Drawing objects

You draw objects in drawing wireframe views (the Drawing Wireframe tab and additionally, in Vivien Virtual Event Designer, the Drawing Quad tab). The Draw menu lists the objects that you can draw.

Keep the following tips in mind when you are drawing objects:

Drawing tips

• At any time, instead of clicking points with the mouse, you can type in the desired coordinates. See “Command line”.
• Create shortcuts for library objects. See “Shortcut bars”.
• Use the Height value in Vivien Virtual Event Designer. “The Height value”.
• Use keyboard shortcuts and hot keys. See “About keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys”.
• Before you place a 2D/3D primitive object, screen, or LED wall into your drawing, you can right-click on the object and select its Insertion Point from the menu that appears. See “Insertion points” for details.

Drawing points

Points identify specific coordinates in 3D space. You can insert points as references or as scenic elements. There are four different point styles: dot, cross, square, and circle. The default point style is defined for the document.

To draw a point

1. From the Draw menu, choose Point.

or

Click the Point tool on the Draw toolbar.

The Point button.

2. Click on the drawing to place the point.

For information on modifying a point once you have drawn it, see “Point tab”.

Drawing lines

Lines are 2D objects that join vertices. In Vivien, you can draw lines continuously, which means you can easily join multiple vertices to create shapes.

Lines come in four styles:

• Solid
• Center
• Dashed
• Dot

Line styles determine how line objects appear on your drawing and can be modified at any time.

Line patterns are available to a Rectangle, Circle, Ellipse, Arc, and Elliptical Arc.

You can 3D Transform lines into surfaces. For more on transforming lines, “Transforming objects into surfaces or 3D surfaces”.

When you draw multi-segmented lines, or add a line to a surface, or when drawing a room using the Room Builder, the next point of the line you wish to add snaps automatically to the previously drawn line/surface’s endpoint, midpoint or intersection when the Endpoint Snap, Midpoint Snap, and/or Intersection Snap are enabled.

To draw a line freehand

1. From the Draw menu, choose Line.
2. From the sub-menu, select Solid, Dot, Center, Dashed.

Tip: You can also use the appropriate line tool on the Draw toolbar. The available line tools are as follows:

•  Solid
• Dot
• Center
•  Dashed

3. Click on the wireframe at the starting point of the line.
4. Drag the next vertex to its end point and click.
5. Continue to place vertices of the line as needed on and click.
6. Continue to place vertices as needed.
7. To end the line at the last vertex you placed, right-click and choose Finish Line.

To cancel the drawing of the line, right-click and choose Abort Line. This erases the entire line from the drawing.

To join the last point you placed with the first one you placed, right-click and choose Close Line.

To draw a line by specifying coordinates

You can also draw lines using coordinates by specifying absolute or relative values.

1. From the Draw menu, click Line and choose Solid, Dot, Center, or Hidden.
2. In the Command Line, type the absolute X, Y and Z coordinates (separated by commas) where you want the line to start (i.e. @0,0,0).
3. Press ENTER to establish the first point of the line.
4. In the Command Line, type the absolute X, Y, and Z coordinates where you want the next point of the line or,

Using the relative values, in the Command Line, type @, followed by the length towards the next point of the line (positive or negative direction), (i.e. @3’6”,0,3’).

5. Press ENTER to draw the new line segment.
6. Continue to type absolute or relative values and press ENTER to draw the next line segments.
7. When you are finished drawing the lines, right-click and click Finish Line.

To draw a line by specifying its length and angle

1. From the Draw menu, click Line and choose Solid, Dot, Center, or Hidden.
2. In the Command Line, type the X, Y, and Z coordinates (separated by commas) where you want the line to start (i.e. @ 0,0,0).
3. Press ENTER to establish the first point of the line.
4. In the Command Line, type the length towards the next point of the line followed by the < sign and the angle (direction), (i.e. @3’6”<-180).
5. Press ENTER to draw the new line segment.
6. Continue to type the length and angle in the Command Line.
7. When you are finished drawing the lines, right-click and click Finish Line.

Tip: You can also determine the direction of the line from the cursor’s current position relative to the start point set in step 2.

For information on modifying a line once you have drawn it, see “Line tab”.

Drawing splines

Splines are curved lines that pass through multiple vertices that influence the shape of the curve (or french curve).

To draw a Spline

1. From the Draw menu, choose Spline.

Tip: You can also use the appropriate spline tool on the Draw toolbar.

The Spline button.

2. Click on the drawing at the starting point of the spline.
3. Drag the next vertex to its end point and click.
4. Continue to place vertices of the spline as needed and click.
5. Continue to place vertices as needed.
6. To end the line at the last vertex you placed, right-click and choose Finish Line.

Right-click and choose Abort Line to cancel the drawing and erase the entire spline.

Drawing circles

There are two ways to draw circles:

• Specify the horizontal and vertical radius and place the circle in the drawing.
• Draw the circle freehand.

To draw a circle

1. From the Draw menu, choose Circle.

or

Click the Circle tool on the Draw toolbar.

  The Circle button.

Result: The New Circle dialog box opens.

2. In the Horizontal Radius box, type the horizontal radius for the circle. The default value is 4’0”.
3. In the Vertical Radius box, type the vertical radius for the circle. The default value is 4’0”.

Note: When the Horizontal and Vertical radii are the same, a circular object is created; when they are different, the object is oval-shaped.

4. To ensure that the circle remains proportionately the same when resized, leave the Lock Ratio checkbox selected. If you clear this checkbox, then you can manually resize the circle in any direction, regardless of its original measurements.
5. Click OK.
6. Click in the drawing to place the circle.

To draw a circle in Freehand mode

1. Switch to Freehand mode, if you are not already in it, by clicking the Freehand Mode tool on the Tools toolbar.

  The Freehand Mode button.

2. From the Draw menu, choose Circle.

or

Click the Circle tool on the Draw toolbar.

 The Circle button.

Result: The New Circle dialog box opens.

3. Click to place the center of the circle.
4. Click to set the radius for the circle.

Drawing arcs

There are two ways to draw an arc:

• Specify the arc radius, start and end angles and place the arc in the drawing.
• Draw the arc freehand.

To draw an arc

1. From the Draw menu, choose Arc.

or

Click the Arc tool on the Draw toolbar.

 The Arc button.

Result: The New Arc dialog box opens.

2. In the Radius box, enter a radius for the arc. The default value is 4’0”.
3. In the Start Angle box, enter the start angle. The default value is 0.00.
4. In the End Angle box, enter the end angle for the arc. The default value is 180.00.
5. Click OK.
6. Click on the drawing to place the arc.

To draw an arc in Freehand mode

1. Switch to Freehand Mode, if you are not already in it, by clicking the Freehand Mode tool on the Tools toolbar.

 The Freehand Mode button.

2. From the Draw menu, choose Arc.

or

Click the Arc tool on the Draw toolbar.

The Arc button.

3. Click to place the start point of the arc.
4. Click to place the end point of the arc.
5. Click to place the middle point of the arc.

Drawing elliptical arcs

There are two ways to draw an arc:

• Specify the elliptical arc radius, start and end angles and place the arc in the drawing.
• Draw the elliptical arc freehand.

To draw an elliptical arc

1. From the Draw menu, choose Elliptical Arc.

or

Click the Arc Elliptical tool on the Draw toolbar.

 The Arc Elliptical button.

Result: The New Elliptical Arc dialog box opens.

2. In the Radius box, enter a radius for the elliptical arc. The default value is 4’0”.
3. In the Start Angle box, enter the start elliptical angle. The default value is 0.00.
4. In the End Angle box, enter the end angle for the elliptical arc. The default value is 180.00.
5. Click OK.
6. Click on the drawing to place the elliptical arc.
7. Click and drag the mid point of the arc to create the desired elliptical.

To draw an elliptical arc in Freehand mode

1. Switch to Freehand Mode, if you are not already in it, by clicking the Freehand Mode tool on the Tools toolbar.

 The Freehand Mode button.

2. From the Draw menu, choose Elliptical Arc.

or

Click the Arc Elliptical tool on the Draw toolbar.

 The Arc Elliptical button.

3. Click to place the start point of the elliptical arc.
4. Click to set the horizontal and vertical radii of the elliptical arc.
5. Click to set the start point of the ellipse.
6. Click to set the end point of the ellipse.

Drawing rectangles 

There are two ways to draw rectangles:

• Specify the length and width and place the rectangle in the drawing.
• Draw the rectangle freehand.

To draw a Rectangle

1. From the Draw menu, choose Rectangle.

or

Click the Rectangle tool on the Draw toolbar.

  The Rectangle button.

Result: The New Rectangle dialog box opens.

2. In the Length box, type the length for the rectangle. The default value is 4’0”.
3. In the Width box, type the width for the rectangle. The default value is 8’0”.
4. To ensure that the rectangle remains proportionately the same when resized, leave the Lock Ratio checkbox selected. If you clear this checkbox, then you can manually resize the rectangle in any direction, regardless of its original measurements.
5. Click OK.
6. Click in the drawing to place the rectangle.

To draw a Rectangle in Freehand mode

1. Switch to Freehand mode, if you are not already in it, by clicking the Freehand Mode tool on the Tools toolbar.

 The Freehand Mode button.

2. From the Draw menu, choose Rectangle.

or

Click the Rectangle tool on the Draw toolbar.

 The Rectangle button.

3. Click to place one corner of the rectangle.
4. Click to place the opposite corner for the rectangle.

Drawing shapes

Shapes are regular shaped objects comprising multiple vertices. You can draw Shapes as 2D objects or specify a height to create 3D objects. You can use shapes to create either wireframe or solid objects.

Unlike the Surface tool, the Shape tool gives you the ability to quickly and easily create symmetrical shapes like squares, pentagons, hexagons, hectagons, and so on. The maximum number of edges that a shape can have is 40.

Note: Unlike most other tools, the Shape tool does not have an interactive mode.

To draw a shape

1.  From the Draw menu, choose Shape.

 The Shape button.

2. In the Number of Edges box, type the number of edges or sides of the shape.
3. Specify the Radius (the distance from the center of the shape to the nearest vertex).
4. Select the Height checkbox if you want to extrude the shape into a 3D object, and then type the height value in the box provided.
5. Click OK to place the shape in your drawing.

Drawing text labels

Text labels enable you to label different parts of your drawing for your reference. The labels only appear in wireframe views and the 3D View.

To change the Text Label font globally

You can specify the font that you would like to appear globally in all text labels, both new and existing.

1. In any drawing mode, from the Options menu, choose Document Options.
2. Click the Font tab.
3. Under Text Labels (Drawing Wireframe), from the Font drop-down list, select the font that you want to appear in all new text labels.
4. Choose whether you want the letters to appear bold, underlined, or in italics.
5. Click OK.

To draw a text label

1. From the Draw menu, choose Text Label.

Tip: You can also use the Text Label tool on the Draw toolbar.

 The Text Label button.

Result: The New Text Label window appears.

2. In the New Text Label window, in the Text box, type the desired text.

Note: Use SHIFT+ENTER to add new text lines.

Tip: You can also type text labels with information listed in the Event Info table using smart variables %Variable Name% in New Text Label. The information will be displayed automatically. For example, use %Director% and the name of the Director stored in the table will appear in the Text Label.

3. Click Insert Smart Variable to open the Smart Variables window where you can select the smart variable names and values that are listed in the Event Info tab in Document Options.

Result: The Smart Variables window appears.

1. From the table in the Smart Variables window, click on the name, translated name, or value that you want to insert in the text box.

