Trying to learn how to use Glediator

[danj]

I figured while Sean & the dev team are working so diligently on xl4, it would be a good time for me to sitt spend some time learning how to use gLEDiator and how to import gLEDiator effects into XL/NC.   I opened up to the gLEDiator section in the xlights/nutcracker manual and started following the instructions for setting up my matrix (a megatree) and all three of the gLEDiator screens no longer display any effects.  When I try "set L" or "set R", I am not able to get any effects to show up.  Not sure what to do next....  Any ideas?   I am going to watch the 12/11/14 video that I believe includes some gLEDiator "How to" info in a little while; I am probably missing something easy here...

Thanks in advance!

[MrChristmas2000]

First you have to have Glediator expanded to full screen for some grid resolutions. If there is not enough screen area then Glediator will not display any effects. If you are on a notebook with a smaller screen area and you have a large matrix then you probably aren't going to see the effects without moving to a desktop.

Glediator DOES NOT auto adjust its display resolution.

[danj]

Oh.  Darn.   I am working on my laptop.  I don't own a desktop.  Arrgh.   I did have it in full screen resolution.   I'll mess around with the matrix size to see if I can get it to work that way.  Thanks MrChristmas!!

[MrChristmas2000]

You could also connect your laptop to a larger external monitor to solve that problem as well. USB to HDMI adapters work great (I use one with my Laptop) even if it is a 17in, a 24in monitor is much better.

[danj]

Great idea!   I will try that.   Thanks again!

Ok--just for grins I changed the matrix size configuration in gLEDiator.   I am now again seeing the effects, so now I can learn how to use the program.   What I am now wondering is if I can just leave the matrix "as-is" so I can see it on my laptop, then change it to my XL/NC matrix configuration just before saving as the "final" gLEDiator file that I can import into XL/NC?    Would that work??

Ok.  Answered my own question.  I changed the matrix (from 20x90 to 20x70) such that it would "fit" on my PC's gLEDiator screens, got something I liked to import into XL/NC, changed the matrix size and saved as per the instructions in the XL/NC manual (thanks a bunch for that manual!!)--this worked really well.  After messing around with gLEDiator for a little while I was thinking maybe I would just stick with the XL/NC effects.   But after importing into XL/NC and seeing what it looks like layered with a 'native' XL/NC effect--WOW.  Way cool.  Interestingly (as I guess is always the case with megatrees), the effect doesn't look quite the same on the megatree as on a "pure" X-Y matrix as modeled in gLEDiator....

Thanks again MrChristmas