OK, I'm actually looking at VW 12.5 and LW4, so here's the routine:
LW to VW:
1) In LW, File-Export-Data.
A pop up
screen appears. Check marks in "Export Field labels as first record" and "Fill Blank Fields with:" using a dash "-".
Export file type as
Tab Separated
In the field selection window above these selections, put a check
mark next to every field you want exported to VW. INCLUDING, Device Type, External ID and Lightwright ID.
Then export/save the file in a convenient location. I have all my VW show files, basic files in a labeled folder, with a special folder called LW to VW Transfer Files, which is where I dump all my LW to VW files.
After you've exported, LW will prompt you with "Do you want to automate the file action you just did ?". Click yes and save this as "LW to VW Transfer" or whatever you want to
call it. In LW- File, is an Automated selection and you can one step the process in the future by selecting this option.
2) In VW:
- File - Import - Import
Instrument Data, a pop-up window appears, click on Browse and find and select the file you just ported over from LW.
- Click on the down arrow in the Unique ID Field, selecting "External ID". VW calls the VW generated number particular to ea. Lighting
Fixture generated in VW a "Unique ID". LW refers to it as a "External ID". LW also has it's own numbering
system in addition called Lightwright ID.
- The first time you do an Import Map in VW, you click on a Label in the left window called Incoming Data, then click on the corresponding label in the right window called Record Fields and click Link. Do this for all appropriate fields you want imported to VW, including LW ID.
- Before you press the Import
button, first Save the import map somewhere you'll remember it. You use this saved import map ea. time you import, simply pressing the Load
button after selecting the file and making sure you have External ID in the Unique ID field.
- You will see a Vectorscript action run as VW imports all the records for the fixtures. After this is complete, you need to do a Refresh Instruments. My particular Refresh selection is directly under Spotlight. Note that you can custom create/modify the Workspace, using the Workspace Editor, selecting the desired tools and where they are located on the tools menu(s).
Note that this import to VW assumes the corresponding inofmation was created in VW forwst, and exported over succesfully to LW. See Below
VW to LW:
In VW:
- Assuming the Lighting Instruments have been correctly created in VW, with correct positions assigned, go to File-Export-Export
Instrument Data. (This sometimes is availble in Spotlight, depending on the Worksheet config.).
- A pop- up box appears. Press the Lightwright
button, with check marks in Export Field names as first record, as well as a check for the Export in Lightwright 4 Format. After pressing the Lightwright
button, a check
mark appears next to all the fields VW is sending to LW. You can deselect things you don't need (I wish this command was editable/savable), as you may have no need for
Circuit Number if it's a
DPC system, as example. Save the file in an appropriate location (Yes - I have a folder in labeled VW to LW Transfer Files)
In LW,
- File - Import Data, browse/find the VW to LW file and select that file.
- A LW Pop-up window appears. Check's in "Do Not import first record", as well as "Ignore fields with only" placing a dash "-" in this box. Also check "All imported data is on
light plot".
- Then run Suggest Matches, editing out or changing whatever you need and press OK.
- A popup appears detailing the number of devices imported.
- A second pop-up appears asking if you want to "Automate the file action ?", press yes, label the automated file and save it.
- Double check that VW correectly sent and LW correctly imported devices with Unique/External ID's. In LW, go to Worksheet-Columns and select in the lower left corner of the window "External ID + Symbol". This External ID field will now appear on the worksheet and if it doesn't the VW
plot is not correct. If numbers are alongside ea. device . "2359.1.1.0.0+
Practical" or some such, you are in good shape.
Steve B.