C. Andrew Dunning
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Posts posted by C. Andrew Dunning
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I haven't chimed in with this because it only works with VW2009 or newer (and Chad is on 12.5), but our SoftGoods tool does exactly what he is needing. One of its features is the on-the-fly creation of curved curtain PIOs - with adjustable end-points, arc diameter, height, etc.
See the link below if you're interested in more info...
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could you expand on the possibility to extract information from the sound database?
Sure...
Below are screen-shots of the OIPs for AudioBox and Audio Array. Each field in the OIPs represents a database field. So, for example, you could have VW generate an AudioArray report showing cabinet brands, box counts, bumper and bottom box trims, and column weights - all sub sorted by Column IDs.
[img:center]http://www.landrudesign.com/AudioBox.jpg[/img]
[img:center]http://www.landrudesign.com/AudioArray.jpg[/img]
That answer your question?
In addition to your other question: soundguys and VW: I think because most pa manufacturers provide their own tools for simulation or presets for ease going through VW means twice the effort.
I knew about the different proprietary software packages when I started - and that was one of the things I asked some of my audio friends. After consulting w. them and others in the VW community, the two conclusions I reached were:
- Audio engineers would continue to use the non-VW packages. The sheer amount of proprietary information they handle is something beyond what I was wanting to create - at least as an initial offering. Also, the person using one of the "higher" packages might or might not be interested in including some of the other elements a lot of VW users include.
- There was a definite need for a simple VW tool - one that "general" production folk (not just audio engineers) could use to make quick estimates, create general layouts, check interraction w. other departments, add reconfigurable PAs to renderings, etc.
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there is a suite of tools from a company called neatworkz that are designed to offer sound design tools for Vectorworks. I have seen this and for complex sound design this is a very cool solution.
I'd echo this. Conrad's tools are pretty amazing. I haven't seen many tools (3rd-party OR stock) w. the level of detail he offers. For anyone doing detailed audio or network system design, you've got to take a look.
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It really is a wonder that there is SO much lighting available to CAD users via Vectorworks, but so little in the way of sound. But I guess that's a good indicator of what drives the industry.
I'd echo your surprise - and that was one of the things I pondered before developing the Audio ToolSet tools, but from a "potential" standpoint: Do Vectorworks audio tools not exist because there aren't audio - oriented users? Or, are audio folk not using Vectorworks because the tools they need don't exist? Knowing that I had ZERO intention of event approaching the complexity of software like EASE, I decided that there was enough potential there to test the waters w. an initial offering. So far, the response has been good and I'm willing to give things a bit of time to reveal forther need and potential.
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Grant -
I see that you've purchased a license. Just let me know if you or your students have any questions...
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Grant -
Thanks for the kind words. I think "crafty dude" is a new one... ;-)
As to your question, Because AudioBox and AudioArray are PIOs, they inherently have records attached to them. with those records, users can track things like:
- Brand and model
- General overall dimensions
- Weight
- Dispersion (horizontal and vertical)
- Throw distance
- Power method (self or remote)
- Support method (flown, stacked, etc.)
- Tilt angle
- Location and purpose
- Rack and drive line
- General notes
Does this answer your (and your students') question?
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Dylan -
Horst is correct; the Television objects use Hybrid Symbol models and, therefore, can't be tilted. You have 2 options:
1) Convert the 3D part to a Group as he describes.
2) Create your own 65" plasma screen tilted the way you like it and add it's file to the "\Libraries\Defaults\Video Screen\Casings Flat 16-9" folder. The Television tool will then see and use it. To get a feel for how to build your own Symbol for Televsion to use, edit a copy of one of the existing models. Make sure to have a look at the attached "__VS-ModData" record and make sure use similar but adjusted values, as that's a crucial part to Television's being able to use your model.
Regards -
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Dave -
Yup...twas a 2011 file. Try this one instead.
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Dave -
Give this a whirl...
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Simon -
See how this works for you...
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I have not had success with the path type object.
Would you be so kind as to share an example?.
Check out the PIOs at the bottom of The VectorScript Examples Page. One of them is a 2D Path PIO. All are unencrypted so you can get under the hood to see how things work.
You might also find value in Charles Chandler's Intro To Script Events. Some of what he discusses there is relevant to Path PIOs.
Good luck!
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Sleg -
It has been a while since I worked with this, but here are some things I believe I learned when builing a Path PIO:
1) Make sure your PIO is Event-Enabled.
2) Set the following constants:
kObjXPropSpecialEdit = 3;
kReshapeSpecialEdit = 3;
kObjXPropEditGroup = 1;
kObjXPropEditGroupPath = 2;
3) Insert the following lines in the Initial Properties section of your code:
gFlag := SetObjPropCharVS(kObjXPropSpecialEdit, Chr(kReshapeSpecialEdit));
(If I remember correctly, I needed this to enable the Path to be reshaped when the PIO instance is double-clicked.)
gFlag := SetObjPropCharVS(kObjXPropEditGroup, Chr(kObjXPropEditGroupPath));
(This line was needed in order to allow the Path/Profile dialog to be skipped and the PIO to be reshaped in-place and not from the Path Edit view.)
I hope this helps...and I'm sure someone will correct me if my memory is a bit foggy...
