Entertainment Collaboration Structure

License and versioning

License deed: Creative Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0 

License legal code: Creative Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0 

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Terms

For all main and sub categories, the identifier is the number, the label is for human legibility and efficient workflow. The number is also referred to as the layer ID.

Main category ID (number) and label

There are 10 main categories for grouping and organizing sub categories into relevant and discipline specific groups. Main categories have fixed names and should not be re-named per project. The only information in main categories shall be text and drawing only information relevant to that particular main category, eg. dimensions specific to lighting if it’s in the 04 Lights main category.

Subcategories ID (number) and label

Subcategories is where the magic happens. These can be renamed as you see fit for the project, but the contents should always be in-line with the category definition. You can have more than one subcategory of the same number, but not with the same number and label.

Main categories

• 0 Site
• 1 Venue
• 2 Rigging
• 3 Scenic
• 4 Lights
• 5 Video
• 6 Sound
• 7 Effects
• 8 Event
• 9 Broadcast
• 90 Drawing Support
• 91 Software Support
• 92 Calculations

Category Definitions

00 Site

The site category should handle all objects of general interest in a “larger-than” perspective.  Anything related to the project's specifics should be put in the venue category. Eg. in an outdoor festival setting, the larger festival area would reside in 00 Site, whereas the stage itself would reside in 10 Venue.

00 Site-00 Site annotation

Site annotation contains category-specific dimensions, text boxes, lines and other objects related to the Site category which doesn’t comply with the other sub categories.

00 Site-01 Landscape

Landscape contains all natural and man-made geographical structures and formations. This can be anything from large bodies of vegetation such as forests, topography, hills and mountains to roads, water features, waterfronts and large bodies of water such as a lake, sea, river etc.

00 Site-02 Permanent structures

Permanent structures contain all man-made structures, including buildings, statues, park features and other decorative features of a permanent nature.

00 Site-03 Vegetation

Vegetation should contain all vegetation which have particular significance for the project. IE. trees that may alter the placement of structures and logistics paths etc.

00 Site-04 Security

Security should contain anything related to security functions and structures. This could be check-points, fences, crowd movement/people-flow, CCCTV positions, fire extinguishers, alarms etc.

00 Site-05 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

00 Site-06 Services

Services should contain anything related to the various services you might find at a site. This can be parking lots, food and beverage related tents, booths, trucks, etc., shops, A&E/first aid positions, and anything related to catering, ticketing, lavatories and facilities for both audience and crew.

00 Site-07 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

00 Site-08 EL

EL is for electrics. This can be anything power related, cables, generators, transformer stations, high-voltage lines, distribution points etc.

00 Site-09 Infrastructure

Infrastructure can be used in numerous ways. You might find that some elements from the other subcategories can also reside here, depending on how they are used for the particular project. In general, infrastructure means anything related to transport, communication, distribution of power and signals, movement of equipment and movement of vehicles.

10 Venue:

The venue category can work both for indoor and outdoor venues, and each sub-category would work in a slightly different manner depending on whether it is indoors or outdoors. What separates Venue from Site is that site should be items of general interest to the project, whilst Venue would be the things that are of specific interest to the project, eg. an outdoor stage at a festival would most likely belong in Venue.  

10 Venue-10 Venue annotation

Venue annotation contains category-specific dimensions, text boxes, lines and other objects related to the Venue category which doesn’t comply with the other sub categories.

10 Venue-11 Exterior shell

Exterior shell refers to the physical structure of a building, including the facade, windows, doors, roof, gates, loading docks, balustrades, etc.

10 Venue-12 Inner structure

Inner structure may have significant overlap with exterior shell, but anything related to the physical layout of the interior of the venue should go here; Walls, doors, windows, slabs, roof, floors, ramps, stairs etc.

10 Venue-13 Structural elements

Structural elements should contain elements related to the superstructure of the building. This can be columns, pillars, pilasters, roof girders, beams, structural trusses, structural members etc.

10 Venue-14 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

10 Venue-15 Support functions

Support functions is primarily an information category, where anything related to audience and crew amenities should be put. This could be catering areas, toilets, ticketing services, gateways, signage, information displays, fire extinguishers, first aid kits etc.

10 Venue-16 Soft goods

Soft goods can be anything textile related, curtains, drapes, carpets, sails, pipe-and-drape solutions, quick-change tents, coverings etc.

10 Venue-17 House seating

House seating, like other seating categories, is for seating planning and management. House seating would usually refer to the permanent or semi-permanent seating in venues, but it could also mean seating provided by the venue as opposed to seating supplied by external vendors. The structural elements of seating, eg. a grand-stand, would most likely belong in the inner structure category.

10 Venue-18 EL, HVAC

EL,HVAC is anything related to Electrics, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning inside and in close proximity to the building. This can be both physical structures such as conduits, cables, refrigeration units and ventilation shafts, but also information type things such as information about electrical capacity, breakers etc.

