Messages

1

The Water Cooler / Re: Old school Reindeer want to be upgraded

« on: January 02, 2018, 12:28:56 PM »

What about using something like this after installing the lights?

Never tried it but it could be another way incase you do not like e look it would be way easier to remove than fiberglass would!

https://goo.gl/RExqys

2

Do You Need Help? Post it here / Re: Insert Manual (TAP) timing marks in MAC

« on: December 21, 2017, 01:16:55 PM »

I was clicking and selecting sections of the wave form! I also was positive the correct track was selected!
The only difference was seen when I used the space bar to actually start the song, only then would it register the marks in the timing track with the t key

3

Do You Need Help? Post it here / Re: Insert Manual (TAP) timing marks in MAC

« on: December 20, 2017, 07:08:58 PM »

Pretty much like you say.  Select the range to play in the waveform, hit Spacebar to start play, tap the "t" key.

Made sure the "New Timing" track is active, selected an area of the waveform, hit space, it started playing.   Hit "t" and timing marks created perfectly.

I did it just the same way prior but I did not use the space bar to start it playing!

I did it just like before but used the space bar like you said and then it would let you insert the timing mark.

I do believe that it was hitting the space-bar to start it playing was what makes the difference instead of starting it in the task-bar at the top of the program.


Following your advice worked!!

Thanks for that bit of advice!

4

Do You Need Help? Post it here / Re: Insert Manual (TAP) timing marks in MAC

« on: December 20, 2017, 05:46:57 PM »

I am almost 101% sure I am on .44

I checked and I am and I tried it again with a new track, select range of music to mark and as it plays tap on the lowercase t key and nothing is placed in the selected blank "NEW" track

Someone describe how it should work and I will try it the way they say!

5

Do You Need Help? Post it here / Re: Insert Manual (TAP) timing marks in MAC

« on: December 20, 2017, 03:14:29 AM »

I actually thought I had figured this out while working on one of my PCs but tsame way will not work on the MAC.

On the PC I can select the track as well as the range of music I would like to tap the marks into and they will be inserted where I tap.

On the MAC I do the same and if I am lucky I may get the mark to inrt only at the current position of where I have my cursor in the music at the top of Xlights.

I can duplicate this on my other PCs as well as the MAC and all respond the same way.

PC I can tap insert but MAC I cannot!

I will try again when I get home today!

Thanks again and Happy Holidays to all!!

6

Do You Need Help? Post it here / Insert Manual (TAP) timing marks in MAC

« on: December 19, 2017, 09:15:15 PM »

First does the Tap ( lower case) timing mark insert work on a MAC or has it ever?

If it is still functional on a MAC what is the way to utilize it as when I press the t there is no mark inserted.

I have tried to search the keyboard for any key that will mark an empty timing track manually but I see no way to make it happen when using my MAC.

I will test it tomorrow when I get in on my PC as it is now 11:12pm and my bedtime is 8:30pm

Yes I  am awake 16 hrs and try to get 8 hrs sleep daily but looks like it is not that way tonight!

Thanks in advance for any assistance and or advice about the Manually marking of the Empty timing track!"Not the sleep"

7

Do You Need Help? Post it here / Re: Crashed xLights version 2017.38 6 then lost light output. Grey RENDER MODE

« on: December 02, 2017, 09:02:33 PM »

Sequence was loaded.

I have about 6 different Windows Laptops, 3 Linux laptops and 1 Mac Book as well as 3 Windows Desktops and an iMac all which work and serves their own purpose.

I chose one of the Windows Laptops that I had the same setup on to compare the one that crashed. I did not touch the Render Mode settings but was just going through the menu trying to see what may be different between a working copy and the one that was not working.

Both had same sequence loaded.
Both had same models set up the same way.

Removed bad copy. Cleared the registry. reboot , clear registry again. Shut down and restart laptop. Completely reload Xlights with the QM Vamp reloaded.

Rebuilt Matrix model, recreate the sequence and all is working again and now

Render Mode is not Greyed out

8

Do You Need Help? Post it here / Crashed xLights version 2017.38 6 then lost light output. Grey RENDER MODE

« on: December 02, 2017, 05:26:30 PM »

I was working with a Matrix looking at and exploring the effects. Falcon F16V3 Main board.

All was working well when xLights crashed and generated a report in ZIP format. Light output was lost in the sequence so I built a new one with no light output. Rebuilt model, no light output. Test tab does control light output.

I grabbed a second laptop with the same build. Built the exact same Matrix Model, dropped in the same song and build a short simple sequence and all works as it should. Matrix is controlled in the sequence as well as the Test tab.

I am going to delete the xLights on the Dell laptop and reboot then reinstall it to see if the Render Mode selection is still greyed out.

I had xLights 4.3.01 on it as well and it is the same way, no Lights and grey Render Mode after 64 bit crashed.

any ideas what I can check or way to prevent it from happening again?


In  .LOG fil and Backtrace.txt see the following - Crashed thread id: 0xA2C or 2604

9

Nutcracker Models / Re: 1152 Node Matrix 24x48 Nodes 4 sections of 288 nodes ?????

« on: November 28, 2017, 02:56:27 AM »

I may have mislead everyone with the word quadrant when like you show I mean into 1/4 sections on the same PLANE. 