Tip: Click the Filter drop-down and choose which information to display in the table. See “Event Info tab”.

2. Select the Include Name and Value checkbox to display both texts under the name and value columns, or you can leave the checkbox clear to display only the texts under the value column.
3. Click Insert.

Result: The smart variable text appears in the Text box of the New Text Label window.

4. Using the radio buttons, choose how you want to specify the Height of the Text Label, and enter the value in the corresponding field.

• Individual Line of Text: Each line of text will be the chosen height. The text label will change size to accommodate the height.
• Total Text Label: The total text box will be the chosen height. Text will change size to accommodate the height.

1. To add space between the text and the boarder of the text label, select the checkbox next to Text Label Padding, and enter the value of the padding in the field.

Note: The Total Text Label Height field will tell you the exact height of the text label based on your choices.

5. To add a callout to the text label, select the Show Callout checkbox.

1. From the Position drop-down menu, select where the callout will be located on the text label.
2. To have an arrow at the end of the callout, select the Show Arrow checkbox.

6. To add a border to the text label, select the Show Border checkbox.
7. To fill the text label with color, select the Fill checkbox.

1. Click the Color Selector button to choose the color that will fill the text label.

8. To align the text label to the current view, select the Align to View checkbox.
9. To insert the text label, click OK.

Result: The New Text Label window closes and you will be in the Wireframe view.

Note: If the Callout checkbox was selected in the New Text Label window, the first click in Wireframe view will be the arrow's position, and the second position will place the text label.

10. Click on the drawing to place the text label.

Result: The text label will be placed.

Notes:

• To change the font of existing text labels in wireframe modes, see “ To change the font of Text Labels ” below.
• The insertion point for the text label is at the intersection of the crosshairs.

To change the font of Text Labels

To change the font of existing labels, you must do so individually through the label’s Properties window.

1. Select the text label whose font you want to change.
2. Right-click, and then choose Object Properties.
3. Click the Text Label tab.
4. Under Font, clear the Use Document Defaults checkbox.
5. From the Font drop-down list, select the new font.
6. Choose whether you want the letters to appear bold, underlined, or in italics.
7. Click OK.

To set alignment for a text label

1. Select the text label for which you want to change the alignment.
2. Right-click and choose Object Properties.
3. Click the Text Label tab.
4. Set the horizontal and vertical justification as desired.
5. Select the Align to View checkbox to ensure the text label is legible in all view types (plan, left, right, front, back, and 3D).
6. Click OK.

Result: The text label relocates around the insertion point based on the options selected.

Drawing dimensions

Dimensions are 2D objects that help you measure different aspects of your drawing. There are several types of dimensions that you can draw in Vivien:

Linear dimension lines.

Continue dimension lines.

Baseline dimension lines.

Arc length dimensions.

Radial dimensions.

Angle dimensions.

Linear scale.

You can also use the angle dimension tool to define precise angles in your drawing, which helps when verifying angular measurements, and can act as a guide for the drawing process.

Drawing linear dimension lines

Dimension lines are 2D objects that measure and display the distance between two points based on the selected measurement mode. The measurement mode describes which axis the distance is measured along.

In Vivien Virtual Event Designer, the measurement modes available are: X, Y, XY, XZ, YZ and XYZ.

For example, in an XY plane, the X measurement between two points is the distance along the X axis between the two points, as shown in the following picture.

The dimension is visible only in one view type. The view type is set when the dimension is drawn and is dependent on the view type and workplane in which the dimension is drawn.

To draw a linear dimension

1. From the Draw menu,  choose Dimensions > Linear Dimension.

Tip: You can also click the Linear Dimension tool on the Draw toolbar.

The Linear Dimension button.

2. Click on the drawing to set the dimension start point.
3. Right-click to set the measurement mode.

Tip: In measurement mode, you can choose Multiple, which enables you to draw multiple Linear Dimensions, using the last point of the previous measurements as the initial point for the next measurement.

4. Click on the drawing to set the dimension end point.
5. Click and drag the grab point in the center of the dimension text to drag the text to the correct side of the object, if required.
6. Click to set the dimension line.

Tips:

• Use snaps to connect dimensions directly to other objects.
• You can set the rotation angle of the Linear Dimension to rotate the extension lines around the dimension end points. The rotated Linear dimension will then display the distance between the two points at the angle specified. Right-click on the Linear Dimension and select Object Properties.
• You can change the Fill color behind the dimension text of the Linear Dimension. Right-click on the Linear Dimension and select Object Properties.
• You can select Display Dash in the Dimensions tab of Document Options to display the linear dimensions with a dash between foot and inches in imperial measurements (e.g. 19’-3 11/16”).
• To change the font used in all dimensions, click the Fonts tab in Document Options. In the Dimensions (Drawing Wireframe) section, select the font options to be used in all dimensions.

Drawing continue dimensions

Continue dimensions display sequential chains of linear measurements that are aligned to the start (base) measurement of the Continue Dimension, always using the last point of the previous measurement as the initial point of the next measurement.

To draw a continue dimension

1. From the Draw menu,  choose Dimensions > Continue Dimension.

Tip: You can also click the Continue Dimension tool on the Draw toolbar.

The Continue Dimension button.

Note: You can also start the Continue Dimension on an existing Linear Dimension.

2. Click on the drawing to set the dimension start point.
3. Click on the drawing to set the next point and direction of the subsequent measurements in the Continue Dimension.
4. Repeat setting the next point and direction to continue on the subsequent dimensions.
5. Right-click on the drawing to set the dimension end point.

Note: After completing a Continue Dimension, the measurements created are individual Linear Dimensions.

Example: Continue Dimension

Drawing baseline dimensions

Baseline dimensions display linear measurements stacked above or below the Base Dimension while maintaining uniform spacing between, always using the first click as the initial coordinate for all subsequent measurements.

To draw a baseline dimension

1. From the Draw menu,  choose Dimensions > Baseline Dimension.

Tip: You can also click the Baseline Dimension tool on the Draw toolbar.

The Baseline Dimension button.

2. Click on the drawing to set the dimension start point.
3. Click on the drawing to set the end point of the first Baseline Dimension.
4. Click on the drawing to set the position (above or below) for the next/subsequent Baseline Dimension.
5. Click on the next point to complete the next Baseline Dimension measurement, and set the direction of the subsequent measurement.
6. Repeat setting the next point to create the subsequent Baseline Dimensions.
7. Right-click on the drawing to set the dimension end point.

Note: After completing a Baseline Dimension, the measurements created are individual Linear Dimensions.

Example: Baseline Dimension

Drawing arc length dimensions

The arc length can be displayed for any arc drawn in the Drawing Wireframe/Quad. Once enabled, the arc length dimension is attached to the arc and automatically updates itself whenever the arc is changed. The dimension is only visible in the view type in which it was drawn. Although the arc length dimension is attached to the arc, it is a separate entity. Each arc length is individually selectable and has its own properties. Arc length dimensions can be separated onto their own layers, and given their own colors and line weights.

To draw an arc length dimension

1. In a Drawing Wireframe, select the arc for which you want to display an arc length dimension.
2. From the Draw menu, choose Dimensions > Arc Length Dimension.

Tip: To adjust the font used in all dimensions and with the Angle Dimension tool, click the Fonts tab in Document Options. In the Dimensions (Drawing Wireframe) section, select the font options to be used in all dimensions and with the Angle Dimension tool.

Drawing radial dimensions

The radius of a circle/arc is defined as the distance from the center of a circle/arc to its perimeter. The radius can be displayed for any circle or arc drawn in the Drawing Wireframe/Quad tabs. Once enabled, the radial dimension attaches to the circle/arc and automatically updates itself whenever the circle/arc is changed. Note that the dimension is only visible in the view type in which it was drawn. Although the radial dimension is attached to the arc, it is a separate entity with its own properties and can be individually selected. Radial dimensions can be separated onto their own layers, and given their own colors and line weights.

To draw a radial dimension

1. In Drawing Wireframe, select the circle/arc for which you want to display a radial dimension.
2. From the Draw menu,  choose Dimensions > Radial Dimension.

The Radial Dimension button.

Tip: To adjust the font used in all dimensions, click the Fonts tab in Document Options. In the Dimensions (Drawing Wireframe) section, select the font options to be used in all dimensions.

Drawing angle dimensions

The Angle Dimension object measures and displays an angle, either in Line Select, between two intersecting lines and objects, or as drawn in Freehand mode.

To draw an angle dimension in Line Select

1. From the Draw menu,  choose Dimensions > Angle Dimension.

The Angle Dimension button.

2. Choose Line Select from the Dimension Draw Options dialog box.
3. Click on the first line segment in the drawing.
4. Click on the second line segment in the drawing.

Result: The angle between the two selected lines is displayed.

To draw an angle dimension in Freehand

1. From the Draw menu,  choose Dimensions > Angle Dimension.

 The Angle Dimension button.

2. Choose Freehand in the Dimension Draw Options dialog box.

3. Click once to define the vertex of the angle (this is the point at which the two lines of your angle meet, shown as point number 2 in the diagram above).
4. Click a second time to define the first end point (point number 1 in the diagram above).
5. Click a third time to define the second end point (point number 3 in the diagram above).

Result: The new object displays the interior (or exterior) angle defined by the two lines.

Tips:

• You can change the Angle Dimension option of measuring the exterior or interior angle by toggling the Flip Angle checkbox in the Angle Dimension Properties window. Simply select the protractor, right-click and choose Object Properties > Angle Dimension tab.
• To adjust the font used in all dimensions and with the Angle Dimension tool, click the Fonts tab in Document Options. In the Dimensions (Drawing Wireframe) section, select the font options to be used in all dimensions and with the Angle Dimension tool.

Drawing linear scales

A linear scale is a visible line divided into equal proportions used to compare distances in a Vivien drawing to actual distances.

There are two ways in which you can draw linear scales:

• Non-freehand mode in which you type the exact information of the linear scale.
• Freehand mode in which you click and drag to set the dimensions of the linear scale.

To draw a linear scale

1. From the Draw menu,  choose Dimension > Linear Scale.

The Linear Scale button.

Result: The New Linear Scale window appears.

2. In the Length field, enter in the desired length of the linear scale.
3. Select either Horizontal or Vertical to determine how the line scale is positioned.
4. From the Text Alignment drop-down list, choose how the linear scale text will be presented.
5. From the Layer drop-down list, choose in which layer the linear scale will be visible.
6. To change the default document settings of the linear scale, clear the Use Document Defaults checkbox.
7. Click OK.

Result: The linear scale is attached to the cursor.

8. Click to place the linear scale in the drawing.

Drawing walls

Walls are 2D objects that describe flat rectangular planes representing walls in your drawing. Walls can have different hatching styles for easy identification in the plot.

There are two ways to draw a wall:

• Specify the width and height and place the wall in the drawing.
• Draw the wall freehand.

To draw a wall

1. From the Draw menu, choose Wall.

or

Click the Wall tool on the Draw toolbar.

 The Wall button.

2. In the Width box, enter the width for the wall. The default value is 12’0”.
3. In the Height box, enter the height of the wall. The default value is 8’0”.
4. Click OK.

Result: The wall attaches to the cursor.

5. Move the cursor to the desired position for the wall, and then click to place it in the drawing.

To draw a wall in Freehand mode

1. Switch to Freehand mode, if you are not already in it, by clicking the Freehand Mode tool on the Tools toolbar.

The Freehand Mode button.

