Braceworks

The design of rigging structures is an integral part of the event, entertainment, display, and exhibit industries. The Braceworks™ suite of commands and tools inserts and connects supporting structures (such as trusses and lighting pipes), adds hoists and other supports, and then adds loads to the structures.

With a Braceworks license, the system uses the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to accurately calculate and analyze the structural forces of a hanging rigging system, to determine whether the structural system is viable. Structural reports and the ability to export in DSTV format allow the calculations to be shared and validated by structural engineering colleagues.

Braceworks-only Functionality

Vectorworks Spotlight incorporates many of the Braceworks features for drawing rigging structures and adding loads, allowing Spotlight users to take advantage of the rigging tools and run a system check (a Spotlight user may need to add the available commands to the workspace).

However, a Braceworks license is required to perform calculations and create reports.

The structural analysis calculations in Braceworks are done by an FEA core that performs calculations upon the rigging objects in the Vectorworks drawing (the truss, straight truss, curved truss, and lighting pipe). Each object is handled individually in the calculations; the FEA core considers all of the individual structural elements as beams. To determine the correct type of beam, each beam contains the cross section information required for proper calculations.

Workflow: Working with Braceworks

In conjunction with Spotlight’s other tools and commands and features, lighting designers can use Braceworks tools as part of the design process, and rigging professionals can use the Braceworks tool set and commands to create, analyze, and report complete rigging designs. The suggested workflow will vary, depending upon the type of design, the venue, the event, and whether you have a Spotlight or Braceworks license.

Braceworks for Lighting Designers

Lighting designers planning to use Vision to previz the show can set up a file with Braceworks with little change to their current workflow. To reduce excess geometry, the use of the Straight Truss and Curved Truss tool as well as the Lighting Pipe tool is recommended. To keep lighting devices and other Spotlight design elements easier to work with, convert these items to hanging positions with the Convert to Hanging Position command.

Braceworks for Rigging Designers

• Specify the basics of the drawing, such as establishing the layer scale, creating layers, setting up Spotlight preferences, and so on. Create non-rigging elements for the drawing (stage objects, venue walls).

• Optional: Set up the truss inventory with the truss types and different truss lengths available, by selecting the Replace Truss command and clicking Truss Inventory.

• Create the rigging structure in the drawing space. Insert trusses with the Insert Truss tool. Auto Connect mode should be enabled so that the rigging elements create a system.

Alternatively, use the Straight Truss tool and/or the Curved Truss tool. Insert a lighting pipe with the Lighting Pipe tool. All of these elements are considered to be “beams” by Braceworks.

• If needed, add connections between structural elements. The Insert Connection tool creates hoists or truss cross connections between trusses.

• Convert geometry with the Convert to Hanging Position command. This allows the structural objects to also function as hanging positions for Spotlight lighting devices and other Spotlight objects.

• If needed due to inventory restrictions or other requirements, replace parts of the truss line with different lengths of truss with the Replace Truss command, or replace one truss type with another with the Replace Truss Type command.

• Add, or have the various departments add, the load objects such as lights, speakers, video screens and so on, or insert a point load or distributed load with the Insert Load tool. The auto-connect function snaps to the correct point. Loads are attached to hanging positions automatically, or can be added later. Any elements that are not needed for calculations (Braceworks required) should be kept on layers that are separate from the elements that will be calculated.

• Add support objects such as hoists or drops associated with a truss with the Insert Drop command.

• Run the system check commands (first on selected, and then on all) to find any mistakes, such as unattached objects like loads or hoists, and misaligned or unsupported objects.

• Braceworks required: Correct any mistakes found. Braceworks provides color-coded annotations to assist with this, both in reports and within the drawing.

• Braceworks required: Hide the layers that do not participate in calculations, and then run the calculations first on a subset with the Calculate Selection command, and then on all visible items with the Calculate Visible command.

• Braceworks required: Run the calculations on all rigging items with the Calculate All Objects command to determine the viability of the system.

• Braceworks required: Export reports if needed, sharing the data (PDF and/or DSTV file) with structural engineers, colleagues, or clients.

Concept: Creating a Connected Rigging System

Braceworks calculations and, in some cases, functionality, depends upon creating connected rigging systems. As structural elements are placed in the drawing, they can automatically connect to other, similar elements with the same cross section, creating a system. Trusses, straight trusses, curved trusses, and lighting pipes can connect to form a system. Connected to those items, hoists and loads (including lighting devices, speakers, speaker arrays, video screens, soft goods, and generic point and distributed loads) are also considered to be part of the system, and they move or adjust with the system automatically.

It is important to use the method of Changing the Trim Height of a System to adjust the height of structural systems and all connected objects properly. All of the items in the system move together, and hoist chain lengths are automatically adjusted if needed.

When drawing with the Insert Truss tool, ensure that Auto Connect mode is enabled so that truss systems are automatically connected. Only compatible trusses can connect automatically. If the truss to connect does not cause an existing truss to highlight, it is because they are not compatible, or one of the structural elements does not have a valid Connectable to parameter.

At insertion, Auto Connect mode automatically flips gable, fork, spigot male/female trusses so that they connect properly. An alert opens only if a connection is not possible.

When adding other objects to the drawing, such as hoists and loads, valid connected structural elements are highlighted in red, indicating that if placed there, the new object will connect to the system. Copying and pasting trusses, rigging objects, and even entire systems also use auto connect functionality to connect to existing systems.

A completed rigging system consists of straight truss lines connected with corner elements to form a truss system, as shown in this simple illustration. Example naming of truss lines and the system is also shown; see Renaming Truss Systems for more information.

Braceworks Preferences

Command	Path
Braceworks Preferences	Braceworks

Prior to beginning the rigging design, set up the default Braceworks preferences. The settings apply to the current file.

In addition to setting up the preferences, set up the Braceworks units on the Structural pane of the Units dialog box. If not specified, the document units are used.

Parameter	Description
Safety Factors	Sets the value of factors that are added to calculations to increase safety
Presets	Select a safety preset that conforms to standard safety codes; when a preset is selected, no custom modifications are permitted
All Loads/Temporary Loads/ Permanent Loads	Adds an additional multiplication factor to all loads (this factor is added to all calculations as a last calculation step), or only to loads categorized as temporarily or permanently installed
Load Categories	Adds an additional multiplication factor to the available load categories; each one can specify permanent or temporary as a sub-category for those particular load types
Cable Flat-Fare	Accounts for cable weight, without having to draw all of the cables
Truss	Adds the specified weight to all trusses (truss, straight truss, curved truss) to account for the additional weight from cables
Pipe	Adds the specified weight to all lighting pipe objects or pipe symbols to account for the additional weight from cables
Calculation Settings
Second order analysis	Causes calculations to fail when ropes/chains receive forces they cannot support; deselect this option to ignore these failures, which allows the calculations to continue
Compensate drops	Automatically shortens drops to compensate for the deflection of upper structural deflections (simulates the leveling off of lower structures)
Automatic scaling	Rescales influence lines so that they display optimally after every calculation
Include references	Allows rigging objects from referenced files to participate in calculations
Maximum Allowable Deflection	Sets the upper limit of deflection before it is considered to be “large” deflection; if this threshold is exceeded, a warning is shown. For some systems (especially very long trusses with few supports), large deflections can occur without affecting the accuracy of the results, and this value may require adjusting.
Geometry Accuracy	Adjusts the geometric accuracy of the model; increase the value to compensate for inaccuracies, loosening the tolerance. If the value is set too high, some items will be omitted from calculations.

