LightingDesign2

To focus a lighting instrument assembly and beam on a particular area or object, a focus point needs to be defined.

The focus point can also be used to create Magic Sheets that show the instruments focused on a particular area (see Magic Sheets). In addition, the focus point can be used as one of the criteria for finding instruments with the Find and Modify command (see Find and Modify). It is also possible to select all lighting devices assigned to a particular focus point for quick editing (see Editing Lighting Instruments).

Focused instruments can automatically point towards their focus point in 2D views; see Spotlight Setup.

Creating a Focus Point Object

An object defined as a focus point specifies where instrument assemblies and light beams should be directed. If the focus point is moved, any instruments that are aimed at it update their focus position based on the focus point information.

Like hanging positions and instruments, focus points should be inserted on their own design layer, to facilitate selection, viewing, and printing. Alternatively, it is acceptable to insert the focus points on the same design layer as the scenic elements. Focus points can also be inserted into their own classes.

Tool	Tool set
Focus Point	Lighting

A 3D stage object can be used as a focus point for lighting instruments by naming it as the focus point in the instrument Object Info palette (see Lighting Device Properties).

1 Click the tool, and then click Preferences to specify the default focus point settings. These settings can be changed later for existing focus points from the Object Info palette.

Parameter	Description
Show Focus Point Name	Select whether to display the focus point name along with the focus point shape
Focus Point Shape	Select a shape for the focus point. • Standard Hybrid: an octagon in both Top/Plan view and 3D views. • Standard 2D: an octagon in Top/Plan view and a 3D locus in 3D views. • Standard 3D: a 2D locus in Top/Plan view and an octagon in 3D views. • Locus Points Only: a 2D locus point in Top/Plan view and a 3D locus in 3D views (does not display in rendered views). • Default content: Existing focus shape symbols are provided as default content (a selected symbol is automatically imported into the current file and displays in the Resource Manager).
Default Class	To control visibility, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class.

Parameter

Description

Show Focus Point Name

Select whether to display the focus point name along with the focus point shape

Focus Point Shape

Select a shape for the focus point.

• Standard Hybrid: an octagon in both Top/Plan view and 3D views.

• Standard 2D: an octagon in Top/Plan view and a 3D locus in 3D views.

• Standard 3D: a 2D locus in Top/Plan view and an octagon in 3D views.

• Locus Points Only: a 2D locus point in Top/Plan view and a 3D locus in 3D views (does not display in rendered views).

• Default content: Existing focus shape symbols are provided as default content (a selected symbol is automatically imported into the current file and displays in the Resource Manager).

Default Class

To control visibility, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class.

3 The Place Focus Point dialog box opens. Enter the name of the focus point, and the focus height above the stage floor. The focus point name is required later to specify the focus point for the lighting instruments.

The name of a focus point can be changed on the Data tab of the Object Info palette, and can be updated in the drawing file by selecting Reset on the Shape tab of the Object Info palette. Place focus points in their own class so they can be easily hidden for a 3D rendering. Alternatively, select Standard 2D or Locus Points Only for the Focus Point Shape.

Assigning a Focus Point to a Lighting Instrument

One or more instruments and/or multi-circuit instruments can be focused on a focus point. The focus point is used to draw light beam representations (see Drawing Light Beam Representations), calculate photometric values (see Obtaining Photometric Data), and for rendering gobo projections (see Gobo Projection Requirements). In 3D views, the instrument rotates to point automatically at the focus point.

Focus Instruments at Next Click Command

Command	Path
Focus Instruments at Next Click	Document context menu

3 To create a new focus point for the instrument, click in the drawing. The current focus point properties are used, and a unique name is automatically assigned to the new focus point; see Creating a Focus Point Object. Alternatively, click an existing focus point or locus.

If you place a new focus point on an existing 3D object while in a 3D view, the focus point automatically adopts the Z value of the click.

Focus Instruments Command

Command	Path
Focus Instruments	• Spotlight • Context menu

The Focus Instruments dialog box opens. Select an existing focus point, or select Next Click to create a new focus point with the next mouse click.

If Next Click is selected, the New Focus Point dialog box opens. Specify the name and height of the focus point.

To change the focus point of a single instrument, enter the name of the new focus point in the Focus field of the Object Info palette (see Lighting Device Properties).

Drawing Light Beam Representations

Once the focus point for instruments has been specified, light beam representations can be drawn. Wireframe light beam representations can be controlled by class; see Lighting Device Setup.

Use the Select Focused Lighting Devices context menu to quickly select all lighting devices assigned to a focus point (see Changing Device Properties).

An instrument must have a focus point in order to draw a light beam representation (see Assigning a Focus Point to a Lighting Instrument). Elliptical light sources require secondary beam and field angles. The Focus Instruments command inserts a default falloff distance for elliptical light sources.

An accurate wireframe representation of the light beam’s spread and location on the stage is drawn, oriented to the focus point. The light beam of instruments used for general wash lighting can also be drawn; however, a focus point is still required in order to draw the light beam representation.

3 Select Draw Beam as 3D Solid from the instrument Object Info palette to see the light beam as a solid cone of light. The Color specified in the Object Info palette or Lighting Device dialog box determines the solid color (see Lighting Instrument Color). The class of the light beam can also determine its appearance and optionally, texture.

Obtaining Photometric Data

Vectorworks can determine and display the approximate amount of light at a point on the stage at a specific elevation (Photometer object) or along a grid (Photometric Grid object). The pen color of each indicator provides a visual cue of the light intensity according to defined ranges.

The photometric tools use the Candlepower parameter in the Light Info record to determine the lighting intensity.

For photometric values to be measured, the lighting instruments must have a designated focus point.