2. From the Draw menu, choose Wall.
3. Click to place the start point of the wall.
4. Click to place the end point of the wall.
5. In the dialog box that opens, enter the missing dimension of the wall.
6. Click OK.

To define the transparency of a wall

1. Right-click a wall, and select Object Properties.

Result: The Properties window appears.

2. In the Properties window, click the Wall tab.

Note: 0% = Opaque, 100% = Transparent.

3. To change how the back of the wall will look, set the Back Transparency field to the desired transparency percentage.
4. To change how the front of the wall will look, set the Front Transparency field to the desired transparency percentage.
5. Click Apply to enable the new wall transparency settings.
6. Click OK.

Hatching

To add hatching to an object

Note: Not all objects support hatching. If hatching is not supported, the checkbox to enable hatching is disabled.

1. Right-click the object, and select Object Properties.

Result: The Properties window appears.

2. In the Properties window, click the General tab.
3. To enable hatching for the object, select the Show Hatch Lines checkbox.
4. Select the desired hatching style for the object from the Available hatching styles drop-down menu.
5. Click Apply to enable the hatching style for the object.

Tip: You can also click the Managers menu and choose Hatch Style Manager to open the Hatch Style Manager window.

To edit or create a hatching style

1. Right-click an object that supports hatching, and select Object Properties.

Result: The Properties window appears.

2. In the Properties window, click the General tab.
3. To enable hatching for the object, select the Show Hatch Lines checkbox.
4. To make a new hatch style or edit an existing style, click New/Edit....

Result: The Hatch Style Manager window appears. All existing hatch styles are displayed and can be edited here.

5. To create a new hatch style, click the New Hatch Style button.

The New Hatch Style button.

Result: The New Hatch Style window appears.

6. In the New Hatch Style window, enter the details of the new hatch style.
7. Click OK.
8. Click Apply to enable the new styles.

Walls with the default hatching styles applied (left) and the same walls with custom hatching styles (right).

To clone a hatching style

1. Right-click an object that supports hatching, and select Object Properties.

Result: The Properties window appears.

2. In the Properties window, click the General tab.
3. Select the Show Hatch Lines checkbox.
4. Click New/Edit....

Result: The Hatch Style Manager window appears. All existing hatch styles are displayed and can be edited here.

5. To clone an existing hatching style, select the style you want to copy and click the Clone Hatch Style button.

 The Clone Hatch Style button.

Result: The Clone Hatch Style window appears. All the settings of the selected hatch style will be copied into the window.

6. In the Clone Hatch Style window, edit any hatching setting that you want to be different from the original hatching style.
7. Click OK.

Result: The cloned hatching style appears in the Hatch Style Manager window and available for use.

To delete a hatching style

1. Right-click an object that supports hatching, and select Object Properties.

Result: The Properties window appears.

2. In the Properties window, click the General tab.
3. Select the Show Hatch Lines checkbox.
4. Click New/Edit....

Result: The Hatch Style Manager window appears. All existing hatch styles are displayed.

5. To delete an existing hatching style, select the style you want to remove and click the Delete Hatch Style button.

The Delete Hatch Style button.

Result: The Delete Hatch Style window appears.

6. In the Delete Hatch Style window, to delete the hatch style click Yes.

Result: The selected hatching style is removed from Vivien.

To change the print scale of hatching styles

Spacing for built-in line patterns found in hatching use a default scale of 1.0 equal to 0’6” (2.54 cm). Print Scale Options can be used to create a different scale when printing in Presentation mode.

1. Right-click an object that supports hatching, and select Object Properties.

Result: The Properties window appears.

2. In the Properties window, click the General tab.
3. Select the Show Hatch Lines checkbox.
4. Click New/Edit....

Result: The Hatch Style Manager window appears. All existing hatch styles are displayed.

5. Click Print Scale Options.
6. The Print Scale Options window appears.

7. In the Print Scale Options window, to create a custom print scale, select the Custom scale radio button.

Note: To revert the print scale to its default settings, select the Print scale radio button.

8. Edit the print scale settings as desired.
9. Click OK.
10. Click Apply.

Result: The print scale options change.

To import hatching patterns

To import Hatch Pattern files (.pat files), save these files in the folder location that was entered as the Hatch Pattern Files location in the File Locations tab in the Application Options window. When you restart Vivien, these patterns will be listed in the Hatch Style Manager.

1. Right-click an object that supports hatching, and select Object Properties.

Result: The Properties window appears.

2. In the Properties window, click the General tab.
3. Select the Show Hatch Lines checkbox.
4. Click New/Edit....

Result: The Hatch Style Manager window appears. All existing hatch styles are displayed.

5. Click Import Patterns.

Result: The Application Options window appears.

6. In the Application Options window, enter the location of the hatch pattern files (.pat files) in the Hatch Pattern Files field.
7. Click OK.

Result: A dialog box appears warning that Vivien needs to restart to display the imported hatching patterns in the Hatch Style Manager.

Drawing risers

Risers are solid 3D rectangular objects. Risers can be used for creating platforms, square columns, or any other box-shaped objects.

There are two ways to draw a riser:

• Specify the width, depth, and height, and then place the riser on the drawing.
• Draw the riser freehand.

Note: Risers appear two-dimensional when you are in Plan, Left, Right, Front, and Back views. To see risers in three dimensions, switch to 3D view in Vivien Virtual Event Designer.

To draw a riser

1. From the Draw menu, choose Riser.

or

Click the Riser tool on the Draw toolbar.

The Riser button.

Result: The New riser dialog box opens.

2. In the Width box, enter the width for the riser. The default value is 8’0”.
3. In the Depth box, enter the depth for the riser. The default value is 4’0”.
4. In the Height box, enter the height for the riser. The default value is 2’0”.
5. Click OK.

Result: The riser attaches to the cursor.

6. Move the cursor to the desired position for the riser, and then click to place it in the drawing.

To draw a riser in Freehand mode

1. Switch to Freehand mode, if you are not already in it, by clicking the Freehand Mode tool on the Tools toolbar.

The Freehand Mode button.

2. From the Draw menu, choose Riser.

The Riser button.

3. Click the starting point of the riser on the drawing. The insertion point is the lower left corner of the riser.
4. Drag in any direction to stretch out the riser’s shape. Click to place the upper right corner of the riser.
5. In the dialog box that opens, type the missing dimension of the riser.
6. Click OK.

Drawing cylinders

Cylinders are solid 3D cylindrical objects. You can use cylinders to create platforms, columns, or any other cylinder-shaped objects.

There are two ways to draw a cylinder:

• Specify the height and radius and place the cylinder on the drawing.
• Draw the cylinder freehand.

Note: Cylinders appear two-dimensional when you are in Plan, Left, Right, Front, and Back views. To see cylinders in three dimensions, switch to 3D view.

To draw a cylinder

1. From the Draw menu, choose Cylinder.

or

Click the Cylinder tool on the Draw toolbar.

The Cylinder button.

Result: The New Cylinder dialog box opens.

2. In the Height box, enter the height for the cylinder. The default value is 8’0”.
3. In the Horizontal Radius box, type the horizontal radius for the cylinder. The default value is 4’0”.
4. In the Vertical Radius box, type the vertical radius for the cylinder. The default value is 4’0”.

Note: When the Horizontal and Vertical radii are the same, a circular object is created; when they are different, the object is oval-shaped.

5. To ensure that the cylinder remains proportionately the same when resized, leave the Lock Ratio checkbox checked. If you clear this checkbox, then you can manually resize the cylinder in any direction, regardless of its original measurements.
6. To have the cylinder appear smooth in the Virtual View, leave the Smooth Shading option enabled; to see a faceted cylinder in the Virtual View, disable this option. The default for this option is ON.
7. To change the default number of cylinder segments, clear the Use Document Defaults checkbox and type the new number of segments. Note that the higher the number of segments, the better the cylinder will appear in Virtual View, but the more performance will degrade.
8. Click OK. 

Result: The cylinder attaches to the cursor.

9. Move the cursor to the desired position for the cylinder, and then click to place it in the drawing.

To draw a cylinder in Freehand mode

1. Switch to Freehand mode, if you are not already in it, by clicking the Freehand Mode tool on the Tools toolbar.

 The Freehand Mode button.

2. From the Draw menu, choose Cylinder.

The Cylinder button.

3. Click to place the center of the bottom surface of the cylinder.
4. Click to set the radius for the cylinder.
5. In the dialog box that opens, type the desired height, horizontal radius, and vertical radius for the cylinder.
6. To ensure that the cylinder remains proportionately the same when resized, leave the Lock Ratio checkbox checked. If you clear this checkbox, then you can manually resize the cylinder in any direction, regardless of its original measurements.
7. To have the cylinder appear smooth in the Virtual View, leave the Smooth Shading option enabled; to see a faceted cylinder in the Virtual View, disable this option. The default for this option is ON.
8. To change the default number of cylinder segments, clear the Use Document Defaults checkbox and type the new number of segments. Note that the higher the number of segments, the better the cylinder will appear in Virtual View, but the more performance will degrade.
9. Click OK.

Drawing spheres

Spheres are solid 3D circular or oval objects.

There are two ways to draw a sphere:

• Specify the horizontal and vertical radius and place the sphere on the drawing.
• Draw the sphere freehand.

Note: Spheres appear two-dimensional when you are in Plan, Left, Right, Front and Back views. To see spheres in three dimensions, switch to 3D view.

To draw a sphere

1. From the Draw menu, choose Sphere. 

or

Click the Sphere tool on the Draw toolbar.

The Sphere button.

Result: The New Sphere dialog box opens.

2. In the Horizontal Radius box, type the horizontal radius of the middle diameter of the sphere. The default value is 4’0”.
3. In the Depth Radius box, type the depth radius of the middle diameter of the sphere. The default value is 4’0”.
4. In the Vertical Radius box, type the vertical radius of the middle diameter sphere. The default value is 4’0”.

Note: When the Horizontal, Depth and Vertical radii are the same, a circular 3D object is created; when they are different, the 3D object is oval-shaped.

5. To ensure that the sphere remains proportionately the same when resized, leave the Lock Ratio checkbox checked. If you clear this checkbox, then you can manually resize the sphere in any direction, regardless of its original measurements.
6. To change the default number of sphere segments and stacks, clear the Use Defaults checkbox and type the new values for Number of Segments and Number of Stacks. Note that the higher the number of segments or stacks, the better the sphere will appear in Virtual View, but the more performance will degrade.
7. To have the sphere appear smooth in the Virtual View, leave the Smooth Shading option enabled; to see a faceted sphere in the Virtual View, disable this option. The default for this option is ON.
8. Click OK.

Result: The sphere attaches to the cursor.

9. Move the cursor to the desired position for the sphere, and then click to place the object in the drawing.

To draw a sphere in Freehand mode

1. Switch to Freehand mode, if you are not already in it, by clicking the Freehand Mode tool on the Tools toolbar.

The Freehand Mode button.

2. From the Draw menu, choose Sphere.

The Sphere button.

3. Click to place the center of the sphere.
4. Click to set the radius for the sphere.
5. In the dialog box that opens, enter the desired horizontal and vertical radius for the sphere.
6. To ensure that the sphere remains proportionately the same when resized, leave the Lock Ratio checkbox checked. If you clear this checkbox, then you can manually resize the sphere in any direction, regardless of its original measurements.
7. To change the default number of sphere segments and stacks, clear the Use Defaults checkbox and type the new values for Number of Segments and Number of Stacks. Note that the higher the number of segments or stacks, the better the sphere will appear in Virtual View, but the more performance will degrade.
8. To have the sphere appear smooth in the Virtual View, leave the Smooth Shading option enabled; to see a faceted sphere in the Virtual View, disable this option. The default for this option is ON.
9. Click OK.

