Im really new on the great world of Touchdesigner. Ive checked some of the greatest Workshop Videos on Youtube. And tried to replicate them. There was still success on it. But only till 170 LEDs because, these are on 1 Universe.
My project is based on the Workshop from Ben Voigt and Markus Heckmann. But they only show how to build 1 Universe, not how to combine more then 170 LEDs.
So now, my question:
On it, there are 7 Universes needed, for all my 1190 LEDs, which are on the same port.
Till 170 LEDs all works fine, but when I try to use more as them. I get a value issue from DMX out. And the LEDs are running parallel (in Shuffle CHOP to bring the Channels/Samples in one, there`s still no success too). So all my 7 Universes running as 7 seperate but same (copy /mirror from first universe)
I cant handle to bring, all 7 universes as one big wall combined. Ive tried to make 7 similar projects. But there`s the same. I only have the routing from the first 170 LEDs all other things going everytime as mirroring and no more as this.
When I use Packet per Sample, there`s still only lightning the first LED from the Universes. So only 7 LEDs are glowing.
I hope, somebody could help me out, to bring, the LEDs as one panel and get this image like on the preview viewport in the project.
Of course, I`ve made a routingtable, with all 7 Universes, linked them from 7 rename CHOPS and merge them to the DMX out.
Sorry, for the bad explaining. On complexe Software like Touch Designer, its really hard to go in theory. So heres my project. I hope you or somebody can help me out there.
I`m using WLED over Artnet. In Resolume Arena. The fixture works perfect. So I think, that in Touch Designer will be a routing problem or maybe a LED wire issue. Hope it will be clear, after checking the project
Ah I see. The part you are missing is that you need to split that super long single channel of 1190 LED RGB data (3350 samples) into 7 different channels and all you are doing right now is copying the same long channel 7 times.
The key point here is that even though all of your LEDs may be only coming out of one “port” of the LED controller, you STILL have to split the data into 170 pixel “DMX Universes” with a Shuffle CHOP set to “Split N Samples” (N being 510) before you send it out of TouchDesigner via the DMX Out CHOP. The LED controller will then take those separate DMX universes and stitch them back together on the other side as if they had never been split apart in the first place.
I know this seems un-intuitive, but it is an issue that stems from how DMX data used to be distributed starting in the 90’s when “nobody will ever need more than 512 DMX channels” hence the 170 which is the most that will fit into 512 when multiplied by 3 (RGB).
TLDR: Replace the merge / rename CHOP with another shuffle CHOP that is set to “Split 510 Samples”
Then to keep your current DMX Routing Table, you would have to stick a single rename after that to change the names of the new channels to universe[0-6] (technically don’t need 7 since 0-6 is still 7 channels)
Or instead, get rid of that AND the routing table and then just choose the first DMX universe to send data to:
I would also add a Null CHOP set to “Cook Always” as well in case you send a still image so the LEDs won’t time out.
In fact, if you right click on the DMX Out CHOP and choose “Operator Snippets…” there is an operator snippet called “LED tape pixel mapping” that shows this exact setup and explains a lot of it.
Hope that helps.
Oh and also… 1190 LEDs is a LOT of LEDs to put in a row off a single strip / output… you might want to split that into 2 or 4 runs and use more than 1 port on your LED controller… Most Addressable LED tape is not the best at performing once you get past like 680 pixels (4 DMX universes) in a single data line - not to mention power draw if that’s only getting power from one side as well…
Thank you very much for this amazing detail help. I appreciate it a lot, that you took your time to help me out. I`m very impressed how it looks. Now I understand, how it works I think.
With your great detailed manual, I could get to run the panel as one thing, and clearness!
Yes the channel name had to be changed from “universe” to “r”.
That`s a good point to start. With it
Maybe one thing. The Wiring of the 1190 LEDs is parted in 4 DATA IN which goes directly to the controller. But over the Artnet, there`s only 1 Port through all the 4 Ports.
I wanted to check, if the wiring in the DMX is correctly and wanted to start blink all LEDs one after one.
Is there a possibility to wire the LEDs point in point something like in xlights?. In the GRID TOP I only have connectivity planes which really don`t do, how my wiring is.
In the attach file, you can see, how it looks and how my wiring is. (not the best painted thing :)).
The info, with the operator snippet is great. I will check in deep and hope it will be a good helper aswell. The LED ring is cool I need to try rebuild this to my panel geometry
The performing is great on this LEDs. I`ve checked in 60FPS and all is running smooth. Without glitches. If I would use the wireless option, it will glitch and freeze, every second for a moment and continue. Like stop and go. But over ethernet so good as far
