RGB pixels for wireframes

[vincerules]

Has anyone redone their wireframes with RGB pixel strips? I ordered 2 toy soldier drummers from wireframelites and I was planning on putting rope lights on them, but now that I am reading more about pixel strings, I think I would like to use those instead. I did some searching but didn't come up with anything.

[WilliamS]

CCP's right? That would be the LOR way of doing it. I cant see them on the LOR website but its a pixel with a controller and power supply. You just add to your LOR network and program away! You would wrap them with a CCR, even off center they put out a ton of light. Or place the CCR in a hose, like the shark bite hose at home depot or lowes, will help see the light at any angle.

[vincerules]

No, not CCP's, with DIY RGB Strips like Ray Wu's.

You did give me some great ideas though. I have 2 CCR's that I could test the bends on, and I have not heard of this Shark Bite hose. I will have to look into that, that might be the way to go.

Thanks!

[WilliamS]

The hose is called many things. Any hose with a UV ability, as well some type of media for the light to reflect off of really makes it shine. Some will have a nylon webbing run thorugh it for strength. The white makes the light really show up on all angles.

[jerrymac]

Keep in mind that RGB strips do NOT like bends laterally. Curves work O.K if the bend is toward the top or bottom of the strip (outside or inside circles), but bending with the pixels facing front is VERY limited and stresses the connections and circuit board.

[edvas69]

Keep in mind that RGB strips do NOT like bends laterally. Curves work O.K if the bend is toward the top or bottom of the strip (outside or inside circles), but bending with the pixels facing front is VERY limited and stresses the connections and circuit board.

Very important info from jerry here, it will not bend like ropelight and are directional so are not very visual in both directions. If anything people who are converting their wire frames to RGB are using the pixel strings instead

Edited August 2, 2012 by edvas69

[WilliamS]

Good point Jerry and Eddy. For some reason I was thinking of cutouts not wireframes and lost track. Sorry about that. The ribbon is flexible in terms of making it around curved surfaces, but it does not bend left or right at any high angle degree. I was thinking of out line the frame but again I was wrong in my vision of what you were doing. You are correct that pixel based strings such as the Color Cosmic Pixels. Once again I was wrong on what I reccomended as the CCR would do a great outline, but intricate bends and curves now pixel strip that I have seen will accomplish. I hope I did not lead you in the wrong direction.

[-klb-]

If you are willing to have things be thicker for storage, and more work to assemble, you can cross tie pixels to the wire frame, so that they point forward.

[zman]

First off, strip as pointed out is not a good. Pixels would be better.

With all the talk about RGB, I was wondering how long it would take for this type of question to arise. My question is "why" would you want to do this.

I know, "because you can", but in my mind, it is cost versus effect. Cost is not just $$. It is time to set up in your sequence as well. I am not convinced that it is worth it to convert cutouts or wireframes to RGB for numerous reasons, but that is just MHO.

It seems overkill to me to want to change the color of a Nutcrackers pants (or whaterver), or trying to figure out the exact pixels for animation movement.

[vincerules]

Thanks for all the input guys. I think GoofyGuy was right in his first post to go with the pixels instead of strips, but then I have been thinking and zman hit it on the head that I don't think it's worth the trouble to do this for a nutcracker. If it was a wireframe star or tree or something then yes but not for the nutcracker. I will just use standard rope light for these guys and leave the RGB stuff for my other projects (roof line, windows, mini trees, etc)

Thanks guys, this thread did give me a better thought process for using different types of rgb's for different purposes.