Drawing cones

Cones are solid 3D objects.

There are two ways in which you can draw cones:

• Non-freehand mode in which you type the exact horizontal and vertical radius of the cone.
• Freehand mode in which you click and drag to set the dimensions of the cone

To draw a cone

1. From the Draw menu, choose Cone.

Note: You can also click the Cone tool on the Draw toolbar.

The Cone button.

2. In the Height box, type the height of the cone.
3. In the Horizontal Radius box, type the horizontal radius for the cone.
4. In the Vertical Radius box, type the vertical radius for the cone.

Note: When the Horizontal and Vertical radii are the same, a circular object is created; when they are different, the object is oval-shaped.

5. To ensure that the cone remains proportionately the same when resized, leave the Lock Ratio checkbox checked. If you clear this checkbox, then you can manually resize the cone in any direction, regardless of its original measurements.
6. To change the default number of cone segments and stacks, clear the Use Defaults checkbox and type the new values for Number of Segments and Number of Stacks. Note that the higher the number of segments or stacks, the better the cone will appear in Virtual View, but the more performance will degrade.
7. To have the cone appear smooth in the Virtual View, leave the Smooth Shading option enabled; to see a faceted cone in the Virtual View, disable this option. The default for this option is ON.
8. To enable hatching for the object, select the Show Hatch Lines checkbox.
9. Select the desired hatching style for the object from the Hatch Style drop-down menu.
10. Click OK.

Result: The cone is attached to the cursor.

11. Click to place the cone in the drawing.

To draw a cone in Freehand mode

1. From the Draw menu, choose Cone.

Note: You can also click the Cone tool on the Draw toolbar.

The Cone button.

2. In the New Cone window, click Freehand.
3. Accept the default values, and then click and drag out the shape of the cone in your drawing. When you have the desired size, click again.

Result: The New Cone window appears again.

4. In the dialog box that opens, type the height and the horizontal and vertical radius of the new cone.
5. To ensure that the cone remains proportionately the same when resized, leave the Lock Ratio checkbox checked. If you clear this checkbox, then you can manually resize the cone in any direction, regardless of its original measurements.
6. To change the default number of cone segments and stacks, clear the Use Defaults checkbox and type the new values for Number of Segments and Number of Stacks. Note that the higher the number of segments or stacks, the better the cone will appear in Virtual View, but the more performance will degrade.
7. To have the cone appear smooth in the Virtual View, leave the Smooth Shading option enabled; to see a faceted cone in the Virtual View, disable this option. The default for this option is ON.
8. To enable hatching for the object, select the Show Hatch Lines checkbox.
9. Select the desired hatching style for the object from the Hatch Style drop-down menu.
10. Click OK.
11. Click in the drawing to finish placing the new cone.

Drawing surfaces

Surfaces are 2D objects that describe flat planes. You can use surfaces to create backdrops or other flat objects. Surfaces can be 3D Transformed to create odd shaped risers, or other custom shaped 3D objects. For more information on 3D transforming, “Transforming objects into surfaces or 3D surfaces”.

When you draw multi-segmented lines or surfaces, the new line or surface snaps automatically to the previously drawn line or surface’s endpoint, midpoint or intersection when the Endpoint Snap, Midpoint Snap, or Intersection Snap are enabled.

Note: The beam will pass through a surface with the Transparency value set to 80% or greater. The beam will not pass through the surface when the value is lower than 80%. Transparency value is set in the Material Properties section in the Appearance tab of the Properties window. See “Appearance tab”.

To draw a surface

1. From the Draw menu, choose Surface.

or

Click the Surface tool on the Draw toolbar.

The Surface button.

2. Click on the drawing at the starting point of the surface.
3. Move the pointer to the next point of the surface and click.
4. Continue to place points for the surface as needed.
5. To finish and close the surface, right-click and choose Finish Surface.

To cancel the drawing of the surface, right-click and choose Abort Surface. This erases the whole surface from the drawing.

Surfaces as Curtains

Vertical surfaces can have their appearance changed to mimic the look of curtains in Plan View. The curtain will appear as a wave or semicircles pattern, instead of the usual straight line of a surface. The depth, width and number of segments in the curtain pattern can be customized.

A Plan view of example surfaces. A surface with semicircle curtain enabled in purple and a surface with wave curtain enabled in green.

Note: Curtains are limited to being visible only in Plan view, with a surface that is vertical and rectangular in shape, with no surface area visible in Plan View.

To display a surface as a curtain.

1. Right-click an eligible surface and select Object Properties.
2. In the Properties window, click the Surface tab.

3. To enable the curtain feature for the surface, select the Enable checkbox.

Note: If the surface is ineligible to be a curtain, this option will be grayed out.

4. Select from the Style drop-down menu which pattern of curtain should be displayed.
5. Enter the desired depth of the curtain pattern in the Depth field.
6. Enter the desired width of the curtain pattern in the Width field.
7. Enter the desired number of segments in the curtain pattern in the Number of Segments field.
8. Click Apply.

Drawing hang structures

Some light fixtures need to be suspended, or hung. The structures they are hung on are called “hang structures” (also known as truss). You can draw many different types of truss, including pipes, ladders, boxes, and triangles, with the Truss Wizard. You can even specify whether the truss points in an upward or downward direction, which makes it easy to create uplighting effects.

Tip: If you want to build more complex and realistic truss structures, you can use the Truss pieces in the AV category of Library Browser. Truss pieces from the Library Browser represent real-life truss structures used for actual events and shows. For information on how to use Truss from the Library Browser, see Using truss from Library.

To hang truss using Truss Wizard

1. From the Draw menu, choose Truss Wizard.

or

Click the Truss Wizard tool on the Draw toolbar to place truss.

The Truss Wizard button.

Result: The Truss Wizard dialog box opens.

2. Select whether you want to Draw the truss or Specify the dimensions and place it automatically.
3. Select whether you want the truss measurements to be specified in metric or imperial units.
4. Select the direction in which the fixtures will face when hung from the truss. Note that this does not apply to the Floor Base type of truss since all fixtures hung from this truss type always point upwards.

• Down: Select this option to have all fixtures hung from this piece of truss shine downward. This is the default value.
• Up: Select this option to have all fixtures hung from this piece of truss shine upward.

5. Select the type of truss you are adding: Pipe, Ladder, Box, Triangle Up or Triangle Down, or Floor Base. A preview image of the selected truss displays beside the selection.

Note: When you select the Floor Base truss, any fixtures attached to it always point upwards.

6. For all types other than Pipe and Floor Base, select a Cross Section measurement.
7. For all types other than Floor Base, select the shape of the truss: Linear or Circular.
8. If you selected to specify the truss, rather than draw it in step 2:

1. To draw a linear truss, in the Length box, enter the length of the truss.

Note: The minimum length of a linear pipe is 6”; the minimum length of a piece of linear truss is 2’.

2. To draw a circular truss, in the Radius box, enter the radius of the truss and select the form of the circle.

Notes: 

• Use the Form drop-down menu to create a Half-Circle or Quarter Circle truss object.
• The minimum length of a circular truss is 4’.

3. Select to have the truss inserted horizontally or vertically. In the Height box, enter the trim height for the piece of truss. The trim height represents the height at which the truss is inserted in the file. For truss inserted with a Down Fixture Direction, the trim height is measured from the bottom pipe of the truss; for truss inserted with the Up Fixture Direction, the trim height is measured from the top pipe of the truss.

9. Select whether the orientation of the truss should be Horizontal or Vertical. Specify the Trim Height/Height in the field.
10. Click OK.

1. If you selected Draw, click on the drawing where you want the truss to start and then click to place the endpoint of the truss

Result: The truss is placed according to your settings.

Drawing projectors and screens

You can use the Projection Wizard to draw your choice of a number of different types of screens and projectors. If desired, you can then navigate to an image stored in bitmap (.bmp) or jpeg (.jpg) format and place it on the screen. The Projection Wizard is especially useful to give you an idea of the spacing you will need to arrange in your venue to set up the projector and screen for optimum viewing.

Note: While the Projection Wizard provides a realistic depiction of the spacing required, and the look of the projector and screen, it does not enable you to specify the method for hanging or mounting the projector. Instead, use your Vivien drawing as a guide to hang or mount the projector at the precise location indicated.

You can use the Projection Wizard to draw both a projector and screen, in which case the two are treated as a grouped object, or you can choose to create only a projector or a screen. In this latter case, you can return to the wizard later to add either the projector or screen, working your way through the Projection Wizard again. The Projection Wizard saves the settings that you originally chose for the projector or screen, and enables you to add the other object as a grouped item.

Projector and screen types

The Projection Wizard enables you to choose from three main screen types, and then customize the screen to suit your needs. When drawing projectors, you can choose between generic small, medium, and large models; you cannot choose brand name models.

To properly calculate the distance from the projector to the screen, you must know the size of the screen, as well as the projector’s aspect ratio and the lens throw ratio (refer to the projector specifications for these values). After you input these values, Vivien will calculate the appropriate throw distance for you (the distance from the projector to the screen), as well as the projected image width.

To draw a projector and screen

This procedure shows you how to draw a projector and screen together. You can choose from three different types of screens and three different sizes of projector. When you create a projector and screen in this manner, they are treated as a single, grouped object, enabling you to change their properties simultaneously, if necessary.

1. From the Draw menu, choose Projection Wizard.

The Projection Wizard button.

Result: The Projection Wizard window appears.

2. Click Create Both, and then click Next.
3. Select the type of screen that you want to create, and then click Next. You can choose from the following screen types:

• Tripod Screen: This type of screen sits on a tripod and is typically used in smaller venues because the screen size is usually limited to no larger than 10’ X 10’. When drawing this type of screen, you can specify the screen size, the distance from the screen to the ground, and the diameter of the circle formed by the legs of the tripod.
• Folding Screen: This type of screen consists of up to 6 main components: the frame, legs, surface, valance, drape legs, and skirt. When drawing this screen, you can choose from a list of industry-standard screen sizes, or specify the screen size of your choice. You can also choose whether the screen is surrounded by a drape and, if so, you can choose the dimensions of the drape panels.
• Custom Surface: Unlike the other two screen types available, custom screens do not have a frame around them. When you choose this type of screen, you can specify the size of the screen, or choose from a predefined list of standard screen sizes.

Result: The window that appears varies according to the type of screen that you chose.

4. Type the properties of your screen in the appropriate fields below:

• Predefined Size: From the drop-down list, select the standard size of screen that you want to create. If you want to specify a non-standard size, choose Custom.
• Width: Indicates the width of the standard sized screen. If you chose to create a custom-sized screen, type the custom width.
• Height: Indicates the height of the standard sized screen. If you chose to create a custom-sized screen, type the custom height.
• Elevation Above Floor: (only applicable for Folding and Tripod screens) Type the height of the tripod or support frame.
• Tripod Diameter: (only applicable for Tripod screens) Type the diameter of the circle created by the tripod legs.
• Length of Support Feet: (only applicable for Folding screens) Type the length of each of the supporting “feet” for the frame of the screen.
• Include Drape Kit: (only applicable for Folding screens) Select this checkbox if you want to hide the frame of the screen with drapery panels. If you do not check this box, the frame around the screen is visible.

5. Click Next.

Result: Only if you are creating a Folding screen and if you chose to include the drape kit, the Define Drape Kit Dimensions window appears.

