Migration S4 sequences to S5

[James Shelby]

I have tried everything to figure out how to fix or why most of my s4 sequences channels come up with "Not Matched" in the upgrade legacy sequence page. Those sequences are almost 2000 channels with varying layouts over the years. I tried to build a preview by importing se animation from that one sequence but same problem most channels are not matched. I have built many sequences from 2006 until this season but none will migrate correctly. If s4 can handle pixels why change to s5 if s5 is so problematic? I really need an answer please. 

[PhilMassey]

I think your best bet is to create a brand new preview with everything as you want it. Then open your sequences and let them create their own preview for each one temporarily so you can copy and paste the bits you want into your new S5 sequence going forward. At this stage it doesn't matter if they archive, you can still copy and paste. You can also copy custom timing grids over if you have them. Once complete all the temporary previews can be deleted.

I converted all my sequences nearly two years ago using my Visualizer as the template for the Preview and it did pretty well after I made sure it EXACTLY matched every sequence in S4. Even then there was some cleanup required. i had 50 odd sequences to the same config, so I imported one and got it spot on the way I wanted it and matched to the Preview, and then used the preview to import the rest. There was still a little cleanup on aisle 3 but not much.

[k6ccc]

28 minutes ago, James Shelby said:

If s4 can handle pixels why change to s5 if s5 is so problematic? I really need an answer please. 

Well for one thing, S4 WILL go away at some point.  Yes, the existing software will continue to operate, but there will be no bug fixes, upgrades, and limited support - just as there is today with S1, S2 and S3.

As for channels not matching, I can't help very much because when I did it three years ago, the process was far different.  Importing a S4 Visualization largely did not work, and I fairly quickly realized that I needed to build a S5 Preview from scratch.  Once all the channel assignments matched, the sequence import was fairly straight forward.  I know that the process is better now, but have no first hand experience.  As I understand it, the key is to have the channel assignments match EXACTLY.

 

[James Shelby]

Building a Preview from scratch is something I have been working on with many problems. If drawing four lines side by side for a fence trim the highlighted line will not release so you cannot move another line until you keep clicking all around it to make it release with the setup screen popping up all the time nor does the aline tools work. As for channel assignments matching exactly like you guys found out it looks like I will need to rebuild all my sequences by hand something I might not have time for this year if I'm adding a big pixel tree. From what I am reading S5 is for the new people and not friendly to S4 users. I will hammer away on it for the next week or so but it looks like I'm going back to S4 that way I am guaranteed to have a working show for our 40th anniversary. They are making big plans for 2021 season and I need to make this work.

[Steven]

If your new channels don't match exactly, I found a solution:

1. I created my Preview from scratch, because I never did a Visualization.
2. Make a copy of the Preview, named "Old..."; Change the channels to match the S4 sequence.
3. Import the S4 sequence to the "Old..." sequence.
4. Switch the Preview to the current.

[k6ccc]

As has been stated numerous times on this forum, December is NOT the time to try to convert to S5.  January is a great time.

1 hour ago, James Shelby said:

If drawing four lines side by side for a fence trim the highlighted line will not release so you cannot move another line until you keep clicking all around it to make it release with the setup screen popping up all the time nor does the aline tools work.

Need more detail.  Are you doing this as four separate limes, as a lines unconnected, as line connected, something else?  I could not duplicate what you describe.

1 hour ago, James Shelby said:

As for channel assignments matching exactly like you guys found out it looks like I will need to rebuild all my sequences by hand something I might not have time for this year

No.  You should not need to rebuild your sequences.  You have an existing channel layout.  Build your preview with that channel layout and do the import.  There may be a few channels that are not happy, but the vast majority should import just fine.  BTW, it took me less than an hour to build my S5 preview from scratch and I have a little over 66,000 channels.  It's just not that hard.

 

[James Shelby]

Hummm must have a problem here with creating a preview. Four lines side by side, four channels four colors. Been working on it two days now with nothing to show for it watched the videos over and over again and the videos have different versions than the new one I loaded yesterday morning, layout looks different too and have not found an erase button yet like in S4. On the import issue ALL the sequences have most of the 2000 channels in error and have not found a way to correct those errors. I understand S5 is new to me but all previous versions of software asked to convert to the current version and it was finished.

[PhilMassey]

I came in with S2 but since then this is the first real file format change. LMS was much the same in S3 and S4 and didn't need converting. Visualizer and Pixel editor were addons but not essential. Now they have been basically rolled into the Sequencer to make one unit. The downside to that is a loss of some of the backward compatibility. However, I think you will find the trade off will be worth it in the end.

