Setting Showcase preferences

Parameter

Description

DMX Data Provider

Associate Showcase with a physical or virtual console that produces DMX data; select the communication protocol used to control the intelligent lighting fixtures

Options

(MA-Net3 only)

Opens the DMX Data Provider Options dialog box, to specify the MA-Net3 protocols. Select the Network Interface that provides the connection to the console, and the MA-Net3 Version. If you select the Updater version, the MA-Net3 Updater dialog box opens automatically when exiting the preferences, to update the MA-Net3 version.

PSN Origin

PosiStageNet (PSN) is an open source protocol that allows both pre-programming and active control of object movement and rotation. Specify the X,Y, and Z PSN origin world coordinates, to align the automation origin with the Vectorworks internal origin. See PSN and DMX transforms for scene objects.

Render Options

Set the rendering options that apply during a Showcase session; default parameter settings are appropriate for previz. These settings do not affect shaded rendering outside of Showcase. 

Hide lighting device geometry (faster)

Since previz normally occurs in a dark interior environment, displaying each moving lighting device's geometry is not typically necessary. Hiding the moving lighting device geometry is recommended for faster rendering.

Enable shadows

Normally, shadows are off for previz; however, select the option to enable shadows if needed, and then select the Shadow Quality. Lower shadow quality results in faster rendering.

Shaded Options

If needed, shaded options can be set specifically for the Showcase shaded rendering. The Showcase Shaded Options dialog box opens; see Shaded options. In particular, the Exposure and Bloom parameters on the Camera tab may require adjustment for realistic rendering of the lighting device output.

Ambient Brightness (%)

Ambient lighting simulates the house lights in an indoor scene or the natural lighting in an outdoor scene. To control the brightness of ambient light throughout the scene, drag the slider to the right to increase the brightness, or enter a brightness percentage.

Lighting Options

If needed, lighting options can be set specifically for the Showcase rendering. The Showcase Lighting Options dialog box opens; see Setting lighting options.

Background

Select a Renderworks background to use for the Showcase rendering (in particular, for lit fog effects)

Lit fog

Select the option to create volumetric lighting effects, such as a shaft of light in fog, haze, or smoke

Lit Fog Density (%)

To control the the fog density, drag the slider to the right to increase the density, or enter a density percentage

Background Options

If needed, adjust the background options for the Showcase rendering. The Edit Renderworks Background dialog box opens; see Creating Renderworks backgrounds.