 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| - Behind the Scenes 2005 - |
| 2004 Behind the Scenes (fiber optic simulator) 2003 Behind the Scenes (construction of the lighted candy cane vase) 2002 Behind the Scenes (info on the PC control) 2001 Behind the Scenes |
| Building new Streelight bundles. Each segment is comprised of one 100 bulb string that is wrapped around two nails that are spaced at the proper distance (distance Calc. required a Cray Supercomputer). Once wrapped, they are secured with tie-wraps. When all 32 segments are completed, they are tie-wrapped together and then their individual power cords are run down the bundle to the bottom where they connect to a 16 Channel Light-O-Rama controller. Dogs are dumb. That cannot be comfortable.... |
| Remember that fiber optic simulator that I built last year that was going to make it so easy to make updates each year? Well.... the new Light-O-Rama software has that feature built right in. You can design your light layout on the PC and test it from the warmth of your office in the house and not in the freezing garage! Anybody need a slightly used hardware simulator? Click on the image to see a video of the simulator in action. The song is Wizards in Winter by Trans Siberian Orchestra. |
| Rudolf 2.0 For years, Rudolf sat on the right lawn, minding his own business. He had 2 channels. One to turn on his lights and make his head move, and another one to turn on his nose. This year, his standing among the other reindeer has been "elevated".... get it? elevated? He's up on the roof! Now, instead of two channels, he has ten! 1) White lights, 2) Head Movement, 3) Nose, 4) Laser, 5) Atomic Sunglasses, 6) Smoke, 7) Police Light, 8) Red Spotlight, 9) Blue Spotlight, 10) Green Spotlight. Given the new software that allows us to set his lighting at any intensity we choose (plus fading and ramping), we can give Rudolf many different looks. |
| PLUS 2005 In July, Kelsey and I flew to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to attend a Computerized Christmas Display Conference call PLUS (PlanetChristmas Lights Up Symposium). PLUS is sponsored by PlanetChrismtmas.com, the home base for all computerized Christmas displays. Pigeon Forge is an interesting place. It is Dolly Parton's home town. It is also very "Christmas Centric" city with many Christmas related stores and a huge winter light display. They are many theatres in town that host a variety of country themed shows. Dolly's own amusement park, DollyWood is in town, and there are about 200 other attractions like go-karting, mini golf, laser tag, bungee jumping, etc..... Kelsey and I went to Dollywood for a coaster fix, and we also saw George Jones and went to see the Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede. |
| Dave in the left picture back right with yellow hat. Kelsey in right picture back right in black sweatshirt. |
| Here are a couple of videos that Kelsey took with her digital camera while inside one of the Christmas stores. Video1 Video 2 |
| Click image for hi-res 2006 photo |