Eos 3.2: Import MVR

One of my favorite things in the world is when a familiar platform adds a new import ability.  Eos 3.2 (newly released if you want to slide over to etcconnect.com) has added a slew of great features, one of which is MVR import.  What is that?  My Virtual Rig is an open format show file sharing protocol that contains both scenic and lighting information.  It has the potential to save you tons of time and reduce mistakes by not having to manually re-enter information in many different places.  I don’t have a comprehensive list of drafting softwares that support it, but the Big Three (Vectorworks, Capture and WYSIWYG) all support import and export of MVR.  For more information on MVR, slide on over to https://www.gdtf-share.com/ and learn more.

Since I’ve already covered importing and exporting MVR in a previous blog https://www.mlp-lighting.com/import/mvr-import-export/ I’m going to dive right into the Eos part of this process, assuming you already have an MVR file.

In Eos, hit Displays to bring up the CIA, then go to Setup>System>User and make sure your User Profile has Augment3d Enabled.

In Eos, hit Displays to bring up the CIA, then go to Setup>System>User and make sure your User Profile has Augment3d Enabled. 

Next, make sure you have an Augment3d tab open to receive the scenery import. Tab 38.

File>Import>MVR/Capture Model.  (Side note- Capture import is intended to receive GITF file format.  Let me know if you want a tutorial on that.)  Within that, choose where your file is located and double click your file.  You will have a familiar dialogue box if you have done much importing. 

There’s a lot to take in here, and pretty much all of it matters.  Let’s look at the items under Options first.  

Options

Merge Augment3d Scenery is an option to include the 3d model in the file.  More than likely you will want this.

Starting Channel/Ending Channel gives you the option to bring in just some of the channels (handy for revisions). If you don’t specify otherwise, all the information will be imported.

Overwrite is an option to erase existing information that may already be in Eos if it overlaps with data being imported.  Typically, one should avoid this unless you have a house plot that has been re-channeled by an incoming production.

Update Fixture Types will update your fixture profile to the most recent profile in the Library.  I frequently edit my fixture profiles, so I always proceed with caution here.

Only Import Augment3d XYZ Location is a handy way to only import spacing of the fixtures into your otherwise complete patch.

Only Import Text/Notes/Labels/Gels is a great way to only import meta-data for your lights and not change anything else.

Eos/Source File

This is an area to line up data between your source file and Eos such as channel, address, etc.  In my limited (thus far) experience, the automatic preference seems to work very well.

Directions

Here, since I’m importing into an empty file, I’m turning Merge Augment3d Scenery on and leaving everything else with their default values.  Next, we touch {Map Devices} on the left hand side of the dialogue box. 

Here is a familiar view for those who import fixtures into Eos.  In this place, you select an item under Source File, then use the search function to find the appropriate profile from the Library.  Make sure you are selecting exactly the right profile and don’t assume anything that matches the name of the fixture will work.  When you have both the Profile and the Source selected, you hit {Link Devices} and move on down through the Source file list till you are done.  When you’ve linked all the devices, click {Done} on the left hand side. 

Last thing to do is click {OK} to finish the process.  Double check your patch (no import process is perfect) and then open Tab 38 Augment3d and after a minute to process, your model should appear.  

If you are wondering why three people are standing on top of each other in my drawing, it’s because I was lighting an aerial cabaret.  

This process has worked perfectly for me every time so far.  I hope you find it as beneficial to your work flow as I do. What else are you most excited about in 3.2?  Hit me in the comments!

6 comments

  1. GM - Reply

    Great, thanks!

    Does EOS utilize the GDTF files provided in the MVR? Say if i have a fixture defined in GDTF that EOS is not aware of, would it now work in Augment3D/EOS?

    >I don’t have a comprehensive list of drafting softwares that support it

    Here is a somewhat comprehensive list of projects using MVR and GDTF: https://gdtf.eu/docs/list-of-projects/

    • admin - Reply

      That I know of, Eos does not import GDTF files. You must align your imported fixtures with something in their database. And thanks for the link!

      • Dylan Rush CEE - Reply

        As of Eos 3.2.4, GDTF can be imported. However, if the imported files are non-compliant, for example if they contain null fields, you may have unexpected results. Eos is not yet able to make corrections to the data.

        • admin - Reply

          Thanks, Dylan. I’m looking forward to this new-to-Eos feature being smoothed out. It would be incredibly helpful if more manufacturers made GTDF files for their fixtures with the emitter data Eos can take advantage of.

  2. Vincent - Reply

    Hi there
    Thanks for all your tutos.
    Trying to play with MVR import from Wyg, with not a great success.
    Whatever options I try, I get proper locations for scenery and fixtures, but never the right ones ! Only standard dimmers with S4 models.
    Even mapping to right ones (Robe T1Mode 2), I always get dimmers instead. It’s quite a simple plot with 4 pipes and 16 devices.
    Any idea ? Already tried with Wyg 2023 ?
    Currently EOS 3.2 build 58

    • admin - Reply

      Since I don’t own Wyg, the only experiences I’ve had with it is importing an MVR from my Capture file into Wyg for a project I was collaborating on. Are you choosing in Eos which fixture matches with what? Remember you have to click Map Devices to get to that window (as in the tutorial). If you are doing that and it still isn’t working, I’d reach out to Wyg to ask them what format of information they are exporting. Though MVR is a standard, many software companies are choosing to interpret the standