Enable lighting instrument auto positioning

Toggles the option to automatically associate lighting instruments with nearby lighting positions. When enabled, the instrument automatically associates with the closest lighting position within the Pick radius. When disabled, the instrument is assigned to a lighting position at insertion, but if moved later, the instrument’s associated position remains unchanged.

If instruments are still being added to a complex light plot, enable auto positioning, but decrease the radius value so that existing instruments can be moved without losing their pipe association. When instruments are only being repositioned, disable the auto-positioning option.

Pick radius

When auto positioning is enabled, specifies the radius for automatic association

Automatically assign the classes of all lighting instruments

Sets class options for lighting instruments; select the option to enable automatic classing options or deselect the option to turn off automatic class assignment

Use existing document class

Places all instruments in the selected class; select the class from the current list of classes or select New to create a new class

Use value of the field

Places all lighting instruments into a class that is determined by the value of an instrument parameter; select one of the instrument parameters from the list. For example, the value of the field User Field 2 could determine the class of each lighting instrument; instruments whose User Field 2 value is set to “FOH” will automatically be placed into a class together for automated appearance and visibility control. If the value of a particular field is not set (blank) for a lighting instrument, the instrument remains in the current class.

Class name

Specifies class naming options when the lighting instrument classes are determined by field value name; select a Prefix or Suffix and then enter the prefix or suffix name. Using a dash will nest the classes.

For example, using a prefix of Fixtures- means that when a lighting instrument contains a value of Rental for User Field 2, the instrument is placed in a class named “Fixtures-Rental.”

Modify lighting instrument color

Sets color options for the lighting instrument; select the option to enable automatic color options, or deselect the option to turn off automatic color control (the symbol specifies the instrument color)

Lighting instrument color set by: Lighting instrument

The Attributes palette controls the color of the lighting instrument geometry. Attributes can be set directly from the palette for selected lighting instrument or controlled by class (see Setting Class Attributes).

Lighting instrument color set by: Color field

The color specified in the lighting instrument’s Color parameter also controls the appearance of the lighting instrument geometry

Use color field for the fill color

Applies the Color parameter value to the fill color of the lighting instrument

Use color field for the pen color

Applies the Color parameter value to the pen color of the lighting instrument

Modify only geometry in the class

Modifies the color of lighting instruments components within the selected class; select <All> to modify all the geometry, select the class from the current list of classes, or select New to create a new class

Label legend container

Controls the appearance of the label legend container(s)

●     Use symbol attributes: uses the container symbol definition to specify the attributes

●     Use label attributes: matches the attributes of the container to the attributes of the label legend text within the container

●     Use lighting instrument attributes: matches the attributes of the container to the attributes of the instrument

Show beam angle

Draws the beam angle for all lighting instruments with Draw Beam selected

Beam angle class

Controls the class of the wireframe representation of the beam angle; select a class for the beam, or create a new class. Alternatively, select <Lighting instrument Class>, which places the beam angle attributes in the same class as the instrument.

Show field angle

Draws the field angle for all lighting instruments with Draw Beam selected

Field angle class

Controls the class of the wireframe representation of the field angle; select a class for the beam, or create a new class. Alternatively, select <Lighting instrument Class>, which places the field angle attributes in the same class as the instrument.

Show centerline

Draws the centerline for all lighting instruments with Draw Beam selected

Centerline class

Controls the class of the wireframe representation of the centerline; select a class for the line, or create a new class. Alternatively, select <Lighting instrument Class>, which places the centerline attributes in the same class as the instrument.

Automatically Flip Front & Back Legend Text

Select to mirror the label legend along the X axis of all lighting instruments

Automatically Flip Left & Right Legend Text

Select to mirror the label legend along the Y axis of all lighting instruments

Additional Default Records

Opens the Additional Default Records dialog box, to select additional records with default data for lighting devices.

Only applicable records display for selection. Select one or more record formats from those present in the file; a check mark in the Use column indicates that the default data in the record will be included. At insertion or replacement, the lighting device processes the additional record(s). If a match is found for a record field name, the default data from the record attached to the symbol applies to that field and displays in the Object Info palette.

Lighting Device Parameters

Opens the Lighting Device Parameters dialog box, to set lighting device parameter display options; see Specifying Lighting Device Parameter Display

Save as default

Saves the current Spotlight preferences as the default; the default settings saved include those on the Universe and Lightwright tab

Settings list

Select a saved set of parameters to apply or edit. Once a saved set has been edited, <customized> displays in the list; click Save to save the custom set. Select <Default> to apply the standard set for the Vectorworks Spotlight program.

Save

Opens the Save Settings dialog box; enter the name for the new saved set. Enter the same name as a previously saved set to overwrite the set.

Manage

Opens the Saved Settings dialog box; select the set of saved parameters to rename or delete. Click OK to return to the Lighting Device Parameters dialog box.

Parameter list

Lists the parameters, in order, that will display on the Shape Tab of the Object Info palette. Only items with a check mark in the Show in Shape Pane column will display on the Object Info palette. To change the order of a parameter, click and drag within the # column.

New

Opens the Edit Field dialog box, to add a custom parameter to the list.

Enter the name of the new parameter, and select its type and default value, if any (see Creating Record Formats). Click OK to return to the Lighting Device Parameters dialog box.

To create a pop-up list of pre-defined parameter options, select the Type Pop-up and click Choices to open the Edit Choices dialog box. List the options and click OK.

Edit

Opens the Edit Field dialog box, to edit the currently selected parameter name, type, and default value.

Remove

Deletes the currently selected parameter(s) from the set