This class offers an in-depth exploration of Vectorworks Spotlight rigging tools, catering not only to riggers but also to technical directors (TDs), lighting designers (LDs), sound engineers, video designers, and scenic designers—essentially anyone involved in managing flown elements. The class is structured in two main parts to provide a holistic understanding and practical application of these tools.
Vectorworks has been a trusted tool among theatrical designers for decades. Lighting designers were among the first to adopt it, drawn to its intuitive tools for drafting light plots and managing large volumes of data. Scenic designers soon followed, recognizing its flexibility and creative potential.
This class will guide you through the workflow of creating a set design using Vectorworks. We’ll use the example of a play staged in a traditional proscenium theater. We'll begin with the initial conceptual design and progress through building a white model, eventually adding color, textures, and detail.
Using basic Spotlight and architectural tools, along with simple 3D modeling techniques, we’ll focus on developing an efficient, flexible workflow. Key topics include the strategic use of layers and classes to support design flexibility and streamline collaboration. We’ll also explore how to structure files and workflows so that designers and assistants can work simultaneously on different aspects of the set—preserving visual consistency while generating precise construction documentation for individual elements.
Vectorworks has been used by Broadway lighting designers for decades.
Its tools and functionality make Spotlight the industry standard. In
this 3-hour live class, we’ll cover the basics of creating a
light plot. During the design process, we’ll use Vectorworks Spotlight’s
tools to correctly insert and focus lighting devices, allowing us to
see an accurate representation of beams and angles. Putting on our
electrician's hat, we’ll add channel and DMX addressing. By the end of
the class, you will have a full set of production documents, including
light plots and sections, equipment counts, instrument schedules and
hookups, and even rendered images.