Setting up label legends

Label legends specify the labels and label formatting for lighting devices on the light plot. Multiple label legends can be defined and then selectively applied to different lighting devices and accessories. Each accessory on a lighting device, and each cell in a multi-cell lighting device, can display its own label legend. The active label legend is applied to lighting devices as they are placed. Alternatively, a label legend can be selected for existing lighting devices and accessories from the Object Info palette or applied with a single command.

The labels display the lighting device object information. The lighting device Object Info palette also shows this information (see Lighting device properties).

Labels can be set in “single label format” for Top/Plan, 3D views, or both. This allows you to make all label formatting and layout selections once, and apply them to all of the labels in that view, rather than having to set each label’s format and location individually.

If not set as a single label format, each label legend has a separate 2D and 3D layout. Label legends display in Top/Plan view as 2D screen plane objects (See Planar modes of 2D objects: Screen plane and layer plane). From the 3D Legend View parameter in the Object Info palette of a selected lighting device, 3D labels align to the selected view; alternatively, they can remain in a screen plane view regardless of the 3D view.

2D and 3D labels can be assigned to classes. This allows the labels to be globally turned on and off. For example, if the designer is printing the light plot for an electrician, the “Label-Purpose” class of labels can be hidden so that only electrical information labels are shown. All label legend classes can begin with a Label Root Class prefix specified in the Spotlight preferences: Lighting Devices: Classes and Color pane.

Single label format labels are grouped in a single text block and moved by a single control point. If not in single label format, labels can still be grouped when editing the layout.

Label Legend Manager

The Label Legend Manager controls the setup and modification of the lighting device label styles for light plot legends. Select the command to open the Label Legend Manager dialog box.

Parameter	Description
Active	To activate the default legend for lighting devices, select the label legend and click on the Active column. The active legend is indicated with a check mark. Any new lighting devices created will use the active legend as the default label legend; the legend name is displayed on the lighting device Object Info palette, and can be changed at any time (see Changing the label legend).
Legend Name	Lists the file’s current legends
Add	Creates a new label legend and specifies the labels to include, as well as their attributes
Remove	Deletes the selected label legend; the active label legend cannot be removed
Duplicate	Creates a copy of the selected label legend, and opens the Edit Label Legend dialog box automatically; change the Legend Name and parameters. This is an easy way of renaming a label legend.
Edit Fields	Edits the labels included in the selected legend, along with their attributes
Edit 2D Layout	Specifies the position of the 2D labels in relation to a layout symbol or locus. If the 2D label text format has been set to use a single label in the label legend properties (Use Single Label in), this option is not available, since all 2D labels use the same format.
Edit 3D Layout	Specifies the position of the 3D labels in relation to a layout symbol or locus. If the 3D label text format has been set to use a single label in the label legend properties (Use Single Label in), this option is not available, since all 3D labels use the same format.