Mega Tree Star Material & Thickness

Homer911

Homer911

New elf
Joined
Jul 24, 2023
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Hey Guys,

I made a mega tree last year and this year I would like to make a star to add to the display.

I would like to know what other people use for the material. I was thinking to use this Flute Board from Bunnings. (5mm thick) I'm not sure that would be thick enough.

I will be using pixel nodes (bullets) that fit through the pixel strips so just wondering how peeps secure them into the Flute Board?? I should have about 100 pixels on the star.

Any ideas would be appreciated.
 
Also worth checking out Christmas Props Australia, lots of options to choose from. I’d go the prepmade option rather than making it yourself, cost/time ratio doesn’t really add up for me.

christmaspropsaustralia.com.au

Twinkly Star 24 - Christmas Props Australia

This is a 609mm (24″) Star designed for Twinkly Gen2 Lights Available in either 100 nodes or 250 nodes Measures approximately 609mm (24″) wide Material is 10mm heavy duty white or black coroflute Made in the USA. Manufactured in AUSTRALIA
christmaspropsaustralia.com.au christmaspropsaustralia.com.au
 
I used 5mm core flute for 25cm mini tree stars using seed pixels and is the maximum of its capacity I think. It is quite flimsy and wouldn't want to make something bigger or stick 100 heavier bullets on it...
 
I use the 5mm core flute and it is quite flimsy. I strengthen the back of the props where possible (extra core flute or pvc conduit), limit the size of the prop and mount flat against walls. I would think a Mega Tree Star would be fairly susceptible to wind damage.

To secure bullets I use a 12mm Wad Punch. I have drilled holes with a step drill before, it works but isn't very neat and takes a long time to do.
 
Great, thanks guys, I went with the below:

Star 24 - Christmas Props Australia​


First time working with a star. How should I lay it out? Do I start in the middle and work my way out in a spiral or the opposite. Or top to bottom? I presume there is a fixed layout in XLights...
 
Thanks. So do I have to import a new mega tree model that has a start or can I just add a star to an existing tree model? Still fairly new to this..
 
I’m not at my computer so can’t take screenshots. Up the top where you select models to drop into your layout there is a button that has import models. Just drag that down and a dialog box will open where you can download standard models. Expand out the Gilbert Engineering one, find stars and then find the model. It should be fairly obvious which one it is but the CPA guy is quick to respond on messenger if you get stuck.

Once done, right click the model and select wiring diagram to see what it looks like from the back.
 
EEmmmmm, no. Can't find that. I'll keep searching.

You mean here?
Screenshot 2024-10-28 at 9.27.09 pm.png
 
(( some stars actually use the default xLights star model (6th from the right) - I’m not sure what the CPA one does ))
 
If it's a bunch of concentric stars, then use the native model. It has rendering features a custom model wont.
 
@Homer911 -- so ChristmasPropsAustralia have a "XModels" tab on the page you linked to that has a model you can download. unzip that and import it into XLights -- it is the native star model - but with the various layers all setup.

(It's a 5 layer, 5 point star, with 30/40/50/60/70 nodes per layer)
 
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