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Pixel Programming!


jgp01

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Ok lots of us are alreasy into pixels or moving in that direction. One thing to note in this field is the complexity and magnitude of programming that many channels! I know about Nutcracker, but I don't know specifically how it works....does it ouput a sequence file that is compatible with LOR? And when you get into the 1000's of channel range would you just use multiple tracks to more easily keep track of things?? Some tips and tricks on the software end of programming tons of channels would be awesome..... (and I know about Superstar)

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Ok lots of us are alreasy into pixels or moving in that direction. One thing to note in this field is the complexity and magnitude of programming that many channels! I know about Nutcracker, but I don't know specifically how it works....does it ouput a sequence file that is compatible with LOR? And when you get into the 1000's of channel range would you just use multiple tracks to more easily keep track of things?? Some tips and tricks on the software end of programming tons of channels would be awesome..... (and I know about Superstar)

Nutcracker is sequencer independent. You define the effects, you get animated gifs to show you what it wouild looki like. Finally you select what sequencer you want that effect to produce.

Currently, Nutcracker produces these file formats

Vixen: vix sequence files, vir routine files

LOR: lms sequence files, lcb clip board files

HLS: hlsnc sequence files

LSP: UserPatterns.xml clip board files.

Some 20 to 30 hours of tutorials are here

Previous tutorials

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/sep27.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/oct4.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/oct11.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/animated_gifs.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/oct18.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/oct25.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/nov1.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/nov9.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/nov15.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/how_to_copy_effect.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/export_import.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/nov29.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/dec6.mp4

http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/dec13.mp4

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So you guys suggest Nutcracker? (I know about the video's...thanx!) Is that the way to go??

I'm basically asking for opinions on programming 1000's of channels. I want to open a discussion on what works for different members......

Is there a way to incorporate an external.lms file into an existing one or is it just a cut and paste thing?

Edited by jgp01
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There are other options too. On my download page there are several tools. Vegomatic will create 'virtual strings' out of RGB strings to allow regular programming within SE. If you want more complicated options you add Marquee to do backgrounds and text and animated gifs captures.

Some examples here

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Both are great! U sed both in my show this year. ItsMeBobO's clipboard flipper is a must have for pixels! When you want to switch directions of a chase or an arch bounce it really makes fast work of it. I cant stress how much it was appreciated this year BobO, and the papagayo to LOR for my singing faces was amazing. Keep up the good work guys. Without your programs I could have never sequences pixels.

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Id jump in on Bobo's tools. He has a few to choose from that make large items like matrix's pixel trees, and so on. You can layout your pixel setup in his tools (matrix, tree (by design) large strands and so on, and with anything you can input from your computer such as text, moving gif animations, pictures, or just cool color fades. You can use them for free, you download them on the PC and have a ball. The Clipboard Flipper/ marquee tool is what 100% of the information on my matrix was pulled from. I have animations like the dance from the Peanuts christmas movie, text of course telling you what station I use and so on. If I wanted to run a chase I can do it as well on a broad scale, then with the flipper have it run opposite so I can chase an effect from the center of my house going left, upload it into the flipper and have the exact mirror effect chase right.

This all output as Clipboards that you load in sequence editor. If you have any questions on how to make his tools do what you want it to do and BobO's wife is making him do chores please PM me Id happily help. The fun part of the whole thing is whatever you can imagine you can output. If you want Neo dodging bullets from the matrix, you can! If the tool can use a small tweak to make it easier to use such as a paste method or zoom, Email Bob. Dont ask him how many emails I sent him, I kept tearing stuff up on accident.

Heres another link to his tools http://itsmebob.com/SD.html give it a click download and enjoy!

Edited by WilliamS
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Thanks Guys!

This community is awesome...you haven't let me down yet!!!

The HLS sequencer has some tools for managing lots of RGB channels.

The Nutcracker software has been ported to xLights.

For commercial software managing 10's of thousands of lights you have

lightfactory

and madrix

Both are normally around $2000 but there is a program offering for private use where i think you can get them for $500.

The new Nutcracker effects in xLights are very similar to Madrix. You get real time feedback of your effects by just moving a slider bar.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/50766638/xlights-setup-2012e.exe

HLS plans on incorporating Nutcracker effects into their sequencer next year also.

LSP has lots of tools that can be used (like taking video effects and projecting them onto your megatree).

LOR has their superstar sequencer ($50 to $300 list).

This year i had 12000 channels and 24 universes. I used Nutcracker and Vixen 2.1

This next year, i am not sure which sequencer i will be using.

itsmebob has made numerous tools that are really cool. Papagayno voice synching, the other rgb tools. His tools are all free so check his website out.

thanks

sean

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Unless I couldn't figure it out there is no path from nutcracker effects in xlights to S3, am I missing something?

That was true until one week ago. The latest version 2012e has ability to export to a lms file.

So it can create xLights xseq, Vixen vix and LOR lms files. I have suggested to Matt if we puts a full suite of exports people wioll use his tool alot.

He should soon add LOR lcb and HLS hlsnc files. He is very smart and maybe can figure out the LSP msq file format./

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have to chime in here and say THANKS!! I got a rather late start in setting up this year. (we didnt even think we were going to be able to do the display.) this is my 4th year with LOR. although i bought many DIY rgb parts, and even some LOR CCP's, i never really worked them into the display except to follow my rainbow color floods that were already in the sequences. My plan for 2013 is already brewing, and if not for the help of you guys, i think my RGB devices would stuck ONLY doing R G B and the same stuff as my rainbowx floods. :)

Thanks for EVERYTHING that you software guys bring to the table. Although I am a hardware guy by trade, i NEVER take you SOFTWARE folks for granted!! Thanks for sharing! And PLEASE keep up the GREAT work!!

Happy New Year, and here is to more RGB in my display in 2013!!

-troy

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