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Scott C. Parker

Vectorworks, Inc Employee
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Everything posted by Scott C. Parker

  1. Hi Jake, Yes, as mentioned, sometimes the cache does not clear during an update. You have listed many issues, and I'd like to take care of the one that seems to be at the root of your frustration first. That is why you're finding yourself needing to use the truss properties dialog with existing truss from the published libraries. Would you please do a full reset of your RM cache and then refresh the RM? Then, try importing the truss from the library you're having trouble with. Once you have that and it gives you the same issue, I'd like to see that truss in a sample file for testing. Once we narrow that down, we can explore the other issues within our control. Reminder Refreshing your Resource Manager will update your library to the latest published symbols. You may need to clear your local RM cache file. Refreshing the RM doesn't always do this. Delete the RM Cache folder and then refresh the RM and it'll pull down a complete set of updated RM files. Win: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Nemetschek\Vectorworks RMCache\rm202x Mac: /Users/username/Library/Application Support/Vectorworks RMCache/rm202x Remember to replace the “username” with your computer username if you copy and paste the file paths Your file location might differ.
  2. PS. Please try refreshing your Resource manager to be sure you're using an up to date library. You may need to clear your local RM cache file. Refreshing the RM doesn't always do this. Delete the RM Cache folder and then refresh the RM and it'll pull down a complete set of updated RM files. Win: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Nemetschek\Vectorworks RMCache\rm2024 Mac: /Users/username/Library/Application Support/Vectorworks RMCache/rm2024 Remember to replace the “username” with your computer username if you copy and paste the file paths Your file location might differ.
  3. Hello Jake, I hear your frustration. Would you please either post here, or send directly, a couple of example drawings in which you find you need to make updates to truss obtained via the stock library? you shouldn’t need to do some of the editing you’ve described. thanks, Scott
  4. You've found a system limitation for the rails. The rails report in parameter order as used vs. parameter order when & where used. That is, the #1 will report the rail in the order placed vs. in the rail position. Thus, it doesn't easily report which rail is which when using long and short rails. The legs work as there is only one parameter for legs vs. the four for rails.
  5. Here's the file.Forum post on stage deck and legs count.vwx
  6. Inventory can count the legs. I created a worksheet via the Equipment and Inventory dialog and then grabbed the worksheet code for the legs column. You'll need to change the data to work in the legend by adding WS_ and the # signs. #WS_OBJECTDATA('INVENTORY PART QUANTITY', 'Legs', 1)# This works for data tags as well.
  7. USITT is gathering feedback about their Lighting Documentation Recommended Practices The public review period ends Dec. 6, 2024 This is not a Vectorworks project. If VW users have feedback, please use the link on the USITT page to offer feedback to the USITT committee. Replies posted here will not reach them. https://www.usitt.org/public-review-lighting-documentation-recommended-practices
  8. Agreed. The various calculations offered do not fully deal with the inherent changes that occur when dealing with factors that shift the weight. An easily observed example is the shift in the perceived attachment points when using slings. VW and Braceworks use an attachment point based on the centerline of the truss and misses the shift caused by the rotation or tilting of the truss. In the photo above, the shift from the tilt causes extra mass to shift to the left, beyond the pickup point, and the amount of mass appears substantial. In the posted file, the amount of shifted mass is much less. In retesting the posted file, I found that the tilted systems offer about eight pounds of different results compared to a flat version of the system. I shifted the hoists to attach over the third light from the end for each. The issue, though, is that the pickup points are not accurate as they are from the centerline of the truss. At the end of the day, it'll be up to the engineers to whom the Braceworks reports are sent to make the final reports. In my first reply, I used an example of people holding the truss from the ends of the truss. In that case, there would not be a shift in mass beyond the implied pickup points. I could see a future Braceworks improvement that adjusts the calculation pickup point to be offset from the centerline of the truss. This would require users to always choose a desired pickup symbol that tells BW what the offset is. It would also require info from the pickup point object manufacturers as to the side load bending resistance strength of their solid pick point objects. A wide and deep rabbit hole to get stuck in. Great conversation. Thanks, Scott
  9. This is an often misunderstood concept. Several factors support the weight loads of each hoist being the same regardless of the system tile. The truss you have is set to use a rigid cross section. The two hoists are placed acurately to maintain a vertical chain, which removes any sideways pull on either. If the high hooks were attached to a stationary pic point and then you change the tilt of the truss, the chains would start to pull in/outward which would cause dinamic shifts in load and lead to pulling the system in one direction. If this were the case, the balance could then differ. The truss sections are solid and transfer the weight evenly between the two pic points. In the real world, and when using spansets, they would shift slightly and the difference would be present. Think about is this way. You have a vertical truss that weighs 100lbs. One person is holding up the top and another person is holding up the bottom. If both share the load equally, each exerts 50lbs of effort. Now, change the same truss to horizontal. Each person is still holding up 100lbs between them, 50lbs each. PS: so others know, the file had only two hoists. The image above shows three and the weight would be distributed differently, but the calculations still hold true.
