creating a matrix model

[bassnbuck]

my question is can you create a vertical matrix model without having the channels in order?

i have 6 sets of matrix that are 18 columns and 26 rows that go across the front of my house.  I have set up individual matrix no problem but i would like to combine all 6 so i could do scrolling text.  is this possible

[Steve Gase]

At the academy we created a custom matrix that combined 3 individual matrices, each different sizes, with different orientations, and starting channel corners.

I found it easiest to use excel to create the overall custom matrix, and entered the channel data into that form -- then pasted the data into the nutcracker custom model editor.

[bassnbuck]

is there a video or something that will show me how to do it?

[Steve Gase]

is there a video or something that will show me how to do it?

Here is the spreadsheet we used:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/79246681/Custom-3panel.xlsx

[bassnbuck]

SO when your entering a custom matrix width & height are you using number of pixels or number of channels?

so if i had a matrix 26 pixels high by 94 pixels wide is that what i would enter or is it  78 channels high by 282 channels wide?  and does it matter that my matrix is a zig zag pattern?

[Steve Gase]

it is based the number of pixels.  each pixel is RGB and assumed to be 3 channels.

if you are laying out 3 smaller panels -- end do end that are each 26x94 then you'd be making a combined custom matrix of 26x282...

if you were stacking them top to bottom, then the matrix would be 78x94....

Not sure what you mean by zig-zag...  but you don't need to have all panels perfectly aligned.  you could have the left-most panel at the bottom-left corner, the middle panel shifted up several rows, and the right-most back down to be even with the first panel.  in this situation, add more rows to your big custom model and use a unassigned channel in the empty spaces above and below panels.

[bassnbuck]

steve thank you very much i think i understand.  so you create this in the spreadsheet and then copy and paste it into the model or do you export it out of excel.  again thank you for your help.  i have asked how to lay this out before and got no response.

[Steve Gase]

1) create the model in excel
2) create the model in nutcracker using the dimensions of the model in excel
3) copy the cells in excel, and paste into the custom model create/edit dialog

[CaptainMurdoch]

The pixel numbers in the spreadsheet need to match exactly how your display looks physically.  If you fold your strings so every second line of the matrix counts right to left then the spreadsheet needs to depict that.  If your strings are vertical the spreadsheet should show the pixels counting up/down each column depending on your wrapping or folding method.

[JonB256]

Took a bit of fiddling to get it right but I do have a "mega matrix" made of 3 smaller matrices.

Left matrix is 45Hx22W vertical (new, not built quite yet)
Middle matrix  is 45H x22W vertical (new, not built quite yet)
Right Matrix is 30H x 40W horizontal  (the PVC matrix from The Academy)

That's a lot of pixels total:  990 + 990 +1200

Works in Preview. It will be awhile until I can verify it works outdoors.