LXPlan
Toolbar
Inspector
Menus
-File
-Edit
-Format
-View
-Script
-Help
Help Index
Font / Text
Tool
Arrange
Insert
Convert
Group
Lock
Update Numbering
Copy/Paste
Field Locations
Format Menu
The Font... command presents a dialog that allows you to select the font, size and style of the text tool or of selected text fields.
All text objects that are attached to a symbol or position shared a font with other objects created with the same field. For example, all position names or symbol channels share the same font and style. Changing the font/size/style of one of these fields changes all similar fields in the document. Depending on the preference selected in the automatic tab of the options, info text fields can also have a common text color.
When editing text in a styled text field, the Font... command can be used to change the font/size/style of a selected portion of the text. Info text fields and plain text fields have a single font for all their text.
The Align Left, Align Center and Align Right commands set the alignment of the text tool or selected text objects. The alignment in a styled text object can be set for individual portions of the text.
The Text tool can be set to draw either plain or styled text fields. Styled text fields have RTF style formatting for the text which makes them more paragraph-like. Plain text fields work better when used as labels.
Commands in the Tool menu control options for how the tools draw new objects. The plain/styled options for the text tool are explained above. Lines and rectangles have 3D versions. See "Convert to/from 3D" below.
The Arrange submenu is used to change the drawing order of selected graphics. This makes one graphic appear in front of, or on top of another. For example, the Send To Back command places the selected graphics behind all of the others in the current layer.
Send Positions To Back moves the current layer's positions to the rear of the drawing order. Auto Arrange also moves the positions to the back and then places lights in the order they appear in an instrument schedule. Other objects float to the front of the layer.
The Insert submenu contains commands for adding elements to the drawing. Objects placed in the drawing by Insert menu commands are ordinary graphic elements that can be moved and edited.
Graphic from File import will open any image file format supported by the current Java runtime. The Graphic from File command will replace an existing image when a single image is selected.
Center Line places a center line running from top to bottom of the current layer.
Title Block inserts a graphic with the show name, venue, designer and date at the center of the current layer. (If a title block already exists, it is replaced.) The title block consists of a group of text fields enclosed in rectangles with a dividing line. To customize the title block, ungroup its elements and edit them the way you would any other graphics. (If you ungroup the title block, it will no longer be recognized and replaced.)
Key Block inserts a graphic showing the types of symbols used in the plot at the center of the current layer. (If a key block already exists, it is replaced.) The key block consists of a group of symbol graphics and text field labels. The number of rows of symbols in the generated key block can be set in the Format tab of the options dialog. The key block includes an example symbol showing the displayed text fields of a single symbol selected from the plot. If the symbol is pointing up, the fields are shown in the same relative positions. If the selected symbol is not at 0 rotation, the fields are shown in their default locations. To customize the key block, ungroup its elements and edit them the way you would any other graphics. (If you ungroup the key block, it will no longer be recognized and replaced.)
Ruler Block inserts a grouped line of alternating shaded rectangles spaced every 1'-0"/0.5m centered on the origin. The inserted ruler block can be horizontal or vertical and it can include text indicating distances on either side of the shaded rectangles. You can also specify the distance the ruler block extends in each direction from the origin.
Insert->Group with Gobo Symbol or Group with Iris Symbol creates a circular designation object for each selected symbol. This gobo or iris indicator is automatically grouped with the light symbol. Important: you must alt-click a symbol that is part of a group to edit it's information.
Connect Device is a shortcut to entering the OwnerID for a device symbol. When a device symbol and a light symbol are the only objects selected, Connect Device will enter the ID information for the light symbol into the device symbol's OwnerID field. The connect device action also occurs if a light symbol and device symbol are grouped together by themselves.
Create Dimensions places dimension lines between selected symbols. The lines are created at the distance/direction set in the Inspector's Tools tab.
The Convert->Selection to Path command converts the selected objects into a single path graphic. Objects are added to the path in their drawing order. Line and curve segments are connected to the end of the path as they are added (when possible).
The Convert->Path to Segments command breaks apart a path into its component lines and curves.
The Convert->Symbol to Graphic command converts a symbol into an uneditable graphic. Converted symbols do not have information attached and do not appear in reports. Any info text fields belonging to the symbol are converted to independent objects. Other information belonging to the symbol is discarded.
The Convert->To Position command converts selected line, curve, or path shapes into a position. Curved or path positions are always laid out from their start and they map points based on the mapped offset from their start.
The Convert->Dimension to Line command converts selected dimension lines into plain lines, removing the automatic dimension field.
The Convert->To/From 3D command converts selected line or rectangle shapes into a 3D version of the shape. 3D shapes have start and end heights associated with them. 3D shapes' vertical aspect appears in a the section and model views. They can also be exported in a DXF or .faces file.
A 3D line is a vertical face with an upper and lower height which is set in the measurement tab of the Inspector. Optionally, a 3D line can have 2 sides (which is only apparent in the model window).
A 3D rectangle forms a rectangular solid with a top and 4 side faces. The upper and lower heights are set in the measurement tab of the Inspector. Optionally, a 3D rectangle can also have a bottom face when set to "2 sides". This is only apparent on export or in the model window (if the underside is visible).
Graphics can be packaged so that they behave as a single unit using the Group command. The Ungroup command separates graphics that have been joined in this manner. You can access a single individual graphic that is part of a group (without ungrouping) by clicking on it while holding down the alt key.
The Lock command allows you to prevent a graphic object from moving or being reshaped. Symbols, however, can still be changed to another symbol when locked. Unlock frees a locked graphic.
Update Numbering causes selected positions to auto-number their lights. This normally happens automatically when a light is moved onto or off of a position line. Update Numbering auto-numbers lights in the same layer that intersect the selected position line or have the same position name. If a position has multiple line segments (the layer has more than one position with the same name), Update Numbering treats them as a single position for numbering purposes. The sort order is determined by the position being updated.
Any text objects created to display a symbol or position's info property will move when their "owner" moves. You can also move text field objects independently by selecting them individually. The locations of text objects relative to the owning object's center can be copied using the Copy Field Locations command. The Paste Field Locations command then allows you to apply these locations to similar text objects owned by other symbols or positions. Copied locations are stored according to field type and only existing text field objects are affected by these two commands.