Note: If you are creating any other type of screen or if you have decided to hide the drape kit, then the Content Selection window appears. Proceed directly to step 8.

6. Type the dimensions of the drape kit around the Folding screen. If you do not want to see part of the drape kit, clear the checkbox beside the appropriate heading (for example, if you do not want to see the skirt, clear this checkbox).
7. Click Next.

Result: The Content Selection window appears.

8. Choose whether you want to draw a blank screen, show an image, or play a video on it.

1. To show an image, click Image Source, and select the desired image previously imported by the Image Manager. Or, click New to open the Image Manager and create a new image for use. “To create a new image source in the image manager” for more information.
2. To show an video, click Video Source, and select the desired video previously imported by the Video Manager. Or, click New to open the Video Manager and create a new video for use. “To create a new video source in the video manager” for more information.

Note: Video codecs may be required to play the video even though it is already an “.avi” or “.mpg” file.

9. Click Next.

Result: The Define Projector Specifications window appears.

10. Enter the properties for your projector in the appropriate boxes:

• Aspect Ratio: This is the width-to-height ratio of the displayed image. Refer to the projector specifications for this value. Note that some projectors can support multiple aspect ratios. The following aspect ratios are available for you to choose from:
• 1:1: Provides a perfectly squared screen format for native SVGA/XGA projectors.
• 5:4: For images with SXGA resolution. Widescreen images will appear cropped at this ratio.
• 4:3: Standard aspect ratio for TV, as well as for images with VGA, SVGA, XGA, or UXGA resolution. Widescreen images will appear cropped at this ratio.
• 3:2: For classic 35mm film with 24mm x 36mm image size.
• 16:9/16:10: For wide-screen images, this aspect ratio shows you a picture that is about one-third wider than standard displays. It is the format for HDTV video and some SDTV video.
• 1.85:1: For 35mm widescreen standard theatrical film.
• 1.9:1: Common aspect ratio supported by social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
• 2.35:1/2.39:1: For anamorphic widescreen cinemascope format.
• 21:9: For high end UltraWide monitors.
• 3:1: Standard aspect ratio for APS-P panorama images.
• Projector Size: Choose the size of your projector, Small, Medium, or Large. This value is largely for display purposes in your drawing and does not necessarily reflect the actual projector.
• Lens Throw Ratio: Refer to the projector specifications for this value. It may be lens-specific rather than projector-specific because some projectors can support multiple lenses. It is equal to the throw distance divided by the projected image width. For a projector without a zoom lens, the throw ratio is fixed (the size of the projected image is completely determined by the throw distance and aspect ratio). However, for a projector with a zoom lens, you can change the throw ratio (you can control the image size without having to change the throw distance).

Note: Once you input the throw ratio and aspect ratio, Vivien will calculate the projector’s throw distance for you.

• Throw Distance: The formula for calculating the throw distance is Throw Ratio * Width of Screen. Some lenses are wider-angle (they cover short throw distances), while others are more in the tele-range (they cover large throw distances). Once you input the screen width, and the aspect ratio and throw ratio for your projector, Vivien will adjust the throw distance accordingly.
• Image Width (read-only): Vivien automatically calculates this value based on the screen width and height that you chose, as well as the projector’s aspect ratio that you just typed. If the Image Width shown in this box is smaller than the screen width that you entered earlier, it is because the specified screen height is too small and, as a result, limits the width of the image to maintain the requested aspect ratio. If you want the image width to be the same as the screen width, then you must increase the screen’s height so that its width-to-height ratio is the same as (or a multiple of) the projector’s aspect ratio. For example, if the projector’s aspect ratio is 5:4, then you could have a screen with the dimensions of 10’ wide X 8’ high (for a ratio of 10:8, or 5:4). Click Back twice to return to the Screen Dimensions window, and then adjust the height accordingly.
• Front Projection / Rear Projection: Choose whether you want the projector to throw the image onto the front or back of the screen. Based on your selection, the projector will either appear in front of or behind the screen in your drawing.

11. Click Finish.

Result: The projector attaches to your cursor.

12. Click to place the projector in your drawing.

Drawing screens 

In Vivien, you can draw a 2D surface on which you can place an image to simulate projection onto a screen. To draw a screen on its own (without a projector), you still use the Projection Wizard, choosing Create a Screen in the first window.

Note: To add a screen to the drawing after you have added a projector, select the projector, right-click, and select Change Projection Settings. When you do so, the Projection Wizard appears, listing the existing settings for the projector. As you work your way through the Wizard to add the screen, you can leave the current projector settings, or modify them. Based on the settings you choose, Vivien adds the screen at the appropriate throw distance from the projector. Both objects are subsequently treated as a single, grouped object.

To draw a screen

1. From the Draw menu, choose Projection Wizard.

The Projection Wizard button.

Result: The Projection Wizard window appears.

2. Click Create a Screen, and then click Next.
3. Select the type of screen that you want to create, and then click Next. You can choose from the following screen types:

• Tripod Screen: This type of screen sits on a tripod and is typically used in smaller venues because the screen size is usually limited to no larger than 10’ X 10’. When drawing this screen, you can specify the screen size, the distance from the screen to the ground, and the diameter of the circle formed by the legs of the tripod.
• Folding Screen: This type of screen consists of up to 6 main components: the frame, legs, surface, valance, drape legs, and skirt. When drawing this screen, you can choose from a list of industry standard screen sizes, or specify the screen size of your choice. You can also choose whether the screen is surrounded by a drape and, if so, you can set the dimensions of the drape panels.
• Custom Surface: Unlike the other two screen types available, custom screens do not have a frame around them. When you choose this type of screen, you can specify the size of the screen, or choose from a predefined list of standard screen sizes.

Result: The window that appears varies according to the type of screen that you chose.

4. Type the properties of your screen in the appropriate fields below:

• Predefined Size: From the drop-down list, select the standard size of screen that you want to create. If you want to specify a non-standard size, choose Custom.
• Width: Indicates the width of the standard sized screen. If you chose to create a custom-sized screen, type the custom width.
• Height: Indicates the height of the standard sized screen. If you chose to create a custom-sized screen, type the custom height.
• Elevation Above Floor: (only applicable for Folding and Tripod screens) Type the height of the tripod or support frame.
• Tripod Diameter: (only applicable for Tripod screens) Type the diameter of the tripod.
• Length of Support Feet: (only applicable for Folding screens) Type the length of each of the supporting “feet” for the frame of the screen.
• Include Drape Kit: (only applicable for Folding screens) Select this checkbox if you want to hide the frame of the screen with drapery panels. If you do not check this box, the frame around the screen is visible.

5. Click Next.

Result: Only if you are creating a Folding screen and if you chose to include the drape kit, the Define Drape Kit Dimensions window appears.

Note: If you are creating any other type of screen or if you have decided to hide the drape kit, then the Content Selection window appears. Proceed directly to step 8.

6. Type the dimensions of the drape kit around the Folding screen. If you do not want to see part of the drape kit, clear the checkbox beside the appropriate heading (for example, if you do not want to see the skirt, clear this checkbox).
7. Click Next.

Result: The Content Selection window appears.

8. Choose whether you want to draw a blank screen, show an image, or play a video on it.

1. To show an image, click Image Source, and select the desired image previously imported by the Image Manager. Or, click New to open the Image Manager and create a new image for use. “To create a new image source in the image manager” for more information.
2. To show a video, click Video Source, and select the desired video previously imported by the Video Manager. Or, click New to open the Video Manager and create a new video for use. “To create a new video source in the video manager” for more information. Video codecs may be required to play the video even though it is already an .avi or .mpg file.

9. Click Finish.

Result: The screen attaches to your cursor.

10. In your drawing, move the cursor to the desired position for the screen, and then click to place it in your drawing.

Note: If you have chosen to place an image on the screen, it appears only in Virtual View.

Screen Properties

After a screen has been created, the properties of a screen can be altered from the properties menu. The following properties of the screen can be changed:

Dimensions and Options

The size of the screen can be changed from its original dimensions.

• Screen Width: The width of the screen.
• Screen Height: The height of the screen.
• Only Display Image/Video on Front Face: Select this checkbox to set the color, Image Source, or Video Source to appear only on the front side of the screen.

Note: The front side of a Screen is the one which does not display the “V” symbol when the Screen appears in Drawing Wireframe set to Plan view.

Tip: The Only Display Image/Video on Front Face option will help when using the Global Illumination with Approximation Method 2 Visual Effect: when this Visual Effect is enabled, the illumination it pro­duces will only appear on the front side of the Screen.

Display Source

Options for controlling what will be visible on the screen.

• Display Source: Drop-down menu for controlling what will be visible on the screen.
• Image Source: Available images that can be displayed on the screen.
• Video Source: Available videos that can be displayed on the screen.
• Keep Aspect Ratio: Toggle whether to have images/videos displayed on the screen maintain their aspect ratio or stretch/constrict when the size of the screen changes.
• Reassign Video/Image Subsource(s): This checkbox is available when the screen is set with Multi-split subsources. Select this checkbox to open the Reassign Video/Image Subsource dialog and reassign the video and image source types and options for the screen.

Glow Settings

Setting for controlling the glow of the selected screen, independent of the global settings.

• Hide: Toggle to enable/disable the screen glow feature.
• Glow Intensity Multiplier: When enabled can enhance the glow of the screen on a scale of 0 to 10.

Drawing projectors

You can use the Projection Wizard to draw a projector on its own (without the screen), or to add a projector to a drawing in which there is already a screen.

You may want to perform this procedure, for example, if you are going to project an image onto a wall or other surface. Even though you are not drawing a screen at the same time, Vivien will still calculate the throw distance to the projection surface if you know both its width and the projector’s throw ratio. You can then manually place the projector in your drawing at this distance from the wall or screen.

Note: If you want to add a projector to your drawing after you have drawn a screen on its own, select the screen, right-click, and choose Change Projection Settings. When you do so, the Projection Wizard appears, listing the existing settings for the screen. As you work your way through the Wizard to add the projector, you can leave the current screen settings, or modify them. Based on the settings you choose, Vivien adds the projector at the appropriate throw distance from the screen. Both objects are subsequently treated as a single, grouped object.

To draw a projector

This procedure shows you how to draw a projector on its own, enabling you to choose from three different sizes of projector. When you create a projector in this manner, it is treated as a single object (it is not grouped with a screen)

Note: To add a screen to the drawing after you have added a projector, select the projector, right-click, and select Change Projection Settings. When you do so, the Projection Wizard appears, listing the existing settings for the projector. As you work your way through the Wizard to add the screen, you can leave the current projector settings, or modify them. Based on the settings you choose, Vivien adds the screen at the appropriate throw distance from the projector. Both objects are subsequently treated as a single, grouped object.

1. From the Draw menu, choose Projection Wizard.

The Projection Wizard button.

Result: The Integrated Projection Wizard window appears.

2. Click Create a Projector, and then click Next.

Result: The Define Projector Specifications window appears.

