Shadow model

[rposgood]

Feel a little dumb but can anyone explain shadow models and why/how you would use them?

Thanks

[keithsw1111]

A shadow model is a second model in your layout that is mapped to the same channels on your setup.

These models basically help you create different render buffer layouts which then allow you to achieve effects that were otherwise impossible. When submodels were added last year along with some new render buffer styles for groups the need for shadow models dropped dramatically but every now and then a good reason pops up.

[Gilrock]

I pretty much explained it 2 hours before you posted.  I call them "proxy models".  See my last response here:
http://nutcracker123.com/forum/index.php?topic=5236.msg32338;topicseen#msg32338

[rposgood]

Thanks Gil

[jnealand]

An example - I have 6 porch columns about 5 ft apart.  I have numbered the channels so they are contiguous.  I made a vertical matrix that is 6 columns wide that is not displayed on the layout or included in the whole house layout.  While I cannot use that for matrix type effects it works great with some effects and puts the effect on all my columns without having to put the effect on every individual column.

[keithsw1111]

An example - I have 6 porch columns about 5 ft apart.  I have numbered the channels so they are contiguous.  I made a vertical matrix that is 6 columns wide that is not displayed on the layout or included in the whole house layout.  While I cannot use that for matrix type effects it works great with some effects and puts the effect on all my columns without having to put the effect on every individual column.

With the new stacked horizontal model group buffer style even that may not be necessary any more.

[jnealand]

I cannot keep up with all the improvements that you make Keith.  Not complaining, except about my learning curve.  Might be age, just glad there are sources to buy sequences these days and that I seem to be pretty good (or lucky) at mapping.

[RandyS]

I cannot keep up with all the improvements that you make Keith.  Not complaining, except about my learning curve.  Might be age, just glad there are sources to buy sequences these days and that I seem to be pretty good (or lucky) at mapping.

I hear ya.  I don't know how the developers can hold down a steady job and have time to fix bugs, let alone keep enhancing XL.  I don't know about the other folks, but since he lives down under, I'm sure Keith must never sleep.........

[rposgood]

A shadow model is a second model in your layout that is mapped to the same channels on your setup.

These models basically help you create different render buffer layouts which then allow you to achieve effects that were otherwise impossible. When submodels were added last year along with some new render buffer styles for groups the need for shadow models dropped dramatically but every now and then a good reason pops up.

and the answer brings another question.... what is meant by a buffer layout? If this is detailed in the users manual I must have missed it. Can someone provide an example video?

Thanks!

[Gilrock]

Every effect in xLights renders onto a matrix with X width and Y height.  Even a single line is a matrix with a height of 1.  All render buffers mean is the way the pixels are arranged in a matrix before being passed to the effect rendering code.  If you rearrange the pixels then the same effect produces different results because ultimately the pixels on the preview are only arranged one way.