10 Venue-19 Infrastructure

As the venue itself can be considered infrastructure, the venue infrastructure category can be used for venue specific infrastructure relating to IT, networking, security measures etc. The category is relatively open and should be used depending on the needs of the particular venue.

20 Rigging-20 Rigging annotation

Rigging annotation contains category-specific dimensions, text boxes, lines and other objects related to the Rigging category which doesn’t comply with the other sub categories.

20 Rigging-21 Superstructure

Superstructure are the main elements of your rig. Mother grid, ground support, towers etc. which you use to sub-hang motors, truss or other equipment.

20 Rigging-22 Truss

All truss objects which do not fit in any other category (super structure, ladders). Truss for lighting, audio, video, scenic or other, they all belong here.

20 Rigging-23 Pipes, ladders, drop arms

Single pipes, ladder systems, drop arms and similar. Pipes can be custom or standard lengths of aluminum/steel pipes or single pipe truss systems. Ladder systems do not mean a typical 2-pipe truss but typical H-frames or pipes with a connection system which allows you to hang equipment directly below each other. Drop arms can be a pipe-based solution which allows you to hang equipment at the end of a pipe, typically with a T-bar or similar at the end.

20 Rigging-24 Stands

Stands are for all types of stands, with one exception. If you use a microphone stand for lights, this will be the correct category. But, if you use it for a microphone, category 66 (Audio-Microphones, stands) will be the correct category to use. With that said, all Truss/PA lifters and other stands belong in this category.

20 Rigging-25 Automation

The Automation category is for automated motion control products and rigging objects hanging from these products. Winches, hoists (hoists can also belong in cat.28 (rigging points, hoists)), loadcells, trolleys etc. will reside in this category. The category is also often used to mark out automated trusses.

20 Rigging-26 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

20 Rigging-27 House rigging

House rigging should contain all rigging objects related to the house/venue. Trusses, hoists, pipes and similar which belong in the Rigging category and are installed or are a part of the house installation or equipment park should be placed in this category.

20 Rigging-28 Rigging points, hoists

Rigging points, motors, dead hangs, bridles, all belong in this category. Whilst automated motors could reside in cat.25, it will also fit in this category.

20 Rigging-29 Infrastructure

Infrastructure can be used in numerous ways. You might find that some elements from the other subcategories can also reside here, depending on how they are used for the particular project. In general, infrastructure can contain cable plans, control setups, specific markouts and other system/infrastructure related objects.

30 Scenic-30 Scenic annotation

Scenic annotation contains category-specific dimensions, text boxes, lines and other objects related to the Scenic category which doesn’t comply with the other sub categories.

30 Scenic-31 Scaffolding

This category is for scaffolding objects. Objects used to create a stage, platforms, towers etc.

30 Scenic-32 Stage

Platforms, legs and accessories such as railings and stairs.

30 Scenic-33 Risers

This category is for risers. As risers could be made out of platforms or scaffolding which could belong in other categories, the purpose of this category is to hold risers for backline, lighting, pyro or other equipment rolling on and off a stage area.

30 Scenic-34 Scenography

Scenography is often custom made walls or other specific objects related to a performance or a show. This could be a background on a TV show, christmas trees at an event or a disco ball at a concert.

30 Scenic-35 Moving scenography

As the name for this category states - this is for moving scenography. And not just scenography connected to automated motion control products but also those who are manually controlled and moved around in an act.

30 Scenic-36 Fabric

Curtains, drapes, carpets, any kind of fabric will reside in this category. But, if the fabric is moving up or down as a scenographic element, you could place it in category 35.

30 Scenic-37 House scenic

House scenic should reside all objects that fit in one of the Scenic categories, but also is a part of the venue or house installation or equipment park.

30 Scenic-38 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

30 Scenic-39 Infrastructure

Infrastructure can be used in numerous ways. You might find that some elements from the other subcategories can also reside here, depending on how they are used for the particular project. In general, infrastructure can contain cable plans, control setups, specific markouts and other system/infrastructure related objects.

40 Lights-40 Lights annotation

Lights annotation contains category-specific dimensions, text boxes, lines and other objects related to the Lights category which doesn’t comply with the other sub categories.

40 Lights-41 Fixture conventional

Lighting instruments used to light people, objects or scenography which do not move and are controlled by a limited set of dmx channels, typically just dimmer.

Typical classes / layers:

41 1kw fresnel front

41 Lycos lx 3

41 Par64 floor

40 Lights-42 Fixture moving

Lighting instruments with pan and/or tilt and a more comprehensive set of dmx channels.

Typical classes / layers:

42 Moving Profiles inner front

42 Mac Aura stage left

42 x4bar 20 upstage center

40 Lights-43 Fixture effect

Static lighting instruments with a comprehensive set of dmx channels not primarily used to light people.

