xx Pre testing of release R38. Looking for experienced xlight users

[sean]

Looking for some experienced xLight users to test the next big release. This release will have Gil;s new Multiple Previews.
Keiths new ability to do  a backup (F10) when you press save. Also new F11 to backup to alternate location (like dropbox). Lots of other stuff. It has been 11 days since our last release (an eternity in xLight releases)

If you want to do the pre testing of release R38 please send request to xlights@nutcracker123.com. Ill send back download link.

Please BACKUP!! before trying this release on your sequences. I have tried a dozen sequences, it seems good so far.

After some additional testing by xlight power users we will do a general release.

XLIGHTS/NUTCRACKER RELEASE NOTES:
---------------------------------
2016.x38  Jun 21, 2016
   -- enh (gil) NEW: Multiple Previews
   -- enh (gil) Don't process model groups twice for House Preview.
   -- bug (chrisD) Don't crash when loading perspectives menu if current perspective not defined
   -- bug (chrisD) Update default perspective if it is renamed
   -- bug (chrisD) Reload default perspective on show directory change - fixes issue #601
   -- enh (dkulp) Collect the data for ALL the models on a preview and send it to the video card in one shot.
   -- enh (dkulp) Add texture support to xlAccumulator
   -- enh (dkulp) Update ModelPreview to pass the background int the accumulator and transfer all data in one shot
   -- enh (dkulp) Update Wave to pass all data in one shot
   -- enh (dkulp) Fix warnings if background image doesn't exist
   -- bug (dkulp) Fix crash on mac when swithing show directories.   
   -- enh (dkulp) Radio menu items have to be removed top down on Mac
   -- bug (keithsw) Fix circles effect not changing colour.
   -- bug (keithsw) Fix #589 - guard against nulll ptr
   -- enh (keithsw) Implement alternate backup F11 allows the user to specify an alternate backup location and
           backs up there instead. There is no auto backup to this location.
   -- bug (keithsw) Make video more resilient to missing files
   -- enh (keithsw) Add models export - now with controller details as well
   -- enh (keithsw) Add optional backup on save ... this is by default disabled.
   -- enh (keithsw) Add value curves to: Music, Piano, Tendrils, Lightning, VUMeter, Wave
   -- enh (keithsw) Allow custom value curve points to be moved sideways as well as vertically.
   -- bug (keithsw) Fix bugs in piano effect: Piano not drawn without notes source, Polyphonic Transcription broken.
   -- bug (keithsw) Fix problem with fire effect when buffer size changes
   -- enh (keithsw) Add square wave to value effect presets
   -- enh (keithsw) Add multicolour support to Tendrils ... should also fix bug with Tendril not holding colour change
   -- bug (keithsw) Disable bitmap brightness slider and show/hide button if no bitmap defined on custom model.

[Gilrock]

Also note that this release will update the xlights_rgbeffects.xml version number so once you upgrade a show directory to this version you SHOULD NOT go backwards to an older xlights version.  That's why you need to backup the show directory.  I would just make a copy of the show directory and then run this version in the copy and then you'll have the original version if you want to run an older version of xlights.

[gerry]

I am happy to do so testing ...

[danj]

Loaded up v38 tonight and ran all my sequences that I have worked on this year.  Not much content from previous years yet; kind of working backwards and will be incorporating last year's work next...   No problems encountered.    Moved a model around in the display, saved it, moved it back, saved it.   Changed a few effects and saved.   All working correctly.

By the way, I did what Gil recommended--put this in a copy of this year's folder and worked from there--AFTER backing up existing files!!!

[Gilrock]

I created a video to try to show how to use the new Layout with multiple preview capabilities. It's a little disorganized because I winged it. I forgot to show that if you click on a model group then new models will automatically be added to that group.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpfob5_XH1A

[logandc99]

Happy to test new version but would need to be the Mac version (i'm guessing this is a Windows test run though).

[drlucas]

I would be able to test either the Windows (but prefer the Mac version as well). I will see what my week looks like before sending an email to volunteer to test though. 

I would also like to test any other sequences Logan had made over the last 6 months <grin>


Sent from my iPhone

[kevinp]

Multiple previews bug...

If you delete a preview on the Layout tab, it still shows up as selectable in the View - Previews menu.  If you then select that menu item xLights will crash.

