Nutcracker: Tutorials

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smeighan

smeighan

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To find the tutorials about xlights and Nutcracker. Go to vimeo.com and search for "sean meighan". all the newest and the complete list be shown to you.
 
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Ok, Now we come to the tutorials that have more substance on them

Tutorial #2. Creating a target model http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial2.swf
Tutorial #3. Creating a target model (continued) http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial3.swf
Tutorial #4. Creating an Effect http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial4.swf
Tutorial #5. Creating an Effect (continued) http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial5.swf
Tutorial #6. Exporting your sequence http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial6.swf

enjoy
 
I like your quote "I'm gonna use 16 strings because I got a lot of money:cool2:... not:(" ROFL
Great tutorials though. They really help to clarify some details.
 
Link for #1 is broken
#2 and #4 end before they are finished.

A feature request which the program probably already knows.

Instead of asking for the duration, have an option for one revolution or cycle only.

A spiral will repeat after it makes one revolution.
The garland or hoop pattern resets when it gets to the top.

Setting the length to only one cycle would cut down on the generation time, and reduce the file sizes as redundant data is eliminated.
Would also make it easier to repeat an effect for an extended period, as you would not have to worry about aligning the splices of one cycle to the next.

Might also be a good idea to only put snapshots in the gallery, then click thru to see the full effect in action.
50 animated GIFs are kind of killing that page.

Joel
 
Instead of asking for the duration, have an option for one revolution or cycle only.

A spiral will repeat after it makes one revolution.
The garland or hoop pattern resets when it gets to the top.
Click to expand...

That would be realy cool, and even better if the routine importing tool could import x times, based on # of rotations or time.
I'm sorry, you do lots of work and we just ask for more.
 
jrock64 said:
Link for #1 is broken
#2 and #4 end before they are finished.

A feature request which the program probably already knows.

Instead of asking for the duration, have an option for one revolution or cycle only.

A spiral will repeat after it makes one revolution.
The garland or hoop pattern resets when it gets to the top.

Setting the length to only one cycle would cut down on the generation time, and reduce the file sizes as redundant data is eliminated.
Would also make it easier to repeat an effect for an extended period, as you would not have to worry about aligning the splices of one cycle to the next.

Might also be a good idea to only put snapshots in the gallery, then click thru to see the full effect in action.
50 animated GIFs are kind of killing that page.

Joel
Click to expand...

thanks for the feed back joel.


Instead of asking for the duration, have an option for one revolution or cycle only.

For what effect?
spirals, i only generate as many frames as one rotation. When you then request a 5 second sequence, the output logic just reads the data file multiple times.
meteors, i currently create 80 frames. each frame generates a random number of meteors. after the 80 are finished , it repeasts them again. Again, for output if 80 frames does not create a long enough sequence, the make_lor.php, make_vixen.php routines just read the data file again.
butterfly, again i am creating 80 frames. This morphing color would continue foreverer, if we let it.
garlands, same as meteors. 80 frames

I have thought of prompting for the number of frames you might want for any animation.

A spiral will repeat after it makes one revolution.
The garland or hoop pattern resets when it gets to the top.

I wrote code to wait until the garland reached the top, i was getting 250-400 frames of animation depending on how you answered the form. This could not finish in under 30 seconds.
spiral already does one rotation. If there are 32 strands, then there are 32 frames.


/Might also be a good idea to only put snapshots in the gallery, then click thru to see the full effect in action.
50 animated GIFs are kind of killing that page.
I agree. I will do two fixes
1) short term, only display 30-40 gifs at a time, have next 40 button
2) Create thumbnails of the animated gifs. This requires that i modify the gnuplot program, blah, blah, blah. This will take longer but is the better solution.


