DiyLightAnimation
Software => Nutcracker: RGB Effects Builder => Topic started by: smeighan on March 04, 2012,
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There are 4 parts to the nutcracker
1) Build a target model
2) Create effects and add them into your user library
3) Pick a target model and an effect and create an animated sequence. Produce this as an animated GIF
4) Create this sequence as an xml file for lsp,lor or vixen
I have 1-3 working now. It is pretty cool. There are lots of moving parts on this. Error checking,navigations is still rough. All of the forms are built dynamically so i have to load up the effect_class table, i have to join the effect generators to the user models.
This is an alpha release. Things can and will break. Things that were working, may now become broken.
I will be releasing new code every single day for the next 1-2 weeks. Play with it and give me some feedback on usability, features and bugs.
So some caveats:
I dont have all of the color working like i want. If you select 3 spirals, i will override your color choice and make each spiral red, white and blue. If you pick more than 4 spirals then i will use your color selections. I think i need to prompt for each spiral for color.
navigation and error checking are pretty rough right now, i am releasing it so you can start to play.
Login in to http://meighan.net/nutcracker/login/login-form.php and then select effects builder.
I think you will enjoy playing with it.
I have spirals done. I will probably next do text and then pictures, bands, meteors and points. It will probably take a week to get all the code connected to the effects class generators.
Here is one example:
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker/effects/workspaces/f/ZZ_ZZ+SEAN5.gif)
PS: Thanks RJ for creating this separate forum area for the Nutcracker
thanks
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Maybe start with something simple.
2 spirals, 2 pixels thick.
[username] => smeighan
[user_target] => AA
[effect_class] => spirals
[effect_name] => sean31
[number_spirals] => 2
[number_rotations] => 2
[spiral_thickness] => 2
[start_color] => #42D3FF
[end_color] => #FF4FE8
[frame_delay] => 22
[direction] => cw
[submit] => Submit Form to create your target model
)
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker/effects/workspaces/smeighan/AA+SEAN31.gif)
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If you are having problems, you can use my test account
login "f"
password "f"
use target model ZZ_ZZ
here is another run
(
[username] => f
[user_target] => ZZ_ZZ
[effect_class] => spirals
[effect_name] => sean6
[number_spirals] => 7
[number_rotations] => 2
[spiral_thickness] => 2
[start_color] => #40FF40
[end_color] => #FF59DE
[frame_delay] => 22
[direction] => 2
[submit] => Submit Form to create your target model
)
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker/effects/workspaces/f/ZZ_ZZ+SEAN6.gif)
you can go ahead and save some effects under this user if you have any issues with your own models.
thanks
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I tried some of your effects. I noticed that some of you have put embedded spaces into your effect name. The web page was putting %20 in place of this and caused the database search to fail.
I have fixed this. What this means is that now you can select an old effect by clicking its name and it will load the form for you so u can then modify parameters and try it again.
Oops, i see some of you have created user names with embedded spaces. I will fix this now also.
Ok, fixed now. "Steve Gase", "Tallahassee Dreamer" your models and effects should work now.
thanks
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Looking great ... registered ... thanks so much for doing this !!
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Sean,
Nice job as always, will you be adding the Zig Zag (up-down-up-down and vice versa) option on "How Will you build your tree" section. Just looking to add my mini trees to the library. Thanks again for your work on this this tool.
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Sean,
Nice job as always, will you be adding the Zig Zag (up-down-up-down and vice versa) option on "How Will you build your tree" section. Just looking to add my mini trees to the library. Thanks again for your work on this this tool.
yes, just need to find the time. eventually it will all be done, probably by june.
the immediate next steps , i think, are getting all of the effect classes connected to the database.
Then i will start making a vixen output xml file.
for now, i would suggest you build an UP/DOWn tree that is close to the same dimensions of your final mini tree.
Just adjust the number of pixels and # of strings so that you get the same dimensions. Now this target model can be used to visualize the effects.
when i get the UP/DOWN NEXT3 and UP/DOWN NEXT4 finished, you just select the new target model and reuse the effects from your library.
The effects work on all rgb devices i plan so far.
thanks
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New option on spiral class added.
sparkles is a number form 0-100. This indicates what percentage of teh pixels being drawn should have their color overwritten and instad be set to white.
I did this as a test, to verify i can add options to the class without needing to touch the html forms.
it works and is now another option for you to choose.
Here is an example, notice sparkles is now one ofthe options. BTW, i think something like 10% looks better. go ahead and play
(
[username] => Tallahassee Dreamer
[user_target] => MEGA1
[effect_class] => spirals
[effect_name] => sean4
[number_spirals] => 7
[number_rotations] => 2
[spiral_thickness] => 3
[start_color] => #1812BD
[end_color] => #0F0C6B
[frame_delay] => 22
[direction] => 1
[sparkles] => 10
[submit] => Submit Form to create your target model
)
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker_sean/effects/workspaces/Tallahassee%20Dreamer/MEGA1+SEAN4.gif)
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I apologize if someone already asked this, but how many strings does your model (shown) use ? and how many nodes up and down is it showing?
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I apologize if someone already asked this, but how many strings does your model (shown) use ? and how many nodes up and down is it showing?
No prob. the model is from user "Tallahassee Dreamer". i was using his account to test users who have embedded spaces in their user name.
his tree model had 32 strings with 85 pixels each. It was built BOT_TOP
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Ok, another release
I fixed the color problem i was having. No one noticed, but i did.
