DiyLightAnimation
Software => Vixen => Topic started by: duane.mosley on August 27, 2012,
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i originally wanted to go wit 3 colors on my leaping arches. i decided to change it to 2 colors and went into my profile to delete the UN wanted channels and colors. now it won't let me open the existing sequences. i even went back into the profile and put everything back the way it was and it still won't let me open the song. i hope i didn't screw it all up because i had about 50 hours of sequencing done with one song complete and had about 20 hours into wizards in winter and it was looking great. i hope i can retrieve my work. please help if you can. i have attached a picture of what i am seeing in vixen when i try to open the song.
thanks
Duane
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This error occurs because somewhere in your profile or in your sequence the number of channels do not match what Vixen is expecting. This sometimes occurs if you have custom channel orders defined in your profile. You might try deleting any custom channel orders and select restore natural order. Then try opening your sequence again.
I recommend you make a backup copy of your files before making any major changes. This way you can always go back to where you were if something gets messed up.
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i went back into the profile and put everything back the way it was and it still isn't letting me into the sequence. i have the proper number of channels as well.
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Don't panic. I've been in your shoes. Stop saying hell too. ;D
IIRC this error stems from tweaking your profile with a sequence open. Chances are you sequence is fine but your profile is off. First, make a copy of your file and profile to use and fool with. Usually an error like this is something stupid. Output plugin channel count match profile? Try copying the profile. Try creating a new sequence with problem profile and vice versa. I have successfully hacked many a problem like this and it usually is something like renaming profile, deleting old, creating new profile with old name, deleting profile and adding in windows explorer, etc.
Worst case scenario I would post over at DIYC. The wizards over there looked at the code and have successfully brought back some sequences I have slaved over.
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Don't panic. I've been in your shoes. Stop saying hell too. ;D
IIRC this error stems from tweaking your profile with a sequence open. Chances are you sequence is fine but your profile is off. First, make a copy of your file and profile to use and fool with. Usually an error like this is something stupid. Output plugin channel count match profile? Try copying the profile. Try creating a new sequence with problem profile and vice versa. I have successfully hacked many a problem like this and it usually is something like renaming profile, deleting old, creating new profile with old name, deleting profile and adding in windows explorer, etc.
Worst case scenario I would post over at DIYC. The wizards over there looked at the code and have successfully brought back some sequences I have slaved over.
my apologies, i didn't realize i said it twice. i removed the words from my post.
yes the channel count matches. and yes the sequence was open when i tried to remove the 16 channels of blue arches. sad part is, i put the channels back and it was working but the channel order was off so everything else was off with it. when i tried re adjusting the channel order, it saved everything but now won't let me open it. i will copy and paste my original post in DIYC minus the 4 letter words of course, and see what they think i've done.
thanks
duane
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Not sure, but what about in the output plug-in. Is there not the amount of channels in there also. Could this be out of range?
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original profile was 192 channels. i added a channel just to check and it put me at 193 so i know the channel number is correct. when i go into output pluggins it says 1-192. i also just tried to create a new sequence with the messed up profile and it won't let me. turns out i spend so much time in this forum, i haven't activated my account on diyc and i am waiting on the webmaster to reply so i can activate.
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While you're waiting, see if removing plugin/s from profile help. Also, in explorer make a copy of profile if you haven't already and rename original and move to a location like your desktop and see if you can get into sequence after that.
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Duane,
Can you send me a copy of your profile file?
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Here is a copy from DIYC. Hope it helps
Re: Error when opening sequences
First make a copy of both your sequences and the profile you are using.
Fist question. Are you using a profile?
I am going to assume you are. Did you delete any channels out of the middle. Not at the end of the natural channel order.
If you did it can be fixed.
Joel
Open a copy of the profile with notepad.
Look for the <Outputs>0,1,2 ... </Outputs> section.
I bet you see some -1s.
Fix the errors or just renumber from 0 to your channel count -1.
ie for 32 channels number from 0 to 31. No -1 and no duplicates allowed.
This will reset your channel outputs back to the natural order but this can be easily fixed once you have salvaged the profile.
The other gotcha is not to delete channels used by adjustable preview.
If you do just add the channels back into the profile.
Delete them from the preview.
Then you can delete them from the profile.
Wonder how I know these tricks.
I do not part easily with two days of work setting up my July4 shows.
Hope this helps.
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If possible, one from before as well as now. But if not just send me what you have. I'll take a look.
