FAQs

Here you will find answers to the most common and frequently asked questions.

General

Is xLights Nutcracker Free?

Yes. Both Matt and Sean have always believed their software should be made available free to the lighting community. The sources of xLights/Nutcracker is available to download from github. You can download the free sources from Sean's Github.

What platforms can xLights/Nutcracker run on?

XLNC can run on Windows and MAC and Linux, systems. You can go here for the latest program release.

What do I need to install and run xLights/Nutcracker ?

The software is self-contained , but utilizes the VAMP plug-ins to create timing marks such as beats and bars. Therefore it is recommended that you also install Audacity, though you don't have to, to utilize all the other functionality. Refer to the Installation chapter in the manual for details.

How do I get started ?

Watch the Getting Started videos Join the xLights/Nutcracker forum and the facebook page

Download xLights/Nutcracker

Sequencer Effects and Editing

My models are gone, where did they go?

If you have any model groups selected (layout, select model groups), then ONLY those model groups will show on your layout screen. Uncheck all of those model groups and the rest of your models will re-appear.

How do I do a chase effect - I don't see a chase effect icon

Select a block of cells and hit 'd' for a fade down or 'u' for a fade up. To create the chase, highlight the block of cells, hold the ALT key and drag the lower right corner of the effect block to create the chase.

I can't seem to save and re-use my Effect Presets.

Highlight the effects, right click, select Effect Preset. Ensure that u have your own Group created via Add Group, then click and add as a new preset. Create your own group - do not use Favorites or the default group.

Can I save my selected models so that I don't have to re-select them for each sequence?

Use the View functionality to define the models and order you require in a View once. Then select that view when you open a sequence. Simple! . Refer to the Views section in the manual.

How do I get my models from one computer to another?

All models are stored in the xlights_rgbeffects.xml file. Make sure computer B has that file copied over from Computer A and in the Show Directory folder configured on the setup tab.

I have a group of cells with a ramp effect, but I cant move them to form a chase.

Highlight the effects , hold the ALT key and then drag the bottom right corner of the bottom-most effect in the highlighted group.

Importing from Other Sequencers

I have sequences from LOR and LSP. How can I import them into xLights ?

There are two ways of importing your sequences. The most efficient way is to import the sequence as a data layer. You cannot edit the data imported , but you can edit additional models. You can also add effects to modesl when you've done a data layer import. The Nutcracker effect will play on the lights, however the imported data will not be touched. The other way is to import effects. You can edit the sequence data imported. Refer to the Data layers and Import Effects sections in the xLights/Nutcracker manual.

I'm still using LOR for 8 controllers this year. How do I set them up?

The general rule is that you can do 96 channels of LOR with xLights if the LOR controllers are in LOR mode. Your best bet would be to put the LOR controllers in DMX mode and then xLights can do it all. You can import all your LOR sequences, schedule them play them, edit them, etc.

Layout

I can't see a model on my Layout tab.

• Check the Layout/Model Groups window. If any model groups are selected, ONLY THOSE models will show on the layout window.
• Check that the model has the 'Part of my display' attribute ticked.
• If you are using Model Groups, check that the model is part of a group that has been selected via the Edit Groups window.
• You may need to drag the handles of the model from the bottom left corner of the Layout Window

Papagayo & Singing Faces

Does xLights support Papagayo singing faces?

Yes ,the 3.x functionality to import Papagayo PGO files is still available. However, you can also create Singing Faces natively within xLights. Refer to the manual for details.

Media

What media format is required for sequencing?

Nutcracker currently only supports the MP3 format for audio files. Ensure that the MP3 file is saved with constant bit rate (CBR), preferably 128K or 192K. Use Audacity to export the audio as a constant bit rate file.

Testing

When using the xLights test tab, the colors don't match on my lights, why?

The test tab pattern will always send in 'RGB'. To check the correct colors, create a small sequence, with ON red, then ON green, then ON blue, each of 5 secs or so and then click on Output To lights and run it from there. Alternatively, you can turn on channel #1. That will ALWAYS be Red.

Matrix Panels

How do I configure my P10 matrix panels ?

Define it as a horizontal matrix. Set # of strings = number of rows on panels, # of RGB nodes per string = number of columns on panels and # of strands per string = 1. Starting corner = Top Left. Channel number as per your configuration (say 5800). Refer to the section on Configuring Matrix Panels as Models in the manual (next publication)