Ganging Tool

Stilts15ak · Post by **Stilts15ak** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 5:20 pm

Is it possible or is it planned to have a ganging tool (like in Vectorworks) showing instruments that are circuited together? I know this can be done with just using the line tool, but is time consuming.

Post by **admin** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:22 pm

It sounds like you would like to draw 3 lines that connect two lights representing a two-fer (up over and back like a jumper). Is that correct? Are you envisioning this happening automatically like the current "Create Dimensions" command?

Stilts15ak · Post by **Stilts15ak** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:37 pm

Yes. A twofer or threefer, etc. Or however many units that will be assigned to that particular circuit. It could happen automatically, perhaps via check mark within the instrument properties when all instruments have that checkmark checked or via within the insert menu "Insert ganging between selected instruments/fixtures" which would create the proper ganging line that could be adjusted so it doesn't interfere with other instruments nearby to denote which is ganged to what.

What will the create dimensions do? Are you suggesting to use this alternatively?

Post by **admin** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:33 pm

There's a new version available with a Format->Insert->Create Connection command that works quite a bit like Create Dimensions except that instead of inserting a dimension line, it inserts a group of lines indicating that the selected lights are connected together.

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Stilts15ak · Post by **Stilts15ak** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 7:19 pm

I've done some further testing with it and it seems that it doesn't want to create straight lines regardless of the angle orientation of the instrument. I've tested it against the "Create Dimensions", which does keep the lines straight no matter what angle orientation the instruments are.

Post by **admin** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 3:51 pm

Create Connection uses the center of the symbol as the reference point. It offsets each connecting line from that point by the distance/direction specified in the Inspector's Tools tab. If the centers of the lights are not aligned, then the connecting line reflects that. The direction the symbol is pointing does not change the center point so it will not change the lines generated by Create Connection.

Create Dimensions and Create Connection both use the center of the light symbol as the reference and work in exactly the same way. Its possible that the length label of the dimension line hides the fact that its not absolutely straight and so it appears different than the line generated by Create Connection.

Post by **admin** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 3:46 pm

There's a new "latest build" 3.3.3 (8625A) that adds automatic straightening to the Create Dimensions/Connection commands. This automatically corrects for the centers of lights that are slightly off vertical or horizontal alignment.