Savvy Symbol Section
version 2.0.0
Users Guide
Created by Joshua Benghiat
Joshua Benghiat Lighting Design
Introduction
Requirements | Installation | Support
Getting Started
Adding to your Workspace | Registration | Overview
In Detail
Object Info Parameters | Changing Default Parameters | Using Classes to Control Detail | Editing Section Parts | Using Your Own Symbols
Introduction
Requirements
Vectorworks 12 or higher
Installation
If you haven’t already, download the Savvy Section 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
To use the Savvy Section object, you must either add it to your Workspace. Note, that if you are upgrading from the Source Four Savvy Section, this is a completely seperate tool to add to your Workspace.
Adding to your Workspace
To add Savvy Section to an existing 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 all the Savvy Symbol Section Plug-Ins Objects to an existing palette on the right or create a new palette.
- Click OK.
Registration
The first time you use the Savvy Section, you will be asked for a registration number. You can also access the registration dialog through the “About” button in the Object Info palette. The Savvy Section will not draw without a valid code.
Overview
The Savvy Symbol Section allows you to draw detailed 2D sections at any hanging angle, with any clamp, or barrel type, and add scrollers, top hats, and half hats.
The Savvy Section is a Plug-In Object, meaning you can draw any configuration with a single object using user-definable parameters. You can edit an object’s parameters in the Object Info Palette.
Insert in the Drawing
Select the Savvy Symbol Section icon from the tool set to which you added it. Insert in the drawing like a symbol.
Alternatively, you can create red symbols or object styles and add pre-configured secitons from your resource browser.
In Detail
Object Info Parameters
As with all Plug-In Objects, the first time you place a Savvy Section 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 center of the pipe or sidearm. |
| Style | The Savvy Symbol Section supports object styles. Use this menu to apply, create, or modify a Style definition for the Section. Section 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. |
| Symbol | |
| Inst. Type | Choose from a catalog of instrument types. You can select form the following:
Selected symbol – By default, you can also choose any 2D or 3D symbol to use as the basis of the Section object. |
| Barrel | If you have a catalog symbol selected, you may also specify a barrel type. You can select from the following:
Standard (50–19 degree) |
| Symbol | The name of the specified symbol. Useful to copy and paste a non-catalog symbol. |
| Warning | Feedback after selecting an invalid section symbol displays here |
| Symbol component | For user-defined symbols, select whether using the 2D component or a flattened 3D section. |
| Add fill | To save rendering time, a flattened 3D symbol displays as an unfilled hidden line render. Once you have configured the symbol, enable this option to add a solid fill. |
| Rotations | |
| Standard View: | Select from a menu of standard view options. For flattened 3D symbols, you can also specify any plan rotation. The following options are available: Side < NOTE: Front views round to the nearest 45° |
| Plan Rotation | The imagined plan rotation of the instrument you are viewing on section. As with the Top/Plan view, 0 is facing into the page and 180 faces away from the page, the “Front” view. Choosing a Standard View automatically enters this angle. |
| Yoke Angle | Specify an angle to “yoke” the unit forward or back from vertical. Note, this currently only displays the unit correctly in 2D side views or some 3D views. 0 is straight down. Enter 180 to top yoke the unit. |
| Body Angle | The tilt angle of the body from straight down.
In front view, the angle is rounded to the nearest 45 degrees. Use a negative angle to flip the light upside down (ie. flip the gel clip, etc.). |
| Flip | Press this button to flip the view left to right (e.g. change from a front light to a back light) |
| 3D Components | |
| Show Clamp/Base | Render the 3D part tagged as the “Base.” Unselect to use one of the 2D symbol options |
| Plan Rotate Clamp/Base | If you show the base, choose its plan orientation. Useful for showing the orientation of a moving light base. |
| Show yoke | Render the 3D part tagged as the “Yoke.” Unselect for the Savvy Section to draw its own yoke. |
| Draw clearance circle | Draw a clearance circle around the instrument, including accessories. For catalog instruments, this is based on a known radius. Otherwise, this is a best guess from the symbol’s geometry. |
| Clearance circle class | Specify a class for the Clearance Circle. By default, this uses the same class as the Savvy Section object instance. |
| Clamp | |
| Type | Select from the following types of clamps and views:
C Clamp-Side
|
| Number | Display multiple clamps, for example when hanging a moving light. |
| Separation | If showing multiple clamps, the distance between them |
| Show Pipe | Enable to show a 2″ pipe in section |
| Yoke | |
| Draw Yoke | Enable for the Savvy Section to create the yoke for the section. Works in any view. Enabled by default for catalog symbols. |
| Yoke Length | The distance from the bottom of the clamp to the pivot point. Automatically entered for catalog and flattened 3D symbols. |
| Yoke Width | The inside width of the yoke. Useful for non-side views. This value also affects the placement of the Handle in non-side views. |
| Short-Yoke | Show the section in a short-yoke position.
