http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=OriginalHotrodder&feedformat=atomdoityourselfchristmas.com - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T16:35:38ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.41.0http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:HLS_User_Manual_and_Reference_Guide&diff=10068Talk:HLS User Manual and Reference Guide2013-03-25T04:56:16Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''13F Changes:'''<br />
*Resized several images to 350px so they would display correctly in the double column PDF<br />
*Could see no other changes in 13C, 13D, 13E or 13F that would affect the UMaRG info.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''13B Changes:'''<br />
*Hardware Configuration: Updated from old GSM version.<br />
*Hardware Chapter: Removed "Choosing Output Method" as this is covered in the "Hardware Configuration" page.<br />
*Creating a PixelPlane: Added new image and updated language to better explain the steps to create and assign pixel planes.<br />
*Working with Playlists: Completed page for 13B.<br />
*Scheduling a Show: Completed page for 13B.<br />
*Import/Export CSV: Completed page for 13B.<br />
*Master Lighting Channel: Completed page for 13B.<br />
*Chapter 11: Updated all pages with correct image numbers.<br />
*Importing from LOR: Revised page to reflect formatting in rest of document.<br />
*Nutcracker Effects: Completed page for 13B.<br />
*Chapter 6: Updated all pages with correct image numbers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
'''13A Changes:'''<br />
*Most pages: Removed "current as of version XX" line. This info is now only on the TOC.<br />
*Upgrading HLS: Added more detailed explanation of upgrade process.<br />
*Dimming Curves: Updated from old GSM version.<br />
*Using HLS Image Files: Updated information on where the files are saved.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''2-25-13:''' From now on, when a new version of HLS is released, please note any changes to subsections so it can be noted on the PDF version for printing updated sections. This will start with a changelog for 13A updates.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''2-1-13:''' Removed the Audio File page because the information really belonged in various places: Playback for speed control, Beat Track for filtering, etc. It now redirects to the beat track page.</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=HLS_User_Manual_and_Reference_Guide&diff=10067HLS User Manual and Reference Guide2013-03-25T04:51:15Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''[[http://doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=HLS Back to HLS Main Page]]'''<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS-Logo.jpg|250px]]<br /><br />
<br />
This User Manual and Reference Guide is a detailed guide to using all aspects of HLS. It is currently under significant development. <br />
<br />
<br />
To quickly get up and running with a sequence, you may want to look at the '''[[HLS Getting Started Manual]]'''.<br />
<br />
<br />
Due to the rapid development of HLS, the links that follow will contain, in parenthesis, information that can help the user with a quick visual inspection:<br />
*'''13B:''' The page is up to date with the latest version of HLS.<br />
*'''CN:''' Content is needed to complete the page and it currently contains very little information.<br />
<br />
<br />
__TOC__<br />
<br />
<br />
===Getting HLS===<br />
----<br />
====[[Download and Installation]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Upgrading HLS]] (13F)====<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
===Creating a Sequence===<br />
----<br />
An HLS Sequence consists of an audio file (generally) with lighting and other effects synchronized with the music.<br />
<br />
====[[HLS Sequence Creation Wizard]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Time Resolution]] (13F)====<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
===Channel Management===<br />
----<br />
Managing channels in HLS is one of the core tasks to building a sequence. Each of the sub-pages will address various channel configurations and tasks.<br />
<br />
====[[Setting up HLS Channels]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Advanced Channel Management]] (13F)====<br />
====[[RGB Channels]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Configuring Display Groups]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Sticky Channels]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Segment Channels]] (13F)====<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
===Display Preview===<br />
----<br />
A Display Preview is a method of previewing how a display will look by assigning virtual channels to drawn objects superimposed over a picture.<br />
====[[Creating a Display Preview]] (13F)====<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
===Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects===<br />
----<br />
Sequencing is the main "work" of syncronizing effects with the music. HLS has basic effects which can be combined into more complex compound effects. The sub-pages in this section discuss the various methods of adding effects to sequences.<br />
<br />
====[[Creating Basic Effects]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Adding and Using Beat Tracks]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Setting Defaults for Effects]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Creating Chase Effects]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Mirroring Effects]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Fill Effects]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Submaster Lighting Channels]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Sequencing with RGB Channels]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Custom Effects]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Creating a Library of Group Effects]] (13F)====<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
===Creating and Using PixelPlanes===<br />
----<br />
A PixelPlane is a single channel in the sequence editor that represents multiple pixels. This allows macro control of pixels, with the ability to "drop" effects onto a plane, such as with Nutcracker, and manipulate the entire effect as if it were one channel.<br />
<br />
====[[Creating a PixelPlane]] (13F)====<br />
====[[The PixelPlane Editor: Creating Effects]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Using Nutcracker with a PixelPlane]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Fill Channels]] (13F)====<br />
====[[PixelPlane Transitions Using Lighting Channels]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Drawing a PixelPlane in the Display Preview]] (13F)====<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
===Facial Animation===<br />
----<br />
====[[Facial Animation]] (CN)====<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
===Sequence Playback===<br />
----<br />
====[[Sequence Playback]] (13F)====<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
===Sequence Output===<br />
----<br />
====[[Preparing Channels for Output]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Hardware Configuration]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Working with Playlists]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Creating and Running a Schedule]] (13F)====<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
===Advanced Features===<br />
----<br />
====[[Trigger Events]] (CN)====<br />
====[[RDS Output]] (CN)====<br />
====[[Servo Motors]] (CN)====<br />
====[[Remote-Controlled Video Player]] (CN)====<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
===Importing and Exporting Data and Sequences===<br />
----<br />
====[[Using HLS Sequence Images]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Importing and Exporting CSV]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Importing a Sequence from Vixen]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Importing a Sequence from LOR]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Sharing HLS Sequences]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Sharing Library Effects]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Copying and Pasting Channels from Another Sequence]] (13F)====<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
===Reference Guide===<br />
----<br />
====[[Restoring a Sequence from Backup]] (13F)====<br />
====[[HLS Dimming Curves]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Crosshair Cursor]] (13F)====<br />
====[[The HLS Toolbar]] (13F)====<br />
====[[Master Lighting Channel]] (13F)====<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
[[Category:HLS]]<br />
[[Category:DIYC Software]]<br />
[[Category:DIYC Index]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_Channel_Management&diff=10066Advanced Channel Management2013-03-25T04:33:48Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: /* Deleting Channels */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
====Introduction====<br />
----<br />
The '''Manage Raw Channels''' window is truly a powerful tool. In this document, we will explore some of the more advanced features of the channel manager. Something that everyone needs to know before doing anything with channels is, '''SAVE YOUR SEQUENCE BEFORE YOU MAKE CHANNEL CHANGES.''' When managing raw channels, there is no ''cancel'' or ''undo''. What happens, happens. If you save your sequence right before working with channels, if something goes wrong, you can always restore to the previous backup.<br />
<br />
====Grid Columns and What They Mean====<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_Grid.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-10|]]<br />
There are a number of columns in the Raw Channel window. Figure 3-10 shows a subset of those columns. (Some columns are out of view.)<br />
<br />
*'''Left-most Gray Square:''' This is a selection box. You left-click in here and the square becomes green. That channel (and any others you left-click on) is selected and can be moved into a folder or deleted.<br />
*'''Name:''' This field shows the name of the channels.<br />
*'''Universe:''' A numerical value from 0-5000. Any channels in universe 0 will never be displayed. <br />
*'''Channel:''' This is the numeric value of the channel. These are used when the sequence is sent to controlling hardware. This will remain zero until they are setup in the "output" section.<br />
*'''Color:''' This field is set to the color of the channel.<br />
*'''RGB:''' This checkbox is checked when a channel is an RGB lighting element or pixel.<br />
*'''Dimming Curve:''' This field is to set a dimming curve for the channel.<br />
*'''Order:''' This field is used to adjust the order of the channels.<br />
*'''Folder:''' The number of the folder that a channel is assigned to.<br />
*'''Control Type:''' This is used with animation effects and trigger events.<br />
*'''GRB:''' Used when the order of the RGB is different from Red-Green-Blue.<br />
*'''Preview Group:''' This group number defines what Preview Group the channel belongs to.<br />
*'''Preview Number:''' This is the channel number for the assigned display group.<br />
*'''Display X / Display Y:''' These numbers are calculated by using the Display Preview and allow the user to plot pixels on an X/Y axis which will allow controlled effects such as color sweeps from left to right or top to bottom. '''(This is not yet fully implemented.)'''<br />
<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Advanced Renaming Channels====<br />
----<br />
When adding a bulk group of channels, HLS will ask for a base name to start with, but you most likely will want to customize the names for your purpose. You can rename individual channels, rename using the bulk renaming utility, and even create names in excel that you paste into the Channel Manager.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_RenamingSingleChannels_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-11]]<br />
<br />
'''Rename Individual Channels:'''<br />
<br />
To rename individual channels, you must first open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels). See Figure 3-11.<br />
*Check the box to ''Unfreeze Name to Edit''.<br />
*Click on the channel you wish to rename.<br />
*Highlight the old name and type in the new name.<br />
*When done, Click ''Done with Changes''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_BulkRename_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-12]]<br />
<br />
'''Bulk Channel Renaming:'''<br />
<br />
There are two methods of bulk renaming built into HLS. There is a help file for this by clicking ''HELP Name'' in the Channel Manager.<br />
<br />
Method One:<br />
*This is the more straight-forward and basic method of bulk renaming.<br />
*Highlight the cells you wish to rename<br />
*Formula: Name_(StartingChannelNumber)<br />
*This will rename channels with "Name" shown except replace (StartingChannelNumber) with a sequential number starting at the number specified.<br />
*Examples:<br />
**"MTString_(1)" will produce MTString_0001, MTString_0002, etc.<br />
**"Yard_(15)" will produce Yard_0015, Yard_0016, etc.<br />
<br />
Method Two:<br />
*This method is likely to be used when renaming large groups of pixels or strings.<br />
*Highlight the cells you wish to rename<br />
*Formula: @NumberOfPixels, Name(*StartingStringNumber)_%<br />
*This will rename channels with "Name" shown, followed by the value of "StartingStringNumber", and then counting UP until reaching the "NumberOfPixels" value. <br />
*Once reaching the "NumberOfPixels" value, the value of "StartingStringNumber" will increment by 1, and the "NumberOfPixels" will start counting upwards from 1 again.<br />
*Example: A pixel megaTree with 32 strings composed of 42 pixels each:<br />
**@42,MTString(*1)_% will rename channels with values of MTString01_0001 to MTString32_0042<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
'''Relevant Video Tutorial:''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFihcC9M5Gk Pixel Based Mega Tree]<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
====Reordering Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_ReorderChannels.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-13]]<br />
<br />
The Order column is a numeric value ordering the channels from 1 to the last channel.<br />
<br />
'''To ReOrder channels:'''<br />
*Select the channels you wish to move.<br />
*In the ReOrder Specific Channels field (See Figure 3-13), enter a number that does not conflict with existing channels and then click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
*Once the channels have been ReOrdered, click ''Refresh After Order Change'' to update the Order column.<br />
*'''Example:''' To move 5 channels from the beginning to the end:<br />
**Highlight the five channels to move.<br />
**In the ReOrder Specific Channels field, enter a number that is higher than the last channel's Order number.<br />
**Click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
**Click ''Refresh After Order Change''. <br />
*'''Example:''' To move 5 channels from the bottom to the top:<br />
**Highlight all channels EXCEPT the five channels to move.<br />
**In the ReOrder Specific Channels field, enter a number that is higher than the last channel's order number.<br />
**Click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
**Click ''Refresh After Order Change''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Using Folders====<br />
----<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_TopToolbar_11V.png|350px|Figure 3-14]]<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Create a New Folder:'''<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_FolderName_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-15]]<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_Folder_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-16]]<br />
*Open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).<br />
*Click the ''Add Folder'' button on the top toolbar. (See Figure 3-14).<br />
*A dialog box will open asking for a Folder name. Type name and press OK. (Se Figure 3-15).<br />
**'''Note:''' A Super Folder contains only folders. Check this box if you wish to create a "folder of folders". This would be used for channel organization.<br />
*Once entered, the folder will appear at the top of the list of channels and have '''++''' on the left-most square to identify it as a folder. (See Figure 3-16).<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Moving Channels In/Out of Folders:'''<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_FolderPaste1_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-17]]<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_FolderPaste2_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-18]]<br />
*Highlight the channels you want to add to a folder.<br />
*Press the ''Copy to Folder'' button.<br />
*This will turn the left-most square GREEN for selected channels.<br />
*'''Tip:''' You can also select channels by left-clicking on the square to turn it green.<br />
*Once all channels are selected (left-most square green), press the ''Paste to Folder'' button. This will turn from red-to-green. (See Figure 3-17, 3-18).<br />
*Click on the left-most square of the folder you want to move the channels into. This will move the channels into the desired folder.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Remove channels from a folder:'''<br />
----<br />
*Click the folder name to expand the items.<br />
*Select the channels to remove by clicking the left-most square and turning it green (or, highlighting rows to remove).<br />
*Press the ''Remove from Folder'' button.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Opening and Closing Folders:'''<br />
----<br />
*To open a folder, simply click on the name of the folder.<br />
*To close a folder, click on the name of the folder.<br />
*To open ALL folders, click the ''Expand All Folders'' checkbox.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''[http://www.youtube.com/v/6Y8Y-Xx1WUc?version=3&start=0&end=123 VIDEO: Joe describes folders and folder management]'''<br /><br />
<br />
====Copying Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
Copying channels requires the use of both the main sequencing window and the channel manager. First, you must use the Channel Manager to add the new channel(s) you will be copying into.<br />
<br />
Once that is done, you will have to add the new channels and the channels you will be copying from into the same [[Configuring Display Groups|Display Group]].<br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-20.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-19]]<br />
<br />
To copy one or more channels click on the channel and asterisks will appear to the left of the channel name (see Figure 3-19. The click again on the channel to select it. Then Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and choose '''Copy - Paste Whole Channels'''. You will then be prompted to '''Click on the Channel to Paste To'''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-21.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-20]]<br />
<br />
To copy multiple channels click on the first channel to be copied and asterisks will appear to the left of the channel name. The without clicking move your mouse down to include all of the channels you would like to copy (see Figure 3-20). Asterisks will appear to the left of the channel to be copied. Once you have selected all of the channels to be copied click again on the last channel to be copied to select all of them. <br /><br />
<br />
Then Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and choose '''Copy - Paste Whole Channels'''. You will then be prompted to '''Click on the Channel to Paste To'''. Note that if you are copying a number of channels you will have to have that many to paste to.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Deleting Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
*To remove channels, open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).<br />
*Highlight the channels to delete by clicking and dragging into the data fields.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteButton_11V.png|350px|]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-21: Click the ''Delete Selected Channels'' button.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteConfirmation_11V.png|350px|]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-22: Confirm you wish to delete by clicking ''yes''.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteFiles_11V.png|350px|]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-23: HLS will prompt to shut down to <br />
update its configuration. Click OK. Then OK again.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
====Program Help File====<br />
----<br />
HLS now comes with a detailed help file. This file is reproduced here to help so that you can have the channel manager open and look at the help file at the same time.<br />
<br />
Expand Folders - Shows ALL Channels - Expands ALL Folders<br />
<br />
Unfreeze Name to Edit - Clicking Names causes Folder Events to Occur - To Edit Name - Check This<br />
<br />
Add Channels - This is the Number of Single Channels or Pixels (Pixels will be 3 Channels on Output)<br />
<br />
Add Folder - Folders contain your Channels. A Super Folder can contain multiple Folders<br />
<br />
Copy to Folder - High lite several rows of Channels to assign to a Folder - this will make Cell 0 Green - Ready to Assign<br />
<br />
Clicking on the First cell of a Row (Expand Channels OFF) will also select Channel to be assigned to a Folder<br />
<br />
Paste to Folder - When Channels have been selected - Press this button - Turning it Green indicating Left Mouse Click on ++ of Folder will assign Channels to that folder<br />
<br />
Remove from Folder - High lite several rows of Channels to Remove from a Folder - Press button to perform operation<br />
<br />
Colored Cell in Upper Right Corner - Color Selection Control<br />
<br />
In Grid - L click in first column to select Channel for Folder Assignment or Removal from Folder<br />
<br />
In Grid - R click first column to DELETE channel or Folder<br />
<br />
In Grid - R click dimming curve to assign<br />
<br />
Renumber Select Universe - Used to assign Output Universe - High Lite Channels and assign number specified<br />
<br />
Set Multiple DMX Group - used with 4096 channels DMX Devices - Enables Universe of 4096 instead of 512<br />
<br />
Get Dimming Curve - Select Dimming Curve to Bulk Assign<br />
<br />
Add Dimming Curve - High lite channels then Assign Dimming Curve Selected by 'Get Dimming Curve'<br />
<br />
Set/Clear RGB - High lite Channels and Set/Clear RGB Flag<br />
<br />
ReOrder Channels - High lite Channels - Assignment starts at Number specified. ReOrders Channels in List<br />
<br />
Renumber All Channels for Output - This will Assign the correct Channel Numbers based on Order and RGB - Universe must be Non-Zero<br />
<br />
Add Control Channel - Assign Triggers, Animation Mouth, Words, etc<br />
<br />
Rename Selected Channels - Press HELP to see Macros that can help Create Unique Names<br />
<br />
Preview Group - High lite Channels and Assign Preview Group to selection<br />
<br />
Preview Number - High lite Channels - State Starting Chan Number - Each Channel is Incremented<br />
<br />
Start Group G cycle Number 1 to N - G,N .... Enter Group Number followed by Number<br />
High Lite Channels - Groups starts at G with Chan Number starting at 1. When Chan Number hits N - G is Incremented and Chan Number starts at 1<br />
<br />
Delete Selected Group of Channels - High Lite channels and Delete with this button<br />
<br />
Export CSV - Creates a CSV file containing all of your Channel Information<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[Setting up HLS Channels]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Channel_Management | Chapter 3: Channel Management]]<br />
| align="center" | [[RGB Channels]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
<noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_Channel_Management&diff=10065Advanced Channel Management2013-03-25T04:31:49Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: /* Deleting Channels */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
====Introduction====<br />
----<br />
The '''Manage Raw Channels''' window is truly a powerful tool. In this document, we will explore some of the more advanced features of the channel manager. Something that everyone needs to know before doing anything with channels is, '''SAVE YOUR SEQUENCE BEFORE YOU MAKE CHANNEL CHANGES.''' When managing raw channels, there is no ''cancel'' or ''undo''. What happens, happens. If you save your sequence right before working with channels, if something goes wrong, you can always restore to the previous backup.<br />
<br />
====Grid Columns and What They Mean====<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_Grid.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-10|]]<br />
There are a number of columns in the Raw Channel window. Figure 3-10 shows a subset of those columns. (Some columns are out of view.)<br />
<br />
*'''Left-most Gray Square:''' This is a selection box. You left-click in here and the square becomes green. That channel (and any others you left-click on) is selected and can be moved into a folder or deleted.<br />
*'''Name:''' This field shows the name of the channels.<br />
*'''Universe:''' A numerical value from 0-5000. Any channels in universe 0 will never be displayed. <br />
*'''Channel:''' This is the numeric value of the channel. These are used when the sequence is sent to controlling hardware. This will remain zero until they are setup in the "output" section.<br />
*'''Color:''' This field is set to the color of the channel.<br />
*'''RGB:''' This checkbox is checked when a channel is an RGB lighting element or pixel.<br />
*'''Dimming Curve:''' This field is to set a dimming curve for the channel.<br />
*'''Order:''' This field is used to adjust the order of the channels.<br />
*'''Folder:''' The number of the folder that a channel is assigned to.<br />
*'''Control Type:''' This is used with animation effects and trigger events.<br />
*'''GRB:''' Used when the order of the RGB is different from Red-Green-Blue.<br />
*'''Preview Group:''' This group number defines what Preview Group the channel belongs to.<br />
