Savvy Position Label 2 User Guide

Posted on November 5, 2016 | by Amalia Benghiat

Savvy Position Label

version 2.0.0

User Guide

Created by Joshua Benghiat

Joshua Benghiat Lighting Design

Introduction

Requirements | Installation | Support

Getting Started

Adding to your Workspace | Registration | Overview

In Detail

Introduction

The Savvy Position Label is a plug-in object for labeling lighting positions and providing automatically updated notes about the position.

Savvy Configuration

Choose from numerous configuration options, allowing the Label to confirm to your personal drafting standard. The Savvy Position Label supports text styles and classes for granular control of its presentation.

Savvy Placement

The label is a separate object from the Lighting Position Object, so you can nudge or duplicate independently from the position. You can, optionally, have the label move with the position.

Savvy Label Text

Because you don’t always display the same position name on the plot that you use in the paperwork, the Savvy Position Label lets you display the first word, last word, just number, or custom text, with a prefix or suffix. Pipe A displays as A. #2 Electric becomes 2E, etc, while still automatically linking to the position name.

Savvy Note

An optional note lets you add tokens to automatically display US DS and SL SR coordinates, location, trim height, pipe length, and weight, which always stay up to date.

Requirements

Vectorworks® Spotlight 2018

Installation

If you haven’t already, download the Savvy Position Label from the JBLD downloads page.

The installer will have a .vwlibrary file extension for use with the Plug-in Manager. Do not manually install this file
In Vectorworks, select Tools > Plug-ins > Plug-in Manager
Select the Third-party plug-ins tab
Click the Install… button
Navigate to and select the saved installer file
Read and confirm the EULA
Vectorworks should notify you that installation is complete and to restart Vectorworks

If you experience trouble with the install script, please see the following FAQ on where plug-ins install. In the Plug-in Manager, you will see Savvy Position Label in the Built-in Plug-ins section.

Support

Please visit http://BenghiatLighting.com/software/support for support options and to report bugs.

You may also email software(at)BenghiatLighting.com.

Getting Started

Adding to your workspace

Select Tools>Workspaces>Edit Current Workspace.
Click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Menus categories on the left hand side.
Drag the “Add Savvy Position Labels…” menu command to the menu tree on the right side.
Select the Tools tab.
Click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Tools categories on the left hand side.
Drag Savvy Position Label to an existing palette on the right or create a new palette.
Click OK.

Registration

The first time you use the Savvy Position Label, Vectorworks will ask you for a registration number or demo code. You can also access the registration dialog through the “About” button in the object’s Object Info palette. The Savvy Savvy Position Label will not draw without a valid code, however if you remove the Savvy Position Label plug-in from your user folder, you will still see all lineset objects but in a locked state. The Savvy Position Label is also part of the Savvy Subscription Series.

Overview

Insert the Savvy Position Label via the object tool or the included menu command. Labels can link to a Hanging Position for the label text and data displayed in the Label’s note, or you can enter custom text. A variety of display options are available in Object Info.

Placing in the drawing

The Savvy Position Label insertion tool

Select the Savvy Position Label insertion tool
If you want to immediately link the label to a Hanging Position or set an unlinked position location, make sure the Link Button is enabled in the mode bar.
Optionally, select the Alignment parameter for the label in the mode bar. See Parameters.
Optionally, set the insertion alignment of the label. The origin of the label is the first character for Left Alignment, last character for Right, and center for Center.
Click in the drawing to insert the label and set the rotation.
If you selected the Link mode, you will see a line connecting the label to a place-link cursor. Click on a Hanging Position to set the link. You will see the Position Object highlighted and the cursor change as you hover over it with your mouse.
If you do not select a position while in Link mode, the point on which you click determines the position’s location, which appears in the label’s note and to which the label’s leader line points. This can be useful when identifying a boom location in plan view, for example.

The Add Savvy Position Labels menu command

Select Hanging Positions to which you want to add labels.
Select the Add Savvy Position Labels… menu command.
Select options in the dialog:

The position option sets the position of the label around the Hanging Position, as well as Alignment and Arrow Angle parameters so that the arrow points towards the Position.

The offset specifies the distance from the edge of the position to the insertion point of the label. A positive value measures away from the position in any direction.

Show options will raise the Label’s default parameters dialog before placing labels.

Linking to a Position

Linking Labels to Positions synchronizes the Label with the Position name and moves the label when you move or duplicate the position. Linked labels can also automatically display the Position’s Length, Trim (z height), Location field, and weight in the Label’s note.

Inserting Position Labels using the above methods link the Label to a Position.

To associate an existing Label with a Position, click the Set Link button in Object Info, or right-click on the label and choose Set Link… In the resulting dialog, select from a list of positions in the drawing, identified by name, or choose Click on drawing to select to exit the dialog and select a Hanging Position in the drawing.

To unlink a label from a position, use this dialog, or right-click on a label and select Unlink.

Object Parameters

As with all Plug-In Objects, the first time you place a Savvy Position Label object in a document, Vectorworks will ask you for default parameters. You can set the default object parameters for the document by selecting the object’s tool, then clicking on the parameters button Plug_In_Pref_Button in the mode bar.

Parameter	Description
Text Style	Pick a text style for the label. To set a default text style, use class options to set the text style by class.
Style	Use this menu to apply, create, or modify a Style definition for the label. Label styles appear as “red” symbols in the Resource Manager, and specifies whether parameters reference the style definition. For more information, see Concept: Plug-in Object Styles in Vectorworks help.
Hide Style Parameters	Enable this option to hide any parameters linked to a style definition.
Linked to	Read only field displaying the name of the position to which the label is linked. When you select a Position Label, you will also see a link icon in the drawing indicating the link.
Set Link	Raises a dialog where you can select a Hanging Position to link to the label. You can also opt to click on a position object or unlink the label from a position.
Alignment	Left / Center / Right: Determines the text alignment and arrow position for the label.
Move with position	Enable this to move the label as you move the position, as though they are grouped. Moving the label, however, does not move the position.
3D Rotation	Enter a value for rotating the 3D component of the label around its horizontal axis.
3D Only	By default, the Savvy Position Label is hybrid, with the label appearing both in plan view and at the z height of the position. The 3D component of the symbol can only rotate along its horizontal axis, so a typical label would then face forwards with a 90 degree 3D Rotation. Setting the label to 3D only allows the planar label to rotate to any 3D plane. In this mode, you do not see a 2D version of the label in Top / Plan.
Label
Label Display	Determines how the position name displays in the label. Full: The full name. First word: The first word, before a space. E.g. “1 Electric” would be “1.” Last word: The last word, after a space. E.g. “A Pipe” would be “A.” Only Number: Extracts a number from the name. e.g. #4 Elec would be “4.” Custom: Ignores the position name and uses the text field below. If you do not link a label to a position, the object sets this option as default.
Cust. Label	Use with the Custom label display option to completely override the position’s name.
Prefix	Adds a prefix before the label text.
Suffix	Adds a suffix after the label text.
Shape
Container	Circle / Rectangle / Rounded rectangle / None: Choose a container for surrounding the label. The circle container will surround the first or last character in left or right modes.
AutoFit	Fit the container to the label text.
Width	If AutoFit is disabled, specify the size of the container, in page units.
Padding	Add an additional amount of white space between the text and container, in page units.
Draw shadow	Add a drop shadow to the container. This is a distinct option from the drop shadow capability in Vectorworks 2017.
Arrow type	Triangle / Arrow / None / Symbol: Choose an arrow that points from the label to the position. You can also select no arrow and a custom symbol for the arrow.
Symbol	If you select the Symbol option above, specify the symbol here. This is a text field for ease of copy and paste. Use the button below to select a symbol resource.
Select symbol	Select from available symbols.
Arrow Angle	90 / 0 / –90 / Custom: Sets the arrow straight, up, or down, depending on orientation. Select Custom to set an angle via the field below.
Cust. Angle	Enter a custom arrow if chosen above.
Arrow scale	Scale the arrow to refine the look of the label. A scale of 1 equals 100%.
Note
Show note	Enable this to show a note below the label.
Text Style	Optionally, set a separate text style for the note.
Alignment	Choose to align the note consistently with the label or specify its own Left, Center, or Right alignment.
Wrap note	Enable this to wrap the note to the length of the container.
Fit container to note	With this option enabled, the container grows to include the note text.
Note	The note text. This field is for easy access and copy / paste.
Edit note	Presents a dialog for editing the note. The note can be multiple lines and can insert tokens for X Coordinate, Y Coordinate, Distance from Centerline, SL/SR (depending on if the X coordinate is negative or positive), Location, Pipe Length, and Trim. X Coordinate, Y Coordinate, and Distance from Centerline take their data from the Label’s Position control point, which defaults to the Hanging Position’s insertion point. Move the control point or set the data fields below to specify any point in the drawing. Location takes its data from the Position’s Location field, which can store a lineset number or other location data. Pipe Length gets its data from the length of Lighting Pipe, Straight Truss, or Line geometry used for the Hanging Position. Trim gets its data from the Hanging Position’s z height. A setting can specify an offset for the display trim if trims are not measured to the stage floor. Weight gets its data from the Hanging Position’s Total Hung Weight field.
Rounding	Round the coordinate data by this value.
Auto position note	Enable this to automatically position the note below the label.
Leader Line
Position X, Y	The coordinate of the position that displays in the note. This also corresponds to a control point in the drawing. If the label is linked to a position and set to move with the position, this coordinate will adjust as you move the position.
Draw leader to position	Draws a leader line from the label to the position coordinate.
Leader type	Straight / Bezier / Shoulder: Choose the type of leader line.
Draw symbol at endpoint	Add a symbol to mark the position location, for example a boom marker or rigging point.
Symbol Name	The name of the symbol. This field is provided for ease of copy / paste.
Symbol Rot	Rotation of the position marker symbol.
Select symbol	Choose an available symbol resource for the position marker.
Classes
Auto-Class	Enable this to class each component with default class names. The prefix for subclasses can be determined in settings.
Container Class	Class for the container geometry.
Arrow Class	Class for the arrow. If no by-class options exist for the arrow, it will fill solid black.
Shadow Class	Class for the container drop shadow.
Leader Class	Class for the leader line.
Note Class	Class for the note text.

Update	Any changes to the Hanging Position that affect the Savvy Position Label text, placement, or note should automatically update the Label, but this button will force an update to catch any unreflected changes.

Settings…	Set settings that affect all Savvy Position Label Objects Default insertion class: Choose a class for new Label objects. You can also opt to insert labels in the active class. Component class prefix: Enter a base class name that the Auto-Class option will use to build class names. Trim offset: Enter an offset for the trim display, for example to display trims above a show deck height, with this value subtracted the Hanging Position’s Z height. Note, the trim starts at the layer’s elevation. Make default for all new documents: Select this option for these settings to be default values for all future new Vectorworks documents.
About	See version and registration information

Known Issues

Adding special fields to the note text makes use of the clipboard. After exiting the dialog, the special field token may remain on the clipboard.

FAQ

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Savvy Position Label User Guide

Posted on November 5, 2016 | by Amalia Benghiat

Savvy Position Label

version 1.0.0

User Guide

Created by Joshua Benghiat

Joshua Benghiat Lighting Design

Introduction

Requirements | Installation | Support

Getting Started

Adding to your Workspace | Registration | Overview

In Detail

– Placing in the Drawing

– Linking to a Position

– Object Parameters

– Known Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

The Savvy Position Label is a plug-in object for labeling lighting positions and providing automatically updated notes about the position.

Savvy Configuration

Savvy Placement

The label is a separate object from the Lighting Position Object, so you can nudge or duplicate independently from the position. You can, optionally, have the label move with the position.

Savvy Label Text

Savvy Note

An optional note lets you add tokens to automatically display US DS and SL SR coordinates, location, trim height, and pipe length, which always stay up to date.

Requirements

Vectorworks® Spotlight 2016–2017

Installation

If you haven’t already, download the Savvy Linesets Installer from the JBLD downloads page.

The installer package must remain a zip file. If your system automatically unzips archives, right-click on the download link and select “Save Link As” to prevent your browser from auto-expanding the download.
In Vectorworks, select Tools > Plug-ins > Plug-in Manager
Select the Third-party plug-ins tab
Click the Install… button
Navigate to and select the saved installer zip file
Read and confirm the EULA
Vectorworks should notify you that installation is complete and to restart Vectorworks

If you experience trouble with the install script, please see the following FAQ on where plug-ins install.

Support

Please visit http://BenghiatLighting.com/software/support for support options and to report bugs.

You may also email software(at)BenghiatLighting.com.

Getting Started

Adding to your workspace

Select Tools>Workspaces>Edit Current Workspace.
Click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Menus categories on the left hand side.
Drag tue “Add Savvy Position Labels…” menu command to the menu tree on the right side.
Select the Tools tab.
Click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Tools categories on the left hand side.
Drag Savvy Position Label to an existing palette on the right or create a new palette.
Click OK.

Registration

Overview

Insert the Savvy Position Label via the object tool or the included menu command. Labels can link to a Light Position Object for the label text and data displayed in the Label’s note, or you can enter custom text. A variety of display options are available in Object Info.

Placing in the drawing

The Savvy Position Label insertion tool

Select the Savvy Position Label insertion tool
If you want to immediately link the label to a Light Position Object or set an unlinked position location, make sure the Link Button is enabled in the mode bar.
Optionally, select the Alignment parameter for the label in the mode bar. See Parameters.
Optionally, set the insertion alignment of the label. The origin of the label is the first character for Left Alignment, last character for Right, and center for Center.
Click in the drawing to insert the label and set the rotation.
If you selected the Link mode, click on a Light Position Object to set the link. You will see the Position Object highlighted as you hover over it with your mouse. Alternatively, click on a point to designate a position location that appears in the label’s note.

The Add Savvy Position Labels menu command

Select Light Position Objects to which you want to add labels.
Select the Add Savvy Position Labels… menu command.
Select options in the dialog:

The position option sets the position of the label around the Light Position Object, as well as Alignment and Arrow Angle parameters so that the arrow points towards the Position.

The offset specifies the distance from the edge of the position to the insertion point of the label. A positive value measures away from the position in any direction.

Show options will raise the default parameters dialog before placing labels.

Linking to a Position

Inserting Position Labels using the above methods link the Label to a Position.

To associate an existing Label with a Position, click the Set Link button in Object Info. In the resulting dialog, select from a list of positions in the drawing, identified by name, or choose Click on drawing to select to exit the dialog and select a Light Position Object in the drawing.

You can also use this dialog to unlink the label from a Position.

Object Parameters

As with all Plug-In Objects, the first time you place a Savvy Position Label object in a document, Vectorworks will ask you for default parameters. You can set the default object parameters for the document by selecting the object‚Äôs tool, then clicking on the parameters button Plug_In_Pref_Button in the mode bar.

Parameter	Description
Text Style	Pick a text style for the label. To set a default text style, use class options to set the text style by class.
Linked to	Read only field displaying the name of the position to which the label is linked.
Set Link	Raises a dialog where you can select a Light Position object to link to the label. You can also opt to click on a position object or unlink the label from a position.
Alignment	Left / Center / Right: Determines the text alignment and arrow position for the label.
Move with position	Enable this to move the label as you move the position, as though they are grouped. Moving the label, however, does not move the position.
Label
Label Display	Determines how the position name displays in the label. Full: The full name. First word: The first word, before a space. E.g. “1 Electric” would be “1.” Last word: The last word, after a space. E.g. “A Pipe” would be “A.” Only Number: Extracts a number from the name. e.g. #4 Elec would be “4.” Custom: Ignores the position name and uses the text field below.
Cust. Label	Use with the Custom label display option to completely override the position’s name.
Prefix	Adds a prefix before the label text.
Suffix	Adds a suffix after the label text.
Shape
Container	Circle / Rectangle / Rounded rectangle / None: Choose a container for surrounding the label. The circle container will surround the first or last character in left or right modes.
AutoFit	Fit the container to the label text.
Width	If AutoFit is disabled, specify the size of the container, in page units.
Draw shadow	Add a drop shadow to the container. This is a distinct option from the drop shadow capability in Vectorworks 2017.
Arrow type	Triangle / Arrow / None / Symbol: Choose an arrow that points from the label to the position. You can also select no arrow and a custom symbol for the arrow.
Symbol	If you select the Symbol option above, specify the symbol here. This is a text field for ease of copy and paste. Use the button below to select a symbol resource.
Select symbol	Select from available symbols.
Arrow Angle	90 / 0 / –90 / Custom: Sets the arrow straight, up, or down, depending on orientation. Select Custom to set an angle via the field below.
Cust. Angle	Enter a custom arrow if chosen above.
Arrow scale	Scale the arrow to refine the look of the label. A scale of 1 equals 100%.
Note
Show note	Enable this to show a note below the label.
Note Style	Optionally, set a separate text style for the note.
Wrap note	Enable this to wrap the note to the length of the container.
Note	The note text. This field is for easy access and copy / paste.
Edit note	Presents a dialog for editing the note. The note can be multiple lines and can insert tokens for X Coordinate, Y Coordinate, Distance from Centerline, SL/SR (depending on if the X coordinate is negative or positive), Location, Pipe Length, and Trim. X Coordinate, Y Coordinate, and Distance from Centerline take their data from the Label’s Position control point, which defaults to the Light Position Object’s insertion point. Move the control point or set the data fields below to specify any point in the drawing. Location takes its data from the Position’s Location field, which can store a lineset number or other location data. Pipe Length gets its data from the length of Lighting Pipe, Straight Truss, or Line geometry used for the Light Position Object. Trim gets its data from the Light Position Object’s z height. A setting can specify an offset for the display trim if trims are not measured to the stage floor.
Rounding	Round the coordinate data by this value.
Auto position note	Enable this to automatically position the note below the label.
Leader Line
Position X, Y	The coordinate of the position that displays in the note. This also corresponds to a control point in the drawing. If the label is linked to a position and set to move with the position, this coordinate will adjust as you move the position.
Draw leader to position	Draws a leader line from the label to the position coordinate.
Leader type	Straight / Bezier / Shoulder: Choose the type of leader line.
Add symbol	Add a symbol to mark the position location, for example a boom marker or rigging point.
Symbol Name	The name of the symbol. This field is provided for ease of copy / paste.
Symbol Rot	Rotation of the position marker symbol.
Select symbol	Choose an available symbol resource for the position marker.
Classes
Auto-Class	Enable this to class each component with default class names. The prefix for subclasses can be determined in settings.
Container Class	Class for the container geometry.
Arrow Class	Class for the arrow. If no by-class options exist for the arrow, it will fill solid black.
Shadow Class	Class for the container drop shadow.
Leader Class	Class for the leader line.
Note Class	Class for the note text.

Update	Any changes to the Light Position Object that affect the Savvy Position Label text, placement, or note should automatically update the Label, but this button will force an update to catch any unreflected changes.

Settings…	Set settings that affect all Savvy Position Label Objects
About	See version and registration information

Known Issues

Adding special fields to the note text makes use of the clipboard. After exiting the dialog, the special field token may remain on the clipboard.
The Savvy Position Label tries to detect if you are duplicating labels and positions together or just labels. Selecting multiple labels with a position to duplicate, for example labels that flank a position, can be unpredictable. In this case, select only the position, and let Savvy Position Label duplicate the labels for you.

FAQ

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ProjectionViz 1 Users Guide

Posted on December 23, 2014 | by Amalia Benghiat

ProjectionViz

version 1.0.0

Users Guide

Created by Joshua Benghiat

Joshua Benghiat Lighting Design

Getting Started

About

ProjectionViz is a Plug-in object for Vectorworks® allowing for precise calculation and pre-visualization of projector cones. ProjectionViz excels at examining complex scenarios, such as off-axis, irregularly-shaped, or multiple image planes.

The ProjectionViz object displays the projector cone in both Top/Plan and 3D as well as projects a full color image in Renderworks renders.

Installation

The install package is a . vwlibrary file

In Vectorworks, select Tools > Plug-ins > Plug-in Manager
Select the Third-party plug-ins tab
Click the Install… button
Navigate to and select the installer vwlibrary file
Read and confirm the EULA
Vectorworks should notify you that installation is complete and to restart Vectorworks

Adding to Your Workspace

In order to use the ProjectionViz insertion tool, you need to add it to your workspace:

Select Tools>Workspaces>Workspace Editor.
Select the Tools tab.
Click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Tools categories on the left hand side.
Drag the all the ProjectionViz Plug-In Object to an existing palette on the right or create a new palette.
Click OK.

