Numbering Light Plot Objects

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.

You can also choose a different workflow by Numbering Instruments by Hanging Position, or automatically number while you are Inserting Instruments.

To number light plot objects:

1. Do one of the following:

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

●        If manually numbering objects, they do not need to be selected first.

2. Select the command.

The Spotlight Numbering dialog box opens.

Click to show/hide the parameters.

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	Lists record fields that contain text or numbers. Click to place a check mark in the Use column of one or more fields to number. Then select each checked row to specify its 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 400 control channels per universe; 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.

4. Click OK.

5. Do one of the following:

●        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 Using the Data Bar, the information to be next applied displays and can be changed. To stop numbering instruments, click the green check mark in the Tool bar, 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.

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Numbering Instruments by Hanging Position

Editing Lighting Instruments

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