|
| Yoke Handle | Draw a yoke-tilt handle or bolts. You may select from the following:
Clutch (Default) |
| Scroller | |
| Scroller | Enable to draw a scroller. Scrollers in views other than side (any tilt) or front with a 90-degree tilt may take a couple seconds to calculate their geometry. |
| Scroller Size | Choose from a selection of scroller sizes. Choosing a catalog symbol will automatically select the most logical size. |
| CXI | Select this option to select a double scroller, like the CXI, which is typically fatter. |
| Accessory | |
| Accessory | Enable this option to draw the selected accessory in front of the lens or scroller. |
| Accessory Type | Choose from the following:
Top Hat Full |
| Accessory Size | Choose from a selection of accessory sizes. Choosing a catalog symbol or barrel will automatically select the frame size. You can also specify a custom frame size. Note, some scrollers take a different accessory size than the adaptor plate they use. Please consult manufacturer specifications for to confirm accessory sizes for use with scrollers. |
| Custom Size | Enter a value if you have selected the Custom size. Some catalog units, like Source Four Minis or Desires will enter the appropriate custom size here. |
| Half hat position | If you have selected a Half Hat, select how that Hat should orient in the unit. |
| Color Extender | In addition to the accessory, display a color extender. |
| Adjust V | If the accessory slot does not align with the center of the unit’s tilt point, this value will adjust the accessory up or down. |
| Adjust H | Use this value to adjust the accessory (and scroller) away from or towards the lens. |
| Settings… | Set preferences for the Savvy Symbol Section
Default insertion class: Choose a class for new Section objects. You can also opt to insert labels in the active class. Component class prefix: All catalog symbols use three classes to separate the main section, large details, and small details. Enter a base class name for building these three classes. Any symbol components imported by the Savvy Symbol Section will adapt to this base class. Symbol Folder: Select a folder for importing needed Section resources. The Savvy Symbol Section will maintain s few sub-folders within this folder. 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 |
Using Classes to Control Detail
The Savvy Section’s components are divided into three classes:
|
 |
You can take advantage of the classing in two ways. Firstly, you can hide or gray either of the detail levels to show varying levels of detail. Secondly, all objects have their attributes set by class. This means you can edit the default attributes for these classes, and the look of the Savvy Sections will adjust accordingly.
Editing Section Parts
Further customization of the Savvy Section is possible by editing the Section Parts Vectorworks file. You can edit any of the component parts in this file to your liking, including shape, attributes, and class. The only things you should NOT CHANGE are the size and insertion points of the component symbols, or the section parts will not assemble properly.
Using Your Own Symbols
Savvy Symbol Section provides an option to make any symbol into a Savvy Section. You have two options for working with non-catalog symbols:
2D Symbols
Specify any 2D symbol for use with Savvy Symbol Section. This can be a symbol used for a Lighting Device (like a Fresnel or PAR that may work well in plan or section) you a section you have drawn according to manufacturer specifications.
For side sections, orient the 2D symbol as you would to prepare it for use with lighting devices, pointing towards the top of the page, with the insertion point at the tilt pivot point. The bottom of the unit should face the left of the page. At this point, the symbol is ready to be savvy, though you may want to attach the data record described below for improved accuracy.
All front and angled view symbols are un-rotated (they should appear how they will in the section), with the insertion point at the pan / tilt pivot point.
3D Symbols
Any Spotlight-ready symbol should work with the Savvy Symbol Section. Please see the Spotlight Help section on assigning parts to 3D symbols.
Attaching the Savvy Section Info record
User-defined symbols should have the Savvy Section Info record attached. The record contains the following data:
YOKE LENGTH: distance from the top of the yoke to the pivot point
YOKE WIDTH: the width of the yoke, from center to center
SLOT OFFSET: the distance from the tilt axis to the center of the front accessory slot.
SLOT ADJUST V: If the lens is not at the midpoint of the tilt axis, enter an offset
ACCESSORY SIZE: Frame size
CLEARANCE RADIUS: The radius of the clearance for the instrument.
2D VIEW: Plan rotation.
HAS BARREL: Enable if this instrument has a barrel symbol
CUSTOM YOKE: If this symbol uses its own yoke symbol, enter the name here (with out the suffix -side, -front, etc.)
NOTES:
If a value is not needed, set to zero.
To accommodate units, these are text fields. You can use any units, but you must include units.
Examples: 12.5”, 218mm, 7cm, 1’2.5”