Assigning an image, video, or input
When Showcase is active, or when sending a Vectorworks file to the Vision program, a screen object (television, LED screen object, video screen, or blended projector) or 3D geometry (solid, extrude, mesh, sweep, floor, column, roof face, 3D polygon, or 3D locus) can be identified as a video surface and assigned to display a video source. The video source can be either a video file that you specify, or the name of a streaming video input or capture device that Showcase, or the Vision program, can identify and then render as a texture on a screen.
Once you have completed the steps described on this page:
The screen object or 3D geometry can then display the selected video file when Showcase is active. For streaming or a capture device, you first need to associate a live video input with the screen for use in Showcase; see Selecting a video source for Showcase.
If the file is intended for the stand-alone Vision program through export with MVR, see Exporting to Vision. Blended screens or video screens can be exported as a GDTF projector, a realistic projector object in Vision that projects light as it displays the image, video file, or capture source. Regardless of the type of screen, for streaming video or a capture device, you will need to specify the capture source in the Vision program.
More simply, you can assign an image to display on a television, video screen, blended screen, or LED screen. The Vectorworks Spotlight product includes a number of sample images, or you can create your own textures. Textures must use an image color shader to display properly (see Creating textures); if you want the image or video to appear illuminated even when there are no lights in the scene, set a glow reflectivity shader. Of course, applying an image texture to 3D geometry is also possible; see Applying textures to 3D objects.
Setting an image, video file, or input for a screen
To set the video screen display:
Select a television, video screen object, blended screen, or LED screen object. From the Object Info palette, click Edit Screen Image or Edit Array Image.
The Edit Screen Image or Edit Array Image dialog box opens.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
|
Parameter |
Description |
|
Screen Image |
Select an image to display on the screen or array. The Resource Selector opens; double-click a resource to select it. |
|
Image Adjustment |
If the selected image does not have the desired size or position in the preview, adjust its scale or position |
|
Scale |
Increases or decreases the image scale |
|
Horizontal Shift |
Shifts the image to the left or right |
|
Vertical Shift |
Shifts the image up or down |
|
Tile Image |
Repeats the image over the screen; deselect to show a single instance of the image; does not apply to LED screens |
|
Preview |
Displays the screen image at the correct aspect ratio for the video screen |
|
Enable previs video |
If the screen is meant for previz in either Showcase or for MVR export in a stand-alone previz program, select this option. |
|
Source |
Select the video source; the source can consist of either a video file or a capture device. In Vectorworks, the screen displays the selected Screen Image regardless of the specified video source. |
|
File |
|
|
Video Filename |
Displays the name of the selected video file |
|
Select File |
Locate and select a video file for display on the screen or array |
|
Capture device |
|
|
Capture Source Name |
Identifies the external video capture source with a reference name |
|
Create GDTF Projector (blended screen or video screen only) |
If you are exporting the file to MVR, you can create a GDTF projector; specify the projector parameters. When imported into Vision, a projector object is created, which can throw light onto surfaces and interact with beams or lit fog. The image, video file, or capture device becomes the source for the projector. Leave this option deselected if you want to export to Vision but create a mesh object that displays the image, video file, or capture on the surface, but cannot emit light. This object can be swapped for an actual projector in Vision. |
Select the Screen Image and/or the video Source. If needed, adjust the image scale, and shift the image horizontally or vertically until it appears correctly in the preview.
Setting a video file or input for 3D geometry
|
Command |
Workspace: Path |
|
Select Video Input |
Design Suite: Entertainment > Visualization Spotlight: Spotlight > Visualization |
To associate video information with 3D geometry for use in previz:
Select the 3D geometry.
Select the command.
The Select Video Input dialog box opens.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
|
Parameter |
Description |
|
Universe |
Specifies the universe number that controls the video |
|
Channel |
Sets the channel number that controls the video |
|
Source |
Select the video source; the source can consist of either a video file or a capture device |
|
File |
|
|
Video Filename |
Displays the name of the selected video file |
|
Select File |
Locate and select a video file for display on the geometry |
|
Capture device |
|
|
Capture Source Name |
Identifies the external video capture source with a reference name |
|
Capture Source Number |
Enter the number for the capture source |
