Dimensions in XLights

[slw2206]

I've almost got my house into a 3D model and am going to start a layout in XLights. I know it's going to be a bit of a pain (Xlights isn't really a 3D modeling software) but given the VERY wide and deep nature of my property it just feels like it'll render better and more accurately in 3D.

I watched a couple of YouTube tutorials of people basically saying, once you have a good house design in just make a line against something in the picture that is a known distance and then scale everything else off of that. Garage Doors or Front Doors make excellent "yard sticks" as does the height of my windows which are uniform.

Is that type of method what you all use to get reasonably accurate props or is there a better/different method to accomplish "scaled" models in XLights?

 

[merryoncherry]

Use the ruler (under 3D objects), then put real dimensions in on all your props. Also, if you scale the house model so xLights units easily map to real world units (mine is at 10 to the foot).

 

[slw2206]

I was messing around in 3D today (at the hospital so I have lots of free time) and came across the grid size metric in the left panel. Of course that can be scaled up or down as needed.
So if I match up the width of the house .obj with the grid I'll have all of my X and Y coordinates down. I can then make a ruler for whatever distance is most practical for the Z axis.
It would be cool if xLights had a Z axis on 3 sides of the current grid and improved the movement of objects so I could "snap" them to the exterior grid, adjust the height perfectly, and snap back to the original position (of course that can be done by entry as well, but both options have useful applications).

Does that sounds about what you do @merryoncherry ? My explanation above is theoretical at this point, I'll see how it works out in practice shortly.

 

[merryoncherry]

I adjusted the house to the grid size instead of grid to house but YMMV. I do not end up looking at the grid lines, but you can add more. I am not sure about it snapping or how useful that would be, most of the time xLights positions the center of everything (but there is an easy option to put things on the ground).


Certainly being able to size things in real dimensions is a good foundation. And see how it is Y=115, that says it is 11.5' in the air (center is a bit above a 10' EMT).