Spotlight.pngInserting a blended screen and projector

Tool

Tool set

Blended Screen

Audio/Video

The blended screen simulates projection screens that require multiple projectors to produce one large image.

Mode

Description

Alignment modes for the Symbol Insertion tool

See The Symbol Insertion tool for parameter descriptions

Place Screen

Places and rotates the screen; the projectors can be added after placement

Place Screen and Projector

Places and rotates the screen and projectors

Screen Trim Height

Sets the Z value of the screen at insertion

Automatic Numbering

When toggled on, enables automatic numbering as objects are placed

Automatic Numbering Preferences

Sets the automatic numbering preferences

Preferences

Sets the default properties for blended screen objects

Blended_screen_2.png 

To insert a blended screen and projectors:

Click the tool and the symbol insertion and alignment modes.

Enter the Screen Trim Height value on the Tool bar.

Insert the object in the drawing.

In Place Screen mode, click to place the screen, and click again to set the rotation.

In Place Screen and Projector mode, click to place the screen, click again to set the screen rotation, and click again to place the projectors. This is especially useful when placing blended screens and projectors on rigging objects.

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. Some information from parameters can also be placed on the drawing using the Text Options.

When you use Place Screen mode to insert a blended screen, a Blended Screen object is created. Once the parameters of the blended screen and projectors have been set, click Insert Projectors from the Object Info palette to create the projectors associated with that screen. The blended screen settings control the initial projector settings, though each projector can then be set independently (by changing parameters like text position or cone display) if needed. Moving or rotating a blended screen after the projectors have been inserted also moves or rotates the associated projectors.

If projectors have already been inserted, clicking Insert Projectors deletes existing projectors and their parameter settings.

The height of the blended screen and associated projectors depends on several factors.

The Z value determines the distance from the active layer plane to the bottom of the screen (including the border).

When the screen includes legs, the legs are drawn on the active layer plane unless a Floor Height value has been specified. The Floor Height distance shifts the floor, and therefore the legs, by that amount from the layer plane.

Projector stands are inserted relative to both the Vertical Shift and Floor Height values, allowing stands to be shifted up or down from the screen’s floor as set by the Floor Height value.

In Top/Plan view, when one of the blended screen components, either the screen or the projectors, is placed on a rigging object, that component assumes the height of the rigging object and associates with it. In a 3D view, the height is determined by the component’s insertion point on the rigging object. The Manage Loads tool allows precise repositioning of the blended screen components; see Managing loads.

Blended screen parameters

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

Parameter

Description

Screen Type

Select either front or rear projector

Curved

Select the option when the blended screen is curved, and specify the additional Straight Width and Curve Depth parameters

Blended_curved.png 

Name

Provide a name for the screen object; associated blended projectors identify the screen by this name; if the name is already in use, the name that was already in use changes automatically

Width (image)

Enter the width of the screen image area (without the screen border or frame)

Straight Width

(Curved screen)

Sets the width of the screen from the start of the arc to the end of the arc

Curve Depth

(Curved screen)

Specifies the depth of the screen from the front edge to the back edge

Curve Radius

(Curved screen)

Specifies the radius of the curve of the screen 

Height (image)

Enter the height of the screen image area (without the screen border or frame)

Size (pixels)

Displays the total screen size based on the screen dimensions

Aspect (calc)

Displays the aspect ratio of the screen

Frame

Select the type of border around the image area: No Frame, a Frame with a specified thickness, or a flat Border Only

Dimensions

Border Widths

Top/Bottom/Left/Right

For Frame and Border Only types, specify the width of the frame or border for each side of the frame or border

Depth

For Frame type, indicate the thickness of the frame

Edge

For Frame type, sets the distance between the screen and the front face of the screen’s frame

Tab-tensioned sides

When the frame type is Border Only and the screen support is Roll-Down Case, this option is available. Select the option to specify that the side support mechanism is tab-tensioned.

Tilt

When Add Folding Legs is selected, specifies the tilt of the screen in degrees. Positive values tilt the top of the screen away from the viewer, and negative values tilt it toward the viewer.