When you pick a start and end color it is supposed to go between those two colors in a chromatic fashion. What it did was wrap around the hue table.
Here is an example of the fixed code
_POST
username f
user_target ZZ_ZZ
effect_class spirals
effect_name sean6
number_spirals 4
number_rotations 2
spiral_thickness 2
start_color #0DFF05
end_color #1C14FF
frame_delay 22
direction ccw
sparkles 5
submit Submit Form to create your target model
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker_sean/effects/workspaces/f/ZZ_ZZ+SEAN6.gif)
What it did before is wrap through the reds/oranges/yellows until it reached the ending color. It now works as expected.
Here is a link of how the HUE, SATURATION, VALUE works. basically for hue , when u pick two colors i want to only show the colors on the shortest distance path.
http://www.workwithcolor.com/doughnut-color-picker-01.htm
thanks
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New release. Added new option on spiral effect class, window_degrees. Value 0-360 degres
this is how much of your tree will be displayed.
This release is for you Steve Gase.
Here is window-degrees=180 on the babrer pole, so front half of tree will display
_POST
username f
user_target ZZ_ZZ
effect_class spirals
effect_name barberpole_180
number_spirals 2
number_rotations 2
spiral_thickness 16
window_degrees 180
start_color #0DFF05
end_color #1C14FF
frame_delay 22
direction ccw
sparkles 0
submit Submit Form to create your target model
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker_sean/effects/workspaces/f/ZZ_ZZ+BARBERPOLE_180.gif)
Here is with window_degrees set to 360, so this will do entire tree
username f
user_target ZZ_ZZ
effect_class spirals
effect_name barberpole
number_spirals 2
number_rotations 2
spiral_thickness 16
window_degrees 360
start_color #0DFF05
end_color #1C14FF
frame_delay 22
direction ccw
sparkles 0
submit Submit Form to create your target model
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker_sean/effects/workspaces/f/ZZ_ZZ+BARBERPOLE.gif)
Here it is set to 90 degrees, only 1/4 of tree will display
username f
user_target ZZ_ZZ
effect_class spirals
effect_name barberpole_90
number_spirals 2
number_rotations 2
spiral_thickness 16
window_degrees 90
start_color #0DFF05
end_color #1C14FF
frame_delay 22
direction ccw
sparkles 0
submit Submit Form to create your target model
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker_sean/effects/workspaces/f/ZZ_ZZ+BARBERPOLE_90.gif)
thanks
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thanks! they look great.
i sent you a message about my difficulties in creating the animation myself.
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thanks! they look great.
i sent you a message about my difficulties in creating the animation myself.
Hi steve, maybe do a shift reload.
Everyones passwords are encrypted, but i have a password that allows me to login to anyones account. This super password basically bypasses the password check.
I use this to login as a user to see what errors they are seeing. So i just logged in as "Steve Gase" and i was able to create the following
_POST
username Steve Gase
user_target SGMEG40
effect_class spirals
effect_name barberpole
number_spirals 2
number_rotations 2
spiral_thickness 16
window_degrees 180
start_color #4AFF6E
end_color #C21CFF
frame_delay 22
direction ccw
sparkles 0
submit Submit Form to create your target model
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker/effects/workspaces/Steve%20Gase/SGMEG40+BARBERPOLE.gif)
MODEL: SGMEG40.dat
target_name SGMEG40
total_strings 48
pixel_count 85
pixel_length 252.00
unit_of_measure in
topography BOT_TOP
Please try again, it all worked as expected.
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better!
then i tried the following, and got the error...
Fatal error: Maximum execution time of 30 seconds exceeded in /users/meighan.net/htdocs/nutcracker/effects/read_file.php on line 503
Maybe a more complex image needs more time...?
_POST
username Steve Gase
user_target SGMEG48W
effect_class spirals
effect_name barber2
number_spirals 9
number_rotations 4
spiral_thickness 7
window_degrees 225
start_color #1241FF
end_color #FF6F3B
frame_delay 50
direction ccw
sparkles 20
submit Submit Form to create your target model
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better!
then i tried the following, and got the error...
Fatal error: Maximum execution time of 30 seconds exceeded in /users/meighan.net/htdocs/nutcracker/effects/read_file.php on line 503
Maybe a more complex image needs more time...?
_POST
username Steve Gase
user_target SGMEG48W
effect_class spirals
effect_name barber2
number_spirals 9
number_rotations 4
spiral_thickness 7
window_degrees 225
start_color #1241FF
end_color #FF6F3B
frame_delay 50
direction ccw
sparkles 20
submit Submit Form to create your target model
This is a limit with my internet provider. I am on a shared server. To make sur eno one hogs the server, they kill anyone whose code runs longer than 30 seconds.
I am going to try and see if i could work around this by breaking the generation of the sequence from the generation of the animated gif.
Here i reduced the thickness that you had and i got the sequence to finish in 25 seconds.
