Import SuperStar Sequence

[Phrog30]

Looks like Dan just did a video, I think it shows how to currently add a data layer along with some things he is adding in a future release.

http://nutcracker123.com/forum/index.php?topic=1189.msg6380;topicseen#msg6380

James

[Phrog30]

If anyone has managed to get Brian's 24x25 Pixel tree with the 8 row globe "Rock Ye Merry Gentlemen" to work with the conversion.  PLEASE, tell me how you did it.

I have not had success with converting any SuperStar files, but that's ok because I really don't need the ability right now to edit with xLights.  However, all of my sequences that I purchased from Brian has worked exactly the way it should when I imported into xLights as a data layer.

Here's some things I did.  I redid the visualizer file (attached) Brian originally did.  It's still 24x25 with globe, but it's now DMX and instead of folding strings it's 24 strings of 25 pixels starting at the bottom.  I will "fold" via zig zag in the controller.  In the visualizer file I forced SuperStar to reverse the strands the were folded.  So, as far as SuperStar is concerned, nothing changed.  I setup the universe info with the visualizer, that way, when I export to SE it will be setup correctly.  In xLights, I have things setup identical to how LOR is.  I have my LOR stuff at the start, Universe 1, channel 1.  So, the tree and globe is 2400 channels total.  It looks like this:
1.  Universe 1 - 510 channels (Globe)
2.  Universe 2 - 90 channels (Globe)
3.  Universe 3 - 510 channels (Strands 1-7, start of strand eight)
4.  Universe 4 - 90 channels (Continue with strand eight)
5.  Universe 5 - 510 channels (Strands 9-15, start of strand 16)
6.  Universe 6 - 90 channels (Continue with strand 16)
7.  Universe 7 - 510 channels (Strands 17-23, start of strand 24)
8.  Universe 8 - 90 channels (Continue with strand 24)

My tree model is 360 degreee, actual strings are 24, nodes per string is 25, start channel is 601, since the globe is the first 600.  I checked individual start chans, channel 601 is #6, then worked my down down wrapping back to #1 (which is channel 2026-2100).  I hope that made sense.  Basically, I am rotating the "clock" position by starting at string 6.  I created the globe as a custom model 24x10, I mapped as shown in the excel file I attached.

So, to add a layer, go to setting, sequence settings, data layers tab, then import the lms file you created when you exported from SuperStar.  It's that simple.

I hope this all made sense.  Also, if anyone sees anything incorrect please let me know.  I would hate to give out bad info.

James

[Gilrock]

The import currently is designed for a single model so if it has a globe I'm sure it won't work.  If you look at the SuperStar XML how does it know whether a morph is going on the globe or the tree? 

[Phrog30]

The import currently is designed for a single model so if it has a globe I'm sure it won't work.  If you look at the SuperStar XML how does it know whether a morph is going on the globe or the tree?

By location. The last few times I tried an import I wasn't expecting it to know how to separate the globe from tree, but I was expecting the effects to look close. They weren't. It may be something I'm doing wrong, but I tried every combination on the x/y size and offset and it just wasn't coming out.

I'm happy with a data layer for now.  Plus, like you said, since it's only for one model, it will be too time consuming to break out the globe from the tree in Superstar. Brian didn't exactly reserve specific layers for the globe and tree, so I would have to go through every effect.

James

[Gilrock]

So there should be a way to figure out which locations to throw away on import.  I either need someone to give me a sequence that has globe data or to look at the .sup file and tell me what logic I would use.  Like maybe I would use the X and Y offset and size and throw away anything outside those boundaries.

[Phrog30]

Anything you need, just sent you a pm.

[dwbarnett]

hey Gil and James.

If you export the tree and globe into LOR SE, the globe is seperate from the tree.

I tried deleting just the globe part. It' s still not looking right. It only seems to import 1 strand into XL4

Should be 24 strands and 150 pixels all effects are on strand 1. I'm not seeing that popup anymore were you map the strands. Thats probably part of the issue. However, when I tried to use that mapping thing earlier, it shows the down arrow, but no info to select. It' s an empty blue box.

If I didn't select the map strands, i could lect the location of each mode...uggh no thanks.

Perhaps .32 will fix this. Mine is working diffent thanvDan's video.

If you want to seperate the goobe easily, you have to import into LOR SE, then it' s easy to see

Best,
David

[Phrog30]

I'm confused, you say 150 pixels, but Brians pixel tree is 24x25, so 25 pixels. Of course, he folds one string of 50, but I'm not sure where you are getting 150.

Let me know your schedule, maybe we can talk this through.

James

[dwbarnett]

James, let me clarify.  The 150 pixels is the size of my Mega tree. 24x150

When importing the sequence I AM using the 24x25 numbers for import.