Typical classes / layers:

43 Atomic Strobes

43 LED Par64 stage left

40 Lights-44 Integrated, practicals

Lightbulbs, lights built into set pieces, flashlights

40 Lights-45 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

40 Lights-46 Follow spots

Lighting instruments that are manually operated by humans or by tracking.

40 Lights-47 House lights

This can be the existing light in the venue, but can also be the general lighting in the audience.

40 Lights-48 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

40 Lights-49 Infrastructure

Infrastructure can be used in numerous ways. You might find that some elements from the other subcategories can also reside here, depending on how they are used for the particular project. In general, infrastructure can contain cable plans, control setups, specific markouts and other system/infrastructure related objects.

50 Video-50 Video annotation

Video annotation contains category-specific dimensions, text boxes, lines and other objects related to the Video category which doesn’t comply with the other sub categories.

50 Video-51 Projectors

All kinds of video projectors, normally used to project an image onto a surface.

50 Video-52 Video surface

Video surface could be a projection screen, curtain, LED wall or other surfaces. If you have a set piece you project your image onto, this would normally fall under the category “34 Scenography” og “35 Moving scenography”.

50 Video-53 Creative video

This category is for creative use of video products which does not fall under category 51 og 52. Examples would be the Martin VDO products used in a creative way such as an LED stick or a LED-tile (but not a wall put together by several LED-tiles), or LED-tape with video mapping.

50 Video-54 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

50 Video-55 Screens, displays and monitors

All types of screens and monitors should reside in this category. Whether you use it for a presentation, showing information to your guests or for technical positions, they all fit in this category. Large screens for public display etc. reside in 52 video surface.

We try to stick with the following convention:

Monitor - small office type screen for FOH and stage-monitor use etc.

Display - larger screens (typical 40 - 100 inches) for public display.

Screen - large format screens for audience and creative use.

50 Video-56 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

50 Video-57 House video

All video related products which are a part of the house installation or equipment park should reside in this category. House projectors, projection surfaces, displays, screens etc.

50 Video-58 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

50 Video-59 Infrastructure

Infrastructure can be used in numerous ways. You might find that some elements from the other subcategories can also reside here, depending on how they are used for the particular project. In general, infrastructure can contain cable plans, control setups, specific markouts and other system/infrastructure related objects.

60 Audio-60 Audio annotation

Audio annotation contains category-specific dimensions, text boxes, lines and other objects related to the Audio category which doesn’t comply with the other sub categories.

60 Audio-61 PA main

Anything related to the main left, right, center PA. Can be speakers, amplifiers, flybars, PA specific rigging etc.

60 Audio-62 PA delay

Anything related to delay PA. Can be speakers, amplifiers, flybars, PA specific rigging etc.

60 Audio-63 PA fill

Sidefills, outfills, centerfills, innfills. You know the fill.

60 Audio-64 Sub

Subwoofers. Subwoolfers. Arrays, stacks and anything specific to subs.

60 Audio-65 Monitors

Anything related to monitors, onstage, offstage, artist specifics etc.

60 Audio-66 Microphones, stands

Self explanatory really.

60 Audio-67 House audio

Any audio equipment permanently installed at a venue.

60 Audio-68 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

60 Audio-69 Infrastructure

Infrastructure can be used in numerous ways. You might find that some elements from the other subcategories can also reside here, depending on how they are used for the particular project. In general, infrastructure can contain cable plans, control setups, specific markouts and other system/infrastructure related objects.

70 Effects-70 Effects annotation

Effects annotation contains category-specific dimensions, text boxes, lines and other objects related to the Effects category which doesn’t comply with the other sub categories.

70 Effects-71 Pyro, SFX

Pyrotechnics and SFX machines. SFX machines is a broad term, but think in the direction of pyro and effects, fireworks etc.

70 Effects-72 Lasers

The Laser category is sort of self-explanatory. Anyhow, put all your lasers in this category. Small, big, squared, home-made, does not matter.

70 Effects-Water features

Any water or water imitation effects used as part of a show.

70 Effects-74 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

70 Effects-75 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

70 Effects-76 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

70 Effects-77 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

70 Effects-78 Haze, smoke

This category is for haze or smoke specifically for effects, lasers or similar. Lighting related haze or smoke should still reside in the 40 Lights.

70 Effects-79 Infrastructure

Infrastructure can be used in numerous ways. You might find that some elements from the other subcategories can also reside here, depending on how they are used for the particular project. In general, infrastructure can contain cable plans, control setups, specific markouts and other system/infrastructure related objects.

80 Event-80 Event annotation

Event annotation contains category-specific dimensions, text boxes, lines and other objects related to the Event category which doesn’t comply with the other sub categories.