You have not given much info on the 4 line prop, but assuming a regular AC controller in Preview I just added a new prop, used the firestick; set as traditional 50 bulbs, unit 1 circuit 1.

Then used the copy function to make 3 duplicates with additional addresses. Took about 2 minutes, and that was mostly  because I have never drawn a non pixel prop before.

[Steven]

1 hour ago, James Shelby said:

Four lines side by side, four channels four colors.

Is this a 4-color super string? If so, I would recommend making a single prop of shape "Lines-Connected", 1 segment, "Traditional", type "Channel per color", then select the colors in that super string.

If it's really 4 separate props, distinct from one another, you can select the prop from the list on the left, then move it either using the mouse, or by "nudging" it using the arrow keys.

[James Shelby]

Backward compatibility I have found is not in S5. S5 has a problem with views created in the old animation window and multiple tracks. No matter what is done, yes you can load the s4 sequence in S5 and yes the animation window kinda comes up but all the files have a conflict and the warning says it will not play the lights. I just had conversations with two people telling me the same problems and the only way to fix it is to rebuild the sequences in S5. 

28 minutes ago, Steven said:

Is this a 4-color super string? If so, I would recommend making a single prop of shape "Lines-Connected", 1 segment, "Traditional", type "Channel per color", then select the colors in that super string.

If it's really 4 separate props, distinct from one another, you can select the prop from the list on the left, then move it either using the mouse, or by "nudging" it using the arrow keys.

Yes you could call it a super string, four channels with four colors. Boom that worked thanks looks a lot better that way.

[PhilMassey]

Could have saved us a lot of time if you had told us that in the first place

[James Shelby]

4 minutes ago, PhilMassey said:

Could have saved us a lot of time if you had told us that in the first place

I just now found out about the backward compatibility issue myself by a few of you emailing me and phone calls, so now onto building everything all over again.

[k6ccc]

As I told you (after you posted this), JR gave me the answer on how to import from a SE Animation.  There is hope for you.

 

[dibblejr]

5 hours ago, k6ccc said:

As I told you (after you posted this), JR gave me the answer on how to import from a SE Animation.  There is hope for you.

 

I just knew I wasn't losing my mind in 2020. It may not be far off but don't need to add losing my mind to the 2020 agenda.

Funny how I did it in January, February and again in Sept and forgot about doing it until our phone call. 

Have fun James now that we have your answer you should be better off.

JR

[James Shelby]

Thanks guys for all your help the main problem is most of the channels are in conflict and the warning says those lights will not be controlled. It was said a little clean up was needed but when most of the channels need cleaned up what a pain and I was told most of the problems come from pilot error, true I must say. I will keep the show pc with s4 alone for 2021 that way I am guaranteed to have a working show next season. Again thanks for the help I will be reaching out to you again soon I'm sure.

[dibblejr]

2 minutes ago, James Shelby said:

Thanks guys for all your help the main problem is most of the channels are in conflict and the warning says those lights will not be controlled. It was said a little clean up was needed but when most of the channels need cleaned up what a pain and I was told most of the problems come from pilot error, true I must say. I will keep the show pc with s4 alone for 2021 that way I am guaranteed to have a working show next season. Again thanks for the help I will be reaching out to you again soon I'm sure.

I believe once you import your animation most of your problem should go away.

If you open S5 and press the help button. Type in Preview and you will find the section that tells you how to import the animation from S4. That is what Jim and I are referring to. I found it shortly after we all spoke.

But yes, now is not the time to try to migrate. That should have started back in June IMO.

JR

[k6ccc]

1 hour ago, dibblejr said:

That should have started back in June IMO.

No.  January!

 

[dibblejr]

30 minutes ago, k6ccc said:

No.  January!

 

Well, I started mine in Jan, quit in Jan, restarted in Feb, quit in Feb but March 15 said I may as well test it with my Covid show, and like magic it all came together for the next 4 months. LOL

JR

[James Shelby]

"I believe once you import your animation most of your problem should go away."

I have figured that part out maybe. In Previews I Import SE Animation using the sequence itself finding most of the channels in conflict.  I have tried to delete the conflicting channels and they get removed from the preview, then tried to click on them and saved changes but the changes don't save. Shouldn't be a problem because S4 works for me now and the only reason why I wanted to  go to S5 was to add pixels but if S4 can handle pixels than I think that's the way to go is with something that has work flawlessly in the past. I will keep working on this for a bit but its not looking good for S5 in my application.