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Pixie16 Setup and Configuration step by step


dibblejr

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9 minutes ago, lsufiregal said:

5.2.2, profile updated accordingly.  Sorry.

No problem however as I mention above, since you have your pixie working properly and with your paste of info above it is really a question that should be asked in the S5 section. 

Posting your question to the knowledgeable people in the S5 area will net you more views and replies.

Best of luck

JR

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On 12/16/2018 at 3:54 PM, dibblejr said:

No problem however as I mention above, since you have your pixie working properly and with your paste of info above it is really a question that should be asked in the S5 section. 

Posting your question to the knowledgeable people in the S5 area will net you more views and replies.

Best of luck

JR

So I am reading and watching as much video as possible here this weekend. I think I am going to take the plunge to S5. Sooner or later it will have to happen. So I might as well take 2019 and learn it. You still think you can help. Set the pixie 16 up. Or should I go to the S5 forum. I am so much at a bad spot with a learning curve. 

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3 hours ago, ~DOC~ said:

So I am reading and watching as much video as possible here this weekend. I think I am going to take the plunge to S5. Sooner or later it will have to happen. So I might as well take 2019 and learn it. You still think you can help. Set the pixie 16 up. Or should I go to the S5 forum. I am so much at a bad spot with a learning curve. 

The instructions will work to setup the Pixie16 the learning curve is how to build it in to S5

My support is limited S4 unless you know S5 enough to build the controller. However these instructions do not vary for initial setup.

JR

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  • 2 weeks later...

Ok I am a new guy. Know nothing about Pixels and pixie controllers. The direction shown work. Follow them. You will not be disappointed. 

Thanks JR.....

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On 11/7/2018 at 9:42 AM, dibblejr said:

In lieu of all the members I have assisted with setting up and configuring their pixie16 and the pixie2/4 and 8 controllers I am going to see if this will provide some relief to you the end user, myself someone who likes to help others and the LOR Help Desk who get a ton of requests at this time of year and the end user may not understand the volume of help tickets.

Also more than a few recommended I write this up. So here it is.

If you follow these steps in order you should have lights at the final step as long as your light strings or strips work.

I am writing this as an S4 user. S5 users can follow the steps to a certain point. At which time you will have to have a basic understanding as to how to add a pixie device to your S5 sequencer.

Things to consider:

1) The pixie16 and other pixie devices will only control "smart" RGB lights

2) Do not get wrapped around the Hardware Utility for anything more than setting the Unit ID, light color order and a minor test. The HU has nothing to do with the controller running the lights outside of the HU. Once you close the HU the rest is with you the end user to ensure the network is set up correctly and the device is added to your sequence.

3) The newer pixie controllers will have 8 dip switches. Please familiarize yourself with the location of the switches. From the factory one dip switch will be in the "on" position. This dip switch in the "On" position will not allow the user to set a Unit ID other than 1

4) The pixie series controllers will automatically assign the unit ID's after the user selects the first one. If you attempt to interfere with this process by manually building the unit ID's and not follow the Hexadecimal protocol you will have channels (units) that will not work. This is the time to start talking Units, the pixie series assigns unit ID's not channels like the AC controllers. You must remember this especially when you start adding other controllers or you will have conflicts.

Example: If your pixie16 has a starting Unit ID of Unit 1 then the system will assign it to Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0A, 0B, 0C, 0D, 0E, 0F and 10. As you can see the system uses an alpha numeric Unit ID after 09. This is consistent across the board. Any number that has a nine the following 7 unit ID's will be alpha numeric. Based on the pixie model you may have.

Pixie2 - 2 consecutive unit ID's

Pixie4 - 4 consecutive unit ID's

Pixie8 - 8 consecutive unit ID's

Pixie16 - 16 consecutive unit ID's

Lets get started:

Items required

Pixie controller 2/4/8/16 can all be configured using these instructions.

Black RS485 or Red RS485HS adapter (red preferred) red is backwards compatible and with the cost being a few dollars more than black - makes it worth while. A spare is always good

Cat5 cable(s)

Time - its best to start this only if you can dedicate an hour or so without interruption

Of course a computer

 

Lets get started- I am going to keep the steps as simple as possible 

1) connect the RS485 (black) / RS485HS (Red) adapter to the computer - if you have not previously configured the adapter do so using the LOR provided instructions prior to continuing on

2) Inspect the pixie controller and look for those dip switches. As mentioned above the newer units have them. If yours does not have them you can skip the next step

3) If you are using the pixie controller as any unit ID other than Unit ID # 1 please turn off the dip switch that is currently on. All dip switches should be in the "off" position. If using as #1 you do have the option of leaving it on or turning it off thus enabling you to change the unit ID without forgetting this step later on when you add additional controllers.

