014, 08:22:42 AM »

Is it possible to create a custom window frame type model from 4 strings on 4 different universes? The universes are not full or sequential.  This is my roof line, a rectangle with four strings starting from the bottom left and right corners and ending near the middle top and bottom. Each string is it's own universe and own wireless channel.

If I create the XML, will nutcracker handle it? The model generator doesn't seem to offer a direct solution to span universes, but maybe a text editor can.

Again, thanks for a great powerful and flexible tool, but "with great power comes great" ... complexity. 

14

General Software / Not getting E1.31 output consistently

« on: December 10, 2014, 08:12:03 AM »

I am having issues getting the e E1.31 output from the preview tab and occasionally the nutcracker effects tab. The test tab consistently works. For a short period last night all tabs were working, but then after editing the sequence and resaving, I lost all output. The test tab continued to work fine.

Had anyone else experienced this type of issue? Is there any debug logs that could help explain why the Ethernet is not getting out?

I'm running the latest xlights, 3.6.12 I think.
Setup is one 48 channel of Renard usb and 8 E1.31 universes.

Tonight I'll try complete uninstall and reinstall. When it works it is beautiful.