If A3d is reading VW's Instr Type field, why do multiple lights with different type names come in as the same fixture type?

Question

Test.vwx

Attached is a VW2021 file with 4 LED lekos on a pipe. They are all the same symbol, so they have the same symbol name, but each has a different Inst Type name: Source 4 LED 19 Ser 1, Source 4 LED 19 Ser 2, Color Source Spot 19, and Chauvet LED 19. I originally placed 4 of the same light, and then went through and adjusted the Instr Type field. 
 However, when I import the A3d file into Eos, the only name I see in the Source file is 'Source 4 LED 19'. Since I changed the Instr Types in the Object Info Pal, I would expect to see 4 different names in the Source File column. That way I could map each one to proper Eos personality. 
 Can someone explain? 
 thanks, Cory

starksk · Accepted Answer

Hi Cory Pattak , 
 The confusion is that while there is a property called "Instrument Type" in the Object Info box when the fixture is selected, the field that is actually being used comes from the Light Info record attached to the symbol called "Inst Type". The "Instrument Type" is treated by Vectorworks as a descriptive field, while the "Inst Type" is treated as a fixture identifier. 
 To correct for this, you would want to duplicate the symbol in the Resource Manager so that you have unique symbols for every type of fixture. Then, using Vectorworks' Lighting Symbol Maintenance Report, edit the symbol to show the correct type. 
 Once you have the correct symbols in your show file, draw (or change) your fixtures using the corrected symbols and then re-export as normal. 
 For more information on Lighting Symbol Maintenance in VW2021, see: https://app-help.vectorworks.net/2021/eng/VW2021_Guide/LightingDesign2/Lighting_symbol_maintenance.htm

starksk · Answer

I don't disagree that it is quite difficult to troubleshoot. According to the documentation by Vectorworks ( Lighting symbol maintenance ), it was supposed to pop-up a dialog when you changed data if that tick box wasn't selected asking you if you wanted to change data in your file. Did it not do that?

If A3d is reading VW's Instr Type field, why do multiple lights with different type names come in as the same fixture type?

Top Replies