Placing hoists

The Hoist tool and the Insert Dead Hang tool share the same position on the tool set. Click and hold the mouse on the visible tool to open the Pop-out tools list and select the desired tool.

The first time you use the tool in a file, a properties dialog box opens. Set the available default properties (some properties are set automatically based on the selected symbol). The properties can be edited from the Object Info palette.

Using Auto Connect technology from Braceworks, when placing the hoist preview over a valid structural object such as a truss, the hoist insertion point is highlighted to indicate where the hoist will be automatically connected to the structural system, and hoists can snap to hanging points.

The hoist’s graphical representation in Top/Plan view depends on whether the hoist motor is up or down, as well as its load rating and its manufacturer or function. Hoist symbols, which can be customized, are available in the Vectorworks Libraries\Defaults folder; a selected hoist symbol is automatically imported into the current file and displays in the Resource Manager. The display of the hoist number, dimensions, and labels can be adjusted from the Object Info palette, and with the Set Hoist Number and Dimension Display command, or by making the associated number or label class invisible.

Number the hoists so that they have unique IDs in reports and calculations (Braceworks required).

After placement, hoists can be selected based on Object Info palette categories like the function, location, and type with the Select Hoists command.

Parameter	Description
Rotation	Rotates the hoist object and hoist number label, but not the hoist data or dimension labels
Hoist Number	Each hoist should have a unique integer identifier which displays at the center of the graphical hoist (hoists can be easily numbered with the Spotlight Numbering command)
Hoist Label	Each hoist can be labeled alpha-numerically; the display is enabled with Set Hoist Number and Dimension Display command
Location	Enter the name of the load supported by the hoist
Hoist Type	Specifies the hoist’s approximate load rating, or select Block & Fall or Dead Hang. Each hoist type is represented by a specific, pre-defined symbol; to use a different symbol, select Custom. The Custom Hoist dialog box opens; click the Custom Hoist Resource Selector and double-click a different hoist to apply it.
Allowable Weight	Specify the maximum allowed total weight for the hoist, for use in structural calculations (Braceworks required)
Brake Type	Select the hoist brake type
Function	Determines the intended use for the hoist
Other Function	When Other is selected for Function, enter the function
Manufacturer	Specifies the hoist manufacturer
Other Manufacturer	When Other is selected for Manufacturer, enter the manufacturer name
Display Hoist By	Select whether to display the hoist by its function or its manufacturer. The symbol that represents the hoist depends on a combination of the selected Function or Manufacturer, as well as the Hoist Position and Hoist Type.
Hoist Position	Determines whether the motor portion of the hoist is located at the top or at the bottom
Double Purchase	Designates the hoist as a double purchase hoist, and draws the hoist with two parallel lines to indicate the hoist’s status
Realistic Chain (Slower)	Draws each link of the hoist chain in 3D views, which is more realistic but may take longer to display
Chain Runners	Specifies the number of cable supports required on the hoist for the power, audio, and data cables in a moving truss application
High Hook Height	Determines the location of the upper hook (the fixed end of the hoist that attaches to the lifting structure) by setting the distance from the floor to the high hook. The high hook may be located on the motor or on the end of the chain, depending on the Hoist Position.
Low Hook Height	Determines the location of the lower hook (the end of the hoist that attaches to the structure being lifted) by setting the distance from the floor to the hook. The low hook may be located on the motor or on the end of the chain, depending on the Hoist Position.
Hook To Hook	Displays the distance between the high hook and the low hook
Load Trim	Specifies the height of the load being lifted by the hoist from the floor to the bottom of the load
Low Hook to Load Trim	Specifies the distance from the bottom of the load to where the hook attaches to the load. This offset distance accounts for the height of the load and any attachment devices used between the low hook height and the load trim. Load Trim + Low Hook to Load Trim = Low Hook Height
Speed	Select the lifting and lowering speed of the hoist motor
Phasing	Select the power supply type required by the hoist (three phase or single phase), for all hoist types except Block & Fall
Voltage	Specifies the voltage required by the hoist, for all hoist types except Block & Fall
Total Chain Length	Enter the length of the available chain
Chain Shorten	Allows the chain length to be adjusted for calculation purposes (Braceworks required). Enter a positive number to shorten the chain by that value, or a negative number to lengthen the chain by that value.
