Perfect Fading Chases

[jrock64]

This was discovered thru trial and error and it almost works like Christmas magic.

I like to do lots of chases in my sequences because it makes the lights blink in a subtle pattern.
I also like to fade out at the end of a section and not just abruptly turn off.

The problem was how to fade out a chase sequence.
This will only work on a straight chase. If you are doing a trailing chase you are still on your own.

Here we go.....

Code the sequence with the chase at normal intensity into the area you want it to fade out.
Select the area of the chase you want to fade out. One you select the area do not deselect it until you are done.
Step 2 Invert
Step 2.5 Edit copy
Step 3 Partial ramp off 99 to 15. 99 is required I use 15 because at that point incandescents are effectively off.
Step 4 Transparent paste
Step 5 Find and replace 100 with 0
Step 6 Gently rub your finger along the side of you nose and prepare to be amazed.

Joel

[Virtus]

jrock,
This is very clever and works, like you said, like Christmas magic. A great discovery! Thanks for sharing.

[Wayne J]

I have tried this and tried this, but simply can't make it happen. I am screwing up somewhere, but can't figure it out. Looks like a really neat trick too.

[jrock64]

Sorry Wayne.
Added step 2.5 above.

Should work now.

JOel

[prof]

Or even quicker,

Select the area to fade
Edit - Copy
Apply any ramp you like
Edit - Paste - Boolean paste - AND

[Wayne J]

Sorry Wayne.
Added step 2.5 above.

Should work now.

JOel

awesome! works for me now. Thanks!!! :D

[Wayne J]

Or even quicker,

Select the area to fade
Edit - Copy
Apply any ramp you like
Edit - Paste - Boolean paste - AND


That's pretty freaking cool too! Thanks!

[Virtus]

Prof's technique works for individual channel fading chases as well!
Select the area to fade
Edit - Copy
Apply any ramp you like
Edit - Paste - Boolean paste - AND

This will look great on leaping arches rather than the hard stop at the end of the arch.

[prof]

The fadeout using Boolean AND was something I discovered by accident a short time ago. I have attached a quick demo sequence (V 2.0 release).

After playing the sequence, if you want to see another magic trick, select all of the cells in the sequence then click on Mirror Vertically then Right Click & Opaque Paste. Then play the sequence again.

[jrock64]

Vitrus
Looking at your jpg the first two chases look fine.
Starting at 2 seconds the third chase is not consistent.
Instead of 50% - 40% - 30% or some ratio there of for a fading chase it looks more like 50% - 20% - 40%. That middle cell is definitely not correct.

Will try profs sample later tonight.
I have never been able to get fades and boolean's to play nice together.

JOel

[ppohlman]

Very cool tips. I will definitely be using them while creating my sequences from now on.

THANKS!!

[Wayne J]

The fadeout using Boolean AND was something I discovered by accident a short time ago. I have attached a quick demo sequence (V 2.0 release).

After playing the sequence, if you want to see another magic trick, select all of the cells in the sequence then click on Mirror Vertically then Right Click & Opaque Paste. Then play the sequence again.


I have been trying to accomplish what you have here in this demo, but can't get it done. What was the procedure?

[prof]

I have been trying to accomplish what you have here in this demo, but can't get it done. What was the procedure?

I need to look into it some more. I tried to reproduce it and it is not working the way I described it. I am not getting the smooth fadeout, it is all over the place.

Craig

[Wayne J]

I need to look into it some more. I tried to reproduce it and it is not working the way I described it. I am not getting the smooth fadeout, it is all over the place.

Craig


ahhhh, so it's not just me. LOL

I can make it happen, but there are a few cells that are out of place. Weird thing is, they are consistant with each other. :confused:

[Virtus]

It worked for me, but again, I didn't know what the expected output was!

It flipped the sequence channel order it appears.

[Wayne J]

It worked for me, but again, I didn't know what the expected output was!

It flipped the sequence channel order it appears.

You got the ramped off chase, faded out? Please share the steps. ;)

[Virtus]

This is the fade out demo after the flip vertical and paste opaque.

[prof]

I have realised what is wrong with the sequence I posted, it was a ramp chase that fades out and not the standard chase. Sorry about that. There is an extra intermediate step that needs to be done with the ramp chase. It will be easier to explain if I put together a short how to document. Meanwhile here is another example. ver 2.0

[Wayne J]

I have realised what is wrong with the sequence I posted, it was a ramp chase that fades out and not the standard chase. Sorry about that. There is an extra intermediate step that needs to be done with the ramp chase. It will be easier to explain if I put together a short how to document. Meanwhile here is another example. ver 2.0

Can't wait! :cool:

[prof]

As prommised. My Howto on the ramp chase fadeout. I hope it is clear enough and easy to follow.

Craig.

[prof]

With a bit of lateral thinking everybody should have realised that a modified aplication of the technique I described can be used to create fadeins as well.

Craig.

[Virtus]

Not speaking as an expert but rather a first time "archer" this year... I didn't realize how much difference a slow decay and quick progression can make on the overall appearance of a chase (especially on arches). I had a simple 1 minute sequence pre programmed and ready to try after the arches were complete (finally happened this eve!) and I started my test sequence only to be really disappointed with it. I changed it and made the fade almost a full second and moved ahead in the progression every 1/10th of a second and was pleasantly surprised (actually shocked) at the difference.

My recommendation is to try it early so you will know what the effect will really look like. I was way off on my inital attempt at this one! And I haven't even seen it in the dark, yet.

[tonypgst]

Prof, I tried your how to on this tonight. Thank you very much! Major difference and excellent results. That is what is great about this place. Sharing improves each and every one of us.

[dhavard]

Not speaking as an expert but rather a first time "archer" this year... I didn't realize how much difference a slow decay and quick progression can make on the overall appearance of a chase (especially on arches). I had a simple 1 minute sequence pre programmed and ready to try after the arches were complete (finally happened this eve!) and I started my test sequence only to be really disappointed with it. I changed it and made the fade almost a full second and moved ahead in the progression every 1/10th of a second and was pleasantly surprised (actually shocked) at the difference.

My recommendation is to try it early so you will know what the effect will really look like. I was way off on my inital attempt at this one! And I haven't even seen it in the dark, yet.

First time archer here too. I did alot of sequencing earlier in the year and finally got an arch finished to test and I had the same problem. Alot of the fades I did were WAY TO FAST..lol I did a little alteration to them and they worked out great. Below is a test of my first arch ever. I am a first timer so don't laugh too much ;)

http://www.youtube.com/v/pLuusDuqlrE

Daniel

[kmc123]

They look great Daniel. I made mine from 10' x 1/2" PVC and got 7 channels of 100 count lights on them.

Yours look like 20' - Is that right? I counted 10 channels, so if that is right you got 5 per 10' length? Did you use 3/4 inch pipe? (Trying to figure out why you didn't get 14 channels...)

-Kev