Importing 1000 Channel Vixen 2.1x Sequences into Xlights - ?? Steps Please ??

[Tory Street Lights]

I am currently running Ver 2017.19 64bit version of Xlights and my old brain cannot figure out the actual steps involved in transferring my 20 x 1,000 channels of Vixen 2.1x sequences into Xlights to allow me to sequence a few new props of  Pixels.

Can somebody please detail the actual steps involved, for me, and I guess quite a few others "watching", how to go about it in as simple a way as possible.

I have watched quite a few of the available videos, but they are confusing with the changes made in the interface since they were recorded really confusing the process.

Thanks,

Terry

[Gilrock]

There isn't just one way cause it depends on your goals.  Do you want the sequences imported as xLights effects that can be adjusted or do you just want the raw channel data?  None of the developers were Vixen users so we don't always know the exact step by step.  What have you tried and what didn't work?  The main thing I've heard is you need to flatten your profile so that the channel/project info is included with the sequence.

[Tory Street Lights]

Thanks for your reply Gilrock,

I attempted to get a sequence into Xlights by converting it to an fseq file with the profile flattened into it and then importing it. When I ran the sequence after creating the first dozen AC strings as single strings on the house picture it appears to play them back over the house layout, although there was no sign of any dta on the sequencing screen.   I gathered amongst the "chatter" on the forums that one should create a mapping file or something of that type to allow the imported/whatever sequence to line up with the Xlights layout, or am I getting that wrong too. So, should I create a complete list of all the AC strings that I currently have in use, re-draw them on the house layout picture complete with their original names, then attempt to get the sequence/s into Xlights assuming I can get my head around it.

My other option was to create my Pixel sequences in Xlights and then export them back into Vixen and run them from there but getting them to synchronise with the original Vixen sequence would be a bit of a mission.

My objective was to have available the visualiser to display the original sequence on screen while creating the Pixel section/s / props so that I can have a good idea of what the final sequence would look like. After 9 yrs of handling Vixen 2.1x with 1,000 channels of Renard control without any real hassles at all I am finding Xlights a very cumbersome package, very powerfully admittedly, but to me, not being a programmer by trade, I don't find it very intuitive at all, particularly with the multitude of layers involved, and the number of out of date video's out there on the 'net.

Terry

[Gilrock]

First off you are doing a complex operation.  We are the only sequencer that supports trying to convert data in and out of our program to almost every other sequencer.  If you were just starting and using xLights its really easy but you are trying to duplicate data and props from another sequencer.

So you did a data conversion to an FSEQ and then opened that file.  That does not create xLights effects but you can still see the data if you double-click a model on the sequencing grid it will expand to strands then double-click a strand and it expands to nodes and there you will find your data.  If you want to bring in the Vixen data it would be better to create a Data Layer which can be found on a tab in the Sequence Settings dialog.  The mapping file is another option which would allow you to bring in the data and convert to effects but that requires you to have created all the models that will receive the data.

If you create all your models then create an empty sequence goto Tools -> Package Sequence and post that zip file along with the files from Vixen and I'll try to import a portion of the channels and maybe create a video showing you and others how to do it.

[Tory Street Lights]

Thanks again Gilrock for taking the time to reply,

I was aware that Xlights was one of the few sequencer packages to allow import/export of most other sequencers data, congratulations to all developers on the immense work done to allow this to happen.

The main area of confusion for me is the term "Models", in Vixen I do not have any such thing. I know that I am "Old and Dumb" but what exactly is the term referring to when it is bandy'd around all the time as if everyone understands it's meaning?.  I have effectively 1,000 individual strings of lights under Renard AC control, often in sets of four, White, Red, Green and Blue, some props with White and Blue, plus a whole lot with only White.  Generally the Whites and Blues are eight channels of each colour per prop, ie leaping arches, leaping poles etc.

Since I apparently havn't created any models, maybe one by accident, I cannot see any data on the sequencing grid, although after clicking edit "display elements" I now see the list of individual strings on the grid, but all empty. I think that that is a red herring and I will have an attempt at starting from scratch and attempt importing as a data layer and see how I get on when I figure out my "Model" dilemma  :-)

Thankyou for offering to have a look at my data import problem, once I get the basics sorted I will attempt to get a sequence packaged up for you to have a look at  :-)

Sorry to appear a little "thick" - but from the postings on the various forums I figure I am not the only one having  problems getting my head around this powerful package!

