Can't Control Lights With PE or PE-Generated Sequences

[GeekDadKen]

I must be missing something simple, so let me lay this out, and perhaps someone can see the problem.

 

I have an existing network that includes a CTB16PC16-channel box (ID 01, Channels 1-16), 8 RBG Floods on a CMB24D card (ID 0F, Channels 1-24),  three CCRs (IDs 02, 03, and 04) and two CCP100D sets (IDs 05 and 06).

 

I upgraded to PRO to use the Pixel Editor (and watched both tutorial videos). I imported my old visualizer file into PE to become my new Preview. I deleted the old entries for the CCRs and the Pixel Sets so I could add them as Props to the Preview.

 

I added the 3 CCRs as a 3x50 Horizontal Matrix prop, and assigned Unit 02 (Start Circuit 1, End Circuit 150), Unit 03 (Start Circuit 1, End Circuit 150), and Unit 04  (Start Circuit 1, End Circuit 150) to them to make sure the old and new Unit Numbers are the same.

 

I added the Pixel Strings as separate Line props, with 50 RGB nodes each, and assigned Unit 05 (Start Circuit 1, End Circuit 150) and Unit 05  (Start Circuit 151, End Circuit 300) for the first CCP100D unit (there are two 50-pixel strings on each controller), and Unit 06 (Start Circuit 1, End Circuit 150) and Unit 06  (Start Circuit 151, End Circuit 300) for the second.

 

I opened an existing sequence in the SE and deleted the RBG channels I was originally using to run the lights. Saved that, and closed. Then I opened the sequence in PE, assigned the Preview I had created, and added effects to the sequence. Everything works in Preview. However, trying to use "Control Lights" does not work. Only the music plays, but no lights are controlled. 

 

If I save the sequence, save the intensity data, close up the sequence and then open and run it in SE, I see the intensity data channels for the PE-added props, and the lights controlled by the CTB16PC work - are controlled by the software - but the RGB elements do not function. If I add the sequence to a Show, the CTB16 lights will work and the music plays, but the RGB elements added via PE do not.

 

I can open another older sequence that has the same RGB elements as basic RGB channels, and it will run the CCRs and Pixels sets, so the network is working.

 

I've run Verifier on the new sequence, and it comes through fine.

 

I'm not sure what I'm missing. I do think I may not have configured the circuit numbers for the pixel strings quite right, but I can't imagine that resulting in complete failure, and the fact that PE won't run anything, including the CTB16 unit, suggest that there's something else going on. Anyone see the glaring error I've made?

 

 

[MattBrown]

You need to go into the Network Preferences program and mark your network as "enhanced". All controllers need to be running the latest firmware - use the Hardware Utility to perform the upgrades. Also, the LOR Control Panel needs to be running to control the lights.

 

There is more information available by selecting Help > Contents from the Pixel Editor menu, then navigating to Pixel Editor > Menu Bar > Tools Menu > Control Lights.

 

Depending on the age of your CTB16PC, it may or not be compatible with the "LOR Enhanced" protocol.

• If it is a first-generation controller, then you will need to put it on its own network with a separate USB dongle. This will be "Aux A" in Network Configuration and you will leave it as not enhanced.
• If it's a gen 3 controller (built with surface mount components), then you can just upgrade the firmware and it can reside on the same network as the other controllers.

 

Matt

[GeekDadKen]

Thanks, Matt - all stuff I obviously missed. I'll work through these tonight, and report my results!

[GeekDadKen]

It's amazing what happens when you follow ALL the directions. It's working, Matt. Thanks for your patience with those of us who don't take the time to find all the answers on our own, even when they are actually in the help docs!

[marcnorthover]

I was in this exact scenario.  I have 2 gen3 controllers, and 3 gen1 controllers.  I removed the 3 olds ones from mix, upgraded the firmware of the 2 gen3 and things started to work fine in the enhanced network.  

 

The pixel editor would show the CCR lights when control lights was selected.  The show ran as expected.  I guess I need another dongle to run the 3 old controllers on the separate network.

[MattBrown]

You are welcome. Glad you got it working!

 

Matt

[audihere]

I'm new and having issues trying to get Pixel Editor to "Control Lights".

I have one CCR with a CR150D that I updated to v1.19 firmware.  I have the Pro software.  I think I set my LOR Network Configuration to Speed 500.0K.

LOR Control Panel is running.

In Pixel Editor when I click on Control Lights, I get a message saying - Connection to the LOR Control Panel has been lost.  No longer controlling lights.  To fix this: 1) make sure the LOR Control Panel is running, then 2) select Tools > Control Lights from the menu.

I hope I'm just doing something dumb.  I have the Hardware Utility working and controlling the lights in Test mode.

But I want to start creating some cool effects for one single arch I want to put in front of my front door.  Any tips on that would be appreciated as well.

Thanks,

Chris

 

 

[SPaschall]

What kind of dongle are you using?

SPaschall
 

[audihere]

It's a red USB to RS485.  I got it with the Generic Starter Package (upgrade to USB485-HS).  Also using the Pro software.

I've been using the Pixel Editor tonight and I'm seeing some simulation on the computer screen, BUT I just can't get it to control the lights in real time.  I must be doing something wrong???

Chris

 

[Dennis Laff]

in the network  preferences you must select Enhanced mode for the ccr controller .

[audihere]

THANK YOU.

I thought I had it set to enhanced because I set it to 500K.  But the software looks a little different now than a tutorial I was watching.  I had to click on Advanced to see the Enhanced selection option in addition to the 500K setting.

Got it showing on the actual lights now in Pixel Editor.  Yippee!

Now to see what I can do with just 1 CCR in an arch shape.

Chris