Registering

The first time you use ProjectionViz, the software will ask you for a registration number or demo code. You can also access the registration dialog through the “About” button in the Object Info palette with a ProjectionViz object selected. The ProjectionViz objects will not draw without a valid code.

You can use the Request Demo button to enable a fully-functional 30 day demo period.

Inserting a ProjectionViz Object

To insert a new ProjectionViz object, select the tool

You can insert the ProjectionViz object by clicking on the center of the image plane, clicking on the projector location, or by drawing a line between the projector location and the image’s focus point (throw mode).

If you are using the Projector location or Throw modes, you can optionally detect the z height of the object below the first click, like a pipe or truss. This option is particularly useful when inserting in 2D and snapping to a hybrid object.

If you are in Throw mode, inserting in a 3D view allows you to snap to a projector location and focus point. In 2D mode, use the object’s default settings and the Determine focus by mode bar option to set the projector’s initial tilt.

If you know your projector location and need to determine projector specifications

You may find inserting in Throw mode is the easiest option, drawing a line from the projector to the center of the image plane to insert the ProjectionViz cone.

If you know the size of the image you need, towards the top of Object Info, set the Lock size of option to image , and set your desired image size in the Image Plane Options.

If you know the lens you are using, set the Lock size of option to lens , and set your lens ratio under lens and image.

Adjust additional parameters in Object Info to experiment with different projector options.

If you know your projector specifications and need to determine projector location

With the tool selected but before inserting the ProjectionViz object, click the Preferences button in the mode bar.

Set lens ratio, aspect ratio, etc. according to your projector specifications. To calculate the initial throw, next, set the Lock size of option to image , and set your desired image size in the Image Plane Options.

Exit Preferences and set the tool to use Insert at Image Plane mode.

Click in the drawing to set the projector focus, and use a second click to determine the projector pan.

Adjusting the Projection Cone

Using Object Info, you can adjust the following parameters:

X, Y: The object’s location always reports as the image plane focus point
Z: The zero-point from which ProjectionViz measures the focus point. Adjust this value when your focus point uses a different reference than the hanging point, for example when the image plane is on a raised platform.
Rotation: The reference angle from which ProjectionViz measures pan

During interaction:

The following locks affect editing pan, tilt, and throw, as well as moving and rotating

Lock location of:

Projector – the projector location will remain constant

Focus – the projector focus will remain constant

Lock length of:

Throw – the distance between the projector and focus point remain constant. Use this option if you want the ProjectionViz object to behave like a static object when moving or rotating.

Height – the heights of the projector and the center of the image plane remain constant

Plan Distance – the plan distance between the projector and the center of the image plane remain constant

Lock size of:

Lens – the lens ratio remains constant, with the image size adjusting with throw

Image – the image size remains constant, with the lens ration recalculating with the throw. With this option selected, the throw will adjust when you manually adjust the lens ratio parameter.

Projector Location

Hanging Height: The z height of the projector. The Lens to Position parameter allows you to set the rigging point, and not the height of the lens.
Pick up height: Press this button to insert the z height of any object below the projector point into the Hanging Height field
Lens to Position: The offset from the rigging point to the lens, in that direction. A positive value means the lens is below the rigging point. If the projector sits on a platform of a known height, use a negative value.
Projector X / Y: The coordinates of the projector

Projector Focus

Throw: The distance from the lens to the image plane
Throw ∆ X / ∆ Y: The distance along each axis from the projector to the image plane
Cone center height: The height of the center of the image plane. This measurement does not take lens shift into account
Calc Focus Height: Use the resulting dialog to calculate the Cone cone center height based on the reference point and distance you specify. See Setting the Focus Point.
Pan: Degrees from the object’s rotation angle
Tilt: Degree from horizontal. Tilting up is a positive value. The interaction locks have a large effect on how the object tilts
Rotation: Rotate the projector and image around the throw axis. A 90 degree rotation will effectively swap the image ratio, making a vertical image

Keystone / lens shift

H / V Lens shift %: Lens shift affects the location of the image without distorting it. The value is a percentage of the image size, which matches the lens shift limits found in most projector specifications.
Keystone adjust H / V: Keystone adjustment is an electronic function, warping the image and adding wedges of video-black in order to counteract keystone distortions. This value currently only affects rendered images, giving a sense of the required keystone correction for your projector arrangement.

Lens and image

Aspect: Choose a common aspect ratio for the projector image. You can find a reference for aspect ratios here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_ratio_(image) . You can also input a custom ratio.
Custom ratio: Enable this option in the pull-down menu above.
Lens: The lens ratio is given in the specification for most projector lenses and is the quotient of the throw over the image width
Spread angle (w): A read-only calculation of the horizontal spread of the image cone
Lumens: The specified lumens of the projector, usually found in the projector specification
Screen gain: Used in calculating the image’s liminance
Luminance: A read only value calculated from the lumens, screen gain, lens, and throw. ProjectionViz displays foot-Lamberts when using standard units and candela per square meter, a.k.a. nit (nt), in metric.

Image plane options

Orientation: Vertical with respect to the ground plane

Horizontal with respect to the ground plane

Perpendicular to the throw
V / H Image Tilt: Further adjust the tilt of the image plane, in degrees
Additional image throw: Visualize an additional image plane based on throw distance. For example, view both the back wall and proscenium planes. When the additional plane is non-zero, you will also see a control point for positioning the image plane.
Show floor: In addition to the main image plane, show where the image will fall on the floor
Max width: The width of the projected image at center
Max height: The height of the image at center
Diagonal: The diagonal measurement of the image

Display Options

Show cone

Draw the sides of the projector cone

Show image plane

Draw the image plane

Show focus vector

Draw a line from the projector to the focus point

Show Focus Point

Display a locus at the focus point. Note, for projections using a lens shift, the focus point is not the center of the image.

Indicate projector

Choose how to display the projector. When the render options are set to project an image, this is always a locus point.

Box

Locus point

Symbol

Select Symbol

When the you select the symbol option above, use this button to choose the symbol

Display projector text

Enable this option to show a text label near the projector

Projector text

Quickly enter a short text note or use for copying and pasting text

Edit

Use a dialog to edit multi-line note text. You can also insert tokens to dynamically display projection parameters and calculations.

Display focus text

Enable this option to show a text label near the focus point

Focus text

Quickly enter a short text note or use for copying and pasting text

Edit

Use a dialog to edit multi-line note text. You can also insert tokens to dynamically display projection parameters and calculations.

Rendering Options

Choose image: Click to choose an image to project or display on the image plane. See Using Your Own Image.
Image Texture: A read only indicator of the projector image. By default, ProjectionViz uses an alignment raster appropriate to your aspect ratio.
Simulate screen image: Places fills the image plane with a texture, simulating a projected image. Vectorworks cannot distort textures, so this will not approximate keystoning. This option is useful for presentation renders on traditional rectangular screens.
Only show image plane: Hide all ProjectionViz geometry except for the image plane. Useful for presentation renders or aligning a projected raster to scenery.
Project image: Project a rendered image. See Projecting Images in 3D

Classes

Auto-Class: Automatically generate and assign classes based on the root class in Settings
Cone: The class of the projection cone
Image plane: The class of the image plane
Focus Vector: The class of the vector from the projector to the image
Text: The class for all text labels

–

View from projector: Set the perspective view to the projector cone
Look to projector: Set the perspective view too look at the projector from the image. Useful for finding an unobstructed location to place the projector.
View section: View the projector cone in section. This makes it easy to work with the projector cone as though it were a flattened section.

–

Add Video Screen Object: Adds a Spotlight Video Screen object with the current ProjectionViz settings. The Video Screen excels at showing screen and projector geometry. Note, the Video Screen’s calculations are not as sophisticated as ProjectionViz, so you will not see the keystoning that ProjectionViz displays.

–

Settings: See ProjectionViz Settings
About: See the current version, enter your registration, and see links to documentation and report a bug

Setting the Focus Point

You have a number of methods to set the projector’s focus point

Move the object with Lock location set to Projector. Moving in Top/Plan adjusts the x / y location of the image plane. Moving in an orthogonal view perpendicular to the ground plane (side, front, etc) changes the projector x / y location and tilt.

With the object selected, grab and move the focus control point

Click the Calc Focus Height button in Object Info

PV Set Focus Height

Enter the measurement

Enter the reference point from where you are measuring

Enter the end point of the measurement

Enter whether you want to achieve the focus height using tilt or lens shift.

Moving and Reshaping

Moving and rotating

When moving and rotating, the ProjectionViz object adjusts its parameters according to the object’s interaction locks. For example, when locked to the projector location and length of heights, nudging the object will adjust the focus point.

Control points

The projector and screen locations each have control points that you can use to reshape the projector throw in both 2D in 3D. When in an orthogonal view perpendicular to the ground plane, moving control points will maintain the projector’s pan.

Working in Section

ProjectionViz works well with the Edit in-place option for Section Viewports, with both of the above options fully functional.

Duplicating ProjectionViz Objects

You can determine how ProjectionViz duplicates via the Settings dialog, accessed at the bottom of Object Info.

When duplicating, lock:

Projector

Duplicating will keep the projector location constant. Useful for trying an alternate focus from the same position.

Focus

Duplicating will keep the projector focus point constant. Useful when doubling a projector on the same image plane.

Neither

Duplicating will keep the projector throw, pan, and tilt constant.

Object’s Mode

Duplicate using the objects Lock options

Projecting Images in 3D

To project a rendered image, enable Project Image in the Rendering Options

OpenGL

OpenGL can only transparent textures in black and white (true black and white, not grayscale). This makes OpenGL a useful tool for live adjustments of raster grid slides or rough images, but not for presentation renders. OpenGL also inverts transparent textures, so any black pixels will be fully transparent and vice versa.

Renderworks

Renderworks allows for full color projected images, though the rendering processing is slower.

Using Default Raster Grids

When you first select the Project Image option, ProjectionViz will import a default raster grid for the selected aspect ratio. The hasted grid is just a typical bitmap image — you can create an import your own image using the below steps.

Using Your Own Image

Select the Choose Image button in Object Info

A new texture

Choose a name for the new texture resource. In the following dialog, select an image to use as the projection slide.

Edit the selected texture

Apply adjustments to the currently selected slide

An existing texture

ProjectionViz creates two textures for every image — one to simulate the screen image without projected light and one to render an actual projection. Always choose the texture WITHOUT the “-slide” suffix.

ProjectionViz Settings

First, either select a ProjectionViz object or, with the ProjectionViz took active, press the Preferences button in the mode bar. You can access behavior settings via the Settings Button at the bottom Object Info.

Default Insertion Class

Choose a class for all new ProjectionViz objects instead with its tool. You can also set this option to <Active Class>

Component class prefix

Enter a prefix that will be added to all sun-classes when using the Auto-Class button. The prefix may be but is not required to be an existing class.

When duplicating, lock:

Projector

Duplicating will keep the projector location constant. Useful for trying an alternate focus from the same position.

Focus

Duplicating will keep the projector focus point constant. Useful when doubling a projector on the same image plane.

Neither

Duplicating will keep the projector throw, pan, and tilt constant.

Object’s Mode

Duplicate using the objects Lock options

Make default for all new documents

Check this box to make the selection options default for any new documents. As with other Vectorworks preferences, this setting only applies to the current user.

Using Object Styles

Object Styles allow the user to have any or all attributes reference a named style, which you can manage and edit in the Resource Manager. Styles allow objects to have uniform parameters, for example ensuring an array of projectors all have the same lens and aspect ratio, as a way to access manufacturer-specific settings, and as a way to set default parameters.

Creating a Style

To create a new style, the easiest way is to set parameters for a ProjectionViz object in the drawing, then go to the style pull-down menu towards the top of Object Info.

Select New Plug-in Style from…

Optionally, choose a folder for the Style. Styles are managed like symbols.

You will see an Object-Info-like dialog, where you can further adjust parameters. At the top of the dialog, you will find options to name the style and to choose which parameters should refer to the style and which can vary per-instance.

Applying a Style

Select the ProjectionViz object to which you want to apply the style.

Towards the top of Object Info, find the Style pull-down menu, and select Replace…

Browse to the object style you want to apply.

Creating Masks

If you have a 3D model, you can use ProjectionViz to estimate masks.

You may want to use the Rendering Options to project a raster grid.

With the ProjectionViz object selected, click the View from projector button towards the bottom of Object Info.
Note: Be default, changing pan or zoom will change your perspective view, misaligning the projector view. If you have added a lens shift to this projector the image may be out of view. To change this behavior, go to File>Document Settings>Document Preferences…. Select the Display tab. Enable Cropped Perspective.
Create a Viewport on a new sheet layer.
You should see the image rectangle for this viewport. Crop the viewport to this rectangle.
You can now export this viewport to an image editor and use the view to create a mask.

Beam Draw 4 Users Guide

Posted on December 23, 2014 | by Amalia Benghiat

Beam Draw

version 4.0.1

Users Guide

Created by Joshua Benghiat

Joshua Benghiat Lighting Design

Introduction

Requirements | Installation | Support

Getting Started

Adding to an Existing Workspace | Registration | Overview

Workflow

Insert in the Drawing
Adjusting Parameters
Viewing the Beam in 3D
Reverse and Repeat
Creating a Consistent System of Lights
Channeling Beams
Converting Beams to Spotlight Lighting Devices
Move Beams to a Layer
Making a Magic Sheet

In Detail

Beam Draw
Beam Draw PAR
Beam Draw Section
Cycle BD Redraw Mode
Section Beam to Plan
Use Light Info for Selected
Update Beams from Focus Pt
Channel Beams
Convert Beams to Instrument
Move Beams to Layer
Select Beams
Select PAR Beams
Select Section Beams
Select All Beams
About Beam Draw…
Beam Draw FAQ
Beam Draw Help
Submit a Beam Draw Bug
Changing Default Parameters

Introduction

Requirements

Vectorworks 2012 or higher

Installation

For installation to Vectorworks 2012 or 2013:

Make sure Vectorworks is not running. Run the Beam Draw Installer. Select your version of Vectorworks. The installer will install a folder called “-JBLD Beam Draw” in your user Plug-Ins folder, containing the Beam Draw plug-in objects and menus.

The Windows installer allows you to select a custom location for your Plug-Ins folder. Mac users with a custom user data location or Windows users having trouble with the installer can download the “Raw installer” and manually drag the “-JBLD Beam Draw” folder to Plug-Ins. For more information, see this FAQ.

For installation to Vectorworks 2014 or 2015:

The installer package must remain a zip file. If your system automatically unzips archives, right-click on the download link and select “Save Link As” to prevent your browser from auto-expanding the download.
In Vectorworks, select Tools > Plug-ins > Plug-in Manager
Select the Third-party plug-ins page
Click the Install… button
Navigate to and select the saved installer zip file
Read and confirm the EULA
Vectorworks should notify you that installation is complete and to restart Vectorworks

If you experience trouble with the install script, please see the following FAQ on where plug-ins install.

Support

Please visit http://BenghiatLighting.com/software/support for support options and to report bugs.

You may also email software(at)BenghiatLighting.com.

Getting Started

When the installation completes, start Vectorworks and select Tools>Workspaces>Beam Draw Standard or Tools>Workspaces>Beam Draw Spotlight. The Beam Draw workspace is similar to the Vectorworks Standard and Spotlight workspaces, but with a Beam Draw palette containing the Beam Draw Tools, and a Beam Draw menu. Use the About Beam Draw… menu item or the About… button in Object Info to enter your Beam Draw registration or demo code.

Adding to an Existing Workspace

To add Beam Draw to an existing workspace:

Select Tools>Workspaces>Workspace Editor.
In the Menus tab, click the disclosure triangle next to Beam Draw in the list of Menu categories on the left hand side.
Drag all the commands to an existing menu on the right or create a new menu.
Select the Tools tab.
Click the disclosure triangle next to Beam Draw in the list of Tools categories on the left hand side.
Drag the all the Beam Draw Plug-In Objects to an existing palette on the right or create a new palette.
If you want to use the Beam Draw tool set icon, you can find it installed in your user workspaces folder.
Click OK.

Registration

The first time you use the Beam Draw, you will be asked for a registration number or demo code. You can also access the registration dialog through the “About” button in the Object Info palette or the About Beam Draw… menu item.. The Beam Draw objects will not draw without a valid code.

Overview

Beam Draw allows you to visualize a beam of light in both plan view and 3D, helping you to choose proper instrument type and location. The beam instantly redraws if you change its beam angle, focus position, or instrument position.

The following diagram shows some of the terminology used by Beam Draw:

Beam Draw utilizes Plug-In Objects, meaning it draws beams according to a set of user-definable parameters, including beam angle, position height, and face plane. You will find a full list of parameters described for each object. You can edit an object’s parameters in the Object Info Palette.

As with all Plug-In Objects, the first time you place a beam in a document, Vectorworks will ask you for default parameters. You can set the default object parameters for the document by selecting the object’s tool, then clicking on the parameters button in the mode bar.

The full Beam Draw package includes several plug-in objects and menus. Please visit the Beam Draw Quickguide page for a brief introduction to each Beam Draw component.

Workflow

Here is a sample workflow for using Beam Draw to visualize a system of lights. Please see the Quickguide as well as the detailed descriptions of each component to determine how to best incorporate Beam Draw into your design process.

Insert in the Drawing

Click on the Beam Draw Tool icon .
Click on the drawing in the approximate plan location where you would like the light to hang.
Drag the beam edge or focus point (indicated by a locus) to the point you would stand when focusing the light. The size and shape of the beam will change accordingly.
Alternatively, you can insert the beam at its focus point and drag the boxed control point to a hanging position. Your cursor will change to a double arrow when it is over the control point.
You can also use nudge (shift+arrow) or grid nudge (cmd/ctrl+shift+arrow) to fine tune the focus point.

Adjusting Parameters

Many aspects of the beam are controllable though parameters in the Object Info Palette.

Beam Draw’s parameters are organized into the following sections:

Mode

The Beam object’s mode determines how the object reacts to moves, drags, nudges, and rotations. Fixed moves the entire object, Dynamic lets you change the beam’s focus, and Fixed Focus lets you change the instrument location.

Location

You’ll want to make sure your beam is being calculated from the correct height with the Position Height parameter. Use Distance to Clamp to drop (positive distance) or raise (negative distance) the origin of the beam below the position to its focal point. If you have lighting positions with z height values, press the Pickup Z Height button below the field.

You can also specify either the lighting instrument’s xy coordinates or its distance from the focus point.

Beam Options

You can set the Field and Beam angles. Use a Beam angle of 0 to work only with the field angle. You can also press the Get Light Info Data button to access the beam and field angles and candlepower stored in the Light Info Record of your symbols. The symbols that shipped with Spotlight as well as those commercially available, like Soft Symbols, have photometric data already attached to them. Use the Use Light Info for Selected menu command to apply Light Info data to more than one beam object.

For PAR Beams, you can also set a bottle rotation here.

Focus Area Options

Face Plane sets the height of your instrument’s focus and is the main cut plane for Beam Draw objects. You can also specify an additional cut plane at any height (even negative) and select an option to show the beam at floor level.

Display Options

You have a number of options controlling the graphical information in the Beam Draw object. See the terminology diagrams above and the parameter reference for more details.

Many of the Beam’s components can also show and hide via class controls.

The first option is Show Beam. Deselecting this option will indicate the beam’s pan and channel at the hanging point, and can be a useful feature for creating rough plots.

Shutter Cuts

To visualize shutter cuts, make sure Show Shutter Cuts is checked. You can drag shutters via a control point right in the drawing or enter a depth and rotation in Obj Info.

The default option of Screen Angles allows you to specify shutter racks based on the top / plan angle you want for the cut. Disabling the option shows you the angle of the cut with respect to the actual gate, providing more accurate previzualization of your shutter cuts.

You can also click the Interactive Shutter Adjustment button to launch a dialog that lets you adjust shutters with sliders and shows you real-time adjustments. This option is perfect for visually matching cuts so scenery.

Resolution

Beam Draw 4 optimizes both 2D and 3D geometry, so you can generally leave this setting on High. If you switch to Low, enter a resolution less than the default of 180.

Rendering Options

Select Add Light to include a rendering light that matches the beam’s parameters. The Light is also accessible in the Visualization Palette. The rendering light will be shaped by any shutter cuts, though elliptical beams are rendered as round. Then the Add Light option is enabled, beams render as transparent.

Simple 3D will draw the beam as cut planes and cone edge rays instead of a solid beam.