3. Enter the properties for your projector in the appropriate boxes:

• Aspect Ratio: This is the width-to-height ratio of the displayed image. Refer to the projector specifications for the proper aspect ratio for your projector. Note that some projectors can support multiple aspect ratios. The following aspect ratios are available for you to choose from:
• 1:1: Provides a perfectly squared screen format for native SVGA/XGA projectors.
• 5:4: For images with SXGA resolution. Widescreen images will appear cropped at this ratio.
• 4:3: Standard aspect ratio for TV, as well as for images with VGA, SVGA, XGA, or UXGA resolution. Widescreen images will appear cropped at this ratio.
• 3:2: For classic 35mm film with 24mm x 36mm image size.
• 16:9/16:10: For wide-screen images, this aspect ratio shows you a picture that is about one-third wider than standard displays. It is the format for HDTV video and some SDTV video.
• 1.85:1: For 35mm widescreen standard theatrical film.
• 1.9:1: Common aspect ratio supported by social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
• 2.35:1/2.39:1: For anamorphic widescreen cinemascope format.
• 21:9: For high end UltraWide monitors.
• 3:1: Standard aspect ratio for APS-P panorama images.
• Projector Size: Choose the size of your projector, Small, Medium, or Large. This is largely for display purposes in your drawing and does not necessarily reflect the actual projector.
• Lens Throw Ratio: Refer to the projector specifications for this value. It may be lens-specific rather than projector-specific because some projectors can support multiple lenses. It is equal to the throw distance divided by the projected image width. For a projector without a zoom lens, the throw ratio is fixed (the size of the projected image is completely determined by the throw distance and aspect ratio). However, for a projector with a zoom lens, you can change the throw ratio (you can control the image size without having to change the throw distance).

Note: Once you input the throw ratio, aspect ratio, and width of the projected image, Vivien will calculate the projector’s throw distance for you.

• Throw Distance: The formula for calculating the throw distance is Throw Ratio * Width of Screen (width of the projected image). Some lenses are wider-angle (they cover short throw distances), while others are more in the tele-range (they cover large throw distances). Once you input the aspect ratio and throw ratio for your projector, as well as the width of the projected image, Vivien will adjust the throw distance accordingly.
• Image Width: The width of the projected image. Note that the value shown here, as well as the lens throw ratio and aspect ratio, affect the Throw Distance value calculated by Vivien.
• Front Projection / Rear Projection: Choose whether you want the projector to throw the image onto the front or back of the screen. Based on your selection, the projector will either appear in front of or behind the screen in your drawing.

4. Click Finish.

Result: The projector attaches to your cursor.

5. Click to place the projector in your drawing.

Drawing cameras

Cameras provide view points in Virtual Views and renderings. You can set up additional cameras to provide additional view points.

To insert a camera

1. From the Draw menu, choose Camera > Camera.

Result: The New Camera dialog box opens.

2. Enter a name for the camera and a value in degrees for the field angle. The default value for the field angle is 53.13.
3. From the Layer drop-down list, select the layer of your file on which you want to draw the camera. By default, the Camera object is inserted on the Camera layer.

Note: If you do not see all layers in the Layer drop-down list, click Show non-editable layers.

4. (Optional) Select the Aspect Ratio checkbox to set a fixed Aspect Ratio for the new camera. From the Aspect Ratio drop-down list, select the fixed Aspect Ratio for the new camera.

Result: The Virtual View will be defined by the set Aspect Ratio of the selected Camera, with pillar or letter bars displayed to indicate the viewing definition boundaries.

5. (Optional) Select the Lock checkbox to lock this new camera on its position and view angle in Virtual View.
6. Click OK to apply the settings or Cancel to discard.
7. Click on the drawing to place the camera.
8. Move the cursor to aim the camera, and then click to place the target.

Result: The camera is inserted into your drawing and available in the camera selection list for Virtual Views and renderings.

Tip: Use the Height value tool while placing the camera and target.

Note: In Drawing Wireframe views, the marker points of the camera drawing identify the camera’s target. In Virtual Views, you are looking through the camera, therefore the camera drawings are invisible. For this reason you can choose to display the target as a colored x, y, z axis in Virtual View. For more information on displaying the target, refer to “Virtual view options”.

To create a camera from the current Virtual View

Another way to create a camera is directly from the Virtual View. If you've set up the Virtual View just so, but forgot that you are not working with a camera, you can create a camera based on the view you just set up.

1. Set up the Virtual View as desired.
2. Right-click in the Virtual View and select Save View as New Camera.

Result: The New Camera dialog box appears.

3. Enter a name for the camera and a value in degrees for the field angle, if desired.

Note:  To retain the properties of the current Virtual View, do not change this Field Angle value.

4. Click OK.

Result: The camera appears in the Drawing Wireframe and a new camera is added to the drop-down list on the Camera toolbar.

Using the Camera toolbar

After you have drawn a camera, you can use the Camera toolbar in Virtual Views to view your drawing through the camera of your choice. The camera toolbar also gives you quick access to certain camera properties, such as name, field angle, lock/unlock and reset.

With multiple cameras in place, you can use the Camera toolbar to quickly switch from one camera to the next. This feature is useful if you want to quickly view all the sight lines in your room.

To open the Camera toolbar

1. Click the Virtual View tab.
2. Right-click in the toolbar area and select Camera.

Result: The Camera toolbar appears.

To switch between cameras

From the Camera toolbar’s drop-down list, select the camera through which you want to view your drawing.

Note: To switch back to the default view, click None.

To view or edit camera properties

1. From the Camera toolbar’s drop-down list, select a camera.
2. Click the Camera Properties icon.

The Camera Properties button.

3. In the window that appears, you can change any of the following properties:

• Name: You can edit the name that appears in the Camera toolbar for the currently selected camera.
• Field Angle: You can change the field angle of the currently selected camera, measured in degrees.
• Assigned Hotkey: Click to assign a new numbered hotkey for this camera. This is the number that you can press to instantly switch from one camera to the next.
• Aspect Ratio: Select this checkbox and select a fixed aspect ratio for the selected camera.
• Lock camera in Virtual View: Select this checkbox to lock the selected camera in its current position in all Virtual View. To unlock it, simply select the camera from the Camera toolbar, and then press the Camera Lock button.

To lock a camera

Follow the steps below to lock a camera in its current position in the Virtual View. This feature helps prevent you from accidentally moving or zooming a camera while adjust the viewpoint in the Virtual View.

1. From the Camera toolbar’s drop-down list, select the camera that you want to lock.
2. Click the Camera Lock icon.

The Camera Lock button.

Result: The Camera is now locked in position in the Virtual View. Whenever you select this camera and attempt to adjust the viewpoint in the Virtual View, a lock symbol appears in the middle of the Virtual View. To unlock the Camera, simply select it from the Camera toolbar, and press the Camera Lock icon again.

To create a new camera

1. Adjust the Virtual View to the suitable position for your new camera.
2. On the Camera toolbar, click the New Camera icon.

 The New Camera button.

3. Type the name of the new camera.
4. Click OK.

To reset a Camera

1. From the Camera toolbar’s drop-down list, select the camera that you want to reset.
2. Click the Camera Reset icon:

The Camera Reset button.

Notes:

• You cannot reset a camera if it is locked.
• The Reset Camera menu applies only if World is the selected Camera.

To use the Pitch and Yaw locks for rotations

Use the Lock-X and Lock-Z buttons on the Camera toolbar to prevent in-place rotations along the specified axis:

• Lock-X, or Rotation around the X Axis = PITCH [tilting forward and backward]
• Lock-Z, or Rotation around the Z Axis = YAW [also called Heading or Direction]

To see the effect of these locks in the Virtual View, you must press ALT while dragging the view; these locks have no effect if you do not press ALT.

Note: Press the reset buttons (Rx, Ry, Rz) to re-orient the camera to the world's axes.

Switching cameras in virtual view

Camera objects drawn in Drawing Wireframe are visible in Virtual View to indicate position and orientation.

Note: In Virtual View, you must select Display Model and Display Tooltips on the Camera tab of the View Options window to see and switch cameras in Virtual View. Switch To This Camera is disabled if Display Model and Display Tooltips are not selected.

To switch cameras in virtual view

1. On Virtual View, hover over the Camera you want to select.

Result: The Camera is highlighted and shows tooltip information.

2. Right-click on the Camera and choose Switch To This Camera from the menu that appears.

Result: Virtual View displays the view angle from the selected Camera.

Camera paths

Camera paths allow you to define a path along which a camera will travel and then play back the camera’s path in the Virtual View, giving your client a realistic flythrough of the event space.

Once you draw a Camera path, you can use the Camera Path Editor and the Timeline tool to define the time interval between the points along the path. If there are Camera Targets inserted in the file, you can also specify when the camera should follow a camera target. Finally, you can also define the orientation and field angle of the Camera at the current node position.

Once you have defined the time intervals and camera’s orientation, you can open the Timeline tool and watch the Camera path play in the Virtual View. Camera Path playback is also simulated in Full Screen mode and may be recorded using the Virtual View Output tool.

Drawing Camera paths

Camera paths allow you to define a path along which the camera will travel during playback in the Virtual View. You draw Camera paths just as you would draw a spline. Each point along the path is called a “Node”.

Note: You can keep the camera path, nodes and targets visible during file editing, and once you’re done, go into the Properties of these objects and toggle their visibility off in Virtual View.

To draw a Camera path

1. In a Wireframe view, from the Draw menu, choose Camera > Camera Path.
2. Click in your plot where you want to start drawing the Camera path.
3. Continue clicking in your drawing to create your path. When you are finished, right-click and select one of the options on the pop-up menu:

• Finish Camera Path: This option finishes the path at the last point, and places it in your plot.
• Close Camera Path: This option closes the path from one end to the next, and places the path in your plot.
• Abort Camera Path: This option cancels the drawing of the Camera path altogether.
• Remove Last Step: This option removes the last point of the path.

Camera paths are controlled from the Lighting Wireframe/Quad and/or Virtual View modes, using the Camera Path Editor and the Timeline tool. For details, see below.

Using the Camera path editor

Once you create a Camera path in a wireframe view, follow the steps in this section to define the time intervals between the nodes on the path. For details on drawing Camera paths, see “Drawing Camera paths”.

Camera path editor window

Camera path editor columns

• Node:    This column gives you the Node number of the nodes on your Timeline.
• Shortest Path:    When the Shortest Path checkbox is selected for a node, it forces the camera to rotate as little as possible when moving between two nodes on your timeline. When the Shortest Path checkbox is cleared for a node, the camera will take the longer of the two directions as it rotates to aim at the next node's target. This applies to Roll, Pitch and Yaw.
• X, Y, and Z Columns:    The X, Y, and Z columns in the Camera Path Editor are editable position information for each of the nodes on your timeline. You may enter in distance values into these fields to re-position your nodes as you see fit.
• Rx and Rz Columns:    These columns represent the rotation around each of the X and Z axes in Vivien. These columns are non-editable, but allow you to get positional information from your nodes.
•  Rx, or Rotation around the X Axis = PITCH   [tilting forward and backward]
•  Rz, or Rotation around the Z Axis = YAW       [also called Heading or Direction]
• Interval:    A node’s Interval is how long it takes in seconds to get from one node to another. For example, if the timing on node 2 is ten seconds (10s), then the camera would move for ten seconds before reaching node 2.
• Behavior:    Behavior is the camera’s movement and direction behavior as it relates to the Camera Path. There are three types of Camera Behavior:
• Follow Path:    The camera will follow straight along the path, not deviating in any way possible from the path as it travels between nodes.
• Follow Target:    The camera will always point at an assigned Camera Target if this behavior is chosen for a node.
• User Defined:    This option allows the camera to behave exactly as specified by a user, meaning that the camera will point wherever you point it when the User Defined behavior is chosen.
• Target:       Each node can be assigned a different target when the Follow Target behavior in the Behavior column is chosen. The Target column is a drop-down box for choosing different targets in your drawing.
• Field Angle:    This option allows you to enter in different field angles for each node.

