Font size in group very different than font size in individual model

[mstevetodd]

Just getting started, have two simple 10x40 WS2811 matrix models. If I apply text effect to individual model, size 10 or so fits nicely, filling the display.
I then create a group and add both models to it, side by side, for a longer display (10x80). Applying a text effect to one or both of the models individually works as before, size 10 fits nicely.
However, if I apply the text effect to the group, the size shrinks badly. Font size 10 now shows as 1 pixel high. Font size 72 on the group is similar in size to the 10 on each model.
What's up with this? Other effects look the same applied to the group or individual model.
I have started fresh to see if that fixed it, tried different fonts, tried latest beta version, but always the same result.
What am I missing here? Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
  SteveT 

[keithsw1111]

This is expected. It is the nature of how the render buffer is created for groups. Others who have had this problem have worked around it using a shadow custom model that represents both matrices.

[Gilrock]

Just curious can you try one of the XL fonts I added in the next box down.  My fonts are designed to always draw the same number of pixels.

[dkulp]

Change the "Render Style" when on the group to either Horizontal by Model/Strand or Vertical by Model/Strand (not sure which).   That should stick the models next to each other in a much more appropriately sized buffer.

[mstevetodd]

Just curious can you try one of the XL fonts I added in the next box down.  My fonts are designed to always draw the same number of pixels.

Same result with the XL Fonts. I tried them first, as I liked their look on my small matrix.

[Gilrock]

Did you try Dan's suggestion?  I know my fonts draw the exact size so the problem is the buffer they are drawing into is super big for the model group you have in combination with the selected render style.  One light probably covers several nodes in the model group grid.

[mstevetodd]

Change the "Render Style" when on the group to either Horizontal by Model/Strand or Vertical by Model/Strand (not sure which).   That should stick the models next to each other in a much more appropriately sized buffer.

The only place I found "Render Style" was on the Layer Settings, Buffer tab. Is that the correct place? If so, I changed that to both of the suggestions, but each garbled the text output. Only "Default" resulted in readable text.

However, on the Layout tab, I found that setting "Default Layout Mode" to "Minimal Grid" and setting the "Max Grid Size" to 80 (it was 400) fixed the problem! Text effects applied to the group are now sized similarly to the individual models. The XL Fonts work properly, as do the OS Fonts (e.g. size 12 fits nicely).

So I think I'm good now (traveling, so I can't test it on the actual lights). Thanks to everyone for the quick and helpful responses.
--SteveT

[Gilrock]

Model Groups are configured as "Minimal Grid" by default so you must have changed it or else been using an rgbeffects file from way back before we changed the default.

[mstevetodd]

Model Groups are configured as "Minimal Grid" by default so you must have changed it or else been using an rgbeffects file from way back before we changed the default.

No doubt you are correct.
As a test, I changed the "Max Grid Size" back to 400, leaving "Minimal Grid", and the fonts shrank again. So I'll be sure to always set the grid size value to match as my lights grow.
Update: I am home and applied my new sequence to the actual lights and they look great.
Thanks again for the help.