*'''Preview Number:''' This is the channel number for the assigned display group.<br />
*'''Display X / Display Y:''' These numbers are calculated by using the Display Preview and allow the user to plot pixels on an X/Y axis which will allow controlled effects such as color sweeps from left to right or top to bottom. '''(This is not yet fully implemented.)'''<br />
<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Advanced Renaming Channels====<br />
----<br />
When adding a bulk group of channels, HLS will ask for a base name to start with, but you most likely will want to customize the names for your purpose. You can rename individual channels, rename using the bulk renaming utility, and even create names in excel that you paste into the Channel Manager.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_RenamingSingleChannels_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-11]]<br />
<br />
'''Rename Individual Channels:'''<br />
<br />
To rename individual channels, you must first open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels). See Figure 3-11.<br />
*Check the box to ''Unfreeze Name to Edit''.<br />
*Click on the channel you wish to rename.<br />
*Highlight the old name and type in the new name.<br />
*When done, Click ''Done with Changes''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_BulkRename_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-12]]<br />
<br />
'''Bulk Channel Renaming:'''<br />
<br />
There are two methods of bulk renaming built into HLS. There is a help file for this by clicking ''HELP Name'' in the Channel Manager.<br />
<br />
Method One:<br />
*This is the more straight-forward and basic method of bulk renaming.<br />
*Highlight the cells you wish to rename<br />
*Formula: Name_(StartingChannelNumber)<br />
*This will rename channels with "Name" shown except replace (StartingChannelNumber) with a sequential number starting at the number specified.<br />
*Examples:<br />
**"MTString_(1)" will produce MTString_0001, MTString_0002, etc.<br />
**"Yard_(15)" will produce Yard_0015, Yard_0016, etc.<br />
<br />
Method Two:<br />
*This method is likely to be used when renaming large groups of pixels or strings.<br />
*Highlight the cells you wish to rename<br />
*Formula: @NumberOfPixels, Name(*StartingStringNumber)_%<br />
*This will rename channels with "Name" shown, followed by the value of "StartingStringNumber", and then counting UP until reaching the "NumberOfPixels" value. <br />
*Once reaching the "NumberOfPixels" value, the value of "StartingStringNumber" will increment by 1, and the "NumberOfPixels" will start counting upwards from 1 again.<br />
*Example: A pixel megaTree with 32 strings composed of 42 pixels each:<br />
**@42,MTString(*1)_% will rename channels with values of MTString01_0001 to MTString32_0042<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
'''Relevant Video Tutorial:''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFihcC9M5Gk Pixel Based Mega Tree]<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
====Reordering Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_ReorderChannels.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-13]]<br />
<br />
The Order column is a numeric value ordering the channels from 1 to the last channel.<br />
<br />
'''To ReOrder channels:'''<br />
*Select the channels you wish to move.<br />
*In the ReOrder Specific Channels field (See Figure 3-13), enter a number that does not conflict with existing channels and then click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
*Once the channels have been ReOrdered, click ''Refresh After Order Change'' to update the Order column.<br />
*'''Example:''' To move 5 channels from the beginning to the end:<br />
**Highlight the five channels to move.<br />
**In the ReOrder Specific Channels field, enter a number that is higher than the last channel's Order number.<br />
**Click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
**Click ''Refresh After Order Change''. <br />
*'''Example:''' To move 5 channels from the bottom to the top:<br />
**Highlight all channels EXCEPT the five channels to move.<br />
**In the ReOrder Specific Channels field, enter a number that is higher than the last channel's order number.<br />
**Click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
**Click ''Refresh After Order Change''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Using Folders====<br />
----<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_TopToolbar_11V.png|350px|Figure 3-14]]<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Create a New Folder:'''<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_FolderName_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-15]]<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_Folder_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-16]]<br />
*Open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).<br />
*Click the ''Add Folder'' button on the top toolbar. (See Figure 3-14).<br />
*A dialog box will open asking for a Folder name. Type name and press OK. (Se Figure 3-15).<br />
**'''Note:''' A Super Folder contains only folders. Check this box if you wish to create a "folder of folders". This would be used for channel organization.<br />
*Once entered, the folder will appear at the top of the list of channels and have '''++''' on the left-most square to identify it as a folder. (See Figure 3-16).<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Moving Channels In/Out of Folders:'''<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_FolderPaste1_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-17]]<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_FolderPaste2_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-18]]<br />
*Highlight the channels you want to add to a folder.<br />
*Press the ''Copy to Folder'' button.<br />
*This will turn the left-most square GREEN for selected channels.<br />
*'''Tip:''' You can also select channels by left-clicking on the square to turn it green.<br />
*Once all channels are selected (left-most square green), press the ''Paste to Folder'' button. This will turn from red-to-green. (See Figure 3-17, 3-18).<br />
*Click on the left-most square of the folder you want to move the channels into. This will move the channels into the desired folder.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Remove channels from a folder:'''<br />
----<br />
*Click the folder name to expand the items.<br />
*Select the channels to remove by clicking the left-most square and turning it green (or, highlighting rows to remove).<br />
*Press the ''Remove from Folder'' button.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Opening and Closing Folders:'''<br />
----<br />
*To open a folder, simply click on the name of the folder.<br />
*To close a folder, click on the name of the folder.<br />
*To open ALL folders, click the ''Expand All Folders'' checkbox.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''[http://www.youtube.com/v/6Y8Y-Xx1WUc?version=3&start=0&end=123 VIDEO: Joe describes folders and folder management]'''<br /><br />
<br />
====Copying Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
Copying channels requires the use of both the main sequencing window and the channel manager. First, you must use the Channel Manager to add the new channel(s) you will be copying into.<br />
<br />
Once that is done, you will have to add the new channels and the channels you will be copying from into the same [[Configuring Display Groups|Display Group]].<br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-20.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-19]]<br />
<br />
To copy one or more channels click on the channel and asterisks will appear to the left of the channel name (see Figure 3-19. The click again on the channel to select it. Then Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and choose '''Copy - Paste Whole Channels'''. You will then be prompted to '''Click on the Channel to Paste To'''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-21.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-20]]<br />
<br />
To copy multiple channels click on the first channel to be copied and asterisks will appear to the left of the channel name. The without clicking move your mouse down to include all of the channels you would like to copy (see Figure 3-20). Asterisks will appear to the left of the channel to be copied. Once you have selected all of the channels to be copied click again on the last channel to be copied to select all of them. <br /><br />
<br />
Then Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and choose '''Copy - Paste Whole Channels'''. You will then be prompted to '''Click on the Channel to Paste To'''. Note that if you are copying a number of channels you will have to have that many to paste to.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Deleting Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
*To remove channels, open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).<br />
*Highlight the channels to delete by clicking and dragging into the data fields.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteButton_11V.png|350px|]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-21: Click the ''Delete Selected Channels'' button.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteConfirmation_11V.png|350px|]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-22: Confirm you wish to delete by clicking ''yes''.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteFiles_11V.png|350px|]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-23: HLS will prompt to shut down to update its configuration. Click OK. Then OK again.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
====Program Help File====<br />
----<br />
HLS now comes with a detailed help file. This file is reproduced here to help so that you can have the channel manager open and look at the help file at the same time.<br />
<br />
Expand Folders - Shows ALL Channels - Expands ALL Folders<br />
<br />
Unfreeze Name to Edit - Clicking Names causes Folder Events to Occur - To Edit Name - Check This<br />
<br />
Add Channels - This is the Number of Single Channels or Pixels (Pixels will be 3 Channels on Output)<br />
<br />
Add Folder - Folders contain your Channels. A Super Folder can contain multiple Folders<br />
<br />
Copy to Folder - High lite several rows of Channels to assign to a Folder - this will make Cell 0 Green - Ready to Assign<br />
<br />
Clicking on the First cell of a Row (Expand Channels OFF) will also select Channel to be assigned to a Folder<br />
<br />
Paste to Folder - When Channels have been selected - Press this button - Turning it Green indicating Left Mouse Click on ++ of Folder will assign Channels to that folder<br />
<br />
Remove from Folder - High lite several rows of Channels to Remove from a Folder - Press button to perform operation<br />
<br />
Colored Cell in Upper Right Corner - Color Selection Control<br />
<br />
In Grid - L click in first column to select Channel for Folder Assignment or Removal from Folder<br />
<br />
In Grid - R click first column to DELETE channel or Folder<br />
<br />
In Grid - R click dimming curve to assign<br />
<br />
Renumber Select Universe - Used to assign Output Universe - High Lite Channels and assign number specified<br />
<br />
Set Multiple DMX Group - used with 4096 channels DMX Devices - Enables Universe of 4096 instead of 512<br />
<br />
Get Dimming Curve - Select Dimming Curve to Bulk Assign<br />
<br />
Add Dimming Curve - High lite channels then Assign Dimming Curve Selected by 'Get Dimming Curve'<br />
<br />
Set/Clear RGB - High lite Channels and Set/Clear RGB Flag<br />
<br />
ReOrder Channels - High lite Channels - Assignment starts at Number specified. ReOrders Channels in List<br />
<br />
Renumber All Channels for Output - This will Assign the correct Channel Numbers based on Order and RGB - Universe must be Non-Zero<br />
<br />
Add Control Channel - Assign Triggers, Animation Mouth, Words, etc<br />
<br />
Rename Selected Channels - Press HELP to see Macros that can help Create Unique Names<br />
<br />
Preview Group - High lite Channels and Assign Preview Group to selection<br />
<br />
Preview Number - High lite Channels - State Starting Chan Number - Each Channel is Incremented<br />
<br />
Start Group G cycle Number 1 to N - G,N .... Enter Group Number followed by Number<br />
High Lite Channels - Groups starts at G with Chan Number starting at 1. When Chan Number hits N - G is Incremented and Chan Number starts at 1<br />
<br />
Delete Selected Group of Channels - High Lite channels and Delete with this button<br />
<br />
Export CSV - Creates a CSV file containing all of your Channel Information<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[Setting up HLS Channels]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Channel_Management | Chapter 3: Channel Management]]<br />
| align="center" | [[RGB Channels]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
<noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_Channel_Management&diff=10064Advanced Channel Management2013-03-25T04:31:18Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: /* Deleting Channels */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
====Introduction====<br />
----<br />
The '''Manage Raw Channels''' window is truly a powerful tool. In this document, we will explore some of the more advanced features of the channel manager. Something that everyone needs to know before doing anything with channels is, '''SAVE YOUR SEQUENCE BEFORE YOU MAKE CHANNEL CHANGES.''' When managing raw channels, there is no ''cancel'' or ''undo''. What happens, happens. If you save your sequence right before working with channels, if something goes wrong, you can always restore to the previous backup.<br />
<br />
====Grid Columns and What They Mean====<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_Grid.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-10|]]<br />
There are a number of columns in the Raw Channel window. Figure 3-10 shows a subset of those columns. (Some columns are out of view.)<br />
<br />
*'''Left-most Gray Square:''' This is a selection box. You left-click in here and the square becomes green. That channel (and any others you left-click on) is selected and can be moved into a folder or deleted.<br />
*'''Name:''' This field shows the name of the channels.<br />
*'''Universe:''' A numerical value from 0-5000. Any channels in universe 0 will never be displayed. <br />
*'''Channel:''' This is the numeric value of the channel. These are used when the sequence is sent to controlling hardware. This will remain zero until they are setup in the "output" section.<br />
*'''Color:''' This field is set to the color of the channel.<br />
*'''RGB:''' This checkbox is checked when a channel is an RGB lighting element or pixel.<br />
*'''Dimming Curve:''' This field is to set a dimming curve for the channel.<br />
*'''Order:''' This field is used to adjust the order of the channels.<br />
*'''Folder:''' The number of the folder that a channel is assigned to.<br />
*'''Control Type:''' This is used with animation effects and trigger events.<br />
*'''GRB:''' Used when the order of the RGB is different from Red-Green-Blue.<br />
*'''Preview Group:''' This group number defines what Preview Group the channel belongs to.<br />
*'''Preview Number:''' This is the channel number for the assigned display group.<br />
*'''Display X / Display Y:''' These numbers are calculated by using the Display Preview and allow the user to plot pixels on an X/Y axis which will allow controlled effects such as color sweeps from left to right or top to bottom. '''(This is not yet fully implemented.)'''<br />
<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Advanced Renaming Channels====<br />
----<br />
When adding a bulk group of channels, HLS will ask for a base name to start with, but you most likely will want to customize the names for your purpose. You can rename individual channels, rename using the bulk renaming utility, and even create names in excel that you paste into the Channel Manager.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_RenamingSingleChannels_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-11]]<br />
<br />
'''Rename Individual Channels:'''<br />
<br />
To rename individual channels, you must first open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels). See Figure 3-11.<br />
*Check the box to ''Unfreeze Name to Edit''.<br />
*Click on the channel you wish to rename.<br />
*Highlight the old name and type in the new name.<br />
*When done, Click ''Done with Changes''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_BulkRename_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-12]]<br />
<br />
'''Bulk Channel Renaming:'''<br />
<br />
There are two methods of bulk renaming built into HLS. There is a help file for this by clicking ''HELP Name'' in the Channel Manager.<br />
<br />
Method One:<br />
*This is the more straight-forward and basic method of bulk renaming.<br />
*Highlight the cells you wish to rename<br />
*Formula: Name_(StartingChannelNumber)<br />
*This will rename channels with "Name" shown except replace (StartingChannelNumber) with a sequential number starting at the number specified.<br />
*Examples:<br />
**"MTString_(1)" will produce MTString_0001, MTString_0002, etc.<br />
**"Yard_(15)" will produce Yard_0015, Yard_0016, etc.<br />
<br />
Method Two:<br />
*This method is likely to be used when renaming large groups of pixels or strings.<br />
*Highlight the cells you wish to rename<br />
*Formula: @NumberOfPixels, Name(*StartingStringNumber)_%<br />
*This will rename channels with "Name" shown, followed by the value of "StartingStringNumber", and then counting UP until reaching the "NumberOfPixels" value. <br />
*Once reaching the "NumberOfPixels" value, the value of "StartingStringNumber" will increment by 1, and the "NumberOfPixels" will start counting upwards from 1 again.<br />
*Example: A pixel megaTree with 32 strings composed of 42 pixels each:<br />
**@42,MTString(*1)_% will rename channels with values of MTString01_0001 to MTString32_0042<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
'''Relevant Video Tutorial:''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFihcC9M5Gk Pixel Based Mega Tree]<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
====Reordering Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_ReorderChannels.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-13]]<br />
<br />
The Order column is a numeric value ordering the channels from 1 to the last channel.<br />
<br />
'''To ReOrder channels:'''<br />
*Select the channels you wish to move.<br />
*In the ReOrder Specific Channels field (See Figure 3-13), enter a number that does not conflict with existing channels and then click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
*Once the channels have been ReOrdered, click ''Refresh After Order Change'' to update the Order column.<br />
*'''Example:''' To move 5 channels from the beginning to the end:<br />
**Highlight the five channels to move.<br />
**In the ReOrder Specific Channels field, enter a number that is higher than the last channel's Order number.<br />
**Click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
**Click ''Refresh After Order Change''. <br />
*'''Example:''' To move 5 channels from the bottom to the top:<br />
**Highlight all channels EXCEPT the five channels to move.<br />
**In the ReOrder Specific Channels field, enter a number that is higher than the last channel's order number.<br />
**Click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
**Click ''Refresh After Order Change''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Using Folders====<br />
----<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_TopToolbar_11V.png|350px|Figure 3-14]]<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Create a New Folder:'''<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_FolderName_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-15]]<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_Folder_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-16]]<br />
*Open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).<br />
*Click the ''Add Folder'' button on the top toolbar. (See Figure 3-14).<br />
*A dialog box will open asking for a Folder name. Type name and press OK. (Se Figure 3-15).<br />
**'''Note:''' A Super Folder contains only folders. Check this box if you wish to create a "folder of folders". This would be used for channel organization.<br />
*Once entered, the folder will appear at the top of the list of channels and have '''++''' on the left-most square to identify it as a folder. (See Figure 3-16).<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Moving Channels In/Out of Folders:'''<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_FolderPaste1_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-17]]<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_FolderPaste2_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-18]]<br />
*Highlight the channels you want to add to a folder.<br />
*Press the ''Copy to Folder'' button.<br />
*This will turn the left-most square GREEN for selected channels.<br />
*'''Tip:''' You can also select channels by left-clicking on the square to turn it green.<br />
*Once all channels are selected (left-most square green), press the ''Paste to Folder'' button. This will turn from red-to-green. (See Figure 3-17, 3-18).<br />
*Click on the left-most square of the folder you want to move the channels into. This will move the channels into the desired folder.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Remove channels from a folder:'''<br />
----<br />
*Click the folder name to expand the items.<br />
*Select the channels to remove by clicking the left-most square and turning it green (or, highlighting rows to remove).<br />
*Press the ''Remove from Folder'' button.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Opening and Closing Folders:'''<br />
----<br />
*To open a folder, simply click on the name of the folder.<br />
*To close a folder, click on the name of the folder.<br />
*To open ALL folders, click the ''Expand All Folders'' checkbox.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''[http://www.youtube.com/v/6Y8Y-Xx1WUc?version=3&start=0&end=123 VIDEO: Joe describes folders and folder management]'''<br /><br />
<br />
====Copying Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
Copying channels requires the use of both the main sequencing window and the channel manager. First, you must use the Channel Manager to add the new channel(s) you will be copying into.<br />
<br />
Once that is done, you will have to add the new channels and the channels you will be copying from into the same [[Configuring Display Groups|Display Group]].<br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-20.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-19]]<br />
<br />
To copy one or more channels click on the channel and asterisks will appear to the left of the channel name (see Figure 3-19. The click again on the channel to select it. Then Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and choose '''Copy - Paste Whole Channels'''. You will then be prompted to '''Click on the Channel to Paste To'''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-21.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-20]]<br />
<br />
To copy multiple channels click on the first channel to be copied and asterisks will appear to the left of the channel name. The without clicking move your mouse down to include all of the channels you would like to copy (see Figure 3-20). Asterisks will appear to the left of the channel to be copied. Once you have selected all of the channels to be copied click again on the last channel to be copied to select all of them. <br /><br />
<br />
Then Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and choose '''Copy - Paste Whole Channels'''. You will then be prompted to '''Click on the Channel to Paste To'''. Note that if you are copying a number of channels you will have to have that many to paste to.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Deleting Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
*To remove channels, open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).<br />
*Highlight the channels to delete by clicking and dragging into the data fields.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteButton_11V.png]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-21: Click the ''Delete Selected Channels'' button.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteConfirmation_11V.png|350px|]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-22: Confirm you wish to delete by clicking ''yes''.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteFiles_11V.png|350px|]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-23: HLS will prompt to shut down to update its configuration. Click OK. Then OK again.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
====Program Help File====<br />
----<br />
HLS now comes with a detailed help file. This file is reproduced here to help so that you can have the channel manager open and look at the help file at the same time.<br />
<br />
Expand Folders - Shows ALL Channels - Expands ALL Folders<br />
<br />
Unfreeze Name to Edit - Clicking Names causes Folder Events to Occur - To Edit Name - Check This<br />
<br />
Add Channels - This is the Number of Single Channels or Pixels (Pixels will be 3 Channels on Output)<br />
<br />
Add Folder - Folders contain your Channels. A Super Folder can contain multiple Folders<br />
<br />
Copy to Folder - High lite several rows of Channels to assign to a Folder - this will make Cell 0 Green - Ready to Assign<br />
<br />
Clicking on the First cell of a Row (Expand Channels OFF) will also select Channel to be assigned to a Folder<br />
<br />
Paste to Folder - When Channels have been selected - Press this button - Turning it Green indicating Left Mouse Click on ++ of Folder will assign Channels to that folder<br />
<br />
Remove from Folder - High lite several rows of Channels to Remove from a Folder - Press button to perform operation<br />
<br />
Colored Cell in Upper Right Corner - Color Selection Control<br />
<br />
In Grid - L click in first column to select Channel for Folder Assignment or Removal from Folder<br />
