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

1. 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.
2. In Vectorworks, select Tools > Plug-ins > Plug-in Manager
3. Select the Third-party plug-ins page
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 .

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:

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

 

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:

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.

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 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

1. Click on the BeamViz  Tool icon .
2. Click on the drawing in the approximate plan location where you would like the light to hang.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

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 previsualization of your shutter cuts.

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

1. Switch to a 3D view. The beam will continue to reshape if moved in 3D.
2. You may want to hold down the shift key while moving the beam in 3D so its focus height does not change.
3. 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.
4. 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.

 

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.

1. Select the beam objects you want to reverse and repeat. They can be any mix of BeamViz Objects, Pars, and Sections.
2. 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.

 

Channeling Beams

---

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

1. Click on the BeamViz  Tool icon
2. Click on the drawing in the approximate plan location where you would like the light to hang.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. You can also use nudge (shift+arrow) to fine tune the focus point.
6. Adjust parameters of the beam in the Object Info palette.
7. 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

1. Click on the BeamViz Section Tool icon
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Adjust the section’s options, including Field Angle in Object Info.
5. 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

1. Select a single BeamViz Section object.
2. Choose the Section Beam to Plan command.
3. 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:

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

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

---

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

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

---

Channel BeamViz

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

1. If no beams are selected, the command channels all beams on the current layer. Otherwise the command works with selected beams of any type.
2. Choose the menu Channel BeamViz Objects .
3. You will see a dialog allowing you to select the first channel and the direction channels will number.
4. The channel displays at the focus point. You can change the font and size using the Text menu.
5. 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 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

1. Select the BeamViz objects you wish to convert. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
2. 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.
3. Choose if you want the symbols aligned to the drawing grid and rotated to the nearest 90°.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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

1. Select the beams you wish to file on another layer. If no beams are selected, the command converts all beams on the current layer.
2. Select the Move BeamViz Objects to Layer menu command.
3. You will be prompted for a suffix name for the layer, usually the system name. The layer name can be new or existing.
4. 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.
5. Click OK, now the beams are moved.

---

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

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.