jarnold2 Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Hi, It's been a while since I've drafted anything - since there are no shows. This is my first time working with 2021. I'm trying to create a new file that can talk to Lightwright. But I can't get VW2021 to make the .xml file that Lightwright is looking for. In the past, I would create the .xml file using the Spotlight Preferences. But the file has not appeared. I tried giving it a custom location - nothing. So what's going on? Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee klinzey Posted February 22, 2021 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted February 22, 2021 Make sure you have saved your Vectorworks file. Till the file has been saved the file does not have a name that Lightwright and Vectorworks can use. 2 Quote Link to comment
jarnold2 Posted February 24, 2021 Author Share Posted February 24, 2021 It is a saved .vwx file. Still I can't get an .xml file generated. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee klinzey Posted February 24, 2021 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted February 24, 2021 Start with the basics. Make sure the file is saved to your local machine that is not a shared folder like Dropbox. (Use a simple name for the Vectorworks file.) Make sure there are lighting devices placed in the document with data. In the Spotlight Preferences make sure "Use automatic Lightwright data exchange" is turned on. File Path is "Same location as the file" Check, "Perform a complete export on exit" Make sure there are field shown in the "Export Fields" list. Click OK. Select a light and change one of the fields that you are exporting. (Should not be necessary but it's another way to make sure it exports.) You should see an xml next to the Vectorworks file. If you still don't see it it would be useful to know the full path and file name of the Vectorworks file. Quote Link to comment
jarnold2 Posted February 24, 2021 Author Share Posted February 24, 2021 Nope. Didn't work. I'm starting from a new file. I created a light just to get it started (I usually start in Lightwright and import the info into VW). The file is stored on my hard drive. The File name is Megs Demo. The file path? Desktop>Megs Demo>File thoughts? Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee klinzey Posted February 24, 2021 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted February 24, 2021 At this point I would contact tech support directly. There are some other things to try but too involved to describe in this forum. Quote Link to comment
jarnold2 Posted February 24, 2021 Author Share Posted February 24, 2021 Any idea how to contact tech support? I sent them an email when I posted this question and have not gotten a response. Quote Link to comment
jarnold2 Posted February 24, 2021 Author Share Posted February 24, 2021 Never mind - I think I found the problem. I forgot that Vectorworks freaks out when the file is located in a folder with a name that includes non alphanumeric characters - the file was originally in a folder with a / in the name. Quote Link to comment
DiebelR Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 I was having a similar problem with Vectorworks 2020 not creating the xml file. I would go to spotlight preferences, click on export on exit....and nothing. Your hint about the slash in the folder name made me decide to save the file in a new location (just in Documents) and presto! created the xml, linked right to LW6. The folder I was saving in was inside a folder with a / in the name! Never had that problem before, but I can change the folder names to prevent in future. Thank you!! Quote Link to comment
PWD LLC Posted April 3, 2022 Share Posted April 3, 2022 Thank you! I had the same problem and eliminating the / solved it. Quote Link to comment
Snacks Posted September 14, 2022 Share Posted September 14, 2022 On 2/24/2021 at 1:56 PM, jarnold2 said: Never mind - I think I found the problem. I forgot that Vectorworks freaks out when the file is located in a folder with a name that includes non alphanumeric characters - the file was originally in a folder with a / in the name. Thank you SO much for this. I couldn't get an .xml file to generate for my file in VW2022, and eliminating "/" fixed it for me. Casey Quote Link to comment
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