RGB Fixture with 2 RGB Led's in RGB Matrix

[teackele]

Hello all,

For a projecte i've created a fixture with 2 RGB Led's in 1 head.
When using these fixtures in an RGB Matrix only the first RGB Led works.
I've tried to change the fixture definition to 2 heads. Both RGB Led's work, but they are seen as separate RGB led's in the RGB Matrix.
I would like the 2 RGB Leds to work as one.
How can that be done in QLC+?

Running QLC+ 4.8.5 on OS X 10.8

Regards Teackele

[janosvitok]

Hi,

can you post your fixture definition and/or picture of your fixture?
From what you've said I understand that:

You have a fixture that has (at least) 6 channels R1,G1,B1,R2,G2,B2 and you want the colors work together i.e. R1+R2 always the same, G1+G2 and B1+B2.

I don't know of a way to do this easily. I know of a way to do it by using loopback plugin, but it's a bit awkward. How many such fixtures do you use?

[teackele]

How many such fixtures do you use?

To answer your question: 40-50 fixtures in total so far, might be more in the future
I've been trying and thinking to find a solution for this.

-Reprogram the addresses of the RGB led. This takes a lot of a time and prevents some extra functionality like lightning the left and right sides of the object separately.
-Doubling the size of the matrix won't work i think. I It will work then in the same way as the fixture with 2 rgb led's. The rgb matrix sees them separate then.
-Programmatically: implement some kind of virtual fixture which can consist of multiple other fixtures. Or make it possible to add a channel group to a rgb matrix cell

How does the loopback solution work?

Regards teackele

[plugz]

Hi,

Bonus question: What's your fixture, is there a manual anywhere ?

Most BAR LED fixtures have a "single rgb" mode.

[teackele]

Hello,

Thanks for the quick replies.
The "Fixtures" are self built objects for an installation that contain 2 Led Dots.
The led dots are similar to this one http://www.shiji-led.com/en/productshow ... 38&sid=179.
The difference is that they have a different chip that make them direct DMX addressable. only 3 channels per dot, red green and blue.

Attached the self made fixture with both modes.

Regards
Teackele

[teackele]

Hello all

Still struggling with it and deadline is approaching. Could someone explain the loopback fix to me?

Kindest regards
Teackele

[janosvitok]

The trick is this:

Let's say you have 50 fixtures, each having 2 RGB pixels, patched to universe 1 addresses 1..300 (first 1..6, second 7..12, ... 40th 295..300).
Now:
1. add two more universes 2 and 3
2. patch 50 fixture each having 1 RGB pixel to universe 2 at addresses 1..150. you may do this fast using RGB panel feature.
3. create group for these 50 pixels.
4. create RGB matrix for this group
5. set universe 2 output to loopback 1
6. set universe 3 input to loopback 1
7. create 150 sliders in the virtual console. set them all to level mode.
7.1 set first slider to control red channels of the first fixture in Universe 1 (i.e. channels 1 & 4). set it's external input to universe 3, channel 1
7.2 set second slider to control green channels of the first fixture in Universe 1 (i.e. channels 2 & 5). set it's external input to universe 3, channel 2
...
7.150 set 150th slider to ... blue ... of the 50th ... channels 297 & 300... universe 3, channel 150

Now when the RGB matrix over universe 2 fixture sets a color, the output will be fed through loopback to sliders, they will move and in turn set multiple channels in universe 1.

If I find some time tonight, I will create the workspace for you (using a script, obviously).

[janosvitok]

To speed up things, please post a workspace that contains properly patched fixtures to universe 1 (so that they work as 2 pixel fixtures) and steps 1-6. I will add the 7th step for you.
It looks like the maximum for slider group is 99 sliders, so I will create 3 groups of 50, or whatever convenient number is for the fixtures you patch in the file.

[janosvitok]

and one more note: if you are able to code in a scripting language (python/perl/ruby/php/...), the 7th step is as follows:
create the sliders group(s) in VC, set one slider properties (e.g. the first one - level, controlled channels and external input), save workspace, close QLC+, have a look at the XML content of the qxw file,
note the parameters of the first slider, and make a script that adjusts the rest of the sliders in a similar manner.

[janosvitok]

Here you are. If you need a different constelation of the RGB pixels in universe 2, please create your own qxw and I'll update the faders as need.

BTW: this is the script to update the faders (ruby):

Code: Select all

#!/usr/bin/env ruby

require 'libxml'

NS = ['xmlns:http://qlcplus.sourceforge.net/Workspace']

filename = 'doublergb.qxw'
doc = LibXML::XML::Document.file(filename)
doc.root.namespaces.default_prefix = 'qxw'
doc.root.find('//qxw:Slider', NS).each do |slider|
  id = slider['ID'].to_i
  next if id == 51
  ofs = case id
  when 51..100
    -51
  when 152..201
    -152 + 50
  when 203..252
    -203 + 100
  end

  puts id, ofs

  input_channel = id + ofs
  fixture = input_channel / 3
  fixture_ch = input_channel % 3

  puts id, ofs, input_channel

  slider.find('qxw:SliderMode', NS).each do |slider_mode|
    slider_mode.content = 'Level'
  end

  slider.find('qxw:Level', NS).each do |level|
    ch = LibXML::XML::Node.new('Channel', fixture_ch.to_s)
    ch["Fixture"] = fixture.to_s
    level << ch
    ch = LibXML::XML::Node.new('Channel', (fixture_ch + 3).to_s)
    ch["Fixture"] = fixture.to_s
    level << ch
  end

  input = LibXML::XML::Node.new('Input')
  input["Channel"] = input_channel.to_s
  input["Universe"] = "2"
  slider << input
end

doc.save(filename + 'x', :indent => true, :encoding => LibXML::XML::Encoding::UTF_8)

[teackele]

Hello jano,

Thanks for the help and the possible solution.
I'll try it tonight and will post the results

regards Teackele