[gerry]

I did some preliminary testing yesterday and ran it with no issues. Will continue today as I get more familiar with it.
Some minor comments;
- Could not initially locate the Preview window . Went back watched the video again, Reset tools etc etc . It appeared though after I created the 2nd preview.
- When allocating a  model to a preview , perhaps if that field could have 'Click here to Edit' or similar like the fields below that as otherwise it is not obvious that you need to click on that field to get the drop down window.
- I like the F11 backup functionality - and also found the menu item where you could change the location.
- I like the unassigned view.  There were some models there that I did not know I had (probably left overs from examples for the manual).
- I deleted a model that was part of a Model group, by right clicking on the model name. Only when I next restarted xLights did the prompt come up asking me whether I wanted to delete or rename etc. I said delete with no problem. Not sure if this is as per design .
-Another cosmetic point. When creating a new preview , it defaults the image of the default preview ; but the size, brightness fill etc are not copied over.
- there were a couple of times when I don't think I did any changes , but the Save button turned red. I will watch for the exact scenarios and update. I clicked Save though with no problem.
 

[Gilrock]

You couldn't locate the Preview window.  The problem is I can assume about 3 different things that may mean.  When you create a new preview it does not spawn a new window yet.  You have to go up to the View menu if you want to activate a preview window.

I don't agree about changing it to a Click here to edit field.  I copied the same way most of the other fields work.  Click on a model and see how the other fields work like "Type", "Starting Location", "String Type".  They all work the same way as I coded the Preview assignment.  Nobody is going to want to click a "click here to edit" field to find out what the assignment is.

I started out making the previews have an exact copy of the background but I decided I didn't like it.  It was looking too much like you hadn't done anything but deleted the models.  I like it being obvious that a completely new preview has been created and I struggled with whether I even wanted to copy the image.  Usually you would probably use a different image anyways.  The size fields don't show up at all because you can't change the size of the additional previews.

The deleted model thing I don't believe has anything to do with my changes.  That should be logged of we'll forget about it.

If you switch which preview you are looking at it has to turn the button red because it stores that in the rgbeffects file so that when you reopen you get to look at what you had when you closed the program.  It only turns red if you click something that changes a state we store in the file.

[logandc99]

Ran R38 Mac version yesterday and all went smoothly. Have been using 35 due to crashes I was experiencing in 37 but no such issues with 38.
Haven't specifically created any new preview windows but did go into the assigned window and deleted a couple of whole house models I forgot I still had - no issues.
Sequencing went smoothly yesterday without any crashes.
On question about the Mac version, is there an equivalent F11 function? The F10 works fine but on the mac version, but F11 seems to execute and Mac specific function.

[Dazzled]

Installed Mac version of R38 and can confirm the crash when changing directory in 36 & 37 has been fixed, thanks Dan.
Made a second Preview with no problem except that when I try to play the sequence the preview disappears if it is on the same screen as Xlights. If I drag it onto my second monitor with my main preview before playing it works fine and if I drag it back to the main screen it keeps working. As soon as you click anywhere on the main screen it disappears again (must be hiding on that third monitor I keep thinking I need ), if I click on the views menu and click Previews it is showing a tick as if it is active and if you uncheck it and select it again it reappears. Also it will not dock to any location on the sequencer as well but not sure if it is suppose to at all.

Hope this makes sense but can try to do screen capture if need be as there is no crash and no debug report.

Other than that I ran existing sequences and made a new sequence dropped effects on models including video effect with full length Frozen clip and it ran without any problems.

Great job guys.

Stuart
 
Found the missing preview screen it was hiding under the only other window I had open so it seems it goes to the lowest level of open screens.

[Gilrock]

The order windows are shown in Windows is not really under our control.  It doesn't work like that on my system.  If the preview is showing the tick it IS active.  I just hide them unless you are on the Sequencer tab.  If it has a tick it will display when you click on the Sequencer tab.  No tick no window.

[Gilrock]

Oh and the new previews aren't dockable on purpose.  Dockable windows are actually a pain cause they want to attach everywhere and makes it where you can't place them where you want.  Most people using these extra preview will be using a second monitor anyways.  You don't really have enough room for all the current panels and more preview windows.

[Dazzled]

Hi Gil
The reason I had the preview windows on the main monitor was I was watching your video on my second one ( so I didn't make some stupid mistake ) but I put both previews on the second monitor it all works fine. I only mentioned the non docking as I thought it may have been connected to the preview disappearing but I'm please to hear that it's not dockable as I fine it a pain as well. Now I wouldn't have mentioned any of this if I only had that third monitor and as the wife decided we needed to go shopping for a new 4K TV today I don't think that third one will be far away

It's amazing how far you and the rest of the developers have brought Xlights since the first V4 release last year.

Keep up the great work it is truely appreciated.

Stuart