Inserting a Photometric Grid

Tool	Tool set
Photometric Grid	Lighting

The photometric grid is a is a three-click rectangular object, and can be inserted in Center-line Placement mode or Edge Placement mode. The grid can be tilted, accounting for sloped or raked stages.

Mode	Description
Center-line Placement	Click once, and then again, to define the length through the center of the grid. Click again to specify the grid width.
Edge Placement	Click once, and then again, to define the length along the edge of the grid. Click again to specify the grid width.
Preferences	Sets the default preferences for the photometric grid

1 Ensure that each lighting instrument contributing to the illumination is focused.

The first time you use the tool in a file, a properties dialog box opens. Set the default properties. The properties can be edited from the Object Info palette.

Parameter	Description
Rotation	Specifies the number of degrees to rotate the object (0.00 is horizontal)
Text Style	Select a text style from a library or the current file. To use the style defined for the object’s class, select <Class Text Style>. To format the text using options on the Text menu, select <Un-Styled>. See Usando Estilos de Texto and Formatando Textos.
Show Elevation	Select to display the grid elevation along with the photometric values
Show Zero	Select to display elevation values of zero
Show 3D Labels	Displays photometric labels in 3D views, along the plane created by the grid
Calculate Using Only Visible Beams	Select to determine the photometric values based on only instruments with Draw Beam selected; this reduces calculation time
Use Threshold Settings	Select to display each photometer in the grid according to a color that corresponds to the specified threshold ranges
Grid Spacing X	Specifies the spacing of photometric values in the X direction
Grid Spacing Y	Specifies the spacing of photometric values in the Y direction
Grid Width X	Specifies the length of the grid in the X direction; available in Object Info palette only
Grid Width Y	Specifies the length of the grid in the Y direction
Slope Based On	To tilt the grid, select whether to specify slope values by angle or offset distance coordinates, and enter the angles or offset distances
Tilt Angle X/Y	When the grid slope is based on angle, specify the slope angle in the X and Y direction. If specified by distance, the calculated angles display.
Height Offset X/Y	When the grid slope is based on distance, specify the total height offset in the X and Y direction. If specified by angle, the calculated offsets display.
Threshold Settings	Opens the Threshold Settings dialog box, to specify the threshold values and the colors for the threshold ranges
Refresh	Refreshes the grid display after changes have been made to the lighting conditions

After placing the photometric grid, set the grid’s Z value from the Object Info palette; illumination values vary depending on the grid’s elevation.

Inserting a Photometer

Mode	Tool	Tool set
Modes for The Symbol Insertion Tool	Photometer	Lighting

1 Ensure that each lighting instrument contributing to the illumination is focused.

3 Click to place the object in the drawing, and click again to set the rotation.

The first time you use the tool in a file, a properties dialog box opens. Set the default properties. The properties can be edited from the Object Info palette.

Parameter	Description
Rotation	Specifies the number of degrees to rotate the object (0.00 is horizontal)
Text Style	Select a text style from a library or the current file. To use the style defined for the object’s class, select <Class Text Style>. To format the text using options on the Text menu, select <Un-Styled>. See Usando Estilos de Texto and Formatando Textos.
Show Elevation	Select to display the object’s elevation along with the photometric value
Show Zero	Select to display an elevation value of zero
Show 3D Labels	Displays photometric labels in 3D views
Calculate Using Only Visible Beams	To reduce calculation time, determines the photometric value based on only instruments with Draw Beam selected
Use Threshold Settings	Select to display the object in a color that corresponds to the specified threshold ranges
Threshold Settings	Opens the Threshold Settings dialog box, to specify the threshold values and the colors for the threshold ranges
Refresh	Refreshes the photometer display after changes have been made to the lighting conditions

After placing the photometer, set its Z value from the Object Info palette; illumination values vary depending on the photometer’s elevation.

Using Photometric Threshold Settings

Vectorworks’ photometric grid and photometer calculate and display the illumination values at the elevation point. The values are displayed in either foot candles (Imperial) or lux (Metric), depending on the units selected in File > Document Settings > Units. The pen color of each indicator provides a visual cue of the light intensity according to defined ranges, which are specified here.

1 From the Object Info palette of either a photometric grid or photometer, click Threshold Settings.

Parameter	Description
Color Shown for Zero Value	Click the color box to select a color that indicates 0 (zero) illumination
Color Shown Below Lower Threshold	Click the color box to select a color that indicates illumination values below the lower threshold limit
Lower Threshold	Specify the lower threshold illumination value
Color Shown Between Lower and Upper Threshold	Click the color box to select a color that indicates illumination values between the lower threshold and the upper threshold limit
Upper Threshold	Specify the upper threshold illumination value
Color Shown Above Upper Threshold	Click the color box to select a color that indicates illumination values above the upper threshold limit

2 To evaluate the illumination values at different heights, change the elevation of the photometric object in the Object Info palette.

Lighting Symbol Maintenance

Manage, edit, and update the symbols and data for all the lighting symbols in the file from a single location. Easily spot inconsistencies and missing data, and fix the issues for all existing symbols or just for future symbol placement.

