Custom model channel numbering with gaps

[Ellis]

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?

[garyh]

I have a Boscoyo Star with 270 pixels and had no problem mapping it.  I'm using a Falcon F16V2 (680 pixels per output max) with absolute addressing and I hooked the star up to Port 1 and configured the port to 270 pixels.  I started at Channel 1 and punched in 270 pixels--it went through the lights and I fed it back in and created my model.  Once I had my model I imported it into xlights and dropped it in my layout.  Next I set it to the actual channel number I was using which was probably in the 9000's.

So why not hook the item up to port 1 and let it chug through all the pixels and create a model?  You didn't mention what controller board you have, or if you are limited to 1 uni per output and that's why you are splitting universes or maybe you are thinking there are problems going across uni's... more info on your controller would help.

[Gilrock]

There is no problem skipping channels in custom models.  Any problems would be in the universe setup or the controller setup.

[Gilrock]

Are universes 7 and 8 set to size 510 on the setup page?  What's the controller setup look like?

[Gilrock]

If you want those lower matrices to match you gotta define them with zigzag.  So the small one would be 1 string, 56 nodes, 2 strands per string and the big one is 1 string, 140 nodes, 5 strands per string.

[Ellis]

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.

[Gilrock]

The node numbers on the grid are always going to be numbered sequential we don't try to show that you skipped channels.  So those numbers are not significant as to which channels are really being activated.  You need to be more specific when describing the problem.  For instance don't just say Text still don't work.  Does that mean it's not working in the xLights preview, or the actual lights or both?  I tested you setup so I know it works in the xLights preview so if its not working on the real lights then you don't have something wired the same as you told me.  Put up some text and take a picture and show us.   Also show the xLights preview of the Text.

[Ellis]

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.

[Ellis]

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

[Gilrock]

I mean the node numbers when you expand the model on the Sequencer grid...not the node numbers in the custom model grid...it's obvious that those numbers matter.

[Gilrock]

You don't even have the preview matching.  I had that matching where I was dropping Text on the custom model and then the sign with the 2 matrices were also correct showing the same text since they are a channel overlay.  You must not have made the changes I stated earlier to make those 2 matrices do a zig zag configuration.

[Ellis]

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!

[Gilrock]

We can make it work no matter how you wire it.

[taybrynn]

I skip nodes in a many of my models.  THe check sequence complains about them, but they work just great.