DiyLightAnimation

Software => Vixen => Topic started by: Freebird on June 06, 2010,

Title: Vixen for Dummies
Post by: Freebird on June 06, 2010,

Is there a Vixen for Dummies out there? I need it thats for sure.  Good thing lighting season isnt for a few more months,  I still have time to try and make sense out of it.

 :o

Title: Re: Vixen for Dummies
Post by: kfxi on June 06, 2010,

IF YOU FIND ONE PLEASE POST THE ADDRESS

KEN

Title: Re: Vixen for Dummies
Post by: trekster on June 06, 2010,

Here you go.  17 "Short" (only a few minutes each) videos on how to set up Vixen and animate Snoopy's dog house to the Peanuts theme.  I followed along with this and this is how I learned to use Vixen.

http://www.christmasinshirley.com/wiki/index.php?title=Vixen_How-To%27s

You may have to be a member to view them.  I did first find them on YOUTUBE.  The titles are:

Step 1  Downloading Vixen and .NET Framework

Step 2  Installing Vixen and .NET Framework

Step 3  Setup Vixen for first use

Step 4  Creating a basic Renard profile in Vixen

Step 5  Selecting a picture for adjustable preview

Step 6  Configuring adjustable preview

Step 7  Creating a sequence

Step 8  Assigning names and colors to channels

Step 9  Creating a beat track

Step 10  Basic sequencing

Step 11  Ramps and fades

Step 12  Mirror feature

Step 13  Shimmer, Sparkle and Random

Step 14  On, Off and Intensity

Step 15  Chase

Step 16  Wrap-up and Demo of Adjustable Preview

Step 17  Changing channel order in Vixen

Title: Re: Vixen for Dummies
Post by: Freebird on June 06, 2010,

Cool Thanks!!

Following Bills video to configure the dongle to Vixen, I got to the test portion and I get this error" ENTTEC DMX USB PRO: (router - statup) Access to the port 'COM6 is denied.

Then when I click okay I get "(Router)  An Output plugin caused the following exception: Access to the port 'COM6' is denied.  Execution has been stopped."

Then when I click ok  I get "Access to the port 'COM6' is denied.  Execution has been stopped."

Then I click okay and back to the sequence page.

Any ideas??

Title: Re: Vixen for Dummies
Post by: jekalaka on June 07, 2010,

You might need to use another port instead of com6....each computer can be different there

Jon

Title: Re: Vixen for Dummies
Post by: Freebird on June 07, 2010,

Clarification:  When checking to see what COM Port the dongle was on, it was on COM6,  so i set it up that way instead of COM4 as was Bills port in the video. 

Title: Re: Vixen for Dummies
Post by: rrowan on June 07, 2010,

This is a known bug in Vixen, windows, FTDI drivers.

Sometimes restarting Vixen helps but normally I have to restart the computer.

Rick R.

Title: Re: Vixen for Dummies
Post by: Freebird on June 07, 2010,

Rick,  I am running Vixen version 2.5.0.0  Should I update to the newest version?  Would that Help?  I tried restarting PC a few times with no change.

Title: Re: Vixen for Dummies
Post by: rrowan on June 07, 2010,

Try Vixen 2.1.x

ver 2.5 according to KC is a hit or miss program. Test Channel really gives people problems

Also what settings have you set?

Attach plugins should be
Enttec DMX USB Pro
 - Com port
 - Baud = 115200
 - Partity = None
 - Databit = 8
 - Stopbits = 1

Menu toolbar  - Add-ins
DMX Unchecked

If that doesn't help does RJ's Lynx DMX Deck work?
http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=2742.0

If not that try to reinstall the FTDI drivers

Rick R.

Title: Re: Vixen for Dummies
Post by: Freebird on June 07, 2010,

Got it!!!   The DMX add in was CHECKED.  Unchecked it and its working good. 
No all I need is the Vixen for dummies to allow me to figure out how to fade in fade out, what each cell does. etc etc etc..  Thanks all.....

Title: Re: Vixen for Dummies
Post by: lineman on June 07, 2010,

you can fade in or fade out by ramping up or down . highlight a cell for how ever long you want then pick the ramp you want