Is the import of LMS files working OK in 4.18?

[dwbarnett]

Hey, I've read the stuff on importing of LMS files. Also the map by strand stuff.

If the answer to the above question is Yes...it's official. I don't have a clue what I'm doing!

Too tired/frustrated right now to go into anything I'm attempting. Based on the above answer; I'll try and get back later today. Just can't deal with this anymore right now. Need some away time.

Best,
David

[dwbarnett]

ok, follwed the steps from Dan's import video. Nothing is working.

Then it hit me. My mega tree strands are grouped in LMS.
Do I need to have everything ungrouped before using data and or import in XL4?

If that is not the case, then again......I don't have a clue what I'm doing.

Hopefully, all my questions can be answered at the expo.

Any help appreciated.

Best,
David

[Gilrock]

One thing that will help us is open up your LMS file and search for "rgbchannel".  You should see several of them.  Let us know what the naming scheme is for your mega tree strands.  Like I'm pretty sure the xLights code won't import my tree data either because of how I've named my channels.  If you are using CCR's then we usually find the base names.  If you manually created DMX channels I'm betting we aren't working correctly for the "Map by Strand" method.

For instance my ribbon tree has channel definitions like this:
<rgbChannel totalCentiseconds="8800" name="DMX 3 49" savedIndex="1707">

I don't think our parser recognizes that as a strand.  But my arches were defined as CCR's so they look like this:
<rgbChannel totalCentiseconds="8800" name="CCR Arch 1 p1" savedIndex="53">

We look for several variations that contain a "p" or "-p" or "P" or "-P" and use that to get a base name.  So that strand would be parsed as "CCR Arch 1".  So if above I did a global search and replace of "DMX 3 " with "DMX 3 p" and then used that modified LMS file then the map by strand import would work.

So using this info you may be able to do a few search and replaces in your LMS file and get this going.

[dwbarnett]

HI Gil, using notepad ++, I did a search on the rgbchannel.

Here you go.           <rgbChannel totalCentiseconds="28259" name="RGB 1 P01" savedIndex="2401">

Not really sure why it doesn't say DMX, as that is how it is setup in LOR.

I have each strand in it's own universe.
I'll try the "p" suggestion. So, you are saying the fact the strands are grouped in LOR doesn't matter?

Finally, this sequence has a 16x50 mega tree.

My tree as mentioned before is 24x150.  Am I going to be able to coorelate this 16x50 to my 24x150 in some way.

I have some sup seq. as well. They imported just fine, except for that damn "Rock Ye Merry Gentlemen" we have discussed numerous times.

After looking at the line again, doesn't it already have the P?
      <rgbChannel totalCentiseconds="28259" name="RGB 1 P01" savedIndex="2401">

As in the P01?

Again, don't understand why it is showing as RGB since I have it setup using DMX.

Confused as ever.
Thanks for your time and patience.

Best,
David

EDIT: Just tried everything again. The map by strand channel boxes are still empty.

[flyinverted]

For what it's worth I went back and checked a sequence I had no problems importing and the CCR looks like this in the LMS data.

No spaces for the win?

channel name="CCR01-P01-Red "

[Gilrock]

Yes you already have a P in the name so it should be ok.  Are you clicking in the boxes in the 4th column a few times?  The drop down doesn't show for me until I click inside the cell at least twice.

[dwbarnett]

Hi Gil. Yes, in answer to your question re clicking.

When I double click in the box, when it opens it's just filled with a blue box and not string data.

If I do this via node instead of strand, I do have data......fun times to map that.

Based on your info for grins, I went through my rgbchannel stuff, edited the original info, to put a space after the P to separate it. So, now it looks like this:

<rgbChannel totalCentiseconds="28259" name="RGB 6 P 01" savedIndex="2656"> In case Xl was confused.

I can send you the lms if it will help zero in on anything.   This is a DMX mega wowlights sequence for Mad Russian Christmas.

Thanks for your help.

Best,
David

[Gilrock]

I would need these files to duplicate your xlights setup:  xlights_rgbeffects.xml, xlights_networks.xml

[dwbarnett]

OK, will get them to you.

Thank You
David

[dwbarnett]

Request: If I have to map every node on this tree, is it possible to have the map channels page return to the page you are using.  Would help out some, as it is now; once you enter your node channel, it goes to the top/beginning of the map channel page. 

Thanks for the consideration.  Hopefully, we can get the map to strands working on the all the imports of lms stuff; then won't have to worry re nodes.  Yeah!!!

