Matt, you've really raised the bar on Christmas lights, as well as on the "how-to" videos for lights. I most like how precise you are on everything you build -- as a result, your fixtures and displays have such a clean look. Your translucent arches are a great contribution to the hobby, thanks.
This is awesome. I've just started looking into building and programming epic Christmas light displays, and I think this will be an awesome project for next year's display. Keep making great videos!
Just finished my jig. Additional tips to any watchers: 1) I used a 1/4" rod for the router arm, because that's what fit the Ryobi I used. Use a larger diameter rod if you can, as the one I used tended to bend once I was doing the outer circles and the router wandered. 2) MDF is hugely messy when using a tool on it to remove material, particularly with sanding and routing. It's like breaking open 10 large sacks of flour wherever yo are working. Do this outside, use a vacuum if possible. 3) Hole saw. MDF burns with friction very quickly. Have a shop vacuum suction adjacent to the bit. Drill down for 2 to 3 seconds and then pull out the bit so the vacuum takes the dust, repeat. This way you also don't have to apply hard pressure to the drill, which causes the MDF to blow out on one side when you reach the end. 4) Consider drilling the large holes before doing the routing (like Matt did in the video). I didn't. The hole saw breaks the narrow piece of wood between the two routed channels. To make up for this in my case I made pilot holes and flipped over the jig so I cut the large holes. Matt if you're still monitoring. I almost bought a welder, but am considering brazing. Any knowledge on that? Thanks a million for this video. I've watched it 20 times at least the past 6 months. I finally figured out how you did some of those sweeps in Vixen also, and finally figured out what you and others meant by the power unleashed by making multiple groups.
This is my first video watching how people make these displays! Wow... very informative and now it gives me a small glimpse into the amount of work it takes to do this! Just curious, minus labor and computer software and equipment, how much did it cost for the lights on the large / small ring....? now I am heading over to the rest of your videos.... thanks for sharing!
Chad Guerrero The pixel wreath in this video has 214 lights. At $0.28 cents a light that is $60.00. If you want to buy pixels I recommend Ray Wu. Tell him I sent you.
Hi Matt, thank you for all of your contributions to the art. You have managed to design some great display elements, and adapt these elements to the Vixen software. I recently downloaded Vixen. I have also used LOR. The problem that I am encountering is that these software products are sequencers first and design tools second. They have no utility that allows the user to graphically design a display, and then convert the design into a working system. I'm leaning very strongly towards designing my own software that is a design tool first, and a sequencer second. As you have proven, design comes first. What do you think?
Another great video Matt, makes me want to give it a try. As for sequencing, will you be doing something on this subject, I guess this is what’s making me hold back a little. Great Job :D
For me, I'd just get a custom circular coro cut out, I know it wouldn't be as strong but it would be way less time consuming, and I'm just gonna say, a lot of people, even who have the largest of workshops in their garage, don't really have or know how to weld. I'm sure there is another way to attach things. It's still a really cool idea though.
Hey Matt, I am new to this and I cant wait to start my first one. I was wondering what kind of welder you were using? Make, model and amperage. Thanks again for your great video's
Awesome Matt. Just wondering if there is a better way then using Tiestraps/wireties. Seems like a lot of use and a lot of effort to tie each LED down. But awesome --Livermore-Dad
Very cool. Thanks for sharing! Several questions... 1) I know you use a different controller, but We inherited several Light-O-Rama 16 channel controllers, could those be useful in a setup using WS2811 pixels? 2) How do I best get ahold of Ray Wu?
Hi Matt, I have a few questions about this video 1- What is the controller on the table that you are using to test your wreath? 2- Approximately how many pixels go on the big wreath, and how many on the small one 3- Did you daisy chain all of the circles together, or is each circle on it’s own channel. I watched your video a couple of times, and it’s not clear to me if the pigtails are used to inject power to both end of the line, or to create several channels
Nexus Asus 1) It is a SanDevices e682, if you buy one, tell Jim St. John that you heard about him from me. 2) 214 pixels on the big wreath, small wreath 140. 3) All circles are daisy chained together. Power is split with one one end powering rings 2 & 3 and the other powering 1& 4 but the data is sequential from ring 1 to ring 4.
