2.5 Dimming Curves Generator [Archive] - Do It Yourself Christmas Forums

chilloutdocdoc

07-09-2009, 12:45 AM

Here's a little utility I've developed for adding dimming curves without having to edit all 256 entries on the curve. (hope i posted this in the right section)

There are two modes:
Linear - Creates a curve that dims between the minimum and maximum value entered.
Custom Equation - Allows you to enter your own equation into the program and generates a sequence for you.

Buttons:
Make - Creates a dimming curve with the specified parameters.
Add To Library - Adds the curve shown in the text box to the current library. Be sure to insert your String Manufactuer, String Count, and Controller

Hope it helps you out, send me any requests you may have for changes/additions/etc.

Chilloutdocdoc
AKA Young Grasshopper (stop by the Live Chat to find out why)

cbell

07-09-2009, 08:26 AM

Very cool. Now I can easily use the curves to set the minimum and maximum on a per channel basis rather than globally in the sequence. Nice work.

Santacarl

07-15-2009, 10:30 PM

Has the 'library' been started yet? I am a firm believer in using things already developed rather than having to create my own.......LOL....

SC

chilloutdocdoc

07-25-2009, 01:01 AM

No, I don't know of any libraries that are "up" yet... however I hope to start (keyword START) working on mine next week.

kostyun

07-25-2009, 01:35 AM

I hope to post a few of mine - especially for the LED lights

I will have CDI 2008 Replacements Blue 70ct and CDI 2008 Replacements Blue 100ct

Soon to add in some of the LED Holiday Lighting Lights

ppohlman

08-25-2009, 11:52 PM

I started playing around a bit with the curve generator. Thanks!! It works well at creating the curves.
I haven't noticed a library started yet, I guess people are still playing around with this.

I can get the curves loaded into the library.txt file, but how do you incorporate the curves into vixen?

I'm guessing that you include them into each channel while editing a profile, but when I try this it doesn't pull up any of the curves that I've created. Any ideas?

chilloutdocdoc

08-26-2009, 12:51 PM

I started playing around a bit with the curve generator. Thanks!! It works well at creating the curves.
I haven't noticed a library started yet, I guess people are still playing around with this.

Curves are being worked on, but currently a "central" curve library idea is going through the works... I'll be posting my curves quite soon (not that many) so that others may use them.

I can get the curves loaded into the library.txt file, but how do you incorporate the curves into vixen?

I'm guessing that you include them into each channel while editing a profile, but when I try this it doesn't pull up any of the curves that I've created. Any ideas?

First, make sure that the program says "ADDED!" after you add the curves to the library. If this does not there may be an issue as to where you are running the code from. If it does indeed say "ADDED" make sure you are running the most up to date copy of Vixen (2.5.0.3) you can check this by starting Vixen Going to Help->About and seeing at the bottom of the pop-up. Check the vixen thread for the zip file in the first post.

If you still have issues post what progress (if any) this gets you and I'll try and help you out!

chilloutdocdoc

osgoor

08-26-2009, 01:59 PM

I feel like a dim bulb on this one. can someone post a few pics of how this utility works?

budude

08-26-2009, 02:03 PM

I feel like a dim bulb on this one. can someone post a few pics of how this utility works?

I'm a dim LED...:p I get the idea of what it does but it would be good to have an explanation of exactly how to adjust the curves in some detail. I played with it a bit but haven't started going through my lights yet...

ppohlman

08-26-2009, 03:28 PM

First, make sure that the program says "ADDED!"

Yes. It does say "ADDED" and when I open up the library.txt file, it has added the trial curves that I generated. The information includes the manufacturer string, the bulb count, and controller, along with the level steps that are used to create the curve.

If it does indeed say "ADDED" make sure you are running the most up to date copy of Vixen (2.5.0.3)

I'll have to check this when I get home from work. I thought that I had the most recent version of Vixen 2.5 but I'm not 100% certain.

If you still have issues post what progress (if any) this gets you and I'll try and help you out!

I get to the point where I have the option to add a dimming curve to a particular channel in the vixen profile editor. When I click to add a curve there are not any curves available. It looks as if vixen didn't find or import the curve library file correctly.

Thanks for your help chilloutdocdoc.
Let me check the version of Vixen when I get home and we can go from there.

chilloutdocdoc

08-26-2009, 03:38 PM

I'm a dim LED...:p I get the idea of what it does but it would be good to have an explanation of exactly how to adjust the curves in some detail. I played with it a bit but haven't started going through my lights yet...

I'll have the tutorial i've been working on up either tonight or tomorrow.

I get to the point where I have the option to add a dimming curve to a particular channel in the vixen profile editor. When I click to add a curve there are not any curves available. It looks as if vixen didn't find or import the curve library file correctly.

Thanks for your help chilloutdocdoc.
Let me check the version of Vixen when I get home and we can go from there.