Total Clearance

Displays the total vertical clearance height required by the complete blended screen object from the floor to the top of the screen, including any border, dress kit, valance, or other accessories

Weight

Specifies the weight of the screen

Brand

Enter notes about the screen's brand

Model

Enter notes about the screen's model

Location

Enter notes about the screen's location

Position

Enter notes about the screen's position

Unit

Enter notes about the screen's unit

Purpose

Enter notes about the screen's purpose

Vendor

Enter notes about the screen's vendor

Cost

Enter notes about the screen's cost

Show coverage zone

(2D only)

Indicates the viewing area based on the screen size; observers within the area should be able to see the screen

Blended_screen_1.png 

Settings

Zone Reference

Calculates the coverage zone based on screen width, height, or diagonal measurement

Max Horiz. Angle/ Max Vert. Angle

Indicates the maximum viewing angle of the screen, horizontally and vertically, relative to dead-on

Viewing Height

Enter the height of the average viewer when watching (likely, a seated height)

Near Multiplier

Specifies the multiplier of the reference dimension to determine the extent of the near coverage zone

Far Multiplier

Specifies the multiplier of the reference dimension to determine the extent of the far coverage zone

Screen Support

Select the type of screen support: None, Goalpost Legs (includes two legs, and is similar to commercial “fastfold” systems), or Roll-Down Case

Show Feet

For Goalpost Legs, select how the feet of the frame display: Both, Front, Back, or None

Depth

For Roll-Down Case support, specifies the size of the case drawn at the top (roll-down case) or bottom (roll-up case) of the video screen; the case length is determined by the screen size

Motor

For Roll-Down Case support, adds space to the case for the motor; select whether the motor is located on the right or the left

Opening

For Roll-Down Case support, sets the location on the case where the screen exits the case; select Front, Center, or Back

Add dress kit

When goalpost legs are selected, adds a “dress kit” of draperies to conceal the projector (rear) and supports from audience view

Settings

Color

Select the color of the dress kit draperies

Left Leg Width

Indicates the width of the drapery on the left side of the screen

Right Leg Width

Indicates the width of the drapery on the right side of the screen

Valance Height

Sets the height of the drapery above the screen

Border Overlap

Indicates the amount of overlap of the dress kit drapery over all sides of the screen’s border

Pleat Width

Specifies the width of each pleated section of the left, right, and valance draperies

Pleat Depth

Specifies the depth of the pleats for the left, right, and valance draperies

Screen Image

Displays the name of the current screen image

Edit Screen Image

Opens the Edit Screen Image dialog box; see Setting the image on the video screen

Projector

Displays the name of the selected projector

Select Projector

Opens the Resource Selector to select a projector; double-click the resource to select it

Brand

Enter notes about the projector's brand

Model

Specifies the model name of the projector

Weight

Specifies the weight of the projector

Wattage

Enter the required wattage, for power consumption calculations and reporting

Aspect

Select the projector aspect ratio

Resolution

Select the projector pixel resolution

Overshoot %

Specifies the total amount of top and bottom overshoot to be discarded when using narrow aspect projectors to achieve a certain pixel blend

Tilt

Sets the tilt of the projector, in degrees, relative to the horizontal plane

Place Based On

Sets the position of the projector either based on a fixed lens size or the projection distance

Projection Dist.

When Distance is selected for the projector placement, enter a distance value or click and drag the projectors in the drawing to set the distance

Lens

Select a standard fixed or zoom lens size, or choose Custom

Zoom Factor

For zoom or custom lenses, sets the lens zoom factor

Model

Enter notes about the lens model

Vertical Position

Select the projector placement mode:

Screen Center: The center of the projector lens aligns with the screen center

Align to Top: The top of the projector body aligns with the top of the top of the screen border

Align to Bottom: The bottom of the projector body aligns with the bottom of the screen border

Stand: Places the projector on a stand selected in Stand Model

Floor: Places the projector on the active layer plane with the height of the screen specified by the Z height of the projector

Rigged: Places the projector at a height specified in Floor Height with the bottom of the projector at the Trim height 

Mounted: Places the projector with a down tube length specified by Structure Trim and Drop Distance

Specific Shift: Shifts the projector relative to the screen center by the Vertical Shift distance, as measured from the center of the projector lens

Vertical Shift

For projectors on a stand or with a specific shift, specifies the distance between the floor (as set by the Floor Height) and the stand or projector (this allows stands or projectors to be placed on a plane shifted up or down from the screen)

Stand

Displays the name of the selected stand

Select Stand

Opens the Resource Selector to select a stand; double-click the resource to select it

Floor Height

For rigged projectors or projectors on a stand, indicates the distance from the active layer plane to the floor, effectively shifting the floor by the indicated height

Trim (bottom)

For rigged projectors, indicates the location of the bottom of the projector

Structure Trim

(Mounted only)

Typically, this parameter indicates the height of the ceiling or roof structure

Drop Distance

(Mounted only)

Typically, this parameter lowers the projector to its final height

Multiple Projector

When there is more than one projector (identical paired projectors for each section of the screen), select whether they are stacked or side-by-side

Horiz Space

For side-by-side multiple projectors, sets the distance between the projectors

Area Horiz. Count

Sets the number of areas into which the screen is divided; if the value entered is too small, the lowest possible number of areas is automatically set

Area Width

Displays the width of each screen area

Area Height

Displays the height of each screen area

Area Spacing

Displays the distance between projectors, measured from the center of each projector lens

Overlap (meas.)

