Difference between revisions of "Interface"

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<h1 style="text-align:center; font-size:1.8em; margin:2px 0px; background:#CBCBCB; color:#5C92BC"> <span class="mw-headline" id="Project Window">Guide to the Project Window/Interface</span></h1>
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** This page is under development **
  
<div style="background-color:#f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid;margin:0px; padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;margin-bottom:1em">
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==File ==
<div style="text-align:center; font-size:1.2em;"> '''1)''' [[Title Bar]]  '''2)''' [[Menu Bar]]  '''3)''' [[Tool Bar]]  '''4)''' [[Workspace Tabs]] <br>
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The File menu enables you to create a new xLights/Nutcracker sequence, open an existing xLights/Nutcracker sequence, Save, Save As or Close a sequence that is currently open, select a show directory, backup xLights/Nutcracker sequences to another directory and quit the xLights/Nutcracker application. These actions can also be done using shortcut keys and via icons on the top bar of the canvas.
'''5)''' [[Show Directory]]  '''6)''' [[Workspace]]  '''7)''' [[Status Bar]] </div>
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{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; margin: auto; border-spacing: 2px; border: 2px solid; color:#5C92BC;"
 
! style="width:250px" | [//nutcracker123.com/w/images/x/XLNC-ProjectWindow.png Project Window]
 
|- border="0"
 
|- style="text-align: center; color:#000000;"
 
| Project Window
 
|}<br>
 
  
<h2 style="text-align:center; width: 20%; font-size:1.8em; margin:2px 0px; background:#5C92BC; color:#ffffff"> <span class="mw-headline" id="Title Bar">'''Title Bar'''</span></h2><hr>
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===New Sequence===
* Indicates the latest build of the xLights/Nutcracker software. If an error or “bug” occurs, have this number available and send “bugs” or errors to the wiki or forum for resolution.
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<br>
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To create a new sequence, either use the New Sequence icon, select New Sequence from the File menu or press Ctrl N.
<h2 style="text-align:center; width: 20%; font-size:1.8em; margin:2px 0px; background:#5C92BC; color:#ffffff"> <span class="mw-headline" id="Menu Bar">'''Menu Bar'''</span></h2><hr>
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<br>
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====Musical Sequence ====
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; margin: auto; border-spacing: 2px; border: 2px solid; color:#5C92BC;"
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|- border="0"
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If creating a music sequence, click on Musical Sequence.
|- style="text-align: center; color:#000000;"
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| '''Menu''' || '''Description'''
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|- style="color:#000000;"
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| File || Contains pull-down menus to update the Show Folder Location; Create backups; Exit the Software.
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|- style="color:#000000;"
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| Playlist || Create, Save, Edit, and Delete Playlists; Create Custom Scripts
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|- style="color:#000000;"
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| Export ||
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|- style="color:#000000;"
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| Utilities ||
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|- style="color:#000000;"
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| Settings || Disable Threaded Save
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|- style="color:#000000;"
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| Help || Short and detailed Help documents; license, build, and acknowledgments.
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|}<br>
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<div style="text-align:left; font-size:1.4em;">'''File Menu'''</div><hr><br>
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Select your media file.
  
