The Library Browser

An essential component of WYSIWYG is its extensive library. You can browse the contents of the library in the Library Browser, choosing from a multitude of 3D objects to add to your plots.

Working with the Library Browser

The Library Browser is dockable, which means that it has a grab bar on the top that is used to move it around the screen. You can place it on the edges of the work area, at the top, bottom, left, or right. You can also drag it off the edge of the work area and into its own window. This window remains on top of the WYSIWYG screen and may be dragged anywhere.

Note: If you experience difficulty undocking the browser, hold down the CTRL key while dragging the grab bar.

To open the Library Browser

1. From the Library menu, choose Browse Library.

Tip: You can also click the Library on the Draw toolbar.

Note: You can also access the Library Browser from the Options menu on the Welcome window when a document is not opened.

2. Click any of the tabs along the bottom of the browser window to view the contents of different sections of the library. The library is divided into the following sections:

Fixtures

Accessories

Truss

Library Items (scenic)

Symbols

Gel (color)

Gobos

Lamps

Lenses

Library entries are divided into sort criteria. These criteria may be organized alphabetically, by manufacturer, by type, or by other pertinent classifications. For example, you can find the ETC Source 4 in the Fixtures section > Manufacturer > EFGH > ETC > ERS sub-menu.

Depending on the library item that you click, you may see a sample image of the item in the preview pane at the bottom of the browser.

To search the Library Browser

You can save time by using the Library Search feature. In the Library Browser, simply click the category tab that you are interested in, and then type the object name (or part of it) in the Search box at the top of the browser panel. All objects that match your query are shown.

1. Open the Library Browser.
2. Click the category tab that you are interested in. For example, click Fixtures.
3. In the Search box, type the name of the item that you are searching for, or a partial name. For example, if you are searching for the CE Source 4 Par, you could type “par”.
4. Click the Search icon.

The Search button.

Result: The results of your search appear in the browser pane.

Tips:

• To return to the top level of the current category, click the Home icon.

The Home button.

• To clear the search, but remain in the current category, click the Clear button.

The Clear button.

To view the properties of library objects

1. Open the Library Browser.
2. Navigate to and select the desired object.
3. Click the Property tool at the top of the Library Browser.

The Properties button.

4. Repeat steps 2-3 to view the properties of multiple objects. You may want to open the properties of different objects to compare data, such as photometric information.

Tips:

• You can also hold the ALT key and double-click on the object name.
• To view library objects without opening property windows, browse the library using the shortcut bar. To do this, select the shortcut bar for the type of object you want to view. Right-click in the shortcut bar, and then choose New <library item>. The Library Selection dialog box opens with a viewing pane included.

To insert objects from the library

1. Open the Library Browser.
2. Navigate to the desired object or use the Search feature to locate it (for details, see To search the Library Browser).
3. Click the Insert tool at the top of the Library Browser.

Tips:

• You can also double-click on the object name.
• For library objects, you can activate the Library Snap tool to display the snap points and the "Default" insertion point of the Library item displayed in red if the object is not selected or green if the object is selected. When the Library object insertion begins, right-click to access and select a different insertion point from the menu list. See Library snap.
• For truss objects, you can activate the Truss Snap tool to display snap points of the truss. See Truss snap.

Note: Fixtures may only be placed on hang structures. For more information, see Inserting fixtures.

4. Click in your drawing to insert the object.

Result: The library object is inserted into your drawing.

Note: WYSIWYG will automatically create the library shortcut of the library object as it gets inserted from the Library Browser in every new document. To prevent this, click the automatic library shortcut button in the Library Browser.

Automatic library shortcut button

5. Click away from the object to deselect it.

To replace inserted library objects

You can use the Replace Library Item command to quickly and easily replace one or more library items with another.

1. Select the library item(s) that you want to replace.
2. Right-click and choose Replace Library Item.
3. In the Library Selection window, select the new type of library item.
4. Click Insert.

Result: All the library items that you selected in step 1 are replaced with the item chosen in step 3.

To create a shortcut for an object

In the Wireframe and Quad views you can create shortcuts for frequently used objects, fixtures and truss. Shortcuts are tools found on the various shortcut bars to the left of the working area. Clicking a shortcut for an object is the same as finding the object in the Library Browser and using the Insert command.

1. Open the Library Browser.
2. Navigate to the desired object.
3. Click the Create Shortcut tool at the top of the Library Browser.

Result: A shortcut to the object will appear on the appropriate shortcut bar.

Tip: You can also right-click on the object name, and then select Create Shortcut. 

To create a shortcut for an object already inserted

Rather than going to the Library Browser to create a shortcut, you can also create shortcuts by conveniently selecting already inserted items and using the right-click menu to create multiple shortcuts.

Note: While you can create shortcuts for multiple items at once, the items have to be of the same type (i.e. all fixtures, all truss or all objects). If you have multiple items of different types you want to make shortcuts for, it will take a separate action for each item type.

1. In CAD mode, in Wireframe view, select the item(s) you want to make a shortcut for.
2. Right-click and select Create shortcut for selected [Item types].

