ABSTRACT
Many tools are required for success as an assistant lighting designer; these vary from hardware to software to profession-specific specialty items. The most essential tool in which to invest is a laptop—either a PC or Mac depending on our personal preference. Vectorworks also has the ability to produce photo-realistic virtual models and renderings, which closely depict instrument information, colors, and textures, and integrates directly with visualization programs Vision and Augment 3D. Vectorworks is an object-based drafting program that uses symbols, such as lighting instruments, from included content libraries. In addition, it can incorporate instrument data into each individual lighting fixture, such as instrument type, wattage, channel number, unit number, color, gobo, and dimmer/address information. More and more pre-visualization is becoming prevalent in the everyday workflows of lighting designers—from large, professional shows to the educational realm. This specialized software presents a virtual environment that enables cueing in an actual show file to take place.
