DiyLightAnimation
Software => Nutcracker: RGB Effects Builder => Topic started by: MrChristmas2000 on December 16, 2013,
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I am trying to come back up to speed on using Nutcracker.
I have 13 arches that each have 105 real nodes and 1 control node for each arch. The control node is the first node of the arch.
Will I either have to define each arch as a separate model or do a custom arches model for this configuration?
If I make a model for each arch will I be able to do a chase from one arch to another across all the arches?
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So, if I understand what you're asking, 13 arches, with 3 "control" channels for each arch. Sounds like Dumb String/Strips?
When defining your model, if you change the type of string to 3 Channel RGB, Nutcracker automatically configures the channels and model.
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Are you referring to using hybrid mode where the first 3 channels on each arch is for string level control?
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if you are using smart strings
build your model as
13x105 arches
then click "individual start channels" and go and set the real starting channel for each of the 13 arches.
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Sean to the rescue !!
individual start channels is probably my favorite feature for models -- love it !!!
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what are "control" nodes?
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if you are using smart strings
build your model as
13x105 arches
then click "individual start channels" and go and set the real starting channel for each of the 13 arches.
This takes care of the fact that my 13th arch is on a totally different block of addresses than the other 12. <res.
Yes these arches are programmed in the hybrid mode.
If I want to program the control channels then I could build the model as 13x1 again with individual start channels for switching the arches mode if desired.
The arches operate in an individual pixel mode and in a 8 segment mode (like old arches were) to cover older sequences before I have time to update them.
Thanks for the quick response. I'm off to try building that setup.
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I have one model for string mode (control) channels only and then the other model for node mode control.
Not having to use contiguous addresses is super powerful !!
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New scenario.
I have candy cane poles that have RGB elements in the top of each pole located between each of my arches.
What would be the best way to model these, as single RGB elements? That is the only way I can think of and be able to place them on the preview view individually. The bad thing I can see is the in the preview these will show up as just tiny dots. Is there any way to enlarge them to something other than just a dot?
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New scenario.
I have candy cane poles that have RGB elements in the top of each pole located between each of my arches.
What would be the best way to model these, as single RGB elements? That is the only way I can think of and be able to place them on the preview view individually. The bad thing I can see is the in the preview these will show up as just tiny dots. Is there any way to enlarge them to something other than just a dot?
This is the same issue I have with modeling 16 3 color mini trees. I would like them to show on the preview as more than dots. I feel your pain.
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Think I have it figured out.
You have to build a custom model for each element.
To get something to be more than a dot you have to say define it as a 3 x 3 grid then put a 1 in each of the custom grid cells. This makes all of those cells respond identically.
The down side is that I have to do it for all 14 Candy Cane ball lights. They just have to be square in the visualizer. LOL.
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Think I have it figured out.
You have to build a custom model for each element.
To get something to be more than a dot you have to say define it as a 3 x 3 grid then put a 1 in each of the custom grid cells. This makes all of those cells respond identically.
The down side is that I have to do it for all 14 Candy Cane ball lights. They just have to be square in the visualizer. LOL.
if you feel comfortable editing xml, just copy the first to make the other copies. adjust the name(s) and the channel numbers for each copy.
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In the Models area there is a copy button... once you created 1 could you not just hit copy..... say you have your first called Cane1... hit copy it will come up Cane1 - Copy and then you just rename to Cane2 etc...
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In the Models area there is a copy button... once you created 1 could you not just hit copy..... say you have your first called Cane1... hit copy it will come up Cane1 - Copy and then you just rename to Cane2 etc...
That's a better way. ::)
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Thanks.
Now I have to decided whether I can easily add in my incandescent light elements and easily sequence them in Nutcracker.
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I have incan items in Nutcracker and it works fine. I even have my staic elements like the nativity that just stays on all the time and a couple other static elements. You just have to think about what you want to accomplish. I have 16 3 color mini trees. I started by making each color a single strand so I could make a little tree and have it show up on the preview, but that gave me 48 models and I could not do a chase. Then I tried making 16 3channel RGB trees so that I could cut the modles down from 48 to 16, but I still could not do a chase. Then I tried just putting 3 16 node one color strings and got to 3 models, but can only show a dot in the preview. Now I am going to try defining them as one 3 channel RGB string of 16 nodes. Still cannot see a tree in the preview, but I will only have one model instead of the multiples I had before. Give it a go.
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How do you keep the single items connected to an LE to stay on (or to say ramp up and or down ?). Would a simple color wash of one color do the solid light and then a fade in/out deal with the ramp? I usually do all the single items connected to the LE in HLS and then do so magic with the export file and convert using xlights and then never touch those channels again. If there is a way that I can better control some of items like traditional flood or the minis that power my FM tune sign I could really save a lot of steps. Sadly haven't had enough cycles to really figure this out.
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I do not use ramps on my static items. They are on all the time, so a simple color wash to that model in the first timing mark with nothing below that will keep the static item on all the time. Static items to me mean they are on or off. I do not want my tune to sign to ever go off until the show is over for the night. Same for my nativity and associated star, my Merry Christmas sign, etc. I have not tried playing with my DMX Mega and Mini trees yet since I am still using old imported sequences that take of the ramps and fades. I have started some new songs, but only playing with the RGB stuff so far.