Setting Preferences

Set up cable preference settings prior to creating cables.

Setting Cable Preferences

The Cable Preferences command sets default cable lengths and offset distances.

To set up cable preferences:

1. Select Spotlight > Cables > Cable Preferences.

The Cable Preferences dialog box opens.

►    Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Data Cable Offset	For data cables, sets the default distance to offset the drawn cable, based on a line connecting two lighting devices
Data Cable Side	Determines where to place the data cable relative to the connecting lighting device
Data Cable Spacer	Sets the offset distance between the ends of the data cable and the connecting lighting device
Jumper Cable Offset	For jumper cables, sets the default distance to offset the drawn cable, based on a line connecting two lighting devices
Jumper Cable Side	Determines where the place the jumper cable relative to the connecting lighting device
Jumper Cable Spacer	Sets the offset distance between the ends of the jumper cable and the connecting lighting device
Jumper Cable Tolerance	Specifies a distance to subtract from all jumper cable lengths, to account for extra items like power cords
Cable Lengths	Specifies the typical available cable lengths for the site; these measurements determine the lengths of cable available for all cable types, and how much cable is considered extra. Separate the lengths with a forward slash (/).

2. Click OK.

Setting Circuit Data Assignment Preferences

By default, the Assign Multicable Circuits command assumes that the multicable circuit information is to be assigned to lighting devices. However, there are other situations where multicable information needs to be assigned to speakers or other types of stage objects. The Circuit Assign Preference command determines how to assign values to objects that are not lighting devices.

To set up multicable circuit preferences:

1. Select Spotlight > Cables > Circuit Assign Preferences.

The Circuit Assign Preferences dialog box opens.

►    Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Choose a Database to Place Multicable Values	Select the record format of the object that will receive the assigned data
Combine Cable ID and Break Out Number	Some objects may not have enough parameters for all the multicable information. Select this option to combine the cable ID and break out circuit information into a single field.
Use Character Separator	Select a separator character to place between the cable ID and the break out circuit number, or select none to use no separator
Place Cable ID Field	Select the object parameter where the cable ID (or combined cable ID and break out circuit number) should be assigned
Place Break Out Number in Field	Select the object parameter where the break out circuit number should be assigned
Assign Data to Multicable Break Out Field	If desired, select the option to assign the break out circuit number information to a secondary object parameter; select the parameter

2. Click OK.

Setting Multicable Jumper Preferences

The Multicable Jumper Preferences command determines default placement options when placing multicables with jumper cables.

To set up multicable jumper preferences:

1. Select Spotlight > Cables > Multicable Jumper Preferences.

The Multicable Jumper Preferences dialog box opens.

►    Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Place Jumper Cables	When assigning data from multicables to lighting devices, also automatically adds jumper cables between the lighting devices
Subtract break out length from jumper length	Subtracts the Break Out Length of the multicable from the length of jumper cable required
Cable Orthogonally	Forces the jumper cables to be placed either horizontally or vertically; specify the direction. Deselect the option for the jumper cables to travel the shortest path.
Ganging Symbol Location	For cables, the ganging location may change required cable lengths and add a ganging symbol to the drawing, but it does not place a two-fer object on the drawing
First ganging symbol at first fixture	Gangs the devices at the location of the first fixture in the pair
All ganging symbols at the break out box	Gangs the devices at the location where the cable begins
Place ganging symbols on drawing	Places an indicator symbol on the drawing at the location specified, when devices are ganged

2. Click OK.

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Assigning Circuit Information

Inserting Feeder Cables

Inserting Multicables

Inserting Jumper Cables

Inserting Data Cables

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