_POST
username Steve Gase
user_target SGMEG48W
effect_class spirals
effect_name barber2sean
number_spirals 9
number_rotations 4
spiral_thickness 1
window_degrees 225
start_color #1241FF
end_color #FF6F3B
frame_delay 50
direction ccw
sparkles 20
submit Submit Form to create your target model
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker/effects/workspaces/Steve%20Gase/SGMEG48W+BARBER2SEAN.gif)
Elapsed time = 25.63657 seconds
For those who are interested, here is the specs on your target model
MODEL: SGMEG48W.dat
target_name SGMEG48W
total_strings 76
pixel_count 85
pixel_length 252.00
unit_of_measure in
topography BOT_TOP
When i changed the thicknes value back to 7 (a value that would fill in all of the tree)
_POST
username Steve Gase
user_target SGMEG48W
effect_class spirals
effect_name barber2sean
number_spirals 9
number_rotations 4
spiral_thickness 7
window_degrees 225
start_color #1241FF
end_color #FF6F3B
frame_delay 50
direction ccw
sparkles 20
submit Submit Form to create your target model
Fatal error: Maximum execution time of 30 seconds exceeded in /users/meighan.net/htdocs/nutcracker/effects/read_file.php on line 503
If i got a dedicated hosting box, then all limits would be gone. The problem is that is $60/month.
http://order.1and1.com/ServerPremium?ac=OM.US.US469K02463T2103a&ovm_kp=wh&ovm_wm=text&PID=3564792 is one of the best deals.
This includes 1000gb disk space and a 4 thread box.
Currently i have these limits, 10g disk space (i am using 3g), 30 seconds of runtime per page. I do not think that i will exceed the disk limits.
This dedicated server would cost me about $500 more per year and I dont think that will fly with my wife. I told her that i can build the tool with no additional cost to us.
For now, i will see if i can break the generation of the gif into a separate task.
Another solution is for people to download wamp onto their windows xp, 7 boxes. This is an Apache server, Mysql database, php 5 package. The down side is it is 300mbytes and requires that you set it up. Also , i make sometimes 4-5 releases per day. You would have to download and install this.
I like the web server approach of nutcracker there is nothing for the user to install or maintain. Just run it. It currently runs fine from my ipad device.
The entire Nutcracker code is 6.5 mbytes so far.
So, for most people, they will not hit this limit. 24, 32 or even 48 strand trees no problem. For anyone who comes close to the 80-100 strand tree, the time approaches 30 seconds.
sorry
sean
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Hi;
i have added timing statements to Nutcracker.
Remember, 30 seconds is the limit.
Steve, here is your big tree , again with thickness of 1. If we did not make animated graphs and instead just go for the xml files, you can subtract any gnuplot or imagick time from the total. In this case we would be ready for the xml output at around 11 seconds. The xml output is going to take around 3 seconds.
So, minus the graphs, we can fit i think anyones sequences. I'll think about a solution to how to get the animated graphs AND the xml file in under 30 seconds.
thanks
_POST
username Steve Gase
user_target SGMEG48W
effect_class spirals
effect_name barber2sean
number_spirals 9
number_rotations 4
spiral_thickness 1
window_degrees 225
start_color #1241FF
end_color #FF6F3B
frame_delay 50
direction ccw
sparkles 20
submit Submit Form to create your target model
Creating Effect, spirals class: : Elapsed time = 0.13534 seconds
Finished Effect, spirals class: : Elapsed time = 0.24950 seconds
Starting Rotate image about Z axis : Elapsed time = 0.24957 seconds
Finished Rotate image about Z axis : Elapsed time = 11.28429 seconds
Making gnuplot command file: : Elapsed time = 11.28435 seconds
Finished gnuplot command file: : Elapsed time = 11.38652 seconds
Calling Gnuplot: : Elapsed time = 11.38672 seconds
Finished Gnuplot: : Elapsed time = 26.79310 seconds
Calling Imagick to make animated GIF: : Elapsed time = 26.79319 seconds
Finished Imagick to make animated GIF: : Elapsed time = 27.30974 seconds
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A suggestion for some more color prompts
Sean
wow this is really starting to come together.
Couple things for you from my experience playing just now.
- Calling your point of origin "pixel 1" is confusing to me even though you make it clear it's for internal use.
Maybe i should call them n1 to nxx. Something that makes sure there is no confusion with the pixel number on your strings?
- the start colour, end colour are describe as morphing top to bottom, playing with different numbers of spirals shows that is not how it currently functions.
This was a bug that i fixed last night, it should morph correctly now
- you went back to total string length rather than pixel spacing, seems a backward step when you collect the count.
I have always prompted for total length of string. I have displayed pixel spacing. This is probably confusing. Maybe i should just prompt for pixel spacing and total pixels??
- certainly for spirals it would be nice to specify each spiral colour and or the vertical colour change.
Taking that a step further making complex olour gradients both around the tree and vertically on a tree would be unreal
Yep, i have it on my plan. Here was my idea for expanded color prompts:
Do you want the same color scheme for all spirals?
if yes then prompt
global_start_color, global_end_color
else
Strand #1: start and end color
Strand #2: start and end color
..
Strand #Last: start and end color
With some people having 76 strands, i was thinking of also asking
Do you want to create color groups for your strands?
if yes then
How many color groups? (Say they answer 3)
Group#1 start,end color
Group #2, start,end color
Group #3, Start,end color
Then i would do
Strand#1 uses Group#1 colors
Strand#2 uses Group#2 colors
Strand#3 uses Group#3 colors
Strand#4 uses tgroup#1 colors
Strand#5 uses Group#2 colors
.etc until all strands have been assigned.
When I do amorphous blobs, i will be doing color gradients both vertically and horizontally and moving the color blobs around.
Cheers
Phil
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Hi, this is so cool thanks for all the work.