<br>
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Select the frames per second (fps) for your sequence. The most common one used is 20fps (50ms).
<div style="text-align:left; font-size:1em;"><u>'''New Sequence'''</u></div>
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<br>
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<div style="text-align:left; font-size:1em;"><u>'''Open Sequence'''</u></div>
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<br>
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<div style="text-align:left; font-size:1em;"><u>'''Save Sequence'''</u></div>
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<br>
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<div style="text-align:left;"><u>'''Select Show Folder'''</u></div>
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* Launches a file selection window where the user can designate the default show folder.  The location is where all xLights (.xml) files, export files, and media files are stored.
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* Changing the location automatically saves the show folder location and reserves the location every time the user opens the application.
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* Check out Tips and Tricks or ways to organize show directories.
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<div style="text-align:left;"><u>'''Backup'''</u></div>
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* Launches a confirm pop up box to perform a backup of all XML files under 10MB.
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* The backup will create sub-folder (if one does not exist) within a user’s default show folder based on date the backup was confirmed.
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* View the [[Restore]] section for restoring from backup.
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{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; margin: auto; border-spacing: 2px; border: 2px solid; color:#5C92BC;"
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Skip on the next screen
! style="width:250px" | Confirmation Pop Up Box Pic
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! style="width:250px" | Backup Folder and Location Pic
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|- border="0"
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|- style="text-align: center; color:#000000;"
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| Confirmation Pop Up Box || Example of Backup Folder and Location
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|}<br>
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<div style="text-align:left;"><u>'''Quit'''</u></div>
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If creating an xLights/Nutcracker sequence, at this stage you can select ‘Done’ and import timing marks later (either via the Timings menu or by Right Clicking on the Sequencer menu ).  Alternatively, you can click on the Timings tab now – this will lead to the Timings menu.
* Closes application.
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On the Timing menu, you can select one or more of a number of timing bar options,  which will generate timing marks automatically (similar to those that can be done via Audacity).
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; margin: auto; border-spacing: 2px; border: 2px solid; color:#5C92BC;"
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|- style="text-align: left; color:#000000;"
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| Quit Pic || If there are unsaved tasks (Playlists, Schedule, Nutcracker) an Alert pop up box alerts the user of unsaved changes.
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* Click “Yes”, program closes without saving any updated/changed tasks.
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* Click “No”, user can return and save changed/updated tasks.
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Note: Any changes to the following tabs will not launch an Alert Box: Test, Convert, Preview, and Papagayo and any changes made will not be saved unless the user saves or completes the task, depending on the tool used.  
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|- border="0"
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|- style="text-align: left; color:#000000;"
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|}<br>
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<div style="text-align:left; font-size:1em;"><u>'''Recent File List'''</u></div>
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* Lists the last “4” Show Folder locations used/referenced.
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<br>
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<div style="text-align:left; font-size:1.4em;">'''Playlist Menu'''</div><hr><br>
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<div style="text-align:left; font-size:1em;"><u>'''Save Playlists'''</u></div>
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* Saves user created playlists.<br>
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<div style="text-align:left;"><u>'''Add'''</u></div>
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If you click on the Edit Metadata tab, this will lead to the Sequence Settings dialog box.
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; margin: auto; border-spacing: 2px; border: 2px solid; color:#5C92BC;"
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| style="width: 70%; color:#000000;" |
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* Creates playlists (adds a tab) to the workspace screen.
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* Launches a prompt box to allow the user assign a unique name and create a playlist from Audio, Video, and xLights files from the default show directory.
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| style="width: 30%;" | XLNC Add Playlist Pic
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|- border="0"
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|- style="text-align: left"
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|}<br>
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<div style="text-align:left;"><u>'''Rename'''</u></div>
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At this stage a new empty sequence has been created. You can...
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; margin: auto; border-spacing: 2px; border: 2px solid; color:#5C92BC;"
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● Select Save to save the sequence in your show directory – you will be prompted for a sequence name.
| style="width: 70%; color:#000000;" |
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● Click on the Sequencer tab and continue with
* Allows users to Rename a current playlist. (Must be in the playlist tab to rename.)
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○ Adding models for this sequence to the sequencer view,
* Launches a prompt box to allow the user to revise the name of a playlist.
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○ Creating/adding timing marks
| style="width: 30%;" |  XLNC Rename Playlist Pic
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○ Dropping effects on the sequencer grid
|- border="0"
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○ Playing the sequence
|- style="text-align: left"
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|}<br>
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<div style="text-align:left;"><u>'''Delete'''</u></div>
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====Animation Sequence====
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; margin: auto; border-spacing: 2px; border: 2px solid; color:#5C92BC;"
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| style="width: 70%; color:#000000;" |
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If creating an animation sequence, click on Animation Sequence. No media/audio file is required or requested for. The subsequent process is the same as in the Musical Sequence.
* Allows users to remove a selected playlist. (Must be in the playlist tab to delete.)
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* Launches an Alert Box to prompt the user to confirm the deletion.
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| style="width: 30%;" | XLNC Delete Playlist Pic
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|- border="0"
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|- style="text-align: left; color:#000000;"
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|}<br>
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<div style="text-align:left;"><u>'''Refresh'''</u></div>
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===Open Sequence===
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; margin: auto; border-spacing: 2px; border: 2px solid; color:#5C92BC;"
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| style="width: 70%; color:#000000;" |
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To open an existing sequence, either use the Open Sequence icon, select Open Sequence from the File menu or press Ctrl O.
* Allows the user to refresh the default show folder location without requiring the user to close (Quit) and reopen the program.
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You will be presented with the ‘Choose Sequence file to open’ window, with the directory defaulting to your show directory.  You can select an xLights/Nutcracker (xml) sequence or an xLights/Nutcracker fseq file to open.
* NOTE: Any of the media files or sequences removed from the default Show Directory and are added to a playlist, they will be removed from the playlist. An Alert pop up box will alert the user of the deleted file from the show directory.
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| style="width: 30%;" | XLNC Refresh Playlist Pic
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|- border="0"
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|- style="text-align: left; color:#000000;"
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|}<br>
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{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; margin: auto; border-spacing: 2px; border: 2px solid; color:#5C92BC;"
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===Save Sequence===
|- style="text-align: center; color:#000000;"
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| '''XLNC Before Refresh Pic''' || '''XLNC Refresh with File Removed Pic'''
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To save an open sequence, either use the Save Sequence icon, select Save Sequence from the File menu or press Ctrl S.
|- border="0"
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If the sequence has not been saved previously, you will be presented with the Save As dialogue window to enter the name for the sequence.
|- style="text-align: center"
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If the Render on Save setting (under the Settings menu) is set (i.e. ticked) then all the effects on all the models will be rendered first before the sequence is saved in the fseq file. This is the default.
| Confirmation Pop Up Box || Example of Backup Folder and Location
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Progress status messages are displayed on the last line of the window. When the sequence has completed saving, a message will be displayed on the last line indicating the name of the fseq file and how long the save process took.
|}<br>
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<div style="text-align:left;"><u>'''Custom Script'''</u></div>
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===Save As Sequence===
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%; margin: auto; border-spacing: 2px; border: 2px solid; color:#5C92BC;"
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|- style="text-align: left; color:#000000;"
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To save an open sequence with a different name, either use the Save As Sequence icon or select Save As Sequence from the File menu.
| XLNC Custom Script Pic ||
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You will be presented with the Save As dialogue window to enter the name for the sequence.
* Allows users to create custom scripts for interactive displays or projectors.
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If the Render on Save setting (under the Settings menu) is set (i.e. ticked) then all the effects on all the models will be rendered first before the sequence is saved in the fseq file. This is the default.
*The Prompt pop up box provides a starting point to create the script by setting up various available playback options for a playlist. More information about scripts are located in the Playlist Tab section.
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|- border="0"
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|- style="text-align: left; color:#000000;"
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|}<br>
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<div style="text-align:left; font-size:1.4em;">'''Export Menu'''</div><hr><br>
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Progress status messages are displayed on the last line of the window. When the sequence has completed saving, a message will be displayed on the last line indicating the name of the fseq file and how long the save process took.
  
