Inserting Speakers

Individual speakers that are not part of an array are inserted with the Speaker tool. Manually-inserted speakers can be placed as single speakers, or as several speakers arranged in a column. A variety of supports and labeling options are available. Use a speaker type and information with pre-set data from the speaker library file located in the [Vectorworks]\Libraries folder that is included with the Vectorworks Spotlight product (see Resource Libraries), or create a speaker with custom data and save it to the library for future use and sharing.

2. Click once in the drawing to set the object’s position. Click again to set the object’s rotation.

3. If this is the first time a speaker is placed on the drawing, the object properties dialog box opens. Specify the default preferences, which apply to all speakers placed subsequently in this drawing. Properties can be edited later in the Object Info palette. Click OK.

Parameter	Description
Type	Select a speaker from the default speaker data available in the library file; alternatively, select <Generic> to create a speaker with custom data and then save the speaker as a custom speaker in the library file. Select Import to import predefined speaker data only (such as width and weight) from a default content library file or other file containing speakers. The Import Speaker Type dialog box opens to select the file and type. A symbol is not imported from the file; only data is added.
Brand	Specifies the speaker manufacturer
Model	Specifies the manufacturer’s information
Front Width/Height	Indicates the width and height of the front face of the speaker
Back Width/Height	Indicates the width and height of the back face of the speaker; the back face cannot be larger than the front face
Depth	Specifies the speaker depth
Flip Orientation	Rotates the speaker 90° to place the speaker on its side
Tilt Reference	When the speaker is in an array, sets the reference for tilting the speaker to either the front or back face
Weight	Indicates the weight of the speaker
Self-Powered	Indicates whether the speaker uses an internal or remote amplifier
Expand Dispersion Features	When selected, allows you to enter range notes and dispersion area information for up to three ranges; deselect to enter only Overall information
Range 1/2/3	Enter notes for three dispersion ranges, such as a frequency range, key frequency, or crossover point. When Expand Dispersion Features is deselected, the range is automatically set to Overall and only one set of notes can be entered.
Horiz./Vert. Dispersion	Enter the horizontal and vertical dispersion angle(s), from 0 to 180°; ranges 2 and 3 are only available when Expand Dispersion Features is selected
Throw Distance	Sets the throw distance reference for the dispersion lines; ranges 2 and 3 are only available when Expand Dispersion Features is selected
Save Type to Library	Saves the current speaker configuration as a new speaker type; enter the name of the speaker type. This custom speaker can then be selected from the Type list.
Delete Type from Library	Removes the speaker currently selected in Type from the library file; the current parameters remain as set, and the type becomes <Generic>
Listening Height	Sets the listening height reference for the dispersion lines. Listening height must be less than the speaker’s elevation (Z value).
Show Dispersion Range 1/2/3	Draws the top, bottom, left, and right dispersion lines, along with a center reference line, for each of the three dispersion ranges selected for display (or the Overall range if expanded dispersion is not selected). An outline or hatch pattern representing the listening area coverage “shadow” is drawn when the throw distance and the vertical dispersion and tilt angles allow the speaker to cover the area at or below the Listening Height.
Show Dispersion Hatch	Displays hatch fills in the coverage shadow of each enabled dispersion range
Support	Select the support method for the speaker. The options are for reference only, except for Tripod, which creates a tripod floor stand in the drawing, and Ground-Stacked, which allows speakers in an array to be ground-stacked rather than flown.
Stand Height	For tripod support, sets the height of the floor stand
Tilt Difference	Displays the tilt difference between the selected speaker and the one above it
Actual Tilt Angle	Specifies the tilt angle of the speaker, from -90 to 90°
Location	Indicates the speaker location (such as Downstage Right)
Purpose	Indicates the purpose of the speaker (such as Center Fill)
Rack	Enter notes about the rack driving the speaker
Drive Line	Indicates information about the drive line feeding the signal to the speaker
Column ID	An individual speaker can optionally be part of a column of speakers or in a speaker array. This specifies the column ID. Speakers in the same column receive a stacked Column ID when Arrange Column is clicked.
Position in Column	When speakers are arranged in a column or array, indicates the speaker’s position in the stack. Position 1 is the top speaker.
Arrange Column	Provides selected speakers with a Column ID in order of their arrangement, based on their elevation (Z value); calculates tilt differences, and assigns each speaker a Position in Column number
Notes	Enter miscellaneous notes such as rental source or stock number
Class Speaker Parts	When first selected, automatically creates classes for the different parts of the speaker, for appearance and visibility control. This allows portions of the cabinets, grills, and other elements to be set to visible, grayed, or invisible. Different textures can be applied to the different part classes (Renderworks required), for a highly realistic appearance. Once the classes have been created, this check box toggles whether class visibility changes apply to the selected speaker object. You may need to click Update to view any changes.
Parts Classes Prefix	When speaker parts are classed, enter a prefix for the class names so that they are sorted together
Text Options	Opens the Text Options dialog box, to enable the display and format the text of labels; see Formatting Speaker Object Labels
Default Text Position	Restores text labels to their default positions
Update	Updates the object when changes have been made to the Object Info palette parameters. For example, you may need to refresh the display when toggling Class Speaker Parts on and off, when the attributes of the speaker parts have been set by class.

Inserting Speakers

Parameter

Description