Any chance of having a background colour. i.e. tree green & spirals in red (or what ever colours you chose).
Thanks.
New Release Option for spirals class: background_color
Per the above request, i have added a new option the effect class.
If you answer yes u want a background color, every pixel of your tree will be set to that color. Next i take whatever animation you have and put it on top of the background.
Here is an example
_POST
username f
user_target ZZ_ZZ
effect_class spirals
effect_name background test
number_spirals 3
number_rotations 2
spiral_thickness 2
window_degrees 180
start_color #0DFF05
end_color #1C14FF
frame_delay 22
direction ccw
sparkles 0
use_background Y
background_color #067306
submit Submit Form to create your target model
Creating Effect, spirals class: : Elapsed time = 0.05011 seconds
Finished Effect, spirals class: : Elapsed time = 0.09783 seconds
Starting Rotate image about Z axis : Elapsed time = 0.09790 seconds
Finished Rotate image about Z axis : Elapsed time = 3.95531 seconds
Making gnuplot command file: : Elapsed time = 3.95537 seconds
Finished gnuplot command file: : Elapsed time = 3.96694 seconds
Calling Gnuplot: : Elapsed time = 3.96712 seconds
Finished Gnuplot: : Elapsed time = 9.25005 seconds
Calling Imagick to make animated GIF: : Elapsed time = 9.25013 seconds
Finished Imagick to make animated GIF: : Elapsed time = 9.62273 seconds
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker_sean/effects/workspaces/f/ZZ_ZZ+BACKGROUND%20TEST.gif)
MODEL: ZZ_ZZ.dat
target_name ZZ_ZZ
total_strings 16
pixel_count 80
pixel_length 240.00
unit_of_measure in
topography UP_DOWN_NEXT
Total Elapsed time for this effect: : Elapsed time = 9.77069 seconds
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I have added a gallery on the effects form screen.
This basically goes and finds every gif image that has been created and shows them. I will create a hyperlink that will allow you to click on an image and then copy that effect into your private library. This will save you from answering 20 questions.
Because i make so many releases per day, sometime > 20. I am going to start ending my posts with a summary of all changes. This readers digest version means you kind jump to the end of these threads and not miss anything.
we will see if this helps.
NUTCRACKER SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Effect builder now has new options:
1) sparkles: is a number form 0-100. This indicates what percentage of the pixels being drawn should have their color overwritten and instad be set to white.
0 means , do not have any sparkles.
2) window_degrees: Value 0-360 degres
this is how much of your tree will be displayed.
360 will show entire tree, 180 = half a tree, 90 = 1/4 of a tree.
thanks
3) Nutcracker now displays timing as it runs
Example:
Creating Effect, spirals class: : Elapsed time = 0.13534 seconds
Finished Effect, spirals class: : Elapsed time = 0.24950 seconds
Starting Rotate image about Z axis : Elapsed time = 0.24957 seconds
Finished Rotate image about Z axis : Elapsed time = 11.28429 seconds
Making gnuplot command file: : Elapsed time = 11.28435 seconds
Finished gnuplot command file: : Elapsed time = 11.38652 seconds
Calling Gnuplot: : Elapsed time = 11.38672 seconds
Finished Gnuplot: : Elapsed time = 26.79310 seconds
Calling Imagick to make animated GIF: : Elapsed time = 26.79319 seconds
Finished Imagick to make animated GIF: : Elapsed time = 27.30974 seconds
4) Two new options to set background color
use_background Y
background_color #067306
If you answer yes u want a background color, every pixel of your tree will be set to that color.
Next i take whatever animation you have and put it on top of the background.
5) Added the Gallery of effects
to the effects form. Now you can see all other users effects.
END OF SUMMARY
Thanks
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Thanks for adding the user gallery it gives others more ideas.
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Thanks for adding the user gallery it gives others more ideas.
I soon will add the ability for you to click and copy the settings that made that image into your library. Then you can tweak it further
I will also then show for each image, how many times it was copied. This will give an idea of the popular effects.
thanks
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Doing the current meter, i found a bug in my color transformation code. Nutcracker never uses r,g,b anywhere except whenit is all finished. Everything is in HSV, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HSL_and_HSV.
The Hue allows me to morph colors easily. Well when i morphed from one color to the second, H1,S1,V1 into H2,S2,V2 i morphed the hue (H1=>H2) but i set the S and V to 100%. Why? I don't remember. Maybe because at the time i liked bright colors. S=100% Indicates full saturation of the Hue, V=100% is full brightness.
I fixed the logic so now all three are morphing correctly.
What does this mean? It means before you could not do grays. You also couldnt fade a bright red down to black. Now you can.
Here is a gray color scheme
username f
user_target AA
effect_class spirals
effect_name GRAY_CHECK
number_spirals 4
number_rotations 2
spiral_thickness 2
window_degrees 360
start_color #CFCFCF
end_color #A3A3A3
frame_delay 22
direction cw
sparkles
use_background n
background_color #0B3802
submit Submit Form to create your target model
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker/effects/workspaces/f/AA+GRAY_CHECK.gif)
And here is a color hue , leaving the hue and fading to black.
_POST
username f
user_target AA
effect_class spirals
effect_name GRAY_CHECK
number_spirals 4
number_rotations 2
spiral_thickness 2
window_degrees 360
start_color #FA053E
end_color #3D3637
frame_delay 22
direction cw
sparkles
use_background n
background_color #0B3802
submit Submit Form to create your target model
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker/effects/workspaces/f/AA+GRAY_CHECK.gif)
Here is readers digest of all changes so far this last week:
NUTCRACKER SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Effect builder now has new options:
1) sparkles: is a number form 0-100. This indicates what percentage of teh pixels being drawn should have their color overwritten and instad be set to white.
