Formatting the Label LegendFormatting the Label LegendOnce a label legend has been created, format it so that the labels are displayed in specific positions. The labels, containers, and layout symbol are selected when creating the label legend; see Creating Label Legends.
To format the label legend:
In the Label Legend Manager dialog box, select the legend, and then click Edit Layout.
Alternatively, right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on a lighting device and select Locate Label Legend in Resource Browser from the context menu. The label legend associated with that lighting device is highlighted in the Resource Browser. Right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the highlighted label legend, and select Edit from the context menu. The Edit Symbol dialog box opens. Select 2D Component and click Edit. (See Editing Symbol Definitions for additional information about the Edit Symbol dialog box.)
The Edit Symbol window opens, where the default position and format of the labels is specified for instruments that use this label legend. The name of the current label legend is displayed at the top of the Edit Symbol window. The instrument used for the layout is either the symbol selected in Lighting Instrument Layout Symbol or the active symbol at the time the legend was created.
The labels selected for the legend display to the left of the instrument diagram. Drag each label to its position on or around the instrument, and drag any label containers relative to the label text. The label’s formatting can be set by selecting the label, and then using the Object Info palette or the Text menu to select the label’s font, size, style, and justification. The label stacking order can be changed with the Modify > Send commands; the instrument is part of the stacking order. Change the color of the label by selecting it and applying a solid pen color from the Attributes palette.
If necessary, the labels placed outside the bounding box of the instrument are adjusted so they are always placed at an absolute distance from the instrument. For example, a label placed six inches in front of an instrument always appears six inches in front of any instrument to which the label is applied. The position of a label placed upon an instrument is scaled so it is in the same relative position whether the instrument is larger or smaller than the one used for formatting. A label placed at the center of the instrument is always at the center.
When the labels are set, click Exit Symbol in the upper right corner of the window to return to the drawing. The formatting and position of the labels applies to all instruments that use this legend.
Labels should normally be repositioned through the Label Legend Manager. On a complex light plot, however, a label can be hidden by the nearest object. If that occurs, click the instrument to select it, and then click the instrument label control point, located at the center of the label, with the Selection tool. Drag the label to another location. This one-time repositioning does not affect the label legend.
If labels have been repositioned and the arrangement is suitable to use as a label legend for other instruments, you can create a new label legend from a selected lighting instrument’s legend. The current label arrangement and instrument rotation are used for the new label legend.
To create a label legend based on an existing instrument:
Select the lighting instrument. The instrument must already have a label legend attached.
Select Spotlight > Label Legend > Create Label Legend from Instrument.
Provide a unique name for the new label legend.
By default, the instrument’s existing label legend is appended with a -1 (or with the next available number) as a suggested name.
Click OK.
The new label legend is created, and it is automatically assigned to the selected instrument. The instrument specified in Symbol Name in the Object Info palette of the selected instrument becomes the representative lighting device for the label legend.
Label legends from another file created with the Vectorworks Spotlight product can be imported into the current file. Import the Label Legends symbol folder contents from the original file into the new file with the Import command in the Resource Browser; place the legends into the Legends folder. The imported label legends are listed in the Label Legend Manager. See Importing a Symbol or Symbol Folder.
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