I have released version 11K
There is a lot in this release.
I have added my version of Recent Files. Once you have selected an HLS sequence to edit -- HLS will prompt you with a ShortCut next time in.
The intent of this new Preview is to enable a decent representation of your display and allow the Preview to be easily transferred from one sequence to another.
I have added two new columns in Raw Channels: Preview Group and Preview Number. Both numbers can range from 1 to 1000.
These two numbers allow you to form multiple Preview Objects - like a MegaTree, Roof-Line, Window, Arches, etc. and assign a pair of numbers (Group and Number) to them. As long as these two numbers associate the channels in your sequence to the same Preview Object - your Preview is portable. The idea is to create your Preview ONCE - and then reuse it over and over for each sequence.
To help manage that - I have added the capability to export and import data directly into your Raw Channels. In Manage Raw Channels - there is an EXPORT button that will create a CSV file for all of your channels. You can open and modify this file in Excel. Under the "Manage Channels" menu - there is an Import function that will read in a modified files and update the fields you chose to update.
You can change channel data based on channel Guid or current channel name. You can Change the following data: Channel Name. Universe, Channel, Preview Group, and Preview Number. The last field in the file tells me if the channel is to be updated. Change the field to a NON-ZERO value and the channels will be updated.
Please make sure you SAVE prior to using this capability.
The HLS Preview does NOT take raw channels data and display it on your screen. It uses the hi-level color information to display your lights.
My MegaTree and House lights use "Mega Strings" - R,G,B,W led strings (I don't have any Pixels). In the Preview setup, you can tell HLS that a string of lights is actually controlled by up to 4 single channels (in my case - R,G,B,W). The Preview will only show a single channel/light with the color changing based on the individual channels.
When defining a LINE of lights - and using Pixels - the STARTing position will be the Start of the line. You can over-ride this in the Line Setup and tell HLS to assign channels backwards.
When defining a CUSTOM object - You L click on the Cell to define a light position. If you then R click on that cell - you can assign a Preview Group/Number. There is an Alternate button which allows you to TYPE the Group-Number into the cell - thereby identifying it and assigning it at the same time.
Pixels are assigned with a Starting Group/Number. HLS will then assign sequential numbers for the length of the string.
The MegaTree Object - you define the number of strings that make up the complete 360 of your string. If you are actually using less - just don't assign a Group/Number to those strings.
A trick when assigning Group/Number to tree strings -- if you L Click on the Name - a list of possible Group/Number channels will appear for you selection. Instead of L clicking on the Name - R click on the Group cell. This puts focus in the cell without bringing up the selection array. Then enter your Preview Group - TAB - enter your Preview Number.
Preview has a Single-Step capability --- but you have to be aware of where your Window Focus is!!!
Click the "Single Step" button and then click the CheckMark to display Preview. Use you R Mouse on the Ruler to set your RED marker.
With the GRID in focus (NOT the Preview Screen) - pressing the ZERO key will start the Preview Time line at the RED Mark. the NINE key will advance the time tic by one and the EIGHT key will decrement it by one.
This really needs a video to fully explain all of the new capabilities --- but I'm too tired right now.
I hope you enjoy.
Joe
There is a lot in this release.
I have added my version of Recent Files. Once you have selected an HLS sequence to edit -- HLS will prompt you with a ShortCut next time in.
The intent of this new Preview is to enable a decent representation of your display and allow the Preview to be easily transferred from one sequence to another.
I have added two new columns in Raw Channels: Preview Group and Preview Number. Both numbers can range from 1 to 1000.
These two numbers allow you to form multiple Preview Objects - like a MegaTree, Roof-Line, Window, Arches, etc. and assign a pair of numbers (Group and Number) to them. As long as these two numbers associate the channels in your sequence to the same Preview Object - your Preview is portable. The idea is to create your Preview ONCE - and then reuse it over and over for each sequence.
To help manage that - I have added the capability to export and import data directly into your Raw Channels. In Manage Raw Channels - there is an EXPORT button that will create a CSV file for all of your channels. You can open and modify this file in Excel. Under the "Manage Channels" menu - there is an Import function that will read in a modified files and update the fields you chose to update.
You can change channel data based on channel Guid or current channel name. You can Change the following data: Channel Name. Universe, Channel, Preview Group, and Preview Number. The last field in the file tells me if the channel is to be updated. Change the field to a NON-ZERO value and the channels will be updated.
Please make sure you SAVE prior to using this capability.
The HLS Preview does NOT take raw channels data and display it on your screen. It uses the hi-level color information to display your lights.
My MegaTree and House lights use "Mega Strings" - R,G,B,W led strings (I don't have any Pixels). In the Preview setup, you can tell HLS that a string of lights is actually controlled by up to 4 single channels (in my case - R,G,B,W). The Preview will only show a single channel/light with the color changing based on the individual channels.
When defining a LINE of lights - and using Pixels - the STARTing position will be the Start of the line. You can over-ride this in the Line Setup and tell HLS to assign channels backwards.
When defining a CUSTOM object - You L click on the Cell to define a light position. If you then R click on that cell - you can assign a Preview Group/Number. There is an Alternate button which allows you to TYPE the Group-Number into the cell - thereby identifying it and assigning it at the same time.
Pixels are assigned with a Starting Group/Number. HLS will then assign sequential numbers for the length of the string.
The MegaTree Object - you define the number of strings that make up the complete 360 of your string. If you are actually using less - just don't assign a Group/Number to those strings.
A trick when assigning Group/Number to tree strings -- if you L Click on the Name - a list of possible Group/Number channels will appear for you selection. Instead of L clicking on the Name - R click on the Group cell. This puts focus in the cell without bringing up the selection array. Then enter your Preview Group - TAB - enter your Preview Number.
Preview has a Single-Step capability --- but you have to be aware of where your Window Focus is!!!
Click the "Single Step" button and then click the CheckMark to display Preview. Use you R Mouse on the Ruler to set your RED marker.
With the GRID in focus (NOT the Preview Screen) - pressing the ZERO key will start the Preview Time line at the RED Mark. the NINE key will advance the time tic by one and the EIGHT key will decrement it by one.
This really needs a video to fully explain all of the new capabilities --- but I'm too tired right now.
I hope you enjoy.
Joe