Instructions for using the Film & Stage Libraries

About the Components and SketchUp

Film & Stage components are placed by dragging them from the Component Window
and dropping them into your model.
Each component has an axis origin that doubles as an insertion point. The insertion point
is usually located at a corner of the components bottom surface or, in the case of circular
components, at the center of the bottom surface. Lights, cameras, and other mountable
equipment are built with insertion points at their base, making it easy to mount them to
other components. Because they glue to surfaces when placed in the file, these
mountable items are easily attached to angled booms, stands, and arms.
Once components are placed, they can be manipulated by right clicking on the object and
selecting edit (just this one) or edit component. Many Film & Stage components
contain nested groupings that allow parts of the object to be easily extended, rotated,
stretched, or deleted. Components with rotating parts usually bare crosshairs to indicate
pivot points. If no pivot point is specified, the center point of the nested component or
circle should serve as the point of rotation.
Crosshairs and intersecting lines also indicate mounting points between components, as
shown in the images at the right.

pivot points

mounting points

Many of the components are rather basic and use standard placement methods. There are
some components, however, that may need further clarification. These are explained in
the following library instructions.

These libraries were created using the latest standards specific to each piece of
equipment. Though every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, it is the users
responsibility to confirm that all components conform to their own specific requirements.
@Last Software does not accept responsibility for any errors that might occur, either in
the components themselves or as a result of their use.

How to use the Camera Library

Its important to note that the look through camera tool does not work with cameras
found in the component library. These component-based cameras are meant to act only
as objects and do not currently function as viewports into a model.
For more information on creating cameras that use the look through camera tool, see
Previs Help in the Help pull down menu. If this option does not appear, download our
free SketchUp for Film & Stage plug-in.
Once a camera is created, it can be edited as a component without altering its cinematic
qualities.

How to use the Lighting Library

The Lighting Library contains items such as lights, scrims, diffusion frames, and stands.
As mentioned in the introduction, lights, scrims, flags, etc. are built with insertion points
at their base. Because they glue to surfaces when placed, they can easily attach to
booms and stands that are already angled.
After placement, lighting components can be manipulated in several ways:
-

light is placed

Stand legs can be rotated.

Boom arms can be rotated.
Barndoors can be easily deleted.
Stand heights can be raised and lowered. Each riser forms a group; select the
risers you wish to extend, and move upward along the blue axis.
Lights, flags, and grids can be pivoted about rotation points. If a likely pivot
point is not indicated by crosshairs, the center point of the nested component
or group serves as the rotation point.

light can then be rotated

barndoors can be deleted

How to use the Dollies Library

The Dollies Library contains dollies and track segments. Two are described below:
-

Tripod Dolly - The legs of the dolly can be rotated about the center. The
wheels may also be rotated if needed. If wheels are not lining up correctly,
rotate them separately by right clicking and selecting edit (just this one).

Curved track After placing segments end to end, they can then be rotated to
form a continuous curve.

How to use the Jibs and Cranes Library

Jib and Crane components function similarly to real equipment. Arms and lifts can rotate
about pivot points, while booms can telescope to extend their reach. Most of the
components follow the pivot point/crosshairs standard shown in the introduction above.
Two that may need further explanation follow:
-

Boom lift - The boom lift has several levels of nested groupings. After
opening the component for editing, the first subgroup allows you to rotate the
upper half of the base, the boom, and the basket in the horizontal plane,
parallel to the ground. The pivot point is located on the base, just under the
boom.
The second nested group allows the boom and basket to rotate vertically. The
pivot point is located on the base of the boom.
The following groups allow the boom to extend in 3 risers. In order to keep
the risers in line, use the edge of the largest riser as a basepoint when
extending the others.
The final nested group allows the basket to be rotated.
Raised Scissors lift The height of this lift can be shortened by deleting
scissor sections. Similarly, the lift can be extended by duplicating sections,
pasting to them to the existing ones, and raising the platform.

How to use the Audio Library

Similar to the Lighting and Grip categories, the Audio Library contains stands that may
be extended. Select the risers you wish to extend; then move them along the blue axis
while holding the shift key.