Creating a hanging position object
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Command |
Path |
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Convert to Hanging Position |
Spotlight > Object Conversion Context menu (truss object) |
As described in Concept: Hanging positions, you can create hanging position geometry by placing one or more lighting pipe, lighting pipe ladder, or truss objects. You can also convert a custom set piece to a hanging position. At a minimum, a hanging position object requires a 2D component; it also requires a 3D component to display correctly in 3D views. If a 2D-only or 3D-only object is selected when you execute the command, you are prompted to confirm that you wish to proceed with the conversion. When multiple objects are selected, you can create a different hanging position for each one, or create a single hanging position from all selected objects. The objects cannot overlap or have gaps, especially if they will be used in Braceworks calculations (Braceworks required).
When you have placed the geometry in the drawing, convert it to a hanging position object. Choose whether to create a symbol from the geometry, or to simply embed the geometry in the hanging position object.
If you create a symbol, it is available in the Resource Manager, where you can easily insert it into the drawing again with the Hanging Position tool, or reference or export it to other files. To edit the geometry, edit the symbol (see Editing symbol definitions for more information).
If you embed the geometry, it is easier to edit later (see Editing hanging position geometry). This is especially helpful if the rigging design changes, since trusses, lighting pipes, and lighting pipe ladders cannot snap to a hanging position; the embedded geometry must be edited.
Embed the geometry if you are using Braceworks, exporting a .mvr file, or exporting to the Vision program for previz.
To convert existing geometry to one or more hanging positions:
Select the geometry to convert, and select the command.
For selected trusses, the entire truss system can be converted at once by clicking Convert to Hanging Position on the Object Info palette. Alternatively, right-click on a truss and select the context menu command.
If multiple objects are selected, the Convert to Hanging Position dialog box opens. Select whether to create a hanging position for each selected object, or to create a single hanging position from all selected objects.
The Enter Text dialog box opens; provide a name for each hanging position.
An alert dialog box opens; select the desired option.
Create Symbol converts the selected object to a hanging position symbol that remains inserted in the drawing. (If multiple items were selected for conversion, each object is converted one at a time.) The symbol is automatically named using the hanging position name followed by -Sym (as in FOH-Sym), and it becomes the active symbol in the Resource Manager.
Use Geometry converts the selected object to a hanging position. (If multiple items were selected for conversion, each object is converted one at a time.)
If you created a symbol, you can use the Hanging Position tool to insert additional hanging positions with the same symbol, if required. See Inserting hanging positions.
Once a hanging position is created, lighting devices and other loads can be placed on it. See Adding lighting devices and Concept: Attaching loads to rigging objects.
Editing hanging position geometry
If the hanging position object is not a symbol, you can edit it from the Object Info palette.
To edit hanging position geometry:
Select the hanging position object, and click Edit Position Geometry from the Object Info palette to enter object editing mode (see Object editing mode). Alternatively, right-click on the object, and select Edit from the context menu.
The editing window opens, containing the object to be edited.
Edit the object, and then exit object editing mode to update the object and return to the normal drawing mode.
To replace the hanging position geometry with an existing symbol:
Select the hanging position object, and enter the name of the symbol in the Symbol Name field on the Object Info palette.