Command	Path
Lighting Symbol Maintenance	Spotlight > Reports

Parameter	Description
Lighting symbol list	Lists all symbols in the file with a Light Info (or Light Info M, for metric measurements) record attached. The columns display the data contained in the attached Light Info record. Sort the symbols in ascending or descending alphabetical order by clicking in the first column header.
New	Opens the Choose a Symbol dialog box, listing all the symbol definitions in the file without the Light Info (or Light Info M) record attached. Select a symbol to add the Light Info record to the symbol definition and add the symbol to the maintenance list, where its data can then be edited.
Edit	Opens the Edit Instrument Data dialog box, displaying the record data for the selected row (alternatively, double-click the row to edit)
Replace	Opens the Choose a Symbol dialog box, listing all the symbol definitions in the file that are not in the maintenance list. Select a symbol to replace the symbol from the currently selected row of the maintenance list. The existing data from the selected row remain unchanged; only the symbol is replaced.
Delete	Deletes the Light Info (or Light Info M) record from the symbol in the currently selected row of the maintenance list, and removes the row from the list. The symbol is not removed from the file, but the symbol no longer appears in reports about the lighting device or in the inventory list in the Lighting Inventory Setup dialog box.
Remove Unused	Removes the Light Info (or Light Info M) record from all symbols in the maintenance list which are currently not used in a lighting device. The items are removed from the maintenance list and the inventory list, but the symbols are not removed from the file.
Copy All Types to Model Names	For uniformity, copies the data from the Inst Type column to the Model Name column. This eliminates inconsistencies and missing model name data.
Update all lighting devices	When selected, the symbol definition edits that have been made affect all existing and future symbol instances in the file, potentially changing existing lighting devices in the drawing. Deselect the option to only affect future symbol placement.

2 If any lighting instrument data has changed, but Update all lighting devices is not selected, an alert message displays when you click OK.

Click Yes to update all existing and future symbol instances in the file. Select No to update only future symbol instances.

Lighting Inventory Setup

Command	Path
Lighting Inventory Setup	Spotlight > Reports

The current status of available lighting device inventory is specified with the Lighting Inventory Setup command. The number of available devices can be included in instrument summaries.

2 Select each device type row, and enter the number of available instruments in the Quantity.

3 Unused lighting devices can be removed from the inventory. Select the device to remove, and click Remove; the Light Info (or Light Info M) record is removed from the symbol selected in the list, and the device is removed from the inventory list. The symbol is not removed from the file, but the symbol no longer appears in reports about the lighting device.

Lighting device symbols that are deleted from the drawing are automatically removed from the inventory.

Creating Instrument Summaries

Statistics on the instruments and accessories used in the light plot help with event organization. Instrument summaries can be created for the all instruments (see Creating an Instrument Summary), and/or for specific hanging positions (see Creating an Instrument Summary for a Hanging Position). The summary, which can be custom formatted, can show the symbol thumbnail and name, the number of each kind of instrument and accessory in use, display total counts, and add special elements like notes, column breaks, circuit summaries, typical label legend layout, and other items. Counting can be subtotaled to count instrument bodies and lenses. Symbols which have the same instrument type are counted together, allowing for alternate versions of a single type. The summary can compare its information to the current inventory so that the designer can determine how many instruments remain in the inventory, or whether more instruments have been specified than are currently present in the inventory.

Creating an Instrument Summary

Mode	Tool	Tool set
Tools for The Symbol Insertion Tool	Instrument Summary	Lighting

Multi-circuit lighting instruments must be set up in a specific way to function correctly in the instrument summary. Use a single master symbol that contains all the component parts nested within the main symbol. Add the master symbol to the Lighting Symbol Maintenance list. For multi-circuit instruments to be counted properly in the instrument summary, the data such as instrument types and wattages associated with the nested symbols must match the components of the multi-circuit instrument.

Alternatively, you can create a dedicated symbol for use only in the summary if, for instance, the symbol used in the file is too long to fit neatly within the summary. This dedicated symbol must also be added to the Lighting Symbol Maintenance list and its data must match the components used in the instrument for correct reporting. This symbol can be accessed in the Unused Instrument Symbols selection of the Build Summary list described in this section.

The Instrument Summary Settings dialog box opens. Default parameter settings made here, both for global instrument summaries and hanging position summaries, apply to instrument summaries placed later in the file. These default sets are saved separately and are in effect depending on how the summary is inserted. Taking the time to establish the defaults makes it much easier to insert summaries for hanging positions or for the entire drawing with the desired defaults already specified.

Parameter	Description
Summary Defaults for	Select whether to specify the default settings for the summary when inserting it with the Instrument Summary tool (select Instruments) or from a hanging position (select Positions). This option is not available from the Object Info palette after the summary has been placed.
Build List	Opens the Build Summary List dialog box, for specifying the components to include in the summary
Width	Sets the total width of the summary
Column Offset	Sets the distance between columns
Instruments
Hide Unused Types	When selected, excludes instrument symbols which are not currently used in the drawing (these instruments use a blue font in the Build Summary List dialog box), and only displays symbols which are used by a lighting device
Show Symbols	Includes a thumbnail graphic of each lighting instrument symbol in the key
Auto Rotate	Orients symbols automatically to minimize the amount of space required
Scale	Scales symbols by the specified proportion; this allows the instrument summary to be placed on a sheet layer without displaying the symbols at 1:1 scale
Show Wattages	Appends “@ [wattage]” to the instrument type. A blank wattage or a wattage of 0 does not display.
Show Weights	Displays the unit's weight, as set in the default parameters of the symbol (in the Light Info Record, or for metric drawings, Light Info Record M)
Show Lamp Types	Displays the lamp type (lamp specification or ANSI code), as set in the default parameters of the symbol (in the Light Info Record)
Show Counts	Displays a count value for each instrument type
Compare to Inventory	Compares and displays the counts against the total number of units of each type as calculated in the inventory (see Lighting Inventory Setup)
Left Margin	Sets the maximum distance to the left of the summary insertion point for the symbols to display, in page units
Item Spacing	Specifies the vertical distance between instrument graphics, in page units. Additional distance is automatically added if the symbol is larger than the spacing.
Text Distance	Sets the distance between the summary insertion point and the text origin, in page units
Text Width	Sets the maximum width of text before it wraps, in page units
Headers
Section Align	Aligns the list header to the left or center
Size/Style	Specifies the text formatting for the header
Color Summary
Show Swatch	When a color summary is included, adds a color swatch for each color used in the drawing
Border
Style	Select the style of border for the summary, or whether to omit the border
Separation	For the double border style, sets the distance between the lines
Padding	The distance, in page units, between the bounding box of the summary and the border
Title
Show Title	Displays a title for the instrument summary
Text	Specify the title text to display
Position	Select where to locate the summary title with respect to the border
Font/Size/Style	Specifies the text formatting for the title

The Build Summary List dialog box opens, to specify what is listed in the summary. You can add instrument symbols in use, instrument symbols present in the file (but not currently in the drawing), and formatting elements such as column headers, notes, and circuit summaries.

