Placing Trusses

Lighting instruments are not always placed on lighting positions. Some types of shows require the addition (or the exclusive use of) trusses. VectorWorks Spotlight supports nearly any configuration of trusses and towers.

To use a truss as a lighting position, place the truss symbol on the plot, and then convert it to a lighting position by selecting Modify > Convert > Convert to Light Position (see Creating a Lighting Position).

Inserting a Straight Truss

Straight truss parameters are illustrated by the following diagram.

 

To add a straight truss to the light plot:

1.	Click the Straight Truss tool from the Spotlight tool set.

2.	Click in the drawing area where the truss will be located and draw a line to indicate the length of the truss.

Trusses are 2D/3D hybrid objects. Complex trusses can increase the time required to render the model in 3D.

Straight Truss Properties

The straight truss properties can be edited in the Object Info palette.

 

Parameter	Description
Length	Specifies the length of the truss in drawing units
Profile	Select the truss profile from the list
Connection	Select the type of connection from the list
Connection Interval	Indicates the distance for dividing the truss into component sections
Folding	Select to indicate a folding truss
Pre Rigged	Select whether to include a light bar
Height/Width	Shows height and width values for the truss
Chord Profile	Select round or square chord tubing
Chord Width	Shows the diameter of round chords or the width of square chords
Ladder Bar Spacing	Specifies the interval of the ladder bars
Ladder Bar Profile	Select round or square ladder bar tubing
Top/Side Ladder Bar Diameter	Indicates the diameter of the top and side ladder bar tubing; enter 0 to draw no ladder bar
Lacing Profile	Select round or square lacing tubing
Top/Side Lacing Diameter	Indicates the diameter of the top and side lacing tubing. Enter 0 to draw no lacing.
Hanging Angle	Indicates the angle of the truss between the stage or floor and the hanging point
Rotation	Specifies the rotation about the truss axis
Show 3D Detail	Select to render the truss with greater 3D detail
Highlight	Displays odd sized truss divisions in red
Message	Provides information about the truss placement and indicates successful placement

A connection interval shorter than the defined interval length is displayed in red when Highlight is selected.

Inserting a Curved Truss

Curved truss parameters are illustrated by the following diagram.

 

To add a curved truss to the light plot:

1.	Click the Curved Truss tool from the Spotlight tool set.

2.	Click to define the truss insertion point. Click again to set the rotation of the curved truss.

Trusses are 2D/3D hybrid objects. Complex trusses can increase the time required to render the model in 3D.

Curved Truss Properties

The curved truss properties can be edited in the Object Info palette.

 

Parameter	Description
Radius	Specifies the radius of the truss measured from the truss center line
Total Arc	Indicates the total angle covered by the truss in degrees
Segment Arc	Specifies the interval in degrees for dividing the truss into component sections
Connection	Select the type of connection from the list
Profile	Select the truss profile from the list
Height/Width	Shows height and width values for the truss
Chord Profile	Select round or square chord tubing
Chord Width	Specifies the diameter of round chords or the width of square chords
Ladder Spacing Arc	Specifies the interval of the ladder bars in degrees
Ladder Profile	Select round or square ladder bar tubing
Top/Side Ladder Bar Diameter	Specifies the diameter of the top and side ladder bar tubing. Enter 0 to draw no ladder bar.
Lacing Profile	Select round or square lacing tubing
Top/Side Lacing Diameter	Specifies the diameter of the top and side lacing tubing. Enter 0 to draw no lacing.
Show 3D Detail	Select to render the truss with greater 3D detail
Highlight	Displays odd sized truss divisions in red
Message	Provides information about the truss placement and indicates successful placement
Draw 3D only	Select to display only the 3D component of the truss

If the final segment of a truss is shorter than the defined interval length, it is displayed in red when Highlight is selected.

Rotating a Curved Truss

A curved truss can be rotated with the Rotate tool.

To rotate a curved truss:

1.	Select the truss. In the Object Info palette, select Draw 3D Only.

2.	Click the Rotate tool from the Basic palette.

3.	Click to set a fulcrum line; click to end. Move the cursor to rotate the truss, and then click to set the rotation.