BeamViz
BeamViz allows you to visualize the coverage of a beam of light in plan view or 3D.
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 or change its parameters, 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 and offers a number of features to aid in visualization and rendering.
Instructions
Insert in the Drawing
Click on the BeamViz Tool icon
Select your desired insertion mode
Select whether you would like to detect the position height at the hanging location, and attach the beam to the Rigging ObjectClick in the drawing according to your selected mode
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.
Click on the drawing in the approximate plan location where you would like the light to focus
In , set the interaction lock to Focus. Drag anywhere on the beam to the point you want the light to hang. The size and shape of the beam will change accordingly
Alternatively, you can drag the boxed control point to a hanging position. Your cursor will change to a double arrow when it is over the control point.
This mode works well in both Top/Plan and 3D views Click on the drawing in the location where you would like the light to hang
Click where you would like the beam to focus.
Optionally, BeamViz will detect any Focus Points under your cursor for setting the focus coordinate, face plane height, and focus data field.
This mode works well in both Top/Plan and 3D views Click where you would like the beam to focus.
Optionally, BeamViz will detect any Focus Points under your cursor for setting the focus coordinate, face plane height, and focus data field.
Click on the drawing in the location where you would like the light to hang
You can also use nudge shift+up down left right or grid nudge ctrl+shift+up down left right to fine-tune the beam based on your fixed parameter (focus location or light location)
Parameters
BeamViz has many parameters that affect the look and behavior of the object.
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.
For a detailed explanation of all parameters, see Adjusting Parameters