C. Andrew Dunning

Jeff - At the present time, the only way to do that is manually.

Alex - At this point, VS4-LED will only create flat/straight arrays. A curved array option has been on the wish-list for a while. We're just not quite there, yet. Sorry... The only real option I see you having (and it might very-well defeat the purpose of using the tool in the first place) it to create multiple VS4-LED instances - each instance being a straight vertical column in your larger array. You can then scale and shift the image to be a slice of your bigger whole and move the columns to form your curve. Like I said, this might be a ton of work, but this is what comes to mind. I'd love to hear if any of our other users have come up with a creative solution for similar needs... Regards -

Greetings from Nashville! I recently sent out a notice of updates for our Plug-In Objects. I got several bounces due to ISP changes and employment moves. If you're one of our users, did not get the notice, and want your info updated, (or, if you're not one of our users and just like getting e-mail) would you drop me a message? Thanks!

Dan - You shouldn't have to be doing multiple layers to adjust transparency. Try editing the texture definition, instead. To do that, right-click on the texture in the Resource Browser and choose "Edit..." Click the "Edit" button next to the "Transparency" shader and adjust the slider. "OK" out of the dialogs and try re-rendering. Make sense??

Dan - To create socks for your truss, try a simple extruded rounded rectangle or 3D polygons w. suitable textures applied. I've attached a file w. some textures you can try. The textures were created for a project I did several years ago. It has been a long time since I've tried them, but they might be helpful to you. Post a pic when you're done. It will be interesting to see what you end up doing.

And, for those of you who have been following this thread, you might be interested in reading Jonathan's ArchonCAD Blog. Worthwhile reading from someone who trains users and writes manuals. I never fail to learn at least a little something from Jonathan's articles...

Rob - Your question was specifically about the Spotlight Curtain object and I didn't really have any words of wisdom, there, and didn't want to divert your thread. Now that you've gotten your question answered, some other thoughts from my end...: Similar questions to yours werensome of the reasons I started working on my own curtain tool a few years ago. I wanted curtains to which it was easier to apply images and control mapping (mainly, scale and position). I also wanted the option of seeing the 2D "wave" in drawings, but (at the same time) having a flat 3D surface so things like painted/printed drops would render correctly. Thus, the birth of what is now the SoftGoods tool. Though it now developed into much more (like pipe-and-drape and curved curtains), at its core was my desire for "simple stuff" more aligned to my needs. If you do a lot of this sort of thing, you might want to give it a look. It might be worth your spending half a day's per diem to save you a little time. ;-) Anyway, there's my $.02...

For those of you who are interested, here's a little update regarding the Audio ToolSet: The Audio ToolSet has now been out for a few weeks and we've gotten some really good feedback from several of our users. Based on their initial comments/critiques/wishes, we've posted a Beta version of what will more-than-likely be version 1.1 for both AudioBox and AudioArray. If you're a current user and would like to give the new versions a spin, use your initial download link and password and click the "1.1 Beta" link. Notable changes: - AudioArray bumpers can now tilt. Already-inserted loudspeakers will tilt along with their bumper. - AudioArray 1.0 built arrays based on the front faces of loudspeakers. It was pointed out that some loudspeakers (like V-DOSC) actually tilt using cabinet backs as references. Therefore, a "Tilt Reference" parameter has been added in 1.1. - If you click AudioArray's "Save to Library" button, bumper info will be saved along with AudioBox settings. - A few bugs have been addressed. Please continue with the feedback and the discussion! Thanks!

Rob - Did Mike's solution work for you?

Jonathan - Thanks for the comments! At this point, variable angles and bumper/fly-bracket tilt are not implemented. You can adjust the box angles "manually," but not automatically. Perhaps in the next version... To delete and replace boxes, simply click the "Insert Boxes" button. That will rebuild the array. Check the Listening Height for the given box. If the height is equal to the box's "Z," the bottom dispersion lines won't' display. That help, at all? Ping me w. a direct message w. your number. I may have some time tomorrow or Friday.

For any of you who were following this thread, we have now released an initial pair of tools to begin meeting the need for Vectorworks audio tools. I've posted an announcement in the 3rd-Party section @ http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=137435#Post137435. The moderators in that area have opened up that thread for discussion, so this dialog can continue there. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

The need for audio tools for Vectorworks is beginning to be met with the release of the Landru Design Audio ToolSet. You might recall a recent thread regaring this in the Spotlight section of this Tech Board. These tools are the direct result of comments made there, many requests made over the years by users of our other tools, and valuable input by respected industry professionals. Here is a simple image of the sorts of things that can now be created on-the-fly: [img:center]http://www.landrudesign.com/AudioDemo-All-Web.jpg[/img] The intent is not to replace (or even approach the complexity of) manufacturers' or 3rd-party high-end sonic analysis software. The intent of these tools IS to offer the ability to perform BASIC audio coverage analysis, simplify the creation of audio system layout drawings, check general audio space requirements, and to visualize simple audio components. The other intent of this pair of tools is to learn about the specific Vectorworks needs of the audio community. This thread is in the process of being opened up for discussion along these lines. See the Audio ToolSet Web Page for more information. Thanks!