thanks
again
 
new tutorials added. #7,8 and 9



Tutorial #1. Overview of Nutcracker and creating an account http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial1.swf
Tutorial #2. Creating a target model http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial2.swf
Tutorial #3. Creating a target model (continued) http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial3.swf
Tutorial #4. Creating an Effect, BUTTERFLY (Part 1) http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial4.swf
Tutorial #5. Creating an Effect, BUTTERFLY (Part 2) http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial5.swf
Tutorial #6. Exporting your sequence http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial6.swf

new added 3-21-12 13:00
Tutorial #7. Creating an Effect, SPIRALS (Part 1) http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial7.swf
Tutorial #8. Creating an Effect, SPIRALS (Part 2) http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial8.swf
Tutorial #9. Creating an Effect, TEXT http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial9.swf
 
smeighan said:
Ok, Now we come to the tutorials that have more substance on them

Tutorial #6. Exporting your sequence http://meighan.net/nutcracker/tutorials/tutorial6.swf

enjoy
Click to expand...

Hi Sean, Now I've a copy of Vixen 2.1 and a couple of nutcracker files. I tried a copy paste onto the grid and got nothing. So I added it to the sequence directory. Can't seem to figure out how to import into Vixen 2.1 Has anyone else gotten past this point yet?

Brian
 
You need to save the generated file from the nutcracker into the Routines folder. Then on the sequence, select and right click on the desired cell and click Load a Routine, you should see the downloaded file on the list.
 
nuelemma said:
You need to save the generated file from the nutcracker into the Routines folder. Then on the sequence, select and right click on the desired cell and click Load a Routine, you should see the downloaded file on the list.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much! Now I've more to figure out. Step by step I'll get there.

Brian
 
Skunberg said:
Hi Sean, Now I've a copy of Vixen 2.1 and a couple of nutcracker files. I tried a copy paste onto the grid and got nothing. So I added it to the sequence directory. Can't seem to figure out how to import into Vixen 2.1 Has anyone else gotten past this point yet?

Brian
Click to expand...

I think the process is like this:

1) Produce a vir file from Nutcracker. Save it to the routines directory under your Vixen 2.1.1.0 home.
NOT your Sequences directory.

You really should really get the three addons that Emmanuel wrote, they are awesome!

http://emmanuelmiranda.info/?page_id=10

download the Vixen 2.1
Unzip the file and you will have three addons

RGBProfilerAddin.dll <= This will create a profile from your vir file. It gets everything to be RGB, labels all the channels for you
RoutineLoaderAddin.dll <= Trying to load large routine files causes some problems for Vixen. Emmanuel wrote code that can instantly load the huge vir files with no issues
Both of these should be moved into your Addins directory


RGBTreePreview3d.dll <= This will create a 3D tree that looks the same as my animated gifs. very cool.
This should be moved into your plugins/output directory

You should look at the tutorial at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_GEC3hrhHyY

Than Emmanuel has posted
 
smeighan said:
I think the process is like this:
1) Produce a vir file from Nutcracker. Save it to the routines directory under your Vixen 2.1.1.0 home.
NOT your Sequences directory.
You really should really get the three addons that Emmanuel wrote, they are awesome!
http://emmanuelmiranda.info/?page_id=10
download the Vixen 2.1
Unzip the file and you will have three addons
RGBProfilerAddin.dll <= This will create a profile from your vir file. It gets everything to be RGB, labels all the channels for you
RoutineLoaderAddin.dll <= Trying to load large routine files causes some problems for Vixen. Emmanuel wrote code that can instantly load the huge vir files with no issues
Both of these should be moved into your Addins directory
RGBTreePreview3d.dll <= This will create a 3D tree that looks the same as my animated gifs. very cool.
This should be moved into your plugins/output directory
You should look at the tutorial at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_GEC3hrhHyY
Than Emmanuel has posted
Click to expand...

Yes that works and Emanuel's software works great! First ten seconds looks good. Now to do a few more into a test sequence.
Then finish the E681. Lay some lights on the floor and try to get everyone talking to each other.

Thank you again Sean!!
 
