How do I add null pixels in the middle of a megatree?

[deonb]

Drawing a blank here.

My megatree has null pixels in the middle of it. (Don't ask). They're not at the beginning of a strand/port, so I can't null them out in the controller.

How do I set this up in xLights/FPP?

During planning I thought - ok, easy: Just split the Output into 2, so that I have a first Output that runs up to before the null pixel, and a second Output that starts after the null pixel - thereby skipping it in the mapping. However, an output can only start at channel 1 on a Universe... (Both xLights and FPP). The null pixel, and the one after that I want to actually address, is in the middle of a Universe.

And of course the tree model doesn't allow individual pixels to be mapped. It allows individual Strings to be mapped, but that's not enough.

I also can't really use a custom model since this is a 3D effect (360 tree) and the custom model is in 2D space last I looked). It would think strand 1 and 33 are next to each other instead of 180 degrees apart.


I have no problems about doing this in xlights_networks.xml or xlights_rgbeffects.xml, but don't know what to look for since I can't figure out how to construct a precedent for this in the UI.

[Gilrock]

Custom model is only way to do it in xLights.  It may help to know that we model a 360 tree as a 2D matrix internally in xLights so the only difference you'll have is visual in the preview.

[deonb]

Custom model is only way to do it in xLights.  It may help to know that we model a 360 tree as a 2D matrix internally in xLights so the only difference you'll have is visual in the preview.

Ok, can do.

How is a whole-house effect done over the 2D matrix version of the 360 tree?

[Gilrock]

Just imagine a sheet of paper wrapped around a can.  The effect would look like it starts at the back of the tree then swings around the front and curve around to the back again on the other side.  People viewer in front probably won't even know the difference.

[deonb]

Just imagine a sheet of paper wrapped around a can.  The effect would look like it starts at the back of the tree then swings around the front and curve around to the back again on the other side.  People viewer in front probably won't even know the difference.

Wow, I never noticed... which I guess is kind'a the point .

[Gilrock]

I was describing what it will do if you use a custom model.  I'm not sure if a 360 tree in a whole house model would work exactly the same but I wouldn't worry I think it would look fine.

[pixelpuppy]

My megatree has null pixels in the middle of it. (Don't ask). They're not at the beginning of a strand/port, so I can't null them out in the controller.

If you have a Falcon V2 controller you can have nulls in the middle using the virtual string feature