Workflow: Creating accessory symbol definitionsWorkflow: Creating accessory symbol definitionsThis workflow describes how to create a hybrid (2D/3D) accessory symbol definition. Accessory symbols can be inserted by the Lighting Accessory tool or embedded directly in a lighting device symbol definition. Embedding accessories allows you to insert a custom lighting device with the needed accessories already attached.
The process of creating the accessory symbol is similar to creating a standalone lighting device (see Workflow: Creating lighting device symbol definitions), but there are some important distinctions.
Accessories attach to the front of a lighting device by default and associate with the device body. To define an accessory as part of the yoke or base instead, attach the Parts record. Use a layout symbol to define a custom attachment point.
Once the accessory symbol definition is created, use the Lighting Accessory tool to attach the accessory to a lighting device in the drawing.
To draw the accessory's 3D geometry:
Follow the steps described in Creating the 3D geometry, but keep in mind these special considerations for accessory symbols:
● There is no need to create a 3D locus point for rotation.
● The 3D components should be drawn below the Z axis to properly align with the front of the lighting device.
To create the 3D symbol:
Follow the steps described in Creating the 3D symbol definition, but keep in mind these special considerations for accessory symbols:
● When creating clamp accessories, it is recommended that you place the clamp symbols in a class to control their appearance and visibility; see Creating symbol definitions for more information.
● The standard insertion point for accessories is the back center of the bounding cube in 3D.
By default, accessory symbols are considered part of the lighting device body; they move with the body when the lighting device is positioned and focused in 2D and 3D views. Accessories such as clamps can associate, instead, with the base of the lighting device. This allows the clamp to offset the lighting device insertion point so it matches the clamp’s insertion point, and the device hangs correctly. To designate a clamp—or any base accessory—as a part of the lighting device base, you must attach the Parts record.
When an accessory symbol is defined as a base part, it will offset the insertion point of any lighting device it attaches to, so make this designation wisely.
If you are embedding the accessory symbol within a lighting device symbol, you can attach the Parts record when editing the lighting device symbol instead; see Attaching the Parts record to the lighting device.
To attach the Parts record:
1. From the Resource Manager, locate a Parts record from one of the lighting device library files included with the Spotlight program, and drag it to the active file. Alternatively, right-click on the record, and select Import from the context menu.
2.Select the new accessory symbol, and select Modify > Edit Symbol.
3.Click the Data tab on the Object Info palette. Click Attach Record to open the Resource Selector, and double-click the Parts record to attach it.
4.Select the appropriate part for the accessory to associate with.
● Base accessories form part of the base and respond to the device’s XYZ movements.
● Yoke accessories form part of the yoke and respond to panning.
● Body and Lens accessories form part of the body and respond to tilting.
5.Click Exit Symbol at the upper right corner of the window to return to the drawing.
To draw the accessory's 2D geometry:
Follow the steps described in Creating the 2D geometry.
To create the hybrid symbol definition:
Follow the steps described in Creating the hybrid symbol definition.
The accessory's default position controls where the Lighting Accessory tool places the accessory in Default Insertion mode. By default, accessories are positioned at the top-center of the lighting device's (or the cell’s) bounding box in 2D views and the back-center of the bounding cube in 3D views.
Change the default position with the use of a layout symbol. Any lighting symbol from the Vectorworks libraries can be used. If your accessory is a hybrid 2D/3D symbol, choose a hybrid layout symbol; if your accessory is pure 2D or 3D, choose the equivalent layout symbol.
Position the accessory as desired on the layout symbol. When adding the accessory to different lighting devices, the accessory will maintain the same relative position. For example, if the accessory is placed on the center of the layout symbol, it will be inserted at the center of any lighting device to which it attaches.
To define the accessory's default insertion point:
1. Select the new accessory symbol and select Modify > Edit Symbol.
2.Click the Symbol Insertion tool, and then click Active Symbol Def and select a lighting device to use as the layout symbol.
3.Click to place the layout symbol in the Edit Symbol window.
4.On the Object Info palette, set the X/Y/Z position of the layout symbol to 0,0,0.
5.The layout symbol must have a Light Info Record attached with a Device Type other than Accessory or Static Accessory, or else it will be considered part of the accessory geometry. To attach the Light Info Record, see Attaching the Light Info Record and Light Info Record M.
6.Use the Selection tool to position the accessory as desired on the layout symbol.
By default, accessories attach to the front of a lighting device. To attach the accessory to the back of a lighting device instead, send the layout symbol to the front of the stacking order in Top/Plan view; see Changing object stacking order.
7.Click Exit Symbol at the upper right corner of the window to return to the drawing.
The Light Info Record specifies the default accessory values and it is required for your accessory symbol to function properly.
To attach the Light Info Record:
1. From the Resource Manager, locate the Light Info Record from one of the lighting device library files included with the Spotlight program, and drag it to the active file. Alternatively, right-click on the record, and select Import from the context menu.
2.Select the new accessory symbol and select Modify > Edit Symbol.
3.In the Edit Symbol window, click an empty location so that nothing is selected.
4.Click the Data tab on the Object Info palette. Click Attach Record to open the Resource Selector, and double-click the Light Info Record to attach it to the symbol.
5.Specify the Device Type, as well as any other fields you want the accessory object to read. Accessories such as color frames, barn doors, and top hats are Static Accessory types; accessories that require a control channel, such as color scrollers, are Accessory types.
6.Click Exit Symbol at the upper right corner of the window to return to the drawing.
Information from the Light Info and additional records attached to the accessory symbol applies only to the lighting device’s accessory-specific parameters. These parameters are indicated in the Accessory column of the parameter list on the Spotlight preferences: Lighting Devices: Parameters pane.
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