<div style="text-align:left; font-size:1.4em;">'''Utilities Menu'''</div><hr><br>
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===Close Sequence===
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To close the currently open sequence, select Close Sequence from the File menu.
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If the sequence data has not been saved since the last change, you will be presented with warning.
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If you click No, then you will be returned to the sequence. If you select and click Yes, then the sequence will be closed without any sequence changes being saved.
  
<div style="text-align:left; font-size:1.4em;">'''Settings Menu'''</div><hr><br>
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===Select Show Folder===
<div style="text-align:left;"><u>'''Disable Threaded Save'''</u></div>
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* Provides the user with the ability to disable the multi-threaded saves.
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In order to change your show Directory, select Select Show Folder from the File menu, press F9 or click on the Change button against the Show Directory on the Setup tab.You will be prompted to navigate to and select a new directory folder to select.  
* What does this mean?
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** When disable, all is rendered on the main thread. Slower, but maybe safer.
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Ensure that you have the correct xLights/Nutcracker xml files (xlights_keybindings.xml, xlights_networks.xml and xlights_rgbeffects.xml) in your new directory.  
** There are now four ways to save
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*** Normal - threaded
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*** Normal + Fast Save - threaded but only rendering the stuff that has changed
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*** Threading disabled (settings menu) - all rendering is on the main thread, one column at a time.
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*** Threading disabled + fast save - all rendering is on the main thread.
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==Playlist==
</div>
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==View==
</div>
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==Audio==
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==Import==
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==Settings==
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==Help==

