Drawing motion axes

For every motion axis that you draw in CAD mode, you can attach one or more objects to it and then define the object’s position along the axis. You can attach objects such as risers, library objects, or custom objects that you have drawn.

To be able to move an object in different planes, you can attach multiple motion axes to one another. Simply attach the object to one of the axes, and then control the object’s movement along any of the axes by selecting it with the Moving Scenery Designer tool. This feature is useful, for example, if you have a set piece that needs to move in vertical and horizontal motion.

Notes:

When attaching axes to one another, you cannot create a circular linking pattern. For example, you can link Axis A to Axis B, and then link Axis B to Axis C, but you cannot then link Axis C back to Axis A because this creates a circular link.
You cannot attach fixtures to motion axes; however, you can attach pipes that hold fixtures to axes.
Currently, you cannot attach focus positions or groups containing focus positions to motion axes. However, in future releases you will be able to attach either of these items to motion axes.

You can draw axes either diagonally or straight along any direction of movement—X, Y, or Z—choosing between the following two main types of axes:

Linear: Choose this type of axis to have an object move in a straight line along the path that you specify (or in a series of straight segments all joined together at different vertices to create the path). You can create a linear axis in any length or shape that you require, as long as it comprises straight line segments; you cannot draw a curved axis. For example, you could have a person walk across a stage in a zig zag path, if desired.

When you draw this type of axis, and then attach an object to it, the distance from the axis to the object does not affect the object’s movement; the object will always follow the path of the axis regardless of where you have placed the axis or object.

By default, all linear axes are displayed in your drawing with the label name, and shows an arrow on one end, signaling the direction in which the object will move. In the moving object's Properties window, the axes names are displayed with the prefix “[AX-L] to identify a Linear axis.

You can change the name placement and adjust the size of the arrow by opening the Properties page for the axis.

Rotation: Choose this type of axis if you want to have an object rotate in a circular motion. When you click to place this type of axis in your drawing, a circle with a center dot appears. The circle acts as a visual cue, telling you the direction in which the object will rotate; the center dot is the actual axis around which the object rotates.

The orientation of the object’s rotation changes based on the view in which you draw the axis (plan, side, or front/back). When placing the object to be rotated in your drawing, note that its position relative to the center dot of the rotation axis is important. The distance from the center dot to the object represents the size of the circle in which it will rotate, with the dot marking the center of the circle. To have the object rotate in a very tight circle (for example, a dancer doing a pirouette, or a spinning object), place the object directly on the center dot.

By default, all rotation axes are displayed in your drawing with the label name, and shows an arrow on one end, signaling the direction in which the object will rotate. You can change the name placement by opening the Properties window for the axis. In the rotating object's Properties window, the axes names are displayed with the prefix “[AX-R]” to identify as Rotation axis. While you cannot adjust the size of the arrow head directly, you can click and drag the circle to the desired size, which adjusts the arrow head proportionately. To change the direction of the object’s rotation, switch views, and then drag the center point to the new orientation.

Tip: You can use the Quick Motion Tool to quickly create motion axes and attach them to selected objects automatically. See Quick_Motion_Tool section.

To draw a linear motion axis

In Wireframe view, select the view in which you want to draw the axis (plan, front, back, side, or isometric).
From the Draw menu, choose Axis > Linear Axis.
In the window that appears, type a name for the axis, and then click OK.
In your drawing, click in the position where you want to start the axis, and then move your cursor to the next point of the axis and click. To create an axis with multiple segments, continue clicking at each point (vertex) of the axis.
When you are finished creating the axis, right-click and choose Finish Axis.

To draw a rotation motion axis

Unlike linear axes, rotation axes cannot have multiple vertices. Instead, when you draw one of these axes, the object rotates around the center point.

In Wireframe view, select the view in which you want to draw the axis (plan, front, back, side, or isometric).
From the Draw menu, choose Axis > Rotation Axis.
In the window that appears, type a name for the axis, and then click OK.
In your drawing, click in the position where you want the axis to appear.