Best,
David

[Gilrock]

I would need the LMS sequence to go with those files.  Don't post it here if its a purchased sequence.  You can private message me and I'll provide email address.  I won't use or share any sequences that I receive as part of troubleshooting.  If I really liked them enough to use them I'd pay for them.  I believe in supporting the creators of these sequences and I think us providing a way to import them into xLights probably increases their sales so they might not know it but I'm helping them out if I can help figure out how users can import their sequences.

[gerry]

Request: If I have to map every node on this tree, is it possible to have the map channels page return to the page you are using.  Would help out some, as it is now; once you enter your node channel, it goes to the top/beginning of the map channel page. 

Thanks for the consideration.  Hopefully, we can get the map to strands working on the all the imports of lms stuff; then won't have to worry re nodes.  Yeah!!!

Best,
David

Hi, I had a similar dilemma for an LSP import , until Dan added the by strand option for LSP and in the meantime , I mapped the first few and last few channels, saved it , then edited the saved file in word pad I think , and did a copy and paste for the missing lines , then only edited the channel number. Took a few mins only and worked well.
 Need to ensure that the tabs etc were correct.
Then just as I did this, Dan release the enhancement.

[dwbarnett]

Hi Gil, PM sent to you.

Best,
David

[Gilrock]

Ok I got the Mad Russion LMS file to import.  The problem was like I said...we had like 4 different ways we were looking for and your channels names didn't match any of them.  I'm updating the code to cover your flavor of channel numbering.  So for channel names we were looking for anything with "-P" and " p" and you had " P".  And for parsing the actual channel number we looked for "-P%02d" " p%02d" "-P%d" " p%d" and to match yours I had to add " P %02d".

That being said I think it's a bad idea to import a sequence like that as effects.  It took 5 minutes to Import and 10 minutes to render.  All the effects get imported at the node level.  It looks cool but you could pretty much figure out how to do the same type of effects using our built in effects and then have a sequence that could render in like 20 seconds.  Or you should just import it as a data layer.  I really don't see you wanting to modify several thousand node level effects so why not bring it in as a data layer cause then it will import and render super fast.

I uploaded an .xml and .fseq at the link I gave you.  See if you're able to download those files and try it out.  I'm not sure if that folder allows downloads so let me know.

[dwbarnett]

Hi Gil, Thank You.   I'll try and d/l  to check everything out.

As I mentioned, this is a learning curve for me.  I had tried the data layer, after rendering I didn't get anything.

As to my naming. I use BoBo's vegomatic tool to set up my channels for the mega tree.  That way I could do all 16 strands on a universe each.  That was the seq. I sent you. The original Wowlights seq. had everything consecutively and only used 6 or 7 universes.

Being that nothing was coming up in NC with the original WL seq. I thought I needed to redo my DMX channels to have them each on a universe.  The naming is from BobO's vegomatic. I did not name anything.

You are correct, I don't need to edit on the node level. Since the new WL seq. now contained DMX RGB stuff, I thought it would simplify my sequencing issues.....I was wrong.  Just trying to not make "Easy...Hard!" LOL

Would I do the same for Rock Ye?  Is there a way I could use the globe effects on my roofline CCB's instead with import or data file. That is what I have been trying to do with that song.

I can export the sup into LOR, then either delete the globe channels or the tree channels to make a separate seq. Could I then use that as a data layer?  AS I said, I'm learning.  Trying to go back and watch Sean's old tutorial, but would it even be beneficial with all the latest changes.

One last thing.  I remember we used to have a setting that would allow us to take a seq. from a smaller element and make it work for our element (model), were by changing the x/y cords or something like that.

I don't see that anymore. I tried it on the Joy to the world sup sequence and the 12 CCR, it adjusted to my 24x150 tree perfectly. Been trying to do that with the 24x25 Rock Ye sup sequence, doesn't work like the Joy did.  Am I missing something here?  I sent you that seq. as well.  Did it work for you as a data layer?

Gil, I agree, the seq. are fine w/out having to edit nodes or anything for me.  I just want to bring them into NC/XL, then edit other elements (mini trees) etc; using the NC effects along with stuff that is already done.

I seem to be failing miserably. I know I have a lot of support from folks as yourself. But, I also know I'm trying patience as well. I know the light bulb will click, but right now, flying the 737 is a lot easier. LOL

Thanks again to everyone. I know we'll get this, then my seq. will be a breeze, as half will already be done.

Best,
David

PS heading to your link to dl. Perhaps with the change, all the WL seq will import as data layyer with no issues.

Will let ya know.

EDIT: Hi Gil, clicked on the link you gave me. Only allows file uploads to you.