[Can't get the photogrid to work...]

There is also an option in the photomater to "Calcualte using only visible beams", turn it off to start with.

[Can't get the photogrid to work...]

The photo grid does not use rendered lights it only used Spotlight Lighting Devices. The photometer and the photo grid do a simple distance squared cosine fall off calculation based on the center weighted peak candelpower of of the lighting device. It does not take into account any of the rendered lights, IES files, Color, intensity, shadows or geometry in the document.

To use the photometer or the photometric grid you need to place a "Lighting Device" in the document, assign a focus point and then place the photometer.

[Set 3D Orientation vs. =Count()]

This is correct behavior.

If you want information about the lighting device you should report on the Lighting Device.

=COUNT((('Lighting Device'.'Symbol Name'='Source 4 19deg')))

The Light Info record does not reflect any user entered data and any modification of the record data will be overwritten.

[Turning Lights on in 2008 spotlight]

You can select multiple lights and adjust the attributes using the visualization palette.

[Using External Files]

For the XML file path you just need to specify the fill path as part of the file name.

xmlFile := "C:\Temp\Projects\xmlfile.xml"

result := WriteXMLFile(hXML, -1, xmlFile);

If you want to let the user pick the folder you can use

"FUNCTION GetFolder(promptStr:STRING;VAR directoryPath:STRING) :INTEGER;"

and then add the actual file name.

Kevin

[Snapping to different Layers]

Are all the layers the same scale?

In order to snap across mutiple layers they must have the same scale.

[Scripting and Plugins - Instrument Insertion]

What are you tring to accomplish with a your new lighting device? If there is some general finctionaly lacking in the current tool please post a wish.

[U Dimmer?]

It is.

Go the the Spotlight Pref and turn on automatic dimmer assignment.

[No Option in OIP to turn light on]

With the introduction of the Viz palette we wanted to give the physical rendered light control so that now all lights are accessible in the Viz palette. Once you start using it you will find it a lot easier.

The lit fog is a Renderworks Background. You can edit it through the resource browser.

[Hollow Polys]

The best thing to do would be to post the text of the export from VW.

Also try to ungroup the geometry that is generated and see what's really there.

If you are just looking at the block of code fro the symbol there may be some things happening outside of that block that are needed.

[No Option in OIP to turn light on]

You should also be able to right click on the lighting device and select "Edit Light..." (Not "Edit...") You should be able to directly asscess the light from here.

If you are using the Viz Pal try viewing All the lights and not just current scene.

[Lights not behaving in FQRW]

Jeff,

Turn off "Draw Beam"

Draw Beam creates real geometry and is casting a shadow.

Since you are using an older version, look at the origin of the light (and the origin of the "Draw Beam"). It's probably coming from the insertion point of the light (the c-clamp). The lighting position is probably blocking the light.

The beams will be round when rendered unless you edit the light and assign a distribution file to the light.

[Get Handle to Worksheet?]

brudgers,

Just use h := GetObject('WorksheetName');

Where 'WorksheetName' is the name of the worksheet.

You don't need an image to get the handle to the worksheet just the name of the worksheet.

[question from newbie]

Contact tech support at your local distributor. Your serial number may not match your dongle ID for some reason. They will be able to verify the information and better help you diagnose the problem.

[post from 2d to 3d]

In order to extrude an object it bust contain primitive geometry. (Line, Polygon, Polyline, Circle etc) you can not extrude a Plug-in object, such as a column, or things like groups or symbols.

There are a few ways to draw the beam in 3D.

The mast basic way is to use the 2D Polygon tool to draw the cross section of the beam. (It should be one continious closed polygon.)If the shape is complex you can use operations like add surface and combine to get the 2D shape but to start just use the polygon tool.

Once you have it drawn then just select it and extrude it.

Onece you extrude it you will have a 3D only object that you can move in rotate.

The other method is to start with a structuarl shape object and configure the Plug-in object to match your shape. Once you have configured it, ungroup the object (remember you can't extrude a plug-inn object) and then extrude the geometry.

[question from newbie]

It sounds like VW is opening a template file automatically.

Try deleting the default.sta file located in Libraries\Defaults\Templates\. If that does not try moving all the files in Libraries\Defaults\Templates\ to another folder.

Kevin

[Editable Paperwork]

There are pre-built databases in:

..\Libraries\Defaults\Reports~Schedules\Spotlight Schedules.vwx

[Tell Me Variables]

Dialogs are dynamicaly sized based on the controls. If you create a resizable dialog there are VS calls to set/get the size and location of the dialog. (SetLayoutDialogSize() for the size)

If you are talking about using the Dialog Builder there is a control point in the lower right corner to resize the layout window.

[Realistic lights]

2010 works just the same without the cursor change.

You don't need to convert it to an accessory.

Rather than a cursor change the lighting device will be highlighted in red so that you know you are picking the correct object in the third step.

[Label positions reset after LW import]

I just tried it and I didn't see any problems with the labels moving using the automatic data exchange in latest version of LW5 and VW 2010.

[Realistic lights]

Accessory insertion works fine for me.

Remember it's 2 clicks (or 3 clicks if you are using click-click rather than click drag)

Make sure you are using 2010 SP2. There is a bug in 2010 where accessories do atatch to instruments but may not move with the instrument.

Also make sure you have the light info record filled out corectly so the tool knows that it's an accessory.

[gaaah, VW 11.5 cant get seating designer to start]

The best recomendation I have at this point is to uninstall Vectorworks and Quicktime completely and re-install.

Directions on how to completly remove the application are here:

http://kbase.vectorworks.net/questions/612/Uninstalling+VectorWorks+12 (Version 11 should be similar)

Quicktime removal directions are here:

http://kbase.vectorworks.net/questions/506/Uninstalling+Quicktime+%28Windows%29

You may want to contact tech support directly and have them verrify your serial number since it is the key installing and enabling Spotlight.

11.5 should run fine on XP but it may not work well with recent versions of Quicktime/iTunes.

[Symbols Needed - Chandelier]

There are a few Chandeliers in Libraries\Objects-Building Services\Electrical-Lighting Fixtures Int & Ext.vwx and Libraries\Objects-Building Architecture & Interior\Furniture-Furnishings and Scenic Elements.vwx

[Gobo Projection onto a wall]

The focus point is just a 3D point in space, the orientation does not matter. If you set the instrument at 8' and place the focus point in front of the wall at 8' it should work. (In 2008 the "Draw Beam" feature may not show the beam here.)

Render in Final Quality Renderworks and you should see the gobo projection.

[2008 VW Spotlight Batten problems]

Taylor,

You probably do not have a 3D component to your lighting position.

When you greate your lighting position you need to have a 2D and a 3D element, group them, and then convert to a lighting position.

You can modify your existing lighting poitions by editing the 3D component of the symbol in the resource browser and adding a simple extruded line or rectangle.