Using xlights with AlphaPix

[drkxx]

I am a long time LOR user.  In fact, I ran my shows with X10 prior to LOR controllers.  I have integrated enough RGB into my show to entertain switching from S3/S4 over to xlights.  In doing so, I've run into a few issues that have kept me using S4.  Maybe someone has run into this before?

1 - With my AlphaPix controllers, some channels work fine, some broadcast laggy and sloppy output.  I have eight AlphaPix controllers, all of which work fine in tests mode.  Likewise, they work fine using S4.  However I have issues when using xlights.  In test mode, I can only operate about 12 outputs (roughly 600 channels) at a time without running into problems.  And those problems are mainly just laggy responses.   All of my AlphaPix controllers behave this way with xlights.  I am using 2811 3030 strips.  Some are power injected for length but most are uncut virgin strips. 

I have an LOR sequence that I purchase from a vendor.  Running it on LOR produces flawless results; every pixel is displayed perfectly.  When in xlights, after having successfully converted and mapped it, the sequence looks perfect on the model and whole house preview.  This sequence runs on my 16 pixel strip tree.  Each 2811 3030 strip is uncut and contains 150 channels. 

Outputs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, and 15 work fine.  The others just lag behind.  Rather than having crisp movement, it is sloppy and seems to process around 1 frame for every 1-2 seconds. 

AlphaPix are all latest version with most current 1.03 firmware.  LOR is installed but not running in the background.  Using xlights version from mid November.   Pixel strip tree controller  is set to 16 DMX universes on as many outputs with 150 channels per output.  Not running reverse order, null pix or anything non-standard. 

2)  This brings up my second problem.  Following the advice on the forum and the various videos online, I was successfully able to convert my LOR purchased sequence to xlights.  Preview works fine, output to lights is fine (minus the issues described above).   The problem is that every time I try to render, save, or save as, all of the effects disappears.  The models and their strings/nodes are still present as is the media and timing tracks, but no effects.  So, I have no real way to save a successful conversion.   I haven't been able to figure this one out. 

Any help or suggestions are appreciated. 

[Gilrock]

For #2 the problem is you're using an old method.  We don't recommend using a conversion to bring in the data anymore.  You can do that but then you gotta goto settings and change the render mode to canvas mode instead of erase mode.  Erase mode is clearing out the data before rendering which blows away anything brought in from a conversion.  A conversion is really meant to just convert a sequence to use in another program or on an FPP.  To work with the data in xLights you want to create a new sequence then goto the Settings menu, select Sequence Settings, select Data Layers tab, then click Import, and select the LMS file.  Wait for the conversion to complete by watching it show the number of channels imported.  With a data layer you can go back and update the file in LOR and then just come back and select the data layer and click the ReImport button.

For #1 the problem is we aren't trying to make any improvements to the player in xLights.  The Falcon Pi Player is better than any sequencer out there and all the xLights developers use it.  It's a cheap option and it leaves your PC available to edit your shows.  I'm not sure why but most people that are having trouble are using the AlphaPix board.  I can tell you I'm driving two F16v2 boards and a J1sys board right now directly from the sequencer grid using preview and it's working great.  I'm pumping out over 10,000 channels and I don't have half my yard setup yet.

[drkxx]

Thanks for the reply.  I appreciate.  Followed your advice, and so far so good