Nutcracker: What do i need to populate in a vixen file?

[smeighan]

Hi all;
i have started the xml output module for vixen.

Ok, Open for comments

My color coding for the below is as follows:
GREEN= just output this exactly as shown
ORANGE= i can get rid of these, unneeded for a nutcracker vix file
BLUE= places whjere i need to supply the data.

I found this thread on vixen file format
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after getting the colors correct, i will ask some questions:

This is snippets from a musicbox.vix file.



1..<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
2..<Program>
3..  <Time>117760</Time>
4..  <EventPeriodInMilliseconds>50
5..  </EventPeriodInMilliseconds>

 
  I assume <Time> is in millis seconds.
  Since i have frames in Nutcracker, I will set time and EventPeriodMilliseconds

 
Lets use an example. 16 strings, 50 pixels each. I need one channel for r,g,b for each pixel
16x50=3 = 2400 channels. If i have a 5 second sequence with a 50ms frame time, then i have 100 frames.

$frames=100;
$frametime=50;

  time = $frames * $frameTime;
  EventPeriodInMilliseconds=$frameTime;

  or
  time=5000
  EventPeriodInMilliseconds=50


 

6.. <MinimumLevel>0</MinimumLevel> I assume MinimumLevel,MaximumLevel is the range of each rgb value?
7..  <MaximumLevel>255</MaximumLevel>
8..  <AudioDevice>-1</AudioDevice>
9..  <AudioVolume>0</AudioVolume>
10.  <Channels />
11.  <PlugInData>
12. <PlugIn name="Adjustable preview" key="-1193625963" id="0" enabled="True" type="Output" from="1"
13.  to= "698">Is 698 the number of frames that are in sequence?
14.   <BackgroundImage>
15.    ... lots of stuff here, assume it is also base64 representing the image ....
16.</BackgroundImage>
17.      <RedirectOutputs>False</RedirectOutputs>
18.      <Display>
19.   <Height>211</Height>
20.   <Width>459</Width>
21.   <PixelSize>3</PixelSize>
22.   <Brightness>5</Brightness>
23.      </Display>
24.      <Channels>
25.   <Channel Number="6">WQAMAFkACwBZAAoAWQAJAFoACQBaAAoAWgALAFoADABbAAwAXA
MAFwADQBdAAwAXQALAF0ACgBeAAoAXwAKAF8ACwBfAAwAXwANAF4ADQBdAA0AXAALAFwA
gBeAAkAXQAJAFwACQBbAAkAXAAOAF0ADgBbAA0AWgANAFkADQBeAA4AWwALAF8ADgBeAAw
AXgALAFoACABZAAgAWAAIAFcACQBWAAkAVQAJAE0AEABMABAAVAAOAFQADQBUAAwAVQAM  (i added word wraps here, just for clarity)
AFYACwBWAAoAVwAKAFgACgBYAAsAWAAMAFcADABWAAwAUwAMAFMADQBSAA0AVAALAFUAC
wBWAA0AVgAOAFUADgBTAA4AUgAOAFEADgBQAA4ATwAOAE4ADgBNAA4ATQAPAE4ADwBPAA8A
UAAPAEwADwBLAA8ASgAPAEoADgBLAA4ATAAOAE0ADQBOAA0ATgAMAE8ADABQAAwAUQAMAFIAD
ABSAAsAUwALAFQACgBUAAkAVQAKAFMACgBRAA0AS
gAQAEoAEQBKABIASwASAEsAEQBMABEATgAQAE8AEABRAA8AVQANAFcACwBYAA0AVwANAFIADwB
TAA8ASwAQAFoADwBZAA8AWAAPAFsADwBcAA8AXAAQAFsAEABaABAAWQAQAFgAEABXABAAVgAQ
AFUAEABVABEAVwAPAFYAEQBUABEAUwARAFIAEQBRABEAUgAQAFMAEABUABAAVQAPAFAAEQBPABE
ATgARAE4AEgBNABIATQATAE4AEwBPABMAUAATAFEAEwBSABMAUwATAFMAEgBPABIAUAASAFEAEABSABIAUQASAFQAEgBVABIAVwARAA==</Channel>

   ....
26.   channels are listed here
   ....

27.    <Channel number="478">EAAMABAADQAQAA4AEAAPABAAEAAQABEAEAASABAAEwAQABQAEAAVABAAFgAQABcAEAAYAA==</Channel>



What are these numbers in the channel section? Is this where we specify what device is connected to the channel?

Lets use an example. 16 strings, 50 pixels each. I need one channel for r,g,b for each pixel
16x50=3 = 2400 channels. If i have a 5 second sequence with a 50ms frame time, then i have 100 frames.

So for string 1, Pixel #1   i have channels 1,2,3
So for string 1, Pixel #2   i have channels 4,5,6
So for string 1, Pixel #3   i have channels 7,8,9
..
So for string 16, Pixel #50   i have channels 2398,2399,2400


or is there a different format when outputting to rgb devices?