Computed Info

This section includes calculated information about the beam at its specified focus:

True Distance (throw length)

Angle to Face

Pan

Tilt

Maximum width

Footcandles

Paperwork Info

Attach Channel or Purpose data to the beam. Channels are shown with the beam object, with the text attributes being set by Vectorworks’s Text menu. The Channel and Purpose will transfer to any Lighting Devices create with Beam Draw’s Convert Beam to Instrument command. You can also use Beams with channels to create magic sheet layouts.

Classes

You can assign a class to most of the Beam’s geometry. Select Auto-Class to create and assign classes to each possible component.

Settings

The Settings button raises a dialog where you can set the default class and Move to Layer prefix for all new Beam objects. You can also set this option as default for all new documents.

Viewing the Beam in 3D

Switch to a 3D view. The beam will continue to reshape if moved in 3D.
You may want to hold down the shift key while moving the beam in 3D so its focus height does not change.
If you have Spotlight Focus Points defined, use the pull-down menu at the top of Object Info to easily refocus your beams in 3D.
The Beam’s translucent surface comes from its texture. You can either edit the Light Beam texture or override it using the Floor Oval and Face Oval class controls.

Reverse and Repeat

You can easily reverse and repeat beams across the x=0 centerline. Shutter cuts and bottle rotations are also reversed.

Select the beam objects you want to reverse and repeat. They can be any mix of Beam Draws, Beam Draw Pars, and Beam Draw Section.
Select the menu Reverse and Repeat Beams.

You can also use the Mirror Tool to reverse and repeat beams across arbitrary vertical or horizontal planes of reflection.

Creating a Consistent System of Lights

Use Beam Draw or Beam Draw PAR to select the proper position, beam angle, and focus of one light. You may find it useful to have a paper section in front of you, use Beam Draw Sections with a Vectorworks section, or to examine the beam in a 3D side view. Hint: Beam Draw also computes the distance and angle to the face.
Now change the Redraw parameter from Dynamic to Fixed.
You can also use the menu command Cycle BD Redraw Mode, which can have a keyboard shortcut, to cycle the mode between Fixed, Dynamic, and Fixed Focus.
You can now duplicate, duplicate array, or option/alt-drag the beam, and the instrument location will move, keeping the shape of the beam constant.
You can still make adjustments to the Beam’s hanging location control point while in fixed mode.

Channeling Beams

If you’re working with a single system of beams, you may find it useful to assign channel numbers.

If no beams are selected, the command channels all beams on the current layer. Otherwise the command works with selected beams of any type.
Choose the menu Channel Beams.
You will see a dialog allowing you to select the first channel and the direction channels will number.
If you find yourself needing to channel beams in more complex arrangements, you may be interested in the Savvy Sequencer.
The channel displays at the focus point. You can change the font and size using the Text menu.
Select a beam, and at the bottom make sure Show Paperwork Info is checked. You can manually set channel and purpose here. Those fields can automatically transfer when a beam is turned into a Spotlight Lighting Device.
Uncheck the Show Beam parameter and select Display Field Angle. The beam object reduces to the focus point (if it’s shown) and the instrument location, with the channel, field angle, and direction displayed. This is useful for creating a rough plot from your beans.

Converting Beams to Spotlight Lighting Devices

Select the Beam Draw and or Beam Draw PAR objects you wish to convert. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
A dialog will ask you to match each field angle with a symbol in your document. There is also a set of symbols whose field angles are close to your selected beam.
Choose if you want the symbols aligned to the drawing grid and rotated to the neatest 90°.
Any channel and purpose data entered into your Beam Draw objects will be transferred to your Lighting Devices, along with focus, hanging height, shutters, bottle rotation, and all the default values from the symbol’s Light Info Record.
You have the option to link the Lighting Device to your Beam Draw object. Any changes to the Beam Draw object will push to the Lighting Device. Beam Draw will also pull changes in position from the Lighting Device. Note this is not automatic, ant you will need to manually refresh the Beam Draw Object. Also note that changing beam and field angles will not automatically change the instrument type.
You have the option to create a Spotlight Focus Point at the focus point for each beam. The Convert command will first look for existing focus points at the given location and position, and if found assign the Lighting Device and Beam Draw Object to those points.
You can create Lighting Devices on any layer. This can be useful if you have stored each system of beams in its own layer and are in the process of converting your rough plot to Lighting Devices.

Move Beams to a Layer

Select the beams you wish to file on another layer. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
Select the Move Beams to Layer menu command.
You will be prompted for a suffix name for the layer, usually the system name. The layer name can be new or existing.
You can choose whether to hide or show the layer and to deselect the Show Beam parameter. If you are building a rough plot, you may wish to make the new layer visible and to have the command turn off Show Beam. If you have already converted your beams to Lighting Devices, you may wish to hide the new layer.
The beams are moved.

Making a Magic Sheet

If you channeled your beams, you can easily lay out a magic sheet.

Switch to a sheet layer.
If you like, use viewports to create a cropped, miniature version of the set. Make sure the 0,0 point of your drawing is snappable in the viewport.
Select the Beam Draw Magic tool.
Click in the drawing at the 0,0 point of your magic sheet.
Use Object Info to pick a layer — all channeled beams will appear as numbers in the Magic object.
Set a scale in Obj Info (e.g. 1/8″=1′-0″ would be 96).
Set the font for the channel numbers via the text menu.
Use Object Info to provide an offset for all channels (e.g. numbers are +10) or show them reverse and repeated.
The Move by Points tool can be useful for duplicating your Magic object / viewport combination.

In Detail

Beam Draw

Overview

Beam Draw allows you to visualize the coverage of a beam of light in plan view. Each beam is a separate Plug-In Object with easily adjustable hanging and focus points. Beam Draw will reshape as you move the focus across the drawing, and it will even show hyperbolic and triangular intersection with the face plane. Beam Draw can also show how the same beam will hit the floor as well as show the beam in 3D views.

Instructions

Click on the Beam Draw Tool icon
Click on the drawing in the approximate plan location where you would like the light to hang.
Drag the beam edge or focus point (indicated by a locus) to the point you would stand when focusing the light. The size and shape of the beam will change accordingly.
Alternatively, you can insert the beam at its focus point and drag the boxed control point to a hanging position. Your cursor will change to a double arrow when it is over the control point.
You can also use nudge (shift+arrow) to fine tune the focus point.
Adjust parameters of the beam in the Object Info palette.
If you are viewing shutter cuts, you can adjust the shutters in Object Info as well as by dragging the four control points in the drawing.

See the Workflow for more details.

Parameters

The Beam Draw parameters can be edited in the Object Info Palette. To set parameter defaults, see the Overview.

Parameter	Description
x, y	The coordinates of the focus point.
Z	The height of your floor cut plane. The Face Plane and Additional Cut Plane measure from this height. Your Position Height should not take the z height into account — if you are using the z value to set a deck or trap level, for example, your Position Height should still measure from z = 0, and Beam Draw will do the math.
Redraw	Fixed: The lighting instrument will move as you drag the beam, keeping the shape constant. Fixed mode is useful for duplicating a beam into a system of lights. Dynamic: The lighting instrument remains fixed and the beam reshapes as you move it. Fixed Focus: The focus point remains fixed, and the instrument location moves as you drag, move, or nudge.
Focus Point	Select an existing Spotlight Focus Point, and the beam will refocus to that point. You can also set the focus anywhere, and the field will display, “Custom.”
Location
Position Height	The height of the lighting position. This should be the trim height of the pipe above z = 0.
Pickup Z height	This button will change the position height to the z height of any 3D object below the instrument location. This does not change dynamically and will happen when you press the button.
Distance to Clamp	The distance from the hanging position to the source point in the lighting instrument. The height of the beam is computed as Position Height – Distance to Clamp. Use a negative value to overhang the light. If the light is overhung, Beam Draw objects will show an indicator next to the instrument location, and when converting to Lighting Devices, the 3D component will be overhung.
Instrument X, Y	The coordinates of the lighting instrument.
Instrument Distance X, Y	The x and y distances from the focus point to the lighting instrument.
Beam Options
Field Angle	The field angle of the beam.
Beam Angle	The beam angle of the beam. If you do not want to draw the beam angle, enter a value of 0. If you only want to draw the beam angle, enter it in field angle.
Peak Candela	The peak candela of the beam. This is optional and used for computing foot-candles.
Get Light Info Data	Launches a dialog where you can select beam and field data from the symbols in your document and the symbols in your default file. Beam Draw will display the footcandles each unit type will output at the current throw.
Focus Area Options
Face Plane	The height of the plane on which beams are drawn. Usually 6′-0″ or 5′-9″.
Show Floor	If checked, will draw the beam at both head height and as it falls on the floor.
Additional Cut Plane	Draws a cut plane at any level. Useful for checking obstructions or coverage at unusual heights. The use a negative value to view a plane below the focus point, for example to cut off the audience below the stage level.
Display Options
Show Beam	Show or hide the beam ovals, cone edge lines, and focus vector. If hidden, an arrow at the instrument location will show which direction the beam focuses. Deselecting this option is useful for creating rough plots.
Display Field Angle	Select to show the field angle indicated next to the instrument location.
Show Focus Point	If checked, a locus is drawn at the focus point.
Show Focus Point	If checked, draws a locus where the hot spot on the floor.
Indicate Inst. with	A box or locus at the instrument location. Applies to both 2D and 3D views.
Show Focus Vector	Draws a line from the source to the focus point. Applies to both 2D and 3D views.
Cone Edge Lines	Draws the extents of the beam from origin to focus in Top/Plan view. The cone edge lines adjust to your shutter cuts.
Show Coverage	Shows the full coverage of a beam from one cut plane to another. Showing from Face Plane to Floor Plane, for example, will show you the area of full body coverage. The options are: None Face to Floor Face to Additional Additional to Floor
Shutter Cuts
Show	Select for the ability to specify shutter cuts. If you hide cuts, the shutter parameters will still be retained.
Shutter % Depths	The percentage to push in a shutter. 100% is at the focus point. You can also use control points in the drawing to drag shutter cuts or the sliders in the Interactive Shutter Alignment dialog.
Shutter Angles	The angle of each shutter
Use Screen Angles	The default option of Screen Angles allows you to specify shutter racks based on the top / plan angle you want for the cut. Disabling the option shows you the angle of the cut with respect to the actual gate, providing more accurate previzualization of your shutter cuts.
Interactive Shutter Adjustment	The Interactive Shutter Angles dialog lets you control shutter depths and angles with interactive sliders.
Reset Shutters	Pulls out all the shutters.
Resolution
Resolution	Select “Low” to simplify geometry. Because Beam Draw uses ovals and NURBS curves, you will rarely see a benefit in reducing the resolution.
Factor	Set the resolution for the Low Resolution option. 180 is a fairly full resolution. 4 should be the minimum.
Rendering Options
Add Light	Includes a rendering light that matches the beam’s parameters. The Light is also accessible in the Visualization Palette. The rendering light will be shaped by any shutter cuts, though elliptical beams are rendered as round. Then the Add Light option is enabled, beams render as transparent. The light will only show as a pool of light using Renderworks rendering.
Simple 3D	Simple 3D will draw the beam as cut planes and cone edge rays instead of a solid beam.
Computed Info
True Distance	The actual distance between the instrument and focus point. Useful for finding the light’s intensity at the face. Do not edit this field as it is computed by the object script.
Angle to face	The angle from the face to the light. Straight top light is 90°.
Pan	The degrees from straight up on the page (US, North, etc)
Tilt	The degrees from straight down.
Maximum Width	The maximum width of the beam at head height.
Foot-candles	The computed intensity of the light.
Paperwork
Show Paperwork Info	Shows options to indicate a channel and purpose to keep track of your beams.
Channel	The channel number will show at the focus point if the beam is shown or at the instrument location if it is hidden. The channel can be used to create a Beam Draw Magic sheet object. The channel will also transfer when a beam is converted to a Spotlight lighting device.
Purpose	The purpose will transfer when a beam is converted to a Spotlight lighting device.
Classes
Auto-Class	This option will create sub-classes based on the object’s overall class, and assign those classes to component parts. Beam Draw will only create new classes for component parts that are enabled to draw.
Class Settings	The following parts can be individually classed or be set to use the same class as the overall object: Floor Oval (2D and 3D) Face Oval (2D and 3D) Additional Plane Oval (2D and 3D) Coverage Focus Point (2D and 3D) Focus Vector (2D and 3D) Cone Edge Instrument Location (2D and 3D) Field Angle Text Channel Text
Settings	Set the default base class and layer prefix. You have the option to save defaults for all new documents.
About	See Beam Draw version and license information.

Beam Draw PAR

Overview

Beam Draw PAR functions just like Beam Draw, only it visualizes elliptical beams. You can set the bottle rotation to any angle.

Instructions

Click on the Beam Draw Tool icon
Click on the drawing in the approximate plan location where you would like the light to hang.
Drag the beam edge or focus point (indicated by a locus) to the point you would stand when focusing the light. The size and shape of the beam will change accordingly.
Alternatively, you can insert the beam at its focus point and drag the boxed control point to a hanging position. Your cursor will change to a double arrow when it is over the control point.
You can also use nudge (shift+arrow) to fine tune the focus point.
Adjust parameters of the beam in the Object Info palette.
You can rotate the beam in Object Info or by dragging the control point in the drawing that is near the beam’s focus point.

Parameters

The Beam Draw PAR parameters can be edited in the Object Info Palette. To set parameter defaults, see the Overview.

Parameter	Description
See Beam Draw Parameters, with the following exceptions
Shutters	PAR Objects cannot show shutter cuts
Field Angle H	The horizontal field angle
Field Angle V	The vertical field angle
Beam Angle H	The horizontal beam angle
Beam Angle V	The vertical beam angle
Bottle Rotation	The angle of bottle rotation. The bottle can also be rotated via a control point in the drawing.
Get Light Info Data	Will show and return H & V field and beam angles.

Beam Draw Section

Overview

Beam Draw Section allows you to draw a 2D triangle of light showing an instrument’s spread in section. You can select beam and field angles for the beam, visualize shutter cuts. You can display a figure as well as identify an area with minimum coverage width.

In order to keep beams from extending infinitely, the Beam Draw Section has four display modes, selectable in object info:

Mode	Description
Control Points	The beam will terminate at the two dragable control points that also define shutter cuts. Shutter cut control points are available in the other modes, but they only affect the beam ends in this mode.
Horizontal	The beam ends will terminate on a line horizontal with the focus point.
Vertical	The beam ends will terminate on a line vertical with the focus point. This option is useful for visualizing illumination of drops or scenery.
Focus Area	The beam ends will terminate at the floor, as defined bu the face plane. In this mode, you also have the option to view a figure whose head is at your focus point.

Instructions

Click on the Beam Draw Section Tool icon
Click and drag from the gate of your light to your focus point. If you would rather drag in the opposite direction, use the Beam Draw Section from FP Tool.
If you don’t have representations of lighting instruments in your section, you can end the line at the hanging position. Next, click the button labeled “Shift by clamp height,” and your beam will compensate.
Adjust the section’s options, including Field Angle in Object Info.
To visualize shutters, make sure “Draw Shutters” is selected in Object Info. You will see a control point handle towards the ends of the beam section. Drag the point, and the shutter cut will pass through the point. You cannot open the shutters wider than the field angle permits.

Parameters

Parameter	Description
x, y	The coordinates of the origin of your beam, the gate of your light.
z	If you want to use the 2D section in a 3D plane, this is the distance above the working plane.
Rotation	The angle from the light to the focus point.
Beam Options
Throw Distance	The distance from the light to your focus point.
Field Angle	The field angle of the beam.
Beam Angle	The beam angle of the beam. If you do not want to draw the beam angle, enter a value of 0. If you only want to draw the beam angle, enter it in Field Angle.
Peak Candela	The peak candela of the beam. This is optional and used for computing footcandles.
Get Light Info Data	Brings a dialog where you can select beam and field data from the symbols in your document and the symbols in your default file. Beam Draw will display the footcandles each unit type will output at the current throw.
Display Options
Show Beam	Deselect to hide the beam edges. You will see a locus at the origin of your beam. If shown, your figure will stay visible.
Display Field Angle	Select to show the field angle indicated next to the beam origin.
Show Shutters	Select to show shutter cuts and the shutter cut control point handles. If you deselect, any shutter cuts you made will still be preserved.
Reset Shutters	Press this button to completely open the shutter cuts. Useful if your shutters are all the way in to the center of the beam.
Beam Ends	This mode option determines where the ends of the beam terminate. See the explanation in the Overview.
Extend	Extend the beam a distance beyond the points defined in Beam Ends.
Focus Area Options (Available in Focus Area mode)
Face Plane	The height above the floor to which the beam is focused.
Show Figure	Draws a 6′ figure at the focus point. You also have a control point handle at the figure’s feet.
Flip	Draws the figure facing the other direction.
Show area limits	Use this option to visualize coverage in the plane perpendicular to the section. For example, say you want to see coverage for an 8′ area. After setting Area Width to 8′, you will see a rectangular area that shows the limits of your 8′ area.
Area Width	The width of minimum coverage shown in Show Area Limits.
Origin Options
Show Clamp Position	Draws a locus and dragable control point at the instrument’s C-clamp.
Distance to clamp	The distance from the light’s gate to the hanging point of the C-clamp.
Shift by clamp height	Shifts the origin of the beam down to compensate for the distance between the C-clamp and the light’s origin at the gate. Useful if you are drawing the section between the hanging position and the focus point, rather than a sectioned view of the lighting instrument.
-Computed Info-
Throw Dist	The distance from the light to the focus point.
Angle to Face	The angle from the face to the light. Straight top light is 90°.
Footcandles	The computed intensity of the light.
Maximum Width	The maximum width of the beam at head height.
Classes
Auto-Class	This option will create sub-classes based on the object’s overall class, and assign those classes to component parts. Beam Draw will only create new classes for component parts that are enabled to draw.
Class Settings	The following parts can be individually classed or be set to use the same class as the overall object: Field Edge Beam Edge Focus Vector Figure Coverage Angle Text
Settings	Set the default base class and layer prefix. You have the option to save defaults for all new documents.
About	See Beam Draw version and license information.

Beam Draw Section from FP

Overview

This will insert the Beam Draw Section object, draw from the focus point to the hanging position.

Instructions

Click on the Beam Draw Section from FP Tool icon
Click and drag from your desired focus point to your hanging position.

The resulting object is identical to that described in Beam Draw Section.

Cycle BD Redraw Mode

Overview

Use this command to cycle through the three Redraw modes of selected Beam Draw and Beam Draw Par Objects. The modes will cycle between: Fixed, Dynamic, and Fixed Focus.

Section Beam to Plan

Overview

This command lets you take a selected Beam Draw Section and insert a Beam Draw object with the same parameters, focus, and shutter cuts.

Instructions

Select a single Beam Draw Section object.
Choose the Section Beam to Plan command.
Click in the drawing to place the Beam Draw object. The preview shape will give you a rough idea of the Beam’s size and show its focus vector. The following options are available in the mode bar:

Instrument mode Click in the drawing to insert the Beam object at the hanging point

Focus mode Click in the drawing to insert the Beam object at the focus point

Pan Enter the Beam’s pan in the resulting dialog. The pan angle is essentially the plan angle of the cut plane for which you drew your section. The direction of the section’s figure corresponds to the initial pan of the beam.

Use Light Info for Selected

Overview

This command will utilize data attached to your symbols to provide you with a library of beam angles, field angles, and peak candela to apply to your Beam Draw Objects. The data is extracted from the Light Info Record in your symbol definitions. Thee symbols that shipped with Spotlight as well as those commercially available, like Soft Symbols, have photometric data already attached to them.

Data will be shown for symbol definitions in your current document as well as those in your Spotlight Default content folder.

Instructions

Select any mix of Beam Draw, PAR, and Section objects.
Choose the Use Light Info for Selected menu command.
You will see any photometric data attached to the symbol resources in your drawing as well as those in the Spotlight Default content.
Beam draw computes the brightness, in footcandles, for the first selected Beam Draw object in your drawing.
Select a symbol whose data you want to use.
If you only want to use the field angle, click Ignore Beam Ang, otherwise, click OK.
Your beams will now use the data you selected.

Update Beams from Focus Pt

Overview

While you can set a beam to focus to a Spotlight Focus Point, adjusting focus points won’t automatically adjust beams. If you change the position or height of a focus point, this command causes all the beams assigned to focus points to reset.