Note: The circle that appears when you draw a rotation axis is only a visual cue to show you the direction in which the object rotates—it does not affect the size of path on which the object rotates. The circle is given a default size, but you can change it to suit your needs.

To patch a motion axis to a DMX universe

To move the object with a DMX control, you first have to attach the motion axis to a named DMX patch universe that you have created in DATA mode.

Note: For information on creating a patch universe, see To create a new patch universe.

Click to select the axis that you want to attach to the patch universe.
Right-click and select Properties.
Click the Axis tab.
From the Patch Type drop-down list, select DMX Patch.
From the Universe drop-down list, select the DMX patch universe to which you want to attach the axis.
In the Address box, type the starting DMX address.
Click OK.

To patch a motion axis to a motion universe

To move the object with a motion control system, you first have to attach the motion axis to a named motion control patch universe that you have created in DATA mode.

Note: For information on creating a patch universe, see To create a new patch universe.

Click to select the axis that you want to attach to the patch universe.
Right-click and select Properties.
Click the Axis tab.
From the Patch Type drop-down list, select Motion Patch.
From the Universe drop-down list, select the motion control patch universe to which you want to attach the axis.
From the ID drop-down list, select the ID on the motion control system with which you want to associate this axis.

Note: The motion control system must be connected to your computer for the ID to appear in this drop-down list. If the system is not currently connected, you can also type the ID directly into this drop-down list.

Click OK.

To attach an object to a motion axis

Notes:

You can attach one or more objects to each axis; however, each object can be attached to only one axis at a time.
When you attach an object to a linear axis, the distance from the axis to the object does not affect the object’s movement; the object will always follow the path of the axis regardless of where you have placed the axis or object.
When placing the object to be rotated in your drawing, note that its position relative to the rotational axis is important. The distance from the central point of the axis to the object represents the size of the circle in which it will rotate. To have the object rotate in a very tight circle (for example, a dancer doing a pirouette, or a spinning object), place the object directly on the center point of the axis.

Place the object that you want to attach to the axis at the appropriate position in your drawing, either by adding a new object, or moving an existing object to this location.
Select the object, right-click, and then choose Properties.
On the General tab, from the Attach to Axis drop-down list, select the axis to which you want to attach this object.

Note: The label names of the drawn axes that appear on the drop-down list are displayed with prefixes to identify as either Linear “[AX-L] name” or Rotation “[AX-R] name”.

Click OK.

Tip: You can choose Attach to Selected Motion Object from the Edit menu to quickly attach the currently-selected object or objects to the currently-selected single motion axis. You can also choose Detach Motion Object(s) from the Edit menu to quickly detach currently-selected objects (including axes) from the axis they are currently attached to.

To add a vertex to a linear motion axis

To change the path of an existing linear axis, you can add one or more vertices, and then drag these vertices to the new position.

In your drawing, click on the point of the axis at which you want to add a vertex.
Right-click and select Add Vertex.

Result: The vertex is added at the point where you clicked.

Tip: To change the path of the axis, click to select the axis and view all the vertices. Click the desired vertex, drag it to the new position, and then release the mouse. Any objects that are attached to the axis will now follow the new path.

Motion frames

The Frame Motion System delivers more functionality and flexibility than its predecessor, the Axis system. A single motion frame can simulate motion for up to six Degrees of Freedom (DoF) for each frame.

Much like the motion axis, you can attach one or more objects to a single motion frame, and then define the motion ranges of each DoF.

Notes:

When attaching one frame to another, you cannot create a circular linking pattern.
You cannot attach fixtures to frames; however, you can attach pipes that hold fixtures to axes.

Tip: You can use the Quick Motion Tool to quickly create motion frames and attach them to selected objects automatically. See Quick_Motion_Tool section.

To draw a motion frame

In a Wireframe view, select the view in which you want to draw the frame.
From the Draw menu, choose Frame.
In the window that appears, type the name of the frame, and then click OK.
In your drawing, click in the position where you want the frame to appear.

Result: The motion frame is inserted in your drawing with its label name on display.

To adjust the motion range

In a Wireframe view, select the frame that you want to adjust.
Right-click and select Properties.
Select the Motion Ranges tab.
To restrict the motion frame, click to enable/disable any of the six Degrees of Freedom (DoF) shown, and then adjust the movement ranges of each DoF by modifying the Minimum and Maximum values for each corresponding axis.
To enforce these motion ranges while controlling objects in LIVE mode, click to enable the Use Motion Ranges in Live Mode checkbox.
Click OK.

To patch a frame to a DMX universe

To move the object with a DMX control, you have to attach the motion frame to a named DMX patch universe that you have created in DATA mode. Patching a single motion frame creates 12 DMX channels: X, X Fine, Y, Y Fine, Z, Z Fine, Rx, Rx Fine, Ry Fine, Rz Fine.

Note: For information on creating a patch universe, see To create a new patch universe.

Click to select the axis that you want to attach to the patch universe.
Right-click and select Properties.
Click the Axis tab.
From the Patch Type drop-down list, select DMX Patch.
From the Universe drop-down list, select the DMX patch universe to which you want to attach the axis.
In the Address box, type the starting DMX address.
Click OK.

To patch a frame to a motion universe

To move the object with a motion control system, you first have to attach the frame to a named motion control patch universe that you have created in DATA mode.

Note: For information on creating a patch universe, see To create a new patch universe.

Click to select the frame that you want to attach to the patch universe.
Right-click and select Properties.
Click the Axis tab.
From the Patch Type drop-down list, select Motion Patch.
From the Universe drop-down list, select the motion control patch universe to which you want to attach the axis.
From the ID drop-down list, select the ID on the motion control system with which you want to associate this axis.

Click OK.

To attach an object to a frame

Notes:

You can attach one or more objects to each frame; however, each object can be attached to only one frame at a time.
When placing the object to be rotated in your drawing, note that its position relative to the frame is important. The distance from the central point of the frame to the object represents the size of the circle in which it will rotate.
To have the object rotate in a very tight circle (for example, a dancer doing a pirouette, or a spinning object), place the object directly on the center point of the frame.

Place the object that you want to attach to the frame at the appropriate position in your drawing, either by adding a new object, or moving an existing object to this location.
Select the object, right-click, and then choose Properties.
On the General tab, from the Attach to Axis drop-down list, select the Frame to which you want to attach this object.

Note: The label names of the drawn frames that appear on the drop-down list are displayed with prefixes to identify as a Frame “[FRM] name”.

Click OK.

Tip: You can choose Attach to Selected Motion Object from the Edit menu to quickly attach the currently-selected object or objects to the currently-selected single motion frame. You can also choose Detach Motion Object(s) from the Edit menu to quickly detach currently-selected objects (including axes) from the frame they are currently attached to.

BlackTrax trackable frames

BlackTrax Trackable Frames are Motion Frames specifically designed for use with BlackTrax. When a BlackTrax Trackable Frame is patched to a DMX and Motion Universe, and an object is attached to the frame, BlackTrax will use this information to create a Trackable. A Trackable is an object in BlackTrax whose real time location you want the BlackTrax system to track.

To draw a BlackTrax trackable frame

In a Wireframe view, select the view in which you want to draw the frame.
From the Draw menu, choose BlackTrax Trackable.
In the window that appears, type the name of the frame, and then click OK.
In your drawing, click in the position where you want the frame to appear.

Viewing moving scenery

After you create the axes/frames and attach the objects to them, you can watch the objects move along the axes/frames by using the Looks feature in DESIGN mode. Just as you can simulate moving lights by cross-fading between one lighting look to the next, you can also simulate moving scenery by creating Looks that contain motion axes/frames and fading from one Look to the next. For information on moving scenery, see To view moving scenery.

You can also patch the axis in DATA mode so you can control the movement of the object with either a DMX console device, such as a Mini Console, or a motion control system. For information on patching motion axes, see To patch a motion axis to a DMX console device or To patch a motion axis to a motion control system.

Creating complex motion systems

To create more complex motion systems (for example, to have an object revolve around itself or around another object while it is also moving across the stage), you can attach motion frames to axes, or vice versa (you can attach axes to motion frames).