This article provides five ready-made standalone effect files for the ENTTEC OCTO pixel controller, attached below as .json files. Import them through the OCTO web interface to run a looping effect straight from power on, or to quickly light up your pixel tape and confirm your wiring and output configuration without needing a DMX source.
What standalone mode does
Standalone mode lets the OCTO play a looping gradient effect from its built-in FX engine without receiving any Art-Net, sACN, ESP or KiNet data. It is available on the OCTO MK2 and OCTO MK3 and is also a convenient way to test the controller's outputs. The device stores up to 10 standalone effects, and the Show Options section lets you assign effects to each output individually.
The attached effect files
Each .json file in the Attachments section below is an exported standalone effect. Download the ones you want, then import them into free effect slots on your OCTO.
| File | Effect | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| RGBW-chase.json | Chase cycling through white, red, blue and green. Uses the RGBW (white) channel, so it suits RGBW tape. | 10 (fast) |
| RGB-chase.json | Chase cycling through red, green and blue. Suits standard RGB tape. | 5 (medium) |
| Blue white-chase.json | Chase fading between white and blue. | 5 (medium) |
| W-chase-slow.json | Slow chase fading between black and full white. Useful for spotting dead or miswired pixels. | 1 (slow) |
| Black Out.json | All channels at zero. Load this into a slot to force an output dark while standalone mode is active. | 0 (static) |
Note: the effect names stored inside these files are in Chinese, so they will appear that way in the effect list after import. You can rename each effect once it is loaded.
How to import an effect file
- Connect your computer to the same network as the OCTO and open its IP address in a web browser. The default IP address is 192.168.0.10. Your computer must be on the same subnet.
- Open the Standalone tab of the web interface.
- Under Import show file, select an empty effect slot (or the slot you want to overwrite).
- Click Choose File and locate the downloaded .json file on your computer. The effect is uploaded to the selected slot.
- Rename the effect as required.
- In Show Options, assign the effect to the output or outputs you want it to run on.
- Toggle the Use Standalone mode button in the top left corner to start outputting.
While editing, you can use Preview Output to send the effect to selected ports in real time and verify the result on your LEDs before committing to it.
If your web interface has no import option
The Import and Export show file functions are documented in the OCTO MK3 manual. If your unit's Standalone tab does not offer file import, you can recreate any of these effects manually: select an empty effect in the Select Effect drop-down, click points on the gradient graphic to place colours, drag them into position, set the speed slider, and save. To get a smooth loop, make the first and last colour of the gradient the same.
Before the effects will look right
Standalone effects use the output settings you have configured, so the pixel protocol and colour order must match your LED tape. If colours come out wrong or the tape does not respond, check the Settings tab against your tape's datasheet as described in Configuring LED Tape With Octo & ELM.
Further reading
- OCTO MK3 user manual, including the full Standalone, Import and Export show file sections
- OCTO MK2 user manual, including its Standalone mode section