<br />
In Grid - R click first column to DELETE channel or Folder<br />
<br />
In Grid - R click dimming curve to assign<br />
<br />
Renumber Select Universe - Used to assign Output Universe - High Lite Channels and assign number specified<br />
<br />
Set Multiple DMX Group - used with 4096 channels DMX Devices - Enables Universe of 4096 instead of 512<br />
<br />
Get Dimming Curve - Select Dimming Curve to Bulk Assign<br />
<br />
Add Dimming Curve - High lite channels then Assign Dimming Curve Selected by 'Get Dimming Curve'<br />
<br />
Set/Clear RGB - High lite Channels and Set/Clear RGB Flag<br />
<br />
ReOrder Channels - High lite Channels - Assignment starts at Number specified. ReOrders Channels in List<br />
<br />
Renumber All Channels for Output - This will Assign the correct Channel Numbers based on Order and RGB - Universe must be Non-Zero<br />
<br />
Add Control Channel - Assign Triggers, Animation Mouth, Words, etc<br />
<br />
Rename Selected Channels - Press HELP to see Macros that can help Create Unique Names<br />
<br />
Preview Group - High lite Channels and Assign Preview Group to selection<br />
<br />
Preview Number - High lite Channels - State Starting Chan Number - Each Channel is Incremented<br />
<br />
Start Group G cycle Number 1 to N - G,N .... Enter Group Number followed by Number<br />
High Lite Channels - Groups starts at G with Chan Number starting at 1. When Chan Number hits N - G is Incremented and Chan Number starts at 1<br />
<br />
Delete Selected Group of Channels - High Lite channels and Delete with this button<br />
<br />
Export CSV - Creates a CSV file containing all of your Channel Information<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[Setting up HLS Channels]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Channel_Management | Chapter 3: Channel Management]]<br />
| align="center" | [[RGB Channels]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
<noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_Channel_Management&diff=10063Advanced Channel Management2013-03-25T04:30:19Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: /* Using Folders */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
====Introduction====<br />
----<br />
The '''Manage Raw Channels''' window is truly a powerful tool. In this document, we will explore some of the more advanced features of the channel manager. Something that everyone needs to know before doing anything with channels is, '''SAVE YOUR SEQUENCE BEFORE YOU MAKE CHANNEL CHANGES.''' When managing raw channels, there is no ''cancel'' or ''undo''. What happens, happens. If you save your sequence right before working with channels, if something goes wrong, you can always restore to the previous backup.<br />
<br />
====Grid Columns and What They Mean====<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_Grid.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-10|]]<br />
There are a number of columns in the Raw Channel window. Figure 3-10 shows a subset of those columns. (Some columns are out of view.)<br />
<br />
*'''Left-most Gray Square:''' This is a selection box. You left-click in here and the square becomes green. That channel (and any others you left-click on) is selected and can be moved into a folder or deleted.<br />
*'''Name:''' This field shows the name of the channels.<br />
*'''Universe:''' A numerical value from 0-5000. Any channels in universe 0 will never be displayed. <br />
*'''Channel:''' This is the numeric value of the channel. These are used when the sequence is sent to controlling hardware. This will remain zero until they are setup in the "output" section.<br />
*'''Color:''' This field is set to the color of the channel.<br />
*'''RGB:''' This checkbox is checked when a channel is an RGB lighting element or pixel.<br />
*'''Dimming Curve:''' This field is to set a dimming curve for the channel.<br />
*'''Order:''' This field is used to adjust the order of the channels.<br />
*'''Folder:''' The number of the folder that a channel is assigned to.<br />
*'''Control Type:''' This is used with animation effects and trigger events.<br />
*'''GRB:''' Used when the order of the RGB is different from Red-Green-Blue.<br />
*'''Preview Group:''' This group number defines what Preview Group the channel belongs to.<br />
*'''Preview Number:''' This is the channel number for the assigned display group.<br />
*'''Display X / Display Y:''' These numbers are calculated by using the Display Preview and allow the user to plot pixels on an X/Y axis which will allow controlled effects such as color sweeps from left to right or top to bottom. '''(This is not yet fully implemented.)'''<br />
<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Advanced Renaming Channels====<br />
----<br />
When adding a bulk group of channels, HLS will ask for a base name to start with, but you most likely will want to customize the names for your purpose. You can rename individual channels, rename using the bulk renaming utility, and even create names in excel that you paste into the Channel Manager.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_RenamingSingleChannels_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-11]]<br />
<br />
'''Rename Individual Channels:'''<br />
<br />
To rename individual channels, you must first open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels). See Figure 3-11.<br />
*Check the box to ''Unfreeze Name to Edit''.<br />
*Click on the channel you wish to rename.<br />
*Highlight the old name and type in the new name.<br />
*When done, Click ''Done with Changes''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_BulkRename_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-12]]<br />
<br />
'''Bulk Channel Renaming:'''<br />
<br />
There are two methods of bulk renaming built into HLS. There is a help file for this by clicking ''HELP Name'' in the Channel Manager.<br />
<br />
Method One:<br />
*This is the more straight-forward and basic method of bulk renaming.<br />
*Highlight the cells you wish to rename<br />
*Formula: Name_(StartingChannelNumber)<br />
*This will rename channels with "Name" shown except replace (StartingChannelNumber) with a sequential number starting at the number specified.<br />
*Examples:<br />
**"MTString_(1)" will produce MTString_0001, MTString_0002, etc.<br />
**"Yard_(15)" will produce Yard_0015, Yard_0016, etc.<br />
<br />
Method Two:<br />
*This method is likely to be used when renaming large groups of pixels or strings.<br />
*Highlight the cells you wish to rename<br />
*Formula: @NumberOfPixels, Name(*StartingStringNumber)_%<br />
*This will rename channels with "Name" shown, followed by the value of "StartingStringNumber", and then counting UP until reaching the "NumberOfPixels" value. <br />
*Once reaching the "NumberOfPixels" value, the value of "StartingStringNumber" will increment by 1, and the "NumberOfPixels" will start counting upwards from 1 again.<br />
*Example: A pixel megaTree with 32 strings composed of 42 pixels each:<br />
**@42,MTString(*1)_% will rename channels with values of MTString01_0001 to MTString32_0042<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
'''Relevant Video Tutorial:''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFihcC9M5Gk Pixel Based Mega Tree]<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
====Reordering Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_ReorderChannels.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-13]]<br />
<br />
The Order column is a numeric value ordering the channels from 1 to the last channel.<br />
<br />
'''To ReOrder channels:'''<br />
*Select the channels you wish to move.<br />
*In the ReOrder Specific Channels field (See Figure 3-13), enter a number that does not conflict with existing channels and then click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
*Once the channels have been ReOrdered, click ''Refresh After Order Change'' to update the Order column.<br />
*'''Example:''' To move 5 channels from the beginning to the end:<br />
**Highlight the five channels to move.<br />
**In the ReOrder Specific Channels field, enter a number that is higher than the last channel's Order number.<br />
**Click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
**Click ''Refresh After Order Change''. <br />
*'''Example:''' To move 5 channels from the bottom to the top:<br />
**Highlight all channels EXCEPT the five channels to move.<br />
**In the ReOrder Specific Channels field, enter a number that is higher than the last channel's order number.<br />
**Click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
**Click ''Refresh After Order Change''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Using Folders====<br />
----<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_TopToolbar_11V.png|350px|Figure 3-14]]<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Create a New Folder:'''<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_FolderName_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-15]]<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_Folder_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-16]]<br />
*Open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).<br />
*Click the ''Add Folder'' button on the top toolbar. (See Figure 3-14).<br />
*A dialog box will open asking for a Folder name. Type name and press OK. (Se Figure 3-15).<br />
**'''Note:''' A Super Folder contains only folders. Check this box if you wish to create a "folder of folders". This would be used for channel organization.<br />
*Once entered, the folder will appear at the top of the list of channels and have '''++''' on the left-most square to identify it as a folder. (See Figure 3-16).<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Moving Channels In/Out of Folders:'''<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_FolderPaste1_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-17]]<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_FolderPaste2_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-18]]<br />
*Highlight the channels you want to add to a folder.<br />
*Press the ''Copy to Folder'' button.<br />
*This will turn the left-most square GREEN for selected channels.<br />
*'''Tip:''' You can also select channels by left-clicking on the square to turn it green.<br />
*Once all channels are selected (left-most square green), press the ''Paste to Folder'' button. This will turn from red-to-green. (See Figure 3-17, 3-18).<br />
*Click on the left-most square of the folder you want to move the channels into. This will move the channels into the desired folder.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Remove channels from a folder:'''<br />
----<br />
*Click the folder name to expand the items.<br />
*Select the channels to remove by clicking the left-most square and turning it green (or, highlighting rows to remove).<br />
*Press the ''Remove from Folder'' button.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Opening and Closing Folders:'''<br />
----<br />
*To open a folder, simply click on the name of the folder.<br />
*To close a folder, click on the name of the folder.<br />
*To open ALL folders, click the ''Expand All Folders'' checkbox.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''[http://www.youtube.com/v/6Y8Y-Xx1WUc?version=3&start=0&end=123 VIDEO: Joe describes folders and folder management]'''<br /><br />
<br />
====Copying Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
Copying channels requires the use of both the main sequencing window and the channel manager. First, you must use the Channel Manager to add the new channel(s) you will be copying into.<br />
<br />
Once that is done, you will have to add the new channels and the channels you will be copying from into the same [[Configuring Display Groups|Display Group]].<br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-20.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-19]]<br />
<br />
To copy one or more channels click on the channel and asterisks will appear to the left of the channel name (see Figure 3-19. The click again on the channel to select it. Then Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and choose '''Copy - Paste Whole Channels'''. You will then be prompted to '''Click on the Channel to Paste To'''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-21.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-20]]<br />
<br />
To copy multiple channels click on the first channel to be copied and asterisks will appear to the left of the channel name. The without clicking move your mouse down to include all of the channels you would like to copy (see Figure 3-20). Asterisks will appear to the left of the channel to be copied. Once you have selected all of the channels to be copied click again on the last channel to be copied to select all of them. <br /><br />
<br />
Then Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and choose '''Copy - Paste Whole Channels'''. You will then be prompted to '''Click on the Channel to Paste To'''. Note that if you are copying a number of channels you will have to have that many to paste to.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Deleting Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
*To remove channels, open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).<br />
*Highlight the channels to delete by clicking and dragging into the data fields.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteButton_11V.png]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-21: Click the ''Delete Selected Channels'' button.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteConfirmation_11V.png]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-22: Confirm you wish to delete by clicking ''yes''.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteFiles_11V.png]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-23: HLS will prompt to shut down to update its configuration. Click OK. Then OK again.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
====Program Help File====<br />
----<br />
HLS now comes with a detailed help file. This file is reproduced here to help so that you can have the channel manager open and look at the help file at the same time.<br />
<br />
Expand Folders - Shows ALL Channels - Expands ALL Folders<br />
<br />
Unfreeze Name to Edit - Clicking Names causes Folder Events to Occur - To Edit Name - Check This<br />
<br />
Add Channels - This is the Number of Single Channels or Pixels (Pixels will be 3 Channels on Output)<br />
<br />
Add Folder - Folders contain your Channels. A Super Folder can contain multiple Folders<br />
<br />
Copy to Folder - High lite several rows of Channels to assign to a Folder - this will make Cell 0 Green - Ready to Assign<br />
<br />
Clicking on the First cell of a Row (Expand Channels OFF) will also select Channel to be assigned to a Folder<br />
<br />
Paste to Folder - When Channels have been selected - Press this button - Turning it Green indicating Left Mouse Click on ++ of Folder will assign Channels to that folder<br />
<br />
Remove from Folder - High lite several rows of Channels to Remove from a Folder - Press button to perform operation<br />
<br />
Colored Cell in Upper Right Corner - Color Selection Control<br />
<br />
In Grid - L click in first column to select Channel for Folder Assignment or Removal from Folder<br />
<br />
In Grid - R click first column to DELETE channel or Folder<br />
<br />
In Grid - R click dimming curve to assign<br />
<br />
Renumber Select Universe - Used to assign Output Universe - High Lite Channels and assign number specified<br />
<br />
Set Multiple DMX Group - used with 4096 channels DMX Devices - Enables Universe of 4096 instead of 512<br />
<br />
Get Dimming Curve - Select Dimming Curve to Bulk Assign<br />
<br />
Add Dimming Curve - High lite channels then Assign Dimming Curve Selected by 'Get Dimming Curve'<br />
<br />
Set/Clear RGB - High lite Channels and Set/Clear RGB Flag<br />
<br />
ReOrder Channels - High lite Channels - Assignment starts at Number specified. ReOrders Channels in List<br />
<br />
Renumber All Channels for Output - This will Assign the correct Channel Numbers based on Order and RGB - Universe must be Non-Zero<br />
<br />
Add Control Channel - Assign Triggers, Animation Mouth, Words, etc<br />
<br />
Rename Selected Channels - Press HELP to see Macros that can help Create Unique Names<br />
<br />
Preview Group - High lite Channels and Assign Preview Group to selection<br />
<br />
Preview Number - High lite Channels - State Starting Chan Number - Each Channel is Incremented<br />
<br />
Start Group G cycle Number 1 to N - G,N .... Enter Group Number followed by Number<br />
High Lite Channels - Groups starts at G with Chan Number starting at 1. When Chan Number hits N - G is Incremented and Chan Number starts at 1<br />
<br />
Delete Selected Group of Channels - High Lite channels and Delete with this button<br />
<br />
Export CSV - Creates a CSV file containing all of your Channel Information<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[Setting up HLS Channels]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Channel_Management | Chapter 3: Channel Management]]<br />
| align="center" | [[RGB Channels]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
<noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_Channel_Management&diff=10062Advanced Channel Management2013-03-25T04:29:36Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: /* Grid Columns and What They Mean */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
====Introduction====<br />
----<br />
The '''Manage Raw Channels''' window is truly a powerful tool. In this document, we will explore some of the more advanced features of the channel manager. Something that everyone needs to know before doing anything with channels is, '''SAVE YOUR SEQUENCE BEFORE YOU MAKE CHANNEL CHANGES.''' When managing raw channels, there is no ''cancel'' or ''undo''. What happens, happens. If you save your sequence right before working with channels, if something goes wrong, you can always restore to the previous backup.<br />
<br />
====Grid Columns and What They Mean====<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_Grid.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-10|]]<br />
There are a number of columns in the Raw Channel window. Figure 3-10 shows a subset of those columns. (Some columns are out of view.)<br />
<br />
*'''Left-most Gray Square:''' This is a selection box. You left-click in here and the square becomes green. That channel (and any others you left-click on) is selected and can be moved into a folder or deleted.<br />
*'''Name:''' This field shows the name of the channels.<br />
*'''Universe:''' A numerical value from 0-5000. Any channels in universe 0 will never be displayed. <br />
*'''Channel:''' This is the numeric value of the channel. These are used when the sequence is sent to controlling hardware. This will remain zero until they are setup in the "output" section.<br />
*'''Color:''' This field is set to the color of the channel.<br />
*'''RGB:''' This checkbox is checked when a channel is an RGB lighting element or pixel.<br />
*'''Dimming Curve:''' This field is to set a dimming curve for the channel.<br />
*'''Order:''' This field is used to adjust the order of the channels.<br />
*'''Folder:''' The number of the folder that a channel is assigned to.<br />
*'''Control Type:''' This is used with animation effects and trigger events.<br />
*'''GRB:''' Used when the order of the RGB is different from Red-Green-Blue.<br />
*'''Preview Group:''' This group number defines what Preview Group the channel belongs to.<br />
*'''Preview Number:''' This is the channel number for the assigned display group.<br />
*'''Display X / Display Y:''' These numbers are calculated by using the Display Preview and allow the user to plot pixels on an X/Y axis which will allow controlled effects such as color sweeps from left to right or top to bottom. '''(This is not yet fully implemented.)'''<br />
<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Advanced Renaming Channels====<br />
----<br />
When adding a bulk group of channels, HLS will ask for a base name to start with, but you most likely will want to customize the names for your purpose. You can rename individual channels, rename using the bulk renaming utility, and even create names in excel that you paste into the Channel Manager.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_RenamingSingleChannels_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-11]]<br />
<br />
'''Rename Individual Channels:'''<br />
<br />
To rename individual channels, you must first open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels). See Figure 3-11.<br />
*Check the box to ''Unfreeze Name to Edit''.<br />
*Click on the channel you wish to rename.<br />
*Highlight the old name and type in the new name.<br />
*When done, Click ''Done with Changes''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_BulkRename_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-12]]<br />
<br />
'''Bulk Channel Renaming:'''<br />
<br />
There are two methods of bulk renaming built into HLS. There is a help file for this by clicking ''HELP Name'' in the Channel Manager.<br />
<br />
Method One:<br />
*This is the more straight-forward and basic method of bulk renaming.<br />
*Highlight the cells you wish to rename<br />
*Formula: Name_(StartingChannelNumber)<br />
*This will rename channels with "Name" shown except replace (StartingChannelNumber) with a sequential number starting at the number specified.<br />
*Examples:<br />
**"MTString_(1)" will produce MTString_0001, MTString_0002, etc.<br />
**"Yard_(15)" will produce Yard_0015, Yard_0016, etc.<br />
<br />
Method Two:<br />
*This method is likely to be used when renaming large groups of pixels or strings.<br />
*Highlight the cells you wish to rename<br />
*Formula: @NumberOfPixels, Name(*StartingStringNumber)_%<br />
*This will rename channels with "Name" shown, followed by the value of "StartingStringNumber", and then counting UP until reaching the "NumberOfPixels" value. <br />
*Once reaching the "NumberOfPixels" value, the value of "StartingStringNumber" will increment by 1, and the "NumberOfPixels" will start counting upwards from 1 again.<br />
*Example: A pixel megaTree with 32 strings composed of 42 pixels each:<br />
**@42,MTString(*1)_% will rename channels with values of MTString01_0001 to MTString32_0042<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
'''Relevant Video Tutorial:''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFihcC9M5Gk Pixel Based Mega Tree]<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
====Reordering Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_ReorderChannels.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-13]]<br />
<br />
The Order column is a numeric value ordering the channels from 1 to the last channel.<br />
<br />
'''To ReOrder channels:'''<br />
*Select the channels you wish to move.<br />
*In the ReOrder Specific Channels field (See Figure 3-13), enter a number that does not conflict with existing channels and then click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
*Once the channels have been ReOrdered, click ''Refresh After Order Change'' to update the Order column.<br />
*'''Example:''' To move 5 channels from the beginning to the end:<br />
**Highlight the five channels to move.<br />
**In the ReOrder Specific Channels field, enter a number that is higher than the last channel's Order number.<br />
**Click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
**Click ''Refresh After Order Change''. <br />
*'''Example:''' To move 5 channels from the bottom to the top:<br />
**Highlight all channels EXCEPT the five channels to move.<br />
**In the ReOrder Specific Channels field, enter a number that is higher than the last channel's order number.<br />
**Click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
**Click ''Refresh After Order Change''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Using Folders====<br />
----<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_TopToolbar_11V.png|600px|Figure 3-14]]<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Create a New Folder:'''<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_FolderName_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-15]]<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_Folder_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-16]]<br />
*Open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).<br />
*Click the ''Add Folder'' button on the top toolbar. (See Figure 3-14).<br />
*A dialog box will open asking for a Folder name. Type name and press OK. (Se Figure 3-15).<br />
**'''Note:''' A Super Folder contains only folders. Check this box if you wish to create a "folder of folders". This would be used for channel organization.<br />
*Once entered, the folder will appear at the top of the list of channels and have '''++''' on the left-most square to identify it as a folder. (See Figure 3-16).<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Moving Channels In/Out of Folders:'''<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_FolderPaste1_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-17]]<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_FolderPaste2_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-18]]<br />
*Highlight the channels you want to add to a folder.<br />
*Press the ''Copy to Folder'' button.<br />
*This will turn the left-most square GREEN for selected channels.<br />
*'''Tip:''' You can also select channels by left-clicking on the square to turn it green.<br />
*Once all channels are selected (left-most square green), press the ''Paste to Folder'' button. This will turn from red-to-green. (See Figure 3-17, 3-18).<br />
*Click on the left-most square of the folder you want to move the channels into. This will move the channels into the desired folder.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Remove channels from a folder:'''<br />
----<br />
*Click the folder name to expand the items.<br />
*Select the channels to remove by clicking the left-most square and turning it green (or, highlighting rows to remove).<br />
*Press the ''Remove from Folder'' button.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Opening and Closing Folders:'''<br />
----<br />
*To open a folder, simply click on the name of the folder.<br />