Leon
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Leon, for some reason when i go into the profiles file on vixen, it says it's empty? i also opened the sequence with notepad and there were no " -1 " but the channels were listed as 0-191 for 192 channels with 0 being the first. at the end of the list this is what it said:
<DialogPositions>
<PreviewDialog x="0" y="0" />
</DialogPositions>
</PlugIn>
</PlugInData>
<SortOrders lastSort="-1" />
<Profile>christmas 2012</Profile>
that is the only -1 that i noticed.
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Leon, for some reason when i go into the profiles file on vixen, it says it's empty?
Dont use Vixen, Find the folder for your profiles under the Vixen directory in Windows and send me what you have. If you're trusting Vixen right now to show you whats in your profile, the fact that it thinks it's empty maybe part of your problem.
BTW, what is the current profile name supposed to be, from your last post I assume "christmas 2012".
If you mean that you tried to look at the profile file in notepad and theres nothing in it, then you may have lost your profile if you had one.
Here's to hopeing thats not the case.
Leon
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Leon, for some reason when i go into the profiles file on vixen, it says it's empty?
Dont use Vixen, Find the folder for your profiles under the Vixen directory in Windows and send me what you have. If you're trusting Vixen right now to show you whats in your profile, the fact that it thinks it's empty maybe part of your problem.
BTW, what is the current profile name supposed to be, from your last post I assume "christmas 2012".
If you mean that you tried to look at the profile file in notepad and theres nothing in it, then you may have lost your profile if you had one.
Here's to hopeing thats not the case.
Leon
ok, i went to search programs and files , type vixen, when the file opens and i go to profiles it still says the folder is empty. it doesn't have any of my stuff in it. pictures or audio? i'm puzzled to that fact because i can open the shortcut for vixen on my desktop and everything is in it.
yes, christmas 2012 is the name of my profile. when i open it up under notepad, it shows everything. all the channels are there.
i'm not sure what i've done wrong. everything was working fine until i tried to eliminate channels in the profile i was using.
i appreciate your patience and help with this matter. i went ahead and started another profile to start again but i would really like to retrieve my work.
duane
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Not sure, but isn't the profiles and the picture and audio files copied into the "My Documents" folder under vixen. Again I am not sure, but I think I recall this.
Steve
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Are you using Vixen 2.1.x or 2.5.x?
2.1.x puts everything in the vixen folder (i.e.: audio, profile, sequence, etc)
2.5.x put stuff in your my documents folder
Rick R.
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i am using 2.1
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Did you put vixen in more than one folder?
Reason I am asking is because earlier you stated that you did a search and the for vixen and the folder was empty (i.e. profile)
If you right click on the vixen desktop short cut and got to properties - shortcut tab does the search location match what it says for either Target or Start in fields?
Rick R.
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The one question that I have is where is the profile. From what I remember, if you create a show with a profile, don't you need the profile to open it?
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The one question that I have is where is the profile. From what I remember, if you create a show with a profile, don't you need the profile to open it?
I think normally you can open up the sequence unless the attached profile is corrupted. It would be better to try to just rename the file (with vixen closed) and then see if the seq will open up and either deattach the bad profile or select a new one. Just my 2 cents
Rick R.
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i give up. I'm starting from scratch. what do i have to do to back these profiles and sequences up to prevent losing them in the future? this has been real aggravating considering all the work i have put in and lose it by pressing the wrong button at the wrong time. rick, i found the profiles by right clicking the icon. i renamed one and it wiped out all my profiles. when i open vixen now, my profiles that i had are gone. when i open a sequence, it shows the amount of channels but does not have my channel info. it really sucks because last night i went in and created another profile with 240 channels and put all my colors in and named 192 of them and now it is gone too. frustrated is an understatement at this point. i try to attach the profile folder but it won't let me here on the forum.
duane
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Duane, I know it is frustrating and a real pain in the arse, but if you hold on I am sure someone here will be able to help soon. What size was the file you renamed lastnight?
You can not attach folders to this forum, but you can attach files. I am not sure of your computer knowledge so if this is sounding a little derogatory (I do not mean it that way), but go into the folder and attach the file you renamed lastnight.
Once you have done this, please go back to this file on your computer and make a copy of it. Once you have it copied then rename the copy to "christmas 2012" and then hopefully this will bring us back to where we were before they were gone.
Rick is awesome at helping people out and we have all learned new stuff from exactly what you are going through. Just be patient.
