Inserting a video screen object

Video screen objects consist of a video screen and optional front or rear projector. The video screen and projector components can be independently placed on rigging objects (see Concept: Rigging objects).

If the screen and projector are both attached to rigging objects, only the attached video screen component is affected when its rigging object moves or rotates. If only the screen component is attached to a rigging object, the entire video screen object moves or rotates with the rigging object. If only the projector component is attached to a rigging object, only the projector moves or rotates with the rigging object.

● In Place Screen mode, click to place the screen and projector, and click again to set the rotation.

● In Place Screen and Projector mode, click to place the screen, click again to set the screen rotation, and click again to place the projector. This is especially useful when placing video screens on rigging objects.

The first time you use the tool in a file, a properties dialog box opens. Set the default parameters. The parameters can be edited later from the Object Info palette.

The height of the video screen and associated projector(s) depends on several factors.

● The Z value determines the distance from the active layer plane to the bottom of the screen (including the border).

● When the screen includes legs, the legs are drawn on the active layer plane unless a Floor Height value has been specified. The Floor Height distance shifts the floor, and therefore the legs, by that amount from the layer plane.

● Projector stands are inserted relative to both the Vertical Shift and Floor Height values, allowing stands to be shifted up or down from the screen’s floor as set by the Floor Height value.

● In Top/Plan view, when one of the video screen components, either the screen or the projector, is placed on a rigging object, that component assumes the height of the rigging object and associates with it. In a 3D view, the height is determined by the component’s insertion point on the rigging object. The Manage Loads tool allows precise repositioning of the video screen components; see Managing loads.

