jcogdell

To echo @Peter Vandewalle's recommendation, it is always better to try to use the same localized language version of Spotlight when working on a joint project. The language issue doesn't just affect library locations, but also things like automatic classing, default classing for library symbols and object parameter naming.

@exhibitdesigner From the image you posted above you're not using the standard folder structure for a workgroup or user library, If you move your custom library files into one of the existing library folders (such as Entertainment-Event) and then run the 'Refresh Libraries' command in the resource manager, they should become available to the resource selector of the replace symbol dialogue

Not with the standard Spotlight hoist object. You would have to create a custom symbol for this.

There isn't a way to do this directly as you would need to use the insert connection tool to connect the hoist to the truss, which doesn't work with a speaker array. The workaround is to use a point load object to represent the combined weight of the hoist and array, just make sure to exclude the hoist and speaker array from your final Braceworks calculations.

I've had a quick look at your file, the error message seems to be missing from our documentation, but because its a blue information message it doesn't prevent the Braceworks calculation of the system. Look in the Load overview dialogue and you will see that the cable loads etc have all been calculated, if Braceworks had not included them in the calculation the force and load data would not be filled in. I think the message is being triggered because Braceworks treats cable objects as distributed loads and is warning that the load is distributed across multiple trusses that may have to be raised separately to trim height. I'll open a bug report to get the error message documented

Hi Brandon The 16" tower truss / ground support is already in our truss content creation cue, I've added a request for the stacking truss 25" spigot, but please be aware that there is a massive backlog of truss requests in our system, so it may take some time before content is able deliver the symbols for either type of truss.

Try using the 'send to' commands inside the edit accessory dialogue

Thanks for the detailed feedback, We are looking for a better solution for this, This shouldn't be happening, can you DM me the file you are seeing this in so I can open a bug report? We have a solution for this in the works, we had to delay releasing it with 2023 as it was part of another feature that wasn't ready in time for launch. You should already be able to use them for this, why do you need to be able to scale them? The reason I'm asking is none of our other plug in objects like lighting devices or truss scale in this way, and I suspect I'm missing something about what you are trying to achieve by scaling the distro's. I'll add an enhancement request in for this. This is already possible, using the cable configuration dialogue. Set the selected parts pane to list all parts and you can then change the order of the cable parts inside the cable run. The end of each part is displayed on the cable object as either a loci or sphere based on your cable style settings. I think the workflow can definitely be improved though. In my own experience this is a very common way of working. Currently the easiest way to achieve this would be to use the Split tool to create the cable dock or break where you need it so you can remove the controller or ground loom as needed. This is an excellent idea, I'll add an enhancement request. Not being able to go back and add or remove cables from a path is a major issue and makes it very hard to revise the cable plan after its first drawn. This is already on the to do list and will be getting addressed as the tools move forwards A very good point, I'll add this as an enhancement request Are your distro's hooked up to a power supply? the palette only shows objects that have been connected to a supply, anything not displaying in the palette either has not been connected or has a wiring error somewhere between the power supply and the end consumers. We are looking at a number of ways to improve the process of creating distributors, I'll forward your suggestions on to the team. We already provide the Swag setting in the cable preferences to calculate the extra cable needed to account for cable sag. And this can be further customized by applying separate swag percentages to different parts of your file using the cable area tool. Why are you wanting to visualize the sag? so you can set individual sag modifiers for each location the cable is sagging or for presentation purposes?

@Jayme McColgan, I don't recognize this error message, can you post or dm me the file to have a look at?

If @PatW's suggestion doesn't work can you DM me the file so i can see if I can figure out what is going on?

