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JHinkle
12-01-2013, 12:33 AM
HLS has two tools which allow you to exchange information between sequences.

Recently I helped a user and found I had not clearly stated where and why Library or CSV should be used.

THAT is the purpose of this post.

I will explain the tools in an example of users that are converting from Vixen sequences to HLS since that will represent the majority of users.

CSV is used when you want to change/update existing channel information.

Library is used when you want to add new channels.

Lets says you have multiple Vixen sequences that you want to run in HLS.

#1. Import the Vixen sequence.

#2. Convert existing three (red, green blue) Vixen channels into single RGB channel in HLS.

After the conversion you will have a bunch of Vixen channel names that you might want to change to have them better fit with HLS.

THAT is what the CSV export is for.

Using the First Vixen sequence ... after steps 1 & 2 above --- acquire a CSV export. Take that export, open it in Excel, and modify the Right most name cell for each channel to be the name you want it to be in HLS. You can also modify Universe number and other information. If they are channels you no longer need --- assign a Universe Number or Preview Group number -- very large -- like 64000 --- something that can stand out against your wanted channels.

Then, for ALL of your Vixen sequences, after steps 1 & 2 above, IMPORT the CSV file and ask to update the fields you want to change (channel name, Universe number, etc). HLS will make the changes bring all of your Vixen channels to the point you want then in HLS. Those channels that are no longer needed are easly sorted and grouped together --- then deleted.

Library is used to ADD NEW information.

So after you have changed all of your old Vixen sequences, you may be adding more channels this year OR you may be wanting to UPDATE all of your sequences to work with your new Preview.

THAT is what the Libray is for --- adding and changing HLS channels.

The Library will MATCH existing channel names and update OUTPUT and/or PREVIEW information and ADD any NEW channels to update your sequence.

The intent of this post was not to do a full fledged training session but to point you in the right direction so you don't waste time using the wrong tool to accomplish a task.

I hope this helps.

Joe

navyav8tr
08-11-2014, 08:47 PM
So once I have established all my channels, PP, segments, etc that I want to use for my show within a sequence and I want to build more sequences with the same channel setup, Library is the best way to do this?

angus40
08-11-2014, 09:11 PM
Create an image ( file/ create image without effects ) of your completed sequence , then select Start New sequence from saved image and follow the wizzard

trcons
08-11-2014, 10:34 PM
I believe I was the user Joe was helping on this one. I can't seem to figure out how to export the csv. I see the heading for import though.

Tom

angus40
08-11-2014, 10:37 PM
manage raw/channel manager bottom of page = export csv

trcons
08-11-2014, 10:52 PM
Thanks for the quick reply Angus. I feel like a moron, it was hidden under the task bar. Are there any tutorials on what I am monkeying with in that file?

Tom

trcons
08-11-2014, 11:00 PM
Found something in the wiki.

http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Importing_and_Exporting_CSV

angus40
08-11-2014, 11:02 PM
I have never had to used this feature . Joe would be the bestfor advice here .

JHinkle
08-12-2014, 12:34 AM
The CSV process was created to allow manipulation of channel data that was outside what the Library was created for.

Example #1 ... you want to change the name of channels.

Example #2 ... you want to change the Preview Group/channel number associated with a channel.

Example #3 ... you want to change the Universe and Output channel order.

These three example change data within a channel that is not addressed or is a function of the Library.

You create a CSV file of your Layout.

Open it in Excel and change the parameters that need to change ... the last column in the Excel grid is a flag that tells HLS to perform a change on that channel.

When you import the CSV -- HLS matches the existing channel name to the name in the CSV record. When a match is made AND the "change flag" is 1 -- then HLS allows you to change various parameters in the channel based on the CSV record content and the import options you selected.

Hope that helps.

Joe

trcons
08-12-2014, 08:21 AM
Thanks Joe. I am going to give it a try today. As you may remember, my sequences are a mess. They all work fine but the naming structure, add channel order is different in most of them. CSV file is the fix for that right? My plan is to pick one as a master and import that into the other sequences.

Tom

JHinkle
08-12-2014, 10:17 AM
Make sure you hit the SAVE button before trying.

Then if things don't work as expected -- you simply undo by going back.

Joe

angus40
09-17-2014, 02:22 AM
This thread should be a Sticky .