Greetings! Though only a few weeks old, we're pleased to announce an update to our Staging ToolSet - thanks to a lot of very helpful feedback from our users. Significant changes include: - More rail options have been added to StageDeck. - Rails and other hardware can have separate colors from each-other. - Leg creation for StageDeck and StagePlug is a lot more flexible and leg counts are tracked. - StageStep units can now be created based on step depth and desired rise - in addition to the original overall height and step count approach. - StageStep units can now have interspersed rails. If you're interested in more information, give http://www.landrudesign.com/VWPlugIns.htm a visit. Thanks!

For several years, I've been using the ones Ray cited - especially "Mr. Hand." - with great success.

Interesting thoughts, so far. I hadn't known about EASE. Pretty cool. For $3900, it should be! I think that if I or anyone in the VW world pursues this, the intent shouldn't be to replicate EASE or any of the manufacturers' software - unless that person has a great deal of technical knowledge and a TON of time. I think that those of you who have responded so far understood the intent of my original post: to see what exists in the VW world and to guage interest in a SIMPLE audio tool - one that could be used to place individual speakers or build clusters/arrays based on known spec. Thanks!

James - Overlaps, general coverage, and general cabinet geometry are probably not out of the question. Ranges and level estimates, though - a whole other animal. Most of the manufacturers have highly-specific proprietary software for determining those things - software that takes into account such things as different configurations and the interraction between the cabinets. Knowing that...would a more general tool (or, set of tools) be useful?

Greetings! I have a few questions: Do any of you know of any audio tools for Vectorworks? I'm not necessarily meaning symbols - but PIOs and/or scripts. I'm curious to know what's out there - even if its proprietary and will never see use outside of a given organization. If such animals don't exist, do any of you feel there is a need for them? If so, what would that need be? Would it be a single tool or a collection? Make sense? Thanks!

There are a few. Your best bet is to start with the samples on NNA's site @ http://www.nemetschek.net/support/custom/vscript/example.php . They'll give you a good idea as to how the different PIO types work. Then, stop by the Vectorscript area of this Tech Board. The folks who follow that area have proven to be quite gracious in sharing their wisdom. Good luck as you get started!

We're pleased to announce the release of a set of simple but useful Staging ToolSet Plug-In Objects. This 3-piece set creates models of stage sections and risers, irregularly-shaped stage pieces, and "stage-style" step units. Model elements that can be easily reconfigured include dimensions (depth, width, and height), structure (legs, fixed frame, and folding), castors, rails, and structure color. Also, the different elements making up the models are fully textured and the Staging ToolSet tools can automatically place their different parts in separate Classes, allowing users to take advantage of Vectorworks' ability to control texture assignment by-Class. The tools in the Staging ToolSet work with Windows and Mac Vectorworks versions 12.5 or newer. This is a quick sample of what can be created using these tools: For more information, visit our Vectorworks Plug-Ins Page Thanks!

Good morning! I have a PIO in which I map several textures to extrusions. For each extrusion, I wish the texture to apply to the overall part. The PIO code assigns a Part ID of 3 if the VW version is 09 or higher and 0 if older. All works as it should for all elements in VW versions 12.5, `08, and `09. In VW`10, however, one particular texture is getting mapped to the sides of the extrusion and the top is left blank. If I convert the PIO instance to a group, enter the group, and select the extrusion I can see that the texture is assigned to the overall part. If I change the Part designation to "Top," and assign the texture - and then revert to Overall, the texture seems to map correctly. Changing the Map Type doesn't have any effect. If I create an extrusion manually and assign the same texture, all works as it should. If I change the Part ID to 1, the problem still shows itself (though, like above, the OIP reveals the texture mapped to "Overall"). If I change the extrusion from "bottom-up" to "top-down," the problem is corrected for some extrusions, but not all. The extrusion is solid (pattern 2). What am I missing? Is this a `10 bug? Thanks for any thoughts!

At some level, I'd agree w. you - but you're missing something if you put this entirely on the engineers' shoulders. Though the analogy isn't 100 accurate, this isn't totally unlike having an issue w. your new car addressed by the dealer/manufacturer. Which of the following will get better/quicker results:? "My car makes a funny noise. I want you to find the noise and fix it." "My car makes a metallic grinding noise whenever I'm braking and making right-hand turns. It seems to be coming from the front, right-hand side of the car. I've talked to several other owners who are having the same issue." W/o real-world info from the owner/user the mechanic/engineer might NEVER find the issue.

Not necessarily. I echo what Pat posted.

Thanks for clarifying the steps for the issue. I've been chasing a similar problem through multiple VW versions but was never able to replicate it...until now...

Ok...knowing that now...you have two options: 1) Use a 3rd-party script to rotate all drawing geometry. There are one or two scripts floating around that do this - though someone else will have to direct you to them as I don't recall their location. 2) Change the Alternate Coordinate System angle by double-clicking on the SmartCursor palette and choosing the Angle pane. This won't rotate the view, but it will rotate the cursor and the grid. You can enter a new angle in the available space. You can also use the attached scripts to set the angle to a dragged line and to reset it to 0. I hope this helps...

Leila - If you're running VW 08 or newer and are meaning 2D, check out the "Rotate Plan" tool (the icon is a little picture of the X and Y axis) on the tool bar. That, and Saved Views will do exactly what you're wanting. If you're meaning 3D, look into the "Working Planes" palette and the "Set Working Plane" tool in the Visualization palette.