Reverse and Repeat Beams

Overview

You can easily reverse and repeat beams across the x=0 centerline. Shutter cuts and bottle rotations are also reversed. The command will work on Beam Draw, Beam Draw PAR, and Beam Draw Section objects. You can also use the Mirror Tool to reflect beams across any horizontal or vertical line of reflection.

Instructions

Select the beam objects you want to reverse and repeat. They can be any mix of Beam Draws, Beam Draw Pars, and Beam Draw Sections.
Select the menu Reverse and Repeat Beams.

Channel Beams

Overview

If you’re working with a single system of beams, you may find it useful to assign channel numbers. The channels can be shown on the drawing, transfer to Spotlight Lighting Devices when using the Convert Beams command, and be used for creating magic sheets.

Instructions

If no beams are selected, the command channels all beams on the current layer. Otherwise the command works with selected beams of any type.
Choose the menu Channel Beams.
You will see a dialog allowing you to select the first channel and the direction channels will number.
The channel displays at the focus point. You can change the font and size using the Text menu.
Select a beam, and at the bottom make sure Show Paperwork Info is checked. You can manually set channel and purpose here. Those fields can automatically transfer when a beam is turned into a Spotlight Lighting Device.

Uncheck the Show Beam parameter and select Display Field Angle. The beam object reduces to the focus point (if it’s shown) and the instrument location, with the channel, field angle, and direction displayed. This is useful for creating a rough plot from your beams.

Convert Beams to Instrument

Overview

This command allows you to insert Spotlight Lighting Devices or instrument symbols for each of the beams. You can easily match beam angles to unit types.

Instructions

Select the Beam Draw and or Beam Draw PAR objects you wish to convert. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
A dialog will ask you to match each field angle with a symbol in your document. There is also a set of symbols whose field angles are close to your selected beam.
Choose if you want the symbols aligned to the drawing grid and/or rotated to the neatest 90°.
The command will transfer any channel and purpose data entered into your Beam Draw objects to your Lighting Devices, along with focus, hanging height, shutters, bottle rotation, and all the default values from the symbol’s Light Info Record.
You have the option to link the Lighting Device to your Beam Draw object. Any changes to the Beam Draw object will push to the Lighting Device. Beam Draw will also pull changes in position from the Lighting Device. Note this is not automatic, ant you will need to manually refresh the Beam Draw Object. Also note that changing beam and field angles will not automatically change the instrument type.
You have the option to create a Spotlight Focus Point at the focus point for each beam. The Convert command will first look for existing focus points at the given location and position, and if found assign the Lighting Device and Beam Draw Object to those points.
You can create Lighting Devices on any layer. This can be useful if you have stored each system of beams in its own layer and are in the process of converting your rough plot to Lighting Devices.
You have the option to delete Beam Draw objects after the command converts them, but most choose to keep a record of the beam’s focus for future reference.

Move Beams to Layer

Overview

Once you have created a system of beams, you can easily move them to a new layer and begin a new system.

Instructions

Select the beams you wish to file on another layer. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
Select the Move Beams to Layer menu command.
You will be prompted for a suffix name for the layer, usually the system name. The layer name can be new or existing.
You can choose whether to hide or show the layer and to deselect the Show Beam parameter. If you are building a rough plot, you may wish to make the new layer visible and to have the command turn off Show Beam. If you have already converted your beams to Lighting Devices, you may wish to hide the new layer.
The beams are moved.

Select Beams

Overview

Use this command to select all Beam Draw objects.

Select PAR Beams

Overview

Use this command to select all Beam Draw PAR objects.

Select Section Beams

Overview

Use this command to select all Beam Draw Section objects.

Select All Beams

Overview

Use this command to select all Beam Draw object types, including PAR and Section.

About Beam Draw…

Overview

Provides information about the current Beam Draw version and registration. You can enter a purchased registration number or a requested demo code via this dialog. There are also a number of support links in the dialog.

Beam Draw FAQ

Overview

Go to the FAQ on the web.

Beam Draw Help

Overview

Open this help doc.

Submit a Beam Draw Bug

Overview

Submit a bug report on the web.

Changing Default Parameters

To change the default parameters for all new documents, choose Tools>Scripts>VectorScript Plug-in Editor…, select Beam Draw, click the Parameters button, and edit the default values. Please note, if you install an update the object, you will have to redo these custom settings.

Savvy Select Similar Instrument 1 Users Guide

Posted on December 23, 2014 | by Amalia Benghiat

Savvy Select Similar Instrument

version 1.0.0

Users Guide

Created by Joshua Benghiat

Joshua Benghiat Lighting Design

Introduction

Requirements | Installation | Support

Getting Started

Adding to an Existing Workspace | Registration | Instructions

Introduction

Requirements

Vectorworks 2015 or higher

Installation

For installation to Vectorworks 2015 or 2016:

The installer package must remain a zip file. If your system automatically unzips archives, right-click on the download link and select “Save Link As” to prevent your browser from auto-expanding the download.
In Vectorworks, select Tools > Plug-ins > Plug-in Manager
Select the Third-party plug-ins page
Click the Install… button
Navigate to and select the saved installer zip file
Read and confirm the EULA
Vectorworks should notify you that installation is complete and to restart Vectorworks

If you experience trouble with the install script, please see the following FAQ on where plug-ins install.

Support

Please visit http://BenghiatLighting.com/software/support for support options and to report bugs.

You may also email software(at)BenghiatLighting.com.

Getting Started

Adding to an Existing Workspace

To add the Select Similar Instrument tool to an existing workspace:

Select Tools>Workspaces>Edit Current Workspace.
Select the Tools tab.
Click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Tools categories on the left hand side.
Drag the all the Select Similar Instrument tool to an existing palette on the right or create a new palette.
Click OK.

Registration

The first time you use the tool, a dialog will ask you for a registration number or demo code. You can use the buttons in the dialog to request a demo or make a purchase. You can also access the registration dialog through the settings button in the tool’s mode bar.

Instructions

This tool works similarly to Vectorworks’ Select Similar Tool. When you select a Lighting Device with the Savvy Select Similar Instrument Tool, it will select other selectable Lighting Devices using the matching criteria you set in the Mode Bar.

As you move the cursor over drawing objects, the tool will highlight selectable Lighting Devices. When you click on a Lighting Device, the tool will use this object’s data to select similar lighting instruments.

Use the Shift key to add units to or remove units from the current selection.

Click on a blank area of the drawing or a non-Lighting Device object to deselect all objects.

Double-click the tool to select all lighting devices.

Selection Options

The toggle on the left goverens whether the tool will select all matching lighting instruments or just units in the current selection.

Match Fields

Select one or two Lighting Device data fields to match. For example, you can select Position and Instrument Type to select all the units matching the position and type of the unit you click with the tool. The right-hand menu can be set to (None) to only match one field. If you have managed Lighting Device fields in Spotlight Settings, the tool will only show the visible fields, including any custom or renamed fields.

The menu also has an option to match Plan Rotation. This can be useful for selecting all the units that need a certain Label Legend.

About

Click to check your registration information and seek technical support.

BeamViz 5 Users Guide

Posted on December 23, 2014 | by Amalia Benghiat

BeamViz

(Formerly Beam Draw)

version {jumi [JBLD_scripts/get_released_plugin_info.php] [version] [BD5]}

Users Guide

Created by Joshua Benghiat

Joshua Benghiat Lighting Design

Introduction

What’s New

In short:

A new name! Beam Draw is now BeamViz, reflecting its role as a visualization tool, both in the planning process and for rendering.
Re-written from the ground up, BeamViz is now an SDK plug-in. That means it is considerably faster than before and that there is almost no restriction on the feature roadmap.

New Features:

BeamDraw and BeamDraw PAR are now a single object with multiple modes. There’s also a zoom mode.

A whole new user interface, with editable parameters for pan, tilt, angle to face, and throw. Many parameters have sliders right in object info.

BeamViz now has four re-draw modes: Fixed throw (focus), Fixed throw (Light), Fixed Light and Fixed Focus. The first two will keep the selected point fixed and adjust pan and tilt to keep the throw constant. The latter will keep the face plane and hanging heights constant, and adjust the throw according to pan and tilt. The mode choices affect moving, rotating, dragging control points, and changing parameter fields like pan, tilt, and throw.

A new insertion tool lets you place the beam by instrument location, focus point location, or by drawing a line designating the throw. It can also detect hanging position height on insertion.

More beam control parameters, like rotated gate, zoom, and iris.

Control points now work in 3D, including light, focus, and shutters. You can grab a shutter point and cut to any point in your model!

Unlimited additional cut planes, each with a toggle to hide or show.

In orthogonal side-aligned (side, front, etc) views, moving the beam works as though a section. For example, moving or nudging while in fixed-focus mode will change the hanging height. You can also edit the beam via live editing of a section viewport

Smoother rendering of open conics.

User-defined text labels at the focus and hanging points with simplified data fields, as well as an option to use a symbol for either indicator.

‘Get From Light info’ now only lists data in the current document, with the ability to use the resource manager to browse the data from any light in the Vectorworks library.

Re-trim Position Height button to change the height of selected beams, maintaining tilt (angle to face). This is useful for transferring to new venues or changing system pipe trims.

Bi-directional links
- If a beam is assigned to a Spotlight focus point, moving the focus point will refresh the beam.
- If a beam is linked to a Lighting Device, editing the Lighting Device instantly updates the beam. Note, currently changing the location of a Hanging Position will move attached Lighting Devices, but not corresponding beams.
Commands to change the current view to ‘view from light’, ‘look at light’, or to ‘view section’ (technically a side elevation).

Turning on the render light is a lot more straightforwards, and you can visualize iris and shutters in OpenGL. Also for rendering: an option for soft shutters, to project a gobo, and to use a gel color.

Requirements

Vectorworks 2019 or higher

Installation

The BeamViz installer package is a .vwlibrary file. Other Vectorworks plug-ins may be zip files, which must remain zipped. If your system automatically unzips archives, right-click on the download link and select “Save Link As” to prevent your browser from auto-expanding the download.
In Vectorworks, select Tools > Plug-ins > Plug-in Manager
Select the Third-party plug-ins page
Click the Install… button
Navigate to and select the saved installer zip file
Read and confirm the EULA
Vectorworks should notify you that installation is complete and to restart Vectorworks

If you experience trouble with the install script, please see the following FAQ on where plug-ins install .

Support

Please visit http://BenghiatLighting.com/software/support for support options and to report bugs.

You may also email software(at)BenghiatLighting.com.

Getting Started

When the installation completes, restart Vectorworks and select Tools>Workspaces>Spotlight+BeamViz. The BeamViz workspace is similar to the Vectorworks Spotlight workspace, but with a BeamViz palette containing the BeamViz Tools, and a BeamViz menu. Use the About BeamViz… menu item or the About… button in Object Info to enter your BeamViz registration or demo code.

Adding to an Existing Workspace

To add BeamViz to an existing workspace:

Select Tools>Workspaces>Workspaces… Then select Edit in the pop-up window.
In the Menus tab, click the disclosure triangle next to BeamViz in the list of Menu categories on the left hand side.
Drag all the commands to an existing menu on the right or create a new menu.
Select the Tools tab.
Click the disclosure triangle next to BeamViz in the list of Tools categories on the left hand side.
Drag all of the Beam Draw Plug-In Objects to an existing palette on the right or create a new palette.
If you want to use the Beam Draw tool set icon, you can find it installed in your user workspaces folder.
Click OK .

Screen Shot 2019 08 02 at 12.57.33 AM

Registration

The first time you use the BeamViz, you will be asked for a registration number or demo code. You can also access the registration dialog through the “About” button in the Object Info palette or the About BeamViz… menu item.. The BeamViz objects will not draw without a valid code.

Overview

BeamViz allows you to visualize a beam of light in both plan view and 3D, helping you to choose proper instrument type and location. The beam instantly redraws if you change its beam angle, focus location, or instrument position.

The following diagram shows some of the terminology used by BeamViz:

Beam example_opt

BeamViz utilizes Plug-In Objects, meaning it draws beams according to a set of user-definable parameters, including beam angle, position height, and face plane. You will find a full list of parameters described for each object. You can edit an object’s parameters in the Object Info Palette.

Mode_Bar

The full BeamViz package includes several plug-in objects and menus. Please visit the Beam Draw Quickguide page for a brief introduction to each BeamViz component. (New Beamviz Quickguide coming soon)

Workflow

Here is a sample workflow for using BeamViz to visualize a system of lights. Please see the Quickguide as well as the detailed descriptions of each component to determine how to best incorporate BeamViz into your design process.

Insert in the Drawing

Click on the BeamViz Tool icon .
Click on the drawing in the approximate plan location where you would like the light to hang.
Drag the beam edge or focus point (indicated by a locus) to the point you would stand when focusing the light. The size and shape of the beam will change accordingly.
Alternatively, you can insert the beam at its focus point and drag the boxed control point to a hanging position. Y our cursor will change to a double arrow when it is over the control point.
You can also use nudge (shift+arrow) or grid nudge (cmd/ctrl+shift+arrow) to fine tune the beam based on your fixed parameter (focus location or fixture location). The default is Light Location.

Adjusting Parameters

Many aspects of the beam are controllable though parameters in the Object Info Palette.

BeamViz’s parameters are organized into the following sections:

Fixed Parameter during interaction

The Beam object’s fixed parameter during interaction determines how the object reacts to moves, drags, nudges, and rotations.

Throw & Light Location is similar to the old ‘fixed’ mode. The hanging point remains fixed, dragging will move the light and it’s focus point, maintaining throw. Panning/Tilting will adjust the focus point and the height of the face plane, the fixture remains in place.

Throw & Focus Location maintains the focus point and throw distance. Dragging will move the light and the focus point, maintaining throw. Panning/tilting will adjust the fixture location/height around the focus point, the face plain remains fixed.

Light Location is the same as Beam Draw’s ‘Dynamic’ mode. Dragging the beam will move the focus point. Panning/Tilting will move the beam as if you were actually focusing the light. The face plain is maintained.

Focus Location keeps the focus point fixed, dragging the beam will pivot the light around the focus point. Panning/Tilting will do the same.

Focus Point

If you have any Spotlight focus points, they will appear in this drop-down. BeamViz will adjust the focus point to that location and face plane height. It will also auto-populate the ‘focus area’ field with the point’s name.

Location

You’ll want to make sure your beam is being calculated from the correct height with the Hanging Height parameter. Use Distance to Clamp to drop (positive distance) or raise (negative distance ie. top-hanging) the origin of the beam below the position to its focal point. If you have lighting positions with z height values, press the Pickup Height button below the field.

The Re-Trim Position Height button allows you to adjust the hanging height of the instrument outright or relatively, while maintaining tilt (angle to face). This is useful for transferring to new venues or changing system pipe trims.

You can also specify either the lighting instrument’s xy coordinates or its distance from the focus point.

Focus

These fields relate to the focus area. All fields can receive user input, which will alter the location of the focus point.

Face Plane sets the height of your instrument’s focus and is the main cut plane for BeamViz objects. You can also specify an additional cut plane at any height (even negative) and select an option to show the beam at floor level.

Angle to face is the angle from the face to the light. Straight top light is 90°. Changing this value will adjust the beam based on the Fixed Parameters setting.

Throw is the distance from the light to your focus point. Changing this value will adjust the beam based on the Fixed Parameters setting.

Throw △ X and △Y is the plan distance between the light and focus point.

The Pan/Tilt sliders will focus the light relative to the beam object’s rotation (top of the OIP).

Optics

You can set the Field and Beam angles. Use a Beam angle of “0” to visualize only the field angle. You can also press the Get Light Info Data button to access the beam and field angles and candlepower stored in the Light Info Record of your symbols. The symbols that shipped with Spotlight as well as those commercially available, like Soft Symbols , have photometric data already attached to them. Use the Use Light Info for Selected menu command to apply Light Info data to more than one beam object.

The drop-down menu allows you to select which type of fixture you are using: Standard (Fixed focus leko), PAR, or zoom. The PAR option will add a bottle rotation slider above, add additional fields for the Horizontal beam information, and change the shutter sliders to barndoors. Zoom will add a zoom slider, and additional fields to input the widest angle of the light (Beam Angle should be the narrowest, Beam angle 2 the widest).

Focus Area Options

Orientation relates to how the beam is cut, or how 2D the oval is drawn. Horizonal is the default option, it cuts the beam straight across at the face plane. Aligned cuts the beam on a plane perpendicular to the beam at the focus point.

Face Plane refers to the height of the plane on which beams are drawn. Usually 6′-0″ or 5′-9″.

Show Floor will show the beam at the 0’-0” plane.

Width at Focus refers to the width of the beam at the focus point.

Additional cut plane Draws a cut plane at any level. Useful for checking obstructions or coverage at unusual heights. The use a negative value to view a plane below the 0’-0”plane, for example to cut off the audience below the stage level. BeamViz supports unlimited additional cut planes, they can be toggled between using the navigation arrows.

Display Options

You have a number of options controlling the graphical information in the Beam Draw object. See the terminology diagrams above and the parameter reference for more details.

Many of the Beam’s components can also show and hide via class controls.

The first option is Show Beam . Deselecting this option will indicate the beam’s pan and channel at the hanging point, and can be a useful feature for creating rough plots.

Additional coverage can be shown using the dropdown. Face to Floor , Face to Additional Cut Plane , and Additional Cut Plane to Floor .

Show Focus Point displays a locus at the focus point on the face plane. It is checked by default.

Show Focus Vector Draws a line from the source to the focus point. Applies to both 2D and 3D views.

Show Focus Point at Floor displays a locus at the focus point on the 0’-0” plane.

The Focus Indicator is usually a locus, but can be changed to any symbol using the drop down.

Show Figure when selected places a 3D figure at the focus point.

You can add Focus Labels to your BeamViz object, enabled by a check box. You can input any text into the field, or use the Edit… button to append / prepend that text with any Beam information, such as Channel or an X/Y coordinate. This is potentially useful for streamlining focus charts. The Focus Label can be offset in the boxes below. Currently the default alignment is top left justify, to change this or the label’s font, the focus label’s class must have an assigned default text style.

Shutter Cuts & Iris

To visualize shutter cuts, make sure Show is checked. You can adjust shutters with sliders that show you real-time adjustments. This option is perfect for visually matching cuts to scenery. You can also drag shutters via a control point right in the drawing or enter a depth and rotation in Obj Info. In 2D All shutters are dragged on the face-plane, however in 3D a shutter control point to snap to an object on any plane. This is useful when cutting to a multi-tiered set.

For another real-world analog, you can now rotate the gate by using the slider or inputting a value.

There is also an iris slider, based on percentage.

Resolution

BeamViz optimizes both 2D and 3D geometry, so you can generally leave this setting on High. If you switch to Low , the polygon resolution Factor can be adjusted from the default of 15.

Rendering Options

Select Add Light to include a rendering light that matches the beam’s parameters. The Light is also accessible in the Visualization Palette. The rendering light will be shaped by any shutter cuts, though elliptical beams are rendered as round. When the Add Light option is enabled, beams render as transparent.

The Light Only option will hide the BeamViz cone, more clearly showing the rendered light source. Soften shutters only works in Renderworks. You can also project a gobo image (Note: OpenGL renders gobos as inverted, Renderworks displays them correctly). The gobo image can also be scaled and rotated. Lastly, beams can be given a gel color, and will render accordingly

*Note: for any 3D lights to be seen, they need to be hitting an actual 3D solid object, otherwise you will not see the light in OpenGL or Renderworks.

Tip: To see the actual cone of light as if in haze or fog, open the Visualisation Palette and right click on the light you want to see, select Edit. In the properties pop-up check the “lit fog” box. The rendered cone is now visible.

Simple 3D will draw the beam as cut planes and cone edge rays instead of a solid beam.

Paperwork Info

Attach Channel , Purpose, and Focus Area data to the beam. Channels are shown with the beam object, with the text attributes being set by Vectorworks’s Text menu. The Channel and Purpose will transfer to any Lighting Devices create with Beam Draw’s Convert Beam to Instrument command. The Focus Area will append the Purpose, ie Front US . You can also use Beams with channels to create magic sheet layouts .

Classes

You can assign a class to most of the Beam’s geometry. Select Auto-Class to create and assign classes to each possible component.

