Light chaser loops - CPU usage

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Conrad Stolze

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Apr 30, 2017, 9:44:18 AM4/30/17
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I've created several simple light chaser routines. Most of them are just a basic loop of 3-8 light cues, fired anywhere .3 secs to 1.5 secs (beat timed from 1/8 to 1/2 notes) - generally including anywhere from 6 to 8 fixtures in each.  



They work just fine, but I noticed that they have a huge hit on CPU usage. I can usually get by running one of them, but if I use 2 at a time (separate routines on 2 different sets of fixtures), I risk running CPU over 100% and have noticed that sometimes overall show cues get skipped in the process.

Is there a way to approach chaser routines like this that might be more CPU efficient, or is it just the nature of trying to run quick fading cues with multiple DMX fixtures?

Would a scripted approach potentially be more efficient?

Christopher Ashworth

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Apr 30, 2017, 9:58:35 AM4/30/17
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Hi Conrad,

Could you describe what windows and viewed you have open as the chases run?

E.g. Dashboard -- and what mode, sliders or tiles?, active cues, light cue inspector, etc

The light cues themselves take very little CPU power but they can trigger a lot of redrawing of the various GUI displays of the light data

Finding ways to optimize those redraws is an ongoing process but if you experiment with reducing how much of the screen is redrawn as a large number of lights cues is running that may help a lot 

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Conrad Stolze

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Apr 30, 2017, 11:41:42 AM4/30/17
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In general, I'm just sitting on a separate setlist screen (list) - no activity/redraws going on except for active play markers.

Conrad Stolze

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Apr 30, 2017, 12:00:40 PM4/30/17
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No extra windows (Dashboard, etc) open either.

Chris Ashworth

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May 1, 2017, 2:30:14 PM5/1/17
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Hi Conrad,

If you wouldn’t mind sending me your workspace to try out, I’d enjoy giving it a spin to understand what’s happening better.

Please send to sup...@figure53.com and mark it as to my attention (since I’m out of the office until Wednesday)

-C

Conrad Stolze

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May 1, 2017, 3:02:01 PM5/1/17
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Will do. The Workspace is a little bloated right now, so let me make a copy that includes only what's needed for a proper test.

Conrad
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