80 Event-81 Seating

This category is for event specific seating, typically folding chairs, seated tables etc.

80 Event-82 Platforms, towers

Towers for followspots, projections and audio can reside here, but also platforms for people of disability and raised event seating. Camera jib / dolly platforms can also find a home here.

80 Event-83 Barricades, fences

Crowd control measures.

80 Event-84 Functions

Logistical functions that belong to the event, like front of house (FOH) and backstage facilities.

80 Event-85 Talent, presenters

The actual artists, acts, hosts. People who may (or may not) belong on a stage.

80 Event-86 People, pigeons

Audience, crowds, guests etc. For architects: stick your pigeons here as well.

80 Event-87 Bars, booths, service

Food / drink vendors, sale of merchandise, restrooms, sponsors

80 Event-88 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

80 Event-89 Infrastructure

Infrastructure can be used in numerous ways. You might find that some elements from the other subcategories can also reside here, depending on how they are used for the particular project. In general, infrastructure can mean anything related to the infrastructure of the particular project or the venue itself. It can be related to electrics and technical production, it can be related to catering and audience services or it can be logistics related, covering temporary roads, ramps and loading docks etc.

90 Broadcast-90 Broadcast annotation

Broadcast annotation contains category-specific dimensions, text boxes, lines and other objects related to the Broadcast category which doesn’t comply with the other sub categories.

90 Broadcast-91 OB units

Outside broadcasting trucks, sound trucks, previz trailers etc. Moving control rooms.

90 Broadcast-92 Cameras

Cameras capturing the event. Steadi-cams, dollies, remote, hand-held.

90 Broadcast-93 Jib, rail, grip

Moviebird Technocranes, automated rails, wirecams, drones and camera grip of different kinds.

90 Broadcast-94 Operators, support functions

Control room interiors, tables with equipment, allocated space for an operator, lifts for wirecams, resting area for Steadi operators, tables for hosts / assistant directors etc.

90 Broadcast-95 Monitors

Screens that are not part of the event, but used for crew, audience and talent.

90 Broadcast-96 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

90 Broadcast-97 House cameras

Camera equipment already at the venue.

90 Broadcast-98 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

90 Broadcast-99 Infrastructure

Infrastructure can be used in numerous ways. You might find that some elements from the other subcategories can also reside here, depending on how they are used for the particular project. In general, infrastructure can contain cable plans, control setups, specific markouts and other system/infrastructure related objects.

900 Drawing Support-901 Reference

This can contain any references you import, such as a 2D plan, objects for scale and layout reference, point clouds and the various underlays that are sometimes required. An imported pdf reference would go here as well.

900 Drawing Support-902 Origin object, datum lines

The project origin object and user origin objects as well as any datum reference lines.

900 Drawing Support-903 North-arrow, celestial references

Sort of self explanatory. North arrow and the odd celestial reference. If a sun object is included this could go here as well.

900 Drawing Support-904 Centerlines

Building centerline, room centerline, stage centerline. Centerlines galore!

900 Drawing Support-905 Non Construction Lines

Non Construction Lines (NCL) are all lines that are not representing any physical boundary, object, elevation etc. but rather exist only as an aid in the drawing process. This could be sightlines, focus lines, alignment lines and grids etc.

900 Drawing Support-906 Dimensions

General drawing dimensions. For category specific dimensions, we recommend that the top level sub category is used.

900 Drawing Support-907 Text

General drawing text and information. For category specific text, we recommend that the top level sub category is used.

900 Drawing Support-908 Print Specific

This is meant as a category for anything general that is applied before print, annotations, checkmarks, scales etc.

900 Drawing Support-909 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

910 Software Support-911 Cameras

In-program cameras used for render, views and other 3D environment purposes. Representations of actual cameras belong in the broadcast category.

910 Software Support-912 Viewports

Vectorworks specific category for viewports on design layers and sheet layers.

910 Software Support-913 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

910 Software Support-914 Focus points, focus lines

Drawing aid category for focus points and focus lines in lighting, projection and camera specific softwares such as Wysiwyg and Vectorworks Spotlight.

910 Software Support-915 Axis, motion

Drawing aid category for axis for moving scenery and other objects that move. For example motion axis in Wysiwyg.

910 Software Support-916 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

910 Software Support-917 Default category

This is ment to be the default category in your software (Vectorworks “None”, Wysiwygs “Main” etc.”)

910 Software Support-918 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

910 Software Support-919 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

920 Calculations-921 Braceworks

This category is for Vectorworks Braceworks specific support functions.

920 Calculations-922 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

920 Calculations-923 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

920 Calculations-924 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

920 Calculations-925 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

920 Calculations-926 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

920 Calculations-927 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

920 Calculations-928 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use

920 Calculations-929 NOT IN USE

This sub category is currently not in use