Could the file that is uploaded here
be an alternative to the ledmap.json file? And in what format should it be? Is there somewhere I can read about this?
This is where I started but it did not work as it assumes a matrix to start with an is used to manage gaps within the matrix. When I used this method each column was one out from the other hence poor text eligibility.
Aldiy has shown some examples of the correct use of the 2d gaps.json file.
I believe that this file can be used in addition to ledmap.json but in terms of the serpentine loop with a skipped pixel you need ledmap to start with.
No, it is exclusive, either ledmap (when things are complex) or gap file (only if there are missing pixels in the matrix).
I ask this question because I’m trying to find a simple way so that a technically illiterate user at home does not have to make complex settings or download some external files. To just connect your device to wi-fi, and everything works
Do I understand correctly that there is no way to make sure that on my side I load the required matrix configuration, and the user does not have to do anything?
Is the only way to physically disconnect the diode from the chain by soldering a jumper on the data bus in place of the unnecessary LEDs?
With what you show you might as well just cut the string in to the approiate lengths and joint them accordingly. You have to do this with LED tape anyway.
As I have 8 small panels in total, I went down this route as it was much easier to construct the matrix using string lights (minimising soldering, heatshrink etc.). Software (ledmap) got rid of the offending ones.
Somewhere on the forums is a person that has worked with a Chinse company to develop a 4 wire string. The 4th wire simply being used as a data return back up to the top so the lights can be hung. He has also developed a RJ11 connector block to manage these connections. Cool.
You are welcome to add such implementation. No-one is stopping you. 
I would definitely do this if I could! 
If you cut each wire and connect it with a “snake”, then there is a lot of soldering. I wish I could use the whole strip. I know about the 4-wire implementation. There is also a lot of soldering, making printed circuit boards for mating connectors. The “snake” in this case is much simpler in design.
Not sure what the answer is then. Have a simple HW build and add the ledmap file or solder. Whichever way you look at it this project needs some understanding of what you are doing. Its how its offered such a flexible solution.
The only way I can see is to buy premade matixes.
Thanks everyone for your help!
I’ll just add that the no-solder serpentine matrix does not scale beyond a few hundred pixels because you will need power injection. And with these denser seed pixels, you have very little room to work between the epoxy beads.
Well its that time of year again so here I am. I dugout all the hardware and applied the latest updates (15.1). Now when I boot the 2D configuration does not seem to get applied so the display is corrupt. Once its booted if I simply go to the 2D config page it shows the correct settings. Then I hit save and then call a preset and all works as expected.
If I roll back to 14.4 this problem goes away
I’d really like to use the latest firmware as there various other bug fixes and efficencies that I’d like to take advantage of
please open an issue on github with EXACT steps on how to reproduce it.
Never done that before but think I have raised the issue. 
I use an Ledmap to hide the unused pixels on the turns of the serpentine loops (1 per panel). Then in the configuration the 2D config is applied to layout the 4 off 17W x 14H matrix panels.
In <=14.4 this worked fine. From >= 15. It fails. When WLED starts I get a line of pixels across the top of all the panels. If I then go to the configuration pages/2D config and hit save the matrix comes alive and I’m good to go. But this does not survive a power cycle and is an issue as its being used on a vehicle so it needs to power up ready.
I’ve tried a factory reset and manual build but still get the same issue.
TIA
If you think this is a bug, only a report on github will get it fixed. and you need to privide exact details, like the exact ledmap you use, file names, exact controller, all settings etc.
If I gave done it right I have posted the config files etc. over there
I have just realised that I have raised this in the wrong part of Github. So have done it again
For completness, I’d thought I’d follow up on this. As my issue only appeared after upgrading from 14 to 15 and I was not able to find a solution I raise a ticket to suggest it was a bug. The ticket did not last long before it was shut down and I was left to my own devices again.
I have since found the fix, those in the know will say “of course!” but to the less skilled (me) it was not so obvious.
In 14 I used Ledmap to define which LEDs to use and which ones not (on the turns of the serpentine loop). Then using the 2D configuration I defined the panels.
This all stopped working in 15. The fix was to define the total size of the matrix at the end of the ledmap file eg:
],
“width”: 68,
“height”: 14
}
and, as before, use the 2D config page to define the panels.