Hi Pokey,
Lets start off with something easier for me to understand and write about.
Put one SSC (Smart String Controller) next to a window with 60 nodes (lights) around the window, We programmed the SSC (called it SSC-1) to be in string mode. This one string of lights allows me to have the lights around the window to be any color I want.
SSC Modes:
String - All lights work like a normal string of lights but can be any color but all of them are the same color
Node - Each light on the string can be any color you want and can be different - each node takes 3 channels (example of 60 nodes would be 3*60 = 180 channels)
Hybrid - Combo of the first two - you have 3 channels plus each node has 3 channels. (example of 60 nodes would be 3+ (3*60) = 183 channels)
Back to the example:
So in Vixen you will need 3 channels to control SSC-1
Channel 1 = SSC-1-Red
Channel 2 = SSC-1-Green
Channel 3 = SSC-1-Blue
So now that is setup we want the window frame to be red
So Channel 1 value is 255. Channel 2 and 3 are 0
Now we want the window frame to be Green
So Channel 2 value is 255. Channel 1 and 3 are 0
Now we want the window frame to be Blue
So Channel 3 value is 255. Channel 1 and 2 are 0
Now we want the window frame to be White
So Channels 1,2,3 value is 255.
Now you are thinking yeah so whats the big deal then about RGB LEDs and SS?
Well, we don't have to stick with just those colors. If we look up any color you want we then find the numbers that are needed.
Say you want SeaGreen or Pink or Purple, Gold. It can all be done with the correct values. Now it becomes more interesting.
A quick google search came up with this color chart. You are not allowed to view links.
Register or
LoginThere are many out there.
So whats next?
Well expand my above example. Put one SSC and a set of nodes around each window, door, etc on your house, or bush, tree, whatever. Give each SSC a number (SSC-1, SSC-2, etc) and put them in string mode along with setting the channels you want for each SSC. Since this example we are setting the SSC to be in string mode each item is only 3 channels.
Example:
SSC-1 = Channels 1-3
SSC-2 = Channel 4-6
SSC 3 = Channels 100 - 102 (doesn't have to be in order
you have 4096 channels to play with)
etc
Later we can look at the other modes. While this gives you greater control it comes with the cost of programming many many channels per SSC
Hope that clears some of the fog.
have fun and good luck
Cheers
Rick R.