0 means , do not have any sparkles.
2) window_degrees: Value 0-360 degres
this is how much of your tree will be displayed.
360 will show entire tree, 180 = half a tree, 90 = 1/4 of a tree.
thanks
3) Nutcracker now displays timing as it runs
Example:
Creating Effect, spirals class: : Elapsed time = 0.13534 seconds
Finished Effect, spirals class: : Elapsed time = 0.24950 seconds
Starting Rotate image about Z axis : Elapsed time = 0.24957 seconds
Finished Rotate image about Z axis : Elapsed time = 11.28429 seconds
Making gnuplot command file: : Elapsed time = 11.28435 seconds
Finished gnuplot command file: : Elapsed time = 11.38652 seconds
Calling Gnuplot: : Elapsed time = 11.38672 seconds
Finished Gnuplot: : Elapsed time = 26.79310 seconds
Calling Imagick to make animated GIF: : Elapsed time = 26.79319 seconds
Finished Imagick to make animated GIF: : Elapsed time = 27.30974 seconds
4) Two new options to set background color
use_background Y
background_color #067306
If you answer yes u want a background color, every pixel of your tree will be set to that color.
Next i take whatever animation you have and put it on top of the background.
5) Added the Gallery of effects
to the effects form. Now you can see all other users effects.
6) Added current meter to show how much DC current is being drawn by your animation
7) Fixed color bug. In H1,S1,V1 => H2,S2,V2 transformations, i was only modifying the hue.
END OF SUMMARY
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Sorry for the feature creep, but I think an option to change the helix from left hand, to right hand would be cool. For instance, I've attached two trees. The left hand tree (first one) is in the gallery, but the right hand tree (second one) can not be created. This is different from rotation.
(http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee465/Nathan_Huntsman/Mega%20Tree/lefthandthread.jpg)
(http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee465/Nathan_Huntsman/Mega%20Tree/righthandthread.jpg)
New release of Nutcracker has spiral class option: handiness
The choice is L or R indicating which way the spiral goes down the tree.
Here is a right handiness tree
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker_sean/effects/workspaces/f/AA+LEFT_TEST.gif)
here is same tree but with left handiness
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker_sean/effects/workspaces/f/AA+RIGHT_TEST.gif)
And here are the settings for the models
LEFT
_POST
username f
user_target AA
effect_class spirals
effect_name left_TEST
handiness L
number_spirals 4
number_rotations 2
spiral_thickness 2
window_degrees 180
start_color #FF147A
end_color #FFF712
frame_delay 5
direction cw
sparkles
use_background n
background_color #FFFFFF
submit Submit Form to create your target mode
and the RIGHT model
_POST
username f
user_target AA
effect_class spirals
effect_name RIGHT_TEST
handiness R
number_spirals 4
number_rotations 2
spiral_thickness 2
window_degrees 180
start_color #FF147A
end_color #FFF712
frame_delay 5
direction cw
sparkles
use_background n
background_color #FFFFFF
submit Submit Form to create your target model
And I finish with summary of changes to Nutcracker.
NUTCRACKER SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Effect builder now has new options:
1) sparkles: is a number form 0-100. This indicates what percentage of teh pixels being drawn should have their color overwritten and instad be set to white.
0 means , do not have any sparkles.
2) window_degrees: Value 0-360 degres
this is how much of your tree will be displayed.
360 will show entire tree, 180 = half a tree, 90 = 1/4 of a tree.
3) Nutcracker now displays timing as it runs
Example:
Creating Effect, spirals class: : Elapsed time = 0.13534 seconds
Finished Effect, spirals class: : Elapsed time = 0.24950 seconds
Starting Rotate image about Z axis : Elapsed time = 0.24957 seconds
Finished Rotate image about Z axis : Elapsed time = 11.28429 seconds
Making gnuplot command file: : Elapsed time = 11.28435 seconds
Finished gnuplot command file: : Elapsed time = 11.38652 seconds
Calling Gnuplot: : Elapsed time = 11.38672 seconds
Finished Gnuplot: : Elapsed time = 26.79310 seconds
Calling Imagick to make animated GIF: : Elapsed time = 26.79319 seconds
Finished Imagick to make animated GIF: : Elapsed time = 27.30974 seconds
4) Two new options to set background color
use_background Y
background_color #067306
If you answer yes u want a background color, every pixel of your tree will be set to that color.
Next i take whatever animation you have and put it on top of the background.
5) Added the Gallery of effects
to the effects form. Now you can see all other users effects.
6) Added current meter to show how much DC current is being drawn by your animation
7) Fixed color bug. In H1,S1,V1 => H2,S2,V2 transformations, i was only modifying the hue.
8) Handiness option now on spiral class. You can specify which way the spirals are drawn as they go from top to bottom on your tree.
END OF SUMMARY
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//FEATURE CREEP ON
A reminder that overlaying effects would be a great addition.
I saw the left/right spiral and I thought: Wouldn't it be cool to mix left AND right spirals? :)
//FEATHURE CREEP OFF
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//FEATURE CREEP ON
A reminder that overlaying effects would be a great addition.