3 Click the Classes tab to define the classes for various Braceworks elements for controlling appearance and visibility.

Parameter	Description
Influence Lines Classes
Active Class	Places influence lines into the currently active class
Same Class as Structural Element	Places influence lines in the same class as the associated truss or other structural element
Select Class	Select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class
Use Standard Class	Select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class; the standard suggested class is selected by default
Combine Standard Class and Truss Name	Adds the name of the cross section to the selected class name
Label Classes	Select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. The standard default label classes are selected by default.
FEM Object Classes	Creates additional FEM (Finite Element Model) objects and adds them to the drawing after a calculation; when deselected, no FEM objects are created. Since creating the FEM objects can take some time and they are required only in special cases, they are not created by default. Select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. The standard default object classes are selected by default.
Assign Class to Loads	Places loads into the selected class
Select Class	Select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class
Create Class Name Based on Record Field	Automatically creates a class for the load objects based on the contents of the Name, Weight, or Load Category in the object’s record field
Class Name with ____	Adds either a prefix or suffix to the selected class name; select Prefix or Suffix and then enter its alphanumerical value
Reset	Restores the default class settings for the items in the tab

4 Click the Workload Display tab to specify color standards when generating a representative graphical workload gradient map after calculations are complete. This “heat map” display applies separately to hoists/bridles and trusses, and is visible in Top/Plan as well as 3D views.

Parameter	Description
Color Hoists	Select how to display the workload applied to hoists and bridles
Absolute Workload	Creates a gradient map for hoist/bridle colors, ranging from 0 to 100% of the workload
Relative Workload	Creates a gradient map for hoist/bridle colors, from the lowest to the highest workload
Threshold	Creates a color map with defined categories to represent low, high, and overloaded hoists/bridles
Color Truss Results	Select how to display the workload applied to trusses
Absolute Workload	Creates a gradient map for truss colors, ranging from 0 to 100% of the workload
Relative Workload	Creates a gradient map for truss colors, from the lowest to the highest workload
Threshold	Creates a color map with defined categories to represent low, high, and overloaded trusses
Influence line values	Shows the colors for the value of a selected influence line, rather than a workload. Select a force (normal or shear), torsional moment force, or bending moment force for coloring. The minimum value is colored according to the Low workload color, and the maximum value received the Overloaded color.
Workload Threshold Assignment
Low workload	Click the color box to select a color to represent low workloads
High workload	Enter the threshold percentage to represent a high workload, and click the color box to select its color
Overloaded	Enter the threshold percentage to represent a workload overload, and click the color box to select its color

Creating the Rigging System

Placing Trusses

Tool	Tool set
Insert Truss	Rigging

The Insert Truss tool places a section of truss on the drawing; depending on the resource selected, the truss may be straight, curved (or circular), or a corner element, and it may be horizontal or vertical. In Auto Connect mode, a truss connects to existing trusses, forming a truss system. When Auto Connect mode is disabled, the truss is not connected to an existing truss.

Mode	Description
Auto Connect	When enabled, connects the inserted truss to the current truss system with geometrical precision; also generates a preview of connected trusses that are being moved
Truss symbol	Select the truss to insert
Hanging Angle	Specifies the hanging angle from the X axis
Maintain class of symbol	Uses the class specification from the symbol definition; disable the mode to insert the truss into the active class instead

1 Click the tool. Click Truss symbol on the Tool bar. From the Resource Selector, double-click a resource to activate it.

If a symbol is not selected, the Select Symbol dialog box opens automatically to select one.

Alternatively, from the Resource Manager, either double-click the truss symbol to insert or right-click on the truss symbol and select Make Active from the context menu. The Insert Truss tool is automatically selected.

If a truss symbol is accidentally inserted by the Symbol Insertion tool, the truss functionality will not be present. When correctly inserted, the Object Info palette displays “Truss” for the selected truss.

If the selected truss has insufficient information for proper calculations, the Truss Properties dialog box opens automatically, to enter required information; see Creating a Custom Truss Symbol.

Truss resources are organized by type, such as horizontal, vertical, curved, corner, etc. Select the desired type of truss element for insertion.

2 If this is the first truss placed, click to place the object in the drawing, and click again to set the orientation.

If connecting to an existing truss system, enable Auto Connect mode. When adding a truss to an existing system, a valid existing component to connect to is highlighted, indicating that if placed there, the new component will connect to the system. The Connectable with parameter determines whether structural elements can connect; trusses can only connect to compatible connectors, as described in Concept: Creating a Connected Rigging System. Move the mouse to hover over the connection; depending on the type of truss being attached and the view, various options are previewed for connecting the truss. For example, connecting a three way corner truss will have different insertion options available from connecting a four way truss, and Top/Plan view will provide different previews from 3D insertion. Auto Connect mode automatically flips gable, fork, spigot male/female trusses so that they connect properly.

When inserting vertical truss, switch to a 3D view, such as an isometric view. This allows truss sections to be added to either end, or to an existing corner element. If in Top/Plan view, truss sections can only be added to the top end. In Top/Plan or Top view, only the end of the truss is visible,

If no highlighting occurs with Auto Connect mode enabled, the trusses are not connectable.

When the desired location and orientation is highlighted, click to place the truss.

Parameter	Description
Properties
Type	Displays the truss type, manufacturer, or catalog identification number
Name	Identifies the truss section; if the truss is converted to a hanging position, the name of the hanging position displays automatically
ID	Unique identifier for truss calculations and labels; if blank, a value is automatically assigned when calculations are run (Braceworks required)
Height/Width	Displays the height and width values of the truss
Total Weight	Sets the total gross weight of the truss; corner trusses are considered as point loads in calculations, while all other truss types are considered as distributed loads
Distributed Weight	Displays the weight per unit of length for the truss
Length (straight or curved truss only)	Displays the length of the truss
Cross section	Displays the cross section unique ID number, when a cross section file has been associated with the truss as described in Specifying Cross Section Data Cross section information is required for valid calculations; if there is no identified cross section, calculations will not be complete.
Connectable with	Displays the ID of structural elements that can be connected to this truss in Auto Connect mode, forming a structural system
Truss System	Displays the name of the truss system to which the truss belongs, along with the truss line number
Display
Draw 3D only	Hides the 2D only portion of the object, making it easier to view and rotate in 3D views
Center line	In Top/Plan view, displays the truss center line; some load objects are attached at the truss center line
Actions
Customize	Opens the Truss Properties dialog box, which displays the truss manufacturer data. The data can be edited if necessary by Creating a Custom Truss Symbol; click Apply Customization to change the parameters of the selected truss. Customizing manufacturer truss data is for advanced usage and is generally not recommended.
Apply Customization	Applies modified parameters to the selected truss
Objects of Same Type	Selects truss objects with the same Type parameter
Objects of Same Cross Section	Selects truss objects with the same Cross section parameter
Select System Objects	Selects all the truss objects connected within the same system, along with all associated loads, hoists, drops, and so on
Change Trim Height of System	Opens the Change Trim Height dialog box, for Changing the Trim Height of a System
Rename Truss System	Opens the Change Truss System Name dialog box, for Renaming Truss Systems
Change Configuration	Opens the Replace Truss Configuration dialog box, for Replacing Truss Configurations
Convert to Hanging Position	Converts the truss, making it “contained” within a hanging position object so that it can have dual Spotlight and Braceworks functionality; see Creating a Hanging Position Object

Creating a Custom Truss Symbol

Command	Path
Convert to Truss	Braceworks

The Convert to Truss command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizing Workspaces) and subsequently used to convert trusses.

Vectorworks Spotlight ships with a comprehensive set of truss symbols, but you can create a truss from your own symbol as well. Various parameters are required for truss symbols to be valid. Once the parameters have been set for the symbol, it is saved as a truss resource, so the parameters only need to be set one time.

If you are inserting a truss symbol that does not have all the required parameters for structural analysis, the Truss Properties dialog box opens automatically so that all necessary parameters can be set.

The Truss Properties dialog box opens. Specify the parameters required for a valid straight, corner, or circular (curved) truss.