*To close a folder, click on the name of the folder.<br />
*To open ALL folders, click the ''Expand All Folders'' checkbox.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''[http://www.youtube.com/v/6Y8Y-Xx1WUc?version=3&start=0&end=123 VIDEO: Joe describes folders and folder management]'''<br /><br />
<br />
====Copying Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
Copying channels requires the use of both the main sequencing window and the channel manager. First, you must use the Channel Manager to add the new channel(s) you will be copying into.<br />
<br />
Once that is done, you will have to add the new channels and the channels you will be copying from into the same [[Configuring Display Groups|Display Group]].<br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-20.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-19]]<br />
<br />
To copy one or more channels click on the channel and asterisks will appear to the left of the channel name (see Figure 3-19. The click again on the channel to select it. Then Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and choose '''Copy - Paste Whole Channels'''. You will then be prompted to '''Click on the Channel to Paste To'''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-21.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-20]]<br />
<br />
To copy multiple channels click on the first channel to be copied and asterisks will appear to the left of the channel name. The without clicking move your mouse down to include all of the channels you would like to copy (see Figure 3-20). Asterisks will appear to the left of the channel to be copied. Once you have selected all of the channels to be copied click again on the last channel to be copied to select all of them. <br /><br />
<br />
Then Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and choose '''Copy - Paste Whole Channels'''. You will then be prompted to '''Click on the Channel to Paste To'''. Note that if you are copying a number of channels you will have to have that many to paste to.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Deleting Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
*To remove channels, open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).<br />
*Highlight the channels to delete by clicking and dragging into the data fields.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteButton_11V.png]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-21: Click the ''Delete Selected Channels'' button.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteConfirmation_11V.png]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-22: Confirm you wish to delete by clicking ''yes''.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteFiles_11V.png]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-23: HLS will prompt to shut down to update its configuration. Click OK. Then OK again.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
====Program Help File====<br />
----<br />
HLS now comes with a detailed help file. This file is reproduced here to help so that you can have the channel manager open and look at the help file at the same time.<br />
<br />
Expand Folders - Shows ALL Channels - Expands ALL Folders<br />
<br />
Unfreeze Name to Edit - Clicking Names causes Folder Events to Occur - To Edit Name - Check This<br />
<br />
Add Channels - This is the Number of Single Channels or Pixels (Pixels will be 3 Channels on Output)<br />
<br />
Add Folder - Folders contain your Channels. A Super Folder can contain multiple Folders<br />
<br />
Copy to Folder - High lite several rows of Channels to assign to a Folder - this will make Cell 0 Green - Ready to Assign<br />
<br />
Clicking on the First cell of a Row (Expand Channels OFF) will also select Channel to be assigned to a Folder<br />
<br />
Paste to Folder - When Channels have been selected - Press this button - Turning it Green indicating Left Mouse Click on ++ of Folder will assign Channels to that folder<br />
<br />
Remove from Folder - High lite several rows of Channels to Remove from a Folder - Press button to perform operation<br />
<br />
Colored Cell in Upper Right Corner - Color Selection Control<br />
<br />
In Grid - L click in first column to select Channel for Folder Assignment or Removal from Folder<br />
<br />
In Grid - R click first column to DELETE channel or Folder<br />
<br />
In Grid - R click dimming curve to assign<br />
<br />
Renumber Select Universe - Used to assign Output Universe - High Lite Channels and assign number specified<br />
<br />
Set Multiple DMX Group - used with 4096 channels DMX Devices - Enables Universe of 4096 instead of 512<br />
<br />
Get Dimming Curve - Select Dimming Curve to Bulk Assign<br />
<br />
Add Dimming Curve - High lite channels then Assign Dimming Curve Selected by 'Get Dimming Curve'<br />
<br />
Set/Clear RGB - High lite Channels and Set/Clear RGB Flag<br />
<br />
ReOrder Channels - High lite Channels - Assignment starts at Number specified. ReOrders Channels in List<br />
<br />
Renumber All Channels for Output - This will Assign the correct Channel Numbers based on Order and RGB - Universe must be Non-Zero<br />
<br />
Add Control Channel - Assign Triggers, Animation Mouth, Words, etc<br />
<br />
Rename Selected Channels - Press HELP to see Macros that can help Create Unique Names<br />
<br />
Preview Group - High lite Channels and Assign Preview Group to selection<br />
<br />
Preview Number - High lite Channels - State Starting Chan Number - Each Channel is Incremented<br />
<br />
Start Group G cycle Number 1 to N - G,N .... Enter Group Number followed by Number<br />
High Lite Channels - Groups starts at G with Chan Number starting at 1. When Chan Number hits N - G is Incremented and Chan Number starts at 1<br />
<br />
Delete Selected Group of Channels - High Lite channels and Delete with this button<br />
<br />
Export CSV - Creates a CSV file containing all of your Channel Information<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[Setting up HLS Channels]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Channel_Management | Chapter 3: Channel Management]]<br />
| align="center" | [[RGB Channels]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
<noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_Channel_Management&diff=10061Advanced Channel Management2013-03-25T04:28:58Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: /* Grid Columns and What They Mean */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
====Introduction====<br />
----<br />
The '''Manage Raw Channels''' window is truly a powerful tool. In this document, we will explore some of the more advanced features of the channel manager. Something that everyone needs to know before doing anything with channels is, '''SAVE YOUR SEQUENCE BEFORE YOU MAKE CHANNEL CHANGES.''' When managing raw channels, there is no ''cancel'' or ''undo''. What happens, happens. If you save your sequence right before working with channels, if something goes wrong, you can always restore to the previous backup.<br />
<br />
====Grid Columns and What They Mean====<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_Grid.png|350|thumb|Figure 3-10|]]<br />
There are a number of columns in the Raw Channel window. Figure 3-10 shows a subset of those columns. (Some columns are out of view.)<br />
<br />
*'''Left-most Gray Square:''' This is a selection box. You left-click in here and the square becomes green. That channel (and any others you left-click on) is selected and can be moved into a folder or deleted.<br />
*'''Name:''' This field shows the name of the channels.<br />
*'''Universe:''' A numerical value from 0-5000. Any channels in universe 0 will never be displayed. <br />
*'''Channel:''' This is the numeric value of the channel. These are used when the sequence is sent to controlling hardware. This will remain zero until they are setup in the "output" section.<br />
*'''Color:''' This field is set to the color of the channel.<br />
*'''RGB:''' This checkbox is checked when a channel is an RGB lighting element or pixel.<br />
*'''Dimming Curve:''' This field is to set a dimming curve for the channel.<br />
*'''Order:''' This field is used to adjust the order of the channels.<br />
*'''Folder:''' The number of the folder that a channel is assigned to.<br />
*'''Control Type:''' This is used with animation effects and trigger events.<br />
*'''GRB:''' Used when the order of the RGB is different from Red-Green-Blue.<br />
*'''Preview Group:''' This group number defines what Preview Group the channel belongs to.<br />
*'''Preview Number:''' This is the channel number for the assigned display group.<br />
*'''Display X / Display Y:''' These numbers are calculated by using the Display Preview and allow the user to plot pixels on an X/Y axis which will allow controlled effects such as color sweeps from left to right or top to bottom. '''(This is not yet fully implemented.)'''<br />
<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Advanced Renaming Channels====<br />
----<br />
When adding a bulk group of channels, HLS will ask for a base name to start with, but you most likely will want to customize the names for your purpose. You can rename individual channels, rename using the bulk renaming utility, and even create names in excel that you paste into the Channel Manager.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_RenamingSingleChannels_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-11]]<br />
<br />
'''Rename Individual Channels:'''<br />
<br />
To rename individual channels, you must first open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels). See Figure 3-11.<br />
*Check the box to ''Unfreeze Name to Edit''.<br />
*Click on the channel you wish to rename.<br />
*Highlight the old name and type in the new name.<br />
*When done, Click ''Done with Changes''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_BulkRename_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-12]]<br />
<br />
'''Bulk Channel Renaming:'''<br />
<br />
There are two methods of bulk renaming built into HLS. There is a help file for this by clicking ''HELP Name'' in the Channel Manager.<br />
<br />
Method One:<br />
*This is the more straight-forward and basic method of bulk renaming.<br />
*Highlight the cells you wish to rename<br />
*Formula: Name_(StartingChannelNumber)<br />
*This will rename channels with "Name" shown except replace (StartingChannelNumber) with a sequential number starting at the number specified.<br />
*Examples:<br />
**"MTString_(1)" will produce MTString_0001, MTString_0002, etc.<br />
**"Yard_(15)" will produce Yard_0015, Yard_0016, etc.<br />
<br />
Method Two:<br />
*This method is likely to be used when renaming large groups of pixels or strings.<br />
*Highlight the cells you wish to rename<br />
*Formula: @NumberOfPixels, Name(*StartingStringNumber)_%<br />
*This will rename channels with "Name" shown, followed by the value of "StartingStringNumber", and then counting UP until reaching the "NumberOfPixels" value. <br />
*Once reaching the "NumberOfPixels" value, the value of "StartingStringNumber" will increment by 1, and the "NumberOfPixels" will start counting upwards from 1 again.<br />
*Example: A pixel megaTree with 32 strings composed of 42 pixels each:<br />
**@42,MTString(*1)_% will rename channels with values of MTString01_0001 to MTString32_0042<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
'''Relevant Video Tutorial:''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFihcC9M5Gk Pixel Based Mega Tree]<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
====Reordering Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_ReorderChannels.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-13]]<br />
<br />
The Order column is a numeric value ordering the channels from 1 to the last channel.<br />
<br />
'''To ReOrder channels:'''<br />
*Select the channels you wish to move.<br />
*In the ReOrder Specific Channels field (See Figure 3-13), enter a number that does not conflict with existing channels and then click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
*Once the channels have been ReOrdered, click ''Refresh After Order Change'' to update the Order column.<br />
*'''Example:''' To move 5 channels from the beginning to the end:<br />
**Highlight the five channels to move.<br />
**In the ReOrder Specific Channels field, enter a number that is higher than the last channel's Order number.<br />
**Click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
**Click ''Refresh After Order Change''. <br />
*'''Example:''' To move 5 channels from the bottom to the top:<br />
**Highlight all channels EXCEPT the five channels to move.<br />
**In the ReOrder Specific Channels field, enter a number that is higher than the last channel's order number.<br />
**Click ''ReOrder Channels''.<br />
**Click ''Refresh After Order Change''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Using Folders====<br />
----<br />
<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_TopToolbar_11V.png|600px|Figure 3-14]]<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Create a New Folder:'''<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_FolderName_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-15]]<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_Folder_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-16]]<br />
*Open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).<br />
*Click the ''Add Folder'' button on the top toolbar. (See Figure 3-14).<br />
*A dialog box will open asking for a Folder name. Type name and press OK. (Se Figure 3-15).<br />
**'''Note:''' A Super Folder contains only folders. Check this box if you wish to create a "folder of folders". This would be used for channel organization.<br />
*Once entered, the folder will appear at the top of the list of channels and have '''++''' on the left-most square to identify it as a folder. (See Figure 3-16).<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Moving Channels In/Out of Folders:'''<br />
----<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_FolderPaste1_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-17]]<br />
[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_FolderPaste2_11V.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-18]]<br />
*Highlight the channels you want to add to a folder.<br />
*Press the ''Copy to Folder'' button.<br />
*This will turn the left-most square GREEN for selected channels.<br />
*'''Tip:''' You can also select channels by left-clicking on the square to turn it green.<br />
*Once all channels are selected (left-most square green), press the ''Paste to Folder'' button. This will turn from red-to-green. (See Figure 3-17, 3-18).<br />
*Click on the left-most square of the folder you want to move the channels into. This will move the channels into the desired folder.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
<br />
'''Remove channels from a folder:'''<br />
----<br />
*Click the folder name to expand the items.<br />
*Select the channels to remove by clicking the left-most square and turning it green (or, highlighting rows to remove).<br />
*Press the ''Remove from Folder'' button.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Opening and Closing Folders:'''<br />
----<br />
*To open a folder, simply click on the name of the folder.<br />
*To close a folder, click on the name of the folder.<br />
*To open ALL folders, click the ''Expand All Folders'' checkbox.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''[http://www.youtube.com/v/6Y8Y-Xx1WUc?version=3&start=0&end=123 VIDEO: Joe describes folders and folder management]'''<br /><br />
<br />
====Copying Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
Copying channels requires the use of both the main sequencing window and the channel manager. First, you must use the Channel Manager to add the new channel(s) you will be copying into.<br />
<br />
Once that is done, you will have to add the new channels and the channels you will be copying from into the same [[Configuring Display Groups|Display Group]].<br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-20.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-19]]<br />
<br />
To copy one or more channels click on the channel and asterisks will appear to the left of the channel name (see Figure 3-19. The click again on the channel to select it. Then Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and choose '''Copy - Paste Whole Channels'''. You will then be prompted to '''Click on the Channel to Paste To'''.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-21.png|350px|thumb|Figure 3-20]]<br />
<br />
To copy multiple channels click on the first channel to be copied and asterisks will appear to the left of the channel name. The without clicking move your mouse down to include all of the channels you would like to copy (see Figure 3-20). Asterisks will appear to the left of the channel to be copied. Once you have selected all of the channels to be copied click again on the last channel to be copied to select all of them. <br /><br />
<br />
Then Select the '''Manage Channels''' tab and choose '''Copy - Paste Whole Channels'''. You will then be prompted to '''Click on the Channel to Paste To'''. Note that if you are copying a number of channels you will have to have that many to paste to.<br />
<br clear=all><br />
<br />
====Deleting Channels====<br />
----<br />
<br />
*To remove channels, open the Channel Manager (Manage Channels -> Manage Raw Channels).<br />
*Highlight the channels to delete by clicking and dragging into the data fields.<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteButton_11V.png]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-21: Click the ''Delete Selected Channels'' button.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteConfirmation_11V.png]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-22: Confirm you wish to delete by clicking ''yes''.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"<br />
|[[File:HLS_ChannelManager_DeleteFiles_11V.png]]<br />
|-<br />
|Figure 3-23: HLS will prompt to shut down to update its configuration. Click OK. Then OK again.<br />
|}<br />
<br />
====Program Help File====<br />
----<br />
HLS now comes with a detailed help file. This file is reproduced here to help so that you can have the channel manager open and look at the help file at the same time.<br />
<br />
Expand Folders - Shows ALL Channels - Expands ALL Folders<br />
<br />
Unfreeze Name to Edit - Clicking Names causes Folder Events to Occur - To Edit Name - Check This<br />
<br />
Add Channels - This is the Number of Single Channels or Pixels (Pixels will be 3 Channels on Output)<br />
<br />
Add Folder - Folders contain your Channels. A Super Folder can contain multiple Folders<br />
<br />
Copy to Folder - High lite several rows of Channels to assign to a Folder - this will make Cell 0 Green - Ready to Assign<br />
<br />
Clicking on the First cell of a Row (Expand Channels OFF) will also select Channel to be assigned to a Folder<br />
<br />
Paste to Folder - When Channels have been selected - Press this button - Turning it Green indicating Left Mouse Click on ++ of Folder will assign Channels to that folder<br />
<br />
Remove from Folder - High lite several rows of Channels to Remove from a Folder - Press button to perform operation<br />
<br />
Colored Cell in Upper Right Corner - Color Selection Control<br />
<br />
In Grid - L click in first column to select Channel for Folder Assignment or Removal from Folder<br />
<br />
In Grid - R click first column to DELETE channel or Folder<br />
<br />
In Grid - R click dimming curve to assign<br />
<br />
Renumber Select Universe - Used to assign Output Universe - High Lite Channels and assign number specified<br />
<br />
Set Multiple DMX Group - used with 4096 channels DMX Devices - Enables Universe of 4096 instead of 512<br />
<br />
Get Dimming Curve - Select Dimming Curve to Bulk Assign<br />
<br />
Add Dimming Curve - High lite channels then Assign Dimming Curve Selected by 'Get Dimming Curve'<br />
<br />
Set/Clear RGB - High lite Channels and Set/Clear RGB Flag<br />
<br />
ReOrder Channels - High lite Channels - Assignment starts at Number specified. ReOrders Channels in List<br />
<br />
Renumber All Channels for Output - This will Assign the correct Channel Numbers based on Order and RGB - Universe must be Non-Zero<br />
<br />
Add Control Channel - Assign Triggers, Animation Mouth, Words, etc<br />
<br />
Rename Selected Channels - Press HELP to see Macros that can help Create Unique Names<br />
<br />
Preview Group - High lite Channels and Assign Preview Group to selection<br />
<br />
Preview Number - High lite Channels - State Starting Chan Number - Each Channel is Incremented<br />
<br />
Start Group G cycle Number 1 to N - G,N .... Enter Group Number followed by Number<br />
High Lite Channels - Groups starts at G with Chan Number starting at 1. When Chan Number hits N - G is Incremented and Chan Number starts at 1<br />
<br />
Delete Selected Group of Channels - High Lite channels and Delete with this button<br />
<br />
Export CSV - Creates a CSV file containing all of your Channel Information<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[Setting up HLS Channels]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Channel_Management | Chapter 3: Channel Management]]<br />
| align="center" | [[RGB Channels]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
<noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Setting_Defaults_for_Effects&diff=10060Setting Defaults for Effects2013-03-25T04:16:21Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
Choose the Defaults tab on top of HLS and select the item you would like to set defaults for. For this example, ''Ramp Up'' was selected. The screen shown in Figure 5-13 will appear. You can change any values you would like and they will be saved as the new default values for the current sequence.<br />
<br />
<br />
Figure 5-13<br /><br />
[[File:HLS_SetDefaultsForEffects.png|350px|]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[Adding and Using Beat Tracks]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Sequencing_Channels_and_Adding_Effects | Chapter 5: Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects]]<br />
| align="center" | [[Creating Chase Effects]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
</noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Creating_a_Display_Preview&diff=10059Creating a Display Preview2013-03-25T04:12:22Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
===Preparing Channels for Preview===<br />
----<br />
*'''Ensure that channels are properly added to the sequence, rgb channels are identified, and colors are setup in the Channel Manager.'''<br />
**See [[Setting up HLS Channels]] for more detailed instructions.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Assigning Channels to Preview Groups and Preview Numbers:'''<br /><br /><br />
**Open the Channel Manager. The last two columns in the channel listing are ''Preview Group'' and ''Preview Number''. These two numbers allow you to form multiple ''Preview Objects'', such as MegaTree, RoofLine, Window, Arch, etc. and assign a pair of numbers (Group and Number) to them. They can range from 1-1000. Anything set as '''0''' will not be displayed.<br />
***Preview Group: This number groups channels together into one ''Preview Object''. For example, an arch can have 8 segments with each segment assigned to ''Preview Group 3''.<br />
***Preview Number: This corresponds to each channel in a ''Preview Group''.<br /><br /><br />
**Assign ''Preview Groups'' and ''Preview Numbers'' for each of your channels. (This can be done manually by left-clicking into the fields and entering numbers, but there are ways to do it quicker.)<br />
***Using the left mouse button, click in the first item of a ''Preview Object'' and select down the channel cells until reaching the last channel of the object.<br />
***In the ''Set PreviewGroup'' field, enter the Preview Group value and click Preview Group button. This will set that value for all items in the ''Preview Object''.<br />
***To set the PreviewNumber values from 1 to the highest selected cell, make sure ''Set PreviewNumber'' is set to one, then click the Preview Number button.<br />
***To set Preview Groups and Preview Numbers for large sets of channels that contain the same number of components (for example, pixels):<br />
****Determine the number of components in the set of channels (for example, 42 pixels in a string, a total of 16 strings).<br />
****Select all channels to be grouped.<br />
****In the ''Start Group G cycle'' field, enter: '''1,42'''. This would start with group 1, and number 42 components. Then, would move to group 2, etc, all the way to group 16, preview-number 42.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*The image shows an example of an arch with 8 segments that has been selected and then assigned a Preview Group and Preview Numbers. It is assigned Preview Group '''4''' since the previous display element (a mini tree) was assigned group 3. Groups do not have to be in sequential order.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:PreviewGroups.png|350px]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Assign Channels to a Display Group===<br />
----<br />
*To be able to display, draw, and preview channels, they must be assigned to a display group.<br />
*Click ''Manage Channels'', then select ''Select Channels and Assign to Display Group''.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Assign-Channels-to-Display-Group.png|350px]]<br /><br /><br />
*Left-click into the ''Work'' column and select the first channel to be added to a Display Group. Then, Click and drag, highlighting all cells to be part of the Display Group.<br />
*Check the cells selected by clicking ''Check''.<br />
*Add a Name for the Display Group, then press Save Changes. <br />
*In the picture example, a Display Group named "Window" is being created for the four highlighted elements that outline a window.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Display-Group-Creation.png|350px|Creating a Display Group]]<br /><br /><br />
*Continue creating Display Groups for all elements. When adding additional Display Groups, a window will prompt to either edit or create a new Group. Click "New" to continue creating groups.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Display-Group-Creation2.png|350px|Prompt to add a new group]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Creating the Preview Window===<br />