Click each type of component and move the desired elements to the Component List. To change the order, click in the first column and drag the item to the desired position in the list, or click Sort Symbols to sort them alphabetically.

Parameter	Description
Available Components	Swaps the display of available components among used instruments, unused instruments, and other summary items
Used Instrument Symbols	Lists all symbols that are currently in use by a lighting device
Unused Instrument Symbols	Lists all the symbols in the file that are currently not in use by a lighting device (unused symbols display in blue so they can be distinguished from the used symbols in the Component List)
Other Elements	Lists summary and display elements which can be added to customize the summary; certain items require the specification of additional customization options after adding them to the Component List. • Column break: Begins a new column in the summary. • Column Headers: Adds a “Symbol and Description” header to each column. • Begin subtotal: Indicates the start of a subtotal count section. • End subtotal: Indicates the end of a subtotal count section; the subtotal value is placed at this location. If a subtotal cannot be calculated, nothing is displayed in the summary. • Header: Adds a section header. • Divider: Places a horizontal separator across the column; separator does not extend into the border padding area. • Full divider: Places a horizontal separator across the column; separator extends to the border. • Note: Adds text that is aligned with the symbol text. • Typical symbol: Places a selected symbol that is normally the reference symbol used for label legends. • Color summary: Adds a summary of all the gel colors used, with color, gel size, and counts (select Show Swatch in the Instrument Summary Settings dialog box or Object Info palette to include a color swatch). • Circuit summary: Adds a summary of the circuits in use (usually only included with hanging position summaries). • Position Height: Displays the position height value, when the instrument summary is filtered by position. (When not filtered by position, or when position heights vary, the height value displays “Varies.”)
Available Components list	Lists the items that can be added to the instrument summary; the available items depend on the selection in Available Components. Sort the symbols in ascending or descending order by clicking in the first column header.
Display Components	For symbols which consist of nested symbols, adds the nested symbols to the list
>	Adds one or more selected items from the Available Components list to the Component List. The items are added to the row above the selected row, or to the end of the list if nothing is selected. Alternatively, double-click to add the item.
>>	Adds all the items displayed in the Available Components list to the Component List.
<	Removes one or more selected items from the Component List
<<	Removes all the items from the Component List
Component List	Lists all the components, in order, to include in the instrument summary. Change the order by clicking in the first column and dragging to the desired location; sort in ascending or descending order by clicking in the first column header. The Circuits column displays specified circuit counts for multi-circuit instruments. Click on the NR column of a selected symbol to prevent the symbol from automatically rotating in the summary thumbnail display.
Number of Circuits	Select multi-circuit instruments in the Component List, and enter the number of circuits used (these are displayed in the Circuits column). Rows without a specific number of circuits assume that one circuit is used.
Sort Symbols	Click to sort all the components, including “other elements,” in alphabetical order
Options	For “other elements,” opens a dialog box with special formatting options

3 If you have included other elements that require formatting, select each one from the Component List and click Options.

• For headers, position height headers, or notes, enter the header or note text.

• For typical symbol, select the symbol to indicate labels (usually a label legend symbol, located within the Label Legend symbol folder)

• For circuit summaries, the Circuit Summary Options dialog box opens to specify the circuit information to include in a hanging position summary. Specify the types of devices to count and how to count them, and enter the device amperage rating/voltage to obtain a report indicating the circuit type you will need for those devices.

Parameter	Description
Header	Enter the circuit summary header text
Count By	Select whether to count the circuits by channel, dimmer, or circuit number
Twofer By	Select the method for counting two-fered circuits as one circuit. • None: Counts all circuits, including ganged circuits • Explicit: Counts only two-fer circuits that were created by the Ganging tool • Anywhere: Counts any two-fered circuits, including those created by the Ganging tool and any set of two or more lights that are on the same circuit
Amperage Ratings	Specify the amperage ratings for the lighting devices, separating multiple values with a semi-colon (for example, 20;50 indicates 20A and 50A). Amperage rating is determined by a combination of a device’s wattage and voltage. Some examples include: • With a voltage of 120V and an instrument with a 5000W rating, the instrument would go into the 50A circuit. • With a voltage of 120V and an instrument with a 500W rating, the instrument would go into the 20A circuit. • With a voltage of 120V and three 1000W instruments two-fered together, the instruments would go into the 50A circuit with two 50A two-fers.
Voltage	Specify the circuit voltage
Device Types	Select the types of devices to count in the circuit summary; typically two or more summaries are included, combining selected device types and specific power requirements so that you know the amperage required per circuit for various device types

4 Click OK to return to the Build Summary List; continue specifying summary list options.

5 Click OK to close the Build Summary List dialog box and return to the Instrument Summary Settings dialog box.

7 Click in the drawing to place the instrument summary. Click again to set the rotation.

The instrument summary parameters can be edited from the Object Info palette. However, the Summary Defaults for option is not available since the summary already exists for instruments or hanging positions.

Filtering and refreshing are options that are available from the Object Info palette after an instrument summary has been added to the drawing.