Terry

[Gilrock]

A "model" is what you call a "prop".  Here's a short video that shows a lot of the basics.  It wasn't meant to be a demo but more of a challenge to show how quick you can create a layout and start sequencing in xLights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKXEaL8Jx-Q

Also you should click the Wiki link and find the User Manual.  It's one of the best manuals out there.

[Tory Street Lights]

Thanks again Gilrock for your confirmation of what you call a model, it certainly makes things a little clearer.  I have watched that video before but I don't think it would apply in my case as I am not planning to have an all Pixel display any time soon. To get the channels to line up with my Renard setup having all single strands, with multiple colours and their numbering involved, would be somewhat problematic using your rapid auto numbering method.

I have had the whole 225 pages of the manual printed out in a book for about six months and attempted to read, absorb, and inwardly digest it several times, but like many of the online videos it is out of date. No reflection on you guy's, who are continually modifying the basic program, but having a manual that is superseded in a number of areas isn't helpful for a new-chum like myself.

I will have another try at getting a sequence into Xlights after creating the appropriate "models"  and see how successful I am, then maybe take you up on your offer of having a look at the whole thing for me.

Silly question again, how do you go about creating a mapping file ?? would that method help solve my conversion/import problem if I were to create the appropriate "models"? or should I just sequence my new props, and export them back into good old stable Vixen and hope for the best !!

Terry

[Gilrock]

So the models I created in that video could easily be changed to AC single channel strings.  For each model there is a model properties window and a tab where you can change string type.  So you can just select "Single Channel Red" for the model and all the lights drawn will represent a single channel.  You can select "3 Channel RGB" for dumb RGB string.  Unfortunately there is no way to create a single model that will represent 4 colors you would need to create 4 different models.  The reason is when you drop effects in xLights we would not know how to apply the RGB values if you had 4 strings of different colors.  Also although I let it auto number that's the beauty of xLights you could go work on all your sequences and then just fix your channel numbering later.  Mapping files are created when you follow the Import Effects process via the Import menu.

To be fair although the user manual is a little out of date in some areas it still is correct for most things and is good enough to figure out how to use the program.  Sorry but you are picking at things and sounding like a complainer.  How do you read that user manual and come away not knowing what a model is?  I think someone closer to your level may need to step in and help I don't usually try to teach these low level basics I'm here for the more difficult problems.

[TomL8345]

Terry,

I have been going through this process on a much smaller scale over the past couple of months.  There are two different methods available to bring your V2.1 sequences into XLights.

• Using the Data Layer feature of Xlights.  I have found this to work well, but it is imperative that your channel number in XLights are EXACTLY the same as the channel number in Vixen.  This method does NOT let you alter the effects you have brought in from Vixen, although I believe you can add a new layer in XLights that will let you override the orginal effect.  To use this method you will Create a New Musical Sequence.  Once you have the sequence you go Settings>Sequence Settings->Choose the Data Layers tab and Import, choose your Vixen Sequence (make sure you choose the .vix file type) and then follow the prompts.  Once the Data Layer is added to the XLights Sequence you MUST click the RENDER ALL button to have the imported data play.
• You can also IMPORT EFFECTS into XLights.  With this method you use a Flattened Vixen file (profile embedded).  As you go through the Import process you will be prompted to create a Channel Mapping File where you manually relate each channel from Vixen to a XLights Channel.  This should give you editable information in your XLights Sequence.  This Channel Map can be saved to simplify the Importing of additional sequences.  That being said, I have not had success with this method, for some reason the channels are not mapping to the correct location for me.

Hope this helps!

[Tory Street Lights]

Thank you very much Tom for your suggestions, I will try this out and see how I get on. At face value it looks like the answer I was looking for in my original question, so thanks again.  :-)

Sorry if I touched a nerve Gil, exposing a shortfall in this package, I trust I am not a complainer, just someone who was asking questions that apparently have no easy answer, leaving the wider "Vixen" user community with difficulties importing their data because not every one in this Christmas lights community used "LOR".  I am a firm believer in the old adage  -  "The only silly question, is the one that hasn't yet been asked"  :-)

Cheers,

Terry

[Gilrock]

You have not "exposed a shortfall in the package" and its phrases like that which caused me to lose patience with you.  I tried to help for several posts and you haven't followed what I said.  Come back once you do.