I think this could be the issue, a lot of the revisions KC did were due to dimming curve errors. If not, feel free to pm me, post here, or check out the flash chat to see if I, or anybody else is in, and we'll get it worked out.

ppohlman

08-26-2009, 07:14 PM

I think this could be the issue, a lot of the revisions KC did were due to dimming curve errors. If not, feel free to pm me, post here, or check out the flash chat to see if I, or anybody else is in, and we'll get it worked out.

Well, I just checked and I do have the most recent version of vixen 2.5.0.3.

I can wait until you post your tutorial and read through that. Hopefully you talk about how to implement the newly generated dimming curves into Vixen.

FYI, this is what is happening:
I can create the curves just fine. No problems there. The issue is when I try to apply the curves in Vixen.
I've tried to apply the curves to the channels in a sequence (double clicking the channel) and through the profile (once again 2x clicking the channel). Both yield the same result.

- Open up channel properties and click on "Dimming Curve".
- Click on "Import"
- Source is set to local and all of the criteria are left at "(All)"
- No dimming curves are available to pick.

Is the library.txt file supposed to be somewhere else other than where it's created (documents/Vixen/Libraries/Curves/)?

ppohlman

08-26-2009, 11:08 PM

After chatting with Chilloutdocdoc and looking at the library.txt file he figured out what was wrong. For others to learn, this is what fixed my problem...

My library.txt file had two different things wrong with it. When you open the library.txt file it should have:

1) As the first line by itself
Manufacturer,LightCount,Controller,CurveData

2)Each line of dimming curve info should begin and end with a single ".

If you're having problems with the generator, download the .zip file again because it will be updated soon (if it hasn't been already).

Thanks again Chilloutdocdoc for your help.

--------------------
*** EDIT ***

Attached is the updated .zip file that I received from chilloutdocdoc. This version is currently working for me.
--------------------

g2ktcf

08-27-2009, 02:45 AM

ppohlman

08-27-2009, 09:50 AM

Just FYI,

There may be some changes coming to the format of the dimming curve data. Also, I think that the color needs to be added to the information. When you are working on RGB blends (think portafloods), the red curve will be offset from the green and blue due to how our eyes perceive the light.

Cheers,
Chris

Yeah, I was talking to chilloutdocdoc about this as well. Currently, Vixen needs to allow this string to be a variable before the generator can be updated. What I have done is just add the color after the Manufacturer (e.g. "Target - Red") just so I can see the differentiation between colors as you have mentioned.

g2ktcf

08-27-2009, 09:55 AM

Yeah, I was talking to chilloutdocdoc about this as well. Currently, Vixen needs to allow this string to be a variable before the generator can be updated. What I have done is just add the color after the Manufacturer (e.g. "Target - Red") just so I can see the differentiation between colors as you have mentioned.

I am also wondering if Manufacture and Supplier need to be separated..or year of supply. Target, Walmart and Home Depot and all can change the specs from year to year.

ppohlman

08-27-2009, 09:59 AM

I am also wondering if Manufacture and Supplier need to be separated..or year of supply. Target, Walmart and Home Depot and all can change the specs from year to year.

I agree with the year too.
I was thinking that some strings I have from the same supplier bought at different years are a bit different.
Although I need to do a bit more testing.

chilloutdocdoc

08-27-2009, 02:10 PM

I agree with the year too.
I was thinking that some strings I have from the same supplier bought at different years are a bit different.
Although I need to do a bit more testing.

Yeah, this all might just be a "work toward" the final solution, I've been keeping in mind that KC's been working with Chris on getting some other x64 friendly solutions to work.

Hopefully it'll be applicable in the end!

aERonAUtical96

10-30-2009, 08:52 AM

Sorry to bring up an old thread... but I do have a question... how you are measuring the light values for min and max values for this tool?

I grabbed a couple of light dependent resistors from the shack and hooked up a DVM to one of them. Rigged up a project box to accept a single light and using vixen's test function, ramped up the light. Measured the point where the DVM registered a value (say 5%) and then when it flattened out at the top (say 85%). My DVM is a cheapy, so I'm sure I'm not 100% acurate. I'm just curious what everyone else is doing, if you are doing anything at all other than eyeballing it?

Thanks

ppohlman

11-18-2009, 06:53 PM

chilloutdocdoc

11-19-2009, 02:56 PM

Hey chilloutdocdoc -

With the recent release of Vixen 2.5.0.7, this Dimming curve generator utility does not export the correct information (color included) and file format (.xml).

Are there any plans to update this utility?

thanks,
ppohlman

i'll have to look into how KC updated the dimming curves, and then update accordingly... you'll have to excuse me cause i work a decent amount, i should be able to take a look at it this weekend and give a definite answer.

I haven't gone near 2.5.0.7 yet lol

ppohlman

11-19-2009, 03:52 PM

Thanks for your help with making the dimming curve data much easier than a point-by-point process.

