Effect timing information

[dwetzel]

My apologies if this has been suggested before, I scanned through the posts and did not see it.
I think it would be helpful when an effect is selected in the timing grid to show the start time, end time, and interval length of the effect. Possible location for this information would be at the top of the Effects Settings window. The time start and end information should be editable and and adjust the effect and interval accordingly. It might be helpful to add forward and back buttons under the start and end times each, to increase or decrease the times (one bump at a time) by the timing interval set at the initial start of the sequence. It seems to me it would allow you to fine tune placement and length of the effect very quickly.
Part 2 of this would be to export the effects and timings of the sequence to an excel file where adjustment too timings could be made and imported back in to the sequence.
I know part 2 could be very difficult, but seems it would allow better alignment of timings.
I want to add I believe the work you guys are doing is awesome and this is the best program ever. I know the programmers only pay is knowing they have done a great job, and here is my opinion - it is a HOME RUN!!

[Phrog30]

Start and end times are relative to the resolution of the sequence.  So, even if you could enter a time manually, it may make no difference.  For example, on a 50ms sequence, if the start time was 1.00 and you enter 1.01, then there will be no change.  A valid change would be 1.00 to 1.05.

You can move effects up, down, left, right by dragging or by cursor keys.  To me, cursor keys are the easiest.  Also, having a good timing track makes things easier because effects can be easily placed on these marks.

Feel free to suggest enhancements, but I would spend time getting to know the software in it's current state.  I have used LOR, Vixen, HLS, etc, and xlights is by far the easiest to use and allows quicker sequencing.  You just have to be able to adjust and forget the others sequencers that you have used.

James

[dwetzel]

Thank you for the help. I have not been able to drag the effects up or down But I can go left and right. I can move up, down, left, and right. I have been trying to import a sup file I purchased from Brian, and have been struggling without success to import it in. I was noticing in SuperStar that when you select the effect in the timing grid it brings up a window showing the timing information. I was going to try and use that to get the timing right in xlights. The sup files were converted by Brian from CCR (50x3 lights) to 150 light strings. The effect are not coming over correctly, there are added effects. I watched a video that was helpful, but I can't find it now (I have watched so many). I am not a proficient user yet but hope to get there. I do not want to derail the organized development with inconsequential requests, especially because of my lack of understanding. I really like this program, I am a former LOR user. I love using RGB leds but must admit it is a huge leap from AC lights. I  have some Falcon boards from Dave Pitts. Last years show was a huge disaster, I used rgb led strips that were very poor quality and was repairing (soldering) every day to keep it going. The circles I built worked great, ended up only using them in the show for Dec. Enough about me, Thank you.

[Phrog30]

You can't drag an effect up or down, sorry if I misspoke, but you can cursor up and down.  I like using cursors, they are quicker in my opinion.

You brought up a point, I remember SuperStar where you had a dialog to make effect changes.  Wow, what a pain.  I remember making changes and forgetting to hit modify.  SuperStar is garbage compared to xlights.  Xlights has SuperStar effects, and they are easier to use.  Check out effect assist.  Drop a morph effect, then look at effect assist, it will mimic SuperStar, but is way easier.

As far as importing sup files, success depends on if the sequence was written in ccr mode, or visualizer.  If visualizer, just give up now.  I tried.  Your only option then is to import as a data layer.  Open up the sup file and see what it is configured as.

[dwetzel]

Ok I will give the effects a try. I will look at my sup files and see how they are configured. I agree Xlights is the best program for sequencing lights. My problem is learning what you can do with the effects to get your desired results. It will do so much it is overwhelming. Thank you for your help, but one more xlights question. I was putting a chase on the circle in one timing block but it moves so fast, how do you slow it down. I know you can stretch it out but that isn't what I need. I am sure it is explained somewhere but haven't found it yet. This probably isn't the right place for this question. Thanks anyway.

[Phrog30]

What effect are you using for a chase effect?  There is no effect named chase, however, there are a few effects that will result in a chase.  Example, you can use single strand for a chase.  How fast it will be is relative to the length of the effect and how many cycles you select.  So, you can slow it down by extending the effect, or decreasing the cycle, however, if you decrease the cycle then it may not cycle through the whole model, which is probably not the desired look you are after.  How come extending the effect didn't do what you liked?

By the way, ask as many questions as you like.  That's what this forum is for. 

James

[dwetzel]

I was using single strand effect and wanted the chase to finish one cycle in one time block (beat). I am probably not using the correct effect but it seemed like the one I needed. I am trying to replicate the effect in superstar where the circles weave. For example circle 1 starts LH middle goes over the top and halfway down the RH side then jumps to the next circle on the LH side and goes down and up the RH side to the middle and on across up and down. I hope this makes sense. Thank you for taking time to help a newbie.

[Phrog30]

I've never done circles, but I think an easy way to do the effect you mention is to create a single line model and assign the channels in the order you stated. Then simply drop a single strand or morph effect on the line model.

To add, it's very easy to share sequences in xlights.  If you want, you can attach your files on the forum and I can show you what I mean by adding the model and effects, then send it back your way and you can look at what I did.  If interested, attach the following files from your show directory:
xlights_rgbeffects.xml, xlights_netoworks.xml, and your sequence "yourname".xml.

James

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[Gilrock]

Here's an example of putting Morph effects on 4 circles.  There are some compression artifacts in this GIF file but I didn't feel like recreating it.
https://giphy.com/gifs/l3vRmwdBa5citegpi?status=200

[dwetzel]

Gilrock, I like the morph effects. That is exactly what I want to do. I will play some more with the morph effect. I have started but haven't got very close yet.
This question is for anyone who can help - Is there a way to slide the timing track left or right to get a timing mark to line up with the audio?

[Phrog30]

Yes, timing marks are effects, so you can move at will. You can also create a timing track within xlights, settings,sequence settings, timings, new, I usually use bar and beat  tracker beats.


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[dwetzel]

Ok, yes I can slide one timing mark, but what I meant to say is can you slide the whole timing mark set. For instance I added a Timing track for the Metronome at 50ms but a mark doesn't line up with the start of the music and I want to slide it about halfway between two marks. Is that possible or do need to look at it a different way?

[dwetzel]

Hi Gilrock, I used the morf effect and added a second layer. I used the layer blending and set 2 is mask then went to layer settings and adjusted the box to hide half of the circle I didn't want to show. Is this the best way to get the first effect for the circles in the gif? Actually anyone can reply and give me advice. Thank you for any help.

[keithsw1111]

You cannot move a timing mark to a point less that the sequence frame rate. So if you are using 50ms frame rate then timing marks can only be on multiples of 50ms. There is no point allowing you to put them anywhere else as we would just have to move it for you when the sequence plays. This way you get to decide if the mark should be slightly early or slightly late. Generally early is better.

[dwetzel]

Thank you keithsw1111. That is helpful.