Parameter	Description
Screen Type	Select the screen type: rear or front projector, or LED screen
Aspect	Select one of the standard screen aspect ratios, or choose custom screen dimensions
Stock Size	Select one of the standard screen sizes based on height x width measurements
Height (image)	Displays the height of the screen image area (without the screen border or frame) for standard screen sizes. For custom screens, enter the screen height; the screen width is automatically calculated for all custom screens (except rect. all custom dimensions).
Width (image)	Displays the width of the screen image area (without the screen border or frame) for standard screen sizes. For custom screens, enter the screen width; the screen height is automatically calculated for all custom screens (except rect. all custom dimensions).
Diagonal (calc)	Displays the calculated diagonal screen size
Show Centerline	Adds a centerline indicator in Top/Plan view
Show Screen Zoom Range (Projector zoom Lens only)	Indicates the optimal distance from the projector where the screen can be placed, given the zoom range of the lens
Diameter (image)	For round custom screens, indicates the screen diameter
Frame	Select the type of border around the image area: No Frame, a Frame with a specified thickness, or a flat Border Only
Border Width(s) Top/Bottom/Left/Right	For Frame and Border Only types, specify the width of the frame or border for each side of the frame or border
Depth	For Frame type, indicate the thickness of the frame
Edge	For Frame type, sets the distance between the screen and the front face of the screen’s frame
Tab-Tensioned Sides	When the frame type is Border Only and the screen support is Roll-Down Case, this option is available. Select the option to specify that the side support mechanism is tab-tensioned.
Tilt	When no Screen Legs are selected, specifies the tilt of the screen in degrees. Positive values tilt the top of the screen away from the viewer, and negative values tilt it toward the viewer.
Total Clearance	Displays the total vertical clearance height required by the complete video screen object from the floor to the top of the screen, including any border, dress kit, valance, or other accessories
Show Coverage Zone (2D only)	Indicates the viewing area based on the screen size; observers within the area should be able to see the screen
Zone Reference	Calculates the coverage zone based on screen width, height, or diagonal measurement
Max Horiz. Angle/ Max Vert. Angle	Indicates the maximum viewing angle of the screen, horizontally and vertically, relative to dead-on
Viewing Height	Enter the height of the average viewer when watching (likely, a seated height)
Near Multiplier	Specifies the multiplier of the reference dimension to determine the extent of the near coverage zone
Far Multiplier	Specifies the multiplier of the reference dimension to determine the extent of the far coverage zone
Screen Support	Select the type of screen support: None, Goalpost Legs (includes two legs, and is similar to commercial “fastfold” systems), Tripod (creates a “roll-up” type support arrangement), Sliders (generates the cable to connect the video screen to a truss object), Roll-Down Case, or Roll-Up Case
Show Feet	For Goalpost configurations, select how the feet of the frame display: Both, Front, Back, or None
Depth	For case supports, specifies the size of the case drawn at the top (roll-down case) or bottom (roll-up case) of the video screen; the case length is determined by the screen size
Motor	For case supports, adds space to the case for the motor; select whether the motor is located on the right or the left
Opening	For case supports, sets the location on the case where the screen exits the case; select Front, Center, or Back
Add Dress Kit	When Goalpost or Tripod screen legs are selected, adds a “dress kit” of draperies to conceal the projector (rear) and supports from audience view
Dress Kit Color	Select the color of the dress kit draperies
Left Leg Width	Indicates the width of the drapery on the left side of the screen
Right Leg Width	Indicates the width of the drapery on the right side of the screen
Valance Height	Sets the height of the drapery above the screen
Border Overlap	Indicates the amount of overlap of the dress kit drapery over all sides of the screen’s border
Pleat Width	Specifies the width of each pleated section of the left, right, and valance draperies
Pleat Depth	Specifies the depth of the pleats for the left, right, and valance draperies
Hide Screen	Toggles the display of the screen geometry
Edit Screen Image	Opens the Edit Screen Image dialog box
Screen Image	Displays the name of the current screen image
Show Projector	Toggles the display of the projector unit
Show Projection Cone	Toggles the display of the projection cone
Projector	Select the projector model from a library
Wattage	Enter the required wattage, for power consumption calculations and reporting
Independent Aspect	Allows an aspect ratio for the projector that is different from the screen’s aspect ratio
Aspect	Select the projector’s aspect ratio
L/R Shift	Shifts the projector to the left or right relative to the screen
Horiz. Offset Angle	Displays the angle of offset from the projector to the screen, measured side to side on the horizontal plane and based on the L/R Shift value
Horiz. Offset Perc.	Displays the angle of offset from the projector to the screen as a percentage
Point at Screen Center	When the projector has been shifted to the left or right, keeps the projector pointed at the center of the screen
Tilt	Sets the tilt of the projector, in degrees, relative to the horizontal plane
Place Based On	Sets the position of the projector either based on a fixed lens size or the projection distance
Proj. Distance (Straight)	When Distance is selected for the projector placement, enter a projector distance value or click and drag the projector control point to set the distance
Proj. Distance (Actual)	Specifies the distance in 3D from the projector to the screen
Lens	Select a standard fixed or zoom lens size, or choose Custom
Zoom Factor	For zoom or custom lenses, sets the lens zoom factor
Show Projector Zoom Range (Projector zoom Lens only)	Indicates the optimal distance from the screen where the projector can be placed, given the zoom range of the lens
Show Cone Zoom Range (Projector zoom Lens only)	Indicates the optimal screen size, given the cone zoom range of the lens
Vertical Position	Select the projector placement mode. ● Screen Center: The center of the projector lens aligns with the screen center ● Align to Top: The top of the projector body aligns with the top of the screen border ● Align to Bottom: The bottom of the projector body aligns with the bottom of the screen border ● Stand: Places the projector on a stand selected in Stand Model ● Rigged: Places the projector at a height specified in Floor Height with the bottom of the projector at the Trim height ● Specific Shift: Shifts the projector relative to the screen center by the Vertical Shift distance, as measured from the center of the projector lens
Vertical Shift	For projectors on a stand or with a specific shift, specifies the distance between the floor (as set by the Floor Height) and the stand or projector (this allows stands or projectors to be placed on a plane shifted up or down from the screen)
Stand Model	For projectors on a stand, select the projector stand model from a library
Floor Height	For rigged projectors or projectors on a stand, indicates the distance from the active layer plane to the floor, effectively shifting the floor by the indicated height
L/R Shift	For projectors on a stand, shifts the stand to the left or right, relative to the projector
F/B Shift	For projectors on a stand, shifts the stand to the front or back, relative to the projector
Trim (bottom)	For rigged projectors, indicates the location of the bottom of the projector
Vert. Offset Angle	Displays the vertical offset angle of the projector to the screen, based on the vertical position of the projector
Vert. Offset Perc.	Displays the vertical offset angle of the projector to the screen as a percentage
Multiple Projector	When there is more than one projector, select whether they are stacked or side-by-side
Horiz Space	For side-by-side multiple projectors, sets the distance between the projectors
Offset Distance	For side-by-side multiple projectors, sets the offset distance between the screen and the second projector, relative to the first projector
Note	Adds a note, which can be placed in the drawing with the Text Options
Text Options	Opens the Text Options dialog box, to enable the display and format the text of labels
Default Text Positions	Restores text labels to their default positions
Classes	Opens the Classes dialog box, to specify class naming for the various portions of the video screen. This allows portions of the video screen, projector, and other elements to be set to visible, grayed, or invisible. Use the standard class, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Video Screen Class> to place the video screen element in the same class as the video screen. ● Class Prefix: Specifies an optional default root class naming standard for all video screen parts; click Assign Default Classes With Prefix to begin all video screen class names with the prefix, so that they are sorted together. ● Assign Default Classes With Prefix: Sets the class names for all video screen elements to the standard, using the Class Prefix if there is one. ● Video screen elements: For each portion of the video screen, specifies the class name standard; the class names shown here are applied to the elements.
Update	Updates the object when changes have been made to the Object Info palette parameters
Load Information	A projector is considered a point load in Braceworks calculations, while the video screen is considered a distributed load; if the insertion point is on, or along, a rigging object, it is considered to be a load on that structure. Load information is used for Braceworks calculations and reports (Braceworks required).
Include in Calculations (Braceworks required)	Includes the projector or video screen in Braceworks calculations; deselect each one to exclude it from participating in structural calculations Only Rear Projector or Front Projector Screen Type can be included in calculations.
Load Group Name	The load category is always Video for projector and video screen objects
Load ID	Enter a unique ID for the load for informational use in reports
Load Name	Identifies the object in load calculations
Total Weight (projector)	Enter the total weight of the object
Distributed Weight (video screen)	Enter the distributed weight of the video screen object; changes here also affect the Total Weight value
Total Weight (video screen)	Enter the total weight of the object

Mode	Description
Modes for the Symbol Insertion tool	See The Symbol Insertion tool for parameter descriptions
Preferences	Sets the default properties for video screen objects
Place Screen	Places and rotates the screen and the projector at once; the projector’s location can be adjusted after placement
Place Screen and Projector	Places and rotates the screen and projector independent of each other
Screen Trim Height	Sets the Z value of the screen at insertion