Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
As mentioned previously in this chapter, dimensions are good parameters
to have in your fixture families. They allow you to customize a family to
the exact dimensions of fixtures specified for your project without having to
create an entirely new family. These dimension constraints are also useful
for controlling the symbolic representation of fixtures, which is discussed
later in this chapter.
Another useful parameter is one for electrical load. This gives you a
parameter with which to associate the connector parameter so that when
fixtures from different manufacturers are chosen, you can edit the family
parameter and update the load of the connector.
Some types of lighting fixtures, such as site lighting fixtures, are available
in different voltages that require a different number of poles for connection
to a circuit. Having a parameter that defines the number of poles enables
you to easily modify the connector by using parameter association. A fixture
family with this parameter can have a type for 208V single-phase (two
poles), 208V three-phase (three poles), or 277V single-phase, for example.
Adding Connectors
One feature of your lighting fixture families that makes them useful for the
design of your projects is an electrical connector. Adding connectors to your
families lets you connect them to electrical circuits in order to manage your
panel loads and also lets you use wiring objects that maintain a connection
to the fixtures when they are moved in the model.
The location of a connector in a lighting fixture family is not as important as
on other types of electrical objects because the graphical representation of
the wiring stops at the edge of the fixture. The easiest placement method for
adding a connector is to choose the Face option. This places the connector
in the center of whichever 3D face you select. Click the Electrical Connector
button on the Connectors panel of the Create tab, and then choose the Face
option on the Placement panel of the contextual tab that appears.
Next, choose the type of connector from the drop-down list on the Options
Bar. You can change the type later by accessing the properties of the
connector if needed. If you are using the connector to circuit your lights to a
power panel, choose one of the power type connectors.
As you place your cursor over the fixture geometry, the 3D faces become
highlighted, indicating where the connector can be placed. You can use the