----<br />
*'''Warnings and Limitations:'''<br />
**All images in the Preview must be in bitmap format (extension of .bmp). Windows paint will allow conversion of files into this format.<br />
**Image resolution '''cannot''' be larger than your screen. Doing so could lead to you not being able to access the commands as the image would cover your entire screen. <br />
**When editing a new preview, immediately move the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'' to a bottom corner of your screen. This will help prevent the preview window from covering the toolbar once it has been re-sized.<br />
**'''Tip:''' If your Toolbar does become hidden behind a preview window, press 'Z' to restore it.<br />
**The Preview window '''cannot''' be resized during editing. Once it is set, it is set. However, it can be resized when '''viewing''' lights in a sequence.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Preparing a Background Image:'''<br />
**Open your house image in an image editing program (MS Paint will be sufficient. Gimp[http://www.gimp.org] is another choice).<br />
**In MSPaint, you can click Properties to determine the size of your image. You can use "resize" to change the size.<br />
**Once the image has been resized, save it as a bmp file in HLS/Backgrounds.<br />
**'''Tip:''' If you save the image as filenameWWWxHHH.bmp, where WWW is the width in pixels and HHH is the height in pixels, it will make it easier to remember the aspect when importing into HLS.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Editing a new Preview:'''<br />
**Select ''Preview'' on the menu bar, then select ''Edit New Preview''.<br />
**Move the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'' to the bottom corner of your screen.<br />
**On the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'', select ''Set Resolution''.<br />
**This will open the ''Setup'' window, as shown:<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Preview-Setup-Window.png|350px|]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Using the Setup Window:'''<br />
**Set the resolution width value to your display image.<br />
**Set the resolution height value to your display image.<br />
**Click the Background Image button and select your display image.<br />
**Adjust brightness, if desired (negative numbers make it darker).<br />
**Test settings when you make changes.<br />
**Once satisfied, select ''Lock Resolution and Image'' to finalize display preview. A warning will open asking for confirmation. Click Yes.<br />
**On the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'', select ''Pick Preview''.<br />
**Select New, and name your Display Preview. <br />
**Once done, select ''Save'' and close ''Preview Toolbar''. You will be asked to confirm. Click Yes.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Managing Multiple Previews:'''<br />
**More than one Preview can be setup.<br />
**To choose the one you want, simply click ''Preview'' -> ''Edit New Preview'' -> ''Pick Preview'' -> Select your choice, and click ''OK''.<br />
**You can then draw and manipulate the selected preview file.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Placing channels onto the Preview window===<br />
----<br />
*With HLS, you draw onto the display window first, then assign channels/groups to the drawing.<br />
*Some keyboard and mouse commands are fairly standard across various drawing components:<br />
**Z - If preview window covers toolbar, pressing Z should bring the toolbar back into focus.<br />
**ESC - Aborts the current action.<br />
**BACKSPACE - This functions as an Undo, stepping one step backwards with each press.<br />
**SPACE - This completes the drawing operation once your object has been defined.<br />
**Left-click on canvas - This begins drawing a segment and ends drawing a segment.<br />
**Right-click on canvas - This begins drawing a segment at the exact point previously stopped.<br />
*When drawing elements, the "active" type of drawing being done will be in green, while all others are in red. In the example picture, "Line" is green because it has been selected.<br /><br /><br />
*To '''Move''' display objects, left-click the move square for the object, then drag it in the display window.<br />
[[File:Preview-Toolbar-Activedrawing.png|350px|]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Line Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Line objects could be: roof lines, window frames, doorways, or any other display object composed of straight lines.<br />
*Select the Line button on the Preview Toolbar to begin drawing a line item.<br />
*Left-Click the beginning point.<br />
*Move the mouse to the ending point, or the point where the line needs to turn.<br />
*Press the left mouse again to complete the line segment.<br />
*To draw an additional line starting at that exact stopping point, right-click and move to the next stopping point.<br />
*Left-click the mouse to stop drawing that segment.<br />
*Continue until complete. BACKSPACE will step back in the drawing.<br />
*Once completed, press SPACEBAR to complete the line drawing.<br />
*A ''Line Object'' window will open with statistics about the drawing.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Line-Object.png|350px|]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Standard Christmas Lights:'''<br />
**If each line segment is it's own channel, select the "Non-Pixel - Assign Each Segment" box. Otherwise, do not check any boxes.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the appropriate channel(s) for the line and any relevant segments.<br />
**Assign a name to the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete the channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Assign-Light-to-Preview-Group-STD.png|350px|]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Pixels:'''<br />
**Select "Line Composed of Pixels" and enter number of pixels in the line.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the pixels for the line.<br />
**Select the first pixel and click OK.<br />
**Assign a name to the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete channel assignment.<br />
**'''Note:''' "Assign Channels in Reverse" is used if your pixels are running from right to left (for example, if power is distributed from the center).<br />
**Video Tutorial [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?25001-HLS-Preview-Using-Custom-Display-Objects]<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Assign-Light-to-Preview-Group-PIX.png|350px|]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Triangle Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Triangle objects could consist of mini-trees, flood lights, or other objects.<br />
*Select the Triangle button on the Preview Toolbar to begin drawing a triangle object.<br />
*Left-Click the beginning point.<br />
*Move the mouse to the second point and left-click. HLS will automatically complete the triangle shape.<br />
*BACKSPACE will step back in the drawing.<br />
*Once completed, press SPACEBAR to complete the triangle drawing.<br />
*A ''Triangle Object'' window will open with statistics about the drawing.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Standard Christmas Lights:'''<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the appropriate channel for the triangle.<br />
**Assign a name for the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete the channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Pixels:'''<br />
**Select "Triangle Composed of Pixels" and enter number of pixels in the field.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the pixels for the triangle.<br />
**Select the first pixel and click OK.<br />
**Assign a name for the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Arch Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Arch objects can consist of a strand of pixels or regular light segments.<br />
*Select the Arch button on the Preview Toolbar to begin drawing an arch object.<br />
*Left-click to begin drawing and left-click to end drawing.<br />
*Once complete, press SPACEBAR to finish.<br />
*An ''Arch Object'' window will open giving a choice to use a single string of pixels or multiple light segments.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Arch-Object.png|350px|]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Multiple Light Segments:'''<br />
**Select "Arch made from Multiple Line Segments".<br />
**In the box that appears, enter the number of segments contained in the arch.<br />
**Click each name field in the table to chose the channels that make up the arch.<br />
**Generally, you should chose "Single Dumb RGB string or Non-RGB string or Pixel".<br />
**Click in the name field and select the appropriate channel.<br />
**Click Ok. Continue doing this for all arch segments.<br />
**Assign a name for the Arch Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete the channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Pixels:'''<br />
**Select "Arch made from a single string of pixels" and enter number of pixels in the field.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the pixels for the arch.<br />
**Select the first pixel and click OK.<br />
**Assign a name for the Arch Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete channel assignment.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*Video Tutorial for Arches[http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?25033-HLS-New-Arch-Object-for-Preview-Pixels-or-Segments]<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing MegaTree Objects====<br />
----<br />
*A MegaTree can be composed of single color strings, mega-strings, dumb rgb strings, or pixel strings. The orientation can vary from up and down to make a pie shape, up and over, run from bottom to top, run from top to bottom, etc. It's important to understand how HLS can represent mega-trees when planning the physical display.<br />
*HLS will always draw a megaTree as a 360&deg; tree. The orientation will always start with the first strand at the 9 o'clock position and work in a Counter Clockwise direction. The strings must run in one direction: bottom-top or top-bottom. Default is Bottom to top. To go the other direction, select "Run in reverse" when assigning channels.<br />
<br />
*'''Drawing a MegaTree:'''<br />
**Open the Preview and load or create a Preview window.<br />
**Select ''Tree'' from the menu and left click to start drawing. Left-click again to end drawing.<br />
**Press SPACEBAR to complete drawing tree.<br />
**The ''Tree Object'' window will appear.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Tree-Object.png|350px|]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Single Color megaTree:'''<br />
**Once tree is drawn, enter data into the ''Tree Object'' window to assign channels to the tree.<br />
**Enter number of strings, and number of bulbs in each string.<br />
**At the bottom of the window, name the tree, and click ''Create Tree''.<br />
**Select the first position on the tree and select the first string. Click OK.<br />
**Select "Force Non-Pixel", and press "Force Assign". This will assign each additional string to the next position on the tree (As long as they are all in sequential groups).<br />
**Click OK, OK to save.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Pixel MegaTree:'''<br />
**Before drawing tree, begin by setting up pixel strings on a [[Pixel Plane Effects|Pixel Plane]].<br />
**Once tree is drawn, enter data into the ''Tree Object'' window to assign channels to the tree.<br />
**Enter number of strings, and number of pixels in each string.<br />
**At the bottom of the window, name the tree, and click ''Create Tree''.<br />
**Select the first position on the tree and select the first node on the first string. Click OK.<br />
**Select "Force Pixel", and press "Force Assign". This will update all other points on the tree to reflect the strings previously setup.<br />
**It is at this time to select "Run in reverse" if your strings go from top to bottom.<br />
**Click OK, OK to save.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''How to handle trees that are 180&deg;, 270&deg;, etc.:'''<br />
**HLS always makes a tree 360&deg; To use a different angle, you must set the strings that are unwanted to not be displayed. You do this by assigning their Preview Group to '''0'''. Then, do not assign physical channels to them. This allows other tree angles to work both in the preview and the physical display.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*Video Tutorial [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?24988-HLS-How-to-Create-a-1344-Channel-MegaTree-and-Preview-in-less-than-15-Minutes]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Custom Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Custom objects are free-form drawings that can take on any shape. Some examples would include candy canes, snowflakes, custom light objects, etc.<br />
<br />
*'''Drawing a Custom Object:'''<br />
**Open the Preview and load or create a Preview window.<br />
**Select ''Custom'' from the menu and left click to start drawing. Left-click again to end drawing.<br />
**Press SPACEBAR to complete drawing.<br />
**The ''Custom Object'' window will appear.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Custom-Object.png|350px|]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Drawing and Assigning Channels to Custom Objects:'''<br />
**Begin drawing the object in the window. Left-clicks fill in a square. Left-click again to remove.<br />
**Right-click a square to assign a channel.<br />
**An unassigned square will be red; a square with an assigned channel will be green.<br />
**Name the custom object and hit OK.<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Drawing Mega-strings as one display object===<br />
----<br />
*'''Setting up "mega-strings" as a single display item:'''<br />
**Mega-strings are up to four strands of single-color lights that operate as one, such as a window outlined in R,G,B,W).<br />
**Assign colors as normal. Place all colors into the same ''Preview Group'' and assign ''Preview Numbers''.<br />
*Select ''Manage Channels'' -> ''Set Display Group to Work On'', then select your mega-string display group and select OPEN.<br />
*This will open the channels in the sequence window.<br />
*Open Preview<br />
*Draw Object as described in previous sections.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Megastring-Assignment.png|350px|]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*Once you press SPACEBAR, Assign lights to the preview, as seen in above picture.<br />
*Select "Multiple Non-RGB Strings treated as ONE".<br />
*Press "Add Another Channel" until you have the number of channels for your megastring (maximum 4).<br />
*Assign the channels to the preview.<br />
<br />
**Joe's video on mega-strings: [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?25001-HLS-Preview-Using-Custom-Display-Objects|here]<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===How to "Draw Once, Use Everywhere"===<br />
----<br />
*The value of the Preview is truly realized by setting it up once, then using it for all of your sequences. You can do this through the Display Groups.<br />
*Always have ONE display group per element that is never duplicated elsewhere. The number goes to 5000, so feel free to space it out if needed.<br />
*When opening the preview, simply "Pick Preview" to select a preview you have already set up.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Stepping Through a Sequence with Display Preview===<br />
----<br />
*It is possible to step through a sequence using the display preview frame by frame.<br />
*'''Tip:''' To use these commands, the main window GRID must have "window focus", not the preview window. So, the preview window stays visible on top, but you click the main window to give it "focus".<br />
*On the top menu, select Preview->Select Preview Control File and select the preview file you want to use.<br />
*Check "Sigle Step" and "Display Preview" checkboxes. <br />
*Use the Right Mouse on the Ruler to set your RED marker.<br />
*With the GRID in focus (NOT the Preview Screen):<br />
**ZERO key will start the Preview Time line at the RED Mark.<br />
**NINE key will advance the time tic by one.<br />
**EIGHT key will decrement the time tic by one.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Channel_Management | Chapter 3: Channel Management]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Display_Preview | Chapter 4: Display Preview]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Sequencing_Channels_and_Adding_Effects | Chapter 5: Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
[[Category:HLS]]<br />
</noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Crosshair_Cursor&diff=10058Crosshair Cursor2013-03-25T04:07:57Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
The '''Crosshair Cursor''' is a useful tool for being able to sync up exact times for channels and with the visual audio representation. Or to sync channels with beat tracks. All with out having to scroll up or see it perfectly aligned.<br />
<br />
To activate the Crosshair Cursor, you can click the ''Defaults'' menu and select '''Crosshairs ON/OFF'''. Or, a more simple method, is to '''T'''oggle the cursor by pressing '''T'''. This allows you to quickly turn it on and off as you need. Figure 11.2-1 shows what it looks like when activated.<br />
<br />
Figure 12-7<br /><br />
[[File:Crosshair-Tool.png|350px|]]<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[HLS Dimming Curves]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Reference_Guide|Chapter 12: Reference Guide]]<br />
| align="center" | [[The HLS Toolbar]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
</noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Crosshair_Cursor&diff=10057Crosshair Cursor2013-03-25T04:06:26Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
The '''Crosshair Cursor''' is a useful tool for being able to sync up exact times for channels and with the visual audio representation. Or to sync channels with beat tracks. All with out having to scroll up or see it perfectly aligned.<br />
<br />
To activate the Crosshair Cursor, you can click the ''Defaults'' menu and select '''Crosshairs ON/OFF'''. Or, a more simple method, is to '''T'''oggle the cursor by pressing '''T'''. This allows you to quickly turn it on and off as you need. Figure 11.2-1 shows what it looks like when activated.<br />
<br />
Figure 12-7<br /><br />
[[File:Crosshair-Tool.png]]<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[HLS Dimming Curves]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Reference_Guide|Chapter 12: Reference Guide]]<br />
| align="center" | [[The HLS Toolbar]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
</noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Crosshair_Cursor&diff=10056Crosshair Cursor2013-03-25T04:06:06Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
The '''Crosshair Cursor''' is a useful tool for being able to sync up exact times for channels and with the visual audio representation. Or to sync channels with beat tracks. All with out having to scroll up or see it perfectly aligned.<br />
<br />
To activate the Crosshair Cursor, you can click the ''Defaults'' menu and select '''Crosshairs ON/OFF'''. Or, a more simple method, is to '''T'''oggle the cursor by pressing '''T'''. This allows you to quickly turn it on and off as you need. Figure 11.2-1 shows what it looks like when activated.<br />
<br />
Figure 12-7<br /><br />
[[File:Crosshair-Tool.png]350px|]<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[HLS Dimming Curves]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Reference_Guide|Chapter 12: Reference Guide]]<br />
| align="center" | [[The HLS Toolbar]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
</noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Crosshair_Cursor&diff=10055Crosshair Cursor2013-03-25T04:05:42Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
The '''Crosshair Cursor''' is a useful tool for being able to sync up exact times for channels and with the visual audio representation. Or to sync channels with beat tracks. All with out having to scroll up or see it perfectly aligned.<br />
<br />
To activate the Crosshair Cursor, you can click the ''Defaults'' menu and select '''Crosshairs ON/OFF'''. Or, a more simple method, is to '''T'''oggle the cursor by pressing '''T'''. This allows you to quickly turn it on and off as you need. Figure 11.2-1 shows what it looks like when activated.<br />
<br />
Figure 12-7<br /><br />
[[File:Crosshair-Tool.png]|350px|]<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[HLS Dimming Curves]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Reference_Guide|Chapter 12: Reference Guide]]<br />
| align="center" | [[The HLS Toolbar]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
</noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Setting_Defaults_for_Effects&diff=10054Setting Defaults for Effects2013-03-25T04:03:40Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: Had to resize to 350px for proper viewing in double column pdf</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
Choose the Defaults tab on top of HLS and select the item you would like to set defaults for. For this example, ''Ramp Up'' was selected. The screen shown in Figure 5-13 will appear. You can change any values you would like and they will be saved as the new default values for the current sequence.<br />
<br />
<br />
Figure 5-13<br /><br />
[[File:HLS_SetDefaultsForEffects.png]|350px|]<br />
<br />
<br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[Adding and Using Beat Tracks]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Sequencing_Channels_and_Adding_Effects | Chapter 5: Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects]]<br />
| align="center" | [[Creating Chase Effects]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
</noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Creating_a_Display_Preview&diff=10053Creating a Display Preview2013-03-25T04:00:09Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
===Preparing Channels for Preview===<br />
----<br />
*'''Ensure that channels are properly added to the sequence, rgb channels are identified, and colors are setup in the Channel Manager.'''<br />
**See [[Setting up HLS Channels]] for more detailed instructions.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Assigning Channels to Preview Groups and Preview Numbers:'''<br /><br /><br />
**Open the Channel Manager. The last two columns in the channel listing are ''Preview Group'' and ''Preview Number''. These two numbers allow you to form multiple ''Preview Objects'', such as MegaTree, RoofLine, Window, Arch, etc. and assign a pair of numbers (Group and Number) to them. They can range from 1-1000. Anything set as '''0''' will not be displayed.<br />
***Preview Group: This number groups channels together into one ''Preview Object''. For example, an arch can have 8 segments with each segment assigned to ''Preview Group 3''.<br />
***Preview Number: This corresponds to each channel in a ''Preview Group''.<br /><br /><br />
**Assign ''Preview Groups'' and ''Preview Numbers'' for each of your channels. (This can be done manually by left-clicking into the fields and entering numbers, but there are ways to do it quicker.)<br />
***Using the left mouse button, click in the first item of a ''Preview Object'' and select down the channel cells until reaching the last channel of the object.<br />
***In the ''Set PreviewGroup'' field, enter the Preview Group value and click Preview Group button. This will set that value for all items in the ''Preview Object''.<br />
***To set the PreviewNumber values from 1 to the highest selected cell, make sure ''Set PreviewNumber'' is set to one, then click the Preview Number button.<br />
***To set Preview Groups and Preview Numbers for large sets of channels that contain the same number of components (for example, pixels):<br />
****Determine the number of components in the set of channels (for example, 42 pixels in a string, a total of 16 strings).<br />
****Select all channels to be grouped.<br />
****In the ''Start Group G cycle'' field, enter: '''1,42'''. This would start with group 1, and number 42 components. Then, would move to group 2, etc, all the way to group 16, preview-number 42.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*The image shows an example of an arch with 8 segments that has been selected and then assigned a Preview Group and Preview Numbers. It is assigned Preview Group '''4''' since the previous display element (a mini tree) was assigned group 3. Groups do not have to be in sequential order.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:PreviewGroups.png|350px]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Assign Channels to a Display Group===<br />
----<br />
*To be able to display, draw, and preview channels, they must be assigned to a display group.<br />
*Click ''Manage Channels'', then select ''Select Channels and Assign to Display Group''.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Assign-Channels-to-Display-Group.png|350px]]<br /><br /><br />
*Left-click into the ''Work'' column and select the first channel to be added to a Display Group. Then, Click and drag, highlighting all cells to be part of the Display Group.<br />
*Check the cells selected by clicking ''Check''.<br />
*Add a Name for the Display Group, then press Save Changes. <br />
*In the picture example, a Display Group named "Window" is being created for the four highlighted elements that outline a window.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Display-Group-Creation.png|350px|Creating a Display Group]]<br /><br /><br />
*Continue creating Display Groups for all elements. When adding additional Display Groups, a window will prompt to either edit or create a new Group. Click "New" to continue creating groups.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Display-Group-Creation2.png|Prompt to add a new group]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Creating the Preview Window===<br />
----<br />
*'''Warnings and Limitations:'''<br />
