Scrolling Large Text across a grid of 16 poles

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   I want to build 16 of the firework/Bellagio type poles. My first use would be in May at a Relay for Life event.

Imagine a grid of 16 poles, each with 8 light segments from top to bottom. I would like them to "normally" be functioning as "firework" type effects shooting into the air or as a Bellagio water fountain type effect.

BUT BUT BUT

I'd also like to have words like "HOPE" and "CURE" scroll across once in awhile. These are very appropriate to a Relay for Life event, perhaps not so much for Christmas, where I'd probably scroll something like "SANTA" or "JESUS" or "STAY IN YOUR CAR" :)

How would any of you approach this from an Aurora sequencing perspective? I'm just now creating a test sequence so I'm a blank slate. Any ideas would be welcomed.

My first impression is that Sequencing programs are more designed to make something like this got "UP" or "DOWN" not "Across" 

Thanks.  JonB

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JonB256 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List DMX Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Location: Granbury, TX Online Status: Offline Posts: 130	Quote Reply Topic: Scrolling Large Text across a grid of 16 poles Posted: 10 Feb 2009 at 5:07pm
	I want to build 16 of the firework/Bellagio type poles. My first use would be in May at a Relay for Life event. Imagine a grid of 16 poles, each with 8 light segments from top to bottom. I would like them to "normally" be functioning as "firework" type effects shooting into the air or as a Bellagio water fountain type effect. BUT BUT BUT I'd also like to have words like "HOPE" and "CURE" scroll across once in awhile. These are very appropriate to a Relay for Life event, perhaps not so much for Christmas, where I'd probably scroll something like "SANTA" or "JESUS" or "STAY IN YOUR CAR" :) How would any of you approach this from an Aurora sequencing perspective? I'm just now creating a test sequence so I'm a blank slate. Any ideas would be welcomed. My first impression is that Sequencing programs are more designed to make something like this got "UP" or "DOWN" not "Across" Thanks. JonB
	JonB - D-Light user

christmas 01 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Location: Male Online Status: Offline Posts: 49	Quote Reply Posted: 10 Feb 2009 at 5:31pm
	john could you put a diarram on here of what you mean please? as im not too sure?
	Many hands make christmas lights work

JonB256 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List DMX Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Location: Granbury, TX Online Status: Offline Posts: 130	Quote Reply Posted: 10 Feb 2009 at 9:54pm
	see if this helps Would take 8 ACx16 controllers
	JonB - D-Light user

ChrisL1976 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Beta Testers Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Location: Kankakee, Ill Online Status: Offline Posts: 1341	Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2009 at 9:03am
	This is actually pretty easy. Just do one letter at a time. Lay your channels out in the order of each horizontal row. 10-8 10-16 11-8 11-16 12-8 12-18....ect . Then the second row. 10-7 10-15 11-7 11-15 12-7 12-15. That way to get a letter to scroll across, it would be just a chase sequence in order. So lets scroll a letter H across a few steps. first time event would have controller 10---1 to 8, 12, 13 cntlr 11--5,4 9 to 16 full on commands. (FOC) second time event would have 10--9 to 16. 11--5,4, 12,13, 12--1 to 8 FOC third time event would be cntlr 11--1 to 8, 12,13 cntrl 12--4,5, 9 to 16. FOC Keep up that pattern for each event down the line. once you sequence the first time event.....copy that single column of FOC and past it in the next even, one row down. You'll be able to sequence extremely fast that way
	Chris www.lightsonsixth.com

ChrisL1976 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Beta Testers Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Location: Kankakee, Ill Online Status: Offline Posts: 1341	Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2009 at 9:07am
	If you make up that channel layout and still have troubles, shoot me the template file and I'll sequence a couple letters for you to show you. I just dont have the time to set up that 8 controller file right now and draw all the channels on the fire sticks
	Chris www.lightsonsixth.com

JonB256 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List DMX Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Location: Granbury, TX Online Status: Offline Posts: 130	Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2009 at 9:15am
	I'm hoping it is just that easy but my brain isn't picturing how the actual screen with Copy/Paste will work yet. I'll get a grid and picture setup tonight or tomorrow. If I just can't get it to work, I'll copy the file here. Thanks.
	JonB - D-Light user

Jonathan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Beta Testers Joined: 07 Sep 2008 Location: SoCal Online Status: Offline Posts: 1237	Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2009 at 10:10am
	So you are trying to do the cheap man's version of what Galaxia does? Seriously, have you seen the prices for their controllers and strands!?! Don't get me wrong, I looked at some pretty amazing videos of their product in action, but with enough thought and work put into it, you could do it one block (channel) at a time and acheive much the same effect.
	~Jonathan

ChrisL1976 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Beta Testers Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Location: Kankakee, Ill Online Status: Offline Posts: 1341	Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2009 at 10:57am
	ok, the copy/paste wont work unless the entire letter is contained in the same controller which in your case it never will be. I threw together a 2 controller grid. 4 channels high by 8 channels long. I scrolled a O a cross the screen. Here's the DLS file After trying this the way I said with the channel layout..... I'd leave my channels listed in order. I'd print out a copy of you channel layout from above. Then get a piece of transparent sheet, lay it over channel layout and draw your word so it fits the channels. If your doing HOPE after you draw HOPE on your trans. sheet. Slide the beginning of the H on to the last firestick (channel 9-16 contrl 17) Only 9-17 are covered. turn on thos channels. Slide if one FS to the left. Now the H covers contrl 17 1-8 and 12,13. Next event...slide if left..turn on those channels and so on.....this will make the word HOPE scroll from right to left. In your case, I'd do letters that were 2 FS wide. Same principal. Edited by ChrisL1976 - 11 Feb 2009 at 11:06am
	Chris www.lightsonsixth.com

JonB256 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List DMX Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Location: Granbury, TX Online Status: Offline Posts: 130	Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2009 at 12:03pm
	Chris, I've also considered connecting the controllers "from the side" such that Controller ID #10 would do all of the bottom segments, the #11 would do the next row up, etc... That seems like it would be easier for doing Words, but then much harder to do things like fireworks or fountains. Plus, it is super inefficient for running power cords. Can I have it both ways??? Ultimately, it seems more of a question of how I organize the channels on the Aurora screen rather than actual controller and channel assignments. Jonathan - rather than consider this a "poor man's Galaxia" I'd prefer it to be a low-budget, multiple purpose display panel. (MPDP) What I REALLY want is the Fireworks or Firestick type effects and then also the Bellagio Water Fountain effects. The "bonus" would be the MPDP scrolling words. I'll drop the scrolling word features if it is too hard, though I don't think it will be. After a meeting with the Relay for Life people Monday, I have now committed to doing a version of The Star Spangled Banner with my display at 5am Saturday. At midnight, I will do "Eye of the Tiger." I still need to pick at least one more song. Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer would probably not go over very well :( Edited by JonB256 - 11 Feb 2009 at 1:40pm
	JonB - D-Light user

Slinkard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DMX Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Location: El Cajon CA Online Status: Offline Posts: 243	Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2009 at 3:28pm
	I've got it solved! turn it side ways. Create 16 poles each bieng channels High. This way you will need more SPT1 but it should flow easier. So this is a number output: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Controller 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Controller 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Controller 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Controller 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Controller 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Controller 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Controller 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Controller 8 Now you have 16 poles still each pole has 8ch. total. Slink
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