Part 5: How to build a Pixel Snowflake for an outdoor Christmas light show
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ต.ค. 2024
- If you are interested in buying these and other light show products already built, please visit my new store Living Light Shows: www.livinglight.... You can also see some demonstration videos here of the products: • Living Light Shows - P...
For frequently asked questions and more video's on my light show, visit my website at www.johnsonligh...
Have you been watching ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight or browsing videos on TH-cam of Christmas Light shows or displays that are synchronized to music and wondered how you can do that to your house? This video is part of a video series that I created based on emails I have received from others who have watched my lightshow and are interested in the elements, the technology, and how a person can get started with their own DIY Christmas display. I have attempted to show a basic overview of building elements for your own light show on a budget and with readily available materials from Home Depot, Lowes, Hobby Lobby, or other stores.
This video series includes the following:
Part 1: How to build a Leaping Arch for an outdoor Christmas light show
Part 2: How to build a Pixel Tree for an outdoor Christmas light show
Part 3: How to build a Pixel Matrix/Pixel Grid for an outdoor Christmas light show
Part 4: How to build a Pixel Wreath for an outdoor Christmas light show
Part 5: How to build a Pixel Snowflake for an outdoor Christmas light show
You can view all these videos in this HOW-TO series here: • How to Build Decoratio...
If you plan to use these elements with Pixel LED lights then you will need a controller, sequencing software, and a show player. For my Christmas Light Show (www.johnsonlightshow.com) I used the SanDevices e682 pixel controller with a Raspberry Pi 2 running the Falcon Pi Player (FPP) software that is freely available through Falcon Christmas (www.falconchristmas.com) or Github for the show player.
For sequencing the show (i.e., Programming the different effects the lights will do) there are many available options in software, some are commercial and some are open source or free. My preferred software is called Vixen 3. Other popular options include Light-O-Rama (also known as Lightorama, Light o rama, or LOR), Light Show Pro, Madrix, Hinkle’s Lighting Sequencer (HLS), xLights Nutcracker, and more.
For your soundtrack you can either create something custom (I used a free program called Audacity) or you can simply download an MP3 or WAV file of music you like and import it into your sequencing software.
In order to have a great looking show you do not need to spend a lot of money. The largest cost is the RGB pixels that can be purchased direct from China through vendors like Ray Wu on Aliexpress for as low as $0.19 each. In addition, you can scale your show so you can start out small and grow as your budget grows.
The Pixels I use in my show are all 12vdc WS2811 pixels. If you purchase them from Ray Wu please make sure to mention my name (he may even hook you up if you do)
Other great resources for getting started and learning more Christmas Lights, Displays, and Light Shows, are listed below:
DIYC forum (www.doityourselfchristmas.com)
Falcon Christmas (www.falconchristmas.com)
Planet Christmas (www.planetchristmas.com)
Australian Christmas Lighting & Computer Animation Forum (www.auschristmaslighting.com)
In this video the pixel snow flake has 192 pixels. After about 130 pixels there is a noticeable drop in voltage and the pixels at the end of the string look much dimmer and warmer than those at the beginning. To combat this I powered the strand from both sides. I later ended up adding even more power injection midway for a very consistent coloring and brightness throughout the element. This element is new for 2015 so check out my 2015 Lightshow video to see them in action, they improved my show a lot!
Good Luck!
Visit my site for more information at: www.johnsonligh...
Matt Johnson
www.johnsonlightshow.com
2014 Contestant on ABC's "The Great Christmas Light Fight"
Like us on Facebook: / johnsonlightshow
Yes, please, hints and tips on sequencing the snowflake. Very nice job, Matt!
You have great talent. I've been researching rgbs and soldering my own systems and trying to plan for the best yet most affordable way of doing it all and you sir have really helped me. Thank you
Hi from Queensland, Australia Matt love your videos very well set out and informative, i hope to have mine set up for next year ,your inspirational with allowing people to access your knowledge!! Well Done!!
Ok so what kind of engineer are you? your attention to detail is amazing. love your work!
Your shop is incredible. Neat and organized. Pleased to find someone like me.
Love it! Once the show season is over, can you do a "how to tour" of your garage?!? Looks awesome...like the rest of your work.
+Kyle Warner its a mess right now between all the Christmas prep and a new drone business I have started.
Holy crud Matt, love this as well.. Never cease to amaze!! -Livermore-Dad
Fantastic job ! Congratulations , I hope I achieve a marvelous work like this !!!!
Thank you for all the tips…great work!!
Matt, This is Amazing!!!