To use the Camera path editor

1. In Lighting Wireframe / Quad or Virtual View, from the Tools menu, choose Camera Path Editor.
2. In the Camera Path Editor, from the Camera Path drop-down list, select the Camera path that you want to edit.
3. In the Interval column, adjust the timing for each node along the path, specifying when you want the camera to be at that node.

• If you have placed targets along the path, and you want the Camera to follow a target at a particular node, in the Target column click in the cell corresponding to the node and, from the drop-down list that appears, select Follow Target. Then, click in the adjacent Target cell to select the target.
• To define the orientation and field angle of the Camera at a particular node along the path, in the Camera Target column, click in the cell corresponding the node, and then select User Defined.

4. Once you have defined the time intervals, you can use the Timeline tool to watch the Camera path play in the Virtual View. For details, see below.

Visual Camera Path Builder tool

The Visual Camera Path Builder tool allows you to create a Camera Path on the fly while you move the Camera around your space. This tool essentially works by placing a node at the Camera’s current position once you’ve told Vivien that you are satisfied with the Camera’s current placement on screen.

Note: The Visual Camera Path Builder tool is disabled if the Virtual View Camera Control was set to Other 3D Applications in the General tab of the Application Options window.

To use the Visual Camera Path Builder tool

1. Right-click in the Virtual View and select Visual Camera Path Builder.
2. Once you’ve started the Visual Camera Path Builder, you’ll be prompted to name your new path, add it to the Camera layer (or a layer of your choosing), and create the first node based on the Camera’s current position.
3. Once you click OK in the dialog box, you will then be in Visual Camera Path Editor mode. Maneuver the Camera around the space, and when you want to create a new node based on your Camera’s position, right-click in the Virtual View and choose the Add Node. At this point, you can also Abort your Camera Path in the Visual Camera Path Builder tool.
4. Move the Camera and right-click every time you would like to create a new node from your Camera’s current position in space.
5. When you have created as many nodes as you would like to have in your Camera path, right-click again in the Virtual View and choose Finish Camera Path.
6. At this point, you can also Abort your Camera Path, or you can choose to Close the Camera path from your current view, which will create a seamless loop on the Camera path. When you are finished with the Visual Camera Path Builder tool, you will automatically exit the Visual Camera Path Builder tool mode.

To use the Timeline tool

Once you have adjusted the timing of a Camera path with the Camera path editor, switch to the Virtual View to watch the camera move along the path with the Timeline tool. This tool enables you to watch the timing in slow motion, regular speed, or up to four times the speed.

Notes:

• Camera Path playback is also simulated in Full Screen mode.
• Nodes of existing Camera Paths can be edited from a Virtual View when the Timeline's Previous Node or Next Node buttons are used; they can only be edited while playback is paused.

1. In Lighting Wireframe / Quad or Virtual View, from the Tools menu, choose Timeline.

Result: The Timeline tool appears.

2. Use the controls to watch the Camera move along the path you have defined:

• Play: Click to start the camera path simulation in the Virtual View. While this plays, the red line moves along the timeline to display its current position. You can click on the red line indicator and scrub along the timeline, which updates the red line and the Camera simulation at the corresponding point along the path.
• Stop: Click to stop the camera.
• Previous Node: Click to switch back to the previous node on the path.
• Next Node: Click to move to the next node on the path.
• Toggle PlayBack Direction: Click to switch the direction of the camera on the path.
• Toggle Loop: Click to keep the camera moving on the path in a continuous loop.
• Adjust Playback Speed: Click to choose the playback speed.
• Show Node Numbers: Click to show the node numbers in the timeline.
• Zoom: Use the slider to zoom in or out on the timeline.

Using the Camera Manager

The Camera Manager enables you to view and set the properties of Camera objects and Camera Paths in a convenient way. The Camera Manager window opens in the wireframe and virtual views, and displays the following:

• The editable settings for New Camera Defaults showing Layer, Field Angle, and Aspect Ratio.
• The option to Override all Cameras’ Aspect Ratio checkbox.
• The table with the list of Camera objects inserted in the plot and their settings: Camera Name, Lock, Hotkey, Field Angle, Aspect Ratio, and DMX Value.
• The table with the list of Camera Paths created in the plot and their settings: Camera Path Name, Show Path, Node, Node Number, Aspect Ratio, DMX Patch.

To access the Camera Manager

1. From the Managers menu, choose Camera Manager.

Result: The Camera Manager window appears.

To edit Camera and Camera Path properties in Camera Manager

1. In the Camera Manager window, you can change any of the following properties:

New Camera Defaults

This section shows the default properties set for a new camera object that will be inserted in the drawing.

• Layer: you can select the default layer of the new camera object.
• Field Angle: you can specify the default field angle (degrees) of the new camera object.
• Aspect Ratio: you can select the default aspect ratio of the new camera object.

Override Aspect Ratio

This section shows the option to change the Aspect Ratios for all Cameras.

• Override all Camera’s Aspect Ratio - Display at: Select this checkbox to override the aspect ratios for all cameras and select a temporary aspect ratio from the drop-down menu to view all cameras in your drawing.

Note: All previously set Aspect Ratios are preserved in the table, and can be used after this option is disabled.

Camera

This section shows the list of camera objects inserted in the plot with their corresponding properties.

• Camera Name: Click the Camera Name cell to edit the camera’s name.
• Lock: Select this checkbox to lock the selected camera in the Virtual View.
• Hotkey: Click this drop-down menu to assign a new numbered hotkey for the selected camera.
• Field Angle: Click the Field Angle cell and write the new field angle (degrees) for the selected camera.
• Aspect Ratio: Click the drop-down menu to select a new fixed aspect ratio for the selected camera. This option is disabled when Override all Cameras’ Aspect Ratio is checked.

Camera Path

This section displays the list of camera paths created in the plot.

• Camera Path Name: Click the Camera Path Name cell to edit the camera path’s name.
• Show Path: Select this checkbox to show the selected Camera Path.
• Node: Select this checkbox to show the nodes created along the selected Camera Path.
• Node Num: Select this checkbox to show the numbers assigned to each of the nodes along the selected camera path.
• Aspect Ratio: Click the drop-down menu to select a new fixed aspect ratio for the selected camera path.

Drawing a compass

Add a compass to your drawing to define the direction that is north. This definition is important to set the position of the sun and/or moon for renderings that use environmental options.

There can be only one compass in a file.

To draw a compass

1. From the Tools menu, choose Define North.
2. Click to place the starting point of the compass.
3. Click to place the end point of the compass. The end point must be directly north of the start point.

Result: A compass displays, centered on the start point and pointing towards the end point.

4. To remove the compass from the drawing, choose Clear North from the Tools menu.
5. To redefine north, repeat steps 1-3. You do not need to remove the compass from the drawing when redefining as there can be only one compass in a file.

Drawing pipe and drape

Use Vivien’s Pipe and Drape Wizard to add lengths of drapery to your drawing. You can quickly add the default length and height of drapery, or specify custom sizes and define drapery properties such as color, texture, and material in the wizard or after inserting the drapery in your drawing.

Vivien’s Event Resources tab keeps track of the number of drape panels, crossbars, and upright pipes you will need to ensure that your equipment quotes are accurate.

The several components in a drape line are shown in the following graphic:

• Drape panels: These are the individual pieces of fabric that hang from the horizontal pieces of pipe called crossbars. You can specify the number of drape panels in each of the pipe and drape drawing methods. The default number of panels is three per section.
• Section: A section consists of a series of drape panels hanging from a horizontal pipe called a crossbar, which is supported on each end by an upright pipe. You can specify the number of panels per section and, based on the drawing method you choose, either the exact width of the section or the maximum width.
• Upright pipes: These are the pipes that stand on either end of each section in your drape line, supporting the crossbars.
• Base plates: These are the support plates for the upright pipes.

The Pipe and Drape Wizard offers you two drawing options:

• Draw: This is the most flexible option when drawing your drape line. It enables you to specify the height, maximum width of a section, and the number of drape panels per section. When you click Finish, the Wizard returns you to the drawing where you can click and drag to draw as many drape lines as desired in whatever length required.
• Specify: This option enables you to define the height, width, the number of sections in your drape line, and the number of drape panels per section. This option enables you to either draw a new drape line section, or add to an existing drape line.

To draw pipe and drape - Draw method

Note: If you are adding a new drape section to an existing panel in your drawing, click the Endpoint snap tool first. This ensures that the new drape panel “snaps” to the existing one in the correct position.

 The Endpoint snap button.

1. On the toolbar, click the Pipe and Drape Wizard tool.

The Pipe and Drape Wizard button.

Result: The Select Drawing Method window appears.

2. Select the Draw option button, and then click Next.

Result: The Draw Pipe and Drape window appears.

3. Select the Create a New Drape Line option to create a new section of the drape line; or select the Add to an Existing Drape Line option to add the next section of the drape line.

Notes:

• Drawing a new drape line includes all upright pipes for the drape line.
• Adding to an existing drape line uses an existing upright pipe as the beginning of the added drape line.

4. In the Height box, type the height of the drape line, or accept the default value of 15’0”.
5. In the Max. Crossbar Length box, type the maximum length of each horizontal pipe, or accept the default value of 10’0”. This is the length of the horizontal pipe between the upright pipes. If you click to insert a section at a shorter interval than this value, Vivien automatically adjusts the width of each drapery panel accordingly and a shorter section is inserted in the drawing.
6. Select the Min. Crossbar Length checkbox and type the minimum length of each horizontal pipe, or accept the default value of 1”. This value sets the shortest length of the horizontal pipe in a section between upright pipes.
7. Select the Use Equal Crossbar Length/Space Upright Evenly checkbox to automatically set the same length for all the crossbars. If you clear this checkbox, then Vivien creates the drapery panels of equal size for all full sections, but resizes the panels in the last section accordingly if you choose to make this panel smaller.
8. In the Pipe Diameter box, type the diameter of all crossbars and upright pipes.
9. Click the Base Plate drop-down to select the size of the base plate support for the upright pipes.
10. Select the Add Base Plate Weight checkbox to add thickness to the base plate in Wireframe and Virtual Views.
11. In the Drape Panels per Crossbar box, type the number of drape panels that you want to see in each section of the drape line, or accept the default value of 3 panels per section. Each panel is separated by a new, upright piece of pipe.
12. The default or previously set texture of the drape is displayed in the Drape Texture box. To change the texture, click the Drape Texture ellipsis button to browse and select a new texture from the Texture Select dialog box that opens.
13. In the Drape Description box, type additional user information or identification for the drape line, which will be displayed in Reports.
14. Click Finish.
15. Click in the desired spot in your drawing where you want to start drawing the drape line.
16. Move the cursor to the spot where you want the first section to end, and click. Then move your cursor to the spot where you want the next section to end, and click. You can draw as many sections as you like. When you are finished drawing your drape line, right-click and select Finish Pipe and Drape.

For details on customizing the new drape line, see “To customize drapery elements (color, material, and texture)”.

To draw pipe and drape - Specify method

Note: If you are adding a new drape section to an existing panel in your drawing, click the Endpoint snap tool first. This ensures that the new drape panel “snaps” to the existing one in the correct position.

The Endpoint snap button.

1. On the toolbar, click the Pipe and Drape Wizard tool.

The Pipe and Drape Wizard button.

Result: The Select Drawing Method window appears.

2. Select the Specify option button, and then click Next.

Result: The Specify Pipe and Drape window appears.

3. Select the Create a New Drape Line option to create a new section of the drape line; or select the Add to an Existing Drape Line option to add the next section of the drape line.

