Increase max nodes on arch?

[rickswa]

Hello,

I'm building some arches this year and have an issue hopefully someone can help me with.  Each arch will have 259 nodes of ws2811 pixels.  The problem is that I can't set it to more than 250 nodes per arch in xlights.  Is there any way to get the arches set up so that I can actually control all 259 nodes on all 4 arches?  Thanks for any help.

[keithsw1111]

It will be in v24

[Boof63]

Hi, just curious, why so many pixels, ie how big are your arches and what pixels/strip are you using. eg 30/metre or 60/m etc.
 Only reason i ask are mine are only 25 nodes x 30/m strip of ws2811 and they are plenty bright enough , even inside ldpe tubing, so just curious as to what you are building,
Cheers Boof63

[Gilrock]

Seems like there is always that one user that needs the range bigger which ruins the use of the slider for the rest of us.

[rickswa]

So I guess that answer means the software is not capable. That's all I was asking since I'm switching from LOR to xlights this year. I don't understand why there even needs to be a limit in he software. If the slider is an issue, then allow additional nodes via entry box or something. But maybe it's much more complex on the software end then I realize. Guess I'll just have to make some "arch like" poly line or custom model and try to replicate the arch geometry in the layout screen. Would be a lot easier if I could just type in 259 nodes. But thanks for the replies

I'm using 12v ws2811 pixels with 2 100' strings and another 59 with 1 1/2" spacing.  They are going to span 34' across my driveway

[Gilrock]

No you guessed wrong.  Keith already increased the limit.  My point is that the bigger the limit the harder it is to use the slider to dial in a value.  It has to do with resolution.  If you double the limit you would need to double the width of the slider on the screen to have the same movement resolution.  Once it gets too big you might as well just not have a slider.

[rickswa]

So he increased it to 250 previously or beyond 250 recently?  Thanks for explaining the reasoning behind limiting the software capability.  I am switching over from LOR so new to xlights and all it's abilities and/or limitations.  I'm running the 2017.14 production version but did you mean he increased it beyond 250 in one of the alpha or beta releases?  I just created a poly line anyhow to make it work.

[keithsw1111]

You would be much better off on v23. It won't address your arch issue though until 24.

[Gilrock]

Yes he increased it based on your request but you don't get the change till the next release comes out.

[Boof63]

 These devs do listen and normally will help where they can.(much better than some commercial software companies)
As for size of the arch- That's HUGE!! , what material are you using to carry that span.
Cheers Boof63

[rickswa]

Thank you for the replies.  It is pretty amazing that changes can get done like this.  So far xlights has me wondering what took me so long to learn about this and switch over!

As for the arch size....yah, it's been quite a bit more than I bargained for.  I thought I found a material rigid enough but then when I actually got it and did a mock up, it's much more flexible with that length than I thought.  It's 2 1/2" opaque poly pipe.  It's really a short driveway and only 2 cars wide so what I actually may have to end up doing if I cant get it fairly secure with tie downs to the side is to make an H pattern skeleton out of 3/4" EMT and secure the tops of the arch to that to make it more rigid.  In my head, it worked out great.  But the reality of switching to xlights, adding a falcon f16, trying to figure out how to make these, learning about power injection......makes me think maybe I should have just started with converting my AC models to pixels first.. but what's the fun of not adding anything or taking on a challenge, right?  I have to keep saying that to myself..lol.