I saw the left/right spiral and I thought: Wouldn't it be cool to mix left AND right spirals? :)
//FEATHURE CREEP OFF
I want the effects generator to be feature rich AND easy. It is probably an oxymoron.
I will probably make the effects generator start with a question "do you want defaults", then identify a few of the prompts that are most used (ie number of spirals and colors). This way people could still start and later customize.
Layers are on my to do list.
It is better to add these features into the effect classes, because all the work can be done for you and you get an xml file. I really dont want to tocuh anything that is rgb device related, it will be just too much work.
so that means, i dont view it as feature creep but as feature enhancement. keep them coming
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I have a quick question can i use your tool for my pixel mini tree i showed how my layout is in picture.
Yep, i just need to be a target modeler for it. This would be just a few hours to do.
This is the basis of all Nutcracker RGB effects.
The top of the model is always Nutcracker Pixel #1
Going around the model , the vertical direction is called strands.
Whether a rgb device like u show, a mega-tree a horizontal or vertial grid, lights wrapped around the spheres of a snowman. The top is always 1, vertical bars are strands .
By keeping this internal form, all of my effects can be applied to any rgb device.
This is why earlier i had said that the target modeler was the key to getting all the cool effects.
I plan on some mini trees. I will take two strings, 120 pixels each. I will wrap each string 10 times, up and down. Each strand will have 12 pixels or 36". I will build a 180 degree, half tree.
So with just two strings I will have a minitree that is 35" high, i can get these effects
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker_sean/effects/workspaces/2/AMINITREE+MINITREE1.gif)
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker_sean/effects/workspaces/2/AMINITREE+MINITREE2.gif)
(http://meighan.net/nutcracker_sean/effects/workspaces/2/AMINITREE+MINITREE3.gif)
I want to think of how to get some greate effects with only a few rgb strings. This will allow entry for more people.
thanks
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One user has imprted a sequence and has got the profiler working in Vixen. he made a movie.
Take a look at this screen video of how one of the effects looks on the Vixen adjustable preview. The preview was created by the RGB profiler.
http://emmanuelmiranda.info/nutcracker/ (http://emmanuelmiranda.info/nutcracker/)
Is looking Good!!!!
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Thats awesome.....I can't wait to get to that level. With so few of strings starting out, this is going to happen sooner than I thought.
Thank you for the awesome opportunities.
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FYI
- I've tried the new release with 3 different browsers on 2 different computers
- IE and Chrome work OK
- Firefox (V10 & V11) doesn't display the animated GIF and the "click on" Hyperlinks in the effects generator. Everything is displayed as straight text. Prior to the new release the animated GIF did appear OK in the effects generator.
- The animated GIF is being generated because it shows up in the gallery of others users if you check it after submitting the form. So there is a work around but it's a pain to switch back and forth.
Since this is an alpha release should we be using the same browser that you area using to test with? That would reduce some of the anomalies you'd have to deal with for now.
Thanks Sean for all the time you're devoting to this project.
Denny
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FYI
- I've tried the new release with 3 different browsers on 2 different computers
- IE and Chrome work OK
- Firefox (V10 & V11) doesn't display the animated GIF and the "click on" Hyperlinks in the effects generator. Everything is displayed as straight text. Prior to the new release the animated GIF did appear OK in the effects generator.
- The animated GIF is being generated because it shows up in the gallery of others users if you check it after submitting the form. So there is a work around but it's a pain to switch back and forth.
Since this is an alpha release should we be using the same browser that you area using to test with? That would reduce some of the anomalies you'd have to deal with for now.
Thanks Sean for all the time you're devoting to this project.
Denny
I run almost exclusively Chrome. I have not gone and done browser tests across opera, firefox, ie or safari.
I do know , that i have some html syntax erros. I periodically run an html validator. I will want it to work in firefox, i just need to get the time to try so many things . My goal is still to have Stable, released code by June.
thanks for your patience.
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Nutcracker is looking solid.
After having seen projects like Prancer and Olive Studio and the Xlights sequencer project come and go - is there any chance you would make this open source?
The idea of generating effects is certainly the way to go, I started something like this myself, and may pick it up again sometime. It actually did the generation out to DMX in realtime based on models and generators.
http://birdfish.readthedocs.org/en/latest/introduction.html
Are you doing the generation in PHP, or just using PHP for the front-end and calling into something else?
-P
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I am going to get this into sourceforge, and yes it will be free and opensource.
Everything is in PHP. I use gnuplot (http://gnuplot.info) to create the animated gif's.
I have it now working on my Windows 7 and Windows XP boxes.
You need to download the
WAMP server
gnuplot
one script from my website called install.php
install.php will create databases, tables, users into your local mySql. It will then download all of my php files to your htdocs directory.
You finally can launch nutcracker by using "localhost/nutcracker" in a browser window.
Eveything works exactly the same.
Not everyone will need to run a mysql/apache environment in windows. most can just use meighan.net/nutcracker.
One advantage of having it locally is there are no more resource limits (like the 30 second execution limit on my shared server).
PM me if you want details of how to install it on your local machine.
thanks
sean
Nutcracker is looking solid.
After having seen projects like Prancer and Olive Studio and the Xlights sequencer project come and go - is there any chance you would make this open source?
The idea of generating effects is certainly the way to go, I started something like this myself, and may pick it up again sometime. It actually did the generation out to DMX in realtime based on models and generators.
http://birdfish.readthedocs.org/en/latest/introduction.html
Are you doing the generation in PHP, or just using PHP for the front-end and calling into something else?