Parameter	Description
Straight Truss
Object data
Type	Enter a truss system name
Name	Specify a catalog name for the truss element
Length (L)	Enter the installation length
Total Weight	Enter the total weight of the truss
Distributed Weight	Displays the distributed weight of the truss; this is calculated automatically based on the Length and the Total Weight. Changes here also affect the Total Weight value.
Vertical Symbol	Indicates that the symbol is to be inserted as a vertical truss; if deselected, a horizontal truss is assumed
Cross Section data
UID	Displays the ID of any currently selected cross section
Change Cross Section	Displays the cross section unique ID number, when a cross section file has been associated with the truss as described in Specifying Cross Section Data. Cross section information is required for valid calculations; if there is no identified cross section, calculations will not be complete.
Height/Width	If a generic (rigid) cross section was selected, or a cross section is not specified, enter the total installation height and width of the truss; otherwise, the height and width from the selected cross section display
Connectable with	Specifies the Type of cross section that the truss can connect to; to list more than one cross section, separate them with semi-colons
Connection
Start/End	Select the type of connection for each end of the truss; see Concept: Creating a Connected Rigging System. At insertion, Auto Connect mode uses the selections for proper truss connection.
Rotation	Specifies the rotation of the connection points along the horizontal drawn axis of the truss, for proper alignment
Geometry	Displays a typical truss to assist with understanding the parameters
Corner Truss
Object data
Type	Enter a truss system name
Name	Specify a catalog name for the truss element
Weight	Enter the weight of the truss
Cross Section data
UID	Displays the ID of any currently selected cross section
Change Cross Section	Opens the Cross Section dialog box, to select a cross section or switch to a different cross section
Height/Width	If a generic cross section was selected, or a cross section is not specified, enter the total installation height and width of the truss; otherwise, the height and width from the selected cross section display
Connectable with	Specifies the Type of cross section that the truss can connect to; to list more than one cross section, separate them with semi-colons
Connection	Select the type for each connection, and set its connection angle; see Concept: Creating a Connected Rigging System. At insertion, Auto Connect mode uses the selections for proper truss connection. Depending on the selected Geometry, various connection combinations become available.
Geometry	Displays a typical truss to assist with understanding the parameters; enter the parameters below the diagram
Corner type	Select the type of corner geometry; the diagram adjusts by displaying the relevant required parameters
Parameter values	Depending on the selected Corner type, different parameters are required. The diagram indicates where the parameters are located. For typical corners, length values are required. For Custom types, up to six points can be defined. Specify the coordinates of the middle of the truss where the center lines cross. Then select the corners of the connection points that exist on the truss, and specify their coordinates relative to the insertion point.
Circular Truss
Object data
Type	Enter a truss system name
Name	Specify a catalog name for the truss element
Diameter (D)	Enter the outer diameter of the circular truss
Angle	Specify the arc angle of the truss from the start point to the end point
Insertion point is center point	Indicates that the center point of the truss is also its insertion point
Total Weight	Enter the total weight of the truss
Distributed Weight	Displays the distributed weight of the truss; this is calculated automatically based on the Length and the Weight. Changes here also affect the Total Weight value.
Cross Section data
UID	Displays the ID of any currently selected cross section
Change Cross Section	Opens the Cross Section dialog box, to select a cross section or switch to a different cross section
Height/Width	If a generic cross section was selected, or a cross section is not specified, enter the total installation height and width of the truss; otherwise, the height and width from the selected cross section display
Connectable with	Specifies the Type of cross section that the truss can connect to; to list more than one cross section, separate them with semi-colons
Connection
Start/End	Select the type of connection for each end of the truss; see Concept: Creating a Connected Rigging System. At insertion, Auto Connect mode uses the selections for proper truss connection.
Rotation	Specifies the rotation of the connection points along the horizontal drawn axis of the truss
Geometry	Displays a typical truss to assist with understanding the parameters

An alert opens; confirm whether to convert current instances of the symbol to trusses and create a truss resource by clicking Yes, or to only convert the currently selected instance and create a truss resource by clicking No.

A truss resource is created in the current file based on the original symbol and its specified data, and it can be selected from the Resource Manager or Resource Selector on the Tool bar for future placement in the drawing.

Converting a Truss into a Symbol

Command	Path
Convert Truss to Symbol	Braceworks

The Convert Truss to Symbol command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizing Workspaces).

If not performing Braceworks calculations, the use of many truss objects can be processor-intensive. For similar reasons as those explained in Vantagens dos Símbolos, you may wish to create a symbol out of a truss and use that in your drawing. However, trusses converted to symbols cannot participate in Braceworks calculations.

Each type of truss is converted to a hybrid symbol. The symbol is named after the original truss name.

Specifying Cross Section Data

All structural objects that participate in calculations, including truss, straight truss, curved truss, lighting pipes, and hoists, must have an associated file that contains cross section data.

Trusses with default manufacturer data include the cross section information, identified with a unique code from the manufacturer’s sets. If you are Creating a Custom Truss Symbol, either select a cross section by its code, or specify custom valid cross section information.

If not using a specific manufacturer cross section, a generic, rigid cross section can be selected. If not using a manufacturer or a generic cross section, specify custom cross section data.

A lighting pipe cross section is assumed to be a rigid cross section of the selected Construction Material chosen from the Object Info palette. A hanging position’s cross section data are based on the original object that was converted into a hanging position.

• For a truss object, click Customize from the Object Info palette. From the appropriate tab of the Truss Properties dialog box, click Change Cross Section.

• From the Object Info palette of a straight truss or curved truss, click Truss Cross Section.

• From the Object Info palette of a hoist, click Chain Cross Section. The Chain Cross Section dialog box contains a subset of the parameters described here; see Placing Hoists.

Parameter	Description
Sets	Select a predefined manufacturer truss from the list, or select <Rigid> to indicate the use of a generic cross section (a generic cross section assumes that the cross section is rigid for all calculations, Braceworks required). For these selections, no further information can be entered since the selected cross section data is used. Select Custom to enter custom cross section data in the rest of the dialog box.
UID (edit for Custom only)	Specifies a unique identifier for the cross section
Name (edit for Custom only)	Provides a name for the cross section for use in reports
Design (edit for Custom only)	Indicates the type of cross section
Brace design (edit for Custom only)	Specifies the design of the braces (circular, alternating, or none)
Vertical Brace Angle (edit for Custom only)	Sets the angle of the vertical braces
Horizontal Brace Angle (edit for Custom only)	Sets the angle of the horizontal braces
Height/Width (edit for Custom only)	Specifies the overall dimensions of the cross section
Tube Diameter (edit for Custom only)	Indicates the diameter of the cross section tubing
Cross Section Area (edit for Custom only)	Specifies the total surface area of the cross section tubing
lxx/lyy/lzz (edit for Custom only)	Sets the moment of inertia values about the X, Y, and Z axes
Material (edit for Custom only)	Specifies the type of material that the cross section consists of; select from the available options

Connecting Structural Elements

Inserting Specific Connections and Stacking Structural Elements

Tool	Tool set
Insert Connection	Rigging

The Insert Connection tool either connects structural element sections with a drop (hoist) or stacks them with a truss cross connection. When stacking structural elements, you can choose to move the object to be stacked either up or down.

Mode	Description
Insert Drop	Creates a connection between two structural elements by placing a hoist at the clicked point
Places structure element on top	Stacks a structural element above another one, moving a truss and all its associated supports and loads up to meet the reference truss. A truss cross is created at the connection point.
Places structure element below	Stacks a structural element above another one, moving a truss and all its associated supports and loads down to meet the reference truss. A truss cross is created at the connection point.

Connecting Structural Elements with Hoists

Valid connecting structures are highlighted, and a preview of the hoist location displays.

Connecting Structural Elements with a Truss Cross

1 Click the tool, and then, depending on whether you want to move the structure up or down, click either Places structure element on top or Places structure element below mode.

3 Click on the structural element to move either up or down (stacking the moved truss under or over).

The truss is stacked with the reference truss, and any connected hoists, attached loads, and supports move with the truss. If hoists are connected between the trusses, they are removed; hoists connected to other truss sections may be lengthened or shortened.

A truss cross is automatically created at the connection point. A truss cross indicates how to calculate and model the connection between stacked trusses. Its appearance indicates the type of connection (whether it is connected, flexible, or rigid; can transmit all forces, or only tension or only compression forces, or no forces).