Displays the amount of screen area overlap, measured in distance units

Overlap (pixels)

Displays the amount of screen area overlap, measured in pixels

Overlap (%)

Displays the amount of screen area overlap, as a percentage

Blend Reference

Inserts the projector starting on the projector’s left, right, or center

Show projection cones

Toggles the display of the projection cone for all projectors associated with the screen

Vendor

Enter notes about the projector's vendor

Cost

Enter notes about the projector's cost

Note

Enter any miscellaneous information required, such as stock number or other data

Insert Projectors

In Place Screen mode, inserts the required number of blended projectors based on the specified parameters; these projectors are associated with the blended screen. The projector model specified in Projector Model, and its associated parameters, apply to all inserted projectors.

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 blended screen. This allows portions of the blended screen, projectors, and other elements 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 <Blended Screen Class> to place the blended screen element in the same class as the blended screen.

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

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

Blended screen elements: For each portion of the blended screen, specifies the class name standard; the class names shown here are applied to the elements.

Update

Updates the blended screen object and its associated projectors when changes have been made to the screen’s Object Info palette parameters; this also refreshes the associated projector information without changing individual blended projector parameters such as text options

Load Information

A blended screen is considered a distributed load in Braceworks calculations; if the screen is inserted parallel to a rigging object, it is considered to be a load on that structure. Load information is used for Braceworks calculations and reports (Braceworks required).

Include in calculations

(Braceworks required)

Includes the blended screen in Braceworks calculations; deselect to exclude the object from participating in structural calculations

Load Group Name

The load category is always Video for blended screen objects

Load ID

Enter a unique ID for the load for informational use in reports

Load Name

Identifies the object in load calculations

Distributed Weight

Enter the distributed weight of the blended screen object; changes here also affect the Total Weight value

Total Weight

Enter the total weight of the object

Position

Displays the name of the associated rigging object, if the screen is attached. Optionally, attach this object to a rigging object, or change the rigging object association, by entering the Position Name of the rigging object. Delete the name to break the association.

For other methods to attach loads, see Making the attachment.

Equipment Subparts

Lists the subparts that make up the object. These subparts are counted and reported separately in equipment and inventory lists.

The parameters must be selected for display for this type of object in Spotlight preferences: Inventory pane.

Equipment Virtual Parts

Virtual parts are associated with an object and are reported in equipment and inventory lists, but do not display in the drawing. After adding virtual parts, they are listed in the Object Info palette.

Edit Virtual Parts

Opens the Virtual Parts dialog box to add virtual parts to the object; see Managing virtual parts and independent virtual parts

Assign Sources

Opens the Assign Sources dialog box to assign the object and its subparts and virtual parts to an inventory source; see Assigning equipment to an inventory

Blended projector parameters

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

Parameter

Description

Screen Name

Displays the name of the screen with which the projector is associated

Screen Parameters

Displays the main screen parameters set by the blended screen

Show Projection Cone

Toggles the display of the projection cone for this projector only

Projector

Displays the name of the selected projector

Select Projector

Opens the Resource Selector to select a projector; double-click the resource to select it

Brand

Enter notes about the projector's brand

Model

Specifies the projector's model

Weight

Displays the projector's weight

Wattage

Enter the required wattage, for power consumption calculations and reporting

Projector Parameters

Displays the projector parameters as required by the blended screen

Show Centerline (Area)

Displays the projector centerline in Top/Plan view

L/R Shift

For projectors on a stand, shifts the stand to the left or right, relative to the projector

F/B Shift

For projectors on a stand, shifts the stand to the front or back, relative to the projector

Horiz. Offset Angle

Displays the angle of offset from the projector to the screen, measured side to side on the horizontal plane and based on the L/R Shift value

Horiz. Offset Perc.