-P
-
Sean, thanks for much for making this an open project.
I think you need to change your apache config and special-case install.php, or change the ext (maybe make it install.php.txt) since even right clicking it, Apache will run it through PHP and I only get the "ERROR! You cannot run this script on any place except for your local computer" as an HTML file when I right-click, save-as...
-P
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Just tried it... same result as Ptone. It appears that the "Save target as" should work,, but it only saves the "error" statement as a .htm. attempting to force it to any other form does not change the end result.
Larry
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Just tried it... same result as Ptone. It appears that the "Save target as" should work,, but it only saves the "error" statement as a .htm. attempting to force it to any other form does not change the end result.
Larry
Have you already installed wamp onto your PC? install.php is just for getting nutcracker to work in a wamp environment.
After you can see the wamp page come up "http://localhost" on your brower, you are ready to get install.php to run. You are NOT to ever run install.php on meighan.net/
I will change the process of how to request install.php, i will make it so it automatically downloads to your local drive when u click it.
I am really not opening up nutcracker for installation on everyone's pc yet. i have a small set of beta testers.
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Wamp was installed on my home puter. I was seeing if there was a different result here at work (i.e. being able to save the target file) (WAMP not installed here) but no change ... was hoping to be able to experifment with the features (at home) without having to be online but I can be patient ...
and yes, I am very impressed with the progress you have been making.
Larry
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Wamp was installed on my home puter. I was seeing if there was a different result here at work (i.e. being able to save the target file) (WAMP not installed here) but no change ... was hoping to be able to experifment with the features (at home) without having to be online but I can be patient ...
and yes, I am very impressed with the progress you have been making.
Larry
I found the issue with making the lms file. I was adding layers into Nutcracker (Yet another parallel project).
I didnt finish the code for that and it got into the production release. I am backing that partial code out, the lor process should then work.
give me until end of today to get it fixed.
thanks
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is install.php blocked from downloading (when doing right click)?
Larry
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no, just right click , save as
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no, just right click , save as
sean,
I'm also have the same problem.
I believe that your environment is executing the install.php file and we get the downloaded error page and varaibles.
We do not get the actual script.
Can you provide another download source that does not run through your php-enabled server? or... how about renaming the file to have a different extension that does not execute in the server -- but something that we can rename locally after the download?
thanks!
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no, just right click , save as
sean,
I'm also have the same problem.
I believe that your environment is executing the install.php file and we get the downloaded error page and varaibles.
We do not get the actual script.
Can you provide another download source that does not run through your php-enabled server? or... how about renaming the file to have a different extension that does not execute in the server -- but something that we can rename locally after the download?
thanks!
OK, i have renamed install.php as install.txt. Reload the home page and follow the directions and let me know.
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whoo-hoo!! lots of warnings during the install, but it did install, and complete.
i have the lots of warnings... i'm attaching the output file for your examination -- was it all expected?
I do have problems logging in... so I may need to read more to get past the next hurdle.
I load the home page... select "Your Projects nutcracker_sean"
and it takes me to: http://localhost/nutcracker_sean/
I select "Click here to login" and it gives me a 404 error on the resulting page: http://localhost/nutcracker_sean/login/login-form.php
This error (HTTP 404 Not Found) means that Internet Explorer was able to connect to the website, but the page you wanted was not found. It's possible that the webpage is temporarily unavailable. Alternatively, the website might have changed or removed the webpage.
...getting close! :)
btw: i verified that C:\wamp\www\nutcracker_sean\login is emtpy. no login-form.php file in there.
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found a lot of files didn't transfer the first time, so I downloaded again the install.txt (install.php) file and ran it over again. its running a lot longer so far. it also appears to be doing incremental downloads -- adding quite a few more files, and retaining those that already existed.
still not error free... each time I run this I pick up more files missing from prior attempts.
finally, after a dozen attempts I have a successful install.php, and all files look to be downloaded.
i can then get the login page, but my existing account(s) do not work, but I can create a new account.
entering the target creation I get new messages about index errors in the form. also I find html markup inside the text edit fields. I overwrite those values to create a new target, but then I get new errors -- dozens of this variety:
Notice: Undefined variable: OBJECT_NAME in C:\wamp\www\nutcracker_sean\login\process.php on line 80
I think a clean install would make sense at this point. Without wiping all of the wamp stuff, can you provide instructions on clearing out the nutcracker files and database?
thanks!
-
found a lot of files didn't transfer the first time, so I downloaded again the install.txt (install.php) file and ran it over again. its running a lot longer so far. it also appears to be doing incremental downloads -- adding quite a few more files, and retaining those that already existed.
still not error free... each time I run this I pick up more files missing from prior attempts.
finally, after a dozen attempts I have a successful install.php, and all files look to be downloaded.
i can then get the login page, but my existing account(s) do not work, but I can create a new account.
entering the target creation I get new messages about index errors in the form. also I find html markup inside the text edit fields. I overwrite those values to create a new target, but then I get new errors -- dozens of this variety:
Notice: Undefined variable: OBJECT_NAME in C:\wamp\www\nutcracker_sean\login\process.php on line 80
I think a clean install would make sense at this point. Without wiping all of the wamp stuff, can you provide instructions on clearing out the nutcracker files and database?
thanks!