Parameter	Description
Name	Enter a truss cross name
Force	Displays the calculated force (Braceworks required)
Connection Type	Indicates whether the truss cross is connected, flexible, or rigid; a truss cross that does not transmit any forces is considered not connected
Transmitted Forces	Indicates whether the truss cross can transmit all forces, or only tension or compression. Rigid truss crosses always transmit all forces. If the truss cross is not connected, this parameter is not available.
Select similar objects
Objects of same name	Selects truss cross objects with the same Name parameter
Objects of same connection type	Selects truss cross objects with the same Connection Type parameter
Objects of same transmittable forces	Selects truss cross objects with the same Transmitted Forces parameter

Inserting Connections Automatically

Command	Path
Insert Drop	Braceworks

The Insert Drop command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizing Workspaces).

Selected structural elements can be connected automatically with hoists at likely connection points with the Insert Drop command.

A hoist is inserted at possible connection points between the structural elements.

Changing the Trim Height of a System

The trim height of an entire system, or of portions of the system, can be easily adjusted. All associated loads, hoists, and connected objects also move with the adjusted trusses.

It is critical to change the trim height of systems with this method. Do not adjust the height by changing the Z value of a structural element from the Object Info palette.

2 From the Object Info palette, click Change trim height of system. The Change Trim Height dialog box opens.

Parameter	Description
Change	Select what to move when the trim height changes: • Connected System: a truss or truss line, along with any connected hoists or bridles • Stacked System: a truss or truss line, any connected hoists or bridles, and any objects stacked above or below the trusses, such as trusses stacked with truss crosses, or connected by hoists • Entire System: all connected trusses, supports, and connected objects
Value	For an absolute trim height, enter the height or distance value. For a relative change to the trim height, enter the positive or negative offset value.
Reference	Select whether the Value indicates a new set height for the system by selecting Absolute, or whether the system moves up (positive Value) or down (negative Value) by the defined offset by selecting Relative

Parameter

Description

Change

Select what to move when the trim height changes:

• Connected System: a truss or truss line, along with any connected hoists or bridles

• Stacked System: a truss or truss line, any connected hoists or bridles, and any objects stacked above or below the trusses, such as trusses stacked with truss crosses, or connected by hoists

• Entire System: all connected trusses, supports, and connected objects

Value

For an absolute trim height, enter the height or distance value. For a relative change to the trim height, enter the positive or negative offset value.

Reference

Select whether the Value indicates a new set height for the system by selecting Absolute, or whether the system moves up (positive Value) or down (negative Value) by the defined offset by selecting Relative

Depending on the extent of the change selected in Change, the trim height of all, or a portion of, the hanging positions, trusses, and connected objects in the system changes. The length of some hoists may increase or decrease, depending on whether they are above or below and whether the truss or truss line was moved up or down.

Replacing Trusses

Inventory restrictions can sometimes cause the designer to either replace portions of a truss line with different sizes of the same truss line, or to replace an entire truss line with a different truss type. Keeping an inventory of the truss lengths and lines is crucial for designing and calculating a truss system that closely matches the reality of the venue, and allows some replacements to occur automatically when needed.

Only straight Truss objects (inserted with the Insert Truss tool) can be replaced by these methods. Corner, straight truss (from the Straight Truss tool), circular, or curved trusses must be manually replaced.

Managing Truss Inventory

The Truss Inventory dialog box allows you to manage and define the trusses and truss types for use by the automated truss and truss type replacement features. The default list of trusses includes the truss content located in the user and application libraries, and allows you to specify what is available for use, or “in” the inventory. The inventory can be exported for use in an inventory control system.

Command	Path
Replace Truss	Spotlight > Rigging

Parameter	Description
Truss Types	Lists the truss types for content that you have downloaded or used in Vectorworks
Truss Inventory	For each truss type, lists content that is available in the user and application libraries. Initially, and after any library updates, click Update to populate the list.
Edit	Opens the Update Inventory dialog box, for specifying the available quantity of the selected truss
Import	Imports a .csv file with inventory changes made externally to Vectorworks
Export	Exports a .csv file for making inventory changes in an external program; specify a file name and location
Update	Traverses the symbols in the truss libraries within the user and application folders, updating the list of trusses

3 Select a Truss Type on the left; the Truss Inventory lists the available content. Select an item and click Edit to specify quantities available in inventory.

The Update Inventory dialog box opens. Enter the quantity of that length of truss type available in the inventory, and click OK.

4 In the Truss Inventory dialog box, the Quantity value reflects the current available inventory. Click in the Use column to make the truss type and length available for use by the Auto-Calculate feature and for truss type replacement.

5 If desired, inventory changes can be made in an external inventory program or spreadsheet program. Click Export to create a .csv file, make the changes, and then click Import to import the edited .csv file back into Vectorworks.

When editing the spreadsheet, do not change the name of the symbol. The name must remain intact to re-import the data.

6 Click OK to return to the Replace Truss dialog box. The items available in the Inventory portion of the dialog box update.

Replacing Truss Configurations

If a truss line was designed with truss lengths that are not currently available in the inventory, or the length of various truss sections needs to be exchanged for others from the same line for any reason, the truss line can be automatically or manually reconfigured to use lengths that are available.

The command replaces either stand-alone truss lines or those in a system; only straight trusses can be replaced by this method. Corner, circular, or curved trusses must be manually replaced.

Command	Path
Replace Truss	Spotlight > Rigging

Parameter	Description
Truss Type	Lists the truss types used in the current file; select the truss type to display truss lines of that type
Truss Inventory	Opens the Truss Inventory dialog box, for Managing Truss Inventory
Proposed Configuration	Lists all truss lines for the selected truss type; select one to view it in the drawing. The Current Length displays the length of the truss line in the drawing; the Proposed Length displays the length after configuration changes are made. Ideally, these lengths are equal and the Difference is 0 (zero). The quantities of each truss section in the truss line display in the remaining columns; any changes based on the proposed configuration display in bold. The columns are based off of the truss inventory. Scroll to the right, if needed, to see the quantity of all of the truss sections.
Auto-Calculate	Vectorworks attempts to calculate a possible replacement configuration based on the available inventory
Change Name of Truss System	When a truss line is selected, opens the Change Truss System Name dialog box, for Renaming Truss Systems
Replace Truss Configuration	Opens the Replace Truss Configuration dialog box, to manually select truss lengths for reconfiguring the selected truss line or lines
Export	Creates a worksheet populated with all of the data for each truss line in the system
Inventory	Displays the truss lengths used for all of the truss lines in the system, as well as those available in the current inventory
Reset	Resets the configuration to match the current status in the drawing

2 Select a Truss Type, and then select a truss line in the Proposed Configuration list; the drawing centers on the truss line, and the truss system is selected in the drawing.

• For automated replacement, first refresh the inventory by clicking Truss Inventory, and then click OK to close the Truss Inventory dialog box. Click Auto-Calculate. Vectorworks attempts to reconfigure the truss line for you based on the available inventory. If successful, the proposed configuration displays and the Inventory updates to reflect any changes. Proceed to step 7. If unsuccessful, you are notified; you may need to adjust inventory amounts or change the configuration manually.

• For manual replacement (not based on current inventory), click Replace Truss Configuration. Alternatively, double-click on the selected truss line or lines.

Parameter	Description
Configuration	Displays the truss line or lines selected for reconfiguration
Edit Quantity	Edits the quantities of truss sections in the selected truss line
Truss lengths/Quantities	Scroll through the available lengths of truss available for the truss line, and enter the desired quantities of each truss section to configure the truss line
Selection	Displays the configuration parameters of the selected truss line and indicates the lengths of the current and proposed configurations, and the difference between them
Clear	Resets the configuration to match the current status in the drawing

4 Select a truss line. The Edit Quantity area displays the current quantity of each length used to make up the truss line. Select different quantities of truss lengths as needed to reconfigure the line, by entering the quantity of each length to use. Click <- and -> (or press Shift + Tab and Tab) to scroll through the available lengths.

5 The current and proposed truss configuration updates automatically in the Configuration list; red and green colors indicate at a glance whether the proposed truss configuration has a length Difference of 0 (zero), indicating successful truss line replacement. [Hopefully, current and proposed will be changed in two places in this dialog box. AD7/18]

While you can continue with the truss replacement even if the Difference is not 0 (zero), the result will be a shorter or longer truss line, which will likely cause problems with the truss system connections.