Result: A shortcut to the item(s) appears on the appropriate shortcut bar.

To modify a shortcut for a library object

1. Right-click on the shortcut, and then select Properties.

Result: The Shortcut Property dialog box appears. An example of the accessories Shortcut Property dialog box is shown below.

2. In the Name box, type a new name for the shortcut. The name of the fixture, color, gobo, accessories, library, or truss as listed in the library, is displayed in the Type box.
3. For fixtures, you can modify the type of lens and lamp associated with the fixture by selecting the appropriate option from the Lens and Lamp drop-down lists, respectively.
4. Click Properties to view the properties of the library entry.
5. When you are satisfied with your selections, click OK.

To apply a texture to a library object

You can alter the appearance of library objects by applying textures to them. You can choose from thousands of textures in the WYSIWYG library or you can apply a custom texture that you have saved as a graphic file on your computer (for example, .bmp or .jpg).

Note: Since most library objects are small with complex surfaces, it is best to apply even, plain textures to them. Complicated textures containing text or other recognizable images will not display properly on small, irregular surfaces.

1. Once you have inserted the library object in your plot, click on it to select it, and then right-click and select Properties.
2. Click the Appearance tab.
3. In the left pane, highlight the elements of the library item to which you want to apply the texture, and then click the type of texture file that you want to use, either from the Library or a custom texture that you have saved. For detailed descriptions of the texture and material options available on the Appearance tab, see “Appearance tab”.
4. Click OK when you are finished.

Custom library items

You can create custom library items, custom conventional fixtures, custom gobos, and custom color and gobo wheels or scrolls.

When creating custom gobos and custom library items, you are given the option to make the item or gobo available to other documents, in which case the item or gobo is saved to the application’s library. If you do not choose to make the items available to other documents, the items are only saved within the one document. In either case, the items are saved and visible in the document regardless of which computer (or application) the document is opened in.

Custom conventional fixtures must be created from the WYSIWYG welcome screen and are saved directly to your application’s library. The new conventional fixture is available for you to use in all documents created using this application. If used in a show document, the custom conventional fixture is available in the document regardless of which computer (or application) the document is opened in.

Custom color, gobo wheels, and scrolls are only saved in the document and cannot be saved to the application’s library. They travel with the document, but if you need to use the same wheel or scroll on another show, you must regenerate it every time.

Note: You can delete custom library items, custom conventional fixture, and custom gobos. For information on custom library items, see To delete a custom library item, To delete custom fixtures, and To delete custom gobos.

Saving custom library items

Custom library items are made of one or more objects, including custom items that you have drawn, as well as existing library items. You can save a custom library item for a complex object that you have drawn and think you might want to use again.

When you save custom library items, all of the item’s original properties are saved, including its texture and color. In addition, if the item that you are saving is broken down into separate elements, then these elements are also saved with the item and can be viewed on the Appearance tab. For example, if you are saving an object like a riser, each of the four riser elements is saved with the custom library item.

Notes:

• You cannot save fixtures or hanging structures, such as pipes and truss, as components of custom library items.
• You cannot rename the elements of custom library items in the Appearance tab; therefore, it is recommended that you give elements custom names before you save the item as a custom object. For details, see To rename object elements.
• Library objects that are disallowed for Custom Library Item: you cannot use the following library objects to create custom library items.
•  Axes
• Fixtures
• Circles
• Arcs
• Points
• Cameras
• Focus Positions
• Focus Lines
• Focus Arcs
• Text
• Rigging Points
• Pipes
• Truss
• Dimensions
• Linear Scales
• LED Walls

To create a custom library item

1. Select the objects to be saved as a custom item.
2. From the Library menu, choose Create New Library Item.

Tip: If the menu item is greyed out, one or more of the objects selected cannot be included in the custom library item.

3. Pick a base point for the item. This will become the insertion point for the item.

Result: The Library Item Wizard - Classification appears displaying a rotating Shaded view of your new item.

4. Type a name for the new library item.
5. Select the To make this item available to other documents checkbox if you want to save it in the application's library or clear the checkbox if you only want to save it in this current document.
6. Click Next.

Result: The Library Item Wizard - Paths appears where you can specify the location of the custom library item in the library.

7. Add or Modify the path, if desired.

Note: The path is the location in the library where the item will be stored. An item assigned to the path “Custom/Tables” would be available in the custom section of the items library in a sub-category named Tables.

8. Click Next.

Result: The Library Item Wizard - General Information and Notes appears.

9. Type all pertinent information including Manufacturer, Weight, and Notes.

10. Click Next.

Result: The Library Item Wizard - Author appears.

10. Type your name.
11. Click Finish.

Result: The custom item is placed in the item library as per the path you specified in step 7.

Rules for deleting custom library items

In general, a custom library item that has been shared with the application library, (i.e. by selecting the Make this item available to other documents in the first step of its creation) can only be deleted from the Welcome Screen's Library Browser. A custom library item can be deleted from within a file as long as there are no instances of the item in the file.

The following are specific examples of when a custom library item can be deleted.

