Author Topic: String direction and start  (Read 446 times)

Offline parsissn

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String direction and start
« on: October 05, 2020, 10:44:52 AM »
I added pixel strings to the eight columns on my house this year. Physically, they are a single string running from port 14 on my f16v3. Post 8 runs from the controller down the post, then I soldered in a wire between posts, then post 7 runs from the floor up the post, then a wire between posts, then post 6 runs down the post  etc. So physically, the string alternates running up and down posts.

In Xlights (2020.37),  I drew single string lines on each post and altered where the green start square is on each post (top or bottom). 

I imported some sequences (for example Logan's "September") and mapped models to my posts. In the original sequence, the effect is applied to the individual models (not a group). The same is true after the import. What I am confused about is that every posts model has the same effect (same settings) applied to it, but the lights run in opposite directions (both in the xlights preview and the real world). Does xligths not factor in the start of the string when rendering? I have another set of strings on my gutters running in opposite directions and xlights doesn't seem to have an issue with the direction.

Just to be sure, I confirmed that all of my strings are set to "forward" on the f16v3.

So, what is the best way to get all my posts to behave the same? I would prefer to not have to change the effect settings for each post as that becomes very tedious.

Thanks!
Mark

Offline Gilrock

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Re: String direction and start
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2020, 11:35:18 AM »
If you use "Per Preview" buffers then yes xLights will render the effect based on the screen location of the pixels.  Otherwise xLights does not attempt to figure out which direction you drew the model.  xLights will use the green start square to determine where the string starts.  A left-to-right effect basically means green to blue square.  You could make it look to xLights like the strings are all going up and then reverse the data in the controller.

Offline parsissn

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Re: String direction and start
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2020, 12:24:54 PM »
Thank you, that explanation helped lots.