Import xml mapping - SOLVED

[jnealand]

When I tried to map a song I notice that groups do not show up on either the imported or the new seq.  Is there a reason for this?  Mapping arches to arches and snowflakes to snowflakes is a lot easier than trying to map arch1 , arch2 etc.  The seq I am trying to import is basically all done with groups and not models.

[keithsw1111]

They should. Have you added the groups to your sequence?

[jnealand]

Started over and now have all the models and groups set in the new sequence before I start the import.  Created my map file.  Imported the effects, did a save and played it.

A couple of issues.
1. How do I import a copy of the timing track?  Or if there was a lyric track how would I import that?  I would hope/prefer they come across automatically.  They can easily be deleted after the import if I do not want or need them.
2. The P10 matrix on the donor sequence has 3 layers, but the import only brought in the first two.
3. For some reason the text effects on the matrix did not import right and when I clicked on one to see if I could fix it I got a whole bunch of error statements to the effect that slider? was not found.  After clicking ok thru all the errors I was able to go in and recreate the text effect.  I had the donor sequence open in its own folder at the same time on another monitor so I could see both the original donor sequence and the imported sequence.
3. The donor megatree has effects that start right at the 0 sec mark.  The import effects start at the 10 sec mark and are not the same starting point of the donor 10 sec mark in addition to missing all the effects that were in the donor sequence in the first 10 secs.
4. Other effects on other models are not coming across at the right time frame as the donor sequence.
5. Another usability issue I found is that after I select the donor model/group the selection window dropdown closes, but the selection is changed when I use the mouse wheel to move to another model to select.  Found that one by accident as I didn't notice the scroll by mouse wheel until selections were changed and I had to go back and reselect.

There may be other issues that I just have not uncovered yet as these first couple are big and glaring.

These sequences are updates of the same ones that were used in my last years show, but with some new props added and some effects changed.  I am starting with a totally blank sequence with only the groups and models shown.  I have imported a lot of sequences last year and wrote the oriiginal procedure that is in the manual so I am not a novice at doing imports, but I can make mistakes.  I just can't see them at this state.  Fortunately it is not crunch time yet.  I can provide the files needed, but prefer not to post them publicly at this point as I am not the creator of the donor sequence although it was done by a friend of mine whose sequence I used last year without issue.

[keithsw1111]

I would strongly suggest you open and play and then save your source sequence in your current version of xlights before you do the import. That will ensure all the xml is upgraded to the current version. That should fix your text effect problems. While you are there export the timing tracks you want to xtiming files and you can import them into your new sequence.

[t.jo13t]

I have a couple of the sae issues you are having with importing donor xml files. I have been emailing sean as to figure out how to solve them. I picked up the missig effects and timing issues as you as well by playing the donor sequence next to to the imported one.

I would strongly suggest you open and play and then save your source sequence in your current version of xlights before you do the import. That will ensure all the xml is upgraded to the current version. That should fix your text effect problems. While you are there export the timing tracks you want to xtiming files and you can import them into your new sequence.

I have tried this Idea and  unfotunatly it hasn't helped me. What make my situation more interresting is the fact that no models or effects have been changed from the donor sequence.

[jnealand]

I have rendered and played the donor file many times in order to be able to decide how I wanted the mapping to go from the donor layout to my layout.  So the file has been updated and is on the same version as my own layout.

I have no clue how to export a timing track so will have to do a little research.  Still seems like something the import process should do IMHO.

I have also updated the mapping file and re-imported several times to fix other models I did not map right.  But the matrix and megatree and still messed up.

[keithsw1111]

When you get your donor sequence put it in a folder (not the same path) with the same folder name as they had it in. And make sure you load it play it and save it. If you don't save it nothing gets fixed up and you will have import issues.

[jnealand]

I do not understand what you are saying.  The donor folder is a separate folder on my computer.  All the files in there are from the donors config.  It is basically a copy of the donors folder on his computer but without the fseqs.  There are several other sequences in the that folder, but I have not tried them yet as I am just trying to get the mapping correct.  I have opened this sequence and all the others in the donors folder and have played them all after rendering and saving them.  When I do the import I am in my own 2016 Christmas folder, create a new sequence with the proper music, add my models/groups, do a save, then do an import and select the xml from the donors folder.  It is not working.  There are no graphics files or pictures in the sequence, only effects that include some text for the matrix and on the mega tree.

I still have not found out how to export a timing track, but will get to it.

[Gilrock]

The point Keith is making is that we changed the Text effect so you need to open those donor sequences in the new version and resave them so it will execute the effect upgrade code.  We didn't really design the code to be able to import from older sequences.  You should upgrade the sequence first them use it for import.

[jnealand]

If the sequence xml was opened, rendered, saved and played in .49 I would assume that the text effect HAS been upgraded.  Otherwise what are you talking about?  All I'm trying to do is use the same sequence that works on .49 on my computer in the donors folder and make it work for my layout on my computer in my own folder by importing effects.

[Gilrock]

The problem is you never stated that you did those steps to the donor sequence.  If you did then great.

[jnealand]

Gil did you read reply 5 and 7 which both stated that.  You must be using tapatalk.

[keithsw1111]

We are going to need video or files then to help

[Gilrock]

#5 said "I have rendered and played the donor file..."   It did not say save and that's why Keith replied like he did.  I guess #7 does say "and saving".  Keith and I thought the same thing so it wasn't clear to us.  WTF is Tapatalk.

[Gilrock]

I'm too busy too troubleshoot much lately so my solution is just learn how to create your own sequences.