Stephen M.

Thanks, my problem usually is when I'm building a model in the Layer and I just need a measurement to check something, not actually place a dimension in a Sheet. So if I'm building in a top/plan and then wish to check a measurement changing to a side view.

When I switch from top/plan to either a front or side views is there a way to set the parameters so it picks the points in a 2D plane. When I try to grab points they're not always in the same plane. Not sure if I should be re-setting the plane views. -could be I'm not familiar enough with the program after a year or so of using it. thanks if advance for any advice.

Thanks Pat, I did the import and the 14mb file blew up into a 187mb file! It is a bit heavier than I had hoped but it worked.

And just as I asked this question I went back to my Spotlight and see there is an import for the format, so I'm giving it a try.

Has anyone opened a .step file? It's a format I got from a truss supplier and I'm trying to import a model of an exhibit booth.

Thanks guys, I'll try the variations. I appreciate the advice.

Something like the way the Drawing Label Tool works?

Thanks for the info Kevin. That must be a hidden command because I don't see it on a Keyboard Shortcuts list.

Does anyone know of a way to stop a render which is in progress without quitting the program? -using Spotlight 2018 on a Mac.

All good tips guys, thanks. Steve M.

A colleague of mine works in 3DS Max and sometimes he builds an object and makes it glow. Do we think we could do the same thing here? -build a fake instrument from an object and somehow shutter it to give the effect of a wide cyc light?

that thing about the Light Info Record - could it be that I copied a fixture from another file? and that messed up the file? I am just doing the scenic layout and another person -the lighting designer- built the file for the lighting and I copied one of his fixtures into mine.

Thanks Rob, I'll be getting back to my original file soon and try these different parameters. The program is pretty deep with all the functions for each element. Good thing to have this forum. I see that Markdd got the shutter to work, which was another issue I had. I'm also trying to figure out a nice way to uplight a drape line or cyc, which fixture is best to use without having to place a large amount of fixtures on the ground. I was trying a Colorforce 72 but couldn't make the beam spread the width of the instrument, just a single point. Not sure if that's the way it's supposed to work. It's also a little frustrating with a file becoming "corrupt".

thanks Mark, I'll take a look at your file and go back to my original drawing to check the settings. I appreciate the feedback.

Thanks Rob, I tried that but don't seem to be getting it to work yet. I'm attaching a simplified version of the file I was working with and a another screen capture of a "final rendering". I set up a number of drape lines and a wall to see the effect. If you can take a look, I'd be interested to see know what I'm doing wrong. Steve M. drape lighting issue.vwx