Concept: Attaching loads to rigging objectsConcept: Attaching loads to rigging objectsLoad objects are pieces of stage equipment that can attach to rigging objects, creating an intelligent association between them; see Concept: Rigging objects. Load objects include:
● Lighting devices
● Video screen objects, including those with individual screen and projector components
● Speakers and speaker arrays
● Soft goods
● Cables
● Point and distributed loads inserted with the Rigging Load tool
There are several ways to attach load objects to rigging objects. When auto positioning is enabled, you can attach a load by placing it directly on or near a rigging object. It can be useful to attach loads at a slight distance from their rigging objects, to leave space for spansets, mounting equipment, and so on. To create an attachment, the load must be placed within the Pick radius specified on the Spotlight preferences: Loads and Rigging pane.
When attaching a load to a complex rigging object, such as a triangle truss, you can move the working plane to help you insert the load precisely; see Concept: Understanding the working plane.
To attach a load object:
● Insert a new load on or near a rigging object; see Attaching new loads.
● Drag an existing load to a rigging object; see Attaching existing loads by dragging.
● Use the Manage Loads tool to attach or reposition an existing load on a rigging object; see Attaching existing loads with the Manage Loads tool.
The screen and projector components of certain video screen objects can attach to different rigging objects.
When a load is attached to a rigging object, it becomes intelligently associated with it. An attached, or associated, load:
● Assumes the height of its associated rigging object. In Top/Plan view, an attached load is automatically set to the rigging object height. In a 3D view, the height is determined by the load’s precise insertion point on the rigging object.
● Moves with its associated rigging object. When a rigging object is rotated, any attached loads that support free 3D rotation, such as lighting devices, maintain their rotation angles relative to the rigging object. This does not change the lights’ pre-defined focus.
● Can participate in structural calculations (Braceworks required), if the load is placed on or near a rigging object.
The point where a load attaches to a rigging object is the load’s hanging point. This is the point where Braceworks calculates the load (Braceworks required). Moving the load’s hanging point moves the load’s actual position on the rigging object.
Hanging positions have added benefits for attached lighting devices. The devices can be auto-numbered according to their hanging position, and instrument summaries and other reports can be created for each hanging position.
If the lighting devices attached to a hanging position are moved to a different position or rigging object, the Position name is automatically updated for the devices, and their Z height is calculated automatically based on the Z height of the hanging position or rigging object.
In schematic views, load objects can be placed at an offset from their associated rigging object. A witness line and footprint indicate the schematic load’s actual position on the schematic rigging object; see Concept: Schematic views.
When a load object is created, it can be easily attached to a rigging object when Enable auto positioning when created is selected on the Spotlight preferences: Loads and Rigging pane. The load is attached when it is placed directly on a rigging object, or placed within the specified Pick radius of a rigging object. Valid rigging objects are highlighted as the cursor moves over them.
If a schematic view was created from the associated rigging object, a load is added to the schematic view in the same relative position as the model load.
When Enable Auto Positioning when moved is selected in the Spotlight preferences, an existing load can be moved to a rigging object.
To attach a load to a rigging object by dragging:
● Click and drag the load to the desired location within the Pick radius specified on the Spotlight preferences: Loads and Rigging pane. The load attaches to the nearest rigging object within the radius, if one is found.
● Click and drag the load directly onto a rigging object.
The screen and projector components of certain video screen objects can attach to different rigging objects. Click and drag the component you want to attach. The other component will move with it but maintain its previous association if there is one.
When a load is dragged directly onto a truss object, the load attaches to the bottom of the truss by default. While dragging, press the Alt key (Windows) or Cmd key (Mac) to attach the load to the top of the truss.
The load is moved to the rigging object and associated with it.
If a schematic view was created from the associated rigging object, a load is added to the schematic view in the same relative position as the model load.
|
Mode |
Tool |
Tool set |
|
Attach
|
Manage Loads
|
Rigging |
As described in Managing loads, the Manage Loads tool is available for objects in the model and in schematic views.
To attach existing loads to a rigging object:
1. Click the tool and mode.
Alternatively, right-click on a load object and select Attach to Rigging Object from the context menu. This command is also available for schematic load objects; see Creating schematic views.
2.Select the desired load object(s); the selected loads are highlighted.
If a load has multiple components, such as a video screen and projector, click the component to attach; only the clicked component will be associated with the rigging object.
3.Click on a rigging object to attach the loads to it. Valid rigging objects are highlighted as the cursor moves over them. The loads are attached to the rigging object, but they are not automatically moved to it.
As the rigging object moves and rotates, the attached loads will also transform based on their positions relative to the rigging object. However, the loads will participate in structural calculations (Braceworks required) only if they are placed on or near their associated rigging object. For loads that are placed too far away, the Select Load to Place dialog box opens.
4.Select which loads should move onto the rigging object to enable calculations (Braceworks required). Click in the Use column to place a check mark beside each load to move. The load moves to its nearest point on the rigging object.
Alternatively, drag the load to the desired position, or use the method of Repositioning loads with the Manage Loads tool for more precise placement.
If a schematic view was created from the associated rigging object, schematic loads display in the same relative position as the model loads. However, if loads are attached to a schematic rigging object, this does not affect the model. See Concept: Schematic views.
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