AutoSTAGE 2D

AutoSTAGE 2D is the application for those who want to design theatre and events technology professionally and efficiently and achieve optimal results in the shortest time. AutoSTAGE 2D offers comprehensive and sophisticated functions that simplify and facilitate the design process, and in many cases the subsequent implementation of the design.

Here is an overview of the many features and functions of AutoSTAGE 2D. A detailed description of all the functions can be found in the AutoSTAGE – User Guide, which is right now only available in the german language version.

Also note the chapter on The Basics of AutoSTAGE.

Arrangement of all symbols and functions in toolbars

The user interface of AutoSTAGE 2D consists of various toolbars. There is one main toolbar for each of the sections Light, Sound, Video, Stage, Trussing, Rigging, Studio & Theatre and Accessories. Further sub-toolbars are displayed from each main toolbar.

AutoSTAGE symbols are inserted in a design through the toolbar icons which are also used to execute commands and functions.  When moving the cursor over the icons a QuickInfo is displayed which presents the concise information related to that icon and the associated AutoSTAGE command or AutoSTAGE symbol.

Easy insertion of symbols

By clicking on the icon in the toolbar, the associated symbol is inserted into the design.

Inserting symbols using the selection guide

All AutoSTAGE symbols are grouped into toolbars and represented by icons. The selection guide can be opened from every toolbar to simplify the selection process. Hereby, all the symbols of a toolbar can be previewed and inserted into the design.

Converting of specific symbols

You can convert specific symbols into AutoSTAGE symbols. All the functions provided by AutoSTAGE can be used with converted symbols. Converted symbols can be stored and later reinserted into the design.

Unique control of symbols

Every AutoSTAGE symbol has a unique mark that identifies the insertion point of a symbol. A symbol can easily be turned or moved with this mark.

Switching symbol transparency ‘On’ and ‘Off’

Almost all AutoSTAGE design symbols can be shown or hidden in the design. If the transparency is switched off, the lines that lie underneath the symbol are hidden.

Allocation of any colour to a symbol

To improve the overview of a design, a user-defined colour can be allocated to any AutoSTAGE symbol.

Linking of information by attributes

Most of the AutoSTAGE symbols are provided with attributes. Attributes can be information such as manufacturer or weight specifications. The AutoSTAGE editor allows the entering and changing of almost all attributes via special customised commands.

Displaying of attributes and manipulation via the AutoSTAGE editor

Double-clicking on any AutoSTAGE symbol opens the AutoSTAGE editor, where the attributes of the symbol are displayed. With the editor, almost all attributes of all symbols can be entered and changed.

Generating stock and parts lists with a mouse click

All data included in a design can be accessed and sorted quickly and easily, e.g. number of individual symbols or lengths of cables. Stock and parts lists can be exported as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets with a mouse click.

Sophisticated resizing tools via the AutoSTAGE XPOINT system

The innovative AutoSTAGE XPOINT system allows easy handling of a variety of AutoSTAGE symbols in a design.  Each AutoSTAGE Symbols has been allocated resizing points at strategically important locations that allows the easy manipulation of symbols with a minimum of effort.

Intelligent management of symbols by using layers

Every design will be textured through the use of layers. All AutoSTAGE symbols are inserted with specific AutoSTAGE layers. To simplify the overview of a design, specific types or categories of symbols (light, sound, video etc) can be displayed or hidden at will, via special AutoSTAGE functions.

Complete categories can be turned on and off with a mouse click

With one click of the mouse an entire category (e.g. light, sound, video etc.) can be displayed or hidden in the design.

Automatic arrangement of any design elements

Any design elements (lights, speakers, etc.) can be arranged automatically along a line or an arc, and be equidistant from each other.

Finding lights, plug boxes or groups in a design

The AutoSTAGE search & find feature can locate lights, plug boxes or dimmers by their number or name. The actual display detail of the design range zooms automatically to the located symbol.
Entire groups can also be found by entering the group name.

Automatic creation of legends

The automatic legend feature of AutoSTAGE creates, with a click, a legend for all the category symbols within the design. In addition to the legend, symbols and the legend label, this feature also displays the quantity and the individual and total weight of similar symbols in the legend.

Grouping of any design elements

Any design element can be combined into groups with the AutoSTAGE group feature.

Setting of scale when inserting symbols

All AutoSTAGE symbols can be inserted into the design with different scales. The scale options available are Millimetre, Centimetre, Decimetre and Metre. An adjustment of the scale is necessary if there is a design that is created with a different scale to the AutoSTAGE standard scale.

Storing of information within the design via a log-book

The log-book allows the text information of a project to be saved within a design.

Saving the most important project data within the design

The ProjectInfo allows the storing of important project data, such as name of the project, location, date, customer, and design date or storage location of the design. By double-clicking on ProjectInfo, project data can be changed through a dialogue window.

