Scott C. Parker

I made a video a while back that might be helpful. I'm not sure, as I made it before Magnets showed up.

Are you able to share the drawing file?

True. It's based on the insertion point. I'm not saying this is good or not. Certainly, something to think about.

It's on our list of wishes. No ETA on the horizon, though. The issue is that Virtual Parts are assigned to the entire type of objects, not the symbols themselves. We're keeping this in mind as the tool is further developed.

paging @Sam Jones

A quick workaround to get you going is to insert a new column and then copy/paste the database field from an existing VP. Then, change the number at the end of the string to 4, 5, 6, etc. It should pull the next virtual part into the worksheet.

Yes, it was a bug. It's been fixed for an upcoming release.

Correct. The info about parts is attached to items once they are in the drawing itself. This doesn't preclude anyone from adding a custom counting record to their symbols, which can then be reported using worksheets. The added parts via records are not currently seen by the inventory system.

=XROTATION(), =YROTATION(), and =YROTATION() get you the Roll, Hanging, and Rotation, but they are Read Only Functions. ='TrussItem'.'HingeAngle' returns the Hinge Angle, but edits from the worksheet likely won't take. The main issue with attempting to edit the fields you mention in a worksheet is disconnecting objects from each other. As for a master list, are you familiar with https://developer.vectorworks.net/index.php/VS:Function_Reference You'll find a huge amount of resources there. This collection of forums will be helpful as well. Many scripting developers discuss how to create tools to manipulate VW objects. https://forum.vectorworks.net/index.php?/forum/4-customization/

It's coded to attach to all Spotlight objects. The data manager is also coded to receive various bits of info from the device it's connected to, which are editable.

There have been several bug fixes to the existing palette covering calculations. What updates are you looking for? More improvements to power are being worked on for future releases.

Oh, I completely understand. This is on our list of requested enhancements. Until then, I suggest the first workflow of adding the truss to your shared template files. Best, Scott

When working on a drawing, virtual parts are saved per file and will remain attached to the objects within that file. To make sure that you have access to the pins you need, it is recommended that you add them as needed and save the file as a template. Alternatively, you can add the pins to the truss symbols and save the file as a favorite. This allows you to copy and paste the symbol into a new file easily. When you do this, the pins should come from your favorite file to your working file. Virtual parts are attached to the entire collection of particular object types within a drawing. This means that all the truss in the drawing will receive the same list of virtual parts. To address this, it's recommended that you add all the virtual parts with a default quantity of zero to all the various truss you are using. Then, select all of one type of truss and change the appropriate pin type quantity to 4. Repeat this process for the other type of truss as well. When you create reports, the virtual parts with zeros do not appear in the worksheets, so you can be sure that your report accurately reflects the parts you actually used.

Have you discovered the new EntEquipUniversal record which is now getting attached to all Spotlight objects? You can attach it manually to any other symbol and it'll be pulled into your reports. You can also edit it and add new fields and it'll still get attached to lights, truss, etc. As long as it keeps the same name.

Regrettably, the present worksheet layout is all we have, as the independent virtual parts data signifies items absent in the drawing. Rest assured, transposing this information into an improved list format is on our radar.

I've filed a bug report on the lack of seeing clamps when more than one is included in the library symbol. As Steven mentions, changing the symbols to geometry should have them appear visually.

Would you please post a sample file?

What were the steps you did when trying to change the length? To change a symbol's default, you'll need to right-click it in the resource manager and choose the Attach Record option. Find the hoist record and edit the record. Save, and you should be good to go. I entered 30000mm for one as a test, which worked as expected. Once I changed the max, I could enter the 80' chain length shown in my screenshot.

Would you please post an example file?

Sorry, not really. As each lighting unit may have different mounting hole locations, you would need to use the light's spec sheet as a guide. As for placing the clamps, @Sam Jones's autoplot has a script you will find helpful.

@Cristiano Alves This is a known issue where attaching two clamps causes a confusion concerning the actual hanging/insertion point. We suggest making a clamp symbol with the two clamps spaced apart and centered as you need and inserting that as the accessory. For proper counting of the clamps, you can use the new virtual parts function to place the extra clamp to each light.

Hi Ed, Is this in a newly built file? Or, is this happening in a file that might have been built in a VW version prior to 2024? Would you please post a sample file? Thanks, Scott

i've put this in as a bug. Not sure it will be as closing the box without using the OK button is canceling the current activity. We'll see what the engineers can do. Select all the cells, open the Format Cells dialog, change Patterns to None.

Ah, pressing the X cancels the process. Clicking OK completes the process. It seems the bug is the middle one where the worksheet was created even though the X was used to close the worksheet dialog.

Double check that your RM is set to either all resources or to worksheets. Happens to me all the time when I've filtered by other items.