C. Andrew Dunning
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Posts posted by C. Andrew Dunning
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Benjamin -
I never could find the issue with the problem-child in the file I posted. If I import a replacement bare-body Symbol from my current library all works exactly as it should (working version posted). Both were built following the steps we presented in the Webinar. My conclusion is that either the Symbol in the sample file is somehow corrupted or I continue to miss something.
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Maybe the layer links and dlvp were not such a very good example...
Actually, they are great examples because offering them up helps to point out the conundrum of knowing when a given feature truly needs to be deleted or replaced and when "old" and "new" need to co-exist.
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I hadn't considered Saved Views...
Saved Views are only a part of it (though, a crucial part). Currently, the Layer Reference-method reference with resulting on-the-fly Class visibility control allows me to have several working views and plates all from a single reference. A few event production examples: overall room layout; stage placement; rigging; lighting, scenic, and audio design; chair layout/design; fire marshal plans; electrical needs; etc. All use the same venue drawing, but in different ways.
...goodbye to Layer Links.OK, so, those, I DON'T miss. Anyone else remember the pre-ViewPort days of having to use crop geometry and LLs to create details or multiple elements on a plate?
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You now have a layer reference and a design layer viewport to reference other layers from another file...
I realize I might be in the minority, but, for my particular workflow, this is an example of the benefit of allowing users to make the decision regarding different approaches - be the options old or new. As I constantly need to be able to change Class visibilities for referenced geometry, I depend on the layer referencing method (in conjunction with Saved Views). Losing that would make my day-to-day work much more difficult. I also depend on DLVPs. I see the immense value in both. Users who prefer one or the other aren't restricted to a workflow that doesn't work for them.
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When doing the Theater tutorial that came with Spotlight there is a vertical truss on the stage right side, however in 3d view that truss is horizontal. I was just wondering if there was a way to make it appear vertical for a rendering...
Seth -
Short answer to your question: Absolutely!
Longer answer: The best way I've found to do this is to use Design Layer ViewPorts. You can do that "manually" using the approach we discussed in our recent Unsung Heroes webinar or somewhat more automatically using the "Plot and Model View" command. The attached file will give you an idea as to how the "manual" process might work.
Regards -
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Is there a way to render a projector cone with lit fog in the same manner as a light beam?
Sorry, Mark; not at this time. The cone lines created by VS4-Projection/Video Screen and VS4-Blended Screen/Blended Screen are simply individual 3D polygons.
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I would like to see real world studies of people using the seating layout tool.
Here are a couple of my "typicals."
From my perspective, the Seating Layout tool is WAY too difficult to use. It simply doesn't "think" like "chairologists" think. (And, I've watched a LOT of chair crews work.) For example, does the front row always align with "the string?" And, does it really matter if a chair's foot overlaps "the string" by .5"?
That being said, though, using the tool beats laying out and counting 8000 chairs manually...especially, with constant revisions...
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Christoph (and, anyone else still following this thread...) -
If you're still looking for more information about creating custom VideoScreen resources, the manual I referenced a couple of weeks ago has been updated with more customization information. It can still be found at http://www.landrudesign.com/VWPlugIns.htm. I've also posted a movie at
that explains some of the tool inner-workings and demonstrates the process of creating TVs, projectors, and stands.I hope that some of the additional information is helpful to you.
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I know that this thread is several months old, but some of you might be interested to know that modeling angled/raked trusses is something Kevin Linzey and I will be discussing in next week's "Unsung Heroes" Webinar: http://www.vectorworks.net/events/index.php?eID=416
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I wasn't referring to the projection screens but to the display stands. Any chance there, or is it the same "problem."
You're meaning televisions, then?
If so, you can definitely create your own or modify the stock models. Like projector stands, the television tools are looking in a resource folder for television Symbols into which screens will be inserted. For example, "\Libraries\Defaults\Video Screen\Casings Flat 16-9." The television models should have the same record attached as projection stands, except that different fields are used to define where the screen is inserted ("height from floor"), its tilt angle ("tilt"), and its size ("width" and "height"). "Type" has to be "TV." As with stands, look at some of the stock models to see how the info is used.
I hope that helps...
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is there a way to customize the screen and projector tools:
We have custom designed stands and bases for our screens...
I'm sorry. There isn't any way to customize the screen stands. The elements for the ones included (goal-post, tripod, and roll-up/down) are hard-coded and created on-the-fly.
Same with projectors: instead of the truss type projector stand we have a custom designed stand...You can either modify the projector stands or create your own. The tools are looking for Symbols found in Vectorworks files stored in \Libraries\Defaults\Video Screen\Stand Models (found either in your main application folder or your User folder). 3 general notes:
1) The Symbol definition(s) must have the "__VS-ModData" record attached.
2) The "height from floor" field must contain the height of the stand (or, the height at which you want projectors placed).
3) You need to include the dimension units designation in the "height from floor" value ("...mm...etc.).
I\hope this will get you started. Pages 29 and 30 of the manual found on http://www.landrudesign.com/VWPlugIns.htm have a little info that might be helpful, as-well
These are great questions. Making a movie showing how to create custom elements is on The List. I just need to find time to do that...
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I know this seems a bit convoluted, but it REALLY beats creating and maintaining 2 sets of geometry - especially for projects that have lots of changes along the way.
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I had a read through the thread you suggested. Again I have the same problem, I can only rotate a symbol in the X or Y axis if it's 3D only, I have to lose the 2D representation.
