Group of sub-models

[blehkel]

I posted this on FB - I think it got burried, so trying here... 

I have ~35 Pixelarias from Boscoyo with 9 pixels in each, configured like this:
1 2 3
 456
7 8 9

I came up with a flame effect I like using Plasma applied to a sub-model composed of 4-6. 
I copied and pasted that effect to the rest... and it looks horrible - think synchronized flames.  The same effect applied to a group consisting of all the models does look OK - I just don't like the real life look when using the pixels near the edge (1-3, 7-9). 

Is there another way to do this?  I'd rather not have to create another 35 elements just for this, but I'm running out of options. 

Thanks!

[Gilrock]

Just use the group effect you like and limit the output using the sub-buffer.  Draw a smaller box to clamp the effect to the middle.

[blehkel]

Do you mean in the Layer Settings in the sequence?  If so, I don't think I explained my setup... 

Imagine 12 of these models, arranged like this (lining my sidewalk away from the house on both sides and the street sidewalk on one side):

        1    7
        2    8
        3    9
4  5  6    10  11  12

Each one of those is a custom model like this:
1 2 3
 456
7 8 9

and I want to control pixels 4,5,6 on all 12 models. 

[Gilrock]

You could make one custom model that has just those channels.  Remember you can skip channels in a custom model.

[blehkel]

Conceptually, this makes sense...  Getting there made my head hurt - going back and forth between channels and pixels is going to be incredibly difficult, and maybe not possible in all cases.  I tend to start each output on a new universe, so I _think_ it will work.  If I had a model that started on channel 1, and another that started on 20, I don't think the math works? 

Anyway, I set up a test layout:
  P1 - custom, start channel = 511
  P2 - custom model, start channel = 1021
  PC - custom model, start channel 1

P1 and P2 both look like this:
  1  2  3
    654
  9  8  7

PC looks like this, meant to represent the center row of pixels in P1 and P2
  176  175  174    346  345  344

[Gilrock]

So start them on channels where the math will work.

[blehkel]

Sorry - I'll drop this.  It will work as-is.  Having a channel start number in layout view and being node based in the custom model setup is difficult, but possible - that's all I was trying to say.