Hello to all new to the hobby and overwhelmed!

[DanDan]

   1st Post to say Hello to all.  ( I do have a Question too)  I have been looking at this site and the Falcon site since Christmas has ended.  I have been an avid Xmas person for about 6 years now and thought my static display was nice until I saw RGB's on The Great Xmas Light Fight.  Boy I was wrong.  Now I have the bug and want to make the jump over to the Falcon RGB side!

    My wife thinks I am crazy to start this early.  But I see I need it.  I wish Sean would come down here and give me a one on one tutorial.   Ever been to Florida Sean?  LOL.  I will definitely be there for his proposed 2 day workshop if it happens!  And we are making plans to come up for the Christmas Expo when I see where the venue is going to be.  I haven't been to Vegas since 1983 when I was in the Air Force.

    My question is I have 10 round Sphere's 48" round (actually old clear plastic beer kegs I repurposed to Christmas Balls).  I want to load them with RGB's from the inside and control them with XLights.  Hoping to make them singing balls. (I know I know)  I had them between my neighbors house and mine on a cable last Xmas and loaded each one of them with 500 straight standard leds.  I bought a 10 channel random controller and it looked really nice.  But again not like the RGB's which I was hoping to use.  When I went into Xlights I pulled up a model called spheres and all it comes up with is a circle basically.  So is it because I need a XYZ model?  Remember be nice as it's all new to me. 

   Until I came to these sites I never heard of Raspberry PI.  Sucks getting old.  You would think I heard of them as my son is an IT expert and my Daughters boyfriend just got a job with Google as a programmer.  When I asked them they both knew about them.  I'm so out of touch!  LOL.  Thanks for any response.


DanDan

   

[Phrog30]

For what you are doing, you may be better served to use a matrix. Picture a globe of the earth rolled out flat. This matrix would represent your sphere, just rolled out.

That's what I do for a globe on top of one of my pixel trees.

Later when I'm home I can give you some better info.

James

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[rcowan]

The matrix idea would probably be the easiest as there is already a model for a matrix. However, I wonder if a custom model would serve you better. In reality you can't flatten a sphere. However, if you make a custom model like this:

then I would think that would better represent a sphere. Of course I have no idea how that will look when applying effects but it shouldn't be too difficult to setup and give it a try.

[Phrog30]

This is the globe I have:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxFHNfFdR8Q&feature=youtu.be, copied verbatim from Brian.  I mapped the pixels the same, that way I can easily use my LOR files.

I also included photos of the layout and model, as well as excel file for mapping.

This is just one way you can do it, others may have a better way.

James

[Phrog30]

The matrix idea would probably be the easiest as there is already a model for a matrix. However, I wonder if a custom model would serve you better. In reality you can't flatten a sphere. However, if you make a custom model like this:

then I would think that would better represent a sphere. Of course I have no idea how that will look when applying effects but it shouldn't be too difficult to setup and give it a try.

I actually meant to say custom model, that is what I used.  Thanks for stepping in there.

James

[babybear]

First of all Welcome DanDan,  Ok lets start with the basics. To get started you need the min. Software, a controller, power supply, wire and lights. Software, Xlights/NC excellent choice, controller F16v2 on sale now until the end of the month. Then the order goes in they are made and ships in March. Power supply and lights try pixelsequening.com. He has a sale of lights going on until the end of the month.  Good prices and quick shipping. After that then you can get into the  Raspberry PI, FM transmitter and all the good stuff. Are you starting too early? LOL Hell no. As for some added information head over to AusChristmasLighting form sign up and they have a great basic manual. (101 Manual) Xlights also has a manual that I recommend that you read a few times. Once you get the basic items, light them up and play.... well most get hooked. This is the first hobby my wife really supports me on. I have already started building display items for next year.   

[rcowan]

Power supply and lights try pixelsequening.com. He has a sale of lights going on until the end of the month.  Good prices and quick shipping.

I think this is where you were trying to link to: http://pixelsequencing.mysimplestore.com/

[babybear]

Yes... I copied the link right off his card

[DanDan]

    Thanks Baby Bear, I have read and watched about every video available.  I downloaded the Aussie manual as well as Xlights.  I have a list of what I am buying it's funny you said Pixel Sequencing as they do have the best prices on lights locally. Anyone try using a Computer Power supply yet?  Too expensive? 

    I just got done watching Sean's nutcracker 2015 Part 1 video and WOW it was fantastic!  My real Job is the Automotive 12volt field so 12volts is what I know.  So as far as wiring or power injecting that's my specialty.  As I use the old soldering gun everyday. I also do Marine so waterproofing is also my specialty.  My Dad was a TV and Car Radio repairman for 46 years in South Florida alone.  It's in my Blood. I have been in business for 33 years now.  I mostly work on new cars installing and integrating accessories and repairs.  So learning Xlights will take some adjustments because of all the protocols I deal with on each vehicle manufacturer.  My neighbor is also going on board so it will be 2 houses to put in our show.  Definitely gonna be fun!  Thanks again.

DanDan

[rcowan]

You might also want to look at http://www.diyledexpress.com/. I ordered pretty much my whole show from them. They have quite a lot of items for sale and their pre-sale prices are on par with everyone else (cheaper for some things).

[danj]

One idea for you too (assuming you need to learn RGB stuff....) is to join the auschristmaslighting forum and download their "101" manual--it is one heck of a resource.   None of this stuff is "hard", but there sure is a lot to know and it all has to be "just right" to do what you want it to do!!!!