DanJ
09-19-2014, 02:09 PM
I have an LOR sequence from last year that I imported into HLS and the only way I know to setup the channels is to go into channel manager, PP channel setup, etc for my six arches from last year one by one, which is not all that hard but is a bit time consuming, along with adding my new megatree channels for this year. Can I combine an LOR import into HLS with along with an existing channel setup using the "create an image... start new sequence from saved image..." method shown in these posts??
Thanks in advance!

JHinkle
09-19-2014, 02:20 PM
Dan

The Library process was developed to handle just your case.

Remember --- Library Layout MERGE is based on channel names --- so as long as the NEW LOR file has the same names as a previously convert LOR file to which HLS channels were added --- you are good to go.

Step 1. Make sure you have saved a Layout into a Library from a previous LOR conversion to which you have added your additional HLS channels.

Step 2. Start your NEW sequence -- and import your LOR sequence.

What you should haave now is a HLS sequence based on your LOR sequence.

Step 3. Use the Library to import the Layout you want.

I would elect to update everything --- that way changes you made to your LOR channels -- like Universe Number Number and Preview Group/Channel --- will all be updated.

Once the Layout import is complete -- you should be good to go.

Joe

rjm12rjm12
10-16-2014, 08:04 PM
Hi Joe,

When I did an export to CSV, my color is all zero. Everything else worked fine, these are LOR channels. Should I have color?

Thanks,

Rob

JHinkle
10-16-2014, 09:01 PM
Color is zero for RGB channels -- it is only meaningful with incans and leds because it says what color they are for the Editor's grid display.

Are your channels RGB?

Joe

JHinkle
10-16-2014, 09:05 PM
I just ran a test and it looks like you found a bug.

Keep on me for the next day or two --- got life things I'm doing -- remind me Sat and I will fix with a new release.

Joe

rjm12rjm12
10-16-2014, 09:07 PM
No they are not RGB, they a regular leds.

Guid Current Name Universe Channel Color RGB Dimming Curve DMX_Group GRB DMX_Fixed OutputOrder PrevGroup PrevNumber PrevX PrevY New Name Change This

G2017156552179318960 Window 1F Rd 01.03 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 47 0 0 Window 1F Rd 01.03 1
G2017156552179319052 Window 1F Gr 01.04 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 48 0 0 Window 1F Gr 01.04 1
G2017156552179319144 Window 2F Rd 01.05 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 49 0 0 Window 2F Rd 01.05 1
G2017156552179319235 Window 2F Gr 01.06 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 50 0 0 Window 2F Gr 01.06 1
G2017156552179319328 Window 3F Rd 01.07 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 51 0 0 Window 3F Rd 01.07 1
G2017156552179319421 Window 3F Gr 01.08 1 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 52 0 0 Window 3F Gr 01.08 1
G2017156552179319514 Window 4F Rd 01.09 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 53 0 0 Window 4F Rd 01.09 1
G2017156552179319607 Window 4F Gr 01.10 1 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 54 0 0 Window 4F Gr 01.10 1
G2017156552179319699 Window 5F Rd 01.11 1 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 55 0 0 Window 5F Rd 01.11 1
G2017156552179319790 Window 5F Gr 01.12 1 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 56 0 0 Window 5F Gr 01.12 1
G2017156552179319880 Window 6F Rd 01.13 1 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 57 0 0 Window 6F Rd 01.13 1
G2017156552179319972 Window 6F Gr 01.14 1 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 58 0 0 Window 6F Gr 01.14 1
G2017156552179320064 Window 7F Rd 01.15 1 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 59 0 0 Window 7F Rd 01.15 1
G2017156552179320156 Window 7F Gr 01.16 1 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 60 0 0 Window 7F Gr 01.16 1
[/SIZE][/SIZE]

JHinkle
10-16-2014, 10:20 PM
As I posted just above yours --- HLS's current CSV is not exporting Color -- I will address this weekend.

Joe

rjm12rjm12
10-16-2014, 10:29 PM
Sorry I must have been typing and I missed that post. Thanks for all the support.
Rob

JHinkle
10-17-2014, 10:10 AM
Version 23F just released -- Color properly added to CSV -- that was a bug well caught and terminated.

Thanks.

Joe

rjm12rjm12
10-18-2014, 09:31 PM
Thanks Joe, it works great. Just got around to trying it.