Steve
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Hang in there bro! I too still think this can be fixed.
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I think it can still be recovered. I have done the same thing you have done multiple times. I know this will occur if you answer yes to the prompt telling you the (channel count does not match would you like to correct?) or something like that. I notice this more when compressing. I do not compress anymore, I use Xlights. The sequence really does not change, but the profile will ( mismatch channel counts were just created). You can rebuild a profile and associate to an existing sequence. You do not have to go and rename, but I do spend time to recolor them to make it work and test. Once you see it working I suggest you copy and paste your Vixen file to a thumb drive and remove the thumb drive from your computer. When you update your sequence just rename the Vixen file (Vixen 2.1_ Backup June_2012) to reflect the latest time or date. Copy and save it to your thumb drive with the different file name. Making sure you do not replace the previous versions. I hold two separate Vixen files on my thumb drive an, which gives me two different places in time to recover if/when needed. I use portions of the back up files as needed. On your computer make sure you are only using one version of Vixen. Sometimes people will make a copy of Vixen and place it on the desktop. I think help with the issue has been offered and you are welcome to send me files also if needed. I hope this is not too confusing?
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here ya go. not sure which is which at this point. they all look the same!!! lol
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Hey Duane
Not sure if this will work, but try downloading it and save it as the profile name you originally had (That is after you have renamed or copied your files to another directory first). I can not recall what the file extention should be (I believe you would save the text file as "Christmas2012.pro" if that was the profile name)
Let me know if it helped or it is still messed up.
Steve
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I looked at duanes profile and notice it was not set to 512. Is on the channel count. If I remember correct on a usb dongle the channel counts must match. Is this correct?
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steve, do i have to convert the txt file to something else? do i just drag and drop it into the profile folder? i've made so many mistakes i just want to ask.
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I would rename it to test.pro
the import part is the .pro extension you can make the other part any name you would like as long as it doesn't duplicate something you already have.
Rick R.
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i renamed it and added the .pro and drag and drop it to the profile folder in vixen and it's still not showing in my profile list
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in vixen under profile it's still showing as a txt doc not a .pro file. my other profile in the folder is showing a pro file
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I looked at duanes profile and notice it was not set to 512. Is on the channel count. If I remember correct on a usb dongle the channel counts must match. Is this correct?
everything was working fine with 192 channels in the profile and output plug ins set 1 to 192. it was until i tried to delete 16 channels that were in the middle of the channel line up. honestly think the best thing for me to do is just add way more channels than what i will need, start over, that way if i need to make changes i can just activate and name channels and disable the ones i don't need any more instead of trying to delete stuff. i have truly enjoyed all the work i have put in. these are just growing pains and something you can bet i won't do again, once i figure it out of course.
I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE OF YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP!!!!!
DUANE
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I just move my unused channels to the back of the profile. I set my profile for 512. In the sort you can define a new order, just remember to save with a new name. It will then display in the sequence screen. Watch the YouTube videos at the Vixen link in the wiki. It will explain more. Glad things are looking up.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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in vixen under profile it's still showing as a txt doc not a .pro file. my other profile in the folder is showing a pro file
Make sure whenever you are doing this type of thing (adding / removing files to vixen's folders) that Vixen is not running.
If its still showing up as a .txt file then make sure you don't have a double extension on the file
ie: test.pro.txt
sometimes windows likes to hide known extensions.
Rick R.
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+1
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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so, with all the aggravation, and click here and click there. i right clicked on the original Christmas 2012 profile in the vixen folder, see "restore to previous versions" low and behold, i was able to retrieve the data and some of my work. but now my profile i created with more channels is gone. lol. go figure. oh well. at least now i have a working profile with all my channels labeled and colored and my adjustable preview is back with all my colors drawn in. i think that is what was the most aggravating. entering all the channel info and colors and drawing it all out on the preview. the sequencing part is fun! thanks to all of you. i am going to go a head and add the rest of the available channels that way if i have any changes i can just put them on the end. i actually have 272 channels of lynx available and 1322 pixel nodes to play with. i am sure once i get all my sequencing done and go to add my pixelnet channels. i will be back here again whining and crying and kicking my feet! lol. thank you everyone for the work and time you put in to try and figure out my problem.