6 Click OK to return to the Replace Truss dialog box. The Proposed Configuration list updates with the new configuration, and the Used and Available quantities in the Inventory also updates to reflect the proposed configuration; if sufficient quantities are not available in the inventory, the Available quantities display with a negative value.

7 Click OK to perform the replacement of the truss line or lines. Replacing the truss configuration for several lines can take some time.

Renaming Truss Systems

Throughout Braceworks functionality, truss systems and lines are identified with names. The names of truss systems and truss lines follow specific guidelines. Normally, a truss system is identified with an alphanumeric code with a predefined prefix. If the truss system is contained within a hanging position, the name of the hanging position is used to identify the truss system. Truss lines are always identified with numerals that are assigned automatically and cannot be changed.

Replacing Truss Type

If a truss line or system was designed with a truss type that is not currently available in the inventory, the type can be replaced with a type that is available.

Command	Path
Replace Truss Type	Spotlight > Rigging

Since a truss system consists of truss lines all of the same type, all of the truss lines in the system (or all trusses in a truss line) are replaced by this command, even when just one truss is selected. Sufficient inventory is required to make a replacement, so ensure that the inventory is up to date by Managing Truss Inventory.

Parameter	Description
Select Truss Type	Selects the replacement truss type
Replacement	Maps the replacement for each truss length in the line or system. On the left, the current type is listed; on the right, the replacement is listed. Only straight truss sections automatically get a replacement; corner or circular truss type replacements must be manually selected.
Select Corner/Circular Truss	Replaces the selected circular or corner truss. From the Resource Selector, double-click a different circular or corner element to apply it.
Alignment Option	Specifies the alignment for the replacement truss type; normally, the bottom of the trusses align so that attached load positions remain unchanged
Top/Bottom	Select either top or bottom for aligning the replacement truss type
Offset	Adds an additional offset distance for alignment to the top or bottom
Preview	Shows how the replacement truss type (in red) aligns to the current truss type (in black)

The Replace with mapping occurs automatically for straight truss sections when sufficient inventory exists.

If there are no replacements available in inventory for any given section, the truss type replacement cannot occur.

4 For circular or linear truss elements, automatic mapping cannot occur. Select each element and choose its replacement from the Select Corner/Circular Truss Resource Selector.

5 Select a Top or Bottom Alignment Option for the replacement, and specify an Offset if needed.

Adding Loads

Many Spotlight objects are automatically considered to be either a point load (such as lighting instruments, projectors, and speaker arrays) or a distributed load (such as soft goods, video screens, and LED screens). A generic point load or distributed load can be added with the Insert Load tool.

After placement, the generic load symbol can be switched to use a realistic graphical symbol instead.

Mode	Description
Point Load	Inserts a point load
Distributed Load	Inserts a distributed load
Load Category	Specifies the load category, which is important for calculations (Braceworks required)
Weight	Sets the weight of the load. For a point load, this value is the total weight. For a distributed load, this value represents either the weight or the distributed weight, depending on the selected weight mode.
Non-Rotated Label (point load only)	Does not rotate the label text
Perpendicular Label (point load only)	Angles the label text 90 degrees from the structural element
Angled Label (point load only)	Angles the label text 45 degrees from the structural element
Distributed Weight Mode (distributed load only)	For distributed loads, the specified Weight represents the weight
Total Weight Mode (distributed load only)	For distributed loads, the specified Weight represents the distributed weight
Load Settings	Opens the Load Settings dialog box, for creating and selecting saved load sets

Creating and Selecting Load Sets

Mode	Tool	Tool set
• Point Load • Distributed Load	Insert Load	Rigging

You can create saved sets of load properties for easy selection when placing loads with the Insert Load tool.

The load data sets are saved in an .xml file located in the Plug-ins\VW_Spotlight\Data\Braceworks\PresetPointLoads folder in your user folder. This file can be shared with other users.

1 Click the tool, and then click Point Load or Distributed Load mode, depending on whether the load set is for a point load or distributed load (each type of load contains separate data sets).

Parameter	Description
Sets
Set	Select <Active Settings> to use the properties currently specified in the dialog box; to use a saved load set, select one from the list
Save	Opens the Group Name dialog box to name and save the current load properties so that they can quickly be selected as a set
Manage	Opens the Manage Sets dialog box, to rename or delete load sets. • Sets: Lists currently saved load sets for either point loads or distributed loads • Change Group: Renames the currently selected set; if the entered name is already assigned to another set, you are prompted to confirm that you want to replace the existing set with the set being saved. • Delete: Deletes the currently selected set; you are prompted to confirm that you want to delete the saved settings.
Properties	Specify the properties of the load; available parameters depend on whether a point or distributed load is selected
Name	Enter a name for the load
Total Weight	For a point load, enter the load total weight; for a distributed load, select whether to enter the total weight (and enter the weight) or enter the distributed weight
Distributed Weight (distributed load only)	Enter the distributed weight, if that is selected for entry instead of the total weight
Legend Entry (point load only)	Enter text for an optional unique object label
Load Category	Select the load category

3 Either select a saved load set to use, or enter load properties to create a saved load set.

4 If selecting a saved load set, click OK to use those load properties. Otherwise, proceed to step 5.

5 If creating a load set, enter the properties of the load and click Save to create the saved load set.

Inserting a Point Load

Mode	Tool	Tool set
Point Load	Insert Load	Rigging

• To use a saved set of load properties, click Load Settings on the Tool bar and select the load set.

• If not using a saved load set, specify the Load Category, enter the point load’s total Weight, and select the orientation of the text label from the Tool bar.

3 Move the mouse to the structural element where the point load is to be hung, near the center line.

4 Click to place the point load at that location. The point load is placed at the centerline of the structural element.

In Top/Plan view, the point load label displays at the orientation selected from the Tool bar at placement. It can be moved by clicking and dragging the label control point. The legend displays over the point load.

Parameter	Description
Legend Entry	Enter text for an optional unique object label
Load Category	Specifies the load category, which is important for calculations (Braceworks required)
Show Name	Displays the Load Name in the label
Show Load Category	Displays the Load Category in the label
Text Size	Specifies the text size of the text in the label (does not apply to the legend text)
Show Symbol	If the point load has been replaced by a symbol instance, displays the name of the symbol; otherwise, enables that functionality
Symbol	Displays the name of the symbol used to represent the point load
Select Symbol	The generic point load representation can be switched to use a symbol instead. For example, a chandelier symbol could be used instead. From the Resource Selector, double-click a different resource to apply it.
Classes	Opens the Classes dialog box, to specify class naming for the point load and label. This allows the point load or label to be set to visible, grayed, or invisible. Use the suggested standard class, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Object Class> to place the point load element in the same class as the object. • Use Standard Classes: Sets the class names for the point load and label to the default suggested standard names. • Point load elements: For the point load and label, specifies the class name standard; the class names shown here are applied to the elements.
Select Similar Objects
Objects of same name	Selects point load objects with the same Load Name parameter
Objects of same load category	Selects point load objects with the same Load Category parameter
Objects of same weight	Selects point load objects with the same Total Weight parameter
Load information	Load information is used for Braceworks calculations and reports (Braceworks required)
Include in Calculations (Braceworks required)	Includes the point load in Braceworks calculations; deselect to exclude the point load from participating in structural calculations
Load Group Name	Displays the selected load category
Load ID	Enter a unique ID for the load for informational use in reports
Load Name	Identifies the object in load calculations
Total Weight	Enter the total weight of the object

Adding a Point Load Automatically

Command	Path
Add Point Loads at Selection	Braceworks

The Add Point Loads at Selection command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizing Workspaces).

If the exact placement of the point load is not critical, a point load can be added automatically to the structural elements in the drawing. In addition, the command can easily add a point load to any selected object or objects, including symbols. For example, you can select several symbols, and the command adds a load to the insertion point of each one.