I'll open a bug report for this

You don't need a 2 clamp symbol, you need to use a rigid truss cross for the connection. The truss cross will be automatically created if you add the pipe above or below the truss within the auto-connect radius, or when you use the insert connection tool to connect the pipe to the truss (and in 2023 you can define the type of truss cross in the tool preferences, otherwise you need to do this after insertion, in the OIP). If you are using 2023 you can take this a step further and edit one of the default rigid truss cross symbols from the library to replace the default geometry with 2 clamp symbols correctly spaced for the type of truss you are using. Make sure to save any custom truss cross symbols like this into your user or workgroup folder for future projects If you draw the the pipe with the light attached and have the truss cross defined as rigid you shouldn't need to do any further steps or add a point load. Braceworks will correctly calculate the truss with the out rigged load. You will get the FEM warning message but this is not a critical error or fail, it is a warning that your structure has an unbalanced rotational force acting on it, in this case the out rigged pipe plus light, and that the truss will not hang exactly as in the Spotlight CAD plan. In effect it is telling you that the system is structurally safe but that you will likely have to make some onsite adjustments to the truss pick ups and/or the other lights hanging on that truss to get it to hang in the correct alignment/position. A lighting pipe is treated the same as a truss object by Braceworks, both have the required structural behavior data included and will behave accordingly. The pipe will deflect based on where it is hung or supported from and where any loads like lights or point loads are connected to it. Just like a truss any possible connection will display the red auto-connect highlight, so the point load would be inserted in the same way as a light and the highlight will display when you have a valid connection. Yes, any Braceworks enabled objects will do so automatically, if it isn't connected to a truss or pipe Braceworks will display an error message that the object is not correctly supported. Typically all objects that have a dedicated Spotlight insertion tool are automatically Braceworks enabled (lights, soft-goods, pipes, truss, cables etc...) The insert load tool is designed for when you need to calculate a system that includes 2D/3D symbols or objects that are not Braceworks enabled, such as hanging a piece of custom modeled scenery.

For the NURBS check out the Vectorworks University. Creating a library is simple, a library file is a normal Vectorworks file that only has the symbols in the file resources not in the design layer. You can use favorites, a user folder or a workgroup folder to store the library file, if its in a user or workgroup folder you have to make sure to save the file into the correct location in the folders file structure (which is auto created when you set up the user or workgroup folder). You can find more info about this in both the Vectorworks Help and the University. use the '@' key

Also what build number and version of Spotlight are you running? you can find the build number in the help menu>about vectorworks

Sadly due to the enormous number of possible sling configurations for each truss type it wasn't practical for the content team to create symbols for them all, but as @Stefan B. says you can make your own library of sling /pick up symbols. The current library was created by laying out a set of 4 circles to represent the truss chords (48mm diameter), which were then spaced based on the truss geometry. A set of NURBS curves was then used with the extrude along path tool to create the sling geometry, content used a combination of 3 NURBS curves, one for the upper end to create the loop for the shackle, one for wrapping round a chord and a straight section to join the wraps together. This way the NURBS could be dragged into position each time and joined to create the path for the sling. Last steps are to insert a shakle symbol and add and fill in the Sling Record. The issue with the hoist's hook correctly lining up with the shackle is a bug and I'll get a report opened for it

Hi @matteo esposito I just tried your file and once I had added some hoists it calculates, except for a couple of random sections of truss that are hanging off to the side by themselves. As afar as I can tell all you should need to do is insert the hoists, delete the random truss corner and 3m section that ae not connected to the main structure and you should be good to go. Make sure to use calculate visible or calculate selection rather than calculate all, otherwise Braceworks will try to calculate all the 2D DWG geometry that you have in the background. Let me know if you have any further issues

If you create a new text style in your document resources it will then be available in the hoist properties text style dropdown. otherwise you can try setting a class text style for the measurement label class of the hoist Another option is t create or customise a data tag to display the hoists coordinates and use that instead of the measurement label

@matteo esposito There are a number of things that can cause this but without being able to look at the file it is difficult to say what the actual cause is. If you can DM the file Tom or myself can have a look and figure out what is wrong.

@Erik Koehler Nothing should have changed as far as i know, can you DM me the file to have a look at?

As far as I know this is pretty much the only dedicated Braceworks spot, I know of several Facebook Spotlight groups but like you I'm not active on Facebook and have no idea whether they discuss Braceworks on any of them.

Yes there are 2 options, Calculate visible, which uses the current class and layer visibility settings to control what will be calculated or Calculate selection, where only the selected the objects will be calculated

The maximum chain length is contained in the hoist symbols data record, The easiest way to customise it is to import an existing hoist of the desired type, in an empty file give the hoist a new name, for example hoist x 100' in the resource manager right click on the duplicated hoist symbol and select attach record in the context menu, then select the hoist record and hit the edit values button. You can now edit the maximum chain length field (or any of the other fields) once you are happy with the new hoist save it into your user or workgroup library folder so that you have it available for future projects, you will probably need to refresh your resource manager afterwords.

Can you DM me the file so I can see if I can figure out what is going on here?

The easiest way is to select the instrument summary and then run the create data tag style command. and in the dialogue choose the active filter parameter.

I've opened a bug report for it