Waveform add-in sequencing trick

[prof]

Every body will have experimented with the waveform add-in and found that it has two modes of operation. You can have a single channel that varies in intensity with the volume of the music. Or you can have a range of channels that are on/off (0% or 100% intensity) that behave like a bargraph VU meter.

If you temporarily create both types of animation you take it one step further and combine the two to create a range style display that varies in intensity.

To do this, you copy the single channel containing the variable intensity information. Then you Boolean AND paste this channel over the top of each of the channels used in the range display.

Craig.

[Virtus]

Prof,
That is a great one! I wish I had thought of that in October but I think it is great you thought to share it. It would have greatly increased the effect when I used waveform on with my 16 candy canes. I had 16 candy canes laid out in a straight, horizontal line numbered 1-16. I used channels 9-16 in the waveform and then copied 9 to 8, 10 to 7, 11 to 6, ...16 to 1 to try to create a 'voice' singing the song with the 'mouth' opened wider on the louder parts.
Adding dimming to this would be really cool...guess I am using the candy canes again next year!

[prof]

Virtus,

Glad you can use the sequencing tip. It is something I have only just realised could be done and thought it was worth sharing. I also like your idea with the candy canes - starting in the middle and working outwards. I will try it out myself in 09,(as I managed to get some canes that were on sale).

Craig.

[Wayne J]

Prof, I really enjoy reading your Vixen tips! Keep up the experiments!

[prof]

Virtus,

you mean something like the example in the attached sequence. I have also thrown in a third example with yet another twist. Lets just say it is logical once you know how. (ver 2.0.9.0)

Craig.

[prof]

Or how about a variation with arches. (v 2.0.9.0)

[Virtus]

Both examples are perfect...but you forgot to apply your ramping fase to the ending! ;)

[51fordf2]

Pretty neat! I don't have any dimming, and have been playing with the idea of using my color organ, for 4 channels just for my voice-overs. I'll have one, or several trees, set aside just for that, so that the voice over will appear to come from that tree(s). I'll have the tree run normally during the sequence, but turn it off when the voice is on, as well as turn on the color organ. I ran my lights with the color organ this year, and I really liked it. Not like the computerized, but definitely better than static. Plus, with 192 channels, I can dedicate 3 or 4 just to getting that accomplished. Plus, since I'm just "blinky" and no "dimmy", when it DOES dim, with the voice, it will definitely stand out!

Just played a bit with the frequency and waveform a bit earlier today - just loaded 2.1 on my 64 bit Vista monster, to see how it would do - everything works just fine!

R

[tlorek]

Wonderful effect! This will definitely be useful for several songs I'm planning for this year.

[kychristmas]

Virtus,
When I started this, I was hoping to drape my hose in lights to make it look like Santa. Then I would have the Beard and Mouth move like it was talking and singing. I saw a static image on a site once, but can't find it. This was in image where the Gable Roof was the Hat. The 2nd floor windows were eyes, etc.

I like the idea of Waveform generated singing effect, but I guess it will have to wait until 2010 or 2011.

One of the members also uses a lot of Wireframe type displays where the Mouths move. Can't find the link, but I believe he had over 20 Characters talking and singing.

The wafeform tip will make it much easier to do that kind of stuff.

[Virtus]

I am considering making the whole front of the house a face with several expressions, eye and eyebrow movements and mouth positions. My theme next year is "Angels" so it may not work out for '09. I am going to try to make a couple 24 channel angels who move arms, wings, feet, and trumpets. It is a similar effort just a drastically different scale. Maybe if the 2010 theme fits it I will go with the big Santa face on the house. I've seen the picture you are talking about...it was a townhouse on the left side and another equally decorated house to the right. It was a neat shot.

On the big mouth you could use WAVEFORM to control the position over maybe only three channels so that the "lip sync" would be almost automatic...I guess you would have to blank out the instrumental portions so the singer doesn't look overly involved! :D

[dadams14]

It is nice to see the Vixen example, which I will need, but does anybody have a video of it in use in a show...I would love to see it ...
Thanks
Dennis

[dadams14]

this looks so cool, can't wait to use it.... Thanks for bringing it up


Every body will have experimented with the waveform add-in and found that it has two modes of operation. You can have a single channel that varies in intensity with the volume of the music. Or you can have a range of channels that are on/off (0% or 100% intensity) that behave like a bargraph VU meter.

If you temporarily create both types of animation you take it one step further and combine the two to create a range style display that varies in intensity.

To do this, you copy the single channel containing the variable intensity information. Then you Boolean AND paste this channel over the top of each of the channels used in the range display.

Craig.