4) Open the Control Panel - this will vary between users so I will not cover that. 

5) Ensure the Comm Listener (CL) is running. You should see a CL on your task bar.

6) Connect only the pixie device being configured to the RS485 adapter. Remember one unit at a time is the best way to prevent issues while configuring any controllers. - Note if you disconnect the RS485 adapter from your computer you need to remember which USB port it was connected to.

7) In the HU on the left side you should see the comport that your computer found and assigned your RS485 adapter to. Refrain from refreshing this or using the "auto configure".

8 ) On the right side of the screen you can adjust the "max number of unit ID's" if it is set to far beyond your controller numbers it takes additional time searching the network. Optional 

9) In the center of the HU there is a "Select Unit to Configure" button. Now  is the time to press this and the HU will search for the controller. The light on the controller should be solid on.

10) Once the HU is finished you should see your device listed in the box directly under the heading.

11) It probably found 01- Pixie... and version number (unless the unit number has been changed to something else) it will show the appropriate Unit ID

12) If the Unit ID is not the Unit ID you wish to have assigned you change that in the bottom left of the HU - select "old Unit ID" and "new Unit ID" then "Change Unit ID" you will see the message "Unit ID has been set to..."

13) Now to check the color order of your light strings (if you have them) if not you can refer back to this step once you have your light strings or strips. 

14) At the bottom of the HU screen you will see a "Config" button - select that

15) Towards the bottom center you will see "CCR/ Pixie device" - select that.

16) Select the ribbon/ string model number 

17) Select the color order - if known, you will test and be able to change this in a couple more steps. Note different mfg color order may vary. Its best to not mix and match because with pixie device you cannot change the color order of different Unit ID's.  Triples RGB. RGB, RGB is also in this step.

18) Select the number of pixels per string 50 / 100 

16) Resolution - I have never changed the resolution from the default

17) Apply  and then you will receive the "changes have been applied" box.

18) Back to the HU main page for color testing. Its pretty self explanatory so I will not cover it. If you select a color and the color is different ie; you select Red and the color is Blue this is where you can go back to the config/ CCR/ pixie config above and change the color order.

19) Note - If you selected 100 pixels in step 18 above but you only have strings of 5o, during testing there will be delays while the controller is attempting to light pixels that do not exist

20) Once you are happy with the color order you are finished in the HU. Close it out but leave the controller connected. 

21) I ALWAYS perform this test while assisting others - reopen the HU and select the "Select Unit to configure" "Refresh" button again. This is to ensure you did not miss a step or forget to turn the dip switch to the "off" position if needed. (I recommend you turn it off)

22) Once you have verified that the HU found your correctly assigned Unit ID you can now close the HU. 

23) Now we will set up your Network Configuration

24) In the Control Panel drop down list ( just under the HU) you will find Network Preferences (NP) click on it to open

25) If you have never opened this before on the right side of the box you will see "simple mode". 

26) You want to press the "Advanced" button just under the "Simple Mode" 

27) The next box should resemble a spreadsheet (green and white rows)

28) You will have 3 tabs LOR/ DMX and Misc. We are keeping it simple and not discussing either of the DMX or Misc tabs. 

29) Select the LOR tab

30) You will now see your networks. Most users probably have only one network

31) You should see LOR Regular and under that the various Aux network

32) We are concentrating on the Regular LOR network

33) You will see the speed. By default it probably shows 57.6 kbps - click on the speed- you will now get a small pop up window. Use the drop down to select 500K 

34) In the same box you will see an "enhance" box- click that - it is crucial you do not miss steps 33 and 34. If you do this you will not have lights

35) Click "ok or apply"

36) you will get the 500K warning, do not worry about it

37) you will receive the "enhanced" warning. once again disregard

38) Select the "OK" button on top right of the scree and NP will close - you are now almost ready to have lights on

39) Setting up your pixie in your sequence - this is where S5 users should refer to the S5 manual. I do know there are two methods to add a device to S5. One is through "Prop Definition" the other is in the "Preview Editor" the latter found on the right side of the screen. That is my knowledge.