Parameter	Description
Active Filters	Displays the status of any summary filtering in effect
Filters	Opens the Summary Filters dialog box, for specifying filtering of the summary items by hanging position, layer, class, or custom criteria
Refresh	When instruments in the drawing, hanging positions, inventory counts, or other factors have changed, updates the instrument summary with the latest data

Creating an Instrument Summary for a Hanging Position

An instrument summary can be created for a hanging position rather than for the entire drawing.

If a summary build list has never been specified in the file, a placeholder labeled Build List is placed instead, indicating that a build list has not yet been specified in the file and needs to be set.

The position summary uses the Summary Defaults for parameters for a position, as set up in the instrument summary settings, and the summary is filtered for the current hanging position. As instruments are added to the position, click Insert Position Summary to add the instruments to the end of the summary. To change specific instrument summary parameters, select the instrument summary and edit the parameters in the Object Info palette as described in Creating an Instrument Summary.

If you delete a hanging position, the associated instrument summary is also deleted.

Filtering Instrument Summary Contents

Instrument summaries can be filtered to limit the contents by hanging position, layer, class, or specified criteria.

The Summary Filters dialog box opens. Each tab includes filtering options to limit the summary contents according to specified criteria. The selections made on each tab are additive.

Parameter	Description
Position	Click in the first column to select one or more hanging positions to use as a filter; instruments from hanging positions with a check mark are included. Add a Position Height header to the summary elements to include the position height for each hanging position.
Layers	Click in the first column to select one or more layers to use as a filter; instruments from layers with a check mark are included
Classes	Click in the first column to select one or more classes to use as a filter; instruments from classes with a check mark are included
Custom	Specify custom filtering criteria by entering a criteria string, or by clicking Criteria and specifying the exact filtering criteria in the Criteria dialog box (which automatically creates the criteria string). For more information on specifying criteria, see Entering Formulas in Worksheet Cells.

The Active Filters in the Object Info palette displays the current filters and/or criteria string.

Numbering Light Plot Objects

Command	Path
Spotlight Numbering	Spotlight

The Spotlight Numbering command provides a method of numbering instruments or other light plot objects such as focus points, hoists, cable runs, or any drawing object with an attached record, by unit number or other parameters that automatically increment. Either specify the numbering parameters and type of object to number, and then number the objects, or select the objects and number them either automatically or manually.

If preselecting a set of objects, use the Find and Modify command to select instruments or hanging positions; use the Select Hoist command to select hoists, or use the Select Cables command to select cables. The Custom Selection command or Select Similar tool also can be used.

• Select the objects to be numbered. This allows the objects to be either automatically or manually numbered.

Parameter	Description
Settings	Select <Active Settings> to use the properties currently specified in the dialog box; to use a saved set, select one from the list
Save	Opens the Save Set dialog box to name and save the current properties so that they can quickly be selected as a set
Manage	Opens the Manage Saved Settings dialog box, to rename or delete numbering sets. • Sets: Lists currently saved numbering set and the type of object that it numbers • Rename: 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 set.
Object	Lists the plug-in objects and objects with a record in the file. Select the type of object to number; if numbering an object with a record, select the type of record from the list on the right. Only one type of object can be numbered at a time.
Field List	Select the record fields to number by clicking in the Use column; only record fields that contain text or numbers are listed. The selected record fields are numbered as set in the Numbering Options. Universe is not available when automatic universe assignment is enabled; see Universe Assignment in Vectorworks Spotlight.
Numbering Options
Start	Enter the starting number or letter
Prefix/Suffix	Specify any numbering prefix or suffix
Apply the same numbering to all units	Select this option to keep the same value (numeric or alphabetical), without incrementing, for the row. The Increment by value is not available.
Automatically increment the numbering	Sets the automatically incrementing value, which applies to numeric or alphabetical labels. For example, a Start of 2, Increment by value of 2, and Suffix of A numbers the objects as follows: 2A, 4A, 6A, and so on.
Increment by	Sets the increment interval
Increment by the number of channels (lighting instrument only)	Instead of specifying a constant increment value, the increment is based on the channel value assigned to the instrument
Limit	Sets the stopping point for numbering objects, opening the Spotlight Numbering dialog box when the limit is reached. For example, you may wish to avoid going over 100 control channels per address; set a limit so that the Spotlight Numbering dialog box opens after the set number of instruments have been numbered. Change the needed information, and then continue numbering.
Number of units per increment	Sets the number of objects that receive the same set value before incrementing to the next value. For example, set the Circuit Number field to an Increment by value of 1 and the # of Units Per to 5. A selection of ten instruments will number the first five with a Circuit Number of 1 and the next five with a Circuit Number of 2.
Numbering Direction	These parameters apply to preselected objects only.
Primary direction	The numbering direction is relative to the page; click the desired numbering direction. Select Manual to number the objects by clicking, instead of automatically by selection.
Secondary direction	Available choices depend on the selection in Primary direction; when numbering manually, this option is not available
Use zigzag pattern	Uses the Primary direction and Secondary direction as the starting point for numbering, and then numbers the objects in a zigzag pattern
Tolerance	Specifies a tolerance distance for adjacent numbered objects to be considered lined up with each other for consecutive numbering
Multi-Circuit numbering	Select the numbering format for multi-circuit instrument numbering; these are identical to the selections made when specifying automatic numbering for multi-circuit instruments (see Inserting Hanging Positions)

3 Specify the kind of object to be numbered, the record field(s) to be numbered, and the numbering parameters.

The Numbering Direction parameters are only available to preselected objects; manual numbering by clicking is required when the objects have not been preselected.