Displays the angle of offset from the projector to the screen as a percentage

Point at screen center

When a L/R shift has been applied to the projector, rotates the projector body so that the projection remains pointed at the center of the projection cone area

Tilt

Sets the tilt of the projector, in degrees, relative to the horizontal plane

Place Based On

Sets the position of the projector either based on a fixed lens size or the projection distance

Proj. Distance (Straight)

When Distance is selected for the projector placement, enter a distance value or click and drag the projectors on the drawing to set the distance

Proj. Distance (Actual)

Specifies the distance in 3D from the projector to the screen

Lens

Select a standard fixed or zoom lens size, or choose Custom

Zoom Factor

For zoom or custom lenses, sets the lens zoom factor

Model

Enter notes about the lens model

Show zoom range

(Projector zoom Lens only)

Indicates the optimal distance from the projector where the screen can be placed, given the zoom range of the lens

Vertical Position

Select the projector placement mode:

Screen Center: The center of the projector lens aligns with the screen center

Align to Top: The top of the projector body aligns with the top of the top of the screen border

Align to Bottom: The bottom of the projector body aligns with the bottom of the screen border

Stand: Places the projector on a stand selected in Stand Model

Floor: Places the projector on the active layer plane with the height of the screen specified by the Z height of the projector

Rigged: Places the projector at a height specified in Floor Height with the bottom of the projector at the Trim height 

Mounted: Places the projector with a down tube length specified by Structure Trim and Drop Distance

Specific Shift: Shifts the projector relative to the screen center by the Vertical Shift distance, as measured from the center of the projector lens

Vertical Shift

For projectors on a stand or with a specific shift, specifies the distance between the floor (as set by the Floor Height) and the stand or projector (this allows stands or projectors to be placed on a plane shifted up or down from the screen)

Stand 

Displays the name of the selected stand

Select Stand

Opens the Resource Selector to select a stand; double-click the resource to select it

Floor Height

For rigged projectors or projectors on a stand, indicates the distance from the active layer plane to the floor, effectively shifting the floor by the indicated height

L/R Shift

For projectors on a stand, shifts the stand to the left or right, relative to the projector

F/B Shift

For projectors on a stand, shifts the stand to the front or back, relative to the projector

Trim (bottom)

For rigged projectors, indicates the location of the bottom of the projector

Structure Trim

(Mounted only)

Typically, this parameter indicates the height of the ceiling or roof structure

Drop Distance

(Mounted only)

Typically, this parameter lowers the projector to its final height

Vert. Offset Angle

Displays the vertical offset angle of the projector to the screen, based on the vertical position of the projector

Vert. Offset Perc.

Displays the vertical offset angle of the projector to the screen as a percentage

Multiple Projector

When there is more than one projector (identical paired projectors for each section of the screen), select whether they are stacked or side-by-side

Horiz Space

For side-by-side multiple projectors, sets the distance between the projectors

Projector 1/Projector 2 Power and Signal Details

Circuit Number

Inidicates the circuit number where the video screen is plugged in

Circuit Name

Specifies the name of the bundled circuit group

Source

Specifies the source information

Drive Line

Indicates information about the drive line feeding the signal to the video screen

Input 

Specifies the input information

Frame Rate

Specifies the frame rate information

Resolution

Specifies the resolution

Location

Enter notes about the object's location

Position

Enter notes about the object's position

Projector 1 Unit

Enter notes about the unit for projector 1

Projector 2 Unit

Enter notes about the unit for projector 2

Purpose

Enter notes about the object's purpose

Vendor 

Enter notes about the object's vendor

Cost

Enter notes about the object's cost

Note

Enter any miscellaneous information required, such as stock number or other data

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

Update

Updates the object when changes have been made to the Object Info palette parameters

Load Information

A blended projector is considered a point load in Braceworks calculations; if the insertion point is on a rigging object, it is considered to be a load on that structure. Load information is used for Braceworks calculations and reports (Braceworks required).

Include in calculations

(Braceworks required)

Includes the blended projector in Braceworks calculations; deselect to exclude it from participating in structural calculations

Load Group Name

The load category is always Video for blended projector objects

Load ID

Enter a unique ID for the load for informational use in reports

Load Name

Identifies the object in load calculations

Total Weight

Enter the total weight of the object

Position

Displays the name of the associated rigging object, if the projector is attached. Optionally, attach this object to a rigging object, or change the rigging object association, by entering the Position Name of the rigging object. Delete the name to break the association.

For other methods to attach loads, see Making the attachment.

Equipment Subparts

Lists the subparts that make up the object. These subparts are counted and reported separately in equipment and inventory lists.

The parameters must be selected for display for this type of object in Spotlight preferences: Inventory pane.

Equipment Virtual Parts

Virtual parts are associated with an object and are reported in equipment and inventory lists, but do not display in the drawing. After adding virtual parts, they are listed in the Object Info palette.

Edit Virtual Parts

Opens the Virtual Parts dialog box to add virtual parts to the object; see Managing virtual parts and independent virtual parts

Assign Sources

Opens the Assign Sources dialog box to assign the object and its subparts and virtual parts to an inventory source; see Assigning equipment to an inventory

Assigning an image, video, or input

Formatting video screen object labels

Numbering objects at placement

Concept: Attaching loads to rigging objects

 

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