uvegot2mr Posted September 29, 2004 Share Posted September 29, 2004 Is there a way in Vectorworks to create a database of the X,Y,Z coordinates of a symbol (specifically lighting fixtures)? If so how? I would like to export this database information into Excel for use with other 3D visualization software. I am a VWorks Spotlight 11 user but thought this topic might apply to other areas of the Vectorworks platform. Quote Link to comment
hong Posted September 29, 2004 Share Posted September 29, 2004 I think this can be done through a customized script. You can get some help writing this on script dicussion area. Quote Link to comment
patman Posted September 30, 2004 Share Posted September 30, 2004 You can create a schedule of any object that has a record attached or is a PIO (tool). Are you familiar with the database features of worksheets? Patrick Quote Link to comment
uvegot2mr Posted October 7, 2004 Author Share Posted October 7, 2004 I am somewhat familiar with the database features of the worksheet. I poked around V11 SL and but couldn't find out where or how the XYZ coordinates of the symbol are attached to the fixture as a record like that of "channel" or "dimmer". I will spend some time in the script area and see what I can drum up. Nevertheless, if anyone has insight (how to) into the process I would greatly appreciate it. Forum insight is always appreciated. Quote Link to comment
matto Posted October 7, 2004 Share Posted October 7, 2004 have you tryed "=Xcenter" , "=Ycenter", "=Zcenter" in the columns of the database (check the paste function for spelling) Quote Link to comment
uvegot2mr Posted October 8, 2004 Author Share Posted October 8, 2004 I understand the database features of worksheets. The question is how do I assign the realtime X,Y,Z coordinates found in the Object Info window of my symbol to a record attachment automatically? I understand and know how to assign data entry record attachments like "dimmer" or "channel". But realtime X,Y,Z coordinates are different unless I enter them manually based on placement of the fixture. Is there a way to link the realtime X,Y,Z information of the Object Info palette so that the X,Y,Z coordinates are automatically assigned to a record format? Specifically I want to be able to create a database worksheet with this coordinate information for export into 3D visualization information. Maybe the process is much simpler than I can figure. Is there an existent link from the symbol that is not a record attachment recognizable in the paste function of the worksheet? Does anyone know of a script or a process? Greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment
Petri Posted October 8, 2004 Share Posted October 8, 2004 It seems that nowadays one can indeed get the z-values of symbols with a script, but still not with a worksheet. A script can write to a worksheet, - but it won't be a database report. A script can also write to a record, but not automatically. A PIO would do both (say, one that places a symbol), but that is a fair bit of work, to get the user interface right. And now, just for curiosity: what sort of data exchange you have in mind? quote: Specifically I want to be able to create a database worksheet with this coordinate information for export into 3D visualization information. One would think that there are other ways than parameter export/import, but obviously the receiving program can be controlled by parameters. Quote Link to comment
uvegot2mr Posted October 9, 2004 Author Share Posted October 9, 2004 I am a production designer. My lighting console of choice these days is the GrandMA. I often do events with short turnaround/prep times which usually leave me no time to program. So I lay out and pre-program a majority of my show (scenic and lighting elements) with MA's visualizer which requires X,Y,Z coordinates for fixture/element placement. I then create an Excel database manually doing the data entry with X,Y,Z, and X,Y,Z orientation information based on the symbol placement in my designs. The database (X,Y,Z) information can then be copied and pasted into the MA's 3D visualizer. In the interest of keeping my pre-production time to a minimum I am simply looking for ways to streamline the process. The time I spend manually creating this database would be greatly reduced if Spotlight could create this spreadsheet automatically. It would also eliminate having to use a 3rd party program. I am told by some of my associates that this is something AutoCAD is capable of doing. Thoughts are always appreciated. Quote Link to comment
Jim Smith Posted October 10, 2004 Share Posted October 10, 2004 If you assign the XYZ value to a symbol as a Record, the Database will collect this information. This means however; one would have to have a symbol for the "same" object at different XYZ coordinates. The information collected from the Database can be exported/imported to EXCEL. Quote Link to comment
Amagine Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 How would one assign the XYZ value? Do you mean by manually entering the values? I am just beginning to read through the manual on records and worksheets/database... I need something for dummies! Being able to streamline positional information into a database is huge for me, and really is a make or break point to making a final purchase of VW. (right now I am messing around with my brothers Mac with VW11) cheers! Quote Link to comment
Petri Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 Amagine, X & y values are easy (see VectorScript discussion for a solution), but z values can get hairy - the user interface for placing objects in z axis is not exactly 'there.' Or maybe it is, but I'm somewhere else... Anyways, the robust solution is a parametric object. Which might even use a symbol as the marker. Quote Link to comment
Amagine Posted October 24, 2004 Share Posted October 24, 2004 Thank you Petri for the follow up. I will head over to the VectorScript section and see what answers are there. cheers! Quote Link to comment
Don Seidel Posted October 28, 2004 Share Posted October 28, 2004 Ahhh... The Z- Value coordinate. Been working on that for years. As an architect, I often spreadsheet X & Y values of objects. These are DYNAMIC values in a spreadsheet. Move the object and refresh the spreadsheet for the new value. Handy! I have long bugged NNA Tech as to WHY Z-value won't work as X & Y do (dynamically). The program obviously KNOWS the z-coordinate of any object, as displayed in the info palette. Just can't seem to get anybody to fix the code for the spreadsheet. All other solutions are work-arounds with big limitations. Will others please lobby VWorks Tech? Quote Link to comment
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