Workflow: Previsualization with Spotlight
Difficulty level: Advanced
There are several steps required for previsualization, whether the previz occurs in Showcase, on a lighting console, or in an external visualization program like Vision.
To prepare for previz:
Model the scene in Vectorworks using your normal workflow.
Select the Update GDTF Files command to obtain and associate GDTF files with lighting devices.
Alternatively, use the GDTF Fixture Builder to create your own GDTF file. Then, view or download the manufacturer's, your own, or other user's .gdtf files from the GDTF Share. Use the Open GDTF Share Connection command to view the GDTF Share from within Vectorworks, where you can download the data into Vectorworks, or select the Import GDTF command to import downloaded .gdtf files into Vectorworks. You can also import GDTF resources from other .vwx documents. The files display as resources in the Resource Manager.
For each lighting device, the Object Info palette's GDTF Fixture displays the associated GDTF file. The GDTF Fixture Mode has been set by the associated GDTF file. Select Use GDTF Geometry to display the GDTF device geometry and verify its orientation. If exporting to the Vision program, specify a Fixture Mode for devices that should use Vision data; see Selecting a fixture mode.
To edit a .gdtf file directly in Vectorworks, click Edit GDTF Data on the Object Info palette of a selected lighting device. Edit the GDTF device in the Fixture Builder, and click Save to update all instances of the device in the drawing.
Ensure that patching is correct with the DMX Patch command.
For previz with Showcase, see Previsualization with Showcase.
For previz in an external program, select Export MVR, and choose whether to export lighting device parameter data, scene geometry, or both. Update the GDTF data if necessary. An .mvr file is created, containing the relevant information from the Vectorworks file.
Launch the lighting console software and activate Showcase, or launch the separate visualizer program and import the .mvr file.
If using separate lighting consoles and visualizers, you will need to use both to import and export the .mvr file.
All of the fixture information and geometry from Vectorworks is shown when Showcase is active, or in the visualizer. Program the show as desired.
Modify the lighting devices, including the DMX address, unit number, and location.
Modify the scene geometry by inserting and moving objects.
If using a separate visualizer, export the .mvr file when the edits are complete.
If reimporting the scene from a separate visualizer into Vectorworks, select Import MVR, and choose whether to import the lighting device parameter data, scene geometry, or both. The scene updates with the changes made in the visualizer, while preserving the original Vectorworks geometry.
