Concept: Hanging positions
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Hanging positions represent the hanging points for lighting devices as well as stage equipment like curtains, video screens, speakers, cables, and other loads. A hanging position object is typically composed of rigging objects. While a hanging position object cannot directly participate in Braceworks calculations, the trusses, lighting pipes, and lighting pipe ladders that make up the position can (Braceworks required).
Any number and combination of objects can be converted to a hanging position. Create a hanging position if you want to group objects so they function as a single named position. For example, convert 80 lighting pipes into one hanging position, or convert a hidden-edge rectangle into a hanging position for ground rows.
You can create a symbol from the hanging position object, for insertion with the Hanging Position tool. For greater flexibility, simply embed geometry in the hanging position object.
Hanging positions have the following capabilities:
They function like rigging objects, so loads such as lighting devices can attach directly to the geometry within the hanging position; see Concept: Rigging objects. When placing a load object, valid hanging position objects are highlighted as the cursor moves over them.
Lighting devices can be auto-numbered according to their hanging position; see Numbering lighting devices by hanging position.
Instrument summaries, various reports, and schematic views can also be created for each hanging position.
Creating hanging positions
Creating a hanging position is generally a two-step process. First, insert or draw the geometry of the hanging position. Then, convert the geometry into a hanging position object, ready for equipment placement.
Several types of objects can be used as the basis of a hanging position object:
Lighting pipes
Lighting pipe ladders
Straight trusses
Curved trusses
Trusses inserted with the Truss tool
Custom 2D, 3D, or hybrid geometry
Lighting pipes, lighting pipe ladders, and trusses can function as hanging points without being converted to hanging positions; see Concept: Rigging objects.
When multiple objects are selected for conversion, you have the option to create a hanging position for each selected object, or to create a single hanging position from all selected objects. Use one of the following methods to create the hanging position(s):
For any selected geometry, use the Convert to Hanging Position command.
For a selected truss, click Convert to Hanging Position on the Object Info palette, or right-click on the truss object and select the command from the context menu. This method selects the entire connected system for conversion to one or more hanging positions.
Choose whether to create a symbol from the geometry, or to embed the geometry in the hanging position object. It is recommended that you embed the geometry if the hanging position:
Has a complex shape
May require editing its geometry
Will participate in Braceworks calculations
Will be exported in a .mvr file or exported to the Vision program for previz
If you choose to create a symbol instead, you can use it to insert multiple positions with the Hanging Position tool. You can insert symbols from the current file, the symbol libraries, or a Favorites file.
If a hanging position is copied, it is automatically renamed; any attached loads that are copied are associated with the new hanging position. Deleting a hanging position does not delete the attached loads.
