Light Show Designer Tips and Guide

What is Included When I Buy a Custom Light Show?

Your kit includes all the decorations you've selected for your home, each prop includes a 25' EZ extension cord for easy setup. The kit also features pre-programmed controllers tailored to your light show, complete with a detailed connection guide to ensure everything works seamlessly.

What’s Included in the Plug & Play Props?

It includes your decoration with all pixel lights installed

If I Build a Light Show Using "Light Show Designer" Can I Upgrade It Next Year?

Our system automatically saves your layout, allowing you to easily return and add more decorations whenever you'd like. It also integrates seamlessly with the controllers you've previously purchased from EZRGB. If there are available ports on your current setup, the system will prioritize using them first and will reprogram your existing controller to accommodate the new additions to your show.

EZSequence Tips and Guides

Are There Any Updates Coming?

Yes, the system is updated with new features and models every few days.

There Were Updates to the System, How Do I Get My New Files?

No worries, when we makes changes to the system it redoes yours automatically.

Where Can I Find My xlights_rgbeffects & xlights_networks Files to Upload?
xLights Show Folder

EZRGB Questions

What's included in the Plug & Play Props?

It includes your decoration with all pixel lights installed

Why Do you Want My Layout Files?

We are not your typical sequence store. Our patent pending system requires your files so, we can auto-map and render your show files.

Where Are These Files You Need?

The files can be found in your show directory folder. The easiest way to find it is to open xLights and see where you have been saving your show. The highlighted location below is where you will find the needed files.

xLights Show Folder

The two files we need are;

xlights_rgbeffects.xml

xlights_networks.xml

Can I Edit the Sequences?

With our system, you won’t receive sequence files directly. Instead, you’ll get a .fseq show player file that’s ready to upload and enjoy! If you notice anything unusual, you can try using “hints” in the description field of xLights. There are more details in the boxes below about using hints. Only use hints if there’s an issue, as they help us improve by learning from errors. For further help, reach out to our support team at support@ezrgb.com


ADVANCE USERS!

If your looking to add your own effects, turn off effects, or import into the layout with other files such as add-on trees, moving heads, etc.

First, in xLights go to “File” click “New Sequence

Creating new sequence in xLights

Select “Musical Sequence

Selecting musical sequence type

Select the Audio File

Selecting audio file

Select “Timing Choice

Selecting timing choice

At Select a View, click “More Options

Selecting more options

From Import Data choose “xLights

Importing xLights data

Select the “Sequence.fseq” you downloaded from EZRGB

Selecting sequence

Click “Render

Rendering sequence

Click “Save” Sequence

Saving sequence

Now you won’t see the effects but you can add your own at this point or import a sequence in on top of this sequence.

Where is the Description Field in xLights?

Using Descriptions

All codes below are to be placed in the “Description” field of the xLights model. Having additional text in the description field, before, between, or after the codes, is fine. Codes can combined in many cases.

Description field
EZSequence Didn’t Get My Singing Faces the Way I Want, Can I Change the Roles?

As the system grows smarter we hope to have it perfect as but sometimes the elves are sleeping. Follow the steps below and enter the given info in your “Description Field” in xLights.

Singing Face Roles

The system automatically assigns faces to singing roles in the sequence. This may not work out quite the way you want, if one of the faces deserves particular focus. This can be adjusted with the following tags:

[I:Primary]
– Assign the lead singing role

[I:Secondary]
– Assign the secondary singing role

[I:Backup]
– Assign the backup singing role

EZSequence Didn’t Light Up a Certain Prop, Is there anything I Can Do?

Overriding Stuff

Our elves do their best to get everything right, but sometimes they don’t. If the type of a model is not mapped correctly, here are some overrides “cheat codes” you can use to change the results, and help train the system for the future.

We want our system to be EZ, so we do not suggest using these codes unless you are having a problem. Use of codes is reviewed frequently to improve the system, and therefore the meaning and behavior of codes may change in the future.

[T:Arch]
– Treat as an arch

[T:CandyCane]
– Treat as a candy cane

[T:Cross]
– Treat as a cross

[T:Cube]
– Treat as a cube

[T:Flood]
– Treat as flood lights. This is sometimes a good idea for light strings that serve better as floods, especially if there are not other floods in the layout.

[T:Icicles]
– Treat as icicles

[T:Line]
– Treat as a line

[T:Matrix]
– Treat as a matrix. This also comes in variants for the matrix shape:

[T:Matrix_Horizontal]
– A long, thin, horizontal matrix

[T:Matrix_Column]
– A larger column matrix

[T:Matrix_Pole]
– A smaller column matrix, such as a peace stake or pole

[T:Snowflake]
– Treat as a snowflake

[T:Sphere]
– Treat as a sphere

[T:Spinner]
– Treat as a spinner

[T:Star]
– Treat as a star

[T:TuneTo]
– Treat as a “Tune To” sign. See additional instructions for the type of tune to sign.

[T:Tree]
– Treat as a tree

[T:WindowFrame]
– Treat as a window / door frame.