**All images in the Preview must be in bitmap format (extension of .bmp). Windows paint will allow conversion of files into this format.<br />
**Image resolution '''cannot''' be larger than your screen. Doing so could lead to you not being able to access the commands as the image would cover your entire screen. <br />
**When editing a new preview, immediately move the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'' to a bottom corner of your screen. This will help prevent the preview window from covering the toolbar once it has been re-sized.<br />
**'''Tip:''' If your Toolbar does become hidden behind a preview window, press 'Z' to restore it.<br />
**The Preview window '''cannot''' be resized during editing. Once it is set, it is set. However, it can be resized when '''viewing''' lights in a sequence.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Preparing a Background Image:'''<br />
**Open your house image in an image editing program (MS Paint will be sufficient. Gimp[http://www.gimp.org] is another choice).<br />
**In MSPaint, you can click Properties to determine the size of your image. You can use "resize" to change the size.<br />
**Once the image has been resized, save it as a bmp file in HLS/Backgrounds.<br />
**'''Tip:''' If you save the image as filenameWWWxHHH.bmp, where WWW is the width in pixels and HHH is the height in pixels, it will make it easier to remember the aspect when importing into HLS.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Editing a new Preview:'''<br />
**Select ''Preview'' on the menu bar, then select ''Edit New Preview''.<br />
**Move the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'' to the bottom corner of your screen.<br />
**On the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'', select ''Set Resolution''.<br />
**This will open the ''Setup'' window, as shown:<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Preview-Setup-Window.png|350px|]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Using the Setup Window:'''<br />
**Set the resolution width value to your display image.<br />
**Set the resolution height value to your display image.<br />
**Click the Background Image button and select your display image.<br />
**Adjust brightness, if desired (negative numbers make it darker).<br />
**Test settings when you make changes.<br />
**Once satisfied, select ''Lock Resolution and Image'' to finalize display preview. A warning will open asking for confirmation. Click Yes.<br />
**On the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'', select ''Pick Preview''.<br />
**Select New, and name your Display Preview. <br />
**Once done, select ''Save'' and close ''Preview Toolbar''. You will be asked to confirm. Click Yes.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Managing Multiple Previews:'''<br />
**More than one Preview can be setup.<br />
**To choose the one you want, simply click ''Preview'' -> ''Edit New Preview'' -> ''Pick Preview'' -> Select your choice, and click ''OK''.<br />
**You can then draw and manipulate the selected preview file.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Placing channels onto the Preview window===<br />
----<br />
*With HLS, you draw onto the display window first, then assign channels/groups to the drawing.<br />
*Some keyboard and mouse commands are fairly standard across various drawing components:<br />
**Z - If preview window covers toolbar, pressing Z should bring the toolbar back into focus.<br />
**ESC - Aborts the current action.<br />
**BACKSPACE - This functions as an Undo, stepping one step backwards with each press.<br />
**SPACE - This completes the drawing operation once your object has been defined.<br />
**Left-click on canvas - This begins drawing a segment and ends drawing a segment.<br />
**Right-click on canvas - This begins drawing a segment at the exact point previously stopped.<br />
*When drawing elements, the "active" type of drawing being done will be in green, while all others are in red. In the example picture, "Line" is green because it has been selected.<br /><br /><br />
*To '''Move''' display objects, left-click the move square for the object, then drag it in the display window.<br />
[[File:Preview-Toolbar-Activedrawing.png]|350px|]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Line Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Line objects could be: roof lines, window frames, doorways, or any other display object composed of straight lines.<br />
*Select the Line button on the Preview Toolbar to begin drawing a line item.<br />
*Left-Click the beginning point.<br />
*Move the mouse to the ending point, or the point where the line needs to turn.<br />
*Press the left mouse again to complete the line segment.<br />
*To draw an additional line starting at that exact stopping point, right-click and move to the next stopping point.<br />
*Left-click the mouse to stop drawing that segment.<br />
*Continue until complete. BACKSPACE will step back in the drawing.<br />
*Once completed, press SPACEBAR to complete the line drawing.<br />
*A ''Line Object'' window will open with statistics about the drawing.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Line-Object.png]|350px|]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Standard Christmas Lights:'''<br />
**If each line segment is it's own channel, select the "Non-Pixel - Assign Each Segment" box. Otherwise, do not check any boxes.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the appropriate channel(s) for the line and any relevant segments.<br />
**Assign a name to the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete the channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Assign-Light-to-Preview-Group-STD.png]|350px|]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Pixels:'''<br />
**Select "Line Composed of Pixels" and enter number of pixels in the line.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the pixels for the line.<br />
**Select the first pixel and click OK.<br />
**Assign a name to the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete channel assignment.<br />
**'''Note:''' "Assign Channels in Reverse" is used if your pixels are running from right to left (for example, if power is distributed from the center).<br />
**Video Tutorial [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?25001-HLS-Preview-Using-Custom-Display-Objects]<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Assign-Light-to-Preview-Group-PIX.png]|350px|]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Triangle Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Triangle objects could consist of mini-trees, flood lights, or other objects.<br />
*Select the Triangle button on the Preview Toolbar to begin drawing a triangle object.<br />
*Left-Click the beginning point.<br />
*Move the mouse to the second point and left-click. HLS will automatically complete the triangle shape.<br />
*BACKSPACE will step back in the drawing.<br />
*Once completed, press SPACEBAR to complete the triangle drawing.<br />
*A ''Triangle Object'' window will open with statistics about the drawing.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Standard Christmas Lights:'''<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the appropriate channel for the triangle.<br />
**Assign a name for the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete the channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Pixels:'''<br />
**Select "Triangle Composed of Pixels" and enter number of pixels in the field.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the pixels for the triangle.<br />
**Select the first pixel and click OK.<br />
**Assign a name for the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Arch Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Arch objects can consist of a strand of pixels or regular light segments.<br />
*Select the Arch button on the Preview Toolbar to begin drawing an arch object.<br />
*Left-click to begin drawing and left-click to end drawing.<br />
*Once complete, press SPACEBAR to finish.<br />
*An ''Arch Object'' window will open giving a choice to use a single string of pixels or multiple light segments.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Arch-Object.png]|350px|]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Multiple Light Segments:'''<br />
**Select "Arch made from Multiple Line Segments".<br />
**In the box that appears, enter the number of segments contained in the arch.<br />
**Click each name field in the table to chose the channels that make up the arch.<br />
**Generally, you should chose "Single Dumb RGB string or Non-RGB string or Pixel".<br />
**Click in the name field and select the appropriate channel.<br />
**Click Ok. Continue doing this for all arch segments.<br />
**Assign a name for the Arch Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete the channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Pixels:'''<br />
**Select "Arch made from a single string of pixels" and enter number of pixels in the field.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the pixels for the arch.<br />
**Select the first pixel and click OK.<br />
**Assign a name for the Arch Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete channel assignment.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*Video Tutorial for Arches[http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?25033-HLS-New-Arch-Object-for-Preview-Pixels-or-Segments]<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing MegaTree Objects====<br />
----<br />
*A MegaTree can be composed of single color strings, mega-strings, dumb rgb strings, or pixel strings. The orientation can vary from up and down to make a pie shape, up and over, run from bottom to top, run from top to bottom, etc. It's important to understand how HLS can represent mega-trees when planning the physical display.<br />
*HLS will always draw a megaTree as a 360&deg; tree. The orientation will always start with the first strand at the 9 o'clock position and work in a Counter Clockwise direction. The strings must run in one direction: bottom-top or top-bottom. Default is Bottom to top. To go the other direction, select "Run in reverse" when assigning channels.<br />
<br />
*'''Drawing a MegaTree:'''<br />
**Open the Preview and load or create a Preview window.<br />
**Select ''Tree'' from the menu and left click to start drawing. Left-click again to end drawing.<br />
**Press SPACEBAR to complete drawing tree.<br />
**The ''Tree Object'' window will appear.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Tree-Object.png]|350px|]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Single Color megaTree:'''<br />
**Once tree is drawn, enter data into the ''Tree Object'' window to assign channels to the tree.<br />
**Enter number of strings, and number of bulbs in each string.<br />
**At the bottom of the window, name the tree, and click ''Create Tree''.<br />
**Select the first position on the tree and select the first string. Click OK.<br />
**Select "Force Non-Pixel", and press "Force Assign". This will assign each additional string to the next position on the tree (As long as they are all in sequential groups).<br />
**Click OK, OK to save.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Pixel MegaTree:'''<br />
**Before drawing tree, begin by setting up pixel strings on a [[Pixel Plane Effects|Pixel Plane]].<br />
**Once tree is drawn, enter data into the ''Tree Object'' window to assign channels to the tree.<br />
**Enter number of strings, and number of pixels in each string.<br />
**At the bottom of the window, name the tree, and click ''Create Tree''.<br />
**Select the first position on the tree and select the first node on the first string. Click OK.<br />
**Select "Force Pixel", and press "Force Assign". This will update all other points on the tree to reflect the strings previously setup.<br />
**It is at this time to select "Run in reverse" if your strings go from top to bottom.<br />
**Click OK, OK to save.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''How to handle trees that are 180&deg;, 270&deg;, etc.:'''<br />
**HLS always makes a tree 360&deg; To use a different angle, you must set the strings that are unwanted to not be displayed. You do this by assigning their Preview Group to '''0'''. Then, do not assign physical channels to them. This allows other tree angles to work both in the preview and the physical display.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*Video Tutorial [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?24988-HLS-How-to-Create-a-1344-Channel-MegaTree-and-Preview-in-less-than-15-Minutes]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Custom Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Custom objects are free-form drawings that can take on any shape. Some examples would include candy canes, snowflakes, custom light objects, etc.<br />
<br />
*'''Drawing a Custom Object:'''<br />
**Open the Preview and load or create a Preview window.<br />
**Select ''Custom'' from the menu and left click to start drawing. Left-click again to end drawing.<br />
**Press SPACEBAR to complete drawing.<br />
**The ''Custom Object'' window will appear.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Custom-Object.png]|350px|]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Drawing and Assigning Channels to Custom Objects:'''<br />
**Begin drawing the object in the window. Left-clicks fill in a square. Left-click again to remove.<br />
**Right-click a square to assign a channel.<br />
**An unassigned square will be red; a square with an assigned channel will be green.<br />
**Name the custom object and hit OK.<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Drawing Mega-strings as one display object===<br />
----<br />
*'''Setting up "mega-strings" as a single display item:'''<br />
**Mega-strings are up to four strands of single-color lights that operate as one, such as a window outlined in R,G,B,W).<br />
**Assign colors as normal. Place all colors into the same ''Preview Group'' and assign ''Preview Numbers''.<br />
*Select ''Manage Channels'' -> ''Set Display Group to Work On'', then select your mega-string display group and select OPEN.<br />
*This will open the channels in the sequence window.<br />
*Open Preview<br />
*Draw Object as described in previous sections.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Megastring-Assignment.png]|350px|]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*Once you press SPACEBAR, Assign lights to the preview, as seen in above picture.<br />
*Select "Multiple Non-RGB Strings treated as ONE".<br />
*Press "Add Another Channel" until you have the number of channels for your megastring (maximum 4).<br />
*Assign the channels to the preview.<br />
<br />
**Joe's video on mega-strings: [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?25001-HLS-Preview-Using-Custom-Display-Objects|here]<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===How to "Draw Once, Use Everywhere"===<br />
----<br />
*The value of the Preview is truly realized by setting it up once, then using it for all of your sequences. You can do this through the Display Groups.<br />
*Always have ONE display group per element that is never duplicated elsewhere. The number goes to 5000, so feel free to space it out if needed.<br />
*When opening the preview, simply "Pick Preview" to select a preview you have already set up.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Stepping Through a Sequence with Display Preview===<br />
----<br />
*It is possible to step through a sequence using the display preview frame by frame.<br />
*'''Tip:''' To use these commands, the main window GRID must have "window focus", not the preview window. So, the preview window stays visible on top, but you click the main window to give it "focus".<br />
*On the top menu, select Preview->Select Preview Control File and select the preview file you want to use.<br />
*Check "Sigle Step" and "Display Preview" checkboxes. <br />
*Use the Right Mouse on the Ruler to set your RED marker.<br />
*With the GRID in focus (NOT the Preview Screen):<br />
**ZERO key will start the Preview Time line at the RED Mark.<br />
**NINE key will advance the time tic by one.<br />
**EIGHT key will decrement the time tic by one.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Channel_Management | Chapter 3: Channel Management]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Display_Preview | Chapter 4: Display Preview]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Sequencing_Channels_and_Adding_Effects | Chapter 5: Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
[[Category:HLS]]<br />
</noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Creating_a_Display_Preview&diff=10052Creating a Display Preview2013-03-25T03:56:45Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: /* Assign Channels to a Display Group */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
===Preparing Channels for Preview===<br />
----<br />
*'''Ensure that channels are properly added to the sequence, rgb channels are identified, and colors are setup in the Channel Manager.'''<br />
**See [[Setting up HLS Channels]] for more detailed instructions.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Assigning Channels to Preview Groups and Preview Numbers:'''<br /><br /><br />
**Open the Channel Manager. The last two columns in the channel listing are ''Preview Group'' and ''Preview Number''. These two numbers allow you to form multiple ''Preview Objects'', such as MegaTree, RoofLine, Window, Arch, etc. and assign a pair of numbers (Group and Number) to them. They can range from 1-1000. Anything set as '''0''' will not be displayed.<br />
***Preview Group: This number groups channels together into one ''Preview Object''. For example, an arch can have 8 segments with each segment assigned to ''Preview Group 3''.<br />
***Preview Number: This corresponds to each channel in a ''Preview Group''.<br /><br /><br />
**Assign ''Preview Groups'' and ''Preview Numbers'' for each of your channels. (This can be done manually by left-clicking into the fields and entering numbers, but there are ways to do it quicker.)<br />
***Using the left mouse button, click in the first item of a ''Preview Object'' and select down the channel cells until reaching the last channel of the object.<br />
***In the ''Set PreviewGroup'' field, enter the Preview Group value and click Preview Group button. This will set that value for all items in the ''Preview Object''.<br />
***To set the PreviewNumber values from 1 to the highest selected cell, make sure ''Set PreviewNumber'' is set to one, then click the Preview Number button.<br />
***To set Preview Groups and Preview Numbers for large sets of channels that contain the same number of components (for example, pixels):<br />
****Determine the number of components in the set of channels (for example, 42 pixels in a string, a total of 16 strings).<br />
****Select all channels to be grouped.<br />
****In the ''Start Group G cycle'' field, enter: '''1,42'''. This would start with group 1, and number 42 components. Then, would move to group 2, etc, all the way to group 16, preview-number 42.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*The image shows an example of an arch with 8 segments that has been selected and then assigned a Preview Group and Preview Numbers. It is assigned Preview Group '''4''' since the previous display element (a mini tree) was assigned group 3. Groups do not have to be in sequential order.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:PreviewGroups.png|350px]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Assign Channels to a Display Group===<br />
----<br />
*To be able to display, draw, and preview channels, they must be assigned to a display group.<br />
*Click ''Manage Channels'', then select ''Select Channels and Assign to Display Group''.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Assign-Channels-to-Display-Group.png|350px]]<br /><br /><br />
*Left-click into the ''Work'' column and select the first channel to be added to a Display Group. Then, Click and drag, highlighting all cells to be part of the Display Group.<br />
*Check the cells selected by clicking ''Check''.<br />
*Add a Name for the Display Group, then press Save Changes. <br />
*In the picture example, a Display Group named "Window" is being created for the four highlighted elements that outline a window.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Display-Group-Creation.png|350px|Creating a Display Group]]<br /><br /><br />
*Continue creating Display Groups for all elements. When adding additional Display Groups, a window will prompt to either edit or create a new Group. Click "New" to continue creating groups.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Display-Group-Creation2.png|Prompt to add a new group]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Creating the Preview Window===<br />
----<br />
*'''Warnings and Limitations:'''<br />
**All images in the Preview must be in bitmap format (extension of .bmp). Windows paint will allow conversion of files into this format.<br />
**Image resolution '''cannot''' be larger than your screen. Doing so could lead to you not being able to access the commands as the image would cover your entire screen. <br />
**When editing a new preview, immediately move the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'' to a bottom corner of your screen. This will help prevent the preview window from covering the toolbar once it has been re-sized.<br />
**'''Tip:''' If your Toolbar does become hidden behind a preview window, press 'Z' to restore it.<br />
**The Preview window '''cannot''' be resized during editing. Once it is set, it is set. However, it can be resized when '''viewing''' lights in a sequence.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Preparing a Background Image:'''<br />
**Open your house image in an image editing program (MS Paint will be sufficient. Gimp[http://www.gimp.org] is another choice).<br />
**In MSPaint, you can click Properties to determine the size of your image. You can use "resize" to change the size.<br />
**Once the image has been resized, save it as a bmp file in HLS/Backgrounds.<br />
**'''Tip:''' If you save the image as filenameWWWxHHH.bmp, where WWW is the width in pixels and HHH is the height in pixels, it will make it easier to remember the aspect when importing into HLS.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Editing a new Preview:'''<br />
**Select ''Preview'' on the menu bar, then select ''Edit New Preview''.<br />
**Move the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'' to the bottom corner of your screen.<br />
**On the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'', select ''Set Resolution''.<br />
**This will open the ''Setup'' window, as shown:<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Preview-Setup-Window.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Using the Setup Window:'''<br />
**Set the resolution width value to your display image.<br />
**Set the resolution height value to your display image.<br />
**Click the Background Image button and select your display image.<br />
**Adjust brightness, if desired (negative numbers make it darker).<br />
**Test settings when you make changes.<br />
**Once satisfied, select ''Lock Resolution and Image'' to finalize display preview. A warning will open asking for confirmation. Click Yes.<br />
**On the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'', select ''Pick Preview''.<br />
**Select New, and name your Display Preview. <br />
**Once done, select ''Save'' and close ''Preview Toolbar''. You will be asked to confirm. Click Yes.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Managing Multiple Previews:'''<br />
**More than one Preview can be setup.<br />
**To choose the one you want, simply click ''Preview'' -> ''Edit New Preview'' -> ''Pick Preview'' -> Select your choice, and click ''OK''.<br />
**You can then draw and manipulate the selected preview file.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Placing channels onto the Preview window===<br />
----<br />
*With HLS, you draw onto the display window first, then assign channels/groups to the drawing.<br />
*Some keyboard and mouse commands are fairly standard across various drawing components:<br />
**Z - If preview window covers toolbar, pressing Z should bring the toolbar back into focus.<br />
**ESC - Aborts the current action.<br />
**BACKSPACE - This functions as an Undo, stepping one step backwards with each press.<br />
**SPACE - This completes the drawing operation once your object has been defined.<br />
**Left-click on canvas - This begins drawing a segment and ends drawing a segment.<br />
**Right-click on canvas - This begins drawing a segment at the exact point previously stopped.<br />
*When drawing elements, the "active" type of drawing being done will be in green, while all others are in red. In the example picture, "Line" is green because it has been selected.<br /><br /><br />
*To '''Move''' display objects, left-click the move square for the object, then drag it in the display window.<br />
[[File:Preview-Toolbar-Activedrawing.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Line Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Line objects could be: roof lines, window frames, doorways, or any other display object composed of straight lines.<br />
*Select the Line button on the Preview Toolbar to begin drawing a line item.<br />
*Left-Click the beginning point.<br />
*Move the mouse to the ending point, or the point where the line needs to turn.<br />
*Press the left mouse again to complete the line segment.<br />
*To draw an additional line starting at that exact stopping point, right-click and move to the next stopping point.<br />
*Left-click the mouse to stop drawing that segment.<br />
*Continue until complete. BACKSPACE will step back in the drawing.<br />
*Once completed, press SPACEBAR to complete the line drawing.<br />
*A ''Line Object'' window will open with statistics about the drawing.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Line-Object.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Standard Christmas Lights:'''<br />