1|2|3|4

I see what you are saying about the difference and to actually wire in quadrants would not make sense to me either!

Sorry for that misleading and incorrect statement on my part!

I do appreciate any and all comments and or assistance that has been provided.

10

Nutcracker Models / Re: 1152 Node Matrix 24x48 Nodes 4 sections of 288 nodes ?????

« on: November 27, 2017, 04:44:27 PM »

Next time I can be sure to model it in Xlights first then do the wiring but this time I did the wiring in a zigzag starting at the top left to the bottom then bottom to top and repeat in a zigzag pattern.

I could pull out all 1152 pixels and start over but I do not see that happening.

The only thing I did different in my wiring was to split it into quads and use 4 different ports so that automatically injected the same 5vdc into the matrix at 4 points.

 Like I said I could just move a few wires and run it all from 1 port but then I would have to go back and add 3 points for power injection or just use the same 3 ports minus the data wire from the last 3 so that just port 1 runs the whole show.

My way gives me options in case a port goes bad I still have 3. a bit of wire change and a small change on the hardware and I could be running again with no issues on 3 port or even 2.

11

Nutcracker Models / Re: 1152 Node Matrix 24x48 Nodes 4 sections of 288 nodes ?????

« on: November 27, 2017, 03:26:58 PM »

I have the F16V3 set to use 4 Outputs to run the Matrix at 288 pixels per port.

the 4 outputs work each quadrant of the Matrix. I can change a few connections and run it all from 1 Port if I needed too but this makes sure I have hose 4 ports consumed on the 4-String Differential Receiver Board which will be the final controller for this matrix.

Like I said this will be for next years use so I do have time to make changes if I need to do so.

the whole Matrix is run from 1 - 5vdc 350watt Power supply and I have power injected twice into each 288 string at the midway and the end of each string with no issue. At any point on the Matrix I can check power the lowest I have found is 4.8v.

What else would I need to do to make it correct for an upload configuration?

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Nutcracker Models / Re: 1152 Node Matrix 24x48 Nodes 4 sections of 288 nodes ?????

« on: November 27, 2017, 12:52:04 PM »

Actually I did state it was a F16V3 in the first post. This is a Falcon Controller.

I will go back and look at it with the settings that you show and see if there is any noticeable difference in how the Matrix responds.

This is not something that will be utilized this Christmas but will in future show, I am also adding a mega tree as well as more pixel outlines for the house as well.

Thanks aga for the input and if anyone else has a suggestion please feel free to let me know!

13

Nutcracker Models / Re: 1152 Node Matrix 24x48 Nodes 4 sections of 288 nodes ?????

« on: November 27, 2017, 04:27:32 AM »

What would be a better way to set this up?

I have 4 outputs going to the Matrix with each output driving 288 nodes, 1/4 of the layout.
It is wired in a zigzag pattern starting at the top left.

I have it wired in 1/4s of the whole matrix with 4 strings of 288 nodes at 24 nodes high by 12 nodes wide, for a total of 1152 nodes.

Completed matrix is 24 nodes high by 48 nodes wide.

Any input that would help me and or others  will be greatly appreciated for future plans.

I still have plans for a Mega tree, 16 -180`/ 32 - 360` in the works as well as possibly other matrices for the future.

Going away incandescent and heading toward all pixels .

14

Nutcracker Models / Re: 1152 Node Matrix 24x48 Nodes 4 sections of 288 nodes ?????

« on: November 26, 2017, 06:10:40 PM »

Been all over Xlights and tried all different types of models and finally I read on this site in a thread, forgot which on, what was recommended to to set it at.

Horizontal
1 #string
1152 nodes/string
24 strands/string
top left

And after a bit more I powered everything down to each dinner.
went back and set the model back to

vertical
48 #strings
24 nodes/string
1 strands/string
top left


Made a few adjustments in the F16V3 and all appears to be functioning as it should even though I have been working on it most of the day and positive I had tried those settings earlier.

I believe I am going to have to go back to keeping a log like in the d coding days to keep up with any and all changes and attempts made!!

Thanks again!
That got me the closest I had been all day and when I went back in to the F16V3 I had to set the zigzag at 24

15

Nutcracker Models / 1152 Node Matrix 24x48 Nodes 4 sections of 288 nodes ?????

« on: November 26, 2017, 01:25:46 PM »

I am trying to build a model that will allow me to run a 24X48 Pixel Horizontal matrix that has 24 vertical pixels with 48 pixels across.

I can build a model with 4 sections on288 pixels but I cannot get it to respond as 1 complete matrix in Xlights.

When I place it in a sequence the Model plays as if it is 4 small matrix's and each show the exact same thing on each instead of One Large Matrix.

Is there any way to go in and renumber the model so that each 1 of the 4 sections of the model is controlled by 1 port of a F16V3, or am I going about it the wrong way?

The Matrix is wired like the model shows with 4 sections of 288 nodes, stating at the top left and zig zagging. I have also attempted this with the matrix in Xlights but it will not let me tell it the way I have it actually wired n the real world!

The Boscoyo model is how I have it wired and the Custom Model is the exported Matirx in Xlights