19 Object Properties

19.1 Common Properties

19.1.1 Layers

Layers are a way of organizing the content of a project. You can add as many layers as you need by clicking on the Add button at the bottom of the view. You can also create groups of layers, in order to organize the Layers category further and to be able to easily edit the properties of all layers contained in a group.

There are two different ways to associate a layer with an object:

• Drag and drop the layer onto any object/s.
• Select the object/s, go to the Selected Items category and edit the Layer property. You can choose any of the existing layers from the dropdown menu.

Just like any other property table, additional editing options exist. See Property Editing for more information.

19.1.1.1 Layer Properties

If Current is checked, any new objects you drag from the library will be associated with this layer.

By choosing a Screen Colour, the objects associated with the specific layer will appear in this colour in Wireframe and Custom view.

The Paper Weight determines the thickness of the object’s outline in Plot view and in Plots. Depending on the paper size of the plot and the scale of the model, you might need to adjust the paper weight accordingly.

By choosing a Paper Colour, the outline of the objects associated with the specific layer will appear in this colour in Plot view and Plots.

By choosing a Paper Solid Colour, the surface of the objects associated with the specific layer will appear in this colour in Plot view and Plots.

By choosing a Paper Text Colour, any annotations like the object’s unit for example will appear in this colour in Plot view and Plots.

Objects in layers of higher Paper priority are always drawn on top of objects in layers with lower Paper priority.

Objects in a layer with the Locked property set cannot be modified using the mouse in a design view. You can not move an object assigned to a locked layer for example, nor will the rotation anchor appear if it is selected.

When the Unselectable property is checked, objects in that layer cannot be selected using the mouse in a design view. You can however overide this rule by holding down the Tab key before clicking on the object or selecting an area.

When the Include in Reports property is unchecked, objects in that layer will not appear in reports.

When the Fixture Information property is unchecked, fixtures in that layer do not show any fixture information in design views in Live mode that have the Fixture information option enabled.

When the Fixture Simulation option is unchecked, fixtures in that layer are not simulated.

19.1.1.2 Layer management

It is possible to create groups of layers. Select any ungrouped layers, right-click (or click on the More button at the bottom of the view) and choose the Group command. A new group will be created. The name of the group is a mere suggestion. You can rename the group by double clicking on its name.

Ungrouping works in a similar way. Select the layers, right-click (or use the More button) and choose the Ungroup command.

Use drag and drop to add or remove layers from an existing group.

Groups can be collapsed or expanded.

All layers within a group can be selected by holding down the Alt key (on Windows) or Option key (on Mac) and clicking on a cell.

19.1.1.3 Layer Options

The More button at the bottom of the view (or a simple right-click on any of the layer’s properties) will present you with some additional commands.

Select Used by Selected Objects will select the layer or layers associated with any currently selected objects.

Select Unused will select all layers with no objects.

Select Using Objects will select all objects associated with this layer.

Deselect Using Objects will deselect all objects associated with this layer.

Add to All Filters will add this layer to any filter you might have added in the Filters category.

Remove from All Filters will remove this layer from any filter you might have added in the Filters category.

Duplicate will create an exact copy of the layer, but with no objects. All the properties of the original layer will be preserved.

Important: If a layer in use is deleted, the associated objects will not be deleted from the project, but they will remain without a layer.

19.1.2 Location

The Location property is available on objects like fixtures, trusses, pipes or rigging points for example.

If you wish to add any location information, select the object, go the the Selected items category and and double click on the Location field under Geometry.

When you add location information to a truss or pipe, any fixture attached to it automatically inherits this property. The Location property of the fixtures will be shown with an arrow in front of it, a sign that this property is beeing pulled from the truss or pipe.

After you have added location information, you can identify or select those objects quicker in the following ways:

• Select all fixtures on a truss or pipe using the Select All - By Location command.
• On the Fixtures tab, use the Location column to sort fixtures by location, edit the location or use the search field to filter fixtures on a specific location.
• On Reports, add a Fixture Location Report, which automatically sorts fixtures by location.

19.2 Unique Properties

19.2.1 Angle

Angle measurements can be used both to measure angles as well as server as construction geometry for known angles.