• A custom library item that was created in a file, and was added to the application library, cannot be deleted from the Library Browser while a file is open. The custom library object now exists in the application Library Browser. To remove the custom library item, it must be deleted from Welcome Screen’s Library Browser. This deletion cannot be undone.

Note: A custom library item will always be included in the “private library” of the file in which it was created. This means that if a custom library item is created (and used) in a file, then deleted from the application library, that item is still not removed from the file. Only once the item is removed from the application library, and the item is not in use in the file it was created in, may the item be deleted from the file. This deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.

• A custom library item that is created in a file, and is not added to the application library:
• Can be deleted from the Library Browser inside the file if no instances of the item are inserted into the file. The deletion cannot be undone.
• Cannot be deleted from the Library Browser if there are instances of the custom item in the file.
• A "DWG" library item (imported from AutoCAD file and listed in the Library Browser) can be deleted while the file is open if no instances of the item are inserted into the file. The deletion cannot be undone.

To delete a custom library item

If you do not want to keep a custom library item any longer, you can delete it from the Library Browser.

1. In the Library Browser, navigate to the folder where you stored the custom library item.
2. Highlight the library item name, and then right-click and choose Delete.

Note: This option is disabled if the item is currently inserted in your plot. You must delete the item from your plot, and then save and close the file. When you reopen the file you can delete the item from the Library Browser.

3. A message box appears telling you the action is irreversible. Click Yes to delete the item.

To create a custom library item

See To create a custom library item.

To create a custom fixture

See To create a custom fixture.

To create custom color or gobo lists

See To create a custom color/gobo list.

To create a custom gobo

See To create a custom gobo.

Customized library objects from Library tab

You can save one or more copies of any single library object inserted from the Library tab of the Library Browser whose appearance you modified into a new Library Browser folder - so you can recall it with the same appearance in this file or future files.

Customized library objects are subject to the same application level and document level rules as custom (new) library items.

To save a customized library object

Note: Only a single standard library object or table set can be used to create a customized library object. Custom library objects created via the Create New Library Item menu, and entities that were imported into the current file and converted to library items during import do not apply, nor do manufacturer items.

1. Select only one library object to be saved as customized.
2. From the Library menu, choose Save Customized Library Object.

Result: The Customized Library Item Wizard - Classification appears.

3. In the Name field, enter the name for the custom library object.
4. Select the Make this Customized Library Item available to other documents checkbox if you want to save it in the application's library and make it available to other files, or clear the checkbox if you want to save it only in this current document.

Tip: To access the customized object on other computers, export a WYSIWYG User Data (.wud) file from the Welcome Screen with Custom Library Item (all) selected in the Export User Data window.

5. Click Next.

Result: The Customized Library Item Wizard - Paths appears where you can specify the path to find the custom library item.

6. Add or Modify the path to specify the location in the library where the custom library item will be stored.

7. Click Next.

Result: The Customized Library Item Wizard - General Information and Notes appears.

8. Type all pertinent information including Manufacturer, Weight, and Notes.
9. Click Next.

Result: The Customized Library Item Wizard - Author appears.

10. Type your name.
11. Click Finish.

Result: Your custom library object is saved and accessible from the default Customized Objects folder in the Library tab or from your specified path in the Library Browser.

Loading custom library objects on-demand

The custom library objects will be loaded on-demand when a second instance of WYSIWYG is launched. Only one instance of WYSIWYG has full permissions to edit the custom library object database, to preserve memory usage on loading of the application.

When the second instance of WYSIWYG is launched, a warning dialog box appears to inform that the second instance will be running in read-only mode.

Library snap

Library Snaps are snap points drawn at the bounding box corners of the library item, and one corner is displayed in red or green to represent the library item's insertion point.

When Library Snap is enabled, all library items that are in the drawing will display their snap points, which can be used as a snap capable insertion point that will align the placement of the item in CAD Wireframe views.

When Library Snap is enabled, the insertion point is identified by a red square if the object is not selected. The red square turns to green if the object is selected. The default insertion point can be changed by selecting a different insertion point from the menu list that appears when you right-click the library item you are inserting. The cursor switches to the specified insertion point.

Notes:

• Library Snap only applies to objects from the Library tab in the Library Browser.
• Once a Library Item's insertion point has been changed during insertion within the project, it is remembered for future insertions from the Library Browser, and will be used when performing some CAD operations such as Copy/Paste, Move and Rotate.

To use library snap

1. From the Tools menu, choose Snap > Library.

Tip: You can also click the Library Snap tool on the CAD Options toolbar.

 The Library Snap button.

2. Insert the library object.

Result: The library object is displayed with the snap points at its bounding box corners and the cursor is attached to the default insertion snap point displayed in green.

Note: Library Snap is automatically enabled at the start of Mirror and Paste, Move and Rotate operations in CAD mode.

To specify the library object’s insertion point

1. From the Library Browser, double-click on the object name you want to insert in your drawing.
2. Right-click the object to display the menu list of insertion points.
3. Click on the new insertion point.

Result: The cursor switches to the specified insertion point.

Tip: The snap point options are also useful when you copy, paste and move the library objects using keyboard shortcuts.