Inserting of design frames for printing

For paper sizing, predefined design frames can be inserted in sizes from A4 to A0. The design frames are linked to the ProjectInfo so that the project data of all print layouts is the same. The design frames can be adjusted according to individual requests and corporate designs.

Assigning of cable lengths

A large number of AutoSTAGE symbols allow the allocation of cable lengths. Symbols with cables are for example lights, plug box, 6’er spotlight bars, dimmers and power distributors. The cable lengths can be analysed and sorted by type or length, thus the number of required cables and their lengths can be determined at the planning stage.

Electrical current planning in a design

Complete electric current plans can be created by inserting power connectors, cables and distributors. Cable length and comments can be attributed to individual electrical symbols and can be planned and evaluated separately per category. The categories refer to, among other things, light, sound, video and catering.

Inserting of symbols for different types of cables

Various types of cables can be inserted as a symbol into a design. Each cable symbol  is assigned to a specific category. The category is determined by the toolbar from which the cable symbol is inserted. After assigning a cable length, the type and length of the inserted cable symbol can be analysed by a stock list.

Inserting of several types of cables as Flycase

Through the use of Flycases, several cables of a specific type can be inserted into a design. A particular category is allocated to each Flycase. The category will be determined by the toolbar from which the Flycase is inserted. After assigning cable lengths and quantities, the type of cable of the inserted Flycases can be analysed in a stock list.

Quick and easy retrieval of all weights in a design

A simple shortcut can retrieve the total weight of all symbols in a design. It can also determine the weight of a selection of symbols from certain areas in the design.

Insertion and labelling of banquet tables

With the toolbar, banquet tables of different sizes and number of chairs can be inserted in the design.  All banquet tables can quickly and easily be numbered or labelled with text. All banquet tables and the corresponding chairs can then be counted.

Automatic arrangement of chairs in columns and rows

With AutoSTAGE, chairs can be grouped in columns and rows as specified by a design. It is also possible to create blocks of diagonal chairs. All chairs can then be counted.

Drawing of special lines

Specific lines can be drawn with AutoSTAGE that are used for the symbolic representation of the cable paths or drops.

Quick creation of dimensions

AutoSTAGE can create dimensions with only 3 mouse clicks. Indicator arrows with text are drawn just as fast.

Measuring of continuous distance

With this feature, continuous distances can be measured. Here the distance to the last point is shown as well as the total measured distance.

Inserting of single line text

Single line texts, with pre-defined text heights, can be inserted quickly with the AutoSTAGE toolbar.

Simple activation of functions through keyboard shortcuts

Many of the AutoSTAGE functions can be activated directly via the icons in the toolbar. All AutoSTAGE functions can however also be entered as a command in the command line. This feature improves efficiency and eases the workload.

Reviewing and help with current commands

Each AutoSTAGE window contains a status bar that indicates the status of current commands or Help and Tips for the user for the next step.

Quick display or hiding of toolbars

All toolbars can be displayed or hidden with their own shortcuts. Most of the extended toolbars can be displayed or hidden by clicking on a pin icon.

Arrangement of toolbars on the screen

All AutoSTAGE toolbars can be positioned at any point on the screen.

Publishing an AutoSTAGE design

A drawing with an AutoSTAGE created design, can be specifically published for an external project participant. When publishing a design for an external recipient, it is optimised and all unnecessary AutoSTAGE information, and layers from the design, will be deleted automatically.

Central control for displays of the most important toolbars

The AutoSTAGE toolbar control can regulate the visibility of the most important toolbars.

Working with dummies

Dummies are symbols that are used as placeholders and information carriers in a design. Any information can be entered into dummies. These are recorded and analysed with the count-list commands.

Additional features, advantages and strengths of AutoSTAGE 2D

• Full use of the diverse and powerful features of AutoCAD (with AutoSTAGE Pro) or Bricscad (with AutoSTAGE Easy).
• Shortest training for users with AutoCAD experience.
• The intuitive and clear structure as well as simple functions of AutoSTAGE allows the CAD beginner a quick introduction to working with AutoCAD (with AutoSTAGE Pro) or Bricscad (with AutoSTAGE Easy).
• CAD beginners, in the course of working with AutoSTAGE, are familiarised with the advanced functions of AutoCAD (or Bricscad).
• Produces the most optimal planning results in the shortest time
• Displays reality properly.
• After the preparation of the design and evaluation lists, an immediate conversion of the planning is possible.
• The standardisation allows for a faster, simpler and more economical production of complex plans and designs.
• The intelligent processing of information allows the creation, linking and analysis of various project information and design data.
• All relevant information and data for the technical planning of an event can be entered into a design in advance, combined and analysed.