40) Back to S4 users

41) Open an existing sequence "if you have previously used SE and have a controller configured"

42) If you do not have a sequence and are brand new

43) Open Sequence Editor from the Control Panel or your Programs menu

44) Select "File"

45) Select "New"

46) Select "Musical Sequence"

47) Now is a good time to remind you that although it is not mandatory it is best to keep your "Audio and Sequence" files in the correct LOR directory. My Documents/ Light O Rama/ Audio (for music and Sequences for Sequences. 

48) Select the audio file - just select the first one since this sequence will be scrapped later (unless you plan on using this song to create your first sequence)

49) SE will process the audio

50) You will now get a "New Musical Sequence Option" box

51) On this first attempt I just ensure that in the bottom right corner under the " Initial Timing" box that "use a fixed timing grid" is selected. All other defaults are good at this point.

52) Press the "Ok" button

53) Your sequence working grid will appear

54) If using the defaults in the previous steps you should see 8 Channel buttons on the right side of the grid. (if you are new) If you are familiar with SE and have controllers already built into your config skip the following steps and pick back up on the add device step

55) If new and do not have any other controllers then perform the following 2 steps

56) Right click on the bottom channel button , it may say port or channel 8

57) in the drop down select "remove channel from track"

58) A warning will appear asking if you are sure - select "yes"

59) That channel will now be removed from the working grid leaving you 7 more, repeat steps 56-58 until you have only one channel remaining

60) Right click on the remaining channel 

61) On the drop down you will select "insert device"

62) in this tutorial you will select "below" if you are a previous user having a configuration you may wish to select "above" but I recommend "below" for you as well

63) You have the option to "Name" your device. If you know what you are using the Pixie for it is recommended to name it. Example: CCR Tre

62) To prevent clutter I ensure that the box directly below is Not checked. "Include Base Unit ID's"

63) "Device" if the pixie 2/4/8/16 is not in the box use the drop down to select that device group
*** At the moment if using the Pixie16 for anything over 100 pixels at step # 63 select Pixcon16 instead and at step 66 select 170 for pixels per port. Light O Rama will be updating the manual and the firmware in the near future.

64) Ensure "Add as a group" is selected. Once again to declutter the Unit list

65) The next box should say Pixie 2/4/8/ 16 - use the drop down menu to select your particular model number

66) "Pixels per Port" once again 50 or 100
 

67) "Channel Mode" Triples RGB, RGB, RGB

68) "Base Unit ID" this must be the same unit ID that you assigned in the HU setup process

69) "Network" for most users this will be "regular" if you have additional networks you know who you are and what to select. This must match the network that you assigned in the Network Preference (NP) steps

70) Select "OK" and now you will see your pixie on your sequence working grid

71) If you were one of the members that deleted the 7 channel buttons in the previous steps now is the time to remove the last channel button. Leaving only your pixie device

72) If you followed all of the above steps you WILL have lights as long as 1- you physically have lights and 2- the lights are not broken 3- lights are connected to your controller

73) Testing you lights

74) On the open sequence - if you "grouped" the pixie as described above you will see a "+" sign

75) Select that and you will see 16 channel/ unit ID buttons

76) The buttons will be grey and to the right your working grid will be black

77) We are now going to write your test sequence

78) On the right side of the SE "tool bar" you will see a yellow star

79) To the left of the yellow star as you put your mouse over the different tools you will find the "color fade" tool select that

80) A pop up box will appear it will have a fade from red to green. This is the tool you use to place colors to your RGB sequences if you use SE to create your RGB sequences. In order to have solid colors just select the same color on both ends

81) For this tutorial you will leave it as is Red to green

82) I am going to show you how "I" use this tool for testing. IMO this is the fastest way to fill the entire sequence and will teach you haw to use the copy/ paste fast feature

83) Use the scroll bar directly under the working grid and drag it all of the way to the end (right) of your sequence.

84) Place your mouse on the top "black row" probably pixie... port 1"

85) Right click in the last grid box and drag it all of the way to the left (beginning) of the sequence. Note- to make it faster you can drag it all of the way to the edge of your computer screen. You do not need to stay within the working grid. Before you release the mouse you can also drag it all of the way to port that corresponds to your pixie model. Thus filling the entire pixie working grid with color. I will discuss the copy paste method next. 

