WYSIWYG Report

[TupeloTechie]

Well I have a copy of WYSIWYG Report (It was given to me by a really REALLY nice LD, however I believe I am seeing why!)

If your not sure what is the the "report" level of WYG, its pretty much JUST 2-d cad and the paperwork program.


I can't ever seem to make decent looking plots with it though. Mabee I just don't understand the "layout" feature or the 2 different areas to do the drawing, but either way they always look like crap! (since I'm the only one doing lighting , I can read my own plot and how to use it, but I'd like to try to learn how to use this program to make lighting plots that would work in the "real world.")

Is there anybody on here that uses WYG that could mabee explain a little about how to do the 2d plots. I'm not really asking for standards, or about line weight, but anything would probally help.

[Footer]

I have been doing all my plots in wyg for about the last 2 or 3 years... I like to think I know the program pretty well. First, what version? I only use wyg to do my plot first of all, I HATE wygs ppwk program, I export to lightwright for that one. First things first with wyg, change the symbols for all ETC fixtures. When you throw a fixture into the browser, right click on it and look at its properties. Then look at fixture properties. Here you can change the symbol and edit the layout. Change all s4's to the version 3 symbol then edit each layout to suit you. You will have to do this for every fixture. That will at least clean up that aspect of it. As far as the "pres" view, I used to never layouts, now thats all I use. What you want to do is go to the new plots tab, scale the plot to your liking, then import that new plot into a new layout. The layout is essentially like paper space where you can put multiple view of the same thing on one page.

The thing about wyg is it does take a lot of time to get everything into it, I always have to draft the set in in 3d, have a 3d theatre, and accurate positions. After that though, you can really fly getting the plot in. If you work in the same theatre often, its even faster because you already have your fixtures set up etc... It took some getting used to, and no wyg does not and will not make the cleanest looking plots ever because you can not edit the symbols, what you got is what you have to live with. Let me know specificly what you are having issues with, I might be able to help you.

[TupeloTechie]

Im pretty sure its the symbols that are making me not like drawings, this is what one of my plots looks like, yuk!



and yea I know its not really correct... but for the fun of it, how about you people play one of those "find all the things wrong with it" games

[Footer]

Heres one from awhile ago... I lost the final show file, usually I go in and re-adjust all of the channel/color info but here ya go... You will never get a plot to look as good as it does in vectorworks (if a skilled person is at the helm), but it does get the job done.

[Pie4Weebl]

Originally Posted by TupeloTechieKid

Im pretty sure its the symbols that are making me not like drawings, this is what one of my plots looks like, yuk!
and yea I know its not really correct... but for the fun of it, how about you people play one of those "find all the things wrong with it" games

Things I see:
-No border around the outside
-2nd Electric has parts where numbers are hard to read.
-Your fixtures should all be perpendicular to the pipe.
-Your Pipes should all be double lines and a little heavier line weight than the set, but less than the lights.
-The Channel numbers should be in a circle and in the same color as the other labels
-FOH gels can't be read.
-Your legend should have a box.
-As far as your notes go, aside from saying the designer has final say on trim and the centers note the rest are kind of pointless.

[soundman]

Originally Posted by Pie4Weebl

Things I see:
-Your fixtures should all be perpendicular to the pipe.

I disagree with you on this. I don't use WYG but in VW it is possible to make differnt label legends so that it is just as easy to read regardless of the rotation of the fixture. I like seeing the fixtures 'roughed in' as an ME and electrician. As a designer I think it can help check to make sure your instruments will be able to make the shot with out hitting other fixtures.

Do we need to get a drafting sub form with all the WYG VW and sketchup questions?

[Charc]

Originally Posted by soundman

I disagree with you on this. I don't use WYG but in VW it is possible to make differnt label legends so that it is just as easy to read regardless of the rotation of the fixture. I like seeing the fixtures 'roughed in' as an ME and electrician. As a designer I think it can help check to make sure your instruments will be able to make the shot with out hitting other fixtures.
Do we need to get a drafting sub form with all the WYG VW and sketchup questions?

On my last plot I kept everything in neat little angles. I like your points on roughing stuff in though. It would have been helpful at my internship, we hung everything, and of course it was all rough, a lot of juggling and re-angling. Not the best situation when you have a PITA designer breathing down your neck. (It appears that neither the designer or director will be invited back to this LORT theater.)

[soundman]

The faculty LD at my college has legends for every 15 degrees both left and right. That might be a bit extreme but at focus it is rare to have to skip a light because it was hung wrong (upside down, lack of focus tail for the new direction, needs to be side armed etc)

[Pie4Weebl]

my preference is to point the lights either us or downstage and put an area lable on the side of the unit, but that is just me.

But yes, if doing angles having multiple label legends for each, I am still weary on the idea for a heavier plot.

[Footer]

Originally Posted by Pie4Weebl

my preference is to point the lights either us or downstage and put an area lable on the side of the unit, but that is just me.
But yes, if doing angles having multiple label legends for each, I am still weary on the idea for a heavier plot.

At least do US/DS/SL/SR, I do 45 deg, makes things go a bit quicker. If I have to flip all pipe ends onstage because you drafted them going US/DS, I am not going to be a happy electrician.