**If each line segment is it's own channel, select the "Non-Pixel - Assign Each Segment" box. Otherwise, do not check any boxes.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the appropriate channel(s) for the line and any relevant segments.<br />
**Assign a name to the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete the channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Assign-Light-to-Preview-Group-STD.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Pixels:'''<br />
**Select "Line Composed of Pixels" and enter number of pixels in the line.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the pixels for the line.<br />
**Select the first pixel and click OK.<br />
**Assign a name to the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete channel assignment.<br />
**'''Note:''' "Assign Channels in Reverse" is used if your pixels are running from right to left (for example, if power is distributed from the center).<br />
**Video Tutorial [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?25001-HLS-Preview-Using-Custom-Display-Objects]<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Assign-Light-to-Preview-Group-PIX.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Triangle Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Triangle objects could consist of mini-trees, flood lights, or other objects.<br />
*Select the Triangle button on the Preview Toolbar to begin drawing a triangle object.<br />
*Left-Click the beginning point.<br />
*Move the mouse to the second point and left-click. HLS will automatically complete the triangle shape.<br />
*BACKSPACE will step back in the drawing.<br />
*Once completed, press SPACEBAR to complete the triangle drawing.<br />
*A ''Triangle Object'' window will open with statistics about the drawing.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Standard Christmas Lights:'''<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the appropriate channel for the triangle.<br />
**Assign a name for the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete the channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Pixels:'''<br />
**Select "Triangle Composed of Pixels" and enter number of pixels in the field.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the pixels for the triangle.<br />
**Select the first pixel and click OK.<br />
**Assign a name for the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Arch Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Arch objects can consist of a strand of pixels or regular light segments.<br />
*Select the Arch button on the Preview Toolbar to begin drawing an arch object.<br />
*Left-click to begin drawing and left-click to end drawing.<br />
*Once complete, press SPACEBAR to finish.<br />
*An ''Arch Object'' window will open giving a choice to use a single string of pixels or multiple light segments.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Arch-Object.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Multiple Light Segments:'''<br />
**Select "Arch made from Multiple Line Segments".<br />
**In the box that appears, enter the number of segments contained in the arch.<br />
**Click each name field in the table to chose the channels that make up the arch.<br />
**Generally, you should chose "Single Dumb RGB string or Non-RGB string or Pixel".<br />
**Click in the name field and select the appropriate channel.<br />
**Click Ok. Continue doing this for all arch segments.<br />
**Assign a name for the Arch Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete the channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Pixels:'''<br />
**Select "Arch made from a single string of pixels" and enter number of pixels in the field.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the pixels for the arch.<br />
**Select the first pixel and click OK.<br />
**Assign a name for the Arch Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete channel assignment.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*Video Tutorial for Arches[http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?25033-HLS-New-Arch-Object-for-Preview-Pixels-or-Segments]<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing MegaTree Objects====<br />
----<br />
*A MegaTree can be composed of single color strings, mega-strings, dumb rgb strings, or pixel strings. The orientation can vary from up and down to make a pie shape, up and over, run from bottom to top, run from top to bottom, etc. It's important to understand how HLS can represent mega-trees when planning the physical display.<br />
*HLS will always draw a megaTree as a 360&deg; tree. The orientation will always start with the first strand at the 9 o'clock position and work in a Counter Clockwise direction. The strings must run in one direction: bottom-top or top-bottom. Default is Bottom to top. To go the other direction, select "Run in reverse" when assigning channels.<br />
<br />
*'''Drawing a MegaTree:'''<br />
**Open the Preview and load or create a Preview window.<br />
**Select ''Tree'' from the menu and left click to start drawing. Left-click again to end drawing.<br />
**Press SPACEBAR to complete drawing tree.<br />
**The ''Tree Object'' window will appear.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Tree-Object.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Single Color megaTree:'''<br />
**Once tree is drawn, enter data into the ''Tree Object'' window to assign channels to the tree.<br />
**Enter number of strings, and number of bulbs in each string.<br />
**At the bottom of the window, name the tree, and click ''Create Tree''.<br />
**Select the first position on the tree and select the first string. Click OK.<br />
**Select "Force Non-Pixel", and press "Force Assign". This will assign each additional string to the next position on the tree (As long as they are all in sequential groups).<br />
**Click OK, OK to save.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Pixel MegaTree:'''<br />
**Before drawing tree, begin by setting up pixel strings on a [[Pixel Plane Effects|Pixel Plane]].<br />
**Once tree is drawn, enter data into the ''Tree Object'' window to assign channels to the tree.<br />
**Enter number of strings, and number of pixels in each string.<br />
**At the bottom of the window, name the tree, and click ''Create Tree''.<br />
**Select the first position on the tree and select the first node on the first string. Click OK.<br />
**Select "Force Pixel", and press "Force Assign". This will update all other points on the tree to reflect the strings previously setup.<br />
**It is at this time to select "Run in reverse" if your strings go from top to bottom.<br />
**Click OK, OK to save.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''How to handle trees that are 180&deg;, 270&deg;, etc.:'''<br />
**HLS always makes a tree 360&deg; To use a different angle, you must set the strings that are unwanted to not be displayed. You do this by assigning their Preview Group to '''0'''. Then, do not assign physical channels to them. This allows other tree angles to work both in the preview and the physical display.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*Video Tutorial [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?24988-HLS-How-to-Create-a-1344-Channel-MegaTree-and-Preview-in-less-than-15-Minutes]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Custom Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Custom objects are free-form drawings that can take on any shape. Some examples would include candy canes, snowflakes, custom light objects, etc.<br />
<br />
*'''Drawing a Custom Object:'''<br />
**Open the Preview and load or create a Preview window.<br />
**Select ''Custom'' from the menu and left click to start drawing. Left-click again to end drawing.<br />
**Press SPACEBAR to complete drawing.<br />
**The ''Custom Object'' window will appear.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Custom-Object.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Drawing and Assigning Channels to Custom Objects:'''<br />
**Begin drawing the object in the window. Left-clicks fill in a square. Left-click again to remove.<br />
**Right-click a square to assign a channel.<br />
**An unassigned square will be red; a square with an assigned channel will be green.<br />
**Name the custom object and hit OK.<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Drawing Mega-strings as one display object===<br />
----<br />
*'''Setting up "mega-strings" as a single display item:'''<br />
**Mega-strings are up to four strands of single-color lights that operate as one, such as a window outlined in R,G,B,W).<br />
**Assign colors as normal. Place all colors into the same ''Preview Group'' and assign ''Preview Numbers''.<br />
*Select ''Manage Channels'' -> ''Set Display Group to Work On'', then select your mega-string display group and select OPEN.<br />
*This will open the channels in the sequence window.<br />
*Open Preview<br />
*Draw Object as described in previous sections.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Megastring-Assignment.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*Once you press SPACEBAR, Assign lights to the preview, as seen in above picture.<br />
*Select "Multiple Non-RGB Strings treated as ONE".<br />
*Press "Add Another Channel" until you have the number of channels for your megastring (maximum 4).<br />
*Assign the channels to the preview.<br />
<br />
**Joe's video on mega-strings: [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?25001-HLS-Preview-Using-Custom-Display-Objects|here]<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===How to "Draw Once, Use Everywhere"===<br />
----<br />
*The value of the Preview is truly realized by setting it up once, then using it for all of your sequences. You can do this through the Display Groups.<br />
*Always have ONE display group per element that is never duplicated elsewhere. The number goes to 5000, so feel free to space it out if needed.<br />
*When opening the preview, simply "Pick Preview" to select a preview you have already set up.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Stepping Through a Sequence with Display Preview===<br />
----<br />
*It is possible to step through a sequence using the display preview frame by frame.<br />
*'''Tip:''' To use these commands, the main window GRID must have "window focus", not the preview window. So, the preview window stays visible on top, but you click the main window to give it "focus".<br />
*On the top menu, select Preview->Select Preview Control File and select the preview file you want to use.<br />
*Check "Sigle Step" and "Display Preview" checkboxes. <br />
*Use the Right Mouse on the Ruler to set your RED marker.<br />
*With the GRID in focus (NOT the Preview Screen):<br />
**ZERO key will start the Preview Time line at the RED Mark.<br />
**NINE key will advance the time tic by one.<br />
**EIGHT key will decrement the time tic by one.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Channel_Management | Chapter 3: Channel Management]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Display_Preview | Chapter 4: Display Preview]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Sequencing_Channels_and_Adding_Effects | Chapter 5: Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
[[Category:HLS]]<br />
</noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Creating_a_Display_Preview&diff=10051Creating a Display Preview2013-03-25T03:56:02Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: /* Preparing Channels for Preview */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
===Preparing Channels for Preview===<br />
----<br />
*'''Ensure that channels are properly added to the sequence, rgb channels are identified, and colors are setup in the Channel Manager.'''<br />
**See [[Setting up HLS Channels]] for more detailed instructions.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Assigning Channels to Preview Groups and Preview Numbers:'''<br /><br /><br />
**Open the Channel Manager. The last two columns in the channel listing are ''Preview Group'' and ''Preview Number''. These two numbers allow you to form multiple ''Preview Objects'', such as MegaTree, RoofLine, Window, Arch, etc. and assign a pair of numbers (Group and Number) to them. They can range from 1-1000. Anything set as '''0''' will not be displayed.<br />
***Preview Group: This number groups channels together into one ''Preview Object''. For example, an arch can have 8 segments with each segment assigned to ''Preview Group 3''.<br />
***Preview Number: This corresponds to each channel in a ''Preview Group''.<br /><br /><br />
**Assign ''Preview Groups'' and ''Preview Numbers'' for each of your channels. (This can be done manually by left-clicking into the fields and entering numbers, but there are ways to do it quicker.)<br />
***Using the left mouse button, click in the first item of a ''Preview Object'' and select down the channel cells until reaching the last channel of the object.<br />
***In the ''Set PreviewGroup'' field, enter the Preview Group value and click Preview Group button. This will set that value for all items in the ''Preview Object''.<br />
***To set the PreviewNumber values from 1 to the highest selected cell, make sure ''Set PreviewNumber'' is set to one, then click the Preview Number button.<br />
***To set Preview Groups and Preview Numbers for large sets of channels that contain the same number of components (for example, pixels):<br />
****Determine the number of components in the set of channels (for example, 42 pixels in a string, a total of 16 strings).<br />
****Select all channels to be grouped.<br />
****In the ''Start Group G cycle'' field, enter: '''1,42'''. This would start with group 1, and number 42 components. Then, would move to group 2, etc, all the way to group 16, preview-number 42.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*The image shows an example of an arch with 8 segments that has been selected and then assigned a Preview Group and Preview Numbers. It is assigned Preview Group '''4''' since the previous display element (a mini tree) was assigned group 3. Groups do not have to be in sequential order.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:PreviewGroups.png|350px]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Assign Channels to a Display Group===<br />
----<br />
*To be able to display, draw, and preview channels, they must be assigned to a display group.<br />
*Click ''Manage Channels'', then select ''Select Channels and Assign to Display Group''.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Assign-Channels-to-Display-Group.png|250px]]<br /><br /><br />
*Left-click into the ''Work'' column and select the first channel to be added to a Display Group. Then, Click and drag, highlighting all cells to be part of the Display Group.<br />
*Check the cells selected by clicking ''Check''.<br />
*Add a Name for the Display Group, then press Save Changes. <br />
*In the picture example, a Display Group named "Window" is being created for the four highlighted elements that outline a window.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Display-Group-Creation.png|500px|Creating a Display Group]]<br /><br /><br />
*Continue creating Display Groups for all elements. When adding additional Display Groups, a window will prompt to either edit or create a new Group. Click "New" to continue creating groups.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Display-Group-Creation2.png|Prompt to add a new group]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Creating the Preview Window===<br />
----<br />
*'''Warnings and Limitations:'''<br />
**All images in the Preview must be in bitmap format (extension of .bmp). Windows paint will allow conversion of files into this format.<br />
**Image resolution '''cannot''' be larger than your screen. Doing so could lead to you not being able to access the commands as the image would cover your entire screen. <br />
**When editing a new preview, immediately move the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'' to a bottom corner of your screen. This will help prevent the preview window from covering the toolbar once it has been re-sized.<br />
**'''Tip:''' If your Toolbar does become hidden behind a preview window, press 'Z' to restore it.<br />
**The Preview window '''cannot''' be resized during editing. Once it is set, it is set. However, it can be resized when '''viewing''' lights in a sequence.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Preparing a Background Image:'''<br />
**Open your house image in an image editing program (MS Paint will be sufficient. Gimp[http://www.gimp.org] is another choice).<br />
**In MSPaint, you can click Properties to determine the size of your image. You can use "resize" to change the size.<br />
**Once the image has been resized, save it as a bmp file in HLS/Backgrounds.<br />
**'''Tip:''' If you save the image as filenameWWWxHHH.bmp, where WWW is the width in pixels and HHH is the height in pixels, it will make it easier to remember the aspect when importing into HLS.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Editing a new Preview:'''<br />
**Select ''Preview'' on the menu bar, then select ''Edit New Preview''.<br />
**Move the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'' to the bottom corner of your screen.<br />
**On the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'', select ''Set Resolution''.<br />
**This will open the ''Setup'' window, as shown:<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Preview-Setup-Window.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Using the Setup Window:'''<br />
**Set the resolution width value to your display image.<br />
**Set the resolution height value to your display image.<br />
**Click the Background Image button and select your display image.<br />
**Adjust brightness, if desired (negative numbers make it darker).<br />
**Test settings when you make changes.<br />
**Once satisfied, select ''Lock Resolution and Image'' to finalize display preview. A warning will open asking for confirmation. Click Yes.<br />
**On the ''Edit Preview Toolbar'', select ''Pick Preview''.<br />
**Select New, and name your Display Preview. <br />
**Once done, select ''Save'' and close ''Preview Toolbar''. You will be asked to confirm. Click Yes.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Managing Multiple Previews:'''<br />
**More than one Preview can be setup.<br />
**To choose the one you want, simply click ''Preview'' -> ''Edit New Preview'' -> ''Pick Preview'' -> Select your choice, and click ''OK''.<br />
**You can then draw and manipulate the selected preview file.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Placing channels onto the Preview window===<br />
----<br />
*With HLS, you draw onto the display window first, then assign channels/groups to the drawing.<br />
*Some keyboard and mouse commands are fairly standard across various drawing components:<br />
**Z - If preview window covers toolbar, pressing Z should bring the toolbar back into focus.<br />
**ESC - Aborts the current action.<br />
**BACKSPACE - This functions as an Undo, stepping one step backwards with each press.<br />
**SPACE - This completes the drawing operation once your object has been defined.<br />
**Left-click on canvas - This begins drawing a segment and ends drawing a segment.<br />
**Right-click on canvas - This begins drawing a segment at the exact point previously stopped.<br />
*When drawing elements, the "active" type of drawing being done will be in green, while all others are in red. In the example picture, "Line" is green because it has been selected.<br /><br /><br />
*To '''Move''' display objects, left-click the move square for the object, then drag it in the display window.<br />
[[File:Preview-Toolbar-Activedrawing.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Line Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Line objects could be: roof lines, window frames, doorways, or any other display object composed of straight lines.<br />
*Select the Line button on the Preview Toolbar to begin drawing a line item.<br />
*Left-Click the beginning point.<br />
*Move the mouse to the ending point, or the point where the line needs to turn.<br />
*Press the left mouse again to complete the line segment.<br />
*To draw an additional line starting at that exact stopping point, right-click and move to the next stopping point.<br />
*Left-click the mouse to stop drawing that segment.<br />
*Continue until complete. BACKSPACE will step back in the drawing.<br />
*Once completed, press SPACEBAR to complete the line drawing.<br />
*A ''Line Object'' window will open with statistics about the drawing.<br /><br /><br />
[[File:Line-Object.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Standard Christmas Lights:'''<br />
**If each line segment is it's own channel, select the "Non-Pixel - Assign Each Segment" box. Otherwise, do not check any boxes.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the appropriate channel(s) for the line and any relevant segments.<br />
**Assign a name to the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete the channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Assign-Light-to-Preview-Group-STD.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Pixels:'''<br />
**Select "Line Composed of Pixels" and enter number of pixels in the line.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the pixels for the line.<br />
**Select the first pixel and click OK.<br />
**Assign a name to the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete channel assignment.<br />
**'''Note:''' "Assign Channels in Reverse" is used if your pixels are running from right to left (for example, if power is distributed from the center).<br />
**Video Tutorial [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?25001-HLS-Preview-Using-Custom-Display-Objects]<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Assign-Light-to-Preview-Group-PIX.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Triangle Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Triangle objects could consist of mini-trees, flood lights, or other objects.<br />
*Select the Triangle button on the Preview Toolbar to begin drawing a triangle object.<br />
*Left-Click the beginning point.<br />
*Move the mouse to the second point and left-click. HLS will automatically complete the triangle shape.<br />
*BACKSPACE will step back in the drawing.<br />
*Once completed, press SPACEBAR to complete the triangle drawing.<br />
*A ''Triangle Object'' window will open with statistics about the drawing.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Standard Christmas Lights:'''<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the appropriate channel for the triangle.<br />
**Assign a name for the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete the channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Pixels:'''<br />
**Select "Triangle Composed of Pixels" and enter number of pixels in the field.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the pixels for the triangle.<br />
**Select the first pixel and click OK.<br />
**Assign a name for the Preview Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Arch Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Arch objects can consist of a strand of pixels or regular light segments.<br />
*Select the Arch button on the Preview Toolbar to begin drawing an arch object.<br />
*Left-click to begin drawing and left-click to end drawing.<br />
*Once complete, press SPACEBAR to finish.<br />
*An ''Arch Object'' window will open giving a choice to use a single string of pixels or multiple light segments.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Arch-Object.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Multiple Light Segments:'''<br />
**Select "Arch made from Multiple Line Segments".<br />
**In the box that appears, enter the number of segments contained in the arch.<br />
**Click each name field in the table to chose the channels that make up the arch.<br />
**Generally, you should chose "Single Dumb RGB string or Non-RGB string or Pixel".<br />
**Click in the name field and select the appropriate channel.<br />
**Click Ok. Continue doing this for all arch segments.<br />
**Assign a name for the Arch Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete the channel assignment.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''For Pixels:'''<br />
**Select "Arch made from a single string of pixels" and enter number of pixels in the field.<br />
**Click in the Name field to select the pixels for the arch.<br />
**Select the first pixel and click OK.<br />
**Assign a name for the Arch Object.<br />
**Click OK, OK to complete channel assignment.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*Video Tutorial for Arches[http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?25033-HLS-New-Arch-Object-for-Preview-Pixels-or-Segments]<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing MegaTree Objects====<br />
----<br />
*A MegaTree can be composed of single color strings, mega-strings, dumb rgb strings, or pixel strings. The orientation can vary from up and down to make a pie shape, up and over, run from bottom to top, run from top to bottom, etc. It's important to understand how HLS can represent mega-trees when planning the physical display.<br />
*HLS will always draw a megaTree as a 360&deg; tree. The orientation will always start with the first strand at the 9 o'clock position and work in a Counter Clockwise direction. The strings must run in one direction: bottom-top or top-bottom. Default is Bottom to top. To go the other direction, select "Run in reverse" when assigning channels.<br />
<br />
*'''Drawing a MegaTree:'''<br />