Settings

The Settings button raises a dialog where you can set the default class and Move to Layer prefix for all new Beam objects. There is also an option to set which interactive mode to use when duplication beams. The following consolidated calculations (computed beam information) can be displayed in the OIP (object info Palette). This section includes calculated information about the beam at its specified focus:

Throw (True distance)
Pan
Tilt
Angle to Face
Width at Focus
Illuminance (Footcandles)

Viewing the Beam in 3D

Switch to a 3D view. The beam will continue to reshape if moved in 3D.
You may want to hold down the shift key while moving the beam in 3D so its focus height does not change.
If you have Spotlight Focus Points defined, use the pull-down menu at the top of Object Info to easily refocus your beams in 3D.
The Beam’s translucent surface comes from its texture. You can either edit the Light Beam texture or override it using the Floor Oval and Face Oval class controls.

BD_3D

Menu Commands

Convert Section Object to BeamViz Object

You can convert a BeamViz Section object to a regular BeamViz Object. Hightlight the section object and select the menu Beamviz>Convert Section Obj to BeamViz Obj . The first click will drop the focus point, the second click serves as a rotate for you to set where the fixture will land in plan.

Cycle BV Interactive Mode

Allows you to change your interactive mode without clicking on the radial buttons. The default hotkey to do this is Option+Command+R.

Apply Light Info to Beams

Will update selected beams with info to match a lighting symbol in the current document. Any symbol from a favorite file can also be selected through the resource manager.

Reverse and Repeat

You can easily reverse and repeat beams across the x=0 centerline. Shutter cuts and bottle rotations are also reversed.

Select the beam objects you want to reverse and repeat. They can be any mix of BeamViz Objects, Pars, and Sections.
Select the menu Reverse and Repeat BeamViz Objects .

You can also use the Mirror Tool to reverse and repeat beams across arbitrary vertical or horizontal planes of reflection.

BD_R-and-R

Channeling Beams

If you’re working with a single system of beams, you may find it useful to assign channel numbers.

If no beams are selected, the command channels all beams on the current layer. Otherwise the command works with selected beams of any type.
Choose the menu command Channel BeamViz .
You will see a dialog allowing you to select the first channel and the direction channels will number.
If you find yourself needing to channel beams in more complex arrangements, you may be interested in the Savvy Sequencer.
The channel displays at the focus point. You can change the font and size using the Text menu.
Select a beam, and at the bottom make sure Show Paperwork Info is checked. You can manually set channel and purpose here. Those fields can automatically transfer when a beam is turned into a Spotlight Lighting Device.
Uncheck the Show Beam parameter and select Display Field Angle. The beam object reduces to the focus point (if it’s shown) and the instrument location, with the channel, field angle, and direction displayed. This is useful for creating a rough plot from your beans.

Converting BeamViz to Spotlight Lighting Devices

Select the BeamViz objects you wish to convert. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
A dialog will ask you to match each field angle with a symbol in your document. There is also a set of symbols whose field angles are close to your selected beam.
Choose if you want the symbols aligned to the drawing grid and rotated to the nearest 90°.
Any channel and purpose data entered into your BeamViz objects will be transferred to your Lighting Devices, along with focus, hanging height, shutters, bottle rotation, and all the default values from the symbol’s Light Info Record.
You have the option to link the Lighting Device to your BeamViz object. Any changes to the BeamViz object will push to the Lighting Device. BeamViz will also pull changes in position from the Lighting Device. Note this is not automatic, and you will need to manually refresh the BeamViz Object. If you do not want that to happen, check “Ignore location changes” (this is useful when working with lights not in true plan position, such as on a vertical position). Also note that changing beam and field angles will not automatically change the instrument type.
You have the option to create a Spotlight Focus Point at the focus point for each beam. The Convert command will first look for existing focus points at the given location and position, and if found assign the Lighting Device and BeamViz Object to those points.
You can create Lighting Devices on any layer. This can be useful if you have stored each system of beams in its own layer and are in the process of converting your rough plot to Lighting Devices.

Convert Beams to Vertical Position

We will take the 6 sidelights drawn here in true location and convert them to a ladder position. The ladder position will be presented on it’s own plate, as such it is drawn straight up/down on the page. The other common way of approaching this is ‘folding’ the position back on the page. This ladder is 3 rungs tall at 1’-9” spacing. The trim height is +18’-0” from the stage to the center of the bottom rung Screen Shot 2019 08 04 at 10.30.16 AM

As usual, highlight the BeamViz objects you would like to convert and select the menu command BeamViz>Convert BeamViz to Instrument
In the pop-up, ensure Create Vertical Position is checked.
After clicking OK, you will be prompted to select the direction of your vertical position. The first click will initiate the process.
The second click will point the arrow in the direction of the position. Because the ladder is running US/DS I will click above the ladder.
The third click will set the direction in which the lights are drawn on the position. I want my DS most unit on the right-hand side on the page, so I will point the arrow towards the left.
You will now see a preview of dashed boxes representing instruments drawn when you move your mouse around. Since the ladder trims at 18’ off of the deck, the lights will appear 18’ above the cursor. Hover the mouse underneath the position at your 0’-0“ height, and line up the boxes.
Now click, you will be given the option to rotate the lights if you need to. Clicking again will draw the lights.
The lights are now drawn on your ladder!

Move Beams to a Layer

Select the beams you wish to file on another layer. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
Select the Move BeamViz Objects to Layer menu command.
You will be prompted for a suffix name for the layer, usually the system name. The layer name can be new or existing.
You can choose whether to hide or show the layer and to deselect the Show Beam parameter. If you are building a rough plot, you may wish to make the new layer visible and to have the command turn off Show Beam. If you have already converted your beams to Lighting Devices, you may wish to hide the new layer.
Click OK, now the beams are moved.

alt

Select BeamViz Objects

The Select BeamViz Objects menu command will select all BeamViz objects on the current layer. If your Layer Option is set to Show/Snap/Modify, all BeamViz objects will be selected across layers.

BeamViz Settings

The BeamViz Settings menu command allows you to set the default base class and layer prefix, set the Interactive mode when duplicating, chose which consolidated calculations to display, and where they are displayed in the Object Info Palette, as well as choosing whether hiding the beam hides the focus vector as well. You have the option to save defaults for all new documents.

Creating a Consistent System of Lights

Use BeamViz to select the proper position, beam angle, and focus of one light. You may find it useful to have a paper section in front of you, use BeamViz Sections with a Vectorworks section, or to examine the beam in a 3D side view. Hint: BeamViz also computes the distance and angle to the face.
Set the beam’s fixed parameter to Throw & Light Location .
You can also use the menu command Cycle BamViz Redraw Mode , which can have a keyboard shortcut, to cycle the fixed parameter.
You can now duplicate, duplicate array, or option/alt-drag the beam, and the instrument location will move, keeping the shape of the beam constant.
You can still make adjustments to the Beam’s hanging location control point while in Throw & Light Location mode.

Making a Magic Sheet

If you channeled your beams, you can easily lay out a magic sheet.

Switch to a sheet layer.
If you like, use viewports to create a cropped, miniature version of the set. Make sure the 0,0 point of your drawing is snappable in the viewport.
Select the BeamViz Magic tool.
Click in the drawing at the 0,0 point of your magic sheet.
Use Object Info to pick a layer — all channeled beams will appear as numbers in the Magic object.
Set a scale in Obj Info (e.g. 1/8″=1′-0″ would be 96).
Set the font for the channel numbers via the text menu.
Use Object Info to provide an offset for all channels (e.g. numbers are +10) or show them reverse and repeated. You can also ensure a near/center/far numbering pattern.
The Move by Points tool can be useful for duplicating your Magic object / viewport combination.

In Detail

BeamViz

Overview

BeamViz allows you to visualize the coverage of a beam of light in plan view. Each beam is a separate Plug-In Object with easily adjustable hanging and focus points. BeamViz will reshape as you move the focus across the drawing, and it will even show hyperbolic and triangular intersection with the face plane. BeamViz can also show how the same beam will hit the floor as well as show the beam in 3D views.

Instructions

Click on the BeamViz Tool icon
Click on the drawing in the approximate plan location where you would like the light to hang.
Drag the beam edge or focus point (indicated by a locus) to the point you would stand when focusing the light. The size and shape of the beam will change accordingly.
Alternatively, you can insert the beam at its focus point and drag the boxed control point to a hanging position. Your cursor will change to a double arrow when it is over the control point.
You can also use nudge (shift+arrow) to fine tune the focus point.
Adjust parameters of the beam in the Object Info palette.
If you are viewing shutter cuts, you can adjust the shutters in Object Info as well as by dragging the four control points in the drawing.

See the Workflow for more details.

Parameters

The BeamViz parameters can be edited in the Object Info Palette. To set parameter defaults, see the Overview .

If checked, a locus is drawn at the focus point.

Parameter	Description
x, y	The coordinates of the focus point.
Z	The height of your floor cut plane. The Face Plane and Additional Cut Plane measure from this height. Your Position Height should not take the z height into account — if you are using the z value to set a deck or trap level, for example, your Position Height should still measure from z = 0, and BeamViz will do the math.
Fixed Parameter	Throw & Light Location is similar to the old ‘fixed’ mode. The hanging point remains fixed, dragging will move the light and it’s focus point, maintaining throw. Panning/Tilting will adjust the focus point and the height of the face plane, the fixture remains in place. Throw & Focus Location maintains the focus point and throw distance. Dragging will move the light and the focus point, maintaining throw. Panning/tilting will adjust the fixture location/height around the focus point, the face plain remains fixed. Light Location is the same as Beam Draw’s ‘Dynamic’ mode. Dragging the beam will move the focus point. Panning/Tilting will move the beam as if you were actually focusing the light. The face plain is maintained. Focus Location keeps the focus point fixed, dragging the beam will pivot the light around the focus point. Panning/Tilting will do the same.
Focus Point	Select an existing Spotlight Focus Point, and the beam will refocus to that point. You can also set the focus anywhere, and the field will display, “Custom.”
Location
Hanging Height	The height of the lighting position. This should be the trim height from the floor (z = 0) to the center of the pipe.
Pick up height	This button will change the position height to the z height of any 3D object below the instrument location. This does not change dynamically and will happen when you press the button.
Re-Trim position height	This button will change the height of selected beams, maintaining tilt (angle to face).
Distance to Clamp	The distance from the hanging position to the source point in the lighting instrument. The height of the beam is computed as Position Height – Distance to Clamp. Use a negative value to overhang the light. If the light is overhung, BeamViz objects will show an indicator next to the instrument location, and when converting to Lighting Devices, the 3D component will be overhung.
Instrument X, Y	The coordinates of the lighting instrument.
Instrument Distance X, Y	The x and y distances from the focus point to the lighting instrument.
Focus Options
Face Plane	The height of the plane on which beams are drawn. Usually 6′-0″ or 5′-9″.
Show Floor	If checked, will draw the beam at both head height and as it falls on the floor.
Throw	Throw Distance from the unit to the focus point. Can be altered.
Throw △X and △Y	The Plan Distance and height from the unit to the focus point.
Pan, Tilt Sliders	These sliders will Pan / Tilt the light respectively as if you were focusing it.
Optics
Instrument Type	Set the instrument type here, Standard (fixed ellipsoidal), Zoom ellipsoidal, or PAR. Zoom will add a zoom slider, PAR will add a second Beam and Field angle input, as well as a bottle rotation option.
Field Angle	The field angle of the beam.
Beam Angle	The beam angle of the beam. If you do not want to draw the beam angle, enter a value of 0. If you only want to draw the beam angle, enter it in field angle.
Peak Candela	The peak candela of the beam. This is optional and used for computing foot-candles.
Correction Factor	The factor used when calculating footcandles using different lamp wattages.
Footcandles	The calculated brightness at the focus point.
Get Light Info Data	Launches a dialog where you can select beam and field data from the symbols in your document and the symbols in your default file. BeamViz will display the footcandles each unit type will output at the current throw.
Focus Area
Orientation	Draws the plan ovals based on Horizontal orientation (typical choice, straight across at the head-high plane), or an Aligned orientation (perpendicular to the focus point).
Show Floor	Displays the beam as it lands on the floor plane (z=0).
Additional Cut Plane	Draws a cut plane at any level. Useful for checking obstructions or coverage at unusual heights. Use a negative value to view a plane below the floor, for example to cut off the audience below the stage level. BeamViz supports multiple cut planes.
Display Options
Show Beam	Show or hide the beam ovals, cone edge lines, and focus vector. If hidden, an arrow at the instrument location will show which direction the beam focuses. Deselecting this option is useful for creating rough plots.
Cone Edge Lines	Draws the extents of the beam from origin to focus in Top/Plan view. The cone edge lines adjust to your shutter cuts.
Show Coverage	Shows the full coverage of a beam from one cut plane to another. Showing from Face Plane to Floor Plane, for example, will show you the area of full body coverage. The options are: None Face to Floor Face to Additional Additional to Floor
Show Focus Point	Draws a locus at the focus point (center of beam at the face plane). The focus point can also be shown at the floor. The indicator can be changed to a symbol by using the drop-down.
Show Focus Vector	Draws a line from the source to the focus point. Applies to both 2D and 3D views.
Show Figure when Selected	Draws a 3D Figure from the floor to the focus point (at the face plan)
Show Focus Labels	Displays focus labels / text at the focus point.
Focus Text	Text to be displayed at the focus point, multiple parameters (channel, purpose, etc.) can also be displayed via the Edit button. The labels can also be offset.
Indicate Inst. with	A box or locus at the instrument location. Applies to both 2D and 3D views.
Display Field Angle	Displays the Field Angle next to the unit
Show Instrument Lables	Displays any Light Text beside the instrument.
Light Text	Similar to Focus Text , multiple parameters may also be displayed beside the lighting fixture. This info may be offset as well.
Shutter Cuts
Show	Select for the ability to specify shutter cuts. If you hide cuts, the shutter parameters will still be retained.
Shutter % Depths	The percentage to push in a shutter. 100% is at the focus point. You can also use control points in the drawing to drag shutter cuts or the sliders in the Interactive Shutter Alignment dialog.
Shutter Angles	The angle of each shutter
Use Screen Angles	The default option of Screen Angles allows you to specify shutter racks based on the top / plan angle you want for the cut. Disabling the option shows you the angle of the cut with respect to the actual gate, providing more accurate previzualization of your shutter cuts.
Interactive Shutter Adjustment	The Interactive Shutter sliders let you control shutter depths and angles .
Reset Shutters	Pulls out all the shutters.
Gate Rotation	A slider will allow you to rotate the entire gate of the unit. +/- 45º. More rotation can be entered manually.
Iris	A slider will adjust the size of the beam based on percentage,100% is open.
Resolution
Resolution	Select “Low” to simplify geometry. Because BeamViz uses ovals and NURBS curves, you will rarely see a benefit in reducing the resolution.
Factor	Set the resolution for the Low Resolution option. 180 is a fairly full resolution. 4 should be the minimum.
Rendering Options
Add Light	Includes a rendering light that matches the beam’s parameters. The Light is also accessible in the Visualization Palette. The rendering light will be shaped by any shutter cuts, though elliptical beams are rendered as round. When the Add Light option is enabled, beams render as transparent. The light will only show as a pool of light using Renderworks rendering. *Note the light must be hitting a solid 3D object in order to be seen when rendering. The cone of light can be seen if “lit fog” is enabled through the Visualisation Palette.
Light Only	Displays only the added 3D render light. The drawn BeamViz beam will be hidden.
Soften Shutters	Visible only when rendering, this option slightly softens the shutter cuts.
Project Gobo	Select an image to use as if the unit had a gobo. OpenGL renders gobos as inverted, Renderworks displays them correctly. The gobo can be scaled and rotated.
Simple 3D	Simple 3D will draw the beam as cut planes and cone edge rays instead of a solid beam.
Gel	A gel color can be input and will apply to the rendered beam. Color will be seen more clearly if you chose the Light Only option.
Paperwork ID
Show Paperwork Info	Shows options to indicate a channel and purpose to keep track of your beams.
Channel	The channel number will show at the focus point if the beam is shown or at the instrument location if it is hidden. The channel can be used to create a Beam Draw Magic sheet object. The channel will also transfer when a beam is converted to a Spotlight lighting device.
Purpose	The purpose will transfer when a beam is converted to a Spotlight lighting device.
Focus Area	Focus Area will append the Purpose, ie Front US .
Computed Info
True Distance	The actual distance between the instrument and focus point. Useful for finding the light’s intensity at the face. Do not edit this field as it is computed by the object script.
Angle to face	The angle from the face to the light. Straight top light is 90°.
Pan	The degrees from straight up on the page (US, North, etc)
Tilt	The degrees from straight down.
Maximum Width	The maximum width of the beam at head height.
Foot-candles	The computed intensity of the light.
Classes
Auto-Class	This option will create sub-classes based on the object’s overall class, and assign those classes to component parts. Beam Draw will only create new classes for component parts that are enabled to draw.
Class Settings	The following parts can be individually classed or be set to use the same class as the overall object: Floor Oval (2D and 3D) Face Oval (2D and 3D) Additional Plane Oval (2D and 3D) Coverage Focus Point (2D and 3D) Focus Vector (2D and 3D) Cone Edge Instrument Location (2D and 3D) Field Angle Text Channel Text
Settings	Set the default base class and layer prefix. You have the option to save defaults for all new documents.
About	See Beam Draw version and license information.

PAR Objects

Parameter	Description
See Beam Draw Parameters, with the following exceptions
Barndoors	PAR Objects can have barndoors. just as the shutter option with ellipsoidals.
Field Angle H	The horizontal field angle
Field Angle V	The vertical field angle
Beam Angle H	The horizontal beam angle
Beam Angle V	The vertical beam angle
Bottle Rotation	The angle of bottle rotation. The bottle can also be rotated via a control point in the drawing.
Get Light Info Data	Will show and return H & V field and beam angles.

BeamViz Section

Overview

BeamViz Section allows you to draw a 2D triangle of light showing an instrument’s spread in section. You can select beam and field angles for the beam, visualize shutter cuts, display a figure as well as identify an area with minimum coverage width.

In order to keep beams from extending infinitely, the BeamViz Section has four display modes, selectable in object info:

Mode	Description
Control Points	The beam will terminate at the two drag-able control points that also define shutter cuts. Shutter cut control points are available in the other modes, but they only affect the beam ends in this mode.
Horizontal	The beam ends will terminate on a line horizontal with the focus point.
Vertical	The beam ends will terminate on a line vertical with the focus point. This option is useful for visualizing illumination of drops or scenery.
Focus Area	The beam ends will terminate at the floor, as defined by the face plane. In this mode, you also have the option to view a figure whose head is at your focus point.

Instructions

Click on the BeamViz Section Tool icon
Click and drag from the gate of your light to your focus point, this mode is called light to focus . If you would rather drag in the opposite direction, use the focus to light mode.
If you don’t have representations of lighting instruments in your section, you can end the line at the hanging position. Next, click the button labeled “Shift by clamp height,” and your beam will compensate.
Adjust the section’s options, including Field Angle in Object Info.
To visualize shutters, make sure “Draw Shutters” is selected in Object Info. You will see a control point handle towards the ends of the beam section. Drag the point, and the shutter cut will pass through the point. You cannot open the shutters wider than the field angle permits.

Parameters

Parameter	Description
x, y	The coordinates of the origin of your beam, the gate of your light.
z	If you want to use the 2D section in a 3D plane, this is the distance above the working plane.
Rotation	The angle from the light to the focus point.
Beam Options
Throw Distance	The distance from the light to your focus point.
Field Angle	The field angle of the beam.
Beam Angle	The beam angle of the beam. If you do not want to draw the beam angle, enter a value of 0. If you only want to draw the beam angle, enter it in Field Angle.
Peak Candela	The peak candela of the beam. This is optional and used for computing footcandles.
Get Light Info Data	Opens a dialog where you can select beam and field data from the symbols in your document and the symbols in your default file. Beam Draw will display the footcandles each unit type will output at the current throw.
Display Options
Show Beam	Deselect to hide the beam edges. You will see a locus at the origin of your beam. If shown, your figure will stay visible.
Display Field Angle	Select to show the field angle indicated next to the beam origin.
Show Shutters	Select to show shutter cuts and the shutter cut control point handles. If you deselect, any shutter cuts you made will still be preserved.
Reset Shutters	Press this button to completely open the shutter cuts. Useful if your shutters are all the way in to the center of the beam.
Beam Ends	This mode option determines where the ends of the beam terminate. See the explanation in the Overview .
Extend	Extend the beam a distance beyond the points defined in Beam Ends.
Focus Area Options (Available in Focus Area mode)
Face Plane	The height above the floor to which the beam is focused.
Show Figure	Draws a 6′ figure at the focus point. You also have a control point handle at the figure’s feet.
Flip	Draws the figure facing the other direction.
Show area limits	Use this option to visualize coverage in the plane perpendicular to the section. For example, say you want to see coverage for an 8′ area. After setting Area Width to 8′, you will see a rectangular area that shows the limits of your 8′ area.
Area Width	The width of minimum coverage shown in Show Area Limits.
Origin Options
Show Clamp Position	Draws a locus and dragable control point at the instrument’s C-clamp.
Distance to clamp	The distance from the light’s gate to the hanging point of the C-clamp.
Shift by clamp height	Shifts the origin of the beam down to compensate for the distance between the C-clamp and the light’s origin at the gate. Useful if you are drawing the section between the hanging position and the focus point, rather than a sectioned view of the lighting instrument.
-Computed Info-
Throw Dist	The distance from the light to the focus point.
Angle to Face	The angle from the face to the light. Straight top light is 90°.
Footcandles	The computed intensity of the light.
Maximum Width	The maximum width of the beam at head height.
Classes
Auto-Class	This option will create sub-classes based on the object’s overall class, and assign those classes to component parts. Beam Draw will only create new classes for component parts that are enabled to draw.
Class Settings	The following parts can be individually classed or be set to use the same class as the overall object: Field Edge Beam Edge Focus Vector Figure Coverage Angle Text
Settings	Set the default base class and layer prefix. You have the option to save defaults for all new documents.
About	See Beam Draw version and license information.

