Vixen 2.x users, any interest in a new Preview?

[ctmal]

So, this is really a post asking if there is any interest. I've created a new preview for Vixen 2.x, I'm calling it Blitzen preview. Currently it's set up for my display but if anyone interested I can make things more configurable for other displays.

So, the why?
For years I've been frustrated with the Adjustable preview because it takes too much time to edit and I end up with colors blending instead of seeing separate colors. This was really evident in the minitrees and anything else that uses a lot of ramps and fades.

So, what I made is a preview that I think is easier to set up(I drew my whole display in about 5 - 10 minutes) and solves the issue colors blending.
In general, you draw shapes that are assigned to channels and it renders bulbs for each of those channels so that they are not on top of each other(a link to a video will be at the end).

Also, I added a dimming curve. It's display wide at this point. Basically the hope is it will help me get a better view of how the fade, shimmers, etc. will look on my display in real life.

Here's a introduction video to show how it works and I'll post the files to be downloaded if you want to try it shortly.
https://youtu.be/QDrxgZKX8YY

Here is a link to the download if you want to give it a try.
http://ctm.maloneylights.com/downloads/


Let me know what you think and if you think this would be any help to you.

Chris.

[ctmal]

Very interesting Chris. I have wondered if there is any interest in a AC "onlyish" sequencer. It will be interesting to see how many people download your preview. It looks really nice. Wish it had been around in 2014.

Thanks Mike, I'm kind of curious too.

[Capt'n Jack]

That looks easier than the regular preview to get the effects. I'm still an incandescent user with Renards and Vixen 2.1. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to put up my display as is. I would like to try this preview if I change my setup to a more senior friendly design. Hope you continue to develop it so when I need it I'll be able to find it.

[Braveit1]

I'm a pixel user but I can appreciate the investment you put into making this preview. I started light displays back with the first version of Vixen (and a VB6 app I wrote) and DIY parallel port controlled mechanical relays and things have changed so much over the years. (I still have half a dozen REN24HCs up in the attic.) Thanks for taking the time to improve the hobby even if its audience is still A/C users.

[jchuchla]

I can't help but ask, but why is it worth the effort to write a new preview module for software that's been dead for 10 years? What is it about Vixen 2 that keeps you from moving forward to the more modern options? Vixen 3 is a great sequencer for AC lights. I'd go as far as saying it's better than Vixen 2, even just for AC lights.

[ctmal]

That looks easier than the regular preview to get the effects. I'm still an incandescent user with Renards and Vixen 2.1. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to put up my display as is. I would like to try this preview if I change my setup to a more senior friendly design. Hope you continue to develop it so when I need it I'll be able to find it.

The dll file will always be available from the link above. I have no plans of abandoning it.

[ctmal]

I'm a pixel user but I can appreciate the investment you put into making this preview. I started light displays back with the first version of Vixen (and a VB6 app I wrote) and DIY parallel port controlled mechanical relays and things have changed so much over the years. (I still have half a dozen REN24HCs up in the attic.) Thanks for taking the time to improve the hobby even if its audience is still A/C users.

Thanks for the nice comment. It's appreciated.

[ctmal]

I can't help but ask, but why is it worth the effort to write a new preview module for software that's been dead for 10 years? What is it about Vixen 2 that keeps you from moving forward to the more modern options? Vixen 3 is a great sequencer for AC lights. I'd go as far as saying it's better than Vixen 2, even just for AC lights.

That's a fair question. I tried Vixen 3 years ago and even submitted some tutorials for writing effects and submitted some fixes for (now defunct I believe) mark manager. Unfortunately, I found it to be a lot more work than Vixen 2. I know that probably has changed by now so at some point I'll give it a try but we'll see. I've looked for some examples recently but all I found was examples for pixels so I gave up.

I can give more details if you'd like but I don't want to sound like I'm bashing Vixen 3 because I'm not. I think its great, just for me, I find Vixen 2 to be easier and better for non pixel displays.

Also, it gives me something to play with programming wise. Little projects like this really do help in crafting a better more organized style(although I still think I have a long way to go).

[ppohlman]

... Unfortunately, I found it to be a lot more work than Vixen 2. I know that probably has changed by now so at some point I'll give it a try but we'll see. ... I think its great, just for me, I find Vixen 2 to be easier and better for non pixel displays.

I still use Vixen 2.5 and I felt the same way when I tried Vixen 3 when it was first coming out. I felt like it was mostly focused on pixel control and I didn't feel like I had the same amount of control of the lights when trying to program the same AC effects.
Either way, I really appreciate Chris's work on this new previewer and will save me tons of time when my display changes. I've been putting off updating my previewer for some time because of the time it takes.

[ctmal]

I've made a couple improvements and uploaded them to the same url as the original post.
In the update:
On the left side, there's a tab called properties that now shows any shapes or tools you have selected. If the shape has editable properties(right now, only the Megatree does), you can change them there.
As for editable properties, if you change the property of the shape itself, it only affects the shape. If you change the property in the tool, it affects any shape of that type that you draw after the change.
When a tool is selected, I changed the key to allow you to move the shape to alt instead of ctrl....because.....
You can now select multiple shapes and move them as a group.
Also, there's now a build for Vixen 2.5 as well as 2.1.