Author Topic: Uploading MegaTree config to span multiple controllers?  (Read 1078 times)

Offline deonb

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Uploading MegaTree config to span multiple controllers?
« on: December 05, 2019, 08:58:09 AM »
I'm trying to use the "Upload to Controller" feature. How do I set up a megatree to span multiple controllers though?

My megatree is a 64 strand x 100 tree. I have 4 controllers set up for it, connected to 16 strands per controller (E682):
10.0.131.50
10.0.131.60
10.0.131.70
10.0.131.80

The Ctrlr Conn setting is configured as: WS2811:1-64

I haven't configured anything else under Controller Connection.

When I do "View Controller", it shows controller 10.0.131.50 with pixel ports 1 to 17 (confirmed 17), with the first 17 strands configured on it. It does not show any connections to .60, .70 or .80

Is the feature currently limited to a single controller per prop or am I setting things up wrong?

Offline keithsw1111

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Re: Uploading MegaTree config to span multiple controllers?
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2019, 12:45:33 PM »
You cant upload to controllers to configure a single model that spans multiple controllers.

If you are desperate for upload then the only way to do this is to set your model to port 0 and no protocol and then create shadow models which represent the part of the prop on each controller and configure the shadow model for upload. You will get a warning on upload but it will upload.

Offline deonb

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Re: Uploading MegaTree config to span multiple controllers?
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2019, 12:58:36 PM »
That's ok - I can just use a second Show Directory and upload it as 4 separate megatrees to the controllers. Still beats entering the configuration manually into the E682 web page (by a lot)!

Can I log this as a (very low priority) feature request though?

Offline keithsw1111

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Re: Uploading MegaTree config to span multiple controllers?
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2019, 01:27:59 PM »
As a feature request. No. We are not going to add it as it will significantly complicate something that is already not easy for a case used by very few people with already existing workarounds.

I would not be creating a separate show folder. Just create the shadow models and put them in the unassigned preview.

Offline deonb

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Re: Uploading MegaTree config to span multiple controllers?
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2019, 03:22:54 PM »
Ok, no problem.

One thing - I already have a separate show folder where I have all my controllers listed then one megatree assigned to each of them as a 100 x 16.

Main reason for that is if I'm doing a "where exactly did I plug in that prop again?" and if the controllers get configured from my main xLights show, the E682 ports without props are shut down when I upload the config, so I can't even find the wayward prop by using a test pattern output.

With my "test" show though I can just run through all controllers and reconfigure everything to 16 ports x 100 pixels and do an output all to find the missing prop.

Is there an easier/better way to do this than a second show folder?

(I actually don't mind what I'm doing at all now - it works fine and it's 1000 times easier than the direct controller config.)
« Last Edit: December 05, 2019, 03:24:58 PM by deonb »