1 Select the structural element (or other object or objects) where the point load will be placed. When more than one structure is selected, a point load is placed on each one.

Select the system to easily select more than one structural element, and automatically add the same load to each.

The Load Settings dialog box opens, for Creating and Selecting Load Sets. Select a load set, or enter load parameters and select the <Active Settings> set.

A point load is placed on each structural element or object, at its start point or insertion point.

Inserting a Distributed Load

Mode	Tool	Tool set
Distributed Load	Insert Load	Rigging

• To use a saved set of load properties, click Load Settings on the Tool bar and select the load set.

• If not using a saved load set, specify the Load Category; select either Distributed Weight or Total Weight mode and enter the load’s Weight. If entering the distributed weight, enter values with a slash between the weight and the distance (500/10 indicates 500 pounds per 10 feet of length, for example).

3 Move the mouse to the structural element where the distributed load is to be hung.

5 Click to set the end of the segment and the beginning of the next. Continue drawing segments in this manner until the load object is complete. Double-click to finish creating the load object. The distributed load polyline cannot extend beyond the structural element.

In Top/Plan view, the distributed load label displays. It can be moved by clicking and dragging the label control point.

Parameter	Description
Load Category	Specifies the load category, which is important for calculations (Braceworks required)
Length	Displays the length of the distributed load
Show Label	Displays the label in Top/Plan view
Scale Distributed Load	Automatically scales the distributed load with the drawing scale, so that larger loads are more visible
Select Similar Objects
Objects of same name	Selects load objects with the same Load Name parameter
Objects of same load category	Selects load objects with the same Load Category parameter
Objects of same total weight	Selects load objects with the same Total Weight parameter
Objects of same distributed weight	Selects load objects with the same distributed weight
Load information	Load information is used for Braceworks calculations and reports (Braceworks required)
Include in Calculations (Braceworks required)	Includes the load in Braceworks calculations; deselect to exclude the load from participating in structural calculations
Load Group Name	Displays the selected load category
Load ID	Enter a unique ID for the load for informational use in reports
Load Name	Identifies the object in load calculations
Distributed Weight	Enter the distributed weight of the object
Total Weight	Enter the total weight of the object

Adding a Distributed Load Automatically

Command	Path
Add Distributed Load at Selection	Braceworks

The Insert Distributed Load at Selection command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizing Workspaces).

If the length of a distributed load is not critical, a distributed load can be added automatically to the structural elements in the drawing.

1 Select the structural element where the distributed load will be placed. When more than one structure is selected, a distributed load is placed on each one.

Select the system to easily select more than one structural element, and automatically add the same load to each.

The Load Settings dialog box opens, for Creating and Selecting Load Sets. Select a load set, or enter load parameters and select the <Active Settings> set.

Resetting Braceworks IDs

Command	Path
Reset Braceworks IDs	Braceworks

Braceworks requires unique IDs for its structural calculations. The Reset Braceworks IDs command ensures that the identifiers are unique, resetting them for all trusses, straight trusses, curved trusses, lighting pipe objects, and any objects with a weight or load (such as lighting devices, video screens, and so on). Any manually set IDs will be reset by this command.

Checking Loads and Workloads

Load Overview

Command	Path
Load Overview	Braceworks

The Load Overview command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizing Workspaces).

The load overview dialog box provides information about all the loads that participate in structural calculations. While Braceworks is required to perform the calculations, Spotlight users can also take advantage of the load information.

Selecting different loads with the filters on the summary tab adjusts the total load values that participate in calculations, to study the effects of various loads on the calculations.

The Load Overview dialog box opens. Three tabs provide information about the loads in the drawing.

2 Click the Load Summary tab to view summary data about the loads and load categories. The loads in the list participate in calculations (Braceworks required).

Parameter	Description
Load Categories	Displays the total weight of all loads and the total weight for each load category, including the weight added by safety factors specified in the Braceworks Preferences (Braceworks required)
Show Forces	Toggles between displaying mass or force
Load Summary Data	Displays all of the load data in tabular form, grouped by Name. The Single Weight column displays the weight of one of the items in the group (row) when they each weigh the same amount; Single Force shows the force of one of the items in the group, when they each apply the same force. Double-click on a row to open the Edit Load dialog box; change the load properties if needed.
Calculation	Filters the loads by load combination (as defined on the Load Combinations tab), and by selecting All loads, or only selected or visible loads
Filter Text	Enter text to filter the load results; only the loads that contain the filter text are included
Filter Load Category	Filters the loads according to load category; only loads in selected categories are included
Filter Load Type	Filters the loads according to load type; select whether point loads, distributed loads, or both load types are included
Export	Automatically sends the load data to a Load Summary worksheet; if one already exists, the worksheet name is automatically incremented
Columns	Opens the Columns dialog box; select the columns to display in the load summary

3 Click the Load Details tab to see detailed information about all of the loads in the drawing (each individual load that is summed by rows on the Load Summary tab). The filters on this tab only apply to the current tab.

The last column indicates whether an error or problem occurred related to the item (for example, its weight is 0 (zero) or the load is not attached to the system). Rows with errors display in red.

Parameter	Description
Load Data
Calculation	Filters the loads by load combination (as defined on the Load Combinations tab), and by selecting All loads, or only selected or visible loads
Filter Text	Enter text to filter the load results; only the loads that contain the filter text are included
Filter Load Category	Filters the loads according to load category; only loads in selected categories are included
Filter Load Type	Filters the loads according to load type; select whether point loads, distributed loads, or both load types are included
Export	Automatically sends the load data to a Load Details worksheet; if one already exists, the worksheet name is automatically incremented
Columns	Opens the Columns dialog box; select the columns to display in the load details

4 Click the Load Combinations tab to create specific combinations of loads, which can then be used to filter the loads on the other two tabs. A multiplication factor can be applied to various load combinations. Managing Load Combinations describes how to create and set load combinations.

Parameter	Description
Combination basis	Select either layer or class based
Edit Load Combination	Select a load combination to display it in the table on the right, for viewing and editing multiplication factors
Manage	Opens the Manage Load Combinations dialog box, for Managing Load Combinations
Description	Displays the description of the currently selected combination
Export Table	Automatically sends the currently selected load combination to a Load Combinations worksheet; if one already exists, the worksheet name is automatically incremented
Table	Displays the table of either layers or classes and multiplication factors for the currently selected load combination; see Managing Load Combinations

5 Apply load combinations to the Load Details or Load Summary tabs by selecting the combination name from the Calculation list. The combination can be used to filter by load and to apply multiplication factors to loads.

The loads listed on the Load Summary tab participate in Braceworks calculations.

Managing Load Combinations

Command	Path
Load Overview	Braceworks

The Load Overview command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizing Workspaces).

Load combinations serve two purposes; they can be used as a filter in the Load Overview dialog box to display and select (or exclude) specific load types. A multiplication factor can be specified for the items in the combination, increasing their importance in calculations, for safety or other reasons. Load combinations are created based on either layer or class names.

3 Select whether the combination will be layer or class based, and then click Manage.

Parameter	Description
Load Combinations	Lists existing load combinations and their descriptions
New	Opens the Load Combination Properties dialog box, to create a new load combination
Edit	Edits the currently selected load combination name and/or description
Delete	Deletes the currently selected load combination

5 Enter the name of the load combination and, optionally, provide a description.

8 The classes or layers display in the table on the right, along with columns showing the current multiplication factors for each load combination.

Click the Hierarchical Display Mode button to toggle the hierarchical display of classes.

9 To use the load combination for filtering purposes only, leave all multiplication factors at 1. To change a multiplication factor, double-click in one of the cells of the table. (Several cells can be selected at once for editing.)

Parameter	Description
Load Combination	Displays the load combination where the multiplication factor applies; select a different load combination for the layer or class if needed
Layer/Class	Displays the layer or class name where the multiplication factor applies
Factor	Enter the multiplication factor. To exclude an item, enter a multiplication factor of 0 (zero).

Parameter

Description

Load Combination

Displays the load combination where the multiplication factor applies; select a different load combination for the layer or class if needed

Layer/Class

Displays the layer or class name where the multiplication factor applies

Factor

Enter the multiplication factor.