Just to let people know, there is a work around with the dimming curve library file.
This is what I did:

As stated, the new dimming curve library file is in .XML format (Vixen 2.5.0.7).
- Create a few "dummy" place holders for the dimming curve library while in Vixen.
- Open the newly created .XML file (I used notepad). You will be able to see the different curve data sections.
- Use the current version of the Dimming Curve Generator and create the curves that you need.
- Open up the .TXT dimming curve library file that was just created from the generator.
- Copy and Paste the curve data (a bunch of #'s and |'s) from the .TXT file into the .XML file over the "dummy" curve data.
- Continue to copy/paste until all data is transferred.
- Save the .XML library file and make sure that the info was transfer into Vixen.

Once again, thanks for your help with the generator, chilloutdocdoc.

boarder3

11-22-2009, 12:28 AM

I cant get this generator to work in any version of vixen tried all new versions i could find and didnt under stand how to edit the file to make it work in 257. Could someone please post there xml file so i could import. Or post a new generator that works thanks.

chilloutdocdoc

11-22-2009, 01:19 AM

boarder3

11-22-2009, 09:21 AM

Thanks same here not enough time in the day .

dmcole

12-31-2009, 06:43 PM

- Create a few "dummy" place holders for the dimming curve library while in Vixen.

This instruction took me a while to figure out. In Vixen, you need to

*Go to Profiles -> Manage -> Your current profile

*From there, click on the channel you want to add a curve to.

*Click on Dimming Curve.

*Drag the purple box over to the curve (which is currently linear).

*Click on a point and drag it up or down.

*Click on Export

*Name the curve.

*Click on OK.

The resulting file (called 'library.xml') is (probably) in your /Vixen/Libraries/Curves/ directory.

Then you can follow the rest of ppohlman's instructions.

Happy dimming.

\dmc

sparky588

11-16-2010, 08:25 AM

I Feel like a idiot but i cant seem to get this dimming curve stuff. how do you figure out the information to put in for a spacfic light string? im no engineer and this is only my second year in this but im really confused. can anyone leads me in the right direction on how to do this or if there is a place where these curves are already done? i would like to be able to figure this out. Thanks

Santacarl

11-17-2010, 12:40 AM

Plug the light string you want to 'curve' into a channel (any channel will do) on the controller....then open Vixen and select the "test channels" icon (2 checkmarks) that is located at the top next to your # of channels...

Once you click on it....a box will open showing all your available channels.....select the channel you plugged your string into and use the slider on the right side of the box and move it up and down....you'll see the brightness increase/decrease depending on where the slider is. You want to select a low number and a high number.....The low number is where the light first somes on steady....and the high number is when the light first reaches its brightest point...... Record those two values and then open up the curve generator and put them into the form the curve generator presents you.....save it by a name you can remember.....

Go back into Vixen and open a sequence and select a chanel you want to apply the curve to.....Click on 'sequence' on the top menu....then choose 'channel diming curves'......then assign the sequence you named above to this channel.....

Oh...one other thing....before you save an actual dimming curve you need to creat a 'dummy' record....doesn't matter what values you put in it....just create one to start the little database-like file it uses....then save it (name doesn't matter). Next time, when you have actual working data, it will save properly....

sparky588

11-18-2010, 10:52 AM

Thankyou sooooo much. I didn't understand how to do it. that made it simple. thanks again and happy decorating

Santacarl

11-26-2010, 10:40 AM

YW...you can thank Josh (Chillout) for that....he had to walk me through it....

Hey Josh...how's it going?

jrock64

05-20-2011, 12:56 PM

Can someone post their library.txt and library.xml files and the paths where they were located.
Just so I can see what they look like.

I am on 2.5.0.4 and can not get them to work.
I do have the updated Vixen.exe file KC posted, but I can not get anything to import or export.
The list is always empty.

Joel

WakeFan

05-20-2011, 06:01 PM

Mine were in My Documents>Vixen>Libraries>Curves

I couldn't post the .xml file and don't have a .txt file. I manually made the one file I use from the instructions somewhere on here.

I bet I wasn't much help:confused:

Try renaming the below to Library.xml, it may work

jrock64

05-20-2011, 08:09 PM

Thanks. Mine looks like that.
I finally got it to export something into the xml file then I just had to replicate the sections I needed and past chillouts values into the file.

Joel

chilloutdocdoc

05-20-2011, 08:52 PM

Wow, I can't actually believe people are still using this, it's a shame I lost the source to it. I may have to work on a better implementation of it if it works this summer, so that it automatically reads the XML stuff.

djulien

05-20-2011, 11:16 PM

it's a shame I lost the source to it.

Try this. I wasn't sure if you wanted VB or C#, so both are in there. I assume you can pull the resources from the .EXE if you need them, so those are not included.

PM me for the password.

(I tried to send the attachment via PM but it did not let me do that).

don