Since the import is supposed to work with both superstar and lms files, I'm going to try this tonight.

1. I'll take Brian's sup and export into LOR SE.
2. The globe stuff is at the bottom of the seq.  So will be easy to delete the effects, saving the channels.
not sure if that will affect the single model premise.
3. Re-save without the globe effects. Try the import in XL4
a. If that doesn't work, will try again; this time deleting all the globe stuff including channels
4. Create new musical 50ms sequence. Add my 24x150 model on sequencer tab.
5. Use the importer, select my my edited LMS file, use the appropriate X,Y of 24x25(actual sequence size)
6. If the window pops up for mapping, I'll set my 24 strands. Hopefully this will work.

I head out on a 3 day tomorrow. Be back late Fri night.  I'll be up for a while tonight. Send me an Email, if you want to talk.

Best,
David

[dwbarnett]

Arghhh! This is so frustrating!

OK here's what I just did.

1. I d/l 4.0.32
2. Tried the import stuff, as well as conversion tab stuff. What happened to the X,Y settings?
3. Exported the sup of Rock Ye to LOR SE.  I then deleted everything that was associated with the globe.
Only the mega tree stuff remained.  This gave me a sequence of 12 strands(Brian folded to make 24)
4. tried using all methods to import my data into XL4. None worked for me.
The import did show 24 strands, so that was correct.  After checking strands and nodes, I noticed only the first 4 strands had any effects on them.

5. Then it dawned on me to check my LOR SE channel config. No DMX channels assigned to the tree! Arghh!

6. I created a new channel config just for the mega tree for testing. All the DMX channels looked correct.

7. I then re copied all of Brians Rock Ye 12 strand tree section, into my 24 strand new tree config.
Royal PIA to convert the 12-24. Saved the LMS as Rock Ye MegaTree.

8. I then went into XL4 again. I tried the convert thing first.  It indicated it saw and converted all my channels. No channel unmapped messages etc.

9. Opened the sequencer tab.  It showed 24 strands when opening my 24x150 model.
Opened strand 1, saw effects on the nodes, but only the first 25. 26-50 were blank.

10 opened strand 2 and it's nodes, on strand 2 nodes..only the first 4 nodes had any effects on them. Weird.

11. Opened the other strands in turn, then their nodes....All were Empty!!!  I'm just out of ideas now.

12. When I tried the import, using my 24x150 model selected, the channel screen popped up; but when I try and select the channel for each strand, it's just an empty blue box...no data at all.

I will try and re-visit this on the weekend. Hope someone may shed some light.

Note to self: Do NOt buy anymore damn folded strand sequences!...Arghhhh!!! At my wits end at this point.

This one sequence is kicking my butt!

Thanks anybody for your help.

Be flying the next 3 days, may not have time to respond till I return on Friday night.

[Gilrock]

So it sounds like you've switched to doing an LMS import instead of a SUP import.  The X/Y stuff should only show up for a SUP file import.  I assume it's in a dialog that pops up once you select your file type.  I haven't been able to try the imports since Dan moved them to the menus.

So here's problem #1.  If you switched to an LMS import it expects you to have 1:1 mapping of channels.  It won't do the stretching thing we talked about...at least I don't think Dan has it setup to do that.  The stretching only occurs for a SUP file import.

I recommend you relax and drink a few beers or sequence something else until I can try to work on this over the weekend.

[Phrog30]

So it sounds like you've switched to doing an LMS import instead of a SUP import.  The X/Y stuff should only show up for a SUP file import.  I assume it's in a dialog that pops up once you select your file type.  I haven't been able to try the imports since Dan moved them to the menus.

So here's problem #1.  If you switched to an LMS import it expects you to have 1:1 mapping of channels.  It won't do the stretching thing we talked about...at least I don't think Dan has it setup to do that.  The stretching only occurs for a SUP file import.

I recommend you relax and drink a few beers or sequence something else until I can try to work on this over the weekend.

Beer sounds good right now.

[dwbarnett]

Hey Gil. Well I actually tried them both.

I tried the LMS as I could seperate the globe from tree. Briannburried the darn globe effects within the sup sequence.

Almost immpossible to find them all, since he tied so many morphs from the tree to the globe.

Your right, a beer sounds great. Unfortunately, I have to fly this 3 day trip.

I'll still offer to donate this sequence to the cause, if will help you and Dan.

Best,
David

[Gilrock]

Are you saying some of the morphs start on the globe and end in the tree or vice versa?

[Phrog30]

It's possible that effects carry over from tree to globe, or vice versa. I think some effects can go off in space, I will need to verify that, but I think I'm right on that.

James