CAD mode

CAD mode is where you create your show drawings. This includes drawing your venue, set pieces, lighting positions, focus positions, and lighting fixtures. CAD mode operates like many other CAD programs, so many of the concepts will be familiar to those who have used a computer-aided drafting program before. WYSIWYG adds features that are specific to the entertainment industry, such as a comprehensive 3D library containing truss, lighting equipment, lighting accessories, props, musical instruments, and various human figures.

In this section

Layout tabs

The CAD environment

MVR files

SketchUp files

DWG/DXF files

Wavefront/filmbox/collada/3DS/glTF files

Color, gobos, and accessories

Rendering your lighting look

The Flight Case

Layout tabs

Beneath the work area in each mode is a series of Layout tabs. These layouts provide various configurations of the views you are working with. To change layouts, click the tab that corresponds to the layout you wish to use.

The CAD mode contains the following layouts:

Wireframe: The work area displays a full-screen Wireframe view.
Quad: The work area is divided into quadrants, three of which can be modified to show Plan, Front, Side, or Isometric Wireframe views. The lower-right quadrant contains a Shaded view.
Flight Case: The Flight Case is displayed in a section of the work area along with a Wireframe view.
Shaded: The work area displays a full-screen Shaded view.
Custom: A custom layout, with views defined by the user. See Custom tab window layout.