Did you download and work with the sample file I posted? If the workflow I suggested will work for you, you won't have to lose any of your geometry - namely, the value of the 2D parts (legible plots). Just remember, you're tilting/raking/rotating Design Layer ViewPorts - not the truss and lights they reference. FWIW, it took me a while to get my head around the technique, but I now use it constantly for things like raked trusses, vertical elements, and ladders.
Be on the look-out for a Webinar covering this right after the new year...
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Steve -
You can easily do this in more current VW versions using Design Layer ViewPorts. The catch is that I don't know if it is possible in 2008. Give this thread a read: http://techboard.vectorworks.net/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=177103#Post177103 to get more info. I uploaded an example file that might help, as-well.
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I would like to know if there is any way to use the mirror tool in a way that does not create a mirrored version of a symbol...
See if you can find an OLD copy of VW that included the Theatrical Lighting Toolkit. That included 2 mirror tools that do just that. While they only seem to work consistently with actual horizontal (0?)/side-to-site mirroring, I use them constantly in similar situations.
Also, are you using either VS4-Television or Spotlight's Television tool? Both are "mirror-aware" and will give you unflipped geometry and screen images.
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Joe -
I (if not all of us) totally get your "transition frustration" - either when moving from other CAD solutions to VW, or from one VW workflow to another. Therefore, you'll find that ther are many willing to help...
What, exactly, isn't working for you? Are you using the Spotlight "Export Instrument Data" and "Import Instrument Data" menu commands? Are you using the preset Spotlight reports or your own database Worksheets? While I don't to much importing, I export to Excel regularly with no problems.
The attached file will give you a glimpse into how at least 1 other user works - and, how you can use the Spotlight system in somewhat non-standard ways.
Regards -
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I'll echo what Kevin advised - and add 2 things:
1) I see this from time-to-time with Lighting Devices contained in Design Layer ViewPorts. Forcing a refresh seems to fix the issue.
2) The issue (at least, at my end) occurs with Hybrid Symbols. It is the 3D portions that seem to make "ghost appearances" elsewhere at certain zoom levels.
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Horst -
Might you be able to post a sample file containing a Soft Goods segment that demonstrates the issue?
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I would like to request a feature that allows lighting instrument info to also show up in non-top-plan views.
Your request makes a ton of sense. Great idea. Good to see the quick response from the Mother Ship, too!
While we're waiting for that to be implemented, take a peek @ the attached file. It is something we discussed in our users' group meeting last evening - and, that might give you some ideas as to how you can create your vertical stacks.
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Be careful adding loci...
You're right about being careful, Rick. At the same time, most of my Symbols contain several 3D Loci (Insertion Point, snap points, and key fixture points). The trick is making sure that the one @ the center of the body is at the top of the stacking order so that it's the first one that the LD code finds. I know that that is "off-convention" a bit but, that done, things work beautifully.
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I don't think I completely understand how Spotlight decides that a fixture should be a single vs. multi-circuit Lighting Device.
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If there are nothing but symbols in the symbol definition, then Spotlight makes each symbol into a part of a multi-circuit Lighting Device.
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So, to fix this, there could be any non-symbol object in the 2D or the 3D, and the fixture will insert as a single Lighting Device...
You're not being dense. I'm just learning the finer details, myself - for somewhat similar reasons to yours: transitioning to the SL system from AP w/o losing the functionality and level of understanding to which I'd become assumstomed. As one of my previous posts revealed, I've still got a bit to learn...
The best that I can tell, you've figured it out.
A few things:
1) Simply adding a 3D locus to your 36? Symbol made it work in terms of fixing the "breaking." I inserted it @ the body's pivot point.
2) You also need to make sure the body geometry gets the "Default Instrument Texture" texture applied in order for the "light" part to work.
3) You should be able to streamline your 5? Symbol as it contains 3D geometry from the Hybrid S4 body Symbol and basic 3D non-Symbol geometry. In fact, I think you could consolidate your different parts for both Symbols and make things a bit easier to manage - like I said before, w/o losing your intended look.
Have a good one.
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Teresa -
Is adjusting your approach a little an option?
- Create a "generic" Hybrid symbol (out of actual geometry - not other Symbols) that mimics the different parts you're using multiple Symbols to create.
- Create "degree-specific" Symbols with the Light Info Record dsta attached - and, that include your degree text and lens color-coding.
That way, you'd get the look you want and the Spotlight Lighting Device object would only "see" the 1 internal Symbol.
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Teresa -
Might you have things grouped in one of the Symbols and not in the other?
Just a thought as I discovered the need for that in the 3D portions when multiple elements make up what the auto-focus code "sees" as, for example, the fixture body.
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Jeff -
I'm probably hopping into this a little late and might be muddying the waters, but here are a couple of comments:
1) Michael used the analogy of a "glass box." Another word you'll see thrown around when referring to entities like Groups and Symbols is "container." Containers can be nested inside of other containers - multiple levels deep if you like - just like the truss bolts that live in the ammo can that lives in the utility case that lives in the semi...
2) This nesting can get VERY confusing VERY quickly, but can also be pretty powerful. For example:
- A Lighting Device Symbol uses can have "simple" geometry (a square or an extruded rectangle) and "complex" geometry (the actual fixture shape, yoke, clamp, etc.) in the same "container."
- Along the same lines, truss Symbols can contain simple and complex geometry, rigging guidelines, connection and hanging snap points, different notes, etc. - all or part of which can be displayed or hidden at-will.
This level of complexity is all doable, even if the Lighting Device is assigned to the "Front Light" Class or the truss to the "Over-Stage" Class.
Just my 2?...
redesigning lighting instrumments is royaly ****d. NEED HELP!
in Entertainment
Posted
Peter -
If you post both files here, there are several users who, more than likely, take a look for you.