After the first time of running localhost/install.php in the future you should just need to run localhost/update.php
go to localhost and run phpmyadmin
click on nutcracker database
you should then see 8 tables
look in the rows column. audit log should be empty , the next 6 should have rows.
I export the database from meighan.net into two sql scripts. Look at your
c:\wamp\www\nutcracker_sean directory.
sqbuilder1.sql has all the ddl to create the tables
seqbuilder2.sql has the actual data.
seqbuilder2.sql is failing to load all data because some people have created descriptions with embedded semicolons in them.
you can see that this will screw up the inserts.
Here is an example. This is a huge table. One row wrong, whole table wont insert.
INSERT INTO `effects_user_dtl` (`login`, `effect_name`, `param_name`, `param_value`, `created`, `last_upd`) VALUES
('f', 'SEAN2', 'effect_name', 'SEAN2', NULL, '2012-03-20 22:06:24'),
('f', 'SEAN2', 'number_spirals', '4', NULL, '2012-03-20 22:06:24'),
('f', 'SEAN2', 'number_rotations', '2', NULL, '2012-03-20 22:06:24'),
('jaywalk101', '0319', 'sparkles', '', NULL, '2012-05-02 09:51:24'),
('jaywalk101', '0319', 'use_background', 'n', NULL, '2012-05-02 09:51:24'),
('jaywalk101', '0319', 'background_color', '#FFFFFF', NULL, '2012-05-02 09:51:24'),
('jaywalk101', '0319', 'seq_duration', '5', NULL, '2012-05-02 09:51:24'),
('jaywalk101', '0319', 'show_frame', 'y', NULL, '2012-05-02 09:51:24'),
('Lefserev', 'FIRST_TEXT', 'effect_name', 'First Text', NULL, '2012-03-19 17:25:01'),
('Lefserev', 'FIRST_TEXT', 'text1', 'Works pretty well!', NULL, '2012-03-19 17:25:01'),
('Lefserev', 'FIRST_TEXT', 'text2', 'sɐɯʇsıɹɥɔ ʎɹɹǝɯ', NULL, '2012-03-19 17:25:01'),
('Lefserev', 'FIRST_TEXT', 'window_degrees', '179', NULL, '2012-03-19 17:25:01'),
('Lefserev', 'FIRST_TEXT', 'text1_color', '#FF7424', NULL, '2012-03-19 17:25:01'),
('Lefserev', 'FIRST_TEXT', 'text2_color', '#FF70FF', NULL, '2012-03-19 17:25:01'),
('Lefserev', 'FIRST_TEXT', 'frame_delay', '50', NULL, '2012-03-19 17:25:01'),
('Lefserev', 'FIRST_TEXT', 'seq_duration', '8', NULL, '2012-03-19 17:25:01'),
('Lefserev', 'FIRST_TEXT', 'show_frame', 'n', NULL, '2012-03-19 17:25:01'),
Now what you can do is find your effects, example "Steve Gase". Copy the INSERT command and change last character to semicolon.
INSERT INTO `effects_user_dtl` (`login`, `effect_name`, `param_name`, `param_value`, `created`, `last_upd`) VALUES
('Steve Gase', 'SEAN_TEST', 'effect_name', 'sean test', NULL, '2012-03-06 11:06:14'),
('Steve Gase', 'SEAN_TEST', 'number_spirals', '2', NULL, '2012-03-06 11:06:14'),
('Steve Gase', 'SEAN_TEST', 'number_rotations', '2', NULL, '2012-03-06 11:06:14'),
('Steve Gase', 'SEAN_TEST', 'spiral_thickness', '2', NULL, '2012-03-06 11:06:14'),
('Steve Gase', 'SEAN_TEST', 'start_color', '#29FF30', NULL, '2012-03-06 11:06:14'),
('Steve Gase', 'SEAN_TEST', 'end_color', '#5EF4FF', NULL, '2012-03-06 11:06:14'),
('Steve Gase', 'SEAN_TEST', 'frame_delay', '22', NULL, '2012-03-06 11:06:14'),
('Steve Gase', 'SEAN_TEST', 'direction', 'cw', NULL, '2012-03-06 11:06:14');
Now execute this in the SQL window and you will have loaded your data.
Repeat for the other tables
INSERT INTO `effects_user_hdr` (`effect_class`, `username`, `effect_name`, `effect_desc`, `created`, `last_upd`) VALUES
('spirals', 'Steve Gase', 'SEAN_TEST', 'desc', NULL, '2012-03-06 11:06:14'),
('spirals', 'Steve Gase', 'BARBER', 'desc', NULL, '2012-04-27 20:42:32'),
('spirals', 'Steve Gase', 'BARBER2', 'desc', NULL, '2012-04-23 16:56:13'),
('spirals', 'Steve Gase', 'SEAN_TEST2', 'desc', NULL, '2012-03-12 23:58:47');
INSERT INTO `members` (`member_id`, `firstname`, `lastname`, `login`, `passwd`, `LSP1_8`, `LSP2_0`, `LSP3_0`, `LOR_S2`, `LOR_S3`, `VIXEN211`, `VIXEN25`, `VIXEN3`, `OTHER`) VALUES
(28, 'Steve', 'Gase', 'Steve Gase', '9c156ee357af96ec1179b04c9d7fd229', 'N', 'Y', 'N', 'N', 'N', 'N', 'N', 'N', 'N');
i will look into exporting the data has xml to handle these embedded semicolons