28.   <Channel number="479">DAAWAA4AFAAPABMAEAASABEAEQASABAAEwAPAA0AFQAUAA4A</Channel>
29.   <Channel number="477">EAASABEAEwASABQAEwAVABQAFgAPABEADgAQAA0ADwAMAA4A</Channel>
30.      </Channels>
31.      <DialogPositions>
32.   <PreviewDialog x="237" y="186" />
33.      </DialogPositions>
34.    </PlugIn>
35.    <PlugIn name="Renard Dimmer (modified)" key="935429715" id="1" enabled="True" type="Output" from="97" to="124">
36.      <name>COM1</name>
37.      <baud>57600</baud>
38.      <parity>None</parity>
39.      <data>8</data>
40.      <stop>One</stop>
41.      <ProtocolVersion>1</ProtocolVersion>
42.      <HoldPort>True</HoldPort>
43.    </PlugIn>
44. </PlugInData>
45.  <SortOrders lastSort="-1" />
46.  <Profile2009 Sequences</Profile>I think i may want to make a profile, *.pro file. If i do , it oges here?
47.  <Audio filename="DJ Schwede - Music Box Dancer.mp3" duration="117760">
48.  </Audio>
49.  <EventValues>
50.     .... lots of base64 stuff goes here ....

So I assume all channels are concatenated into one huge string of base64 data?

I will be using php's base64_encode ( string $data ) to encode the data.
I assume this data is the r/g/b value for the frame i am at?

so.

So for channel#1 ( string 1, Pixel #1 ,R) i will encode the 100 bytes that correspond to the 100 frames of RED
So for channel#2 ( string 1, Pixel #1 ,G) i will encode the 100 bytes that correspond to the 100 frames of BLUE
So for channel#3 ( string 1, Pixel #1 ,B) i will encode the 100 bytes that correspond to the 100 frames of GREEN
So for channel#4 ( string 1, Pixel #2 ,R) i will encode the 100 bytes that correspond to the 100 frames of RED
So for channel#5 ( string 1, Pixel #2 ,G) i will encode the 100 bytes that correspond to the 100 frames of BLUE
So for channel#6 ( string 1, Pixel #2 ,B) i will encode the 100 bytes that correspond to the 100 frames of GREEN


51.   </EventValues>
52. <LoadableData />
53.  <EngineType>Standard</EngineType>
54.  <Extensions>
55.    <Extension type=".vix" />
56.  </Extensions>
57.  <WindowSize>160,27</WindowSize>
58.  <ChannelWidth>214</ChannelWidth>
59. </Program>

[smeighan]

AussiePhil gave a simplified assumption. Don't make a vix file, make a csv file matrix of the data from Nutcracker

Sean
 
Seriously for Vixen2.x i wouldn't bother trying to write the VIX files directly, I respectfully suggest that 99.99% of people will want to incorporate these effects into larger over all sequences involving other elements and the provision of the raw data in a TEXT file based on channels v Time would allow people to paste effects into existing sequences.
 
If you want to integrate into the app closer then create Routine Files that can then be accessed inside the Vixen UI......
 
From memory a Routine file and a data text file have the same structure.
Comma seperated channel values, each row is a channel over time.
ie
255,0,255,0,255
255,0,255,0,255
 
Will flash three channels on-off-on-off-on and if pasted across three channels going to a RGB pixel the flashing would be white.
 
Phil

Hi Phil;
So in my example
Lets use an example. 16 strings, 50 pixels each. I need one channel for r,g,b for each pixel[/size]16x50=3 = 2400 channels. If i have a 5 second sequence with a 50ms frame time, then i have 100 frames.
I am going to have 100 values ( because i have 100 frames) so
100,200,111,122 ... 122     "string 1, Pixel #1, R' ,  until i printed 100 values?
100,200,111,122 ... 122     "string 1, Pixel #1, G' ,  until i printed 100 values?
100,200,111,122 ... 122     "string 1, Pixel #1, B' ,  until i printed 100 values?
100,200,111,122 ... 122     "string 1, Pixel #2, R' ,  until i printed 100 values?
100,200,111,122 ... 122     "string 1, Pixel #2, G' ,  until i printed 100 values?

so there would be 2400 lines of ascii and each line would have 100 values, comma separated?
that certainly would be easier.
[/color]

So I have implemented this, it will be ready by end of day today.

Here is a snippet of the csv . I just need to do some cleanup (change nutcracker pixel# into user pixel number) and write a file. It will either be a *.csv or a *.vir. The comments on the end of each line will be removed, they were just there for debugging.


0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 # String   1, Pixel #  28, 'R'
0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 # String   1, Pixel #  28, 'G'
0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 # String   1, Pixel #  28, 'B'
19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0 # String   1, Pixel #  29, 'R'
48,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,0,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,0,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,0,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,0,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,48,0 # String   1, Pixel #  29, 'G'
255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0 # String   1, Pixel #  29, 'B'
19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,19,0 # String   1, Pixel #  30, 'R'
62,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,0,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,0,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,0,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,0,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,62,0 # String   1, Pixel #  30, 'G'
255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,255,0 # String   1, Pixel #  30, 'B'
0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 # String   2, Pixel #   1, 'R'

[smartcontrols]

Hi Sean,

If you look at the sample vixen routine file (.vir) file I emailed you last Sunday. You will notice that it is space separated and not comma separated.