Hello Matt I can't find these reeds in your web site What is the price for them large and small I'm in southern California I am hopping I can get I good display going on for Xmas and I would like to get everything little by little thanks and by the way great job in the 4 videos I have watched and enjoy them all
Hi Matt, How dd your wire the individual circles together. I have a smaller wreath 8, 12, 15, 21, 27, & 29 pixels. Other than jumping them all together is there a way that I need to wire it to get the same effects that you have? Thanks
Hi Matt, This is amazing and whenever I see your videos my bank account suffers a hit since I order more and more stuff. I just ordered the Polyethylene tubing for my arches from mcmaster.com. About the wreaths,on the Large Wreath how do you daisy chain 214 pixels if is goes over the 512 dmx channels? I am using pixlite and as far as im concerned I can only get 512 channels per output. I have the Pixlite16 and the pixlite4.
+C “Total Capitalist” Asillas with the SanDevices e682 controller you can go over 512 channels per output. The issue is power injection if you go over about 170 pixels.
![[UNCUT] "บอสณวัฒน์" แฉ! แหล่งซุกเงินแก๊งบอส ขยันผิดที่ไม่กี่ปีก็เข้าคุก l คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ l17ต.ค.67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BL56qIfXYZM/mqdefault.jpg)
Matt, you've really raised the bar on Christmas lights, as well as on the "how-to" videos for lights. I most like how precise you are on everything you build -- as a result, your fixtures and displays have such a clean look. Your translucent arches are a great contribution to the hobby, thanks.
This is awesome. I've just started looking into building and programming epic Christmas light displays, and I think this will be an awesome project for next year's display. Keep making great videos!
Thanks Matt for showing us this. Very Creative! Can't wait to see what you have planned for this 2015 Christmas season.
Matt id like to thank you for your awesome videos. Keep upping the cool factor
Very nice job.I love your garage...
very nice Matt will make a great addition too your show
Just finished my jig. Additional tips to any watchers:
1) I used a 1/4" rod for the router arm, because that's what fit the Ryobi I used. Use a larger diameter rod if you can, as the one I used tended to bend once I was doing the outer circles and the router wandered.
2) MDF is hugely messy when using a tool on it to remove material, particularly with sanding and routing. It's like breaking open 10 large sacks of flour wherever yo are working. Do this outside, use a vacuum if possible.
3) Hole saw. MDF burns with friction very quickly. Have a shop vacuum suction adjacent to the bit. Drill down for 2 to 3 seconds and then pull out the bit so the vacuum takes the dust, repeat. This way you also don't have to apply hard pressure to the drill, which causes the MDF to blow out on one side when you reach the end.
4) Consider drilling the large holes before doing the routing (like Matt did in the video). I didn't. The hole saw breaks the narrow piece of wood between the two routed channels. To make up for this in my case I made pilot holes and flipped over the jig so I cut the large holes.
Matt if you're still monitoring. I almost bought a welder, but am considering brazing. Any knowledge on that? Thanks a million for this video. I've watched it 20 times at least the past 6 months. I finally figured out how you did some of those sweeps in Vixen also, and finally figured out what you and others meant by the power unleashed by making multiple groups.
This is my first video watching how people make these displays! Wow... very informative and now it gives me a small glimpse into the amount of work it takes to do this! Just curious, minus labor and computer software and equipment, how much did it cost for the lights on the large / small ring....? now I am heading over to the rest of your videos.... thanks for sharing!
Chad Guerrero The pixel wreath in this video has 214 lights. At $0.28 cents a light that is $60.00. If you want to buy pixels I recommend Ray Wu. Tell him I sent you.
+Matt Johnson hello have you a link for order lights please thank you
Hi Matt, thank you for all of your contributions to the art. You have managed to design some great display elements, and adapt these elements to the Vixen software. I recently downloaded Vixen. I have also used LOR. The problem that I am encountering is that these software products are sequencers first and design tools second. They have no utility that allows the user to graphically design a display, and then convert the design into a working system. I'm leaning very strongly towards designing my own software that is a design tool first, and a sequencer second. As you have proven, design comes first. What do you think?