To exclude an item, enter a multiplication factor of 0 (zero).

11 On the Load Summary and or Load Details tab, select the Load combination from the Calculation list.

Depending on the class or layer of the object, the weight of the object is multiplied by the specified factor for the class or layer and the selected load category.

Performing Load Combination Calculations

Command	Path
Calculate Load Combinations	Braceworks

When load combinations have been defined by Managing Load Combinations, calculations can be performed just upon the load combinations.

2 Optionally, select the objects to be calculated, or set the visibility of object classes or layers so that only the objects of interest are visible.

4 Select the Load Combination from the list. The icon next to the combination indicates whether it is class- or layer-based.

5 Select whether the calculation should occur on all rigging objects in the drawing, or only on a subset of selected or visible objects.

If the calculation finds issues with the load combination objects, a descriptive label, categorized by color (information, warning, or danger) is inserted in the drawing for each problem object. The problem is listed in the Calculation Overview dialog box.

Checking the Cross Section Workload

Command	Path
Cross Section Workload	Braceworks

The Cross Section Workload command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizing Workspaces).

The Cross Section Workload dialog box analyzes the workload and structural properties of the cross sections that participate in calculations. While Braceworks is required for the calculations, Spotlight users can use this command to check the properties of the cross sections in the drawing and check for potential problems.

Parameter	Description
Cross Section	Select a cross section from the list to view its properties
Geometry	Displays a diagram of the selected cross section, showing its geometry and dimensions; parts of the cross section that participate in the proof calculations are indicated
Status Indicator	Allows you to see at a glance whether the workload stresses on the cross section are within safe compliance limits. Green indicates the workload is fine, yellow indicates caution as safe limits are being approached, and red means the cross section is overloaded. If the indicator is blank, the information is insufficient.
Create Cross Section Worksheet	Automatically sends the load data to a Cross Section information worksheet; if one already exists, the worksheet name is automatically incremented
Create Influence Line Worksheet	Automatically sends the load data to a Maximum influence lines values worksheet; if one already exists, the worksheet name is automatically incremented
Information	Displays the data about the selected cross section. Double-click on a row item to select and center the item in the drawing.
Influence Lines	Displays influence line calculated values for the selected cross section. Double-click on a row item to select and center the item in the drawing.

Performing System Check Calculations

A system check tests the systems in the drawing for solvability and possible failures, but does not calculate forces and deformation. A system check lets you know whether the structures in the drawing may pass when conducting further calculations with the FEA core.

After a system check, information, warning, and danger labels are shown in the drawing, and hoist label fills are colored to reflect their status. Depending on the level of failure, the problems must be fixed to be able to proceed with calculations. Some notifications may refer to data which are failures, but which are deliberate or intentional failures permitted by the selections made in Braceworks preferences (Braceworks required).

Checking Selected Objects

Command	Path
System Check Selected	Braceworks

The System Check Selected command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizing Workspaces).

1 Select the objects to check. Only the selected objects are considered when running the check.

The system check runs on the selected objects, and the Calculation Overview dialog box opens.

If the system check finds issues with the selected objects, a descriptive label, categorized by color (information, warning, or danger) is inserted in the drawing for each problem object. The problem is listed in the Calculation Overview dialog box.

3 Click OK. If no problems are found and the system is considered solvable, proceed to checking all objects.

Checking All Objects

Command	Path
System Check All Objects	Braceworks

The System Check All Objects command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizing Workspaces).

The system check runs on the Braceworks system objects, and the Calculation Overview dialog box opens. If the system check finds issues with the objects, a descriptive label, categorized by color (information, warning, or danger) is inserted in the drawing for each problem object. The problem is listed in the Calculation Overview dialog box.

2 Click OK. If no problems are found and the system is considered solvable, proceed to Performing Calculations (Braceworks required).

Calculation Overview

The Calculation Overview dialog box displays the results of the latest calculation or system check. It opens as the result of calculation and system check commands, but it can also be displayed at any time.

Command	Path
Calculation Overview	Braceworks

Parameter	Description
Feedback	The status indicator allows you to see at a glance whether the system meets safe compliance limits. Green indicates there are no errors or overloaded supports/cross sections, yellow indicates caution as safe limits are being approached, and red means there are critical problems or overload conditions. If the indicator is blank, the information is insufficient. Beneath the indicator, the system status is described as unsolvable (with errors preventing calculation), solvable, or it does not have any data. The system must be considered solvable, with no critical errors, for calculations to occur. A solvable system may still have serious errors that must be addressed; for example, a hoist or cross section could be dangerously overloaded, as evidenced by the solvable calculation.
Calculation Time	Displays the amount of time, in seconds, that it took for calculations to complete
Workload Support	Summarizes the workload percentage upon supports (hoists) in the system
Workload Cross Section	Summarizes the workload percentage upon cross sections in the system
Information
Errors and Warnings	Click this tab to view issues in the drawing; each issue corresponds to a label placed in the drawing
Filter	Filters the list of issues by type; select All to see all of the issues
Type	Icons indicate the type of issue. Double-click on a row to select and center the associated label in the drawing. • Information: General issue that will not cause problems with calculations • Warning: Issue that should be resolved, since it could affect calculations • Danger: Critical issue that prevents calculations from proceeding, or prevents calculations from being useful
Category/ Description/ ID	Indicates the type of structural element with an issue, describes the issue, and displays the issue’s unique identifier
Export	Automatically sends the error data to a Calculation Overview - Errors worksheet; if one already exists, the worksheet name is automatically incremented
Cross Section Workload	Click this tab to view the workload status for cross sections
Filter	Filters the list of issues by type; select All to see all of the issues
Status	Icons indicate the status of the cross section workloads. Double-click on a row to select and center the associated cross section in the drawing. • Information: General issue that will not cause problems with calculations • Warning: Cross section is nearing its threshold • Danger: Cross section is over its threshold • Pass: No issues
Cross Section	Identifies the cross section
Value/ Max/ %	Displays the workload applied to each cross section, the maximum defined deflection limit, and the percentage of the workload. The total workload is summarized in Workload Cross Section on the left of the dialog box.
Export	Automatically sends the data to a Calculation Overview - Cross Section workload worksheet; if one already exists, the worksheet name is automatically incremented
Hoist Workload	Click this tab to view the workload status for hoists
Filter	Filters the list of issues by type; select All to see all of the issues
Status	Icons indicate the status of the hoist workloads. Double-click on a row to select and center the associated hoist in the drawing. • Information: General issue that will not cause problems with calculations • Warning: Hoist is nearing its threshold • Danger: Hoist is over its threshold • Pass: No issues
ID	Identifies the hoist
Type	Indicates the type of hoist
Value/ Max/ %	Displays the workload applied to each hoist, the maximum defined limit, and the percentage of the workload. The total workload is summarized in Workload Support on the left of the dialog box.
Export	Automatically sends the data to a Calculation Overview - Hoist workloads worksheet; if one already exists, the worksheet name is automatically incremented
Analyses	Click this tab to view detailed information about the most recent calculation
Hoists	Displays the minimum, average, and maximum hoist workload
Cross Sections	Lists the status and maximum workload for each cross section in the calculation
System	Displays information about the structural systems used in the calculations, with the total number of various rigging elements

Displaying and Correcting Errors

When system check or calculation commands are executed, issues with the drawing are listed in the Calculation Overview dialog box, and labels identifying each issue are automatically placed in the drawing. Information, warning, and danger labels are shown in the drawing. Depending on the failure level, an error must be fixed to proceed with calculations. Some notifications only refer to data which are failures, but deliberate or intentional failures.

After a calculation, reaction forces are written to hoists, and hoist labels are colored according to the workload.

Errors may need to be resolved for the calculations to proceed or for them to be considered useful.