Double click on the endpoints of an angle measurement to move and snap them to specific points.

In design views in Plot mode it is also possible to double click on the angle annotation and adjust its position (when plot adjustments are enabled).

The Angle property shows the current angle of the measurement. It serves both as an indication and a means of setting a specific angle.

The plot annotation Visible property makes it possible to hide the angle annotation on plots.

19.2.2 Cable

Cables can be used to add cable run information to plots and reports.

Double click on the endpoints of a cable to move them. When a single endpoint is selected, the Split command can be used to add extra points. Extra points can be removed using the Delete command.

The length of a cable run is calculated from its 3D distance plus any Cable extra added. It is then rounded up to the nearest multiple of the value specified by the Cable rounding property.

The Cable start and Cable end properties are shown at the end and start of the cable on plots.

In reports, cables are grouped by Cable type and Distance.

19.2.3 Casts Shadows

The Casts Shadows property refers to the ways a solid object can interact with light and is not to be confused with the transparency or opacity of a material. By default any object you add to a project has the Casts Shadows property to Yes. This means that when lit by a light source, the object will also cast a shadow.

In the picture below, observe the red cylinder. On the left, the property is set to Yes and the object is casting shadows. On the right, where the property on the red cylinder is set to No, the object does not cast a shadow anymore, whereas the beam is now unobstructibly lighting the orange cylinder.

Changing the property to No on as many objects as possible is highly recommended for optimising performance on large projects.

As mentioned above, the Casts Shadows property of an object is not to be confused with the transparency/opacity of a material. A combination of the two however, could lead to some interesting results.

19.2.3.1 1st example - Semi transparent material

For this example we have placed an actor behind a gauze. We are using a curtain from our Library and the material applied to it has the following characteristics:

• Base Colour - Texture: a .jpg with roses.
• Transparency: 10%.

In the image below, the fabric may look as semi transparent, but the Casts Shadows property of the curtain is set to Yes. As a result, the light is not allowed to pass through the curtain.

If we now disable shadows, some light is allowed to pass through, giving a much more realistic impression of a gauze. Different transparency percentage on the material will, of course, produce different results.

19.2.3.2 2nd example - Texture with Alpha channel

For this example we have placed an actor behind a wall. We are using a box from our Library and the material applied to it has the following characteristics:

• Base Colour - Texture: a .png with Alpha channel.
• Alpha mode: Mask.
• Alpha cutoff: 80%.

In the image below, the Alpha channel of the material allows you to see through. The Casts Shadows property of the box however is set to Yes, casting a shadow of the wall on the actor.

If we now disable shadows, the light is allowed to pass through, illuminating both the textured wall and the actor behind it.

19.2.4 Directional Snapper

Directional snappers are identical to Point Snappers, but also orient the snapping object so that it lines up with the other directional snapper.

Each library truss item in Capture contains an invisible directional snapper at each end of the truss with a Match property value of “Truss”. This means that you could build object groups with directional snappers inside that snap to library trusses.

There is also the option to add more Axial Steps that allow for more ways of axial alignment. In the case of triangular truss pieces for example, each end contains a directional snapper with 3 axial steps. This results in truss pieces snapping together in the correct way, even if the orientation of each piece was different.

19.2.5 Distance

Distance measurements can be used both to measure distances and serve as spacers or construction geometry by setting a specific distance.

Double click on the endpoints of a distance measurement to move and snap them to specific points.

In design views in Plot mode it is also possible to double click on the distance annotation and adjust its position (when plot adjustments are enabled).

The Distance property shows the current distance of the measurement. It serves both as an indication and as a way of setting a specific distance.

The plot annotation Visible property makes it possible to hide the distance annotation on plots.

The plot annotation Precision property controls how detailed the distance information is shown on plots.

19.2.6 DMX Mover

DMX Movers can move objects across a predefined range along the X Y Z axis.

Objects are associated with DMX Movers by setting their Motion fixture property. The names when making the selection come from the DMX Movers’ Unit property. It is also possible to drag and drop objects on DMX Movers - see the Manipulation section of Design Views for more details.

When a group is associated with a DMX Mover, all objects in that group will automatically behave as if they were too.

Movers can be configured to operate on only one axis, for example Y, so that the objects associated with it only move up and down. This is done by setting the X From/To and Z From/To properties of the DMX Mover to 0. You may also want to change the Mode of the DMX Mover to choose between 8-bit or 16-bit resolution and conserve DMX channels. See the DMX Movers section of the DMX Tables appendix for more information.

The From and To property defines the range, but it needs to contain the value 0. In the example below, the Lx bar is set at 5 meters, whereas the range of the mover is set from 2 to -2 meters. Setting the range from 1 meter to 3 for example, wouldn’t be possible, since the value does not pass 0.

Opening a project that was created with version 2024 or older, where only the Range property was available, the From value will be set to 0 and the To value will inherit the Range value.

LIMITATION: Although you can link DMX Movers and Rotators together to create more complex movements, you can’t have more than 20 units in the same chain.

19.2.7 DMX Rotator

DMX Rotators can be used to rotate objects around an axis and within a specific range.

Generally, the same principles as for DMX Movers apply.

Continuous rotation is available in the DMX modes that include a speed channel.

The Alpha From** and Alpha To property defines the range of the rotation of the object, but it needs to contain the value 0. In the example below, the revolving stage is set from -90º to 90º. Setting the range from 10º to 90º for example, wouldn’t be possible, since the value does not pass 0.

Opening a project that was created with version 2024 or older, where the Range and Origin property were available, the Alpha From value will inherit the Origin and the Alpha To value will add the Origin to the Range. 180º + (-90º)  = 90°

LIMITATION: Although you can link DMX Movers and Rotators together to create more complex movements, you can’t have more than 20 units in the same chain.

19.2.8 Fixtures

Fixtures are objects that represent real-life lighting devices, including their properties and parameters.

19.2.8.1 Control Group

Mode opens a dropdown list with all the available modes for the selected fixture.

Patch allows you to type the address of the selected fixture manually.

Correction allows you to edit the behaviour of various parameters. You wil be directed to the Corrections tab and once a correction has been created, it can be applied to all fixtures of the same type within the project.

Invert Pan reverses the pan parameter’s behaviour.

Pan Range applies to fixtures that support multiple pan ranges defined by the manufacturer in the fixture’s Settings Menu.

Limit Pan Start restricts the pan movement of the fixture.

Limit Pan End restricts the pan movement of the fixture.

Invert Tilt reverses the tilt parameter’s behaviour.

Tilt Range applies to fixtures that support multiple tilt ranges defined by the manufacturer in the fixture’s Settings Menu.

Limit Tilt Start restricts the tilt movement of the fixture.

Limit Tilt End restricts the tilt movement of the fixture.

Simulate Focus is the property that controls whether or not the focus will be simulated on the Live view.

19.2.8.2 Plot Symbol Group

Symbol controls which symbol is used on the plot for the selected fixture.

Symbol Scale controls the scale of the symbol.

Symbol Usage controls which views the symbol actually appears in.

Color by filter sets the fixture color to match the gel filter it has.

Focus allows text to be placed in front of the fixture and indicate where that fixture is focused. Ie, drums.

Direction snap is set to 30 degrees by default, this property controls the direction the fixture is facing on the plot.

Show Optics controls whether or not the plot displays the optical information of the fixture.

Show Wattage controls whether or not the plot displays the wattage information of the fixture.

19.2.9 Focus Plane

Focus planes are widgets that provide visual guidance and illuminance information when focusing fixtures.

When selected, a focus plane is shown as a grid. When in Focus mode in a live view, all focus planes are shown by default and it is possible to choose between hiding them or showing them either as grids, solid white planes or as illuminance heatmaps.

The Width and Depth properties control the size of the focus plane.

The Grid width and Grid depth properties define the grid spacing of the focus plane.

The Heatmap min and Heatmap max properties define the illuminance levels in lux indicated by the focus plane when shown as a heatmap.

19.2.10 HDRI

HDRIs are widgets that allow loading HDR images for environmental lighting. An HDRI provides a backdrop to the environment and more interesting ambient and specular lighting.

HDR images loaded must be in the EXR format.