Jeff Curran I would love to see what you come up with :-)
Wow, nice work. Can you make a video on setting up the E682 with vixen 3 and some effects with arches?
Very nice !
you are very talented
Another great video Matt, makes me want to give it a try.
As for sequencing, will you be doing something on this subject, I guess this is what’s making me hold back a little.
Great Job :D
Nexus Asus Yes, eventually I will. I think there are a lot of other videos out there on sequencing though.
For me, I'd just get a custom circular coro cut out, I know it wouldn't be as strong but it would be way less time consuming, and I'm just gonna say, a lot of people, even who have the largest of workshops in their garage, don't really have or know how to weld. I'm sure there is another way to attach things. It's still a really cool idea though.
Hey Matt, I am new to this and I cant wait to start my first one. I was wondering what kind of welder you were using? Make, model and amperage. Thanks again for your great video's
Awesome Matt. Just wondering if there is a better way then using Tiestraps/wireties. Seems like a lot of use and a lot of effort to tie each LED down. But awesome --Livermore-Dad
Very cool. Thanks for sharing!
Several questions...
1) I know you use a different controller, but We inherited several Light-O-Rama 16 channel controllers, could those be useful in a setup using WS2811 pixels?
2) How do I best get ahold of Ray Wu?
Can you make a video about setting up the E682 with Vixen 3 and how to do some effects with arches?
musicmaneman38 Several people have asked me to do this. I will see about doing one in the near future.
Hi Matt,
I have a few questions about this video
1- What is the controller on the table that you are using to test your wreath?
2- Approximately how many pixels go on the big wreath, and how many on the small one
3- Did you daisy chain all of the circles together, or is each circle on it’s own channel. I watched your video a couple of times, and it’s not clear to me if the pigtails are used to inject power to both end of the line, or to create several channels
Nexus Asus
1) It is a SanDevices e682, if you buy one, tell Jim St. John that you heard about him from me.
2) 214 pixels on the big wreath, small wreath 140.
3) All circles are daisy chained together. Power is split with one one end powering rings 2 & 3 and the other powering 1& 4 but the data is sequential from ring 1 to ring 4.
Great Idea and implementation. Is it possible to use the same SanDevices controller with 5vdc Ws2811 to make the same wreath?
Hey mi pasarán años luz en que llegue a Colombia hey soy tu fan
love the playlist. Did you create it or where can we find it.
Hello Matt I can't find these reeds in your web site What is the price for them large and small I'm in southern California I am
hopping I can get I good display going on for Xmas and I would like to get everything little by little thanks and by the way great job in the 4 videos I have watched and enjoy them all
Hi Matt,
How dd your wire the individual circles together. I have a smaller wreath 8, 12, 15, 21, 27, & 29 pixels. Other than jumping them all together is there a way that I need to wire it to get the same effects that you have? Thanks
is there any software needed to install in computer?
if yes then what is the software name?
Good introduktion
Hello Matt. I was wondering what program you use to program your lights?
Hey Matt, Is there any way to do the chases and sequence effects with a Jands Vista DMX console?
What's the circuit, board or machine use to connect for advance design of led light which you have fixed on board
Which Type Of Circuit Board Use For this?
Hi Matt, How many pixels does each ring have? thanks
Francis Castillo Ring 1 (Inside) - 34 Pixels
Ring 2 - 47 Pixels
Ring 3 - 59 Pixels
Ring 4 (Outside) - 74 Pixels
ca i ask how you segmented the lights in the software?
Hi Matt, This is amazing and whenever I see your videos my bank account suffers a hit since I order more and more stuff. I just ordered the Polyethylene tubing for my arches from mcmaster.com. About the wreaths,on the Large Wreath how do you daisy chain 214 pixels if is goes over the 512 dmx channels? I am using pixlite and as far as im concerned I can only get 512 channels per output. I have the Pixlite16 and the pixlite4.
+C “Total Capitalist” Asillas with the SanDevices e682 controller you can go over 512 channels per output. The issue is power injection if you go over about 170 pixels.