Revision as of 23:28, 27 August 2015

    • This page is under development **

File

The File menu enables you to create a new xLights/Nutcracker sequence, open an existing xLights/Nutcracker sequence, Save, Save As or Close a sequence that is currently open, select a show directory, backup xLights/Nutcracker sequences to another directory and quit the xLights/Nutcracker application. These actions can also be done using shortcut keys and via icons on the top bar of the canvas.


New Sequence

To create a new sequence, either use the New Sequence icon, select New Sequence from the File menu or press Ctrl N.

Musical Sequence

If creating a music sequence, click on Musical Sequence.

Select your media file.

Select the frames per second (fps) for your sequence. The most common one used is 20fps (50ms).

Skip on the next screen

If creating an xLights/Nutcracker sequence, at this stage you can select ‘Done’ and import timing marks later (either via the Timings menu or by Right Clicking on the Sequencer menu ). Alternatively, you can click on the Timings tab now – this will lead to the Timings menu. On the Timing menu, you can select one or more of a number of timing bar options, which will generate timing marks automatically (similar to those that can be done via Audacity).

If you click on the Edit Metadata tab, this will lead to the Sequence Settings dialog box.

At this stage a new empty sequence has been created. You can... ● Select Save to save the sequence in your show directory – you will be prompted for a sequence name. ● Click on the Sequencer tab and continue with ○ Adding models for this sequence to the sequencer view, ○ Creating/adding timing marks ○ Dropping effects on the sequencer grid ○ Playing the sequence

Animation Sequence

If creating an animation sequence, click on Animation Sequence. No media/audio file is required or requested for. The subsequent process is the same as in the Musical Sequence.


Open Sequence

To open an existing sequence, either use the Open Sequence icon, select Open Sequence from the File menu or press Ctrl O. You will be presented with the ‘Choose Sequence file to open’ window, with the directory defaulting to your show directory. You can select an xLights/Nutcracker (xml) sequence or an xLights/Nutcracker fseq file to open.

Save Sequence

To save an open sequence, either use the Save Sequence icon, select Save Sequence from the File menu or press Ctrl S. If the sequence has not been saved previously, you will be presented with the Save As dialogue window to enter the name for the sequence. If the Render on Save setting (under the Settings menu) is set (i.e. ticked) then all the effects on all the models will be rendered first before the sequence is saved in the fseq file. This is the default. Progress status messages are displayed on the last line of the window. When the sequence has completed saving, a message will be displayed on the last line indicating the name of the fseq file and how long the save process took.

Save As Sequence

To save an open sequence with a different name, either use the Save As Sequence icon or select Save As Sequence from the File menu. You will be presented with the Save As dialogue window to enter the name for the sequence. If the Render on Save setting (under the Settings menu) is set (i.e. ticked) then all the effects on all the models will be rendered first before the sequence is saved in the fseq file. This is the default.

Progress status messages are displayed on the last line of the window. When the sequence has completed saving, a message will be displayed on the last line indicating the name of the fseq file and how long the save process took.

Close Sequence

To close the currently open sequence, select Close Sequence from the File menu. If the sequence data has not been saved since the last change, you will be presented with warning.

If you click No, then you will be returned to the sequence. If you select and click Yes, then the sequence will be closed without any sequence changes being saved.

Select Show Folder

In order to change your show Directory, select Select Show Folder from the File menu, press F9 or click on the Change button against the Show Directory on the Setup tab.You will be prompted to navigate to and select a new directory folder to select.

Ensure that you have the correct xLights/Nutcracker xml files (xlights_keybindings.xml, xlights_networks.xml and xlights_rgbeffects.xml) in your new directory.



Playlist

View

Audio

Import

Settings

Help