86) Because you scrolled to the end and dragged to the beginning your color fade will be green to red

87) If you only filled in one row the fastest way IMO to copy paste that row (s) is right click on the first grid square- select row (s), that entire row will now be encapsulated in a white box. Now right click in that box. "copy". To paste - place your mouse in the next Unit/ Channel/ Port and right click - you have the option to select "paste or paste multiple" select the one that coincides with your situation. If you selected the "multiple" you will be given another option "Vertical" (top half of the box) or "Horizontal" (bottom of the box) In this instance you will select the bottom choice and fill the correct number based on how many ports you wish to paste to. Once you press ok it will perform the action and your entire pixie device "should" have a sequence filled within.

88) Once you have the sequence filled and your lights connected. Go to the "play" tab on the tool bar. At a minimum ensure "Control Lights" is checked. Your light WILL NOT work if this is not checked.

89) Also under "play" scroll down to "Play Range" and ensure "Entire Sequence" is checked

90) On the tool bar you will see a "Blue Arrow" your "color Fade" tool is probably still open. Push the blue arrow and it will turn off the color fade tool. If you forget to turn that off, anytime you put the mouse and click it on the working grid it will place either a color or grey fill. (that's something to always remember)

91) Now push the "Green" play button. If all was performed correctly you WILL HAVE LIGHTS.

92) For those of you that do not have lights and wish to test your controller - refer to the Visualizer tutorial in the "Help" guide in the Control Panel drop down menu. Or feel free to PM me and I will send you a CCR tree viz file to help you test your light. I probably have one that is already set up for almost every pixie config within unit ID 50. If I don't have one it only takes me a few minutes to create one for you.

Best of luck and if you need further assistance feel free to submit a Help Desk ticket or PM me. Note from Sept - January I am very busy with my show and helping others but I will reply.

Happy Lighting

JR

Admin Edit: Added verbiage to various steps as requested by author.

Here’s the video. About 20 mins even while explaining on the video.

Hope this helps anyone needing it out

I apologize I do not have a fancy setup, a radio voice but one thing I do have - the ability to save you stress and get your pixie controller to controll your lights.

 

 

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On 12/31/2018 at 11:32 PM, dibblejr said:

Here’s the video. About 20 mins even while explaining on the video

JR ok since we talked I started laying out the house outline.

So I laid my preview so that I am right at 100 pixels for each port except two based off our talk. Initial setup in HU was set to 50 during setup of the pixie16. I am pretty sure I need to change this to 100. My question is. I have a couple running to 112 (window) and 120 (garage) pixels. Do I need to change this to 170? That will make every port 170 when most stop at 100 or below. That’s a lot of pixels past. Will there be a huge delay by putting it at 170?

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7 hours ago, ~DOC~ said:

JR ok since we talked I started laying out the house outline.

So I laid my preview so that I am right at 100 pixels for each port except two based off our talk. Initial setup in HU was set to 50 during setup of the pixie16. I am pretty sure I need to change this to 100. My question is. I have a couple running to 112 (window) and 120 (garage) pixels. Do I need to change this to 170? That will make every port 170 when most stop at 100 or below. That’s a lot of pixels past. Will there be a huge delay by putting it at 170?

Set your pixie running the over 100 pixels up in SE as a pixcon16. That is the only way to get past 100. You just give it the same unit ID that you set up in HU. If you already added the pixie to SE you will have to delet the controller and then re add it to SE as the pixcon. This will allow you to select the qty so 120 will be your setting. There will be no delay with lower qtys they just wont be sequenced. At least I have not noticed any delays.

It is referenced and explained in my video as well.

Eventually LOR is going to update SE, until then we just set up as a pixcon16.

JR

Edited by dibblejr
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  • 7 months later...
14 minutes ago, grouptcl said:

Greattutorialthank you very much !

 

You are welcome. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Either here or private message.

JR

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  • 2 weeks later...
11 minutes ago, MikeA said:

I am stuck at step 12 it found the unit, I changed it to #30 and it says "Unknown Device"

How do I make it know it's a pixi 16?

Did you flip the dip switch that was "on" to the "off" position? If not, do that, shut down HU, unplug controller and start again.

Do not change the dip switch afterwards. It will always be the same.

JR

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Just now, dibblejr said:

Did you flip the dip switch that was "on" to the "off" position? If not, do that, shut down HU, unplug controller and start again.

JR

I did all dip's in off, I also updated the firmware

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Just now, dibblejr said:

Only if you experience problems.

JR

Ummm...I was experiencing problems  It won't recognize  the unit as a pixi 16

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Just now, MikeA said:

Ummm...I was experiencing problems  It won't recognize  the unit as a pixi 16

What is your "Max Unit ID" set at? Top right corner in HU.

JR

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