Notes:

• Drawing a new drape line includes all upright pipes for the drape line.
• Adding to an existing drape line uses an existing upright pipe as the beginning of the added drape line.

4. To specify the total length of the drape line section, select Total Length and type the length of the drape line, or accept the default value of 10’0”. The Crossbar Length option is disabled if the Total Length option is selected.
5. To specify drape line section by the length and quantity of it’s crossbars, select Crossbar Length and type the length of the crossbar, or accept the default value of 10’0” The Total Length option is disabled if the Crossbar Length option is selected.
6. In the Number of Crossbars box, type the number of crossbars in the drape line, or accept the default value of 1.

Note: The length of each crossbar will automatically change with reference to the specified Total Length and Number of Crossbars.

7. In the Height box, type the height of the drape line, or accept the default value of 15’0”.
8. In the Pipe Diameter box, type the diameter of all crossbars and upright pipes.
9. Click the Base Plate drop-down list to select the size of the base plate support for the upright pipes.
10. Select the Add Base Plate Weight checkbox to add thickness to the base plate in Wireframe and Virtual Views.
11. In the Drape Panels per Crossbar box, type the number of drape panels that you want to see in each section of the drape line, or accept the default value of 3 panels per section. Each panel is separated by a new, upright piece of pipe.
12. The default or previously set texture of the drape is displayed in the Drape Texture box. To change the texture, click the Drape Texture ellipsis button to browse and select a new texture from the Texture Select dialog box that opens.
13. In the Drape Description box, type additional user information or identification for the drape line, which will be displayed in Reports.
14. Click Finish.
15. Click in the desired spot in your drawing where you want to start drawing the drape line.
16. Move the cursor to the spot where you want the first section to end, and click. Then move your cursor to the spot where you want the next section to end, and click. You can draw as many sections as you like. When you are finished drawing your drape line, right-click and select Finish Pipe and Drape.

For details on customizing the new drape line, see “To customize drapery elements (color, material, and texture)” below.

To quickly change Pipe and Drape Wizard settings 

This procedure shows you how to quickly change some of the structural pipe and drape settings for a selected drape line, such as the height and diameter of the upright pipes and crossbars. Use this procedure to customize the structural properties of a single drape line.

1. In your drawing, select the pipe and drape sections that you want to customize.

Tip: To select multiple sections, press CTRL, and then click the appropriate sections.

Note: The sections that you select must have been drawn in the same way. For example, all drape lines created with Specify method.

2. Right-click and select Change Pipe and Drape Settings.

Result: The appropriate Settings window appears. Based on the type of drape line that you selected, a different window appears.

1. Change any of the settings that you see in this window. For help on any of the boxes, click in the box, and then press F1.
2. Click Finish to save and apply your new settings.

To customize drapery elements (color, material, and texture)

You can add custom color, texture and material to selected drapery elements (such as the front and back of the drape panels, the crossbars, upright pipes, the drape loops that attach to the crossbars, or the drape lines as a whole).

Notes:

• If you select multiple drape lines in your drawing, you can apply the same properties to all of them simultaneously through the following procedure. However, if you had already selected varying properties (for example, if you had chosen one color for the front panel of some drape lines, but another color for the front panel of others), or if some of the elements had no properties selected at all, then when you choose new properties in the following procedure, it applies to all drape lines selected, overwriting any existing settings that you may have saved.
• When you select multiple drape lines, the Appearance tab only lists the properties of selected elements if they are common across all drape lines. For example, if the front panel of all selected drape lines already has the same custom texture applied, and it is set to tile in one meter squared intervals, then these values are shown in the Appearance tab. However, if at least one of the front panels in the selected drape lines has a different custom texture value applied, the Appearance tab does not list the texture settings at all. If you choose new texture settings, your choice overwrites all existing settings for the selected element across all selected drape lines.
• You can apply the same properties to all drapery elements by highlighting “Group” in the Elements box.

1. In your drawing, select the pipe and drape sections that you want to customize.

Tip: To select multiple sections, press CTRL, and then click the appropriate sections.

2. With the desired sections selected, right-click and select Object Properties.

Result: The Properties window appears.

3. Click the Appearance tab.
4. In the left pane, click the drapery element that you want to customize. For example, to customize the front of the drape panels (each panel is double-sided), click Drape Front.

Note: You can select multiple elements by pressing CTRL, and then clicking the elements; you can select all elements by clicking Select All.

5. You have a choice of applying one of the following settings to the selected elements:

• Layer Rendering Color: Select this option to apply the same color as the current layer to the selected elements.
• Custom Color: To apply a custom color, select this option, and then click the color box. In the resulting color dialog, select the custom color that you want to use, or click Define Custom Colors to create your own color. Click OK, and then click Apply.
• Texture from Library: Select this option to apply a custom texture file from the Vivien library to the selected elements, and then click the ellipsis button (...). In the resulting dialog, navigate to and highlight the desired texture. Click Select.
• Image Source: To apply a custom texture file that you have created and saved in bitmap or jpeg format, select this option, and then click the ellipsis button (...). Navigate to the file, and click Open.
• Use Normal Map: Select this checkbox to apply an Image Source that’s a Normal Map, to create the perception of fragmented surface texture detail and depth, making objects look more realistic.

Click this drop-down box to apply an existing Normal Map image or click New to create a new Normal Map image via the Image Manager.

Note: This drop-down lists all Image Sources that appear in the Image Manager; as such, Image Sources which are Normal Maps should be named appropriately for easy identification.

• Scale: Select the height or depth of visual effect created by the Normal Map. Click the drop-down box to select the percentage scale value from not visible (0%) to maximum value stored in the imported Normal texture/image (100%).

6. If you have chosen to apply a texture to the elements, you can choose how the texture will appear on the selected drapery elements as follows (if you have applied a color instead, you can skip directly to step 7):

• To view the texture file as a series of square or rectangular “tiles” that are repeated over the entire surface of the drapery element, click the Tile option button, and then type the size of the tiles in the boxes provided.
• To view the texture file stretched out as a single surface over the entire drapery element, click the Stretch option button.
• To preserve the aspect ratio of the texture so it is not distorted when stretched over the element, click Keep Aspect Ratio.
• To choose a custom border color for the texture when it is stretched over the surface of the element, click the Border Color box, and then choose the custom color.
• If you have selected Use Normal Map, specify the number of times the Normal Map is multiplied across the object (element) to which it is applied. Type the value in the Normal Map Size Multiplier box. (Enter a valid number between 0.01 and 100.)

Notes:

• The default value of 1 results in no changes to the Normal Map’s size; values lower than 1 will increase the size of the Normal visual effect, and values higher than 1 will decrease it.
• The Normal Map Size Multiplier operates within the Tile or Stretch Texture Options.
• To set the angle at which the texture appears on the drapery element, type the value in degrees in the Rotation (Deg.) drop-down list.
• To change the color of the texture, click the Color Tint color box and select a new color, then click the Scale drop-down list to specify the intensity of the color.

7. To choose a custom material for the selected drapery elements (such as metal, paper, plastic, or fabric) click the ellipsis button (...) in the Material Properties section.
8. In the resulting dialog box, navigate to and highlight the desired material, and then click Select.
9. Click Apply.
10. If desired, you can apply a transparency level to the selected element. Based on the settings that you have chosen for color, texture, and material, the transparency options vary as follows:

• Transparency: This setting controls the proportion of light that passes through the material. All materials in Vivien specify a level of transparency that varies from one material to the next. For example, glass is more transparent than brick. If you select Default, the transparency level is set to 0% (opaque).
• Specular Level: This setting controls how prominent other specular effects appear on the material.
• Specular Gloss: This setting controls the amount of light that is projected on the material.
• Specular Color Source: This setting controls the amount of light that is projected on the material.
• Light Reflection: This setting controls the amount of light that is reflected off the material.

Notes:

• Use the drop-down menus to change any of the material properties. Use the Reset button to revert back to defaults.
• The beam will pass through a surface with the Transparency value set to 80% or greater. The beam will not pass through the surface when the value is lower than 80%.

11. Display Reflection in Virtual Views: Select this checkbox to display the set reflective characteristics in Virtual Views.
12. Click Apply.
13. Click OK to save your changes and close the Properties window.

To customize pipe and drape structure for individual drape lines

This procedure shows you how to customize other properties of the pipe and drape sections, such as the height and diameter of the upright pipes and crossbars. Use this procedure to customize the structural properties of individual drape lines that you have selected.

Note: While the tabs in the Properties window are best used to customize a single drape line, if you selected multiple drape lines, the values that you type in these tabs apply to all selected drape lines; they overwrite any custom settings that you previously saved for individual crossbars, uprights, or drape panels.

1. In your drawing, select the pipe and drape section that you want to customize.
2. With the desired section selected, right-click and select Object Properties.

Result: The Properties window appears.

3. To change any properties of the drape line crossbars, click the Pipe and Drape tab.

Pipe:

This section displays the properties of the drape line crossbars and upright pipes.

• Crossbar section:
• Length: Type the length of all crossbar pipes in the selected drape line.
• Diameter: Type the diameter of all crossbar pipes in the selected drape line. Updating the crossbar diameter will update the loop diameter.
• Upright section:
• Height: Type the height of all upright pipes in the selected drape line.
• Diameter: Type the diameter of all upright pipes in the selected drape line. Changing the upright height will update the drape height.
• Base Plate: Click the Base Plate drop-down list to select the size of the base plate support for the upright pipes.
• Add Base Plate Weight: Select this checkbox to add thickness to the base plate in Wireframe and Virtual Views.
• Use Document Defaults (Segments): Clear this checkbox if you want to specify the number of segments that comprise the circumference of the crossbar pipes. You can choose between three and 40 segments. This value is largely for rendering purposes—the greater the number of segments, the greater the rendering time. Leave this checkbox checked to accept the default value of 8 segments.

Drape

This section displays the properties of the drape line panels.

• Panel section:
• Height: Type the height of all panels in the selected drape line.
• Width: Type the width of all panels in the selected drape line.
• Loop Diameter: Type the diameter of the loops that wrap around the crossbar pipes at the top of all panels in the selected drape line. This value should be greater than the diameter of the crossbar pipes.
• Use Document Defaults (Segments): Clear this checkbox if you want to specify the number of segments that comprise the drape panel loop that wraps around the crossbar pipe. You can choose between three and 40 segments. This value is largely for rendering purposes—the greater the number of segments, the greater the rendering time. Leave this checkbox checked to accept the default value of 8 segments.
• Curtain section:
• Enable: Select this checkbox to display the curtain as a wave in Plan View.
• Curtain Folds (2D Plan Only):
• Style: Choose the style of how the wave is displayed.
• Depth: Type the depth of each wave period.
• Width (Period): Type the width of each wave period.
• Number of Segments: Type the number of segments for the 2D wave object.

4. Click Apply.

5. Click OK.

Result: Your changes are applied to all selected drape lines.

Mirroring pipes

Once a pipe is created, a mirror image of the pipe can be created. Mirroring duplicates and reverses the pipe, inserting it the same distance from an axis line as the original pipe. Both straight and curved pipes can be mirrored. A mirrored pipe will also include any fixtures attached to the original pipe, but aiming the fixtures at the new mirrored angle. “Mirroring objects” for more information.

Mirroring truss

Once a truss is created, a mirror image of the truss can be created. Mirroring duplicates and reverses the truss, inserting it the same distance from an axis line as the original truss. Both linear and circular trusses can be mirrored. A mirrored truss will also include any fixtures attached to the original truss, but aiming the fixtures at the new mirrored angle. “Mirroring objects” for more information.