Digital VU Meter effect

[rcowan]

I'm sure this is possible (maybe with layers) but I just can't quite get it right. I have 4 horizontal matrices on my pillars. At one point in my sequence I want to treat them like a digital VU meter. For those who don't know what that is, think of a stereo output indicator that starts at green on the bottom, goes to yellow and then finally red. I only need it to go from bottom to top and then stay like that. I'm not looking to bounce it around with the music. I was able to get close to what I wanted by using a curtain effect. However, as you can see from the first picture below, it repeats the green color at the top of matrix. I tried using layers by layering together a bars effect (layer 1) and the curtain effect (layer 2) and selecting "2 is unmask" this got me close to what I was looking for. See the second picture. It closes from bottom to top revealing the different colors. However, one of the things that I liked about the curtain effect is the gradient look of the colors rather than them just changing from one to the other. Lastly, I would like the colors to be of different sizes. So green would take up about 60%, yellow 25% and red 15%. The result should look something like picture 3.

If anyone has done something like this then please share how you did it.

Thanks,
Rick

[mararunr]

Use Glediator
https://vimeo.com/114314817

[arw01]

you know you can choose multiple of the same color or slightly different color in the pallet too.  Choosing 3 greens before you transition to yellow and then to red may get you closer.

But unless xlights get's access from the effects to the waveform you will always be doing it by hand or importing the effect from an outside program.

Alan

[MrChristmas2000]

You can also do it in LOR and import it into xLights as an option.

[flyinverted]

Here's how to do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkkWrry698Y&feature=youtu.be


Update:  xLights does now support the .out file discussed in this video.

[rcowan]

Here's how to do it.

Thanks Steve! I'm definitely going to have to play around with Jinx. Although what I'm looking for is not a true VU in the sense that I don't need it to go up and down. I just need it to go up once and then hold. The portion of the song that I am putting this on has a ramp up that I'm visualizing on my pillars. Actually, it just dawned on me what I need to do. Just get (or create) an image of the final effect and then layer that with the curtain effect. It's amazing what thinking about things during the day rather than at 4 AM will do.

Thanks again for the video on Jinx. I'm really looking forward to playing around with it and see what other cools effects I can create.

[Phrog30]

Here's how to do it.

Thanks Steve! I'm definitely going to have to play around with Jinx. Although what I'm looking for is not a true VU in the sense that I don't need it to go up and down. I just need it to go up once and then hold. The portion of the song that I am putting this on has a ramp up that I'm visualizing on my pillars. Actually, it just dawned on me what I need to do. Just get (or create) an image of the final effect and then layer that with the curtain effect. It's amazing what thinking about things during the day rather than at 4 AM will do.

Thanks again for the video on Jinx. I'm really looking forward to playing around with it and see what other cools effects I can create.

Try the curtain effect, when you want to hold use another curtain effect but check persistent, make sure both effects touch. This will go once and hold.

James

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[rcowan]

Try the curtain effect, when you want to hold use another curtain effect but check persistent, make sure both effects touch. This will go once and hold.

Thanks James. The curtain effect is what I was using initially. It did exactly what I wanted as far as the grow and hold. The problem was that it duplicated the colors at the top (see the 1st pic in my original post). I haven't tried Alan's suggestion yet of using the same color multiple times. However, I think if I layer the picture effect with the curtain effect then I can get exactly what I am looking for.

[jnealand]

Another thing you might try is to make an extra model that is the equivalent of putting all 4 of your matrices together.  Use that model to sequence but do not make it part of the display.  This is what I do with my porch columns.  I have each column as a model, but I also have a PC-matrix that is the equivalent of having all the light strings next to each other.  Works great.  You could also try grouping.

[rcowan]

Another thing you might try is to make an extra model that is the equivalent of putting all 4 of your matrices together.  Use that model to sequence but do not make it part of the display.  This is what I do with my porch columns.  I have each column as a model, but I also have a PC-matrix that is the equivalent of having all the light strings next to each other.  Works great.  You could also try grouping.

OK Jim, you have me intrigued now. I've seen the checkbox when creating the models about "Part of my display." I haven't discovered yet though what it would be used for. If I made one for grouping the 4 matrices, and applied an effect to that, how does that then tie into my pillars? Do I just use the same channels?

[MrChristmas2000]

Yes the same channels.

The model you are building will be a compilation of all the matrices or what ever you combine together but just not be in your visualizer. You would have that model in your sequence and drop effects on it but those effect will appear on the separate models in your visualizer i.e. your yard. The not a part of my display is really referring to not being in the visualizer.

[rcowan]

Yes the same channels.

Awesome. Thanks! That might come in handy. I've been using this product for all of 2 or 3 weeks now and I am loving the versatility of it. This forum and all of its users has really been helpful it getting me going. I can't wait until my controllers and lights orders come in (sometime in March) so that I can start to physically see this stuff work. I don't think my wife knows the magnitude of the stuff that I ordered but she will once those boxes start showing up.  Guess I better clear out a space in the garage to store all of this stuff.

[keithsw1111]

I am working on enhancements to XLights to allow effects to be written which react to the music. These will start to appear through the first half of this year all going well. Ready in time for next Christmases sequencing. A vu effect is one I am hoping to include but there are other effects I would like to enhance as well.

[MrChristmas2000]

You do realize that a lot of shows start their sequencing about April or May, particularly the larger shows that would be interested in such the effects you are proposing. I am looking forward to what you come up with Keithsw1111.

[gerry]

Hi Keith,

A 'simple' (for a user to get working) VU or similar would be great - I followed Steve's suggestion last year to use Jinx , and imported it and stuff went up and down but could never get it to look 'correct' I.e. in time to the music.

There is also the Piano effect which would be great to have "working" .