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Greetings from Landru Design!
All of our tools have been updated. Most of the changes have to do with creating versions for Vectorworks 2011 and aligning our tools' internal texture creation with the new Cinema 4D rendering engine. The other modifications are mostly arcane bug fixes and minor tweaks (such as the addition of the "Surface Area" OIP Parameter in StageDeck and StagePlug).
These updates are free-of-charge to current license holders. For the time-being, simply use your original download link and password. If you're not a current user and would like more information, please visit one of the links below.
That's about it for our news from our end of things. Have a productive week!
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Greg -
1) As you've discovered, at the present time, Blended Screen/VS4-Blended Screen only create flat screens. Curved screens are on several wish lists; we simply haven't gotten there, yet.
2) Though far from automatic, the best solution I've seen is to create 2 objects: an extruded arc (converted to NURBS) for the curved screen and a Blended Screen/VS4-Blended Screen object that equals the dimensions of your curved screen, should it be flattened out. Insert Projectors with your intended settings and then move them from the flat screen to the curved screen - rotating as you go.
Like I said, far from automatic. If any one else has better ideas, I, too, would love to hear them, as this is a question I've gotten before.
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You're quite welcome. Glad it was that easy...
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Greg -
The ability to show projection distance already exists - in both VS4-Projection/Video Screen and VS4-Blended Projector/Blended Projector. Click the "Text Options..." button, then the "Projection Distance" option, and then check the "Show Projection Distance" box. Click "OK.?"
That what you're wanting?
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Jeff -
12'x21' isn't exactly 16:9, but close enough that a single 16:9 projector will fill the screen so, yes, you are correct.
Regarding the difference between "Insert Projectors" and "Update:"
- If no projectors are present, "Insert Projectors" will insert them, using the parameters defined in the Screen's OIP. If projectors are present, clicking that button will delete them and reinsert them, resetting any text settings.
- "Update" will refresh both the screen and existing projectors w/o losing text settings. Though it won't account for area count changes, it is good for things like changing lens spec.
Regards -
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Jeff -
A few things:
1) Blended Screen calculates projector spacing based on 2 things: Screen Size (height and width) and Projector Aspect (4x3, 19x9, etc.). A combination of Screen Height and Projector Aspect determine a single projected Area Width. (For your example, the single-area width for a 12'-high screen and 4x3 projectors is 16' wide.).
2) At this time, the tool only places far end projectors so that their far left or right ends meet the far left or right edges of the screen. The placements for the interspersed projectors (if any) is calculated so that the spacing and overlaop are even. The tool will not allow for fewer projected areas than it will take to fill the screen. (For your example, the fewest is 2 areas, with an overlap of 11'. Different Projector Aspects will produce different area overlaps.)
3) For determining spacing/overlap, the lens spec. is irrelevant, regarding Blended Screen and/or VS4-Blended Screen. That simply changes the projection depth.
Probably more info than you wanted. I'm just wanting to make sure you're understanding the underlying logic.
So...I'm curious as to what your parameter settings are that are producing 100% overlap.
Also, please let me know if there is fuctionality that you're needing that is missing. For example, are you needing the tool to allow for End Overshoot (or, whatever you might call it)?
Regards -
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Marc -
The way I've done this in the past was to create 3D Polys shaped to mimic the tabs - and then to apply tab/Austrian textures. This is FAR from being a niceley-modeled approach, but might work for you.
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Kevin -
Congratulations on your tools! I know that getting there had its challenges, but you are to be commended for not giving up. We'll be interested to see what you create next...now that you've gotten through the hardest part: just getting started.
Hats off to you...
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Sam -
Create a Renderworks texture in your drawing, using Image Color (in the texture definition dialog) and a bitmap of your image. Once you've done that, your new image will show up in the "Edit Screen Image..." dialog.
That help?
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Marc -
Good question...and you're not the first to ask...
Like the Spotlight Curtain tool, SoftGoods only creates "straight down" pieces. No tableaus or Austrians. That being said, you can use textures to approximate the look. That's how I created the Austrian in the demo images on my Web site. In fact, you can download that texture at www.landrudesign.com/Downloads_Main.htm.
That help, at all?
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Greg -
Kevin's quite right. Though I really appreciate Steve's plug, what you're needing is very doable with Spotlight's Blended Screen tool. That tool, and the other Spotlight video tools are simply versions of the VS4 tools Steve mentioned.
Have a good one!
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Alex -
You're welcome. Ping me if you need anything else.
How can I display video content in my model?
in Entertainment
Posted
Carter -
You have 2 options:
1) If you own a license for Spotlight 2010 or 2011, 3 tools are included that might be what you're needing:
- Video Screen: For single-area projection screens.
- Blended Screens: For edge-blended projection screens.
- Television: For televisions (CRT & plasma/lcd).
2) If you're using a Vectorworks version other than Spotlight 2010 or 2011 (but, 2009 or newer), we offer VideoScreen 4, which is in-essence a suite of the above tools do, but with a few expanded features, as well as an LED array tool. See the link in my signature for more info.
Any of those tools will allow you to display your own content, provided that that content can be turned into Renderworks textures.
Does this answer your question?