Hi Sean, Can you check out one of my effects? I've imported Test+Snow, Test+Spiral, Test+Spiral3, Test+Butterfly without trouble and they preview in Emanuel's software fine.
But my Test+Garland when I put it in the routines directory and try to use "any" routine I get a error. The error box say's "Unhandled exception has occurred in your application. If you click Continue, the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue. If you click Quit, the application will close immediately. Parameter must be positive and < Width. Parameter: x "
And here's some exerts from the details box.
System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException: Parameter must be positive and < Width.
Parameter name: x
at System.Drawing.Bitmap.SetPixel(Int32 x, Int32 y, Color color)
at Vixen.Dialogs.Routine..ctor(String filePath)
at Vixen.Dialogs.RoutineSelectDialog..ctor()
at StandardSequence.StandardSequence.GetRoutine()
at StandardSequence.StandardSequence.loadARoutineToolStripMenuItem_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.RaiseEvent(Object key, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.HandleClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.HandleMouseUp(MouseEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.FireEventInteractive(EventArgs e, ToolStripItemEventType met)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.FireEvent(EventArgs e, ToolStripItemEventType met)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStrip.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mea)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripDropDown.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mea)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStrip.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripDropDown.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4952 (win7RTMGDR.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
Vixen
Assembly Version: 2.1.4.0
Win32 Version: 2.1.4.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Users/mdtbxs1/Downloads/Vixen%202.1.1.0/Vixen%202.1.1.0/Vixen.exe

What do you think?

Brian
 
When are you getting this error? How are you importing the routines, by right clicking a grid and selecting Load a routine or by using my plugin?

Skunberg said:
Hi Sean, Can you check out one of my effects? I've imported Test+Snow, Test+Spiral, Test+Spiral3, Test+Butterfly without trouble and they preview in Emanuel's software fine.
But my Test+Garland when I put it in the routines directory and try to use "any" routine I get a error. The error box say's "Unhandled exception has occurred in your application. If you click Continue, the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue. If you click Quit, the application will close immediately. Parameter must be positive and < Width. Parameter: x "
And here's some exerts from the details box.
System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException: Parameter must be positive and < Width.
Parameter name: x
at System.Drawing.Bitmap.SetPixel(Int32 x, Int32 y, Color color)
at Vixen.Dialogs.Routine..ctor(String filePath)
at Vixen.Dialogs.RoutineSelectDialog..ctor()
at StandardSequence.StandardSequence.GetRoutine()
at StandardSequence.StandardSequence.loadARoutineToolStripMenuItem_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.RaiseEvent(Object key, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.HandleClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.HandleMouseUp(MouseEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.FireEventInteractive(EventArgs e, ToolStripItemEventType met)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.FireEvent(EventArgs e, ToolStripItemEventType met)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStrip.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mea)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripDropDown.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mea)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStrip.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripDropDown.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4952 (win7RTMGDR.050727-4900)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
Vixen
Assembly Version: 2.1.4.0
Win32 Version: 2.1.4.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Users/mdtbxs1/Downloads/Vixen%202.1.1.0/Vixen%202.1.1.0/Vixen.exe

What do you think?

Brian
Click to expand...
 
nuelemma said:
When are you getting this error? How are you importing the routines, by right clicking a grid and selecting Load a routine or by using my plugin?
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm right clicking on the grid, selecting load a routine. If the Test+Garland file is in the routine directory I get the error. If I move the file somewhere else or delete it, I get a list of routines to select.

Brian
 
Skunberg said:
Yes, I'm right clicking on the grid, selecting load a routine. If the Test+Garland file is in the routine directory I get the error. If I move the file somewhere else or delete it, I get a list of routines to select.

Brian
Click to expand...

This sounds like the "space at the first line end error"

Open the .vir file on notepad or any text editor. Then check if the first line has a space after last digit. Add one space if there is no space. Then save an try again.

Emmanuel
 
nuelemma said:
This sounds like the "space at the first line end error"

Open the .vir file on notepad or any text editor. Then check if the first line has a space after last digit. Add one space if there is no space. Then save an try again.

Emmanuel
Click to expand...

I couldn't tell if there was a space or not. But I added one, saved file. Opened Vixen and still get the same error.

Brian
 
Tried to make a new file from Nutcracker again, twice changed timing on the second one. Neither worked with Vixen. Same error. Tried to PM and post file but DIYC won't let me post it either way.

Brian
 
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