SpotlightInserting a stage ramp

Mode

Tool

Tool set

Modes for The Symbol Insertion tool

Stage Ramp

Event Design

The Stage Ramp tool inserts the type of portable ramp typically used with temporary stage structures. The type, shape, size, appearance, and presence of railings can be customized.

To draw a simple curved ramp, see Workflow: Creating curved ramps.

StageRamp_ex.png 

To insert a stage ramp:

Click the tool and the insertion modes.

Click to place the object in the drawing, and click again to set the rotation.

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.

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Structure

Select the style of stage ramp

StageRamp_structure.png 

Top Height

Sets the height of the top of the ramp

Bottom Height

Sets the height of the bottom of the ramp.

If necessary, the ramp’s support structures automatically extend to the defined Z value.

Width

Specifies the width of the ramp, not including any railing

Create Based On

Specifies the method used to determine the ramp parameters, by setting ramp length, floor length, or pitch. Depending on the selection, certain ramp parameters become available, while the other parameters are calculated for display.

Ramp Length: Calculates the floor length and the pitch automatically based on the specified ramp length

Floor Length: Calculates the ramp length and the pitch automatically based on the specified floor length

Pitch Angle: Calculates the ramp length and the floor length automatically based on the specified pitch angle

Pitch Ratio: Calculates the ramp length and the floor length automatically based on the specified pitch ratio

Pitch Percent: Calculates the ramp length and the floor length automatically based on the specified pitch percentage

Ramp Length

Sets or displays the length of the ramp

Floor Length

Sets or displays the length from the bottom of the ramp to the top of the ramp, as projected to the floor

Draw Arrow

Select whether to display an arrow in Top/Plan view; the arrow can point up or down. In the Text Options, select the arrow text label to display the word “Up” or “Down” in the drawing. Select the Arrow Size.

Pitch

 

Angle

Sets or displays the pitch of the ramp as an angle

Ratio (rise:run)

Sets or displays the pitch of the ramp as a rise-over-run ratio

Percent (Grade)

Sets or displays the pitch of the ramp as a grade percentage

Ramp Deck Details

 

Top Thickness

Specifies the thickness of the ramp

Top Color/Texture

Displays the texture or color selected in the 3D Options

Trim Height

Sets the thickness of the ramp trim

Trim Color/Texture

Displays the texture or color selected in the 3D Options

Leg/Structure Details

(ramp with legs only)

 

Diameter

Sets the diameter of the ramp legs

Profile

Select a round, square, or octagonal shape for the legs

Color/Texture

Displays the texture or color selected in the 3D Options

Reference Spacing

Sets an approximate spacing value for the legs; the exact spacing is determined automatically by evenly dividing the length of the ramp

Leg Total

Displays the number of legs

Railing Details

 

Show Left/Show Right

Select whether to show a railing on the left only, right only, or both sides. Railing parameters apply to both sides.

Height

Specifies the height of the top railing

Add’l Railings

Adds one or more additional railing sets to the ramp, spaced evenly based on ramp width; this parameter is only available when both the left and right railing are selected for display

Add’l Horiz Bars

Adds additional horizontal bars to the railing

Add’l Uprights

Adds additional upright bars to the railing

Profile

Select a round, square, or octagonal railing shape

Color/Texture

Displays the texture or color selected in the 3D Options

3D Options

Specifies the appearance of applicable ramp elements in 3D views. The 3D Options dialog box opens.

For each available portion of the ramp, either select the color from the Color list, or select Custom Texture and then click the current custom texture to open the Resource Selector; double-click a resource to select it. The Object Info palette displays the color or texture selections in the relevant section.

The appearance of Simple stage ramps is set from the Attributes palette.

Set Cart ID

Enter information about the ramp which can be placed in the drawing with Text Options (does not affect the stage appearance)

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 stage ramp. This allows portions of the stage ramp 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 <Stage Ramp Class> to place the stage ramp element in the same class as the stage ramp.

Class Prefix: Specifies an optional default root class naming standard for all stage ramp parts; click Assign Default Classes With Prefix to begin all stage ramp class names with the prefix, so that they are sorted together.

Assign Default Classes With Prefix: Sets the class names for all stage ramp elements to the standard, using the Class Prefix if there is one.

Stage ramp elements: For each portion of the stage ramp, including the loci that represent the center of the stage ramp legs for certain Structure types, 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

Formatting stage ramp labels

Workflow: Creating curved ramps

 

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