August 29th, 2016

File > New... | Find and Modify... | Organization...

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File > New...

 

Big things people!

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As the summer ends, many of you know that we are getting closer to an announcement day about what will be coming in Vectorworks 2017.

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There are articles all over the internet of potential features and upgrades due out with the 2017 version, but none stick out more than the new Virtual Reality elements.

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Utilizing their already useful Nomad app, and a HTML4 based Web App, Vectorworks has successfully done what most of us have been wanting out of the software;
First-person walkthrough and interaction with renderings.

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Like I said, Big Things.

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But here's something I wanted to add that hasn't been on any articles about the upcoming software...

 

Vectorworks has asked me, and other fellow User Group leaders, to demo the feature at our upcoming User Group meetings!

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This means you can see this feature first hand before it's release with Vectorworks 2017!

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I will be demoing at the 3rd Annual TLS Productions, Inc Open House and New Product Showcase on September 22nd (details here) and at the upcoming Ann Arbor Vectorworks User Group Meeting on September 24th (more details).

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Headsets will be available, but please feel free to bring along your iPhone or Android device, and your Google Cardboard® or any other phone compatible VR headset.

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I can't wait to show you what this amazing feature can do for not just our industry, but for every Vectorworks user.

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Find and Modify...

 

Question:

In developing my paperwork for my designs at my college I keep running into spots where the dedicated Reports feature in Vectorworks isn't cutting it for me. I've always wanted to try out a application like LightWright® but can't justify the price tag. What features does LightWright have that you feel make it worth the money?

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Answer:

In short, it's syncing capabilities. If you use the paperwork that is built into Vectorworks, you still have to export it to Excel to really get to manipulate the formatting and info. But with LightWright, if you change something in the drawing, it changes in the paperwork, and vice-versa. Being able to simultaneously format your paperwork and change data seamlessly between your drawing of something out of the future for me. If you can't justify the price for the latest software, they offer student prices for the software at reduced prices. Contact City Theatrical or any other dealer of the software. 

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Question:

I heard there is a way to make a digital version of Truss Tapes through Vectorworks. Is this something I can do on my own, or do I need a software like Lightning Tapes®?

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Answer:

Real answer, the Lightning Tapes guys started out right where you are, asking if they can do it on their own. And if they can do it, so can you.

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Now in regards to how you can do it...that's a much more complicated question than I can explain in my column. So if this is something you would really like to pursue, please feel free to email me at Dustin.Miller@TLSProductionsInc.com

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Question:

In Vectorworks 2016, I'm having an issue with Renderworks displaying the beams of light at something that looks somewhat realistic. The stage is always washed out and the beams aren't visible. Am I missing something?

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Answer:

Where Renderworks thrives in giving realistic looks and feels for textures and other objects with the click of a button, light objects are bit more complicated to get to a spot where they cooperate and look like real fixture output. The first thing I want to suggest is creating a Renderworks Background in your Resources for your document.

 

Simply right click in the browser and select New Resource in... > Renderworks Background... From here choose a name & select Two Color Background and pick two colors that work for you (I do Black and Charcoal Gray). Check the box next to Lit Fog and  change settings click OK. 

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Back in your document,  navigate to View > Select Renderworks Background... and choose your new Background.

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When you now turn on your lights, Rich-Click each fixture and click Edit Light... 

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Select Lit Fog and adjust the percentage output of the fixture until it looks more like what you want.

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Continue this process with each fixture and you should be good to go!

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Organization...

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This month's Tutorial is delayed due to current projects.

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Check back soon!

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