• If numbering objects manually, click on the objects one by one. The data bar displays the information to be assigned to the next clicked object; by Usando a Barra de Dados, the information to be next applied displays and can be changed. To stop numbering instruments, click the green check mark in the Tool bar, press Enter, or double-click in an empty area of the drawing.

Shift-click to number an object exactly the same way the previous object was numbered.

• If objects were preselected, and a Manual Numbering Direction was not chosen, they are automatically numbered.

Only the specified object type is numbered. If a limit has been set, the Spotlight Numbering dialog box reopens automatically when the limit is reached; modify the needed values and continue numbering.

After the numbering operation, the numbered objects are selected, to help you identify which items have been numbered. The Object Info palette updates to reflect the new numbering of each object.

Generating Paperwork

Specify the information to be included in the various schedules and reports, as well as the format of the reports, in the Generate Paperwork dialog box.

Command	Path
Generate Paperwork	Spotlight > Reports

The Create Report command automatically creates certain reports as preformatted worksheets; see Using Preformatted Reports.

Parameter	Description
Schedules	Select the schedules to add to the file. Then click Setup to open the Schedule Formatting dialog box, and set the format of each schedule individually; see Schedule Setup.
Reports	Select the reports to add to file
Inventory	Select to create a report that shows the items currently placed on the light plot and the items available. Select Break Down by Position to separate instrument information according to hanging position. If you have not yet entered inventory data, click Setup and enter it on the Lighting Inventory Setup dialog box.
Magic Sheets	Select to add graphical representations of instruments to the plot. Then click Setup to set up the magic sheet formatting; see Magic Sheets.
Color Cut List	Select to add a color cut list that shows all the colors required by the show, and calculates the number of each cut size required per color. Select Break Down by Position to separate the cut list according to hanging position.
Header Configuration	For the Left, Center, and Right header positions, select the event information to be displayed from the list (Designer, Event Name, and/or Date).
Event Information	Enter the name of the lighting Designer and the Event Name, if desired. Enter the date of the event, or click Date to use today’s date. The information displays on the paperwork as specified by the Header Configuration.
Page Height/Width	Enter the Page Height and Page Width values in the default file units. These values specify the print area (page width with printer margins). The width of the schedule columns is affected by this value. If desired, a different unit can be used by specifying the value and the unit. For example, even if the default file units are centimeters, enter 8" to specify eight inches.

2 If Magic Sheets were generated, a new design layer is added to the file. Depending on the type of magic sheet generated, the new design layer is called Magic Sheet-Area or Magic Sheet-Color. The magic sheets are placed on this design layer, and formatted to the specified page size (select View > Zoom > Fit to Objects if the magic sheet items cannot be seen). If the light plot parameters are changed, regenerate the magic sheets to reflect the updates.

3 All other generated schedules and reports display as worksheet resources in the Resource Manager. To add schedules and reports to the light plot for printing, see Placing a Worksheet on the Drawing.

• If the light plot parameters are edited, regenerate the report or schedule to reflect the updates.

Schedule Setup

Specify the information to be included in the various schedules, as well as the format of the schedules, from the Schedule Formatting dialog box.

1 From the Schedule Formatting dialog box, select each desired schedule from the Schedule list and set up the formatting as needed.

When selecting Available fields and Column Order, press and hold the Shift key to select multiple, contiguous items or press and hold the Ctrl key (Windows) or Command key (Mac) to select non-contiguous items.

Parameter/Button	Description
Printed Name	Suggests a title for the top of the report of the selected schedule. Change the title, if desired, by typing in a new title for that schedule.
Available Fields	Displays the items that can be included in the schedule
Schedule Columns	Displays, in order, the columns that have been selected to appear in the schedule
Move >	Adds a selected available item to the list of schedule columns
Move <	Removes a column from the Schedule Columns list
Move Up/Move Down	The most recently added item displays at the bottom of the Schedule Columns list, indicating that it is the last column in the report; to change the column order, select a column and click the Move Up and Move Down buttons until it is in the desired order
Column Format	For each column in the Schedule Columns list, select Wide, Medium, or Narrow from the Width list. These selections represent the relative widths of the columns in relation to the other columns. Since the schedule is automatically fit to the page, specifying the actual widths is unnecessary. The actual width of the column is dependent upon the number of columns as well as the final printed schedule size.
Page Formatting	Specifies the formatting of the Column Headers and report Body text; select the Font, Style, and Size for each. Click the Change button to open the Format Text dialog box for editing text parameters (see Formatando Textos).

2 After specifying the column information, order, and width, as well as the page formatting for each type of schedule to be generated, click OK to return to the Generate Paperwork dialog box.

3 From the Generate Paperwork dialog box, select each schedule you want to include in the file. When you click OK, the selected schedules are added to the file as worksheet resources. Additionally, the schedule formatting settings are saved in the Schedule Formats worksheet. The worksheets can be imported into another file through the Resource Manager.

Magic Sheets

Magic sheets are graphical representations of instruments on the plot used for cueing a show. They can be broken down either by focus point or color.

The Theatre Styles are editable symbols. Custom styles can be added into the file’s Theater Types folder using the Resource Manager.

Action	Description
Generates the magic sheets with lighting summarized by color	Click Color; each instrument of a particular color is shown in one view. The general Theatre Style needs to be selected from the list to be used as a reference for the color summaries.
Generates the magic sheets with lighting summarized by focus area	Click Area. All instrumentation that has a specified focus point will be included in the report. If desired, the magic sheet color number value can be displayed in an approximation of its gel color. Select Show Color Name in color.

2 Click OK to return to the Generate Paperwork dialog box. Select the Magic Sheets report option, and click OK again to place the magic sheet object in the drawing.

Creating Hanging Cards

1 Set the design layer visibility by clicking the Design Layers tab from the Navigation palette. Set only the design layers with the desired hanging positions and instruments to visible.