  10. How are you changing the trim height? With the number of ways to change an objects' height in VW, it's possible you're bypassing an anticipated workflow that leaves the hoists behind.
  11. I'll be talking about this during the Nov. 7 Coffee Break.
  12. If you use the Bridle tool with two or more legs, the legs would be the guy wires. You can set the Apex height to zero to remove the down leg.
  13. The bridle tool doesn't support diagonal single bridles. However, the symbols for the bridle legs are in the resource manager, and you can use them independently. You would then use the attached BridleItemRecord for your reports. The folder is under Defaults in the RM
  14. Leo, At the moment, when speakers are inside the Speaker Array "wrapper," the Summary key can not see them directly. This is being worked on. A bit of a workaround... Ff you look in the list of Unused Symbols in the Summary Key dialog, you should see the symbols you want to show. While this will show the symbols, they won't show a count. For the counts, you can create a worksheet for just those array speakers via the Equipment List dialog and overlay the worksheet upon the summary key, keeping it in front to remain visible. A hassle, I know. If you need help with this, send me a sample file with just the array you're using and I'll mock it up for you. Thanks, Scott
  15. Obviously, this shouldn't happen. We'll likely need a copy of the file to test at HQ. If you share it here, we can take a look. If you need to keep it more private, please email tech@vectorworks.net so they can set up a ticket and retrieve a copy from you directly. One of the first things we do when testing is to see if it crashes on our machines. If it does, the next step is often to import the items from your file into a clean file and try again. What happens if you import the layer from your file into a new blank file? How old is the original file? Was it created before 2024?
  16. AH! I figured out a workaround for now. You can subtract slack from the cable. In the cable configuration and/or the cable worksheet slack column, you can add a negative number, which will change the cable. In a worksheet, you can select all the cables attached to two-fers or breakouts and place a negative number in the slack data field. You'll need to update and then/reload the cables via the manage cable parts dialog to force a cable refresh.
  17. The breakout length function has yet to be implemented, so there is no data field for the lengths yet. Power loads need to use a distributor device to track power. When you use the included or duplicated and customized versions of two-fers, you can both track power and show them in reports as distributors. What this means for is that the current tool doesn't subtract the lengths of the tails from the needed jumpers yet. It's being worked on.
  18. Can you share a sample VW file with the seating sections to play with?
  19. Braceworks is fussy on connections, especially for items it considers side loads. If you could share a sample file to play with, I and others might be able to offer suggestions.
  20. Hmmm. I think I've always needed to reassign the V to the Visibility tool in my workspaces. Which I always do when building a new workspace.
  21. If you can post or send the file to tech support, we can take a look.
  22. If you could post a sample file and the steps needed for us to do the same thing you are doing, it will be helpful to figure out what the problem is.
  23. PS, the fastest way to show focus for plots with a lot of lights is to use Focus Points. The lights all point to there assign focus point and you can also rotate the 2D version if you check this box.
  24. I have questions... But first, to answer yours. You also need to edit the 2D version of the same symbol and rotate the 2D geometry to point in the same direction to match what you did in the 3D version. When I place the fixture from the library, the OIP offers both Pan and Tilt controls that do what I think you're trying to do. Using these in conjunction with the Z rotation field gives you control over all unit focus and rotation and works for both 2D and 3D. If you don't see these fields, please open the Spotlight preferences dialog and look at the Parameters list. When I'm doing a lot of focusing work, I move the Pan and Tilt parameters to the very top of the list and they show in the OIP right under the Z rotation field. This picture is from 2025 where we've added sliders. One more thing. Be sure to use the Lighting Device insertion tool to add the light so the OIP shows all the controls. The sample file you shared had the simple in the design layer as a static symbol vs. an actual lighting device. If I misunderstand your needed workflow, please explain a bit more.
  25. Can you create a sample layout of what you're trying to do? It would be helpful for future planning. Thanks, Scott
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