Design Issues and Solutions -

[CavezziMagnum]

I am using it on the Mac.
Try this:

select the symbol, and right-click. You should be able to select an Edit option. Then the 2D Insertion Options screen should pop up.

Have you inserted the lighting symbol as a lighting instrument with the lighting instrument insertion tool or as a 2D symbol with the symbol insertion tool? It affects how the symbol responds to certain commands in VW.

[Sony]

Originally Posted by CavezziMagnum

I am using it on the Mac.
Try this:

select the symbol, and right-click. You should be able to select an Edit option. Then the 2D Insertion Options screen should pop up.

Have you inserted the lighting symbol as a lighting instrument with the lighting instrument insertion tool or as a 2D symbol with the symbol insertion tool? It affects how the symbol responds to certain commands in VW.

Tried that too and there is no 2S Insertion Option there ether.

I've been inserting them using the Lighting Instrument tool because I do use the Key to Instrumentation option to keep Inventory.

[Sony]

HA! Thanks man I figured it out! You can't insert it as a Lighting Instrument if you want to edit the symbol. You have to just plain insert it as a 2D Object. The good news is editing a 2D Object will also edit all the lighting instruments you inserted. Thanks man this has helped a ton!

[bdkdesigns]

You have to right click on the symbol inside of the resource browser and pick the edit option and then select the 2D component, aka not on the plot.

After you have edited the symbol, refresh your instruments so the changes will take place on anything that you have already inserted.

[Sony]

Thanks guys! I fixed all my issues by just editing the symbols!

Now I have another question...how do I get Vectorworks to print out my Instrument Schedule and Color Scedule and all that stuff. I can view it but when I view it it just comes up in what looks like an Excel window but has no Printing Options anywhere...not even any options at all.

[CavezziMagnum]

There is a tiny little arrow facing down in the Top left of the window. It will be a drop down menu, where one of the options should be print. That should get you done.

But word to the wise: Be careful of the size of the text, font, etc. Because what you see on the screen is NOT ALWAYS what you get printed out. Hence why most people like to export their paperwork to Lightwright. However, with a little patience and a few trees, you can format your paperwork to print correctly.

Note: This is not a preference that can be set in VW, and therefore you will have to format every time you create new paperwork (even when creating an update of a schedule or hookup within a drawing)

Good Luck!

[Sony]

ha! awesome thanks bro! You guys rock! I would have never noticed that silly little arrow.

[MrTemplate]

Hi; your printer is fine. it is the symbol line weight that is the problem. it does not matter if you are on PC or mac.

if you're working in spotlight, then you must edit the symbol from within the resource browser. if you are working in autoplot (AutoPlotVW Home Page), then you can just double-click on the thin-lined symbol in the document.

1. select the name of the symbol in the resource browser (RB).
2. above that, there is the word "resources". on the right side, a black triangle. click on the triangle.
3. select "edit".
4. select "2d component.
5. select polygon. change to darker line weight. you might also change the fill to white if you wish.
6. click on "exit symbol" to return to the drawing.

you might also consider examining the Vectorworks 2009 by Nemetschek North America - Realize Your Most Inspired Visions web site. it has lots of forums, how to's, and quicktime movies.

if you want better looking symbols that have accurate (or in some cases, any) data, check out Field Templates&#8482: THE Source for Theatrical Lighting Symbols!.

contact me directly OL if you still have symbol line weight editing problems.

hth,

shelley