Error	Description/Possible Resolution
The static system is not supported	A set of connected trusses must be supported by hoists or truss crosses. Trusses and connected trusses that make a straight line must have at least two supports, and if they include a corner or a curve, they must have three supports.
Two trusses intersect in the same plane	Two trusses cannot intersect and occupy the same space
The loading point is not attached	Attach the load to the system
The load is not connected	Attach the load to a structural element
The load has no weight	Assign a weight to the load
The rope is slack	The chain is under too much pressure; the rope or chain will not participate in calculations (in the Braceworks Preferences, Second order analysis is selected)
The set of connected trusses has no support	Support the trusses with hoists
Different cross section	Two rigging items, such as a truss and a pipe, have two different cross sections and cannot be connected to each other for this reason
Insufficient RAM to calculate the static system	The complexity of the system exceeds the memory available on your computer
The static system could not be calculated	A critical error is preventing calculations
The corner truss is not connected	Connect the corner truss to the truss system
Chain is under pressure; calculation has failed	The pressure on the chain exceeded its capacity; fix this critical error to allow calculations to proceed (or select Second order analysis in the Braceworks Preferences to exclude such failures from calculations)
The static system is not supported	Support the trusses with hoists
The drop is not connected	Connect the hoist to the truss system
Truss cross is insufficient; calculation has failed	The force or tension on the truss cross exceeded its capacity; fix this critical error to allow calculations to proceed (or select Second order analysis in the Braceworks Preferences to exclude such failures from calculations)
Truss cross is under pressure	The truss cross is under too much force or tension; the truss cross will not participate in calculations (in the Braceworks Preferences, Second order analysis is selected)
The calculations do not result in adequate supports; the static system is not supported	The system requires additional hoists as supports
The ID is already in use	Hoists with duplicate IDs have been detected; each hoist should have a unique ID for reports and calculations
Static systems interdependent. No drop compensation possible.	The hoist cannot be shortened or lengthened due to geometric restrictions created by other structural elements
Geometry resolution is too low	Decrease the Geometry Accuracy value in the Braceworks Preferences
Two structural elements cannot cross in the same plane	Two trusses cannot intersect and occupy the same space
Virtual FEM support gets load	The truss is not balanced properly, and one of the supports is being pushed up because of this
Duplicated hoist	Duplicate hoists in same location; remove one of the hoists
The point load cannot be assigned to two structural elements	A point load can only be attached to one structural member; move the point load so that it is only attached to one
The line load cannot be assigned to two structural elements	A distributed load can only be attached to one structural member; move the distributed load so that it is only attached to one
The suspension point is not attached	Attach the hoist to a truss system
Structural elements are not connected	The structural elements were not connected to create a system; enable Auto Connect mode of the Insert Truss tool and ensure that the two structures are compatible
Two structural elements cannot occupy the same space	Two structural elements cannot occupy the same location
The support is stressed by compressive forces	The pressure on the hoist is at or has exceeded its limit
The line load is longer than the structural element	A line load cannot exceed the length of the structural element to which it is connected

After correcting errors, re-run the calculations, or select Clear Calculation Results.

Clearing Calculation Results

The Clear Calculation Results command is available for Vectorworks Spotlight software but is not present in the Spotlight workspace. It can be added to the Spotlight workspace (see Customizing Workspaces).

The results from the most recently executed calculation (Braceworks required) or system check command are retained and display in the Calculation Overview dialog box. These results can be cleared with the Clear Calculation Results command.

Select the command. All calculation results and any resulting issues are cleared. Any issue labels in the drawing are removed, and any color coding of hoist labels reverts to red.

Performing Calculations

After running system checks on selected portions of the drawing, and then a system check on the entire drawing, and correcting all errors, calculations can be performed using the FEA core.

After a calculation, Influence Lines are created and display on the drawing. Reaction forces are applied to hoists; label fills are colored according to the workload status.

Calculating Selected or Visible Objects

Before calculating all objects, run calculations on a smaller subset of objects. This allows you to detect problems before calculating everything in the drawing.

1 Select the objects to be calculated, or set the visibility of object classes or layers so that only the objects of interest are visible.

2 Select the appropriate command. The Calculation Overview dialog box opens, listing any issues and providing calculation data.

Performing Final Calculations on All Objects

When the drawing is complete and errors have been addressed, run the final calculation on all rigging objects in the file.

Select the command. The Calculation Overview dialog box opens, listing any issues and providing calculation data.

Influence Lines

After a calculation, influence lines are placed on the structural elements of a drawing to graphically represent and assist with understanding the results. The influence lines represent the reactions and forces (shear, bending, torsion, and deflection) applied to the structural element by the loads hanging from the structure, and show where the force or reaction exerts its maximum effect upon the structure.

The class names are determined by the settings on the Classes tab of the Braceworks Preferences.

The Object Info palette of a selected influence line displays its specific deflection, force, torsion, and bending moment values. Forces applied to the tubing and braces of the structural element are also displayed.

In a complex drawing, you may wish to deselect Show Calculation Points, to make the drawing easier to interpret. Text with the relevant maximum value is placed at the top of the influence line; adjust this text with the Text Size parameter.

The heat map display for trusses can be adjusted in the Braceworks Preferences to show the influence line values for a selected force (normal, shear, torsional moment, or bending moment).

Scaling Influence Lines

The influence lines in the drawing can be scaled to better view the maximum response of the reactions and forces exerted upon the structural elements.

Deselect Automatic Scaling in the Braceworks preferences for optimal results when scaling influence lines manually.

The Scaling Influence Lines dialog box opens. Each type of influence line is listed, with controls to change its scale by zooming or logarithmically.

2 The current scale factor of each influence line is displayed. Click + to enlarge the influence line display, or - to reduce it. Alternatively, drag the logarithmic slider to the right to enlarge, or left to decrease the influence line scale factor.

Generating and Exporting Calculation Reports

Completed calculations can be shared with colleagues, clients, and structural engineers by sending the results to a customized report in a PDF file, or exporting them to DSTV format.

Creating a Calculation Report

The Create PDF report dialog box opens. Cycle through each pane in order with the <Back and Forward> buttons to create and customize a complete report.

Parameter	Description
Calculation
Load Combination	Select <No Load Combination> or choose a load combination. The icon next to the combination indicates whether it is class- or layer-based.
Selection	Select whether the exported results should include all rigging objects in the drawing, or only a subset of selected or visible objects
Project information	Enter information for the first page of the project: its dates, report creator, contact information, and any legal, copyright, or other information
Project Description	Enter a description of the project
User Recommendation	Provides information or advice to the recipient, to help understand the results
Load Default Text	Inserts default text to help understand the results
Reset	Removes all text
Content	Select the items to include in the report, including proofs. Cross section proofs are customized on the following pane.
Cross Sections	Select the cross section proofs to include in the report by clicking to place a check mark in the Proof column, or click All to include all of them
Display	Customizes the appearance of the report
Background Cover Sheet	Selects an image (in .png format) to serve as the logo on the cover sheet. The image appears on the background of the entire page. Click Change to open the Select Background Image dialog box and select an image. Click Delete to remove the image from the cover sheet.
Background Content Sheet	Selects an image (in .png format) to serve as the logo on every page of the report after the cover sheet. The image appears on the background of the entire page. Click Change to open the Select Background Image dialog box and select an image. Click Delete to remove the image from the cover sheet.
Color headers	Click the color box to select the color for headings in the report
Color cell header	Click the color box to select the color for table heading cells
Add professional stamp area	Includes an area where you can add your professional stamp or credentials, and certify responsibility for calculations

2 When all items in each pane have been addressed, click Create PDF to create the report. Provide a name and location to save the file.

Exporting Calculation Results

2 From the Load Combination list, select <No Load Combination> or choose a load combination. The icon next to the combination indicates whether it is class- or layer-based.

3 Select whether the exported results should include all rigging objects in the drawing, or only a subset of selected or visible objects.

• Calculate All Objects	• Create Calculation Report
• Calculate Load Combinations	• Braceworks Preferences
• Calculate Visible	• Calculation Overview
• Calculate Selection	• Cross Section Workload
• Export DSTV	• Scale Influence Lines

Equipamento para Eventos e Análise Estrutural

Conceito: Braceworks Análise Estrutural