2 Similarly, set class visibility by clicking the Classes tab and setting only the desired classes to visible.

4 From the Create on Layer field, select the sheet layer for the viewport (or create a new sheet layer).

5 Select Display Planar Objects and Project Screen Objects, with Top/Plan view and Wireframe rendering.

Alternatively, right-click the viewport and select Edit Crop from the context menu to crop the viewport.

To hide the cropping shape, set its line thickness to zero in the Attributes palette. Click Exit Viewport Crop at the top right of the drawing window to crop the viewport.

10 Several viewports can be created on the same sheet layer to display all the desired hanging cards. Changes to the design layer(s) are automatically reflected in the viewport.

11 Add hanging position summaries to the sheet layer as described in Creating an Instrument Summary for a Hanging Position; adjust the Scale of the displayed symbols so that they do not display at a 1:1 scale, but are sized appropriately for the sheet layer.

Inserting Gobo Projections

A pattern, texture, or color can be placed on a lighting instrument and projected onto the stage. This special light source and instrument combination is a gobo projection.

Lighting instruments with gobo projections cast a light beam that can be rendered. You can then preview the effect of the gobo projection textures on the stage. For more information on rendering, see Rendering the Drawing.

Gobo Texture Libraries

The Vectorworks Spotlight product includes thousands of commercial gobo textures from Apollo, Lee, GAM, GOBOLAND, High End Systems, and Rosco. To import a texture into the current file, select Vectorworks Libraries from the file browser pane in the Resource Manager, and open a library file from the gobo textures folder (see Resource Manager). To use the texture in a gobo projection, specify its name in the Object Info palette (see Creating Gobo Textures).

A selected gobo texture is automatically imported into the current file and displays as a render texture in the Resource Manager.

Inserting a Gobo Projector

A gobo projector is a lighting instrument with a light source and gobo texture specified.

The Lighting Device dialog box opens; see Changing Device Properties. Alternatively, the parameters can be entered directly in the Object Info palette.

4 On the Light Information tab, for Gobo 1, enter the name of the gobo projection texture (if it has been imported into the file as a resource), or click Get Resource to select a gobo texture from a library. Specify the Gobo 1 Rotation angle, if any.

Either right-click the light, and select Edit Light from the context menu to open the Properties dialog box (and click On), or turn on the light from the Visualization palette.

To preview the effect of a color projection on the stage, indicate the Color name in the Object Info palette of a selected instrument, without specifying a gobo texture. Render the gobo projection to project the light on the focus point with the specified color. The colors can be selected from the color libraries installed with the Vectorworks Spotlight product. The color code must be entered in a “Manufacturer color value” format (for example, R101). If the color value cannot be found, the color defaults to white.

Creating Gobo Textures

In addition to the gobo images available in the pre-defined commercial gobo projection libraries, any square image can be converted into a gobo projection texture.

Most image-based textures are automatically compressed when imported into a Vectorworks file. Imported JPEG files retain the original JPEG data; all other image files are compressed using lossless PNG format.

Command	Path
Create Gobo Texture	Spotlight > Visualization

Parameter	Description
Enter a name for this texture	Specifies the gobo texture name
Edit Texture	Edits the gobo texture transparency settings at creation. Once an image has been selected (as described in the following steps), the Edit Texture dialog box opens for editing texture transparency settings.

If a resource with an image is already present in the file, the Choose Image dialog box opens.

Parameter	Description
Import an Image File	Imports a new image; proceed to Step 3.
Reuse an Image from Another Resource	Reuses a previously imported image; select the resource that contains the image; proceed to Step 4.

4 If Edit Texture is selected in Step 1, the Edit Texture dialog box opens. Select the desired options and click OK. Click OK again to close the Create Gobo Texture dialog box.

5 Associate a defined texture with an instrument by entering the texture name in the Gobo 1 or Gobo 2 field of a selected instrument’s Object Info palette, and specify the Gobo Rotation, if any.

Editing Gobo Texture Transparency Settings

A gobo texture is a transparent image resource that displays in the Resource Manager. The transparency settings can be edited after the gobo image has been specified, or at creation.

1 From the Resource Manager, right-click on the resource, and select Edit from the context menu to open the Edit Texture dialog box.

Showing Gobo Projections

The gobo textures and color of a selected light instrument can be projected in a rendered simulation. This rendered image allows you to preview the effect of the gobo texture.

Gobo Projection Requirements

• Be aimed at an existing focus area specified in the Focus field of the Object Info palette.

• Have its associated light source turned on (either right-click the light, and select Turn On from the context menu, or turn on the light from the Visualization palette).

• The design layer containing the instrument with the gobo texture must contain 3D geometry upon which to project the texture, and the 3D object must not have a perfectly black fill (which absorbs all light).

For Custom Renderworks, at a minimum, select Shadows and Textures in the custom Renderworks settings.

To select the custom settings, select View > Rendering > Custom Renderworks Options. For more information on Custom Renderworks settings, see Custom Renderworks Options.

Projecting a Gobo Texture

Managing Scenes

The levels, colors, positions, and focusing of all the instrument objects can be saved as a lighting scene. The scenes can then be used to create movies of the scene transitions.

Saving Scenes

Command	Path
Manage Scenes	Spotlight > Visualization

1 After the lighting properties for all the instruments have been set correctly, select the command. The Manage Scenes dialog box opens.

2 In the Scenes list, the list of saved scenes is displayed. The scenes are sorted by the order in which they are entered. To save the current settings as a scene, click Save. The Save dialog box opens.

