Savvy Linesets

version 1.0.0

User Guide

Created by Joshua Benghiat

Joshua Benghiat Lighting Design

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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

 

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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.

1. 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.
2. In Vectorworks, select Tools > Plug-ins > Plug-in Manager
3. Select the Third-party plug-ins tab
4. Click the Install… button
5. Navigate to and select the saved installer zip file
6. Read and confirm the EULA
7. 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.

 

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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:

1. Select Tools>Workspaces>Edit Current Workspace.
2. Click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Menus categories on the left hand side.
3. You may want to create a new menu or submenu to display Savvy Linesets.
4. Drag all the Savvy Linesets menu commands one by one to the menu tree on the right side.
5. Select the Tools tab.
6. Click the disclosure triangle next to JBLD in the list of Tools categories on the left hand side.
7. 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.
8. 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

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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.

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.

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.

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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.