Setup tab and adding channels later

[jeffl]

I have seen some add their channels to the startup tab like Sean in this post where it's basically 1-X universes all 512 channels.  I have also seen where they specifically add each universe and the number of channels exactly as needed.

The question is I currenly left empty universes for future items. i.e  I'm using U1-2. 17-24 and 32-35.  My question is what happens in xLights when I go to add a universe between this range later.

I'm thinking I would have to redo all my models because they are absolute values.  Is this the case?  If it is; it seems like I should just do the setup like Sean and do them all 1-512 up front.

http://nutcracker123.com/forum/index.php?topic=5.0

[gerry]

No, you wont have to redo the models if you are using absolute  value.
In the model , you define the channels only

In the setup u link channels to Universes and this should align with what you define on the physical controllers .

To answer your question , xl setup would have assigned the channels sequentially to the universes.

if u go to insert a universe in between later , you will of course need to adjust the setup to use the channels in the range .

So lets say now you have u1 - 1 to 500 , U2 - 501 to 1000 and U17 - 1001 to 1500
In the future ,  u1 - 1 to 500 , U2 - 501 to 1000 , U3 -  1001 to 1500, U17 - 1501 to 2000

Basically , when u know which controller is supporting what channels , u update the setup then.

[jeffl]

Thanks.  I'm going to have to play with this as I can't get my head around it just yet.  I'm a LOR user in the process of heading the direction of a Pi which could be part of the confusion.

[jeffl]

Still having a hard time with this but as I test it....  If I add universes between the ones I already have then the start channels in the models are off.  They are higher which is what I would expect.

[gerry]

Jeff,

Where are the start channels off  ?

When u add universes in between , the setup will move the Universe to channel mapping  after the insertion  out , so you need to adjust for that in the setup tab.

[jeffl]

I'll try to attach some images.  Instead of defining each universe specific I just added 35 universes fully loaded.  Should the model start and end change automatically when I do this?

[Gilrock]

No we never alter your models for you.  If you change your network setup that is up to you to redefine where you want your start channels.

[jeffl]

Thanks.  I'm going to pre-allocate universes up front in anticipation of the future so I don't have to go back and reconfigure things later.

[jnealand]

I leave open / spare channels every where for future expansion, to make sure a model does not cross universe boundaries, etc.  I just define 32 universes which gives me 16k channels.  Then I assign my models to the start channels I want.

[Cousin Eddie]

Jnealand
So that I'm clear you can set up a universe and not use up all the channels...then set up additional universes
Ex U1. Using 240 channels
U2 using 501 channels.
And so on...
My question is if you do that do you need to account for the channels not being used in set up for xlights.

For instance if I used the 240 channels in U1. Would I need account for the 270 remaining channels and have my channel count begin after those 270 for my next model?


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[jeffl]

I have two universes for DMX AC channels.  U1 = +-300.  U2 = +-350.

In xLights I defined

U1 = 512
U2 = 512

My thought then is if I want to grow channels in these two universes I don't have to redo models.

[Gilrock]

My question is if you do that do you need to account for the channels not being used in set up for xlights.

For instance if I used the 240 channels in U1. Would I need account for the 270 remaining channels and have my channel count begin after those 270 for my next model?

The answer is yes you need to use the correct start channels for the models.  The setup page will show you the start channel for each universe.  Or you can just match universe numbers to output numbers and then use the From Output field to begin each universe at 1.

[Cousin Eddie]

Ok thank you...now a new problem...
For some reason I never matched up the outputs they all say 1. When I change them the channels say invalid...any suggestions?


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[Gilrock]

You can't type in an output number higher than the number of lines on the setup tab.  And the channel number can't be larger than the number of channels in that output.  Either condition will cause it to display Invalid.

[jnealand]

I have never used the output designation, that was added as an option this year.  I just define 32 universes, 16000+ channels and assign start numbers.  I have an excel spreadsheet where I keep track of my channel usage and what controller the channels are mapped to.    I assign my channels based on the nearest controller in the yard that has enough available connections (ports) to support the display element I am working with.  Plus I leave channels open because I hope to either expand a display element  in the future with more lights or more props, etc., ie. mini trees expansion.