February 2017
File > New... | Find and Modify... | Organization...
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File > New...
Hello everyone!
First of all, I hope you all enjoy the new look of the site, and it's new overall organization and flow.
I think it was due for a refresh, not only to better correlate with Vectorworks 2017's color scheme, but to prepare the site for future projects.
As we round out the end of the shortest month of the year, I can't help but think it may have been one of my busiest months in a long time.
Per usual, I've been keeping up with the normal updates of TLSP's Drafting Standards documents, but as of the beginning of this month, I've shifted gears a bit to start working on a new and exciting project that I'm very eager to tell you all about in the upcoming month.
All I can say, is TLSP's license of Vision 2017 is about to be working overtime.
Also this month, I was featured in the "What's Trending?" section of the January issue of Live Design magazine.
I discussed the fourth iteration of Figure 53's Qlab show control software.
TLSP recently purchased a Qlab license, and were ready to start using it for upcoming projects.
Finally, a quick plug for the upcoming Vectorworks User Group meeting on Saturday March 11th @ Noon at TLSP.
See you in March!
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Find and Modify...
Submit your questions to Dustin.Miller@TLSProductionsInc.com
Question
The containers within my label legend are too small to fit the information in the field.
Is there an easy way to make the shape bigger so I don't have to use shorthand?
Answer
Yes there is, and it's pretty simple.
In your Resource Browser, there should be a folder named "Containers."
Double click on it and you should see all containers associated with your various label legend fields.
Right click on the container you need to make a bit larger and navigate to Edit 2D Component.
Within this edit window, you can manipulate the shape in any way needed to fit the information within the field in question.
Simply exit the edit window by clicking the button on the top right of the window, and then refresh the fixtures with that label legend container (CMD/Ctrl+/).
You should be good to go!
Question
Can I create a custom designed Title Block?
Answer
Yes you can!
And the process is almost entirely the same as creating a custom symbol and applying a custom label legend.
The key difference is the use of Record Formats, which I will dive into more in the Organization... section below.
First step is to create a set of lines, shapes and text placeholders for your new title block.
My custom Title Block is a full-page length Arch E size box with a my design logo, Production information area, area for for Symbol Key & sheet notes, and other various sections for information regarding the drawing.
Once you have it all set, select all the objects of the newly designed Title Block and navigate to Modify > Create Symbol... to create your new Title Block symbol.
From here, right click on your new symbol in the Resource Manager and navigate to Edit 2D Component.
From here, we jump into the Organization... section to see how to create, attach and modify Record Formats to finish your Title Block!
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Organization...
Record Formats are an under utilized and cleverly hidden tool in Vectorworks.
Without them, you wouldn't be able to assign any information to the fields in the Object Info Palette of a lighting fixture or accessory.
Essentially, a Record Format takes text in a symbol and attaches modifiable information fields in place of said text.
This is how label legends populate fixture data onto them with little effort, and standard title blocks allow for data entry and display.
With the example of the Title Block Q&A above in Find and Modify... in mind, lets start creating a new Record Format.
In the Resource Manager, right click anywhere in the resource window and navigate to "Create New Resource in..." option and then click on Record Format.
From here, click "New" and pick from the following options and parameters to create your data entries:
After all of the data fields are entered, click OK to return to the project.
Now that your Record Format is created, it's time to attach it to your newly created Title Blocks symbol.
Right click to edit the 2D component of your Title Block symbol.
Make sure nothing is selected on your symbol, and navigate to the Data tab in the Object Info Palette, then select "Attach Record" and select the new Record Format from the Resource Manager.
Now that your Record Format is attached, activate the text object within your Title Block Symbol you wish to associate with a record field on your new Record Format, then navigate to Tools > Records > Link Text to Record.
Select your Record Format, and then select the field you wish to attach.
Repeat this process for each text object and field until finished.
Exit the edit window and insert the Title Block symbol into your project.
Activate the symbol and navigate to the Data tab in the Object Info Palette.
Activate the Record Format and then enter data into the fields.
Tada!
You now have a custom new Title Block symbol that has a Record Format associated to enter in the data you need for your projects to come.
If you have any questions on the process, you can always jump over to Vectorworks 2017 Help and look at their entries on Record Formats.
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Save and Commit...
Please feel free to jump onto the Contact page and send over your questions for next month's column, comments on this month's column and any and all follows ups on my tutorials, overviews and answers.
Design & Conquer My Friends,
-- DDM