Importing Shared Sequences

[Tallahassee Dreamer]

Could someone help me understand how sharing a sequence works? I assume you download the shared file into your show folder and than when creating a new sequence you would select import. Is this correct and if so the next step would be to change element names to fit your display. Am I on the right track? Does it matter if one sequence uses 12k channels and I am planning on around 30k channels? Any help would be appreciated. I have already completed my set up and produced all my models.

[jnealand]

What I do is make a new folder in my xlights main folder.  Hopefully I have the rgb effects and network files as well.  Then I can switch xlights to the new folder and open the xml file.  Then I can play it and watch what is in the file as designed.  I make notes on what parts I want and want to move to my own I look at the model names in the layout tab by clicking on a prop and make note of the names.  Once I know what I want I copy the xml file to my own data folder and open it.  Now you need to know the names of what models you want to keep from the shared sequence because when I open that xml file in my own folder it will keep asking if I want to rename to a different model name or delete that model from the shared sequence.  Try it once and you will see.  I just wish the developers would let me create a model map and use that when opening a shard sequence.  Then I could tweak the map and repeat the open by copying the xml file anew from the shared folder to my folder.  I could also use it for more than one shared sequence from the same person.

[Buckeyelights]

A very kind XLights user shared with me his sequences. As a newbie, I am gratefully, as I think those will help me a lot as I go through the learning curve. 

Jim, thanks for your direction on making a new folder.  That got me started in the right direction.

When I open the xml file, a pop-up appears telling me that VC file was converted; I’m currently on version 4.2.4.  I click done to close that window.  A new smaller pop-up appears with the message that “Could not find a model or group named Star”, click ok, and get another pop-up with the same message only calling the model or group another display item, such as tree, snowflake, etc.; this continue for each model or group in the original sequence.

Once I close all of the messages that can’t find model or group, next a different pop-up appears asking me if I want to rename to a different model name or delete that model from the shared sequence.  Yes, I’m very lost.  Sure would appreciate some direction.

 I’m not sure what to do.  How do I view his sequence? Open this sequence?

The rgb effects file is included in the directory.

Is there a video, or a portion of a video that shows how to import, open a shared sequence?  I’ve watched most of them and didn’t find that; though I may have overlooked it.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Tks!
Joe

[jnealand]

First you need to switch your xlights to the new folder and open the shared sequence.  You need to have the xlights_rgbeffects.xml file from him.  If you don't have that to me it is a crap shoot because you will then have to read the xml in a program like notepad++ and try to figure out how his model names will best match your model names.  That is why I get the rgbeffects file and watch the sequence several times to try to figure out how I will map his models to my models.  It is a slow process and you may have to do it several times to get it the way you want it which is why having a model map on paper is a good idea.  You may want to go back and redo it a month from now and you will not remember what his model names were called nor how you mapped them the first time.

[gerry]

Hello  Joe,

If you are a newbie, can ii suggest that you park this. IMHO it won't help you this stage .

Instead, watch a video or something of his. Then assuming you have set your setup , pick one of the models say mega tree and try out one of the effects eg bars to get something similar. Or simply use something u like.

Another option is to use the random effect generator. Select a range of cells say for a minute , right click and that will Open an option to generate random effects. Do so and then watch and pick what you like and see what effect that is etc.

[Buckeyelights]

First you need to switch your xlights to the new folder and open the shared sequence.  You need to have the xlights_rgbeffects.xml file from him.  If you don't have that to me it is a crap shoot because you will then have to read the xml in a program like notepad++ and try to figure out how his model names will best match your model names.  That is why I get the rgbeffects file and watch the sequence several times to try to figure out how I will map his models to my models.  It is a slow process and you may have to do it several times to get it the way you want it which is why having a model map on paper is a good idea.  You may want to go back and redo it a month from now and you will not remember what his model names were called nor how you mapped them the first time.

Jim,

please excuse the stupid question: What do you mean switch your xlights to the new folder?

When I open Xlights, I change the directory to where the shared sequences file are.

I do have the xlights_rgbeffects.xml file

Thanks for your help, obviously I need a lot of help 

[Buckeyelights]

Hello  Joe,

If you are a newbie, can ii suggest that you park this. IMHO it won't help you this stage .

Instead, watch a video or something of his. Then assuming you have set your setup , pick one of the models say mega tree and try out one of the effects eg bars to get something similar. Or simply use something u like.

Another option is to use the random effect generator. Select a range of cells say for a minute , right click and that will Open an option to generate random effects. Do so and then watch and pick what you like and see what effect that is etc.

Hi Gerry,

I have been watching Sean's video's and I have a mega tree model set-up and a few AC channel snowflakes.  Playing with the different effects to see which ones I like.  It's amazing the modifications you can make with a single effect. 
Thanks for the heads up on the random effects; I thought those went away in version 4.  I'll give them a try.

I remember 5-6 years ago learning my current software, Aurora, by looking at and modifying shared sequences; seeing other sequences made it easy for me.  Thought I'd approach XLights the same way.

Tks!!!!

[jnealand]

What do you mean switch your xlights to the new folder?

When I open Xlights, I change the directory to where the shared sequences file are.

folder and directory are synonymous terms.  continue on