Instrument Symbols, Converting and Object/Light Info

[mtanguay]

I am working on my first design in VWSpotlight 9.0 (PC) and am slightly confused about Object Info and Light Info Record, especially the difference between this data when the object is a symbol and an instrument. I have read both manuals, especially VW chapter 11 and Spotlight chapters 3 and 4, yet I think the terminology is still confusing me.

I am attempting to use the instrument symbols that come with VW, these have the manufacturer's specifications included in the Light Info Record when the the object is a symbol. Now if I simply insert the symbol it says "2D Symbol" in the shape tab while in plan view. Now if I convert to instrument, the Light Info Record for the object no longer reflects the specifications for that instrument(ie the Light Info Record is the same for all instruments independant of type), yet now the shape tab recognizes the object as a Lighting Device. Therefore my questions are:

1. When using lighting symbols that came with Spotlight is it necessary to convert them to instruments?

2. If I need to convert them, how do I get them to maintain the correct specifications for that type of light (ie beam angle etc.)?

I attempted to edit the defaults as described in VW 11-33 and this simply gave all new lighting instruments the same Light Record independant of instrument type or symbol used. Therefore:

3. If I have to convert Spotlight instruments symbols, do I need a Light Info Record specifically for each type of instrument employed?

4. Further, if I need to edit the specifications these symbols came with (i.e. different wattage) how do I do that and have it effect all instruments of that type?

I am setting up a blank document with all of my theatre's instruments in it to use as a resource as suggested in another post. I am having the aforementioned problems as I attempt to get the specifications right so that I may import these symbols into all my designs for this venue.

Thanks for your time and guidance in clearing up this confusion.

A student swimming upstream in a technology resistant theatre,

Meredith Tanguay

[kacey1]

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Originally posted by mtanguay:

I am working on my first design in VWSpotlight 9.0 (PC) and am slightly confused about Object Info and Light Info Record, especially the difference between this data when the object is a symbol and an instrument.

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I can understand your confusion-let me see if I can shed some light (pun intended) on the situation...

All SpotLight SYMBOLS have a record attached to them, called the Light Info Record. This includes, as you have seen, the beam info, weight, name etc. When you convert a symbol to and INSTRUMENT, SpotLight looks at that Light info Record and says "Aha! Inst Type for this one is 6" Fresnel. I'll put that in the OI palette under inst type." and so on through the list. In the OI palette you will not see the beam info, and some other fields. However, SpotLight still uses this information when you focus an instrument and turn its beam on.

quote:

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I am attempting to use the instrument symbols that come with VW, these have the manufacturer's specifications included in the Light Info Record when the the object is a symbol. Now if I simply insert the symbol it says "2D Symbol" in the shape tab while in plan view. Now if I convert to instrument, the Light Info Record for the object no longer reflects the specifications for that instrument(ie the Light Info Record is the same for all instruments independant of type), yet now the shape tab recognizes the object as a Lighting Device. Therefore my questions are:

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This is correct. When it becomes an instrument, you no longer see that record. What you are seeing is essentially the "blank record" or sort of a template. Any changes you make to this record will become a default value and change EVERY symbol in the document.

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1. When using lighting symbols that came with Spotlight is it necessary to convert them to instruments?

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Is it necessary? No. However, if you want to use all of SpotLights really cool features, then yes. If they are not converted to instruments, no paperwork can be generated, no lights focused, no label legends applied etc. etc.

quote:

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2. If I need to convert them, how do I get them to maintain the correct specifications for that type of light (ie beam angle etc.)?

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They automatically do that. As I said above, when you look at that data pane after they've been converted it appears that there is no light info record attached. This is because, technically it is attached to the SYMBOL and you are looking at the INSTRUMENT.

quote:

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I attempted to edit the defaults as described in VW 11-33 and this simply gave all new lighting instruments the same Light Record independant of instrument type or symbol used. Therefore:

3. If I have to convert Spotlight instruments symbols, do I need a Light Info Record specifically for each type of instrument employed?

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Instruments do not get the light info record, SYMBOLS do. The instrument merely reads that record info. The instrument is essentially a wrapper that goes around the symbol. Read Kevin Moore's post in the thread about speed and the instrument being a recipe...

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4. Further, if I need to edit the specifications these symbols came with (i.e. different wattage) how do I do that and have it effect all instruments of that type?

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If you want to edit ALL of your Source 4's to have an inst type of S4 edit the SYMBOL. From the resources palette select the symbol, click edit 2d, and then go the OI palette and with nothing selected go to the data pane. Now, when you change the light info record you are chaging it for only that symbol, and all the instances of that S4 will have the new information.

quote:

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A student swimming upstream in a technology resistant theatre,

Meredith Tanguay

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I hope that makes things a little clearer than mud.

Let me know if I need to clarify further for you.

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Kacey Fisher

Quality Assurance Specialist

Integrated Products Group

Nemetschek North America