(Linux) Loading GIFs in Pictures causes crash.

[cybi257]

In the Linux version (.35), I am getting a crash every time I try to add a GIF pic. PNGs and JPGs work fine. GIFs in a Windows version of XLights works fine. Only get this in Linux, which is my preferred choice of OS, so I would like to submit a bug report for this.

This has happened on more than one machine, and multiple VM's running different versions of Linux.

I have also downloaded the 2017.9 package and installed and got the same results. Instant crash when I select "open file" to add to the picture element.

I have attached a report that shows me adding to images (first is a PNG, second is a JPG) without issue. 3rd (or last) is a GIF, non-animated (animated is where I first saw the issue) is where the crash occurred.

I can duplicate this over and over, each and every time I try to add. This also happens on an older install/setup, and a fresh install with nothing other than a simple animation sequence creation with only a matrix element on the setup.

I hope this provides enough details to bring the issue to the forum.

Thanks,
Tim (aka Cybie257)

[cybi257]

Anyone have any suggestions on this? Thanks.

[Gilrock]

When its only happening on Linux that really limits who can help.  We have one developer that uses Linux so maybe he will see this.  I looked at the log and I see some OpenGL stuff happening on the EffectAssist window when it supports the PIctures Effect.  Maybe try turning off Effect Assist in Settings Menu to prevent that work from happening and see if it makes a difference.

[stampedeboss]

I'm having the same issue on 37 and turning off Effect Assist has no effect. The issue is also affecting png files in addition to GIFs.

These are my sequences from last year that have not been changed.  The sequence loads, but when you click on one of the picture effects or click render the application crashes. I've attached the debug logs.

[cybi257]

I tried the effects suggestion also to no avail. Been playing around with other settings, but no luck. Only have a sequence or two I plan to use an animated gif in, so for this year I'll just save the sequence in the windows version if no other solution comes up and not re-render in Linux.

Thanks for the feedback both of you. At least i now know it's not just me, lol

Tim

[Gilrock]

I'm having the same issue on 37 and turning off Effect Assist has no effect. The issue is also affecting png files in addition to GIFs.

These are my sequences from last year that have not been changed.  The sequence loads, but when you click on one of the picture effects or click render the application crashes. I've attached the debug logs.

Since you are not the original poster I'd like to know which operating system you use.

[stampedeboss]

I'm having the same issue on 37 and turning off Effect Assist has no effect. The issue is also affecting png files in addition to GIFs.

These are my sequences from last year that have not been changed.  The sequence loads, but when you click on one of the picture effects or click render the application crashes. I've attached the debug logs.

Since you are not the original poster I'd like to know which operating system you use.

Linux Mint 19

[Gilrock]

So from all this I can't tell if animated GIFs ever worked on Linux.  Sorry I won't be able to help with a Linux specific issue.  If its still around in January I might could get a Linux image working on my Mac Mini.  For GIFs I guess you need to save to another format until a Linux expert can help.  If its animated then split into multiple frames and manually insert multiple picture effects.

[cybi257]

Gil,

If memory recalls, I have been able to add/edit in Xlights Linux with GIFs before. I want to say that it's been since the 2017 version, but I would need to locate an old version (4 or 2016) to confirm as I have always updated my Linux distro. The older versions were kind of a nightmare in Linux. Then the repository showed up and it's been a dream ever since, with XLights updating right along with all other Linux Updates.

I'll live with the issue for now as it's suddenly days away from 'Lights On" here in Oregon, and I'm about 3 months behind (again, lol). So, I will be scrambling to make do with compiling the sequences in Windows, and running the show(s) from Linux, which has proven to be much more stable (no sudden updates reboots) to run my show from.

I'm sure it'll get fixed and I will do my best to see if I can't find a older version it worked on with Linux so that may help trace down the coding issue.

Thanks,
Tim

[stampedeboss]

It's not limited to GIFs, it all picture formats on Linux.  The other issue is I don't have a windows machine or mac.  All my systems are linux which is why I moved to xLights.

[cybi257]

On multiple flavors of Linux I tested in past week, I've only experienced my issue with gifs. PNG and jgp load just fine. In the log I posted in my original post, you can see that I successfully loaded jgp and png, but crashed on gif, whether still or animated.

I do recall a certain version crashing on all pics in the past, but that even occurred with Windows version.

Do you get this behavior with a fresh sequence, or only when editing an older one?

[stampedeboss]

Only when trying to render my sequences from last year.  I've even tried to import them into a new sequence file, but that fails as well.

[Gilrock]

So why don't one of you run the xLights version that everyone used last Christmas and see if it crashes?

[stampedeboss]

because on Linux xLights is not packaged that way,  It automatically upgrades to the latest version in the repository.

[debenham]

Where are you running xLights from?
Are you compiling it yourself, or using the Ubuntu repository, or using the appimage binary?
If you are using the repo can you please try the appimage - and if using the appimage please try the repo.
There have been problems in the past with image handling due to differing libraries that interact badly - but I thought I'd sorted most of them out by now.