Vectorworks Spotlight

This tutorial series focuses on the Spotlight based entertainment tools within Vectorworks. We will learn to get comfortable with the basic tools within Vectorworks. Then we will explore how to put together a venue drawing based on a PDF template. From here, we will look at how to add in Sound, Lighting and Video Elements. And finally we’ll learn how to publish and export all the drafts into a shareable PDF.

The Basics

Getting started with basic drawings on Vectorworks Fundamentals. Learn to set up a simple work space and get a proper understanding of the purpose of design layers and classes. Learn to draw simple 2D shapes and extrude them into 3D blocks. Finally learn to combine and intersect these simple shapes to create more complex shapes.

The Building Shell Tool Set

Learn to import a PDF into Vectorworks and shell out the space in 3D. Create the room with walls and flooring and add in a few sections of seats with walkways.

Rigging Tools Part 1

Adding overhead staging elements into a venue drawing using tools from the rigging tool set.

Rigging Tools Part 2

Adding staging elements on the deck and lighting ladders.

Stage Deck Tool | Stage Plug Tool | Stage Steps Tool | Stage Ramp Tool | Lighting Ladder Tool

Audio Tools

Exploring and adding speakers on stands and a completely unnecessary line array for the blackbox. Also looking at the new SoundVision Plug in.

Speaker Tool | Speaker Array Tool | Speaker Dispersions | SoundVision Plugin

Lighting Basics

Inserting Lighting Devices and attaching data to these devices with the integrated label legends.

Lighting Device Tool | Lighting Accessory Tool | Label Legend Manager | Bigger Containers | Spotlight Numbering Tool

Lighting Beams and Schematics

Inserting more Lighting Devices, on the ladders and the deck. We’ll be looking at the draw beam function and how to focus conventional devices within Vectorworks. To wrap up, we’ll also look at creating schematic views to display 3D objects on a 2D plan.

Publishing

Put your draft into a series of pages on a shareable PDF document. Learn to insert a title block and a legend for the reader to make sense of your draft.

Projectors & Televisions

We explore half of the video tools available within Vectorworks Spotlight. Starting with the Video Screen Tool and Blended Screen Tool. We’ll also look at creating a Renderworks Texture to simulate content and explore the Television Tool.

Video Screen Tool | Renderworks Texture | Blended Screen Tool | Television Tool

LED Walls & Cameras

We explore the remaining video tools available within Vectorworks Spotlight. The LED Display Tool and the Camera Tool.

LED Screen Tool | Camera Texture | Activate Camera | Saved Views | Camera Viewport

Data Visualization & Worksheets

We look at presenting data in the drawing, in a more pleasing manner and we also look at how we can make use of the data contained within the drawing to generate useful reports and worksheets.

Building a Set (From Illustrator)