JonB256 - What can you do with Nutcracker in about one hour

[JonB256]

Using the Audacity Timing Marks, my existing models for 3 RGB Matrices, roof perimeter lights and one custom made "non-RGB DMX Universe" model covering all my older DMX devices, this is what I got after about 1 hour of work. It is a bit too blinky/flashy in spots, but still very nice in spots. Create Random Effects.

A Mad Russian's Christmas by TSO

http://vimeo.com/115944624


and "Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Spiraling (mashup with The Who)

http://vimeo.com/115948503

[jnealand]

Looks good.  That is how I did all my sequences this year.  Then I went back and did each one again starting with new create random but locking in some things before hitting the button.  It was a great year and I ended up with 12 new songs vs my usual 5-7 that I used for years.  With the functionality in nutcracker now I think we can keep fine tuning stuff all year.  For next season I think I am going to separate my RGB and non RGB by moving all the non-RGB elements to my side yard (corner lot) and keep the front of the house to just RGB since the lights are so different.

What are the sizes of your smaller matrices?  in dimensions and pixels. TIA

[JonB256]

What are the sizes of your smaller matrices?  in dimensions and pixels. TIA

The big one on the Garage Door is 40w x 30t.  2 inch pitch, TM1804 pixels. This is the one I've brought to The Ultimate Academy twice now. If you've watched Matt Johnson's "how to" video for a matrix, then you have seen the way I did mine back in 2013.  (1200 pixels)

The two new ones are identical sizes. 22w x 30t. They are made with Flex Strips from Ray Wu. 30 pixels up, then 30 pixels down (with soldered jumper wires at the top). They are zip tied to heavily painted pegboard and mounted to my house brick with lead anchors. (660 pixels times 2)

All three Matrix panels are driven from their own Falcon 16 controller.

[twooly]

Looks good but I have to kind of agree, it all looks a little too random for my taste.  Again thats me and my taste

This is one of things I struggle with Nutcracker to use as my only sequencer.  I'm a LSP user so I still like the old school of this does this at X and then bringing in "effects" from Nutcracker to do extra stuff like on my mega tree.

Now with that said I did sit down over my time off around Christmas and did a song solely in Nutcracker on more than just my mega tree.  The song had my house outlines,mega tree,arches,mini trees and stars.  With the later versions it does seem easier once you get the hang of it.  Can't wait to see what the v4 has in store and I might just make the switch finally.

[jnealand]

Random can truly be way too random.  You may have noticed my comment about doing a second version from scratch.  The more you learn about using NC the better you can control what you are going to get.  But the point being made of this topic was that random lets you get something to start with real fast and then you can go back and tweak it to your hearts content.  I doubt anyone would say that random is the only or best way to go but for those of us that are artistically or musically challenged it is a great way to get started.  I finally used music I had never tried before and did several tweak sessions before they become acceptable, but not perfect.

[JonB256]

Looks good but I have to kind of agree, it all looks a little too random for my taste.  Again that's me and my taste

twooly, I agree 100% about being "too random" in spots. That is partly why I even recorded and posted the video. But, what I see (and get from viewer comments) is what I call the "Wizard of Oz/Dark Side of the Moon" effect, where you mix two things together that really don't have ANYTHING in common but at times, you are amazed at "how creative" it looks, as if it was intentional. The key is perfect timing marks. Even random effects, when they start and stop come on and go off with appropriate timings, can create a good visual show. AND, if you crank up the music volume, the show synchronization becomes even better. (ever watched a "Wizards" show with the volume off?)

If went back through and spent 2 more hours really grooming those sequences, they could lose a lot of that Random appearance. That is still far easier than my old 15 to 50 hours in LOR.

[sean]

another thing to try is locking one effect (say spirals or colorwash), click morph and generate.

I like teh colorwash as the start, it adds a less frentic pace. i still get teh advantage of random effects on Effect2 that the morph cross fades in.

the more time you spend, the better.

I have said , do a random create and then tweak.

Doing a SHIFT random create is better if you have lots of models. It randmly creates and effect and then applies that to every model on the row. This makes everything have the same color palette

[Steve Gase]

Here is what i do... 

i classify my props/models into 2 groups...  matrix objects and string objects.  In matrix i include the mega tree, ground lights, panels and stars... sometimes coroflakes. 

In strings i include arches, single color mini trees and sometimes coro flakes.

I copy the same effect to all matrix objects... and i create a complementary effect that i place on all string objects.

I tried having different effects on all  or most objects and i think i end up with chaos.

 Instead, applying the same effect across multiple objects seems to reinforce them... and the identical colors remove the chaos... even though each object has a unique take on that effect.

 I end up just sequencing 2 columns in my fisrt pass... then performing column copy operations to complete the sequence for my display.

[drlucas]

Here is what i do... 

i classify my props/models into 2 groups...  matrix objects and string objects.  In matrix i include the mega tree, ground lights, panels and stars... sometimes coroflakes. 

I had no appreciation for what your ground lights were (thought maybe like floods on the ground or something) and then I saw your videos....now I fully understand how they are in the same category as your matrix objects

next year - I am debating about doing my roof as a matrix (if I can figure out the channel count and engineering to mount it all) ...and if the CFO approves.

[JonB256]

My third new sequence for the season. I really did not want to do "Let it Go" but my wife and neighbor's daughter begged and begged. This one started with an LOR sequence and timings. Then I added some Audacity timings and effects with Nutcracker. It starts slowly, in all white. Slowly adds some blue, then green, then red. By the end it is very lively and colorful. This was closer to 4 hours of work. Still pretty quick and still needs some touch up.

https://vimeo.com/116036557

[Steve Gase]

nice, Jon!!

[flyinverted]

Nice. Much better than the first ones!!