Cycle BV Interactive Mode

Overview

Use this command to cycle through the four Redraw modes of selected BeamViz Objects. The modes will cycle between: Throw & Light Location, Throw & Focus Location, Light Location, and Focus Location.

Section Beam to Plan

Overview

This command lets you take a selected BeamViz Section and insert a BeamViz object with the same parameters, focus, and shutter cuts.

Instructions

Select a single BeamViz Section object.
Choose the Section Beam to Plan command.
Click in the drawing to place the BeamViz object. The preview shape will give you a rough idea of the Beam’s size and show its focus vector. The following options are available in the mode bar:

Section to Plan Modes

Instrument mode Click in the drawing to insert the Beam object at the hanging point

Focus mode Click in the drawing to insert the Beam object at the focus point

Draw throw

You can also set the Deck Height, which will give the BeamViz object a Z height.

Apply Light Info to Beams

Overview

This command will utilize data attached to your symbols to provide you with a library of beam angles, field angles, and peak candela to apply to your BeamViz Objects. The data is extracted from the Light Info Record in your symbol definitions. The symbols that shipped with Spotlight as well as those commercially available, like Soft Symbols , have photometric data already attached to them.

Data will be shown for symbol definitions in your current document as well as those in your Spotlight Default content folder.

Instructions

Select any mix of BeamViz and Section objects.
Choose the Use Light Info for Selected menu command.
You will see any photometric data attached to the symbol resources in your drawing as well as those in the Spotlight Default content.
BeamViz computes the brightness, in footcandles, for the first selected BeamViz object in your drawing.
Select a symbol whose data you want to use.
If you only want to use the field angle, click Ignore Beam Ang , otherwise, click OK .
Your beams will now use the data you selected.

Apply Light info Fixed

Reverse and Repeat BeamViz Objects

Overview

You can easily reverse and repeat beams across the x=0 centerline. Shutter cuts and bottle rotations are also reversed. The command will work on BeamViz, and BeamViz Section objects. You can also use the Mirror Tool to reflect beams across any horizontal or vertical line of reflection.

Instructions

Select the beam objects you want to reverse and repeat. They can be any mix of BeamViz and Beamviz Sections.
Select the menu Reverse and Repeat BeamViz Objects .

BD_R-and-R

Channel BeamViz

Overview

Instructions

If no beams are selected, the command channels all beams on the current layer. Otherwise the command works with selected beams of any type.
Choose the menu Channel BeamViz Objects .
You will see a dialog allowing you to select the first channel and the direction channels will number.
The channel displays at the focus point. You can change the font and size using the Text menu.
Select a beam, and at the bottom make sure Show Paperwork Info is checked. You can manually set channel and purpose here. Those fields can automatically transfer when a beam is turned into a Spotlight Lighting Device.

BD_Rough_Style

Convert BeamViz to Instrument

Overview

This command allows you to insert Spotlight Lighting Devices or instrument symbols for each of the beams. You can easily match beam angles to unit types.

Instructions

Select the BeamViz objects you wish to convert. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
A dialog will ask you to match each field angle with a symbol in your document. There is also a set of symbols whose field angles are close to your selected beam.
Choose if you want the symbols aligned to the drawing grid and rotated to the nearest 90°.
Any channel and purpose data entered into your BeamViz objects will be transferred to your Lighting Devices, along with focus, hanging height, shutters, bottle rotation, and all the default values from the symbol’s Light Info Record.
You have the option to link the Lighting Device to your BeamViz object. Any changes to the BeamViz object will push to the Lighting Device. BeamViz will also pull changes in position from the Lighting Device. Note this is not automatic, and you will need to manually refresh the BeamViz Object. If you do not want that to happen, check “Ignore location changes” (this is useful when working with lights not in true plan position, such as on a vertical position). Also note that changing beam and field angles will not automatically change the instrument type.
You have the option to create a Spotlight Focus Point at the focus point for each beam. The Convert command will first look for existing focus points at the given location and position, and if found assign the Lighting Device and BeamViz Object to those points.
You can create Lighting Devices on any layer. This can be useful if you have stored each system of beams in its own layer and are in the process of converting your rough plot to Lighting Devices.

Move BeamViz Objs to Layer

Overview

Once you have created a system of beams, you can easily move them to a new layer and begin a new system.

Instructions

Select the beams you wish to file on another layer. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
Select the Move BeamViz Objects to Layer menu command.
You will be prompted for a suffix name for the layer, usually the system name. The layer name can be new or existing.
You can choose whether to hide or show the layer and to deselect the Show Beam parameter. If you are building a rough plot, you may wish to make the new layer visible and to have the command turn off Show Beam. If you have already converted your beams to Lighting Devices, you may wish to hide the new layer.
Click OK, now the beams are moved.

alt

Select BeamViz Objects

Overview

Use this command to select all Beam Draw objects.

Select BeamViz by Channel

Overview

Enter a channel range of beams to select.

BeamViz Settings…

Overview

Opens a dialogue which allows you to set the default base class and layer prefix, set the Interactive mode when duplicating, chose which consolidated calculations to display, and where they are displayed in the Object Info Palette, as well as choosing whether hiding the beam hides the focus vector as well. You have the option to save defaults for all new documents.

Open BeamViz Online User Guide

Overview

Go to the User Guide on the web.

BeamViz FAQ

Overview

Go to the FAQ on the web.

Submit a BeamViz Bug

Overview

Submit a bug report on the web.

About BeamViz…

Overview

Savvy Sequencer User Guide

Posted on November 18, 2014 | by Amalia Benghiat

Savvy Sequencer

version 1.0.0

Users Guide

Created by Joshua Benghiat

Joshua Benghiat Lighting Design

Introduction

Requirements | Installation | Support

Getting Started

Adding to your Workspace | Registration | Overview

In Detail

Savvy Sequencer dialog

Introduction

Requirements

Vectorworks 2012 or higher

Installation

If you haven’t already, download the Savvy Sequencer Installer from the JBLD downloads page . There are links to download for 2012/2013 or 2014/2015.

For installation to Vectorworks 2012 or 2013:

Make sure Vectorworks is not running. Run the Savvy Sequencer Installer. Select your version of Vectorworks. The installer will install a folder called “-JBLD Savvy Sequencer” in your user Plug-Ins folder, containing the Savvy Sequencer menu command.

The Windows installer allows you to select a custom location for your Plug-Ins folder. Mac users with a custom user data location or Windows users having trouble with the installer can download the “Raw installer” and manually drag the “-JBLD Position Pipes” folder to Plug-Ins. For more information, see this FAQ .

For installation to Vectorworks 2014 or 2015:

The installer package must remain a zip file. If your system automatically unzips archives, right-click on the download link and select “Save Link As” to prevent your browser from auto-expanding the download.
In Vectorworks, select Tools > Plug-ins > Plug-in Manager
Select the Third-party plug-ins page
Click the Install… button
Navigate to and select the saved installer zip file
Read and confirm the EULA
Vectorworks should notify you that installation is complete and to restart Vectorworks

If you experience trouble with the install script, please see the following FAQ on where plug-ins install .

Support

Please visit http://BenghiatLighting.com/software/support for support options and to report bugs.

You may also email software(at)BenghiatLighting.com.

Getting Started

To use the Savvy Sequencer command, you must add it to your Workspace.

Adding to your Workspace

To add Savvy Sequencer to an existing workspace:

Select Tools>Workspaces>Workspace Editor or Edit Current Workspace… .
In the Menus tab, click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Menu categories on the left hand side.
Drag Savvy Sequencer to an existing menu on the right, for example, Tools.
Click OK .

Registration

The first time you use Savvy Position Sequencer, you will be asked for a registration number or demo code. You can also access the registration dialog through the ” About ” button at the bottom-left of the Sequencer Dialog.

Overview

The Savvy Sequencer will add sequential text labels or data entries to selected objects, based on their screen arrangement. The Sequencer will work with existing text objects or create new ones, look inside groups for text, and apply date to either attached record or plug-in parameter fields. Sequences can be numeric or alphabetic, start at any point, have any increment, and include leading or trailing text. The sort order can be as a linear or rectangular array or traverse objects in a circle.

For a list of key features and screenshots, visit the Savvy Sequencer product page .

In Detail

Dialog Options

Option	Description
How to number First, determine how you want to sequence the selected objects. You can label objects with text or enter data in record fields or plug-in parameters.
Text object	Choose this option sequence with text labels. Choose this option to use existing text objects, to add new text selected objects, or to search for text within a group.
In class:	Select a class to only number text of a certiain class. This can be useful to number specific text blocks within a group. This will also be the class for new text objects. You can also choose Any Class or to use the Active Class.
Look in groups (shallow, first found text block)	Select this option to look for text objects within groups. The command will only number the first found text object in each geoup of the selected class.
Add new	Select this option to add text to other types objects. If a text object in the specified class is already found, the Sequencer will not create a new object.
Group text with numbered object	Select this option to create a group containing the object to number and the text object.
Data	Choose this option to insert the sequence text into a field or parameter.
Record:	Choose a record.
Field:	Choose a field in which to insert the sequence text.
Increment Choose options for how the sequence should increment.
Incremental Character	Choose to sequence by letter or number.
Number	Sequence with numerals.
Letter	Sequence with letters.
Starting number:	The number of the first item.
Starting letter:	The letter of the first item.
Increment by:	The counter will incement by this number.
Text Choose additional text to prepend or append to the counter.
Leader:	Text to prepend to the counter.
Trailer:	Text to append to the counter.
Example	An example of your formatted label.
Sort Order Choose how to sort the selected objects.
Type	Choose how to sort the selected objects.
Rectangular Sort objects in a rectangular (or linnear) array. You can specify a primary sort and a secondary sort.
Rectangular sort options
Primary sort	Choose a primary sort direction. See the array below as an aid.
Secondary Sort	Choose a secondary sort direction. See the array below as an aid.
Tolerance:	Specify how closely two objects’ coordinates can be for the sequencer to consider them aligned. The following example has a primary sort of bottom to top and a secondary sort of left to right. The top example had a tolerance of 0, while the bottom example uses a tolerance for the bottom row of numbers to be sequenced together.
Polar Sort objects in a circle.
Polar sort options
Direction:	Choose to sort objects in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
Clockwise / Counterclockwise	Choose to sort objects in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
Center x and Y:	Specify the coordinates for the center about which to sort.
Begin From:	Specify the origin of ther sort in degrees. 0° is to the right, or 3:00.
Next Mouse Clicks	Choose the Polor Sort’s center and start by clicking in the drawing after exitig the dialog.

Savvy Symbol Key Users Guide

Posted on July 7, 2010 | by Amalia Benghiat

Savvy Symbol Key

version 1.0.8

Users Guide

Created by Joshua Benghiat

Joshua Benghiat Lighting Design

Introduction

Requirements | Installation | Support

Getting Started

Adding to your Workspace | Registration | Overview

Workflow

Insert in the Drawing | Build Symbol List | Multi-Circuit Devices | Adjust Display Parameters | Instrument Maintenance

In Detail

Counting | Object Info Parameters | Changing Default Parameters

Introduction

Requirements

Vectorworks 12 or higher

Installation

If you haven’t already, download the Savvy Symbol Key Installer from the JBLD downloads page.

Make sure Vectorworks is not running. Run the Savvy Symbol Key Installer. Select your version of Vectorworks. The installer will install a folder called “-JBLD Savvy Symbol Key” in your user Plug-Ins folder, containing the Savvy Symbol Key plug-in object and the Instrument Maintenance menu command.

The Macintosh installer allows you to select a custom location for your Plug-Ins folder. Windows users with a custom user data location or Mac users having trouble with the installer can download the “Raw installer” and manually drag the “-JBLD Savvy Symbol Key” folder to Plug-Ins. For more information, see this FAQ.

Support

Please visit http://BenghiatLighting.com/software/support for support options and to report bugs.

You may also email software(at)BenghiatLighting.com.

Getting Started

To use the Savvy Symbol Key object, you must add it to your Workspace.

Adding to your Workspace

To add Savvy Symbol Key to an existing workspace:

Select Tools>Workspaces>Workspace Editor.
In the Menus tab, click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Menu categories on the left hand side.
Drag Instrument Maintenance to an existing menu on the right or create a new menu.
Select the Tools tab.
Click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Tools categories on the left hand side.
Drag the Savvy Symbol Key Plug-In Object to an existing palette on the right or create a new palette.
Click OK.

Registration

The first time you use the Savvy Symbol Key, you will be asked for a registration number or demo code. You can also access the registration dialog through the “About” button in the Object Info palette. The Savvy Symbol Key will not draw without a valid code.

Overview

The Savvy Symbol Key is a plug-in object key to instrumentation. You can select and order your symbols for the key, as well as set several text and alignment attributes, and show unit type counts.

Spacing for extra wide symbols (like strip lights) or extra large symbols (like a 5K fresnel) is automatically adjusted.

Counts can be subtotaled to count bodies vs lenses. Symbols which have the same Instrument Type are counted together, allowing for alternate versions of a single type. Multi-circuit devices are counted properly.

There is also an Instrument Maintenance menu command to allow you to easily view and edit the Light Info Record, whose data appears in the key.

For a list of key features and screenshots, visit the Savvy Symbol Key product page.

Workflow

Insert in the Drawing

Click on the Savvy Symbol Key Tool icon, and then click on your drawing to insert. Because the object is scale independent, you may insert the object in a design layer, on a sheet layer, or in an annotation.

Build Symbol List

Click the Build Symbol List button in the Savvy Symbol Key’s Object Info palette. You will see a dialog with a list of symbols used as Lighting Devices in your drawing. You can click the top of the columns to sort by symbol name or by device type.
Move items you wuish to use in your key to the right column. You can select multiple symbols to add at once, or double click a symbol in either column to move it.
If you wish to add a symbol that you have not yet used as a Lighting Device, select Add Unused. Your chosen symbol will be added to your symbol key list. Unused symols that are already in your key list are shown in blue.
Use the Up, Down, and Sort buttons to arrange the order of your symbols. You can also drag the “-” on the left-hand side to reorder. You can select multiple symbols to move at a time.
You can also break down a symbol to its component parts. For example, if you have a symbol containing both a douser and a barn door, you can break this down in to two symbols for your key. Each symbol must have its own Light Info Record.
If you would like to subtotal bodies , insert a marker where you would like to begin and end the subtotal. You can insert as many pairs as you wish.
If you want your key to be multiple columns, add a column break. You can insert as many as you wish. You can also add horizontal dividers and header text. After you’ve added it, double-click on header text to edit.
To add a “Typical” symbol, add the Typical marker in your symbol list and select a symbol to use.

Multi-Circuit Devices

The best way to insert multi-circuit lights in your key is to use a master symbol which contains all the component parts. If you are using Vectorworks 2011, a symbol containing only other symbols is automatically converted into a multi-circuit device. You can also design a separate symbol for the key, for example, a shortened version with a break line in the middle. The Savvy Symbol Key shifts the symbol and its text to elegantly fit your key.

Make sure your composite symbol appears on the Instrument Maintenance list. If not make sure to add it. Standard practice is to indicate the wattage for each circuit, not the net wattage of the entire instrument.
Select your Savvy Symbol Key and enter the Build List dialog.
Click Add Unused and select your compound symbol. Place it in your key list.
Select the multi-circuit symbol and press # Circuits. Enter the number of circuits for that symbol, and the count will be correct.

Note: For multi-circuit units to count properly, the types and wattages of all the circuit components as well as the symbol in your key must match. You can check this in Instrument Maintenance and push that data out to your Lighting Devices.

Adjust Display Parameters

Use the Object Info Palette to adjust the visual spacing and scale of your key. Use the Text menu to set any font attributes other than size. You can also add a border and title to the key. See the next section for an explanation of the object’s parameters.

Instrument Maintenance

The Savvy Symbol Key uses the Light Info record for its data. The Light Info record contains real-world data about a lighting instrument and is attached to all Spotlight symbols which can be used as Lighting Devices. Instrument Maintenance allows you to easily edit all the Light Info records in your drawing in one dialog.

Select the Instrument Maintenance menu item.
You will see a dialog listing all the symbols in your document with the Light Info Record attached, which means they have the necessary data to use as Lighting Device Objects.
Click on a symbols Type, Wattage, Weight, or Model Name to edit. The Model Name field will be used in your symbol key, while the Type field appears in the Lighting Device data, and subsequently, your paperwork.
Adding a backslash ( ) anywhere in a text field will force a line break in the symbol key.
After you have changed a data item, be sure to press Update.
You can easily add a new symbol to the list, remove a symbol, or replace the units of a certain type with another symbol.
When you exit the dialog, pressing Done, you have the option of updating all your existing Spotlight Lighting Devices with any updated fields. You can select Push all data to Lighting Devices to apply the Instrument Maintenance data to all Lighting Devices regardless of whether they have been updated.

In Detail

Counting

The Savvy Symbol Key counts all Lighting Devices whose Type and Wattage match those in the symbol’s Light Info Record. This allows you to have alternate version of an instrument type (for example, overhung / underhung, regular / shortened, etc) and still have them counted as a single type in the key.

For multi-circuit units to count properly, the types and wattages of all the circuit sections as well as the composite symbol must match. You can check this in Instrument Maintenance and push that data out to your Lighting Devices.

Object Info Parameters

As with all Plug-In Objects, the first time you place a Savvy Symbol Key in a document, Vectorworks will ask you for default parameters. You can set the default object parameters for the document by selecting the object’s tool, then clicking on the parameters button in the mode bar.

Parameter	Description
x, y	The insertion point is the insertion point of the top instrument on your list.
Column Offset	The distance, on center, between columns. In page units. see fig 1
Item spacing	The vertical distance between instruments. The object will add additional distance if a symbol is larger than the unit spacing. In page units. see fig 1
Auto Rotate	If selected (default) symbols will be rotated in the orientation that minimises vertical distance.
Left margin	The maximum distance to the left of the insertion point for symbols to extend. If a symbol exceeds the margin, it will be slid to the right. In page units. see fig 1
Text distance	The distance between the insertion point and the text origin. In page units. see fig 1
Text width	The maximum width of text before it wraps. In page units. see fig 1
Text size	In points. Other text attributes are set though the Text menu.
Scale	The scale for your symbols, as a proportion. If this number is not familiar, see the Layer Scale dialog.
Show Wattages	Append “@ [wattage]” to an instrument’s type. Note, a blank wattage or a wattage of 0 will not show in the key.
Show Weights	Display the unit’s weight, as set in the Light Info Record. If your drawing uses metric units, the key will display the weight set in Light Info Record M.
Show Lamp Types	Display the unit’s lamp information, as set in the Light Info Record. Note, this is the lamps spec or ANSI code, as distinct from the wattage. You may include the wattage here in lieu of the wattage field.
Show Counts	Select to show instrument counts.
Show Column Headers	Will display the headers “Symbol,” “Description,” and “Count” above their respective columns. The text size depends on the Title Text Size.
Heading Alignment	When you add a header to the list, it can align to the left or center.
Draw Border	Select to draw a border around the symbol key. The border will use the object’s attributes.
Border Type	Choose between single and double lines.
Border Separation	The separation between double lines.
Border Padding	The distance, in page units, between the bounding box of the symbol key and the border.
Draw Title	Draws a title for the symbol key box. You need not draw a border to display the title. Border Padding affects the title even is the border is not drawn.
Title	The text of the title, e.g. “Symbol Key.”
Title Text Size	The size of the title text
Title Text Position	Above the border, Inside the border’s double lines or on the single line, Below the top of the border.
Show Data	Shows your symbol lists as text arrays.
Refresh	Redraws the object, which is useful if you have changed a symbol’s geometry or database.
Build List	Use the resulting dialog to select and sort the symbols you with to use for your key.
Position Filter	For future use.
Make Default	Will use the object’s current setting for future new Key Symbols.
About…	Check the version, enter registration information, and get help.

fig 1

Changing Default Parameters

To change the default parameters for all new documents, choose Tools>Scripts>VectorScript Plug-in Editor…, select Savvy Symbol Key, click the Parameters button, and edit the default values. Please note, if you install an update the object, you will have to redo these custom settings.