Parameter	Description
Scene Name	Specifies the scene name
Scene Number	Specifies the scene number
Up Time	Enter the time allotted for the lights to increase in intensity, in seconds
Down Time	Enter the time allotted for the lights to decrease in intensity, in seconds

Editing Scenes

1 Select the scene from the list in the Manage Scenes dialog box and click Edit.

2 Make the desired change to the Scene Name or Number, or the Up/Down Time, then click Done to save the change. Confirm the changes.

Removing Scenes

1 Select the scene from the list in the Manage Scenes dialog box and click Remove.

2 Confirm that you wish to remove the scene, then click Yes. The scene is removed from the Scenes list.

Restoring Scene Lighting Parameters

2 Confirm that the parameters are to be restored. The current light parameters are replaced by those from the scene.

All current levels, colors, positions, and focus points for all the instruments will be replaced. Any information that has not been saved will be lost.

Animating Scenes

Command	Path
Animate Scenes	Spotlight > Visualization

Create a movie of scene settings to preview the cue transition between the scenes. The contents of the active window, exactly as they display, are used to create the movie. Therefore, the images must be rendered before animating the scenes to accurately preview the lighting effect. These features cannot be used to accurately render all the lighting instruments on the stage for every scene.

4 In the Choose Path dialog box, select a location and file name for the movie. Click Save to open the Animate Scenes dialog box.

5 Enter the parameters for the Start and End Scenes. Select the scene name from the list; its parameters display underneath.

6 If desired, the scene can be edited by clicking the Edit Scene button. Change the Scene Name, Scene Number, Up Time and Down Time. The Up Time and Down Time used to animate the scenes is taken from the End Scene.

7 To create the animation, enter the scene Hold for time in seconds for both the starting and ending scenes.

8 Edit the movie settings by clicking the Video Settings button. The Video Settings dialog box opens.

Parameter	Description
Compression Settings
Frames per second	Sets the number of frames per second (fps) in the animation. 30 fps generally produces a smooth final animation.
Quality	Sets the quality of the movie output; the higher the quality, the larger the resulting video file. The Very High setting is of appropriate quality for further video editing.
Frame Size	Sets the size of the animation (width by height in pixels). If the selected frame size has a different aspect ratio from the drawing window’s resolution, the movie’s frame will be cropped.
Standard	Select a standard frame size
Custom	Enter a custom frame size; the width and height can be set to any value between 240 and 4096 pixels
Screen	Sets the frame size to match the drawing window

10 When the scene animation settings are complete, click OK. The progress is displayed on the screen as the movie is created in the specified location, based on the settings that were entered.

Creating Plot and Model Views

The Create Plot and Model View command automatically creates one or more design layer viewports of geometry to be viewed and rotated in a model layer. This allows users to create both a 2D lighting plan and model views with unique rotation angles, from the same geometry (hanging positions, trusses, lighting instruments, and associated geometry). This command represents a lighting design with non-horizontal hanging positions in Top/Plan view and a properly represented model in the model layer.

Model views can be created in two ways. If the command is run when no objects are selected, special “definition layers” are created for each instance of a hanging position, as well as the remaining non-architectural geometry, which is placed in another definition layer. The associated design layer viewports on the model layer can be rotated individually for that geometry, with great flexibility, or automatically set to a vertical orientation. Alternatively, run the command with one or more Vectorworks Spotlight objects selected; a single design layer viewport is created on the model layer, and its rotation can be automatically set to vertical if desired. This is useful, for example, when selected trusses need to be viewed in the model with the same vertical orientation.

Architectural geometry, such as floors and walls, cannot be rotated in the model layer.

Creating Model Views of the Entire Plot

Command	Path
Create Plot and Model View	Spotlight > Visualization

1 From a plot layer that contains valid Vectorworks Spotlight objects (hanging positions, trusses, lighting instruments, and non-architectural 2D or 3D geometry or hybrid symbols), ensure that no items are selected.

Parameter	Description
Name	Specifies a name for the definition layer; “Definition Layer” is the default name. Additional layers are based on the name set here, with an automatically incremented and appended number (Definition Layer-1, Definition Layer-2, and so on).
Model Layer	Specifies where the model layer will be created; select a layer name from the list, or create a new layer. If New Model Layer is selected, you will be prompted to create a design layer after clicking OK.
Separate	Creates a new definition layer for each valid hanging position and remaining non-architectural geometry, allowing each design layer viewport to rotate independently in the model view; deselect to create a single definition layer with all valid objects in a single design layer viewport
Vertical	Automatically sets all non-architectural geometry to a vertical orientation in the model layer

A design layer viewport is created for each hanging position instance and non-architectural geometry, replacing the original objects on the plot layer.

• If Separate is deselected, a single definition layer contains all Vectorworks Spotlight geometry.

• If Separate is selected, a definition layer exists for each instance of the Vectorworks Spotlight geometry.

Finally, a model layer contains design layer viewports for rotation and proper positioning.

3 In the model layer, use the Rotate tool to orient the design layer viewports. See Rotate Tool.

Creating Model Views of Selected Geometry

Command	Path
Create Plot and Model View	Spotlight > Visualization

Parameter	Description
Name	Specifies a name for the definition layer; “Definition Layer” is the default name.
Model Layer	Specifies where the model layer will be created; select a layer name from the list, or create a new layer. If New Model Layer is selected, you will be prompted to create a design layer after clicking OK.
Separate	This option is disabled when drawing items are selected
Vertical	Automatically sets the selected item to a vertical orientation in the model layer

A design layer viewport is created for the selected Vectorworks Spotlight geometry, replacing those objects on the plot layer; if Vertical is selected, the model view displays the design layer viewport in a vertical orientation. A single definition layer contains the original selected Vectorworks Spotlight geometry.

3 If Vertical is not selected, use the Rotate tool in the model layer to orient the design layer viewport. See Rotate Tool.

Focusing Instruments