My Layout Isn't Centered In the Preview Video, Is There Anything I Can Do?

In the layout tab, get your display centered, and then right click to set the default viewpoint.

What Can I Do for a Window That Didn't Get Sequenced Right?

Enter “

[T:WindowFrame]
” in the description field of the prop that should be treated as a window.

How do I keep certain props just on?

Enter “

[T:OnWhite]
” in the description field of the prop that should be on white the entire time

Enter “

[T:OnColor]
” in the description field of the prop that should be on but complementing colors the entire time

Enter “

[T:OnStatic]
” in the description field of the prop that should be on with the user defined static from the model state.

EZSequence Is Sequencing a Prop That I Want No Effects On (tune-to, etc.). What can I do?

Put “

[I:Skip]
” in the description field of the prop to be skipped.

Skipping prop
Using Wireless DMX with EZSequence
Using wireless DMX with EZSequence

Companies such as Wally’s lights (https://wallyslights.com/collections/dmx-products) distribute a range of wands, bracelets, hats, and other wireless lighting products that can be synced to your light show. On the plus side, these are a fun giveaway for kids and give the audience something interesting, engaging, and, to some, mysterious, to play with. On the minus side, while some vendors (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlNSh7pii3U) provide sequenced effects for the wands, most do not.

EZSequence now provides support for these products.

Once you have your DMX RF wands or other similar lighting products working with xLights, simply add

[T:DMX_Wands]
to the description field of the model that controls the light color. If your wireless DMX controller also has a control signal (5-channel mode for the transmitter referenced above), place
[T:DMX_WandsCtrl]
in the model description field for the control channels.

Does Size Matter?

Model Sizes

In some cases, the system may not detect the sizes of props such as trees or stars, which has a large impact in the role the props play in the sequence. For these cases, you can override the size:

[S:Mini]
- Set size to mini

[S:Mega]
- Set size to mega

[S:Default]
- Set size to default

How Do I Get My Tune-To Sign to Work?

Using “Tune To” Signs with EZRGB

First Head over to the “My Account” then click on “My Show Settings” fill out the required fields and click submit.

Using wireless DMX with EZSequence

Fixed “Tune To” Signs

“Tune To” signs that are fixed can only display one message. Most of these are custom made, with custom models, such as:

Fixed “Tune To” Signs

EZRGB may not recognize these as “Tune To” signs. They can be marked as “Tune To” signs by putting

[T:TuneTo]
in the xLights “Description” field for the model. Models marked this way will be lit up during the sequence, color-matched to the sequence.

ADVANCED: Adding More Color

If you want to use multiple colors on your fixed “Tune To” sign, you can do this with submodels. In addition to marking the sign with “

[T:TuneTo]
”, add submodels called “Color1”, “Color2”, “Color3”. These submodels will be assigned different colors from the sequence, as available.

Multi-Frequency “Tune To” Signs From The xLights Library

If you have purchased a “Tune To” sign from a coro vendor, it may be in the xLights library. Supported signs will adjust to your FM frequency. The following are supported in the library:

Multi-Frequency “Tune To” Signs From The xLights Library

If your “Tune To” is not shown and is not rendering properly, the elves at EZRGB may notice and fix it for you. You can always reach out to support@ezrgb.com for help.

“Tune To” Matrix

This is still being implemented.

Non-EZRGB Options

If your “Tune To” sign is not in your layout (A/C, stand alone player, etc.) no need to do anything, of course.

If your “Tune To” sign is in your layout, and you do not want to use EZRGB to drive your “Tune To” sign, simply add

[I:Skip]
to the “Description” field in xLights. EZRGB will not put any effects on the model. You can then run a stand-alone player on the “Tune To” sign, or use an FPP or xSchedule background sequence.

How Do I Get My Sequences to My Show Player?

What Show Players Are Compatible with Your System?

There are two options in show players that work.

xScheduler is included with the xLights software and runs off of a PC. Download xLights here.

FPP, Falcon Pi Player, which runs off of a Raspberry Pi or Beagle Bone. Download FPP here.

HinksPix Stand-alone pixel controller.

Upload Sequences to xScheduler

This document will walk you step by step through the process of adding your downloaded FSEQ sequence files along with your music files to your xSchedule show player.

First, locate and retrieve your downloaded FSEQ file and the accompanying music file. Usually, they are located in your Downloads folder. Select both files and right-click and "copy" these files.

Copying FSEQ and music files from Downloads folder

Next, open up your xLights show folder and place both of these files inside to get started.

Pasting files into xLights show folder

Next, open your xSchedule program.

Opening xSchedule program

Click the ADD button to create a new playlist.

Creating new playlist in xSchedule

Give your playlist a name or title.

Naming the playlist

Click the ADD FSEQ button and browse to find your xLights show directory.

Adding FSEQ file to playlist

You can either double click on your FSEQ file, or select it, then click the OPEN button. This will add the sequence to your play list.

Selecting FSEQ file

Next, click on the sequence that has been added to the list. Check the box to Override Audio.