Jeff 

[smeighan]

Hi Sean,

If you look at the sample vixen routine file (.vir) file I emailed you last Sunday. You will notice that it is space separated and not comma separated.

Jeff

Thanks jeff;

i have modified code to produce space delimited and file will have extension .vir

A question about your file Jingle-mini-2009.vir. There appears to be 5005 bytes on a single line? So this file is 1 channel? If yes, then i am good to go. I will have 1000's of channels but i expect people will only be inserting something like 5 seconds sequences. The export process to a vir file is gpoing to ask
"How long of a sequence fo you want?". Remember i create one sequence (One rotation of spirals, meteors falling down for 70 frames .etc.) i then repeat the sequence forever , in the case of animated gif's.



0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 255 223 191 159 127 95 63 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 223 191 159 127 95 63 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 255 223 191 159 127 95 63 31 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 255 223 191 159 127 95 63 31 0 255 223 191 159 127 95 63 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 255 226 198 170 141 113 85 56 28 0 255 212 170 127 85 42 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 255 204 153 102 51 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 255 223 191 159 127 95 63 31 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  ......   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 255 218 182 145 109 72 36 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

[smeighan]

Ok, here is first pass of a vixen vir file

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It was just brought to my attention that the file was csv when it needed to be spaces. I have fixed it. The above link should now have space delimited data


This file should make a picture that looks like this


This was the target
MODEL: AA.dat
target_name   AA
total_strings   10
pixel_count   80
pixel_length   240.00
unit_of_measure   in
topography   UP_DOWN_NEXT  <= so each strand has 40 pixels, 2 strands per pixel.


And here was effects settings
_POST
username   f
user_target   AA
effect_class   spirals
effect_name   VIXEN_VIR_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   y
background_color   #80FF84
sequence_duratio   6.5
submit   Submit Form to create your target model


I am not releasing the code yet , because any bigger trees uses up all the memory. I will need to put the effect models you create into a database also.

I dont know vixen well enough to see how to load this

[smeighan]

One user has stated that he has succesfully imported the vir file and sees the animation

yeah!

I know i have clean up work to do, this weekend shoiuld be interesting;.

I dont suppose that LSP allows a matrix of channels and rgb values?
It would really make my life easier.

[smartcontrols]

A question about your file Jingle-mini-2009.vir. There appears to be 5005 bytes on a single line? So this file is 1 channel?

The Jingle-mini-2009.vir. I sent you is 12 channels and 1:30:00 long. The original file does have a cr/lf between channels.

Jeff

[frankr]

Not likely but it does support importing vixen sequences...

BTW much  for your incredibly quick progress on this!

Frank

[sebjsan]

Hi Sean, Where is the vir file available to download?

[smeighan]

Hi Sean, Where is the vir file available to download?

I am on my iPad, a pain to highlight and past.

Look 4 messages above this. The link is right above the image.

[sebjsan]

Ahh, I see it. Sorry for my old prescription glasses.

[smeighan]

Nutcracker new release!

There are lots of internal changes. Some animation creations are now 10x faster, some about the same.

You MUST resave your target models!! I have extra columns that need to be added

Follow these steps (its fast, i assure you)

1) Login
2) Go to the target generator tab
3) For each target model you have already created, click the target name (It is under Object Name)
4) Now click on the submit button. "Submit Form to create your target model".
5) When this finishes go back to 2 and repeat for each of your target models. You only have to do this once
6) Now go to the Effects tab and create effects or use existing ones and create some output.
7) You will now see a link below the animated gif, "Click here to make Sequencer Files". If you are ready for a Vixen or HLS file, click away.

Some Caveats:
I will only leave the last files around. The very next time you go into the effects generator, it deletes all *.png, *.dat, *.vir, *.txt, *.hls files. It only leaves the gif files around. This is because you can easily be creating 50-100 mbytes of data and we now have almost 190 users of Nutcracker. Not a big deal. suppose you loaded an effect a week ago, loaded it into Vixen. today you decided to use different colors. Go to the effects screen, change what you want and produce the new vixen files. Now download them to your computer into the Vixen profiles directory and you are set.

I have turned off the current meter. It needs to be modified to use the data structures. Ill get it back on later this week.


Be aware that the thickness argument really slows down the generation of effects. This is because i generate a new png for every spiral that is active. 4 spirals on a 32 strand tree, i make 4 png's. 4 spirals on a 32 strand tree with a thickness setting of 3, i make 12 png  files.

I still have a 30 second limit for everything, but i was able to do a 100 string x 100 pixel tree and it did finish. Not too many people have 10,000 pixels and 30,000 channels.


Here is one effect


and the vixen vir file for it
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the vixen csv file (this was requested besdes the above space delimited file)
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Enjoy