Beam Draw 3 Users Guide

Posted on July 7, 2010 | by Amalia Benghiat

Beam Draw

version 3.0.2

Users Guide

Created by Joshua Benghiat

Joshua Benghiat Lighting Design

Introduction

Requirements | Installation | Support

Getting Started

Adding to an Existing Workspace | Registration | Overview

Workflow

Insert in the Drawing
Adjusting Parameters
Viewing the Beam in 3D
Reverse and Repeat
Creating a Consistent System of Lights
Channeling Beams
Converting Beams to Spotlight Lighting Devices
Move Beams to a Layer
Making a Magic Sheet

In Detail

Beam Draw
Beam Draw PAR
Beam Draw Section
Use Light Info for Selected
Channel Beams
Convert Beams to Instrument
Move Beams to Layer
Select Beams
Select PAR Beams
Select Section Beams
Select All Beams
About Beam Draw…
Beam Draw FAQ
Beam Draw Help
Submit a Beam Draw Bug
Changing Default Parameters

Introduction

Requirements

Vectorworks 12 or higher

Installation

If you haven’t already, download the Beam Draw Installer from the JBLD downloads page.

The Macintosh installer allows you to select a custom location for your Plug-Ins folder. Windows users with a custom user data location or Mac users having trouble with the installer can download the “Raw installer” and manually drag the “-JBLD Beam Draw” folder to Plug-Ins. For more information, see this FAQ.

Support

Please visit http://BenghiatLighting.com/software/support for support options and to report bugs.

You may also email software(at)BenghiatLighting.com.

Getting Started

When the installation completes, start VectorWorks and select Tools>Workspaces>Beam Draw Standard or Tools>Workspaces>Beam Draw Spotlight. The Beam Draw workspace is similar to the VectorWorks Standard and SpotLight workspaces, but with a Beam Draw palette containing the Beam Draw Tools, and a Beam Draw menu. Use the About Beam Draw… menu item or the About… button in Object Info to enter your Beam Draw registration or demo code.

Adding to an Existing Workspace

To add Beam Draw to an existing workspace:

Select Tools>Workspaces>Workspace Editor.
In the Menus tab, click the disclosure triangle next to Beam Draw in the list of Menu categories on the left hand side.
Drag all the commands to an existing menu on the right or create a new menu.
Select the Tools tab.
Click the disclosure triangle next to Beam Draw in the list of Tools categories on the left hand side.
Drag the all the Beam Draw Plug-In Objects to an existing palette on the right or create a new palette.
If you want to use the Beam Draw tool set icon, you can find it installed in your user workspaces folder.
Click OK.

Registration

Overview

The following diagram shows some of the terminology used by Beam Draw:

As with all Plug-In Objects, the first time you place a beam in a document, VectorWorks will ask you for default parameters. You can set the default object parameters for the document by selecting the object’s tool, then clicking on the parameters button in the mode bar.

The fill Beam Draw package includes several plug-in objects and menus. Please visit the Beam Draw Quickguide page for a brief introduction to each Beam Draw component.

Workflow

Here is a sample workflow for using Beam Draw to visualise a system of lights. Please see the Quickguide as well as the detailed descriptions of each component to determine how to best incorporate Beam Draw into your design process.

Insert in the Drawing

Click on the Beam Draw Tool icon .
Click on the drawing in the approximate plan location where you would like the light to hang.
Drag the beam edge or focus point (indicated by a locus) to the point you would stand when focusing the light. The size and shape of the beam will change accordingly.
Alternatively, you can insert the beam at its focus point and drag the boxed control point to a hanging position. Your cursor will change to a double arrow when it is over the control point.
You can also use nudge (shift+arrow) to fine tune the focus point.

Adjusting Parameters

Many aspects of the beam are controllable though parameters in the Object Info Palette.

Towards the bottom of the parameters is an option to Show Floor, showing the beam at both the face and floor planes.

You can set the Field and Beam angles towards the top of the parameters. Use a Beam angle of 0 to work only with the field angle. You can also press the Get Light Info Data button to access the beam and field angles and candlepower stored in the Light Info Record of your symbols. The symbols that shipped with Spotlight as well as those commercially available, like Soft Symbols, have photometric data already attached to them. Use the Use Light Info for Selected menu command to apply Light Info data to more than one beam object.

To visualize shutter cuts, make sure Show Shutter Cuts is checked. You can drag shutters via a control point right in the drawing or enter a depth and rotation in Obj Info.

Viewing the Beam in 3D

Switch to a 3D view. The beam will continue to reshape if moved in 3D.
You may want to hold down the shift key while moving the beam in 3D so its focus height does not change.

Reverse and Repeat

You can easily reverse and repeat beams across the x=0 centerline. Shutter cuts and bottle rotations are also reversed. Note: do not use the mirror tool with Beam objects, or they will draw unpredictably.

Select the beam objects you want to reverse and repeat. They can be any mix of Beam Draws and Beam Draw Pars.
Select the menu Reverse and Repeat Beams.

Creating a Consistent System of Lights

Use Beam Draw or Beam Draw PAR to select the proper position, beam angle, and focus of one light. You may find it useful to have a paper section in front of you, or to examine the beam in a 3D side view. Hint: Beam Draw also computes the distance and angle to the face.
Now change the Redraw parameter from Dynamic to Fixed.
You can now duplicate, duplicate array, or option/alt-drag the beam, and the instrument location will move, keeping the shape of the beam constant.

Channeling Beams

If you’re working with a single system of beams, you may find it useful to assign channel numbers.

If no beams are selected, the command channels all beams on the current layer. Otherwise the command works with selected beams of any type.
Choose the menu Channel Beams.
You will see a dialog allowing you to select the first channel and the direction channels will number.
The channel displays at the focus point. You can change the font and size using the Text menu.
Select a beam, and at the bottom make sure Show Paperwork Info is checked. You can manually set channel and purpose here. Those fields can automatically transfer when a beam is turned into a Spotlight Lighting Device.

BD_Rough_Style

Uncheck the Show Beam parameter and select Display Field Angle. The beam object reduces to the focus point (if it’s shown) and the instrument location, with the channel, field angle, and direction displayed. This is useful for creating a rough plot from your beans.

Converting Beams to Spotlight Lighting Devices

Select the Beam Draw and or Beam Draw PAR objects you wish to convert. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
A dialog will ask you to match each field angle with a symbol in your document. There is also a set of symbols whose field angles are close to your selected beam.
Choose if you want the symbols aligned to the drawing grid and rotated to the neatest 90°.
For now, do not delete beam objects after they are converted.
Any channel and purpose data entered into your Beam Draw objects will be transferred to your Lighting Devices.

Move Beams to a Layer

Select the beams you wish to file on another layer. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
Select the Move Beams to Layer menu.
You will be prompted for a suffix name for the layer, usually the system name. The layer name can be new or existing.
The beams are moved. New layers are hidden by default.

Making a Magic Sheet

If you channeled your beams, you can easily lay out a magic sheet.

Switch to a sheet layer.
If you like, use viewports to create a cropped, miniature version of the set. Make sure the 0,0 point of your drawing is snappable in the viewport.
Select the Beam Draw Magic tool.
Click in the drawing at the 0,0 point of your magic sheet.
Use Object Info to pick a layer — all channeled beams will appear as numbers in the Magic object.
Set a scale in Obj Info (e.g. 1/8″=1′-0″ would be 96).
Set the font for the channel numbers via the text menu.
Use Object Info to provide an offset for all channels (e.g. numbers are +10) or show them reverse and repeated.
The Move by Points basic tool can be useful for duplicating your Magic object / viewport combination.

In Detail

Beam Draw

Overview

Instructions

Click on the Beam Draw Tool icon .
Click on the drawing in the approximate plan location where you would like the light to hang.
Drag the beam edge or focus point (indicated by a locus) to the point you would stand when focusing the light. The size and shape of the beam will change accordingly.
Alternatively, you can insert the beam at its focus point and drag the boxed control point to a hanging position. Your cursor will change to a double arrow when it is over the control point.
You can also use nudge (shift+arrow) to fine tune the focus point.
Adjust parameters of the beam in the Object Info palette.
If you are viewing shutter cuts, you can adjust the shutters in Object Info as well as by dragging the four control points in the drawing.

See the Workflow for more details.

Parameters

The Beam Draw parameters can be edited in the Object Info Palette. To set parameter defaults, see the Overview.

Parameter	Description
x, y	The coordinates of the focus point.
Z	The height from which trims are measured, usually 0. If you are measuring trims from a show deck or platform, enter that height here.
Rot	Rotation is handled by the script. Should always be 0.
Instrument X, Y	The coordinates of the lighting instrument.
Instrument Distance X, Y	The x and y distances from the focus point to the lighting instrument.
Position Height	The height of the lighting position.
Distance to Clamp	The distance from the hanging position to the source point in the lighting instrument. The height of the beam is computed as Position Height – Distance to Clamp.
Field Angle	The field angle of the beam.
Beam Angle	The beam angle of the beam. If you do not want to draw the beam angle, enter a value of 0. If you only want to draw the beam angle, enter it in field angle.
Peak Candela	The peak candela of the beam. This is optional and used for computing footcandles.
Show Beam	Show or hide the beam ovals. If hidden, an arrow at the instrument location will show which direction the beam focuses.
Display Field Angle	Select to show the field angle indicated next to the instrument location.
Show Focus Point	If checked, a locus is drawn at the focus point.
Indicate Inst. with	A box or locus at the instrument location.
Show Shutter Cuts	Select for the ability to specify shutter cuts. If you hide cuts, the shutter parameters will still be retained.
Shutter Depth	The percentage to push in a shutter. 100% is at the focus point. You can also use control points in the drawing to drag shutter cuts.
Shutter Rack	The angle of each shutter
Resolution	Select “Low” to see the outlines of the beam more clearly in 3D.
Resolution Factor	Set the resolution for the Low Resolution option. 360 is a fairly full resolution. 4 should be the minimum.
Face Plane	The height of the plane on which beams are drawn. Usually 6’0”
Show Floor	If checked, will draw the beam at both head height and as it falls on the floor.
Add Light	Adds a light object with the same parameters of the beam. The light will only show as a pool of light using RenderWorks rendering.
Redraw	In dynamic mode, the lighting instrument remains fixed and the beam reshapes as you move it. In Fixed mode, the lighting instrument will move as you drag the beam, keeping the shape constant. Fixed mode is useful for duplicating a beam into a system of lights.
True Distance	The actual distance between the instrument and focus point. Useful for finding the light’s intensity at the face. Do not edit this field as it is computed by the object script.
Angle to face	The angle from the face to the light. Straight top light is 90°.
Pan	The degrees from straight up on the page (US, North, etc)
Tilt	The degrees from straight down.
Maximum Width	The maximum width of the beam at head height.
Footcandles	The computed intensity of the light.
Show Paperwork Info	Shows options to indicate a channel and purpose to keep track of your beams.
Channel	The channel number will show at the focus point if the beam is shown or at the instrument location if it is hidden. The channel can be used to create a Beam Draw Magic sheet object. The channel will also transfer when a beam is converted to a SpotLight lighting device.
Purpose	The purpose will transfer when a beam is converted to a SpotLight lighting device.
Get Light Info Data	Brings a dialog where you can select beam and field data from the symbols in your document and the symbols in your default file. Beam Draw will display the footcandles each unit type will output at the current throw.
Reset Shutters	Pulls out all the shutters.
Pickup Z height	Will change the position height to the z height of any 3D object below the instrument location. This does not change dynamically and will happen when you press the button.

Beam Draw PAR

Overview

Beam Draw PAR functions just like Beam Draw, only it visualizes elliptical beams. You can set the bottle rotation to any angle.

Instructions

Click on the Beam Draw Tool icon .
Click on the drawing in the approximate plan location where you would like the light to hang.
Drag the beam edge or focus point (indicated by a locus) to the point you would stand when focusing the light. The size and shape of the beam will change accordingly.
Alternatively, you can insert the beam at its focus point and drag the boxed control point to a hanging position. Your cursor will change to a double arrow when it is over the control point.
You can also use nudge (shift+arrow) to fine tune the focus point.
Adjust parameters of the beam in the Object Info palette.
You can rotate the beam in Object Info or by dragging the control point in the drawing that is near the beam’s focus point.

Parameters

The Beam Draw PAR parameters can be edited in the Object Info Palette. To set parameter defaults, see the Overview.

Parameter	Description
See Beam Draw Parameters, with the following exceptions
Shutters	PAR Objects cannot show shutter cuts
Field Angle H	The horizontal field angle
Field Angle V	The vertical field angle
Beam Angle H	The horizontal beam angle
Beam Angle V	The vertical beam angle
Bottle Rotation	The angle of bottle rotation. The bottle can also be rotated via a control point in the drawing.
Get Light Info Data	Will show and return H & V field and beam angles.

Beam Draw Section

Overview

In order to keep beams from extending infinitely, the Beam Draw Section has four display modes, selectable in object info:

Mode	Description
Control Points	The beam will terminate at the two draggable control points that also define shutter cuts. Shutter cut control points are available in the other modes, but they only affect the beam ends in this mode.
Horizontal	The beam ends will terminate on a line horizontal with the focus point.
Vertical	The beam ends will terminate on a line vertical with the focus point. This option is useful for visualizing illumination of drops or scenery.
Focus Area	The beam ends will terminate at the floor, as defined bu the face plane. In this mode, you also have the option to view a figure whose head is at your focus point.

Instructions

Click on the Beam Draw Section Tool icon .
Click and drag from the gate of your light to your focus point. If you would rather drag in the opposite direction, use the Beam Draw Section from FP Tool.
If you don’t have representations of lighting instruments in your section, you can end the line at the hanging position. Next, click the button labeled “Shift by clamp height,” and your beam will compensate.
Adjust the section’s options, including Field Angle in Object Info.
To visualize shutters, make sure “Draw Shutters” is selected in Object Info. You will see a control point handle towards the ends of the beam section. Drag the point, and the shutter cut will pass through the point. You cannot open the shutters wider than the field angle permits.

Parameters

Parameter	Description
x, y	The coordinates of the ogirin of your beam, the gate of your light.
z	If you want to use the 2D section in a 3D plane, this is the distance above the working plane.
Rotation	The angle from the light to the focus point.
Throw Distance	The distance from the light to your focus point.
Field Angle	The field angle of the beam.
Beam Angle	The beam angle of the beam. If you do not want to draw the beam angle, enter a value of 0. If you only want to draw the beam angle, enter it in Field Angle.
Peak Candela	The peak candela of the beam. This is optional and used for computing footcandles.
Display Options
Show Beam	Deselect to hide the beam edges. You will see a locus at the origin of your beam. If shown, your figure will stay visible.
Display Field Angle	Select to show the field angle indicated next to the beam origin.
Show Shutters	Select to show shutter cuts and the shutter cut control point handles. If you deselect, any shutter cuts you made will still be preserved.
Beam Ends	This mode option determines where the ends of the beam terminate. See the explanation in the Overview.
Extend	Extend the beam a distance beyond the points defined in Beam Ends.
Focus Area Options (Available in Focus Area Beam End mode)
Face Plane	The height above the floor to which the beam focused.
Show Figure	Draws a 6′ figure at the focus point. You also have a control point handle at the figure’s feet.
Show area limits	Use this option to visualize coverage in the plane perpendicular to the section. For example, say you want to see coverage for an 8′ area. After setting Area Width to 8′, you will see a rectangular area that shows the limits of you 8′ area.
Area Width	The width of minimum coverage shown in Show Area Limits.
Origin Options
Show Clamp Position	Draws a locus at the instrument’s C-clamp.
Distance to clamp	The distance from the light’s gate to the hanging point of the C-clamp.
Shift by clamp height	Shifts the origin of the beam down to compensate for the distance between the C-clamp and the light’s origin at the gate. Useful if you are drawing the section between the hanging position and the focus point, rather than a sectioned view of the lighting instrument.
-Computed Info-
Throw Dist	The distance from the light to the focus point.
Angle to Face	The angle from the face to the light. Straight top light is 90°.
Footcandles	The computed intensity of the light.
Maximum Width	The maximum width of the beam at head height.
Reset Shutters	Press this button to completely open the shutter cuts. Useful if your shutters are all the way in to the center of the beam.
Get Light Info Data	Brings a dialog where you can select beam and field data from the symbols in your document and the symbols in your default file. Beam Draw will display the footcandles each unit type will output at the current throw.

Beam Draw Section from FP

Overview

This will insert the Beam Draw Section object, draw from the focus point to the hanging posiion.

Instructions

Click on the Beam Draw Section from FP Tool icon .
Click and drag from your desired focus point to your hanging position.

The resulting object is identical to that described in Beam Draw Section.

Use Light Info for Selected

Overview

Data will be shown for symbol definitions in your current document as well as those in your Spotlight Default content folder.

Instructions

Select any mix of Beam Draw, PAR, and Section objects.
Choose the Use Light Info for Selected menu command.
You will see any photometric data attached to the symbol resources in your drawing as well as those in the Spotlight Default content.
Beam draw computes the brightness, in footcandles, for the first selected Beam Draw object in your drawing.
Select a symbol whose data you want to use.
If you only want to use the field angle, click Ignore Beam Ang, otherwise, click OK.
Your beams will now use the data you selected.

Reverse and Repeat Beams

Overview

Instructions

Select the beam objects you want to reverse and repeat. They can be any mix of Beam Draws and Beam Draw Pars.
Select the menu Reverse and Repeat Beams.

Channel Beams

Overview

Instructions

If no beams are selected, the command channels all beams on the current layer. Otherwise the command works with selected beams of any type.
Choose the menu Channel Beams.
You will see a dialog allowing you to select the first channel and the direction channels will number.
The channel displays at the focus point. You can change the font and size using the Text menu.
Select a beam, and at the bottom make sure Show Paperwork Info is checked. You can manually set channel and purpose here. Those fields can automatically transfer when a beam is turned into a Spotlight Lighting Device.

Convert Beams to Instrument

Overview

This command allows you to insert Soptlight Lighting Devices or instrument symbols for each of the beams. You can easily match beam angles to unit types.

Instructions

Select the Beam Draw and or Beam Draw PAR objects you wish to convert. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
A dialog will ask you to match each field angle with a symbol in your document. There is also a set of symbols whose field angles are close to your selected beam.
Choose if you want the symbols aligned to the drawing grid and rotated to the neatest 90°.
Choose whether you want beams converted to Lighting Devices or just regular symbols.
You can opt to delete beams after they are converted, though most users save them for reference.
Any channel and purpose data entered into your Beam Draw objects will be transferred to your Lighting Devices.

Move Beams to Layer

Overview

Once you have created a system of beams, you can easily move them to a new layer and begin a new system.

Instructions

Select the beams you wish to file on another layer. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
Select the Move Beams to Layer menu.
You will be prompted for a suffix name for the layer, usually the system name. The layer name can be new or existing.
The beams are moved. New layers are hidden by default.

Select Beams

Overview

Use thie command to select all Beam Draw objects.

Select PAR Beams

Overview

Use thie command to select all Beam Draw PAR objects.

Select Section Beams

Overview

Use thie command to select all Beam Draw Section objects.

Select All Beams

Overview

Use thie command to select all Beam Draw object types, including PAR and Section.

About Beam Draw…

Overview

Beam Draw FAQ

Overview

Go to the FAQ on the web.

Beam Draw Help

Overview

Open this help doc.

Submit a Beam Draw Bug

Overview

Submit a bug report on the web.

