HLS to XL4 Ghosting of effects

[Boof63]

Okay, I got my HLS sequences converted to XL after some help from Boof (thanks mate), but now I'm struggling to remove some effects/data layer from some of my models. I was advised to add/overwrite with an effect at at the model level and this would overwrite the data at node level. I could then delete the effect, which would remove the effect/data layer. I did this, but the data layer keeps re-appearing. It doesn't seem to matter what I do, it returns. I have tried on a number of sequences, and the same thing happens. Any suggestions?
Habbosorus

[Gilrock]

One part of that is not true.  You can't delete the effect and expect it to have erased something in a Data Layer.  The whole reason I added the Data Layer feature was to prevent exactly what you're trying to do.  The old way of importing works like you want but you run into problems later like what if you accidentally drop an effect somewhere and it delete a section there is no recovery.  The whole point of data layers was to maintain that data independently.

[habbosrus]

 I've been out of the lighting thing for 12 months and just getting back into it. I haven't looked at lights or software during that time, so I guess I've missed some things and forgotten some things.
Okay, I'm trying to understand how this works and ultimately how it affects my sequences and the direction I take.
Is the data layer one piece of data dropped on the sequence?
That would mean that parts can't be removed/deleted, but can be overwritten with new effect?
So, what I am trying to do, can't be done?
If that is the case, is there another way?
I have a number of sequences that I have created/edited from 2013 to 2015 in HLS. During that time we moved house and I just removed some models and added other models.
2017 is another start, again in a different house. I was hoping to use old sequences and adapt to new house and convert to XL at the same time. Ultimately I would like to go forward with XL and hopefully use most of my previous sequences. Is there a way I can do this?

[Gilrock]

I think I answered how this all works in response to the same question on the auschristmas site.

[Boof63]

HI Gil, I posted the question on behalf of Habby,
So apologies for the double up,
Thanks again for the help.
Chhers Boofd63

[Gilrock]

I didn't even notice the names were different I just knew I had read the same thing twice...no problem.

[habbosrus]

All is good now. A very big thank you for all the help.
For those that are interested, my sequence of events are as follows (really quite easy)
Opened HLS sequence.
Removed pixelplanes that weren't going to be part of new setup (new house for 2017)
Removed models/channels that weren't going to be part of new setup
Saved new setup/sequence in HLS
Exported newly saved sequence in HLS
Setup Xlights to reflect setup in HLS (with same universe/channel setup)
Open new sequence in Xlights
Choose MP3 and add timing if wanted
Click on done
Click on settings tab, sequence settings, Data Layers tab, then import
Choose previously exported file from HLS export files folder (.hlsidata)
Choose lights off at end (or not, your choice)
Allow conversion process to take place (each of mine took less than 30 seconds!!!)
Click on Done
I then clicked on Render All
Save sequence
Done!
(New setup in Xlights only had to be done once and then used for each conversion)

I was super impressed as each sequence I converted too less than 10 minutes from start to finish!
I then went and created new universes/channels in the setup tab, to reflect new models for 2017
New models were hen created in layout tab.
Opened a previously saved sequence, edit display elements, Add views and created a new view, including new models, saved.
The whole process really was that easy. I was overthinking it previously and thinking it was going to be much harder than it was.

[keithsw1111]

Any chance you can send me your hls file. I want to rework the hls import to be more like the XLights one but I don't have a hls file to test with.

[habbosrus]

Any chance you can send me your hls file. I want to rework the hls import to be more like the XLights one but I don't have a hls file to test with.

Sure, here you go
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8qME2bHdpgqLVFnamF1YTN6LVU/view?usp=sharing

This is just the hlsidata file. Is that all you need? If you need anything else, just let me know.

[keithsw1111]

Got it thanks.

[Boof63]

Glad to hear you got it worked out Habby,
Cleaning up the HLS to what you needed was a masterstroke.
Cheers and thanks to all (ex - Hls user)
Boof63