New Features and Improvements
NEW LENS FLARE ENGINE
Vivien 2024’s overhauled lens flare engine greatly improves lens flares for fixtures whose lens (“face”) is not circular, by making the flares conform to their shape; for example, rectangular panel-type fixtures, no longer display round flares. It also improves the realism of lens flares that appear for fixtures fitted with gobos.
FOOTPRINT FOCUS
In previous versions, users had to insert special copies of fixtures to achieve a soft, blurry beam footprint or edge, as opposed to a sharp edge, for fixtures like the Theatre Light or PAR Light. However, in Version 2024, we’ve simplified this process by introducing the Footprint Focus feature. Now, users can dynamically soften beam footprints’ edges with ease, eliminating the need for separate fixture copies and streamlining the design process.
BATCH-EXPORT FOR LOOKS
It is now possible to Batch-Export Virtual Images from Looks (in addition to Cameras). It is also possible to combine camera and look when exporting, saving multiple camera views for each look you’ve created.
PORTRAIT-TYPE ASPECT RATIOS ADDED TO CAMERAS
Portrait-Type Aspect Ratios have been added to Cameras. Ideal for exporting and sharing your designs with clients for mobile view or to post them on social media platforms, this addition enhances your ability to engage audiences in today’s vertical content preference. Elevate your presentations and online posts effortlessly.
COMPLEX/REALISTIC TRUSS STRUCTURES WITH TRUSS PIECES
Individual truss pieces were added to Vivien 2022’s Library, under the AV category. Using these, you will be able to build more complex truss structures than what the Truss Wizard can generate; these structures can also be more realistic, since the truss pieces have real-life counterparts.
SELECT FROM SELECTED
This feature allows selection from within the set of items that are currently selected and improves efficiency both for on-the-fly selection, as well as for creating Selection Sets.
To use: Select any number of items, hold down SHIFT, and right-click; now the different Select options in the right-click menu will only allow selection within the items that were already selected.
CONVERT SPLINES TO PIPES
This conversion tool helps you create pipes in any curvy shape needed. To use: Select any Spline, click the TOOLS menu, click Convert and then click Splines into Pipes.
VERTEX AND FACE COUNTS FOR 3D OBJECTS
Tooltips now display the Vertex and Face counts of 3D objects, including those inserted from the Library. This information can be invaluable for scene analysis, when trying to determine which object(s) may be responsible for poor Shaded View performance.
To use: Hover the cursor over any 3D object and wait for the tooltip to appear
ADDITIONS TO SNAP FUNCTIONS
Snapping functions have been expanded to allow:
Centre Snap to catch the volumetric center of Risers and Spheres.
Midpoint Snap to catch the midpoint of an Arc along its length.
Endpoint Snap catches the endpoints of Curved Pipes.
To use: Activate the necessary Snap(s) as usual and hover around the different points to snap to them.
DELETING ALL CUSTOM GOBOS AT ONCE
It is now possible to delete all Custom Gobos from a file at once, whether or not they are in use.
CONVERT ARCS TO (SEMI-CIRCULAR OR SEMI-ELLIPTICAL) SURFACES
This conversion tool helps you transform any Arc into Surface. To use it click Tools>Convert>Arcs into Surfaces.
