Your xLights show should match what you are actually putting in the yard. Start with the props you own, give them clear names, and build one good sequence you can test all the way through. You can add complexity once that foundation works.
This is our whole-show workflow: layout, groups, effects, and playback. If you still need to make one prop light up, start with the first-prop setup guide and come back here after that test.
Put the real display in your layout
Take a photo from the main viewing spot. Measure the available space, then mark the props, controller locations, cable routes, and support areas. Build the opening-night layout first; keep next year's ideas in separate notes.
Give the show folder a clear name and organize the media and model files. Save a separate copy before a major redesign. The official xLights Layout guide explains placing and sizing models against a background image.
Name and wire models so you can recognize them outside
Names such as “Roof Garage,” “Arch 01,” and “Snowflake Left” are useful when you are sequencing and when you are standing beside a controller. Put the same names on the cables and setup notes.
Choose the exact vendor model for the prop size and revision. Match the node count, starting point, and physical wiring. A silhouette that looks right on screen can still have the pixels numbered differently from your build. Use our model-import guide to check that before assembly.
If your layout includes our EVO Stake Set, record the actual number of stakes, nodes, and controller connections you are using. Apply the same discipline to a CoroWorks feature from our coro hub. The model describes your installed configuration, not just a product name.
Use groups to give the show some shape
Try groups for all arches, roof outlines, the left side, and the whole display. A model can belong to several groups, so you can feature it on its own or include it in a broader movement.
Here is a useful creative test: place a short sweep on the whole-display group, then try an effect on each arch. Watch how the movement changes. Group layout and render style affect the result; the official Model Groups reference explains those choices.
Prove one hardware path early
Before spending hours on effects, make sure one representative prop follows the software. Then assign the rest to their real controller ports, including receiver assignments and cable routes.
Our controller and addressing guide separates ports, channels, and universes. Keep your power plan alongside that map. A preview can show an effect, but it cannot verify a connector pinout or available electrical capacity.
Build one song with room for quiet and busy moments
Choose audio you are authorized to use. Listen to the whole song before editing, and mark the introduction, verses, chorus, quieter sections, and ending. Those sections help you decide where the display should grow or settle down.
Start with broad timing marks, then add beats or accents where you need them. xLights supports multiple timing tracks; see the official Timing Tracks guide.
Pick a small color palette and a few effects. Let the arches carry one phrase, a tree take another, and a larger group bring in the chorus. Leave some elements quiet so the audience has something to follow. This is a creative starting point you can adjust for the music and viewing distance.
The Adding Effects guide covers placing effects on models and groups.
Map purchased sequences to your display
Before buying, check the seller's software requirements, included files, and exact music version. Imported effects need to be assigned to your models or groups. A different layout will need decisions about which of your props should carry each part.
Start with a recognizable section, inspect the mapping, and keep your original folder intact. Use the official Import Effects instructions for the process.
Finish with a real playback test
Render the sequence, save the current playback data, and review it for missing props or abrupt changes. The Render All reference explains rebuilding the output.
Then watch outside from the audience's position using your nightly player. For Falcon Player, follow our FPP handoff checklist. Test a complete song, playlist transitions, and shutdown. Save the working files and cable map together so the next addition starts with a setup you understand.
Keep learning
- xLights for Beginners: Set Up and Test Your First Pixel Prop
- How to Import an xLights Model and Match Your Prop Wiring
- xLights Controllers, Ports, Channels, and Universes Explained
Browse all Mattos education and support guides.
Reviewed October 29, 2026. Use the instructions for your exact hardware and installed software version.
