Creating a Seating Layout

The Create Seating Layout command creates a seating layout object from one or more selected polygons, rectangles, rounded rectangles, ovals, arcs/circles, or polylines. Seats fill the object(s) in a user-defined arrangement with a “look-to” location defined by a control point. Seating layout objects can also be created by drawing a polyline and then selecting the Objects from Polyline command (see Creating Objects from Polylines). Along with the seating layout, a Seating Count schedule is also created.

To create a seating layout object:

1.	Create the shape defining the boundary of the seating area. Objects with one or more holes can be selected; seats will not be placed where a hole exists.

2.	With the object(s) selected, select AEC > Create Seating Layout.

Multiple shapes can be selected at one time (to create several seating sections, for example). The Create Seating Layout dialog box opens.

 

Parameter	Description
Create a new seat symbol called	Creates a new seat symbol; provide the symbol name
Use an Existing Symbol	Selects an existing seat symbol; specify the symbol from the list
Symbol Folders	Specifies the location of seat symbols
Symbols	Provides a graphical list of available seat symbols

3.	A default seat symbol can be created to represent the seats; select Create a new seat symbol called and provide a symbol name. Alternatively, select an appropriate seat symbol from either the default resources or the current file’s resources; see VectorWorks Design Series Default Resources.

See Accessing Existing Resources for information on importing symbols into the Resource Browser.

4.	When prompted, click on the focus point for the seats. All seats will face this point.

For concentric seat layouts, the distance of the seat focus point from the object determines the radius of the concentric layout. Click close to the object for a smaller radius.

The seating layout object and a Seating Count schedule are created.

The Seating Count schedule displays the number of seats required for each seating layout section, as well as the total number of seats needed for all sections.

Editing the Seating Layout

Seating layout parameters can be edited in the Object Info palette.

 

Parameter	Description
Seat Spacing	Specifies the distance between seats
Row Spacing	Specifies the distance between rows of seats
Section Name	Assigns a section name for use in the Seating Count schedule
Concentric	Select to draw a concentric seating arrangement
Focal Pt X/Y	Indicates the coordinates of the seating look-to point
Offset 1st Row	Specifies an offset distance for the first row of seats
Draw Boundary Line	Select to display the object used as the basis for the seating layout; deselect to hide the object and show the seats only
Draw Layout Lines Only	Select to display the seat locations without showing the actual seat symbols
Base Z Height	Specifies the initial elevation of the first row of seats
Rise per Row	Specifies the elevation increase for each row of seats (seating layout slope)
Seat Count	Displays the number of seats used in the layout
Symbol Name	Displays the seating symbol name used to create the seating layout
Select Symbol	Opens the Choose a Symbol dialog box. Select the desired seat symbol from either the default resources or the current file’s resources, and then click OK; see VectorWorks Design Series Default Resources
Polyline Parameters	Edits the seating layout path polyline. For information on editing object vertices, see Reshaping Objects.

The seating layout can be reshaped with the 2D Reshape tool to add, subtract, and change vertices. The seats are automatically adjusted to fit the new shape. More sophisticated editing operations, such as adding, clipping, intersecting and combining into surfaces can be performed on the seating layout by selecting Modify > Edit Group, and then selecting Path.

If the seat orientation requires adjustment, the seat control point can be moved to readjust the seat focus point. The control point is referenced relative to the center of the seating layout. If two imaginary axis lines were placed over the seating layout as shown in the diagram, placing the control point in line with the center of the axes would orient the seats directly toward the control point.

A seating layout can also be created by clicking the Seating Layout tool on the Furn/Fixtures tool set. Draw a polygon with the tool and complete the parameters which are identical to those described in Editing the Seating Layout.