Changing Default Parameters

Savvy Linesets Users Guide

Posted on July 7, 2010 | by Amalia Benghiat

Savvy Linesets

version 1.0.0

User Guide

Created by Joshua Benghiat

Joshua Benghiat Lighting Design

Introduction

Requirements | Installation | Support

Getting Started

Adding to an existing Workspace | Registration | Overview(#overview)

In Detail

– The Lineset Worksheet

– Savvy Lineset Schedule Object

– Savvy Lineset Item Object

– Savvy Lineset Section Object

– Savvy Lineset Section Item Object

– Fill LS Sched from Clicks

– Refresh LS Scheds and Secs

– Create objects from LS Shed

– Update Objects from LS Sch

– Update LS Sch from Objects

– Make Savvy Lineset Aware

– Savvy Lineset Settings

Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Savvy Linesets is a complete solution for managing lineset drafting and documentaion

One centralized worksheet of data, that you can edit, paste in data from a spreadsheet application, or build from clicking in the plan.
Highly configurable, industry standard lineset schedules and hanging plots.
Simplified batten references.
Flattened lineset sections that you can use to build and refine your hanging items.
Create pipes and masking with a single menu command, even the 3D component, and keep them all perfectly in sync with your data.
No more discrepancies, or time spent manually rippling changes.

Requirements

Vectorworks® Spotlight 2015–2017

Installation

If you haven’t already, download the Savvy Linesets Installer from the JBLD downloads page.

The installer package must remain a zip file. If your system automatically unzips archives, right-click on the download link and select “Save Link As” to prevent your browser from auto-expanding the download.
In Vectorworks, select Tools > Plug-ins > Plug-in Manager
Select the Third-party plug-ins tab
Click the Install… button
Navigate to and select the saved installer zip file
Read and confirm the EULA
Vectorworks should notify you that installation is complete and to restart Vectorworks

If you experience trouble with the install script, please see the following FAQ on where plug-ins install.

The installer includes a workspace called Spotlight+Linesets. You can also use the workspace editor to add the lineset commands to your own workspace.

Support

Please visit http://BenghiatLighting.com/software/support for support options and to report bugs.

You may also email software(at)BenghiatLighting.com.

Getting Started

When the installation completes, start Vectorworks and select Tools>Workspaces>Spotlight+Linesets

Adding to an existing Workspace

To add the Savvy Linesets to an existing workspace:

Select Tools>Workspaces>Edit Current Workspace.
Click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Menus categories on the left hand side.
You may want to create a new menu or submenu to display Savvy Linesets.
Drag all the Savvy Linesets menu commands one by one to the menu tree on the right side.
Select the Tools tab.
Click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Tools categories on the left hand side.
Drag Savvy LS Sched, Fill LS Sched From Clicks, and Savvy LS Section to an existing palette on the right or create a new palette.
Click OK.

Registration

The first time you use the Savvy Linesets, Vectorworks will ask you for a registration number or demo code. You can also access the registration dialog through the “About” button in any object’s Object Info palette. The Savvy Linesets objects will not draw without a valid code, however if you remove the Savvy Linesets plug-ins from your user folder, you will still see all lineset objects but in a locked state.

Overview

Savvy Linesets stores all lineset schedule data in a centralized worksheet. Savvy Linesets Schedule objects display a formatted schedule in the drawing and Savvy Linesets Sections create a flattened 2D section based directly on your data.

In addition, you can synchronize battens, electrics, and softgoods to the schedule data so your drawing model, and you can even create these objects directly from schedule data.

Take a full video tour via YouTube

The Lineset Worksheet

Overview

The Lineset Worksheet is a Vectorworks worksheet resource that stores all data describing the lineset configuration. Any time you use one of the Savvy Linesets tools or commands, Savvy Linesets will automatically create the worksheet.

Savvy Linesets Settings allows you to set the name used for this worksheet.

You can use the Fill LS Sched from Clicks tool to add Number and Distance data in the worksheet by clicking on existing lineset reference points in the drawing. You can also copy and paste date from a spreadsheet application or manually edit the worksheet.

You can edit the header cell of any column, and that text will appear on Schedule objects placed in the drawing. Columns must remain in the given order.

In addition to accessing the Worksheet through the resource browser, Savvy Linesets objects provide a button to open the Worksheet, and you can also double-click on the Savvy Linesets Schedule Object.

Worksheet columns

Columns below designated with an * do not appear in schedule objects.

Number
A label for each lineset. Usually this is a number from DS to US, but can be any text, for example “1 Bridge,” “Fire,” or “Spot Line.”

To refer to the lineset by distance, for example when working in a hemp house, enter a hyphen (-) in the Number column.

To add an additional row that does not appear on the schedule, use a decimal point. For example, LS 6 might have a softgood and 6.1 has a truss. This allows both the truss and softgood objects to sync to the schedule data. You can also use this method to display an alternate trim.

In addition to appearing on the schedule, this helps identify objects int he drawing that synchronize to lineset data. The number appears in the Location field for Lighting Pipes, Light Position Objects, and Softgoods.

Dist.
Distance from plaster / setting line

Description
A brief description of the item. In addition to appearing on the schedule, this synchronizes to the Position Name field for Lighting Pipes and Light Position Objects and to the Note field for Softgoods.

Trim
The trim height of the item. This corresponds to the z height of objects in the drawing. Via Savvy Linesets Settings, you can opt to trim Softgoods to the bottom of the softgood (default) or to the batten.

Length
The length of the batten. This length can synchronize to the length of Lighting Pipes, Truss, or Lines representing battens, including if they are converted to Light Position Objects.

Setting a batten length also create a reference to pipe ends using the Lineset Schedule object in Mini/Double mode.

Depth
The US/DS depth of the item. The depth can set the height of the schedule’s cells for Style 2 as well as optional depth indicators on the schedule’s extension lines.

Weight
A column to report the lineset’s weight. This is a text column that you manually enter.

Note
An additional note about the item

LX?*
Enter a “y” to designate this item as an electric. Electrics have options to be called out in the schedule. You can also chose to draw pipes or truss for all items designated as electrics and to convert them to Light Position Objects.

Sft Gd?*
Enter a “y” to designate this item as a softgood. Softgoods rows will draw in section and can also create Softgood objects.

Item Height*
For softgoods, this corresponds to the hight of the softgood. Also use this setting to designate a trim measurement that offsets from the batten. For example, a practical that trims to the bottom of the fixture. A positive value sets the trim point below the batten.

Item Width*
Softgoods must set a length here. Other objects can use this column to override the Length column, for example a tail down that is shorter than the system pipe.

Plug-in objects

As with all Plug-In Objects, the first time you place a Savvy Linesets object in a document, Vectorworks will ask you for default parameters. You can set the default object parameters for the document by selecting the object’s tool, then clicking on the parameters button in the mode bar.

Savvy Lineset Schedule Object

Overview

Use this object to represent the schedule in the drawing.

Select the Savvy LS Sched tool: . Insert at the plaster / setting line. The schedule can rotate to accommodate a section as well as flip orientations when mirrored.

Use the Mini option to create simplified indictions of the linesets. Use the Double option of the Mini mode to indicate the ends of battens based on the Distance and Length data. Insert the Double Mini at Centerline / Plasterline.

Double-click on the Schedule to quickly access the lineset data worksheet.

Parameters

Parameter	Description
Format
Mini LS Schedule	Enable to draw the lineset numbers only. Useful for showing pipe ends or as a simple reference.
Mini Type	Single displays the numbers in a single column, while double will show numbers at the pipe ends. In Double mode, only rows with a pipe length will display.
Show 3D Loci	When enabled, the Mini format will show 3D locus points at pipe ends rather then the planar schedule.
Display Style	Select a display style. Format 1 shows a single box. Format 2 draws a box around each row that has an item label.
Expand	Reserved for future use.
Min Item Box Height	For Format 2, this sets a minimum height for a row, in world units.
Max Item Box Height	For Format 2, this sets a maximum height for a row, in world units.
Leader Length	The length of the line between the schedule body and the lineset number, in page units.
Columns
Column Order	Click to set the order for data columns.
Flip Columns	Revers the column order. This can be useful when flipping or mirroring the schedule.
Header Position	Place column headers at the top or bottom of the schedule. Note, headers draw from the columnslabels, in the Lineset Workshet. Edit the worksheet to change the header text.
Column Widths
Label Width	Width of the Label column, in page units.
Note Width	Width of the Note column, in page units.
Trim Width	Width of the Trim column, in page units.
Distance Width	Width of the Distance column, in page units.
Weight Width	Width of the Weight column, in page units.
Pipe Length Width	Width of the Pipe Length column, in page units.
Column Visibilities
xx Column	Select which data columns are visible.
Text Options
Text Size	Size of the schedule text, in points.
Font	Font of the schedule text
LX Font	Font of text for rows designated as electrics
LX Font Size Multiplier	Value by which to multiply the text size for rows designated as electrics.
Padding	Padding between text and the schedule’s lines, in page units.
Extensions
Show Extensions	Show lines extending from the schedule for each lineset, on the opposite sise of the lineset number.
Flip Extensions	Enable to draw the extensions on the same side as the lineset number.
Extension Length	The length of the extension lines, in world units.
Show Depth indicators	Add a vertical line at the end of the extension corresponding to the Depth column in the schedule worksheet.
LX Markers	Add an arrow marker to the extnension line. Filled circles or diamonds are a common choice.
LX Marker style	Set the type of markers to display for electrics.
Classes
Auto-Class	Enable to automatically generate sub-classes based on the class designated in Settings.
Schedule	Class for the schedule text and lines.
Schedule-LX	Class for rows designated as electrics
Update	Refresh the schedule based on worksheet data.
Update Objects from Schedule	Update Lighting Pipes, Truss, Softgoods, Light Position Objects, and Savvy LS Items based on the worksheet data. There is an identical menu command.
Update Schedule from Objects	Update the schedule worksheet with data from Lighting Pipes, Truss, Softgoods, Light Position Objects, and Savvy LS Items in the drawing. There is an identical menu command.
Display Lineset Worksheet	Click to display the Lineset Worksheet. You can also double-click on the schedule object in the drawing.
Make default	Click to make the settings for this Scheudule object the default for all new Schedules in this drawing.
Settings…	Set preferences for all Savvy Lineset objects in the drawing. There is an identical msnu command.
About…	Informaiton about this version and your user registration.

Savvy Lineset Item Object

Overview

Drawing objects that are not Lighting Pipes, Straight Truss, Light Position Objects, or Softgoods can be made “Savvy Lineset Aware” by converting to a Savvy Lineset Item via the associated menu command.

Both 2D and 3D geometry becomes embedded in the Lineset Item. You can edit the geometry at any time via Modify>Edit Savvy LS Item or by double-clicking on the object.

Edits to the object’s parameters and z location immediately ripple through to the Worksheet and Section. Changes to the Section immediately update the Item Object. If you make changes directly to the schedule Worksheet, however, you must either press the Update button or run the Update Objects from LS Sch command.

Parameters

Parameter	Description
LS Number	The lineset on which the object hangs. You can use this menu to assign the item to a different lineset. Linesets marked with a star (*) are in use.
Label	A description of the item.
Electric	Check to designate this object as an electric.
Edit	Click to edit the items geometry.
Update	Refresh the object with any changes in the Schedule Worksheet.
About…	Informaiton about this version and your user registration.

Savvy Lineset Section Object

Overview

Creates a 2D section of the linesets and hanging items. The Lineset Section generates directly from the schedule Worksheet.

Select the Savvy LS Section Icon: . You can insert the Section Object in any orientation to match your overall section. A Flip button in Object Info allows you to flip the orientation of the schedule after insertion.

You may want to insert a Savvy Linesets Section object above the Section object as well as use the Schedule object in Mini mode to provide a lift line reference.

Changes to the Section automatically update Schedule objects and the Worksheet. If you make changes directly to the Worksheet, use the Update button in Object Info or the Refresh menu command to refresh the Section.

If your workflow is predominantly 3D, use the Savvy Lineset Section over a flattened section viewport of the model.

Parameters

Parameter	Description
Grid Height	Designate the top of lift lines
Max Out Trim	Designate the height for gridded pipes without a trim.
Classes
Auto-Class	Enable to automatically generate sub-classes based on the class designated in Settings.
Section	Class for the overall section.
Lift Line	Class for the lift lines.

Update	Refresh the section based on worksheet data.
Update Objects from Sched	Update Lighting Pipes, Truss, Softgoods, Light Position Objects, and Savvy LS Items based on the worksheet data. There is an identical menu command.
Update Sched from Objects	Update the schedule worksheet with data from Lighting Pipes, Truss, Softgoods, Light Position Objects, and Savvy LS Items in the drawing. There is an identical menu command.
Flip	Flip the direction of the section with respect to the insertion point.
Display Lineset Worksheet	Click to display the Lineset Worksheet. You can also double-click on the schedule object in the drawing.
Settings…	Set preferences for all Savvy Lineset objects in the drawing. There is an identical msnu command.
Make Default	Click to make the settings for this Section object the default for all new Sections in this drawing.
About…	Informaiton about this version and your user registration.

Savvy Lineset Section Item Object

Overview

Each lineset has a Section Item Object that you can individually select, configure, and move.

The Savvy Lineset Schedule manages insertion and removal of Section Items. Do not manually insert or paste Savvy Linesets Section Item Objects.

In addition to the parameter in object info, drag, nudge, or use the move command to set an Item’s trim.

Designating the Item as a softgood will draw a line representing the drape.

You can add additional geometry to the Section Item, like a lighting instrument, drape, scenic element, or practical. Edit the geometry via Modify>Edit Savvy LS Section Item or by double-clicking on the object.

Parameters

Parameter	Description
LS Number	The lineset on which the object hangs. You can use this menu to assign the item to a different lineset. Linesets marked with a star are in use.
Label	A description of the item.
Distance	Distance from plaster or setting line.
If Distance changes	Not used
Trim	The item’s trim. In addition to a dimension, the field recognizes the keywords in, out, and grid.
Electric	Check to designate this object as an electric.
Softgood	Check to designate this object as a softgood. Softgoods will draw a line indicating the softgood in section and synchronize paremeters with Softgoods objects.
SoftGoodClass	Designate a class for the line indicating the softgood in section.
Item Height	For softgoods, this corresponds to the hight of the softgood. Also use this setting to designate a trim measurement that offsets from the batten. For example, a practical that trims to the botttom. A positave value sets the trim point below the batten.
Symbol	Specify a symbol for the item. You can also edit the object and draw or insert any geometry. By default, this is a section of a pipe.
Draw Lift Line	Draw the lift line between the item and the grid.
Classes
Auto-Class	Enable to automatically generate sub-classes based on the class designated in Settings.
Item	Class for the item geometry.
Update	Refresh the section based on worksheet data.
Update Objects from Sched	Update Lighting Pipes, Truss, Softgoods, Light Position Objects, and Savvy LS Items based on the worksheet data. There is an identical menu command.
Update Sched from Objects	Update the schedule worksheet with data from Lighting Pipes, Truss, Softgoods, Light Position Objects, and Savvy LS Items in the drawing. There is an identical menu command.
Flip	Flip the direction of the section with respect to the insertion point.
Display Lineset Worksheet	Click to display the Lineset Worksheet. You can also double-click on the schedule object in the drawing.
Settings…	Set preferences for all Savvy Lineset objects in the drawing. There is an identical msnu command.
Make Default	Click to make the settings for this Section object the default for all new Sections in this drawing.
About…	Informaiton about this version and your user registration.

Tools

Fill LS Sched from Clicks

Use this tool to fill Number and Distance data in the lineset Worksheet.

The tool has two modes. The first mode assumes that the drawing origin is your plaster or setting line. In this mode, your first click will be on lineset 1. The second mode lets your first click designate the zero point for distance measurements.

Click in the drawing for each lineset location in sequence. The tool only reads the y location to set data in the Distance column. The Mode Bar help text indicates the linset number awaiting your click. Double-click on the last lineset position to complete the tool.

If the Worksheet already has data, the tool will confirm that you want to replace data in the existing worksheet.

Menu Commands

Refresh LS Scheds and Secs

Refresh the Schedule and Section objects based on any changes you made to the Worksheet.

Create objects from LS Shed

Use the schedule Worksheet to create Lighting Pipes, Straight Truss, Lighting Position Objects, and Softgoods corresponding to the schedule. The command will search for and update any existing objects that correspond to the schedule, and only create objects that don’t match.

First choose whether to create objects for all linesets, only linesets with an Item Description, or only Softgoods and/or Electrics.

Find existing objects via lineset number, distance, or unique item name.

The zero reference point can be the drawing origin or the next click.

Designate the type of object to draw for each empty pipe, softgood, or electric. Electrics may immediately convert to Light Position Objects, or remain the specified object in order to edit further.

Upon exiting the dialog, you will have the opportunity to set defaults for any object types new to the drawing.

Update Objects from LS Sch

Update Lighting Pipes, Straight Truss, Lighting Position Objects, Softgoods, and Savvy Lineset Items based on the schedule Worksheet. This command also updates objects when changes to the Savvy Lineset Section have updated the schedule Worksheet.

Choose to match objects via lineset number, distance, or unique item name. Use of these options can also help associate objects with the worksheet that weren’t created with the Create Objects from LS Sched command.

See The Lineset Worksheet for information on what data synchronize to objects.

For convenience, Schedule, Section, and Section Items have a button that preforms this menu’s function.

Update LS Sch from Objects

Update the schedule Worksheet from Lighting Pipes, Straight Truss, Lighting Position Objects, and Softgoods objects in the drawing. Lineset Schedules and Sections will also refresh to reflect the updated worksheet.

If an item’s y position differed from the value in the worksheet you will be prompted with options to correct the object’s position, change the distance in the worksheet, reassign to another lineset, or ignore.

See The Lineset Worksheet for information on what data synchronize to objects.

For convenience, Schedule, Section, and Section Items have a button that preforms this menu’s function.

Make Savvy Lineset Aware

Embed the selected objects in a Savvy Lineset Item object. Lighting Pipes, Straight Truss, Lighting Position Objects, and Softgoods sync directly to the schedule, so do not need this command to work with Savvy Linesets.

The dialog prompts you to pick a reference point on the selected object that aligns with the distance datum of the lineset.

You can immediately assign the Item to a lineset, though you can also leave this field blank and associate the object later via Object Info. If the lineset to which you assign the object is already in use, you will be prompted whether to use the existing name and trim.

Savvy Lineset Settings

Change settings that affect all Savvy Linesets objects

Lineset base class
Specify a base class to use for all auto-classing.

Object Insertion Classes
Specify default insertion classes for Lineset related objects. You can also choose to insert objects using the active class.

Lineset prefix
Specify a prefix for identifying linesets. This appears in pull-down menus and in location fields for Lighting Positions and Softgoods. This is “LS” by default, and would normally not change, unless you want to indicate Truss, etc.

Trim Soft Goods from
Specify how soft good trims measure, either bottom of the soft good or the batten.

Maximum out trim
Set the maximum out trim for the Create Objects command and for the Lineset Section object. Changing this setting will not affect any existing objects.

Lineset Worksheet Name
Specify a name for the Lineset Schedule Worksheet in the Resource Browser. This only changes the name Savvy Linesets uses to identify the data worksheet. If you wish to change the name of an existing worksheet, you must also do so in the Resource Browser.

Make default
Make these settings default for all new drawings.

FAQ

Can I add columns to the Worksheet?

You can only add columns to the right of the worksheet, starting with Column M. However, only the six columns configurable in the Schedule object appear in the drawing: Number, Distance, Label, Note, Weight, and Item width.

Can I change the name of Schedule columns?

Yes, you can rename columns anything you wish. The names are reflected in the Lineset Schedule object.

What if the setting line is at the top of the drawing?

You can order linesets any way you wish in the Worksheet. Linesets DS of the setting line will have a negative distance.

How do I create Softgoods that are legs?

In order to use a single Softgoods object as legs, you essentially configure the object as an open traveller without a track. Set the Open From parameter to Center and the opening Width parameter to the space between legs.

What if an item object’s center does not align to the centerline of the stage?

Savvy Linesets creates new objects centered at x = 0. Once the object exists, you may move it left or right as needed. The object’s length will update if you change it in the schedule Worksheet, but the object’s left/right position will not change.

Can I place the Lineset Schedule on a sheet layer?

You can place a Schedule object in the Annotations of a Sheet Layer Viewport.

I’ve edited the symbol designated in Savvy Linesets Section Items. The lift lines don’t seem to be drawing to the correct point.

Currently, exiting a symbol definition can’t trigger Savvy Linesets Section Items to recalculate their bounding boxes. If this happens, select the Section Items with updated symbols and click the Update button.