Initial set up

[nsmetcalf]

I am new to Xlights/Nutcracker this year and could apparently use some help setting up my channels/models. I was using HLS for the past 2 years and am planning to switch to pixels this year. I have been reviewing some tutorials and the user manual and just when I thought all things were going good I seem to have some over lap of channels. I thought I could set up sequentially and then use the start channel "end of model X". However this seems to have gotten me into some trouble. I created all my elements and display groups, tried to start a sequence and I am getting some overlap. So, I went back to the Layout tab>selected overlap check enabled and it highlights issues. However, I cannot seem to find/remedy my issues.I also received an error: could not calculate start channels for models......  Any help greatly appreciated.

[Gilrock]

That happens when you delete a model somewhere in the chain.  Sort the models by end channels and check each one to see if it looks correct.  The overlap check will only show overlaps for the model you have selected so you gotta click each one in the list and check for red.

[nsmetcalf]

Great. Thank you for the reply. Hopefully I will get to play with it tonight. I really appreciate all your hard work. Just started with this software but so far love it. Just have to beat the learning curve

[nsmetcalf]

So I have gone back and reviewed each element in my layout model by model. Everything appears correct to me, but I still have overlap when I select the overlap check. Also, when I try to make any corrections Xlights crashes. I am not sure where to go next. Not looking too promising for a show this year. I am reviewing the documentation but I am clearly missing something. Any recommendations/help appreciated.

[Gilrock]

Go to Tools -> Package Log Files and post it here.

[nsmetcalf]

All I see are the backup files here. I took a screen shot of the folder and its contents. Not sure this is what you are looking for?

[nsmetcalf]

Went back in and there was this "xlights problem" folder created

[Gilrock]

I want the zip file that's created when you go to the Tools menu and select Package Log Files.  It pops up a dialog to prompt you where you would like to save the file.  Then post that zip file here.  I don't want to see PNG's or text dumps.

[nsmetcalf]

Sorry. I was not sure exactly what you wanted. I think I actually did it correctly this time. I really appreciate your time and patience.

[Gilrock]

The problem is all those models that pop up in that box saying it couldn't determine the start channel have circular references.  If I start on any of the models for the peaks, flats, and mega tree + star and follow the chaining it ends up wrapping back onto itself.  There's no way for me to know which model in the chain needs to be broken and tied back to something else.  Which of those models is supposed to be the lowest channel number?  Change that model to point to something outside that list and it will fix them all.

[nsmetcalf]

The lowest channel should be mini tree 1. I tried to set all my models up sequentially. Then, I created groups (like I would in HLS) to sequence. I was wondering if that was my problem. After watching some more tutorials it doesnt seem like that was necessary. I am not sure what you mean by "change that model to point to something outside that list"? I have that model set as channel 1 with mini tree 2 set to start at the end of mini tree 1.

[Gilrock]

You know what a circular reference is right?

That means you have Model C starts at end of Model B which starts at end of Model A which starts at end of Model C.  None of them point to a model outside the chain so we can't determine the start channel.

I will add that I tried to change one of your start channels and the program ended up in an endless loop so we probably do have an issue to fix when there are circular references.

[nsmetcalf]

I tried to set it up sequentially because I completely changed my show this year. Last year I didnt have a single pixel. Because of that I am not 100% sure of the pixel count on each model. Is there a better way to set up my models? I understand what you mean by circular reference, but I am not sure how to break the chain.

[Gilrock]

One of those models in the chain needs to point to the end of a model outside the chain.  The problem is until you get next release the only way to fix it is manually.  If you can tell me which model in that chain comes first I can link it back to "Star 7" which will fix the circular loop.

[nsmetcalf]

The 1st channel in the line is Mini tree 1. If it is helpful the order I used is as follows:
Mini trees 1-8
arches 1-3
Column 1 Star 1
Column 2 Star 2
Column 3 Star 3
Column 4 Star 4
Star 5, star 6, star 7
Bottom roof line
top roof line
mega tree
Mega tree star

If the next release will fix it and it is coming soon I can absolutely wait. I dont want to take up too much of your time.