Best method for opening shared sequences

[Larry_OK]

Hey all.  This will be my first year doing everything in XL/NC and I am trying to look at some of the shard sequences to get a better feel for the program.  However, when I try to open one, all I get is errors that the models cannot be found.  Is there a preferred method for opening shared sequences?

Thanks

[Phrog30]

Hey all.  This will be my first year doing everything in XL/NC and I am trying to look at some of the shard sequences to get a better feel for the program.  However, when I try to open one, all I get is errors that the models cannot be found.  Is there a preferred method for opening shared sequences?

Thanks

Example, if it says can't find megatree, and you have a megatree but it's named big tree, then when this prompt appears you will simply replace with your model.

I suggest opening their files to see what they have first and get an idea and plan.

Xlights is about models, not channels. So replace their models with yours.

James

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[jnealand]

The best thing is to make a separate folder for the downloaded sequence and hopefully the rgb_effects file.  Change setup to that folder.  If you need to create a network just pick e1.31 and add 32 universes.  The network will not matter until you actually are trying to run lights.  Now you can open the shared sequence and look at their techniques, their models, etc.  Be sure to put the appropriate media file in the folder you create as well.  In reality the music can also be anything as long as what you are doing is looking at how they built their sequence.

If you want to then try that sequence with your own models and network check out this thread
http://nutcracker123.com/forum/index.php?topic=1820.0

[Larry_OK]

10-4, thanks!

[ozaz]

@jnealand
Good tip but I'm having a problem with your method.

Very new to xLights (been playing with LOR) and was hoping to view a few sequences to see how people have done their arches.

When I use your method (xLights Beta Ver 2016.22) when I open someones xml it open a dialog box 'Model/Group Name Conflict' 'A model of name 'MegaTree' (for instance) already exists....' If I rename the model xLights will open and I can open the sequence but I can't preview any of the model/groups who's name I had to change. I can't even open xLights unless I rename or delete the models/groups in question.

It doesn't ask this for every model/group. It does do this on all the files I've tried.


Any bright ideas?


Cheers

a newbie

[JonB256]

It sounds like skipped a step.

When someone shares, they should include their rgbeffects.xml file. That includes all their model info. Then you create a totally new folder, put the sequence file(s) and the rgbeffects.xml file in there. If you change your setup to that new folder, you shouldn't get those errors.

[Gilrock]

Yeah if you're just viewing someone's sequence you should be using a show folder created for just their stuff.  If you are wanting to import their effects onto your layout then you need to have a model ready to receive the effects when that question pops up or you just don't include effects from that model.

[jnealand]

The problem you are running into is that their was a change made that stops a group and model from having the same name at some point in the 2016.x releases.  I have found several shared sequence that had the same names used for a group and a model.

You have two choices.
1. Install the last 2015 version which was 4.3.02.  With everything in that folder the sequence will open up and play fine.  Be sure to use a fresh copy of the shared sequence as you renamed or deleted one that was opened in the latest 2016 version.  Use this copy to decide what elements you wish to copy to your own models.  Do not open the shared sequence again in a 2016 version.  You can have both the version 4 and a 2016 version of xlights installed at the same time if you specify different install folder names.  When you are back in your own show folder and in a 2016 version you create the map file and point back to the shared sequence folder that you viewed in 4.3.02.   I have never gotten the duplicate name error message in doing this (so far).

2.  When the dialog box pops up always do a rename so that you do not lose any programming. I always add a "Grp-" to the front of the group name.  You will then be able to open the sequence in the latest 2016 but you may find that some sequencing will not be quite right because the donor sequenced to the group name that was a duplicate.  If that is the case then you can rework the sequence to use the correct group name of GRP-modelxx.

And a 3rd choice if you are really ambitious is to figure out the duplicates and make changes in the xml using notepad++.  I've found choice one works for what I need.

I have gone back and added the above to the original pdf I created for importing a shared sequence along with some other tips I have learned. 

Thanks for the reminder that I needed to update my posted document.

[Gilrock]

Thanks Jim looks like you read the problem closer than I.