Beginner | xLights

Mapping Props that are not in the sequence

Clyde Lindsey

About the Class:

Don’t leave your props in the dark! This class will review creative strategies for bringing overlooked props to life. From general decorations and high-definition showpieces to static figures, we’ll focus on each type of prop. With the right approach, you can turn them into something magical.

Beginner | All Displays

So you want to be on the Great Christmas Lightfight?

Brian Michael

About the Class:

Do you have dreams of being on “The Great Christmas Light Fight” but aren’t quite sure how to make it happen? Do you think the judges prefer A/C light shows, pixel light shows, or traditional light displays? Do you know which states have had the most representation on the show and which ones have had the most winners? This fun class will explore the history of “The Great Christmas Light Fight” (Seasons 1 through 12) so you can better understand what it might take for your very own light display to get on the show. The class explains the components of a successful application, discusses the onboarding process and what to expect when you are chosen to be a contender, reviews the filming process, and just might put you on the path to be the winner of the coveted “Light Fight” trophy and $50,000!

Lots of interesting facts that you didn’t know about the show will be scattered throughout the entire presentation while many myths will also be debunked. Come see if you have what it takes to become the Champion of “The Great Christmas Light Fight!”

Beginner | Static AC Lights

Q&A session about using traditional lights

Patrick Ferrell

About the Class:

The intention for this session will mostly be an open Q&A for those using LOR and traditional lights. Open to any topic but focused on preview design, hardware setup, and basic programming.

We have had our traditional display for over 10 years now and I see a lot of people online needing help with the basics. I also realize that those people probably aren’t going to be attending a lighting convention, so I’m open to discussing anything.

Beginner | xLights

Building a Show Layout

Barry Wiles

About the Class:

Discover how to create your show layout in both 2D and 3D formats. Understand the difference between standard and custom models, and learn how to move props for the most accurate representation of your setup. You’ll also explore how to align, space, and resize props to ensure your digital layout mirrors your physical display.

Beginner | xLights

Singing Faces

Chris Sepesy

About the Class:

Learn how to bring your light show to life by adding animated singing faces! This class will cover the basics of creating lyrics tracks and sequencing mouth movements in xLights to match audio tracks.

Beginner | All Displays

Filming your Display

Kyle Bostick

About the Class:

Filming your display. In this session, I will share the strategies that enabled us to grow our social media following to over 1.2 million followers and achieve tens of millions of views annually. We will discuss the key factors that contribute to going viral, as well as delve into the essential aspects of content creation, including filming, and editing your videos

Beginner | Light-O-Rama

RGB Sequencing Tips & Tricks

Aubrey Kall

About the Class:

Take your RGB sequencing to the next level with advanced techniques using Motion Effect Rows and Effects in the Light-O-Rama S6 Sequencer. This class explores powerful options for pixels using the Motion Effect Generator, including one of the latest effects: Sketch. Ideal for users who are comfortable with the basics and ready to create more dynamic and customized displays.

Intermediate | All Displays

Pulsemesh

Bob Kazan

About the Class:

PulseMesh enables you to stream your show audio for your xLights and LOR based display, directly to your viewer’s phones instead of, or in addition to, an FM transmitter or speakers. This class will introduce the PulseMesh platform, demonstrate the setup, integration with Remote Falcon, as well as advanced usage and tips.

Intermediate | All Displays

3D Printing and Pixels

Tom Hammond

About the Class:

Learn how 3D printing can solve problems and create solutions in the lighting hobby. Whether you are new to 3D printing or have been printing for years, you will learn something new. This class covers a brief history of 3D printing, how they work, and describe many Christmas lights uses for these marvelous machines. Where to find/buy/use 3D printers and what to look for? Should your 3D print parts yourself or buy them preprinted? Should you design your own parts (CAD) or buy pre-made designs? This class covers it all.

Intermediate | All Displays

Want to make your own props?

Dante Ludovici

About the Class:

Creating your own custom props- design, fabrication tips, wiring, creating xlights model, faces, submodels, states

Intermediate | Light-O-Rama

Singing Faces with Light-O-Rama

Aubrey Kall

About the Class:

Learn a smart, rhythm-first approach to sequencing singing faces that makes syncing mouth movements easier and more accurate. This class walks you through a practical technique using Light-O-Rama software that simplifies the process and improves accuracy with timing. Perfect for anyone looking to bring personality and precision to their singing face props.

Advanced | All Displays

Home Assistant Automation and Light Shows

Michael Neiderhauser

About the Class:

How do we get closer to a single pane of glass view of our show infrastructure and scheduling capabilities? HomeAssistant can offer this single pane of glass view and can be integrated with all sorts of hardware and plugins to control and automate your show! This class will show some examples of how HomeAssistant can be used for scheduling power state of your lighting infrastructure, integration with smart outlets, integration with custom power hardware to control HP Power supplies with a plugin called ESPHome, integration with FPP, triggers, and much more! The best part, HomeAssistant is OpenSource and can run on the spare Raspberry Pi you have or on a spare x86 machine.

Advanced | All Pixels

Power Injection Overview

Jessie Hein

About the Class:

Ever wonder why some of your strings are white on one end and peachy-yellow on the other?  It looks white in xLights, but it’s nicotine yellow in real life? Blowing fuses or tripping e-breakers left and right?  Building some high density props?  Layout beginning to spread out?

Power injection and power balancing can help.  Join us to learn some common sense rules of thumb to follow to get your display looking how you designed it.