CraigCTC

You could also just import the PDF directly into VW and do a Trace Bitmap. If the line weight is heavy enought, you should get a fairly accurate trace to the drawing. It just eliminates steps 5-7. But you would still need to do step 8-10.

I think that might be where the snag was. Each part had different information so it was going to (I'm guessing) some default record. Thanks for the help!

Well, I'm still having problems with v12.5. I select "Import SketchUp..." and nothing happens. No pop-up window. No error message. Nothing.

I'm a Mac VW user and I am having an issue importing SketchUp 3D drawings into a VW drawing. I have an Intel processor and VW said to make sure that the program opens in Rosetta by clicking on that option in the "Get Info" screen for the application. I've done this, and now NOTHING happens when I select "Import SketchUp" in the import drop down. Any ideas???

Anyone out there have a vectorscript that will automatically assign a unit number to a lighting instrument based on it's position on a lighting position? Example: If I insert an instrument at "position 5" on the pipe, the unit number in the object info will read 5, even though it may be the only unit on that pipe. I know that there is nothing in VW that will do this automatically, so I'm wondering if anyone was savvy enough to write a script for it.

Anyone out there have a vectorscript that will automatically assign a unit number to a lighting instrument based on it's position on a lighting position? Example: If I insert an instrument at "position 5" on the pipe, the unit number in the object info will read 5, even though it may be the only unit on that pipe. I know that there is nothing in VW that will do this automatically, so I'm wondering if anyone was savvy enough to write a script for it.

If you are still looking for instruments, you might want to try using Google SketchUp. There is a 3D warehouse that Google has with everything you could imagine there. There are all kinds of musical instruments in there. Vectorworks can import the model and place it on a new design layer.

I'm a Mac/VW user and frequently work with someone who is a PC/AutoCAD user. I think you need to talk with your associate and get them to select/de-select certain options when they export a DWG. Example: I always export my layers as classes and make sure that my line weights are exported as colors so that the is color contrast in the drawing for them. There are hatch options and scaling options that might help you. Also, make sure you select the appropriate options when importing the file. hope this helps.

You need to make sure that you are making changes in Plan View (the default view). If you make changes in other views they only sync up within the view that you are looking in. Also make sure you extrude the lighting position and give it a height before adding instruments to it. Then make sure that the instrument is snapping to the position when you place it there. I've found that this clears up any "floating" fixtures.

When you say "Run 'Curtain From...'" what do you mean? I've added the two files to my Plug-Ins folder and have created the desired arcs for the curtains. But I'm a little fuzzy on the next step.

Anyone out there have a vectorscript that will automatically assign a unit number to a lighting instrument based on it's position on a lighting position? Example: If I insert an instrument at "position 5" on the pipe, the unit number in the object info will read 5, even though it may be the only unit on that pipe. I know that there is nothing in VW that will do this automatically, so I'm wondering if anyone was savvy enough to write a script for it.

Yes, this works when I try and change an individual fixture - i.e. an I-Cue or DMX Iris. However, when I try and change the light info record for a multi-cell instrument (i.e. an L&E Broad Cyc 3-cell) the info in the OI "Lighting Device" window does not reflect what I just changed in the light info record. In fact, each individual cell that makes up the 3-cell has the correct light info record as does the "whole" symbol. But when placed as an inserted instrument, the OI still lists the incorrect information - S-IV Leko 19 deg.

I've found from VW fellows on the USITT Conference floor that when you render the light beams from the fixtures, you must make sure that the light is not sitting directly on the lighting position. This is because the light is emitted from the C-clamp. Now I have no idea why this is (you would think they would check something like that!), but this is what I have been told by the VW people themselves. So if you render and don't see light, change the z-axis orientation of the light - either raise it higher or lower it below the lighting position.

We are spending time in trying to create new lighting/accessory symbols that are a little truer to shape and profile. When creating a symbol, I give the symbol a name i.e. "Rosco I-Cue." The symbol is placed in our instrument folder and the name appears correctly in the Resource Browser. However, when the symbol is inserted as an accessory, the text in the "Instrument Type" in the Object Info window reads "S-IV Leko 19 deg." How can I correct it to read as the symbol name without having to retype the text in the Instrument Type field in the Object Info window??