Kantara ft. Tesla xLights

Turn your Tesla into a dazzling light spectacle synchronized to the beats of this kannada classic “Varaha Roopam” from the movie Kantara.

We’ll create a custom light show using xLights on macOS. This guide will walk you through the steps to bring your favorite kannada song to life through your Tesla’s lights and features.

Getting Started

First, you’ll need to download and install xLights on your Mac. Visit the download page and follow the installation instructions for macOS.

Once installed, you’ll also need to download the Tesla xLights project directory, which contains the necessary files for creating a Tesla-compatible light show.

Download files

For the audio file, use any of your favorite wav/mp3 downloaders to save the audio locally. Preferred format is WAV with a sample rate of 44.1 kHz.

Setting Up Your Project

1. Open xLights and create a new musical sequence
2. Select the downloaded .wav audio file and set frame sequence to 20ms
3. Select Quick Start and wait for the sequencer to load
4. In the top left of the timeline, select “Group View” or “Old View” in the view selector
5. In the preferences, navigate to Sequences > FSEQ Version, select “V2 Uncompressed”

Sequences > FSEQ Version

6. Select the Layout tab to view the Tesla 3D vehicle model. Make sure that the 3D preview checkbox is selected

Sequencer Tab

Designing Your Light Show

Now comes the creative part! As you listen to the audio, visualize how you want the lights to sync with the music. Here are some tips:

• Use the beat markers to align effects with the rhythm. Use the keyboard shortcut “key F” to insert
• Use the car’s light mapping as a reference to program the channel bits. Few channels accept values of type ramping in addition to bool (on/off)

Model 3/Y: Front light channel mapping

• Experiment with different light patterns for various sections of the song
• Don’t forget to utilize Tesla specific features like the charge port, mirrors, and trunk for added flair. Use “key Q” to open, “key A” to dance, “key Z” to close

Opening/closing beat markers

Remember, you can use groups to control multiple lights simultaneously, making it easier to create complex patterns.

Fine-Tuning and Testing

As you work on your light show, frequently preview your creation using the 3D model. This will give you a good idea of how it will look on your actual Tesla.

Make adjustments as needed to ensure the lights complement the emotional highs and lows of the audio.

Exporting Your Light Show

Once you’re satisfied with your creation:

1. Export the sequence as an FSEQ file
2. Name your files “varaha-roopam.fseq” and “varaha-roopam.wav”
3. Validate you have a working sequence file by running
   python3 validator.py varaha-roopam.fseq
4. Format a USB drive to exFAT, or MS-DOS (FAT)
5. Create a base folder named “LightShow” on the drive
6. Place your FSEQ and the WAV audio file in this folder

Showtime

Insert the USB drive into your Tesla, navigate to the Toybox in your vehicle’s touchscreen, and select Light Show. Choose your custom show, and watch as your Tesla comes alive to the rhythms of “Varaha Roopam”.

As you work on synchronizing the audio with your Tesla’s features, remember to let the essence of the song guide your creative decisions. With practice and patience, you’ll soon have a unique light show that showcases both your Tesla and your love for the music.

Happy creating, and enjoy the show!

NOTE: If you want to just import and enjoy the show, here’s my FSEQ file. Follow STEP 4–6 above

FSEQ file location: https://teslalightshare.io/light-show/1108