Xlights, Matrix, and odd output

[opopanax]

Most likely this is user error, but I've been putzing and I"m out of ideas.

I just setup a matrix. 24 rows by 50 nodes. For the most part I'm using 100 nodes a string with the exception of Row 5 which is just a solo 50 node string because I"m an idiot and ran out of 50 nodes (was doing 2 a string) and didn't feel like pulling them all out.

I'm using  HinksPix pro for a controller and xlights for layout and sequencing. I used individual channels on the matrix since I was not consistent with the 100 node string for a 50 row matrix. I have the matrix set as Horizontal, # strings 24, Nodes/string 50, and strands/string as 2. Starting at the top right.

In my test sequence, everything looks fine in the preview. I'm trying some text to say "MERRY" and "CHRISTMAS" using Arial Narrow Bold 9 pt with Merry static and Christmas moving to left.

Other than being tough to read, it LOOKS fine on the preview.

I also tried a few faces: rendered, Snowman2, Snowman6 all from xlights.org resources. These also LOOK fine in the preview.

When I run the sequence and look at the matrix outside I get something different. MERRY is unreadable and tasks up the whole width of the matrix which it doesn't do in the preview. Christmas appears to be moving as 2 different unreadable words across the left AND right. And the faces look okay, but I get 2 as if the matrix is split in half and showing the same image.

I have no idea where to start so I can get the output I'm seeing in the preview. Suggestions are more than welcome!

https://youtu.be/yFtzOZ35t3Q

[allknowing2012]

This is a bit advanced for the forum .. and suggest going to xlightszoom.com for help.
It will likely involve settings strings to 1, exporting as a custom xlights model. Reimporting the custom model. Then set to the strings to the number of ports and clicking individual strings so you can get the 100,100,..,50 values. Then place this on visualizer and upload to the HP.

[Rudy B.]

Not sure how much time it would take you to re-do the matrix, but I have a feeling that by time you get done messing around learning and creating a custom model...........

[opopanax]

Thanks for the reply and the other forum suggestion. I figured the lights forum would be my best shot.

If the issue is that 1 row of fifty, I would need to pull everything before everything below it which is the majority of the lights. So if that's the cause a custom model will likely be less pain on my thumbs.

I'm not quite convinced that it's the cause. If I got a centered face image instead of two and that center image was just out of wack because the output was going to the channels unexpected - I would blame the 50 node row, but since I get 2 clean face images instead of one it just feels like a weird side-effect of a light setup.

[Gilrock]

"I used individual channels on the matrix"
What does that mean?  Is that setting in the controller?  Or does xLights allow you to specify different string lengths now?

You need to right-click the model and inspect the Node Layout and see if it matches reality.

[opopanax]

Gilrock, you have a few options with Xlights. You can visualize and drag and drop models onto ports from your controller. You can also specify the start channel. For a single string, it's the first channel of the controller for the first node on your string. Xlights then has you specify how many nodes are on the string and it does the math for you to determine what the channels are needed for the rest of the string.

Matrix lets you do something similar. Define how many nodes per string, how many rows of strings, where it "starts" (like top right corner" and either drag/drop with the visualizer - or you can set the start channel for each "string" in the matrix. This means if I have 24 rows of 50 nodes, and I have 100 node strings, I can zig zag a string to take 2 rows. If you were smart and consistent Xlights can handle all that math. If you're a moron like I was, then you get to say that Row 1 starts with channel 1, Row 2 with channel 151, etc

[Gilrock]

Yeah I know how most of it works and I wrote a good portion of the program but I don't remember it having the ability to specify different string lengths inside a matrix model so if it does have that ability it snuck in without me seeing it.  You mentioned being able to set start channels for each string in the matrix but I do not see you saying that you can tell xlights that every string is 100 length except for string 5 which is 50.  That's why I said look at the Node Layout and see if it matches what you wired up.  If not then you gotta do a Custom Model...pretty easy to figure out.

[opopanax]

I see what you mean.

I think you're right.

I did a test this morning.  I started from scratched as a test (after making a backup). So added the controller again, created the layout, and sequence.

I reduced the size of the matrix so it's ONLY using my 100 node strings. So I have 12 rows total visible. In the layout I set it to be 6 strings, 100 nodes/string, and 2 strands/string. The first time I entered in the starting channels for each string. I got some weird output. So I started over again, and this time I used the visualizer. The node layout is what I would expect. The channels are what I would expect, but I'm still getting different output than what I'm seeing in the previews.

A similar issue where it appears the matrix is actually split in half down the middle.

So I went crazy. Grabbed a different computer. Installed xlights and QM fresh. Rebuilt the controller/layout the exact same way above -- and it works fine. So I'm not sure what the heck I did wrong previously, but it does appear my single 50 is throwing things off but I'm still not sure how it would create a dual image