Duane
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well after 24 hours of torture and headache. I'M BACK!! 1OO%. i found all my work that i had put in with one complete song and my work from scratch on wizards in winter. can't say thanks enough to all of you for your help and for having patience for me. i am usually a very patient person but i was starting to lose it a little bit. now it's time to back all this stuff up right now!!!
duane
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That's great news Duane.
As mentioned when something goes wrong it is a real kick in the gut and the infamous echo's start in your head ("Did you do a back-up" and the answer is always "No I did not do a back-up I was too busy") but we all learn and everyone on this forum has great ideas and most of all great solutions.
Biggest thing to remember is to do back-up and that we are all here to help each other.
Have fun.
Steve (from Edmonton)
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Glad to read of your success! Thanks to all those who pitched in.
I hope I am wrong, but I doubt this will the last time you will go through this. Of course, now having a backup will help immensely.
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Glad to read of your success! Thanks to all those who pitched in.
I hope I am wrong, but I doubt this will the last time you will go through this. Of course, now having a backup will help immensely.
i know your right on that one! lol in one of my other posts i mentioned how i would be back kicking and screaming when i start programming my 1322 pixel nodes and trying to insert them into my sequence! that should be another fun adventure. i now have 4 copies of my profile and sequences in different locations. thanks once again for everyones help.
duane
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Don't get me wrong, I like Vixen and love the price of the software, but 2.1 with RGB nodes isn't practical. I spent a few hours fooling with a just 56 nodes on a window frame and basically gave up. I switched to LSP earlier this year and still very much a newbie but it is much easier for RGB. I am in no way affiliated with LSP but if you're attempting 1,000 nodes you really should at least try it before you learn Vixen further. That way you don't have to unlearn it like I do after using it for years. I am not kidding, LSP can do in seconds what takes hours in vixen and I am only scratching the surface. It is a steeper learning curve than Vixen but I think it's worth it. I think there is a 30 day free trial.
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I did about 700 nodes last year in Vixen 2.1 Took some work, but not too bad. Would have been even easier I had known about using vir files last year. I also used hybrid mode so I could start by just doing whole string color changes and then go back play with facier stuff in a couple of the sequences. Doing it in Vixen is not impossible and in my opinion not anymore difficult than learning LSP. With Nutcarcker routines I think Vixen may not be to much trouble like last year. I thought I grasped the LSP concepts, but I had way to much trouble trying to get my 2010 vixen sequences converted to 2011 LSP sequences and I finally gave up. Will be back trying that conversion again with LSP 2.5 so I hope that will come about easier to me this year. If starting from scratch I would tell folks to start with LSP.
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The problem with LSP now is that it is still way over priced and now has no clear future since the buyout. You could buy it and go thru the trouble of learning it only to find out that it is a dead product. The new version of Vixen is also very good with RGB and although it is probably not going to be ready for prime time this season, at least it has a future.
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I can tell you I am not easily impressed, but the LSP update from 2.0 to 2.5 makes me think they are not going away soon. How long will it be here? I don’t know, but I will not be surprised when Ray Wu decides to discontinue our gear. ‘Tis life.
I grabbed the advanced LSP (8,192 channels) on sale for $200. In the past LSP was on sale post blinky season. Maybe it will be this year? It WAS a huge purchase to me as I am a consummate cheap skate but I don’t think it was way overpriced either. Before I bought it, I watched probably a dozen hours of video and did a ton of research and I found some things I really liked. Later I started to realize how much time I could save over using Vixen. It is slowly clicking, but I am already seeing the benefits first hand. In all reality, the learning curve of smartstrings, etherdongle, an other rgb gear alone makes learning a new sequencing program less exciting.
I really dig the homebrew factor and KC’s willingness to create and share Vixen. In the future, I believe 3.0 will be a contender but I am concerned the same bugs that disappointed me (and started this thread) will continue in the future.
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The update from 2.0 to 2.5 is probably the reason that it was bought. The problem is bought for what? I would bet that it is going to become part of something else and when that happens ..... You paid $200 ON SALE and that is not the full channel count version. To me, that is way over priced for a product that will help make my Christmas lights blink. If it were around $150 for the full version I probably would have bought it myself but with prices IIRC, over $400 for the full version, that simpy wasn't gonna happen. As for Ray, as long as he is making money, why would he discontinue it?
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i know you got everything working, but just adding, i placed your uploaded profiles into my vixen, and they came right up...
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i know you got everything working, but just adding, i placed your uploaded profiles into my vixen, and they came right up...
that's weird. i truly appreciate you helping out.