Yes please if u could do a video on setting up the programming of the SNOWFLAKE element and all its portions. Thnx
I'm am impressed with all your how to's, but that's only the half of it your software work is also fabulous. Are you going to to a video on sequencing? What you do with your light shows is amazing. I look forward to seeing more.
Amazing work!
'
very good and beautifully homemade color LED lights snowflake kit
i cant wait to try doing all of your projects myself! is there going to be a future video on how to program them too?
Would love to understand how you configured this in your editor for mapping as well as use of effects. Don't worry - I promise to keep it a secret. ;-)
Great work!!!
Matt we live right don't the street in stillwater and would love to come see the show! my 3 year old would have a blast I'm sure. When will you be displaying ?
OMG!!! that so amazing!!!!!!
Simply awesome! Love your creativity, attention to detail, and your generosity in sharing your knowledge!!! Please continue to do more videos ... particularly of software integration with lights on a specific element. How long did it take you to build the jig and the snowflake?
As I keep watching this as my next feature, it leads to me to ask 192 pixels, thats 576 channels, I see very minimal wiring. Are you running 1 snowflake per universe or are you running 2 universes per snowflake and I am just missing it? If 2 universes are you 170 pixels and 22pixels on it or are you linking snowflakes together maxing the 170 pixels per universe? One last question, what are the dimensions on the snowflake, and if you were to build them again would you change anything on your design or use a different type of pixel versus the bullet node doubled up?
snow flake is awesome I would love to do something like that to get my feet wet. so I have a really noon question you say you have a 190 pixels total on the snow flake so in theory they would be assigned a number from 1-190 and to create the bursting from inward to outward you would have to know the associated number to that pixel and use the software to light up in which order to create that effect. Thanks for the help if you find time.
hey.. this videos are really helpful and ur light show is awesome... I have one more doubt that wht about the sequencing..pls me in that also...
Good
hey, Matt, great video's. I was wondering about your welder. What kind it is, make model, and amperage. I'm a newbie and like all your work. thanks again.
Church lighting guy here: What kind of pixel lights are those, and how well do they (and how easy is it to make them) work via DMX? What kind of pricing would I expect to see for them?
thank you , very interesant
King of snowflakes.
Matt,
Could you do a video on how you broke this up in the software and some of the techniques you use?
Thanks,
Jeff
Would you consider selling just the weldment now that you have that jig?
Great video Matt. I am making a star with 190 WS2811 pixels run by SanDevices E685. Can I wire all the pixels in a continuous loop? Then is it best to power both ends of the loop and plug it into a single channel on the E685? Thanks for your inspiration and advice! I really appreciate both!
+Kerry Harrison Yes, you can run the entire star in an single strand. Then connect both sides to power and use a single output on the e682
Each location has two pixels. Did you do that just for brightness or for effects you can't do with only one?
I ask because if only for brightness one could run two strings and parallel the input signals to reduce the number of channels needed.
Could you show closer on the rail system, how you have it mounted, did you use bullets, technicolor? What is the spacing on the pixels? How did you divide power and controller locations?
+Trevor Strosnider The pixels are bullet pixels laid front to back. The wiring is done so signal connects to the first pixel in the strand but the power and ground wires are split to connect to both the first and last pixels.
Thank you! May I suggest a video on how you program you lights with the vixen Program? Also on the e682 controller, how do you have your pixels on them? Do you have 190 lights on 1-1 and another 190 on 1-2 and so on?
+Trevor Strosnider yes, please make a video to show how to program.
Would you be willing to share the test sequence file you created for the snowflake?
Hi Matt. Within Vixen how have you grouped the different sections of the snowflake?
Matt, do you have the model for this in the Xlights program? I could use it if you wouldn't mind sharing.
Matt Can you show us you programing a show and what its like?
Amazing job! Just wear a dust mask when cutting/routing MDF, nasty stuff
Amazing.can i buy it from you and what is your prize
These are awesome, do you share your code on github or something?
what would you charge to make one and your light sequence?
how much would you charge to make my house light up like yours?
Are pixels cheap because I'm on the low side of money
Why do you prefer pixel stands over addressable LED strips?
+Mk4Thumper Waterproofing considerations, more durable to work with, individual pixel control, easier to replace bad pixels.... just a few reasons of the top of my head.
+Matt Johnson so pretty much just personal preference..... KIDDING, only kidding. Last year was my first year doing this ad I used your show and videos as a reference. Thanks for the inspiration!
Do you have a drawing that has the dimensions for the snowflake?
*What is the starting song*
which controller do you use for the snowflake?
Can you come over and organize my shed
Controller kasa banaya
Just great