Overrides & Background Sequences

[kornerb]

I do not yet have my Christmas display up, otherwise I would just 'test this' and see if it works, but I am hoping someone here has the answer for me so I can start working on some new ideas.

I have an infinitely repeating sequence in the background section of a show. I start the show in the Show Player, the background sequence is active and running. Now, I start another sequence out of the 'Override Sequences'. I see in the Show Player that technically both sequences are running simultaneously. However how does that reflect in the actual lights? Will the background sequences channels still remain on if the override sequence is not directly addressing them, or is the background sequence essentially 'hidden' until the override sequence completes?

Second, somewhat related question: I have noticed that most override sequences have 'lights off at end' selected by default. Is there any sneaky way to change this?

[k6ccc]

Any time there are multiple sequence running at the same time will result in interesting results unless you have it planned correctly.  Ideally you want the two sequences to use different previews that have ABSOLUTELY ZERO channels that appear in both previews.  In this case, both sequences will display correctly.  The problem comes in if there are channels that appear in both previews (even if unused in one of the sequences).  Essentially what happens is that for each channel whatever is the most recent command for that channel will be what is displayed on the actual lights.  So follow this hypothetical timeline that follows one channel:

00:00.10  Sequence 1  Channel to 100%      Result:  Channel goes to 100%

00:00.50  Sequence 1  Channel ramps 100% to 30% over next 1 second      Result:  channel ramps from 100% to 30% over 1 second

00:01.00  Sequence 2  Channel to 75% shimmer      Result:  channel starts shimmer at 75% (interrupting the above ramp)

00:02.00  Sequence 1  Channel off      Result:  channel off

00:02.25  Sequence 2  Channel to 100%      Result:  Channel to 100%

Make sense?

Reminder that a channel that is in the preview, but not sequences is NOT unused, but rather commanded to off.

 

[kornerb]

@k6ccc yeah, this is what I assumed.. but I was hoping I was wrong. lol

[k6ccc]

When done right, it works fine.  Let me give an example.  For my year round landscaping show, I have interactive sequences that run intermittently during the show.  I have lights on the steps up to my front porch that are normally a dim white.  When someone walks up to the steps or opens the front door, those lights ramp up to 100% for 45 to 60 seconds.  To do this, I have three previews:  "Landscaping with steps", "Landscaping without steps", and "Landscaping steps only".  The names should be pretty obvious what is or is not included.

My start up sequence uses the "Landscaping with steps" Preview and in addition to starting up the lights in the yard, also ramps the steps up to the dim state.

The two landscaping sequences both use the "Landscaping without steps" Preview and do things with the lights in the yard, and have no effect on the steps lights.

The three interactive sequences that are triggered by the front door switch or the two light beams when the steps are approached use the "Landscaping steps only" Preview and they ramp the steps lights up to the bright level and after 45 - 60 seconds (depends on which sequence it is) ramp the steps lights back to the dim state.