**Open the Preview and load or create a Preview window.<br />
**Select ''Tree'' from the menu and left click to start drawing. Left-click again to end drawing.<br />
**Press SPACEBAR to complete drawing tree.<br />
**The ''Tree Object'' window will appear.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Tree-Object.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Single Color megaTree:'''<br />
**Once tree is drawn, enter data into the ''Tree Object'' window to assign channels to the tree.<br />
**Enter number of strings, and number of bulbs in each string.<br />
**At the bottom of the window, name the tree, and click ''Create Tree''.<br />
**Select the first position on the tree and select the first string. Click OK.<br />
**Select "Force Non-Pixel", and press "Force Assign". This will assign each additional string to the next position on the tree (As long as they are all in sequential groups).<br />
**Click OK, OK to save.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Pixel MegaTree:'''<br />
**Before drawing tree, begin by setting up pixel strings on a [[Pixel Plane Effects|Pixel Plane]].<br />
**Once tree is drawn, enter data into the ''Tree Object'' window to assign channels to the tree.<br />
**Enter number of strings, and number of pixels in each string.<br />
**At the bottom of the window, name the tree, and click ''Create Tree''.<br />
**Select the first position on the tree and select the first node on the first string. Click OK.<br />
**Select "Force Pixel", and press "Force Assign". This will update all other points on the tree to reflect the strings previously setup.<br />
**It is at this time to select "Run in reverse" if your strings go from top to bottom.<br />
**Click OK, OK to save.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''How to handle trees that are 180&deg;, 270&deg;, etc.:'''<br />
**HLS always makes a tree 360&deg; To use a different angle, you must set the strings that are unwanted to not be displayed. You do this by assigning their Preview Group to '''0'''. Then, do not assign physical channels to them. This allows other tree angles to work both in the preview and the physical display.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*Video Tutorial [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?24988-HLS-How-to-Create-a-1344-Channel-MegaTree-and-Preview-in-less-than-15-Minutes]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
====Drawing Custom Objects====<br />
----<br />
*Custom objects are free-form drawings that can take on any shape. Some examples would include candy canes, snowflakes, custom light objects, etc.<br />
<br />
*'''Drawing a Custom Object:'''<br />
**Open the Preview and load or create a Preview window.<br />
**Select ''Custom'' from the menu and left click to start drawing. Left-click again to end drawing.<br />
**Press SPACEBAR to complete drawing.<br />
**The ''Custom Object'' window will appear.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Custom-Object.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*'''Drawing and Assigning Channels to Custom Objects:'''<br />
**Begin drawing the object in the window. Left-clicks fill in a square. Left-click again to remove.<br />
**Right-click a square to assign a channel.<br />
**An unassigned square will be red; a square with an assigned channel will be green.<br />
**Name the custom object and hit OK.<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Drawing Mega-strings as one display object===<br />
----<br />
*'''Setting up "mega-strings" as a single display item:'''<br />
**Mega-strings are up to four strands of single-color lights that operate as one, such as a window outlined in R,G,B,W).<br />
**Assign colors as normal. Place all colors into the same ''Preview Group'' and assign ''Preview Numbers''.<br />
*Select ''Manage Channels'' -> ''Set Display Group to Work On'', then select your mega-string display group and select OPEN.<br />
*This will open the channels in the sequence window.<br />
*Open Preview<br />
*Draw Object as described in previous sections.<br />
<br /><br />[[File:Megastring-Assignment.png]]<br /><br /><br />
<br />
*Once you press SPACEBAR, Assign lights to the preview, as seen in above picture.<br />
*Select "Multiple Non-RGB Strings treated as ONE".<br />
*Press "Add Another Channel" until you have the number of channels for your megastring (maximum 4).<br />
*Assign the channels to the preview.<br />
<br />
**Joe's video on mega-strings: [http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?25001-HLS-Preview-Using-Custom-Display-Objects|here]<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===How to "Draw Once, Use Everywhere"===<br />
----<br />
*The value of the Preview is truly realized by setting it up once, then using it for all of your sequences. You can do this through the Display Groups.<br />
*Always have ONE display group per element that is never duplicated elsewhere. The number goes to 5000, so feel free to space it out if needed.<br />
*When opening the preview, simply "Pick Preview" to select a preview you have already set up.<br /><br /><br />
<br />
===Stepping Through a Sequence with Display Preview===<br />
----<br />
*It is possible to step through a sequence using the display preview frame by frame.<br />
*'''Tip:''' To use these commands, the main window GRID must have "window focus", not the preview window. So, the preview window stays visible on top, but you click the main window to give it "focus".<br />
*On the top menu, select Preview->Select Preview Control File and select the preview file you want to use.<br />
*Check "Sigle Step" and "Display Preview" checkboxes. <br />
*Use the Right Mouse on the Ruler to set your RED marker.<br />
*With the GRID in focus (NOT the Preview Screen):<br />
**ZERO key will start the Preview Time line at the RED Mark.<br />
**NINE key will advance the time tic by one.<br />
**EIGHT key will decrement the time tic by one.<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<noinclude><br />
{| class="wikitable"<br />
! colspan="3"| [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide]]<br />
|-<br />
! align="center"|Previous Page <br />
! align="center"|Current Chapter<br />
! align="center"|Next Page<br />
|- <br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Channel_Management | Chapter 3: Channel Management]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Display_Preview | Chapter 4: Display Preview]]<br />
| align="center" | [[HLS User Manual and Reference Guide#Sequencing_Channels_and_Adding_Effects | Chapter 5: Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects]]<br />
|}<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<br />
[[Category:HLS User Manual]]<br />
[[Category:HLS]]<br />
</noinclude></div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Channel_Management-PDF&diff=10050Channel Management-PDF2013-03-25T03:42:34Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Channel Management-PDF to Channel Management:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Channel Management:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Channel_Management:&diff=10049Channel Management:2013-03-25T03:42:34Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Channel Management-PDF to Channel Management:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Channel Management=<br />
==Setting up HLS Channels==<br />
{{:Setting up HLS Channels}}<br />
==Advanced Channel Management==<br />
{{:Advanced Channel Management}}<br />
==RGB Channels==<br />
{{:RGB Channels}}<br />
==Configuring Display Groups==<br />
{{:Configuring Display Groups}}<br />
==Sticky Channels==<br />
{{:Sticky Channels}}<br />
==Segment Channels==<br />
{{:Segment Channels}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Getting_HLS:&diff=10048Getting HLS:2013-03-25T03:37:20Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
=Getting HLS=<br />
==Download and Installation==<br />
{{:Download and Installation}}<br />
==Upgrading HLS==<br />
{{:Upgrading HLS}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=HLS_UGaRM-Sections&diff=10047HLS UGaRM-Sections2013-03-25T03:29:38Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
[[Getting HLS:]]<br />
<br />
[[Creating a Sequence:]]<br />
<br />
[[Channel Management:]]<br />
<br />
[[Display Preview:]]<br />
<br />
[[Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects:]]<br />
<br />
[[Creating and Using PixelPlanes:]]<br />
<br />
[[Facial Animation:]]<br />
<br />
[[Sequence Playback:]]<br />
<br />
[[Sequence Output:]]<br />
<br />
[[Advanced Hardware Configuration:]]<br />
<br />
[[Importing and Exporting Data and Sequences:]]<br />
<br />
[[Reference Guide:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Getting_HLS&diff=10046Getting HLS2013-03-25T03:29:27Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Getting HLS to Getting HLS:: Forgot to add the colon.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Getting HLS:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Getting_HLS:&diff=10045Getting HLS:2013-03-25T03:29:27Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Getting HLS to Getting HLS:: Forgot to add the colon.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Getting HLS=<br />
==Download and Installation==<br />
{{:Download and Installation}}<br />
==Upgrading HLS==<br />
{{:Upgrading HLS}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=HLS_UGaRM-Sections&diff=10044HLS UGaRM-Sections2013-03-25T03:28:06Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
[[Getting HLS]]<br />
<br />
[[Creating a Sequence:]]<br />
<br />
[[Channel Management:]]<br />
<br />
[[Display Preview:]]<br />
<br />
[[Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects:]]<br />
<br />
[[Creating and Using PixelPlanes:]]<br />
<br />
[[Facial Animation:]]<br />
<br />
[[Sequence Playback:]]<br />
<br />
[[Sequence Output:]]<br />
<br />
[[Advanced Hardware Configuration:]]<br />
<br />
[[Importing and Exporting Data and Sequences:]]<br />
<br />
[[Reference Guide:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Reference_Guide-PDF&diff=10043Reference Guide-PDF2013-03-25T03:27:17Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Reference Guide-PDF to Reference Guide:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Reference Guide:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Reference_Guide:&diff=10042Reference Guide:2013-03-25T03:27:17Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Reference Guide-PDF to Reference Guide:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Reference Guide=<br />
==Restoring a Sequence from Backup==<br />
{{:Restoring a Sequence from Backup}}<br />
==HLS Dimming Curves==<br />
{{:HLS Dimming Curves}}<br />
==Crosshair Cursor==<br />
{{:Crosshair Cursor}}<br />
The HLS Toolbar==<br />
{{:The HLS Toolbar}}<br />
==Master Lighting Channel==<br />
{{:Master Lighting Channel}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Importing_and_Exporting_Data_and_Sequences-PDF&diff=10041Importing and Exporting Data and Sequences-PDF2013-03-25T03:27:03Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Importing and Exporting Data and Sequences-PDF to Importing and Exporting Data and Sequences:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Importing and Exporting Data and Sequences:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Importing_and_Exporting_Data_and_Sequences:&diff=10040Importing and Exporting Data and Sequences:2013-03-25T03:27:02Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Importing and Exporting Data and Sequences-PDF to Importing and Exporting Data and Sequences:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Importing and Exporting Data and Sequences=<br />
==Using HLS Sequence Images==<br />
{{:Using HLS Sequence Images}}<br />
==Importing and Exporting CSV==<br />
{{:Importing and Exporting CSV}}<br />
==Importing a Sequence from Vixen==<br />
{{:Importing a Sequence from Vixen}}<br />
==Importing a Sequence from LOR==<br />
{{:Importing a Sequence from LOR}}<br />
==Sharing HLS Sequences==<br />
{{:Sharing HLS Sequences}}<br />
==Sharing Library Effects==<br />
{{:Sharing Library Effects}}<br />
==Copying and Pasting Channels from Another Sequence==<br />
{{:Copying and Pasting Channels from Another Sequence}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_Hardware_Configuration-PDF&diff=10039Advanced Hardware Configuration-PDF2013-03-25T03:26:49Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Advanced Hardware Configuration-PDF to Advanced Hardware Configuration:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Advanced Hardware Configuration:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Advanced_Hardware_Configuration:&diff=10038Advanced Hardware Configuration:2013-03-25T03:26:49Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Advanced Hardware Configuration-PDF to Advanced Hardware Configuration:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Advanced Hardware Configuration=<br />
==Trigger Events==<br />
{{:Trigger Events}}<br />
==RDS Output==<br />
{{:RDS Output}}<br />
==Servo Motors==<br />
{{:Servo Motors}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Sequence_Output-PDF&diff=10037Sequence Output-PDF2013-03-25T03:26:36Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Sequence Output-PDF to Sequence Output:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Sequence Output:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Sequence_Output:&diff=10036Sequence Output:2013-03-25T03:26:36Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Sequence Output-PDF to Sequence Output:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Sequence Output=<br />
==Preparing Channels for Output==<br />
{{:Preparing Channels for Output}}<br />
<br />
==Hardware Configuration==<br />
{{:Hardware Configuration}}<br />
<br />
==Selecting the Output Method==<br />
{{:Selecting the Output Method}}<br />
<br />
==Working with Playlists==<br />
{{:Working with Playlists}}<br />
<br />
==Creating and Running a Schedule==<br />
{{:Creating and Running a Schedule}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Sequence_Playback-PDF&diff=10035Sequence Playback-PDF2013-03-25T03:26:23Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Sequence Playback-PDF to Sequence Playback:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Sequence Playback:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Sequence_Playback:&diff=10034Sequence Playback:2013-03-25T03:26:23Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Sequence Playback-PDF to Sequence Playback:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Sequence Playback=<br />
==Sequence Playback==<br />
{{:Sequence Playback}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Facial_Animation-PDF&diff=10033Facial Animation-PDF2013-03-25T03:26:04Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Facial Animation-PDF to Facial Animation:</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Facial Animation:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Facial_Animation:&diff=10032Facial Animation:2013-03-25T03:26:04Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Facial Animation-PDF to Facial Animation:</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Facial Animation=<br />
==Facial Animation==<br />
{{:Facial Animation}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Creating_and_Using_PixelPlanes-PDF&diff=10031Creating and Using PixelPlanes-PDF2013-03-25T03:25:50Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Creating and Using PixelPlanes-PDF to Creating and Using PixelPlanes:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Creating and Using PixelPlanes:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Creating_and_Using_PixelPlanes:&diff=10030Creating and Using PixelPlanes:2013-03-25T03:25:49Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Creating and Using PixelPlanes-PDF to Creating and Using PixelPlanes:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Creating and Using PixelPlanes=<br />
==Creating a PixelPlane==<br />
{{:Creating a PixelPlane}}<br />
==The PixelPlane Editor==<br />
{{:The PixelPlane Editor}}<br />
==The PixelPlane Editor: Creating Effects==<br />
{{:The PixelPlane Editor: Creating Effects}}<br />
==Using Nutcracker with a PixelPlane==<br />
{{:Using Nutcracker with a PixelPlane}}<br />
==Fill Channels==<br />
{{:Fill Channels}}<br />
==PixelPlane Transitions Using Lighting Channels==<br />
{{:PixelPlane Transitions Using Lighting Channels}}<br />
==Drawing a PixelPlane in the Display Preview==<br />
{{:Drawing a PixelPlane in the Display Preview}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Sequencing_Channels_and_Adding_Effects-PDF&diff=10029Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects-PDF2013-03-25T03:25:34Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects-PDF to Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Sequencing_Channels_and_Adding_Effects:&diff=10028Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects:2013-03-25T03:25:33Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects-PDF to Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects:: The "PDF" addition was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects=<br />
==Creating Basic Effects==<br />
{{:Creating Basic Effects}}<br />
==Adding and Using Beat Tracks==<br />
{{:Adding and Using Beat Tracks}}<br />
==Setting Defaults for Effects==<br />
{{:Setting Defaults for Effects}}<br />
==Creating Chase Effects==<br />
{{:Creating Chase Effects}}<br />
==Mirroring Effects==<br />
{{:Mirroring Effects}}<br />
==Fill Effects==<br />
{{:Fill Effects}}<br />
==Submaster Lighting Channels==<br />
{{Submaster Lighting Channels}}<br />
==Sequencing with RGB Channels==<br />
{{:Sequencing with RGB Channels}}<br />
==Custom Effects==<br />
{{:Custom Effects}}<br />
==Creating a Library of Group Effects==<br />
{{:Creating a Library of Group Effects}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Display_Preview-PDF&diff=10027Display Preview-PDF2013-03-25T03:24:56Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Display Preview-PDF to Display Preview:: The "PDF" was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Display Preview:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Display_Preview:&diff=10026Display Preview:2013-03-25T03:24:56Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Display Preview-PDF to Display Preview:: The "PDF" was not needed and was confusing.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Display Preview=<br />
==Creating a Display Preview==<br />
{{:Creating a Display Preview}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Creating_a_Sequence-PDF&diff=10025Creating a Sequence-PDF2013-03-25T03:24:06Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Creating a Sequence-PDF to Creating a Sequence:: The addition of "PDF" to the end of the name was not necessary and added confusion.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Creating a Sequence:]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Creating_a_Sequence:&diff=10024Creating a Sequence:2013-03-25T03:24:06Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Creating a Sequence-PDF to Creating a Sequence:: The addition of "PDF" to the end of the name was not necessary and added confusion.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Creating a Sequence=<br />
==HLS Sequence Creation Wizard==<br />
{{:HLS Sequence Creation Wizard}}<br />
==Time Resolution==<br />
{{:Time Resolution}}</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Creating_a_Sequence&diff=10023Creating a Sequence2013-03-25T03:23:03Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Creating a Sequence to Creating a Sequence-OLD: This page name was needed for the UGaRM PDF version which is updated.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Creating a Sequence-OLD]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Creating_a_Sequence-OLD&diff=10022Creating a Sequence-OLD2013-03-25T03:23:03Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Creating a Sequence to Creating a Sequence-OLD: This page name was needed for the UGaRM PDF version which is updated.</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Back to:''' [[HLS Getting Started Manual]]<br />
<br />
''The following tutorial was based on Version 11V.''<br /><br />
We will first create a simple sequence that has 24 outputs. For purposes of this example we will have one Renard 16 and one Renard 8 output module (24 outputs total).<br />
The basic steps will be:<br />
<br />
1. '''Add a mp3 or wav file'''.<br /><br />
(mp3 files were allowed starting with version 6V) <br /><br />
If you want to convert a mp3 to a wav file there are free converter programs on the web. Here is a link to one of them -[http://download.cnet.com/MP3-to-WAV-Decoder/3000-2140_4-10060498.html mp3 to wav converter]<br />
<br />
2. '''Next we will configure the output channels'''.<br />
<br />
3. '''We will build a simple sequence'''.<br />
<br />
4. '''We will create e preview screen so we can watch it run'''.<br />
<br />
5. '''We will configure the Com port and Protocol and run the sequence with actual hardware'''.<br />
<br />
Open HLS. You should see a screen like the one shown in Figure 1-1. Note that when you open HLS you are already creating a new sequence. You may only have one sequence open at a time. So if you are working on one and want to start another one, save your current sequence, shut HLS down and then restart HLS and work on the new sequence.<br />
<br />
Figure 1-1<br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-1_v11.png|600px]]<br />
<br />
<br />
Next we will choose a WAV or mp3 file for the music to be used in this sequence. Click on the '''Audio File''' menu item at the top of the HLS screen and choose "Add Wave or mp3 File to this Sequence". Figure 1-2 will appear.<br />
<br />
Figure 1.2<br /><br />
[[File:Figure1-2 ID sequnce name.png]]<br />
<br />
<br />
You will now name your sequence file and point HLS to where you want to save it <br /><br />
(shown here in a folder with the sequence name in a "Sequences" folder, which itself is in the HLS folder). <br />
<br />
<br />
[[File:Figure1-2.1_v11.png|600px]]<br />
<br />
<br />
After you name your sequence figure 1.2a will appear:<br />
<br />
Figure 1.2a<br /><br />
[[File:Acquire-Wav-File-HLS.jpg|400px]]<br />
<br />
<br />
Next select either a WAV or mp3 file (see Figure 1-3).<br />
<br />
Figure 1-3.<br /><br />
[[File:Figure1-3_v11.png|600px]]<br />
<br />
<br />
After you have chosen the mp3 or wav file, the screen shown in Figure 1-4 will appear.<br />
<br />
Figure 1.4<br /><br />
[[File:Figure1-4_v11.png|400px]]<br />
<br />
<br />
After the text appears in the screen showing the mp3 or wav file was added, click on the "I’m Done – Return" button. <br /><br />
<br />
<br />
You will get a "Channel Count" window like figure 1.4a. This window remains open for several (5-15 seconds), then you should<br />
see a save confirmation message like figure 1.4b<br />
<br />
Figure 1.4a<br /><br />
[[File:Figure1-4.a_v11.png]]<br />
<br />
<br />
Figure 1.4b<br /><br />
[[File:SaveComplete.jpg]]<br />
<br />
<br />
Next, click on the Time Resolution tab at the top of the page and choose the time resolution you would like. 50 milliseconds is the default choice.<br />
<br />
Next we will set up output channels. Click on the '''Manage Channels''' tab at the top of the page and then click on '''Manage Raw Channels'''. At this point you will see a message reminding you to choose your time period resolution before you continue (see Figure 1-5). Next, click on the OK button.<br />
<br />
Figure 1-5.<br /><br />
[[File:TimeReminder.jpg]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Channel Manager screen will now as appear (see Figure 1-6). This is where we will add and configure channel outputs. For this example we will use a Renard 16 and a Renard 8 module. This would be 24 outputs total. We do not have to tell the software we have two controllers in this example as they are both Renards and they will both be attached to the same com port. <br /><br />
Enter "24 for your 24 (16 +8) outputs in the window to the right of '''# channels to add''' then click the "Add" button.<br />
<br />
Figure 1-6.<br /><br />
[[File:Figure1-6_v11.png|600px]]<br />
<br />
<br />
A "Channel Name" window will now open like Figure 1-7. The channel names will be created with whatever you enter here with <br /><br />
"_0000", "_0001", etc appended to the end of it. In the example "Ch" was entered in this window and you can see the results in Figure 1.8<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
Figure 1-7.<br /><br />
[[File:Figure1-7.1_v11.png]]<br />
<br />
<br />
Figure 1-8.<br /><br />
[[File:Figure1-8_v11.png|600px]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next, we will change the '''Universe #''' entry. It cannot be zero for real outputs. In this example we will only have one type of controller and one port so we will only use one universe. To change the Universe number in the universe cells you need to first select the cells you want to change. You do this by left clicking in the first universe cell and while holding the left mouse button down, drag your mouse down to select the total number of cells you want to change. In this case we want all 24 changed to universe #1. Figure 1.8.1 shows the cells selected. Then enter "1" in the "Renumber Selected Universe" window, then click the "Renumber Universe" button. <br />
<br />
<br />
Figure 1-8.1.<br /><br />
[[File:Figure1-8.1_v11.png|600px]]<br />
<br />
<br />
Finally you need to number the channels. Select all 24 channels by selecting the cells in the channel column just like you did with the universe cells. Then you will click the "ReNumber All Channels for Output" button. Figure 1-8.2 shows the screen after the channels have been numbered.<br />
<br />
Figure 1-8.2.<br /><br />
[[File:Figure1-8.2_v11.png|600px]]<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Next:[[Setting up Channels]]'''</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=HLS_UGaRM-Sections&diff=10021HLS UGaRM-Sections2013-03-25T03:19:23Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
[[Getting HLS]]<br />
<br />
[[Creating a Sequence-PDF]]<br />
<br />
[[Channel Management-PDF]]<br />
<br />
[[Display Preview-PDF]]<br />
<br />
[[Sequencing Channels and Adding Effects-PDF]]<br />
<br />
[[Creating and Using PixelPlanes-PDF]]<br />
<br />
[[Facial Animation-PDF]]<br />
<br />
[[Sequence Playback-PDF]]<br />
<br />
[[Sequence Output-PDF]]<br />
<br />
[[Advanced Hardware Configuration-PDF]]<br />
<br />
[[Importing and Exporting Data and Sequences-PDF]]<br />
<br />
[[Reference Guide-PDF]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Getting_HLS-PDF&diff=10020Getting HLS-PDF2013-03-25T03:18:51Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Getting HLS-PDF to Getting HLS: The addition of "PDF" to the end of the name was not necessary and added confusion.</p>
<hr />
<div>#REDIRECT [[Getting HLS]]</div>OriginalHotrodderhttp://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Getting_HLS:&diff=10019Getting HLS:2013-03-25T03:18:51Z<p>OriginalHotrodder: OriginalHotrodder moved page Getting HLS-PDF to Getting HLS: The addition of "PDF" to the end of the name was not necessary and added confusion.</p>
<hr />
<div>__TOC__<br />
<br />
=Getting HLS=<br />
==Download and Installation==<br />
{{:Download and Installation}}<br />
==Upgrading HLS==<br />
{{:Upgrading HLS}}</div>OriginalHotrodder