Overriding audio settings

Then, click the Browse button next to the Audio File field.

Browsing for audio file

Navigate to your MP3 location. You can either double-click on the MP3 file or select it.

Selecting MP3 file

Finally, click the OK button in the Audio File Dialog box.

Confirming audio file selection

You can now schedule your show to run by selecting your newly created playlist and then clicking on the Schedule button.

Scheduling the show

You may name the playlist whatever you like.

Fill in the start and end dates for this playlist.

Check the boxes for the weekdays you wish to play your schedule.

Setting schedule dates and days

Use military time to schedule the On and Off times for when the show will play.

Setting schedule times

Click the OK button to close the schedule playlist.

Closing schedule settings

Be sure to click on the RED disk icon to save your xSchedule playlist and schedule settings.

Saving schedule settings

You can play your sequence at any time by selecting any playlist and then clicking the Play Selected button.

Playing selected sequence

We hope this guide has helped you set up your xSchedule show player.

Upload Sequences to FPP

This document will walk you step-by-step through the process of adding your downloaded sequence files and music files to your Falcon Pi Player.

First, locate and retrieve your downloaded FSEQ file and the accompanying music file. Usually, these files are located in your Downloads folder. It's a good idea to name the files exactly the same, to help the Falcon Pi Player quickly recognize the files match and should play together.

Select both files and right-click and "Copy" these files.

Copying FSEQ and music files for FPP

Next, open your xLights show folder and paste both of these files inside to get started.

Pasting files into xLights folder

NOTE: For the following steps, this guide assumes you have already completed the necessary setup to load FPP onto your Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone Black.

Next, connect your Falcon Pi Player (FPP) Controller to your computer network and power up the device.

Connecting FPP to network

Log into your FPP device by opening your web browser and entering its assigned IP address into the address field.

Logging into FPP interface

From the FPP main screen click on the "Content Setup" menu at the top of the page. Then, select the "File Manager" option.

Accessing FPP File Manager

Next, return to your original download folder and select the sequence file and the MP3 file.

Drag both files into the Drag and Drop section of the FPP File Manager.

Uploading files to FPP

Now navigate to the "Content Setup" menu, then click on "Playlists".

Accessing FPP Playlists

From the Playlist page, click the "Add New Playlist" button.

Creating new FPP playlist

Fill in the Playlist Name with any title you like.

You may also give a description of this playlist in the Playlist Description box.

Now you can click the "Add Playlist" button to create this new playlist.

Configuring playlist settings

Next, click on the "Add A Sequence/Entry" button.

Adding sequence to playlist

Select the sequence FSEQ file in the Sequence dropdown box.

Select the corresponding MP3 file in the Media dropdown box.

Then, click the "Add" button at the bottom right of the page.

Selecting sequence and media files

Make sure to save the playlist by clicking the "Save Playlist" button.

Saving FPP playlist

Now let's go back to the "Content Setup" menu and click on the "Scheduler".

Accessing FPP Scheduler

On the Scheduler page, click the "Add" button to begin scheduling.

Adding new schedule

Fill in a start date and end date. Select the day or days for the schedule to play.

Setting schedule dates

Click on the "Start Time" box and scroll to find the start time for this playlist to run.

Leave the "Schedule Type" dropdown at its default setting of "Playlist".

Setting schedule start time

In the "Playlist/Command Args" field, you should see your playlist name. Select it.

Selecting playlist for schedule

Select an end time for your playlist to stop playing. The "Stop Type" field will adjust based on how your show ends.

Setting schedule end time

Finally, click the "Save" button.

Saving schedule settings

You can play your sequence at any time by clicking on the "Status/Control" menu and selecting the "Display Testing" option.

Accessing display testing

Click the "Sequence" button and select the sequence you would like to play from the Sequence dropdown box.

Selecting sequence for testing

Now, press the "Play" button. Your sequence will begin to play.

Playing sequence in FPP

We hope this guide helped you set up your Falcon Pi Player!

Upload Sequences to HinksPix Standalone Controller

First, email our support team and let them know so they can change your account to reflect HinksPix Stand-alone mode.

Next, in xLights go to "File" click "New Sequence"

Creating new sequence in xLights

Select "Musical Sequence"

Selecting musical sequence type

Select the Audio File

Selecting audio file for sequence

Select "20fps (50ms)"

Setting sequence framerate

At Select a View, click "More Options"

Accessing more sequence options

From Import Data choose "xLights"

Choosing xLights import option

Select the "Sequence.fseq" you downloaded from EZRGB

Selecting FSEQ file to import

Now go to "File" and click on "Preferences" Then goto the "Sequences" tab and select FSEQ Version "V1"

Setting FSEQ version to V1

Click "Render"

Rendering sequence

Click "Save" Sequence

Saving sequence

Finally under "Tools" click "HinksPix Upload"

Accessing HinksPix upload tool

Now set your playlist and schedule and "Export to SD Card"

Instructional Videos4 Videos

Get In Touch

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