Cross Section	Displays the associated cross section for Braceworks structures
Chain Cross Section	Opens the Select Cross Section dialog box, to select or specify the cross section for the hoist chain. ● Sets: Select a predefined manufacturer cross section 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. ● Name: Provides a name for the cross section for use in reports. ● Cross Section Area: Specifies the total area of the cross section. ● Allowable Force: Sets the maximum allowable force that can be applied to the cross section. ● Material: Specifies the type of material that the cross section chain consists of; select from the available options.
Hoist Weight	Specifies the weight of the hoist without the chain. Confirm that this weight is correct for your specific hoist.
Chain Weight (wt/dist)	Specifies the weight of the chain per unit of distance
Hoist Wt with Chain	Displays the calculated weight of the hoist (based on the Hoist Weight) and its chain (based on the Chain Weight wt/dist and the Total Chain Length)
Load Weight	Sets the weight of the connected load, including any rigging hardware
Total Point Load	Displays the combined load of the hoist with its chain (Hoist Wt with Chain) and the load (Load Weight)
Reaction Force	Displays the total loading force of the hoist and its load (Braceworks required for calculated value)
Control ID	Enter the channel number for multi-channel controllers; this does not apply to Block & Fall hoist types
Distro/Port	Specifies the connection location on the controller; this does not apply to Block & Fall hoist types
Controller Location	Indicates the location of the power distribution controller; this does not apply to Block & Fall hoist types
Control Cable Length	Specifies the length of the hoist control cable; this does not apply to Block & Fall hoist types
Connector Type	Select the type of controller connection; this does not apply to Block & Fall hoist types
Power Cable Length	Specifies the length of the power cable required by the hoist; this does not apply to Block & Fall hoist types
User 1–4	Provides user-defined fields; use these extra fields to keep track of any desired data
Relative Dimensions
Measure From	Select the hoist origin to use as a dimension reference, or use the drawing origin as the reference. If the name of the hoist origin is changed, you must update the dimension reference.
X/Y	Displays the X and Y coordinates of the hoist relative to the selected hoist origin; these coordinates display graphically on the hoist when Relative X, Y On Plot is selected
Displays
Display Hoist Label/Num	Select whether to display the hoist label and hoist number on the hoist
Display Hoist Data	Select whether to display the hoist data below the hoist
Show Data Labels	Select whether to display the label names for the data, or just show the data without the labels
Data Display X/Y	Specifies where to place the hoist data; the X and Y distances are relative to the center of the hoist object
Relative X,Y On Plot	Displays the coordinates and the direction relative to the hoist origin selected in Measure From
Dim Display X/Y	Specifies where to place the coordinates and dimension lines of the hoist origin distance indicator; the X and Y distances are relative to the center of the hoist object
Round Dimensions	When imperial units are used, rounds X and Y distances for dimensions to the nearest inch. Metric units are not rounded and display to the nearest millimeter.
Display Alt Wt Values	Displays alternate weight values in the Object Info palette; if the primary units are metric, imperial units display alternately, or vice versa
Display Alt Distance Values	Displays alternate length values in the Object Info palette; if the primary units are metric, imperial units display alternately, or vice versa
Hoist Space	Enter the vertical height of the hoist
Notes	Adds a note for informational purposes
Symbol Used	Displays the symbol that represents the hoist; this symbol is automatically imported into the file and displays in the Resource Manager
Set Hoist Data Display	Opens the Set Hoist Data Display dialog box, to customize the hoist data display; see Hoist display options
Classes	Opens the Classes dialog box, to specify class naming for the various portions of the hoist label. This allows portions of the hoist labels 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 <Hoist Class> to place the labels in the same class as the hoist. ● Class Prefix: Specifies an optional default root class naming standard for all hoist labels; click Use Standard Classes to begin all hoist class names with the prefix, so that they are sorted together. ● Use Standard Classes: Sets the class names for all hoist labels to the default suggested standard names, using the Class Prefix if there is one. ● Label Root: Specifies the class name standard to apply to the hoist data label. ● Number Display: Specifies the class name standard to apply to the hoist number label. ● Dimension: Specifies the class name standard to apply to the hoist dimension labels.
Refresh Hoist	Updates the object when changes have been made to the Object Info palette parameters. To update all the hoist objects in the drawing, see Refreshing hoist objects.