C. Andrew Dunning
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Posts posted by C. Andrew Dunning
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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.
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Jeff -
At the present time, the only way to do that is manually.
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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 -
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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!
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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??
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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.
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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...
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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...
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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!
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Rob -
Did Mike's solution work for you?
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Jonathan -
Thanks for the comments!
Maybe I am missing a step but whats the procedure for building an array with variable box angles? Rather than tilt difference (which seems to yield a constant curvature array) it would be a bit smoother to have individual hanging angles for each box and the top box to the fly bracket. Then using the Top Tilt attribute to refer to the hanging angle for the fly bracket.
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...
When editing an array after inserting boxes the only way I could get the boxes to update was to delete them, make the changes in the OIP and insert them again from the array tool. I am guessing that is what the Update button was for but does not seem to work for me.
To delete and replace boxes, simply click the "Insert Boxes" button. That will rebuild the array.
Last thing I noticed was from a side view with dispersion active the lines seem a bit odd. There is a center line that runs 90 degrees out of the face of the box, which is kinda nice. However changing the vertical coverage in the OIP only changes the top dispersion line when it really should split the difference between the top and bottom dispersion lines. IN fact, I don't even see a bottom dispersion line.
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?
I will be in the office the remainder of the week (more or less) if you want to chat.
Ping me w. a direct message w. your number. I may have some time tomorrow or Friday.
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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.
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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!
Control Points and path PIO
in Vectorscript
Posted
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...