The location of an HDRI widget is irrelevant to the placement of the panoramic effect as it always follows the camera. The panoramic effect can be oriented using its Rotation property.

HDR images are not calibrated to a known level of illumination. The Intensity property controls the overall intensity of the HDRI. The Lighting Intensity property controls the intensity of the lighting from the HDRI, relative the Intensity property.

The Blur property controls the sharpness of the panoramic effect.

Only one HDRI widget can affect a view at the time. If multiple HDRI widgets are present, only one of them will be used.

19.2.11 Image

Images are good for creating reference underlays in designs. They are meant to be used in Wireframe and Plot mode in design views, and are invisible in Live mode in design views.

By default they show Capture’s application icon, but the image can be changed using the Image property.

Use the Width and Height properties to define the physical size of the image in your design.

Importing PDF or DWG files containing images using the Import Model commands will also produce Image objects in your design. It is in these cases that the Drawing unit property is used.

19.2.12 Line

Lines can be used to indicate many things, such as for instance the center line on stage.

Double click on the endpoints of a line to move them.

The Line style property allows for different choices of stroke style.

19.2.13 Line Snapper

The line snapper is a widget that Point Snappers and Directional Snappers snap to.

Each library truss item in Capture contains a line snapper along its main tubes with a Match property value of “Fixture”. As a result, setting the Match property to “Fixture” means that fixtures will snap to it.

19.2.14 Motion Construct

Motion constructs are used with tracking protocols. Each motion construct represents a trackable object. Associate the Motion Fixture property of objects with a motion construct to link them with the tracking data.

19.2.15 Point Snapper

Point snappers are widgets that make it possible to create object groups that snap in custom ways. Two point snappers snap to eachother like magnets, without altering the orientation of the snapping object.

The Match property works like a filtering mechanism - only snappers with the same Match property value will snap to each other.

19.2.16 Reflection Plane

Reflection planes are widgets that assist the rendering engine in the creation of secondary reflections.

When placed and carefully aligned with flat surfaces to which materials with high smoothness have been assigned, a mirror-like effect can be achieved.

The Width and Depth properties control the size of a reflection plane.

19.2.17 Report Item

Report items are widgets that make it possible to add equipment and information to reports.

The Section property decides whether the report item’s information sorts under Fixtures, Accessories, Trusses, Cables or Other. When Other is chosen, the Other type can be used to add more specific information about what type of equipment is specified.

The Name property can be used to identify the specific type of item.

Since Report items have multiple uses, only the ones with the Channel count set to anything above 0 can be patched.

The Multiplier property specifies how many items are specified.

The Rating and Weight properties specify the rating and weight of one item.

You can group the Report item with an object or a symbol. The icon will disappear, but it can become visible again in a specific view, if you enable hidden objects on that view.

19.2.18 Ruler

Rulers are good for aiding the reader of a plot judge the size of objects and distance between them.

Double click on the endpoints of a ruler to move them.

The Segment length property defines the sample point intervals.

The Alignment property defines the location of the 0 point.

19.2.19 Sling

Slings represent tensile load bearers - typically ropes, wires or chains.

Double click on the endpoints of a sling to move them.

The Load property is freely editable and represents the tensile force on the sling. It is shown in the sling’s annotation. It can be updated automatically from structural calculations made using the Production Assist integration.

The Type property can be used to distinguish between different types of slings in reports.

The Show Coordinate property controls whether the position of the sling is shown in its annotation. The way the position is presented can be adjusted using the Coordinate Precision, Coordinate Unit and Coordinate Style properties, which also controls the appearance of the Coordinate column in reports.

19.2.20 Smoke Box Properties

Control the overall amount of smoke in a smoke box using the Density property. You can also adjust the Variation from perfect haze to puffy clouds. Edge softness adds a soft edge to smoke boxes.

Smoke boxes are animated in real-time and the speed of the animation is controlled through the Speed property. This property is shared by all smoke boxes.

Smoke can also be patched to DMX. A smoke box can be patched by drag and dropping it in a DMX universe view like any fixture, or by assigning an address to the Patch property in the Design tab. See Appendix A for details on the DMX channel layout.