Instrument Numbering

Instruments can be numbered automatically according to hanging position order, or manually according to specified settings.

Numbering Instruments by Hanging Position

Instruments can be numbered according to the hanging position automatic numbering parameters.

To automatically number the instruments on a hanging position:

1. Select the hanging position.

2. From the Object Info palette, specify the Starting Number, Increment, Numbering Direction, and, for multi-circuit instruments, the Multi-Circuit Numbering.

3. Click Auto Number.

The instruments are automatically numbered. The Unit Number in the Object Info palette of a selected lighting instrument displays its number, which can be changed to override the automatic number.

To display the numbers on the drawing, specify a label legend that includes the Unit Number in the label. See Setting Up Instrument Label Legends.

To automatically number all instruments assigned to a hanging position:

Select Spotlight > Auto Number Positions to globally automatically number the lighting instruments in the drawing based on the settings in each hanging position.

If hanging positions are selected when the command is activated, only the instruments on the selected hanging positions are numbered.

Numbering Instruments Manually 

Instruments do not have to be numbered according to the hanging position’s automatic numbering feature. The Number Instruments command provides a method of numbering instruments by unit number and other parameters that automatically increment. In addition, the command can automatically increment several other instrument parameter fields.

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Numbering Selected Instruments

To number selected instruments manually:

1. Select the instruments to be numbered.

Use the Find and Modify command to select instruments.

2. Select Spotlight > Number Instruments.

The Number Instruments dialog box opens.

►    Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Field Name	Select the lighting parameter to automatically increment. Universe is not available when automatic universe assignment is enabled; see Universe Assignment in Vectorworks Spotlight.
Prefix/Suffix	Specify any numbering prefix or suffix
Start #	Enter the starting number or letter
Static	Select this option to keep the same value (numeric or alphabetical), without incrementing, for the row. The Increment value is not available.
Increment	Sets the automatically incrementing value, which applies to numeric or alphabetical labels. For example, a Starting Number of 2, Increment of 2, and Suffix of A numbers the instruments as follows: 2A, 4A, 6A, and so on.
Use # Chans	Instead of specifying a constant increment value, the increment can be based on the number of channels assigned to the instrument
Limit	Sets the stopping point for numbering instruments, opening the Number Instruments dialog box when the limit is reached. For example, you may wish to avoid going over 100 control channels per address; set a limit so that the Number Instruments dialog box opens after the set number of instruments have been numbered. Change the needed information, and then continue numbering.
# of Units Per	Sets the number of instruments that receive the set value before incrementing to the next value. For example, set the Circuit Number field to an Increment 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.
Primary direction	The numbering direction is relative to the page; click the desired numbering direction. Select Manual to number the instruments by clicking, instead of automatically by selection; see Numbering Instruments by Clicking.
Tolerance	Specifies a tolerance distance for adjacent instruments to be considered lined up with each other for consecutive numbering
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 instruments in a zig zag pattern
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. Click OK.

The selected instruments are numbered, and any fields automatically specified, in the selected direction. If a limit has been set, the Number Instruments dialog box reopens automatically when the limit is reached; modify the needed values and continue numbering.

Numbering Instruments by Clicking

To number instruments manually in the order they are selected:

1. Select Spotlight > Number Instruments.

2. Specify the field and numbering parameters as described in Numbering Selected Instruments.

3. In the Primary direction list, select Manual (the manual direction is automatically set if no instruments were selected).

4. Click OK, and click the instruments to be numbered one by one.

Shift-click to number an instrument exactly the same as the previous instrument was numbered.

If a limit has been set, an alert lists any parameters that exceed the set range when the limit is reached. The Number Instruments dialog box reopens automatically; modify the needed values and continue numbering.

5. To stop numbering instruments, click in an empty area of the drawing.

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Editing Lighting Instruments

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