SuperStar-type sequencing

[Shawn42]

Trying to program my CCR tree and my 16x50 tree. I have previously used and am very familiar with SS and love the tight control that it provides. I am not having too much luck in attaining the same control in XLights. From image creation to pixel specific morphs, I am only really able to throw effects onto either tree instead of actually sequencing it.
Am I looking at this wrong? Is there a function within XLights that allows for SS-style programming?
Am I better off sequencing these two elements in SS and importing them into XLights?

[Gilrock]

Doesn't sound like you know xLights yet.  It's hard to find something you can do in SuperStar that you can't do in xLights.  For Morphs and Pictures you need to be using the Effect Assist panel.  Turn it on under Settings if you don't see it.

Here's a sequence I did totally in xLights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ80mAOD2lw

[sean]

Trying to program my CCR tree and my 16x50 tree. I have previously used and am very familiar with SS and love the tight control that it provides. I am not having too much luck in attaining the same control in XLights. From image creation to pixel specific morphs, I am only really able to throw effects onto either tree instead of actually sequencing it.
Am I looking at this wrong? Is there a function within XLights that allows for SS-style programming?
Am I better off sequencing these two elements in SS and importing them into XLights?

Try bringing in a superstar file (*.sup) using "Import,Import Effects"/ This will show you that nearly every effect in superstar has an equivalent effect in xlights. I purchased a couple of superstar sequences from Holdaiysequences.com, they imported in within 1 seconds and i then could edit all of their effects. I do not own Superstar (Nor is it needed when importing SS sequences).

Gil and Dan get the credit for making the import of *.sup possible.

[Shawn42]

Ok, I am up for the challenge. I've only been using Xlights for about a month versus a program I knew very well so I would obviously be biased towards what I am familiar with.

I am playing with the Effect Assist a bit more and that is a good crossover step for someone like myself accustomed to the x,y (A/B) grid.

What about image creation? For example in SS I could create a grid that was 50 ribbons wide and sequence a landscape, then allow that image to move across the visible 12 ribbons that I actually have thus creating an effect like a camera panning across a landscape.

I should probably just keep tinkering around until I see what all it can do before pestering the board.

Regardless, thank you for the help. You guys are the reason that this software is so popular, the assistance is top notch.

[markrvp]

Ok, I am up for the challenge. I've only been using Xlights for about a month versus a program I knew very well so I would obviously be biased towards what I am familiar with.

I am playing with the Effect Assist a bit more and that is a good crossover step for someone like myself accustomed to the x,y (A/B) grid.

What about image creation? For example in SS I could create a grid that was 50 ribbons wide and sequence a landscape, then allow that image to move across the visible 12 ribbons that I actually have thus creating an effect like a camera panning across a landscape.

I should probably just keep tinkering around until I see what all it can do before pestering the board.

Regardless, thank you for the help. You guys are the reason that this software is so popular, the assistance is top notch.

Is it an actual image?  Or can you make your graphic a .png?  Use the Picture effect and choose VECTOR for motion and change the start and ending X coordinates to pan across the image.

[Gilrock]

Well hopefully the "challenge" you are up for is learning xLights and not just trying to be a pain pointing out any little thing you find that we might not have in the program.  We've got enough of those guys around.

The Picture drawing tool isn't completely where I'd like to see it eventually.  When I used SuperStar it worked the way xLights works now.  You could only create a scene the size of the tree.But it hasn't been a priority for me because I figure  most people that are serious about drawing pictures will use a real image editing program like Photoshop.  There is no way I'll ever spend the time to make the drawing function in xLights as good as Photoshop.  You can see in my video I have photos scrolling across the landscape of the model.

If you want to use SuperStar its not gonna hurt my feelings.  But I can show you some advancements to the effects that are only in xLights.  We'll see how long before he copies my ideas.  Just look at how my Morph can be set to repeat across the model and set a skip count and add stagger to when each copy fires.  If you set the settings right you can create motions that look 3 dimensional using the repeat features.  Also once you get used to it xLights is faster to sequence.  Its much quicker to be able to drag your effects around on the screen or resize them in xLights.

Also make sure you add layers to your models.  Right-click the row heading and add layers.  For a mega tree I almost always have at least 6 to 10 layers.  We don't allow effects to exist on top of each other on the grid in xLights so when you import from SuperStar I create new layers if needed to prevent the overlap.  I've done a SuperStar import that created over 200 layers on one model in xLights.

[Gilrock]

By the way in the Effect Assist window if you want single line morphs instead of area morphs then it's easier to just click with the left mouse button to establish the start points and click with the right mouse button to establish the end points.  For areas you can either click and drag with either button or drag the handles.  Last time I used SuperStar I don't think you can move just one corner you have to re-drag out the vector for each edge.

[Phrog30]

And superstar has the annoying modify button, forget to click that and you lost your work. Xlights is better on many levels.

To add what Gil and others have said, to make the transition from lightorama to xlights better, easier, etc., forget what you know about lightorama and just learn xlights. When you start saying, lightorama can do this, can xlights do that... all that does is cloud the waters. A lot of xlights users are former lightorama guys, including the developers. You will not be sorry for going xlights.

James

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Shawn42]

Gil,

Not trying to be a pain whatsoever. I've been a die hard LOR guy for years but after Vegas I've completely switched everything to xlights. Just trying to wrap my head around it and understand it on the same level as I know SS. Didn't get a chance to try Sean's suggestion of importing an sup file and seeing the Xlights equivalent, that should greatly help the understanding on my part.
As for the layering, that's one function I need to understand a bit better and play with a bit more, any good videos or tutorials you can recommend? To me the biggest issue with SS is the lack of layers. People have been asking Brian to add that for years and the reply is always the same... "next year".

[flyinverted]

Here's a video I did on putting multiple effects on a model at the same time using layer masks.

This method is still applicable, however it's easier now with the effects being able to portioned to section of a model without masks.

There are still very good reasons to use masks though.   I'll be doing an advanced layering class at the Expo and once the Expo is done I'll share the slide deck online.

http://stevesimages.com/xl4-sample/layers.mp4

[bpducman]

Nice Video Steve.

Thanks

It's so easy to feel aimless, good to have a method to the madness. LOL

[Shawn42]

Awesome! Thank you Steve.

[Shawn42]

Just imported an sup file into an xlights sequence I'm working on and the import was flawless. Shows you basically every function and how it's done in xlights. The HUGE bonus is sequencing all from one screen. This allows for seamless integration of the mega tree into your normal sequence. In SS I was never able to match my regular lights to my CCR tree with any sort of accuracy because I was writing them at separate times.
I'm sold.

[Phrog30]

I'm sold.

Don't be afraid to donate. The developers are heading to the expo and could always use help.

James

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[gerry]

Here's a video I did on putting multiple effects on a model at the same time using layer masks.

This method is still applicable, however it's easier now with the effects being able to portioned to section of a model without masks.

There are still very good reasons to use masks though.   I'll be doing an advanced layering class at the Expo and once the Expo is done I'll share the slide deck online.

http://stevesimages.com/xl4-sample/layers.mp4

Thanks for the video Steve. Very nicely stated. Have added to the Wiki.