Loop Sequences in Cue Window?

[musicboy71]

Hello, new user with about 30 hours invested in learning the ins & outs of FS. After doing some searches, I can't find an answer to the following.

Is this possible? --> I want to load a bunch of sequences into the Cue window and let them run one after another. Some of my sequences I will be loading are only 4 steps or so (using the shape generator along with the FX button in the sequence editor), thus they only last about 4-8 seconds when ran. Is there a way to have the sequences LOOP "X" amount of times before moving on to the next sequence in the CUE window? Or, can I have each sequence run for "X" amount of time before moving on to the next sequence?

I want a more automated show that I can just set and forget. I can always set up override buttons for different functions when needed.

[GaryBonaducci]

...Is this possible? --> I want to load a bunch of sequences into the Cue window and let them run one after another. Some of my sequences I will be loading are only 4 steps or so (using the shape generator along with the FX button in the sequence editor), thus they only last about 4-8 seconds when ran.

Navigate: Setup > FreeStyler Setup > Preferences > Extra Options and de-select "Cue Multiselect always enabled". Disabling this feature makes the Cue window's "Play/Stop" buttons work in "radio button" mode. (Starting one cue automatically disables all others.)

Next, click the gear-shaped icon on the Cue window. This allows you to set other Cue window preferences. Enable the "Loop all sequences" option. You should also enable the "Always start with 1st scene" option so your sequences don't start mid-way from the last time they have been run.

When this is done, the Cue window should work the way you have described above. I used to run my lights this way often.

However, there seems to be a bug in version 3.3.7 where sequences made with the shape generator are not running for the length of time that they're supposed to. I will check the Bug Reports to see if this has been brought up; and if not, I'll submit a bug report for it to get fixed.

Is there a way to have the sequences LOOP "X" amount of times before moving on to the next sequence in the CUE window? Or, can I have each sequence run for "X" amount of time before moving on to the next sequence?

You can set the time it runs; but again, there seems to be a bug where it doesn't work like this anymore.

I want a more automated show that I can just set and forget. I can always set up override buttons for different functions when needed.

Take note that Overrides only run the first step in a Sequence. As such, Overrides are better for setting static properties such as color, gobo, strobing, etc. Overrides cannot do multi-step sequences. I am starting to write the Wiki entry for Overrides, but it may take some time for me to finish as I'm a little busy completing another section of the Wiki.

Also, it would be nice for me to see you complete your location in your profile. I like knowing where people are from. Thanks.

[GaryBonaducci]

Okay, I have examined the bug a little further, and it seems that it's a problem with any single-step sequence in the Cue window when the cuelist is run in the "Loop All Sequences" mode. It hasn't been reported yet, so I submitted a bug ticket to get it fixed.

[musicboy71]

Updated my profile.

Thanks for the quick reply! I'll try and roll back to version 3.3.6 as well as implement all the other suggestions.

[musicboy71]

I've gone back to the latest stable release (3.3.2), and taken the appropriate steps outlined above. I have a small cue list set up of 3 sequences. 8 steps in first sequence (8 total seconds), 4 in second (8 total seconds), and 4 in third (4 total seconds). All sequences involve moving heads only. I have set the scheduler time to 00:00:30. Still, each sequence runs through once and moves to next sequence. Any ideas?

[GaryBonaducci]

....I have set the scheduler time to 00:00:30. Still, each sequence runs through once and moves to next sequence. Any ideas?

Quite frankly, I have never used the scheduler on the Cue window so I can't answer. Someone else who uses this setting will have to jump in and answer this question for you.

I don't think setting the time on the Cue window's scheduler works this way you are expecting; though again, I can't say for sure since I've never used it at all. When I create sequences to make scanners run shapes like what you're doing, I set them up to run for about 10~20 seconds each by setting the "scene time" in the Create Sequence window. Then when playing back the sequence in the Cue window, I just let them cycle through and play once (for 10~20 seconds) like what you describe is happening.

I've gotten a test fix for the bug described above already. Apparently, it has been noticed and worked on; but it's not completely cured yet. In some circumstances, the Cue window works like it should; but in others, the same bug appears. Raph is usually very quick to fix these things, so hopefully it will be resolved soon.

[GaryBonaducci]

...I have set the scheduler time to 00:00:30.....

Well, I learn something new each day!

There's a Wiki entry for this that leads to a video:
http://www.freestylersupport.com/wiki/timecode

Apparently, you've set up the scheduler time slightly wrong. Instead of using 'relative' time (i.e. "00:00:30" for 30 seconds each), you should be setting an 'absolute' time. For example, you said you have 3 sequences, so the scheduler should read:

(sequence 1) 00:00:00 (loop on)
(sequence 2) 00:00:30 (loop on)
(sequence 3) 00:01:00 (loop on)

And then in the Cue's preferences, enable "Enable Timecode > PC timecode Elapsed". This sets the Cue window's clock to run as a stopwatch, rather than display real time. So what happens is this:

(sequence 1) 00:00:00 (loop on) <-- this sequence will start at 0 seconds and loop
(sequence 2) 00:00:30 (loop on) <-- this sequence will start at 0:30 and loop
(sequence 3) 00:01:00 (loop on) <-- this sequence will start at 1:00 and loop

Let me know if this works how you want it to.

[musicboy71]

Thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for. I swear I even watched that video, but with no audio I apparently didn't pay close enough attention.

Now, for a DJ that doesn't want to spend all night messing with the lights, would you say this is my best option? If you know of a better way, being as that I'm still in the early phase of programming I want to pursue the best possible option.

Also, seeing as that I can only enter 20 sequences per cue, if I have each set to 15 seconds, that gives me a total of 5 minutes before I need to enter a new cue or hit reset on the timer. I don't think there is a way to automatically restart at the first sequence or automatically reset the timer once the cue has run through all sequences??? Or better yet, move on to the next cue!

Again, I'm learning a lot - and if you know of a better method - I'm open to all ideas. Thanks!

[gkrusi]

I'm also very interested in possibility of automatic restart of relative time counter, when it reaches defined time. Any ideas how to do it?

It' would be prfect for decorative lightning, like this one I just made: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqgVaVR29YU

Thank you!