Hanging fixtures

Fixtures are objects on the plot and appear in 3D in Shaded view. When you insert a fixture into the plot, automated fixtures can be hung from a hang structure or inserted on the floor. Conventional fixtures must be hung from a hang structure. WYSIWYG has an extensive library of fixtures to choose from.

Inserting fixtures into your drawing is as easy as pointing and clicking. You can insert individual fixtures directly from the Library Browser, or you can create shortcuts to your favorite fixtures.

To quickly hang multiple fixtures on a pipe or straight truss simultaneously, you can use the array feature; to arrange multiple fixtures along a pipe/truss, use the distribute tool. For details, see Hanging multiple fixtures and Distributing fixtures.

Inserting fixtures

Note: When inserting fixtures on a truss or pipe, the Instruction Tooltip display in red text when it does not detect the cursor is over a hang structure. The Instruction Tooltip switches to green when the cursor is over a hang structure and can by hung.

To hang fixtures

Use this procedure to hang fixtures one by one on lengths of pipe or truss. To hang multiple fixtures simultaneously, use the Array feature. For details, see To hang multiple fixtures. After hanging the fixtures, you can arrange them simultaneously on pipes/truss by using the distribute feature. For details, see Distributing fixtures.

  1. From the Library menu, choose Browse Library.  Alternately, click the Fixture icon on the Draw toolbar.
  2. Click the Fixtures tool at the bottom of the browser.

 inset_0.jpgThe Fixtures button.

  1. In the menu that is now visible, double-click Manufacturer to select fixtures by manufacturer name, Type to select by fixture type, or All to see all the fixtures in alphabetical order.

Note: Alternately, you can use the Search function of the Library Browser to locate the fixture that you want to insert. Simply type the name of the fixture (or a partial name) in the Search box at the top of the Library Browser, and then click the Search icon. For details, see The Library Browser.

  1. Double-click on the name of the fixture that you want to insert.

Result: A fixture with default settings for this type attaches to the cursor.

Note: You can change the fixture frame size using the Add Accessory option. For more information on adding accessories, see To insert an accessory.

  1. To change the properties of the fixture before inserting, right-click on the fixture name, and then click Properties.

Result: A dialog box opens with a shaded view of the fixture on the left and an image of its symbol on the right. Use the Photometrics tab to change the lamp and lens settings for the fixture, if applicable. For more information on the Photometrics tab, see Photometrics tab. Click Insert and the dialog box will close.

  1. Select how you want the fixture to be hung on the structure, either the top or bottom. To change the hang position use CTRL + Mouse Wheel scroll to alternate between options, or you can use the keyboard by pressing key 1 for Position 1, and key 2 for Position 2.
  2. Move the mouse over a hang structure, and then click to place the fixture. Continue placing this type of fixture by clicking on the other hang structures as desired.
  3. Finish placing this fixture type by right-clicking, and then choosing Finish placing fixtures from the resulting menu.
  4. To place other fixture types, repeat the above steps for each type.

Tip: Whenever you hang fixtures on a truss, it is always best to work in Isometric View and Zoom In to make precise fixture placement on specific truss chords.

To insert fixtures on the floor

Use this procedure to insert automated fixtures one by one on the floor, without first attaching them to a pipe or truss. Fixtures inserted this way support CAD operations e.g., copy/paste, move, and rotate.

Note: Only automated fixtures can be inserted on the floor.

  1. From the Library menu, choose Browse Library. Alternately, click the Fixture icon on the Draw toolbar.
  2. Click the Fixtures tool at the bottom of the browser.

 inset_20.jpgThe Fixtures button.

  1. In the menu that is now visible, double-click Manufacturer to select fixtures by manufacturer name, Type to select by fixture type, or All to see all the fixtures in alphabetical order.

Note: Alternately, you can use the Search function of the Library Browser to locate the fixture that you want to insert. Simply type the name of the fixture (or a partial name) in the Search box at the top of the Library Browser, and then click the Search icon. For details, see The Library Browser.

  1. Right-click on the name of the fixture that you want to insert. In the menu that appears, select Insert on Floor.
  2. Move the mouse anywhere in the plot, and then click to place the fixture. Continue placing this type of fixture by clicking as desired.
  3. Finish placing this fixture type by right-clicking, and then choosing Finish placing fixtures from the resulting menu.
  4. To place other fixture types, repeat the above steps for each type.

Hanging multiple fixtures

Once you hang a single fixture, you can use the Array feature to instantly copy and paste multiple copies of it along the length of a pipe or straight piece of truss in the direction that you specify. This feature enables you to hang up to 100 fixtures quickly and precisely.

To hang multiple fixtures
  1. On a pipe or a straight length of truss, hang the fixture of your choice by following the procedure in the section To hang fixtures.

Note: To hang fixtures along the length of truss or pipe, hang the first fixture at one end of the pipe/truss and then set the direction in which you want to copy and paste it.

  1. Click the fixture to select it, and then right-click and choose Tools > Array > Along Pipe.

Result: An arrow attaches to your cursor when you hover over the pipe/truss.

  1. Click on the pipe/truss to set the direction in which the fixture will be arrayed, either to the left or right of the fixture.

Result: The Array Along Pipe dialog box appears.

  1. The Length box in the Array Along Pipe dialog box displays the distance from the selected fixture to the destination position of the first copied fixture in the array as indicated by the arrow and cursor. This value is not editable.
  2. Choose between Interval or Total Distance.
  3. In the Number of row box, type the number of fixtures you want to array along the pipe.
  4. If you chose Interval, type the distance length between the selected fixture and the next fixture in the array. If you chose Total Distance, type the total sum of the distance lengths for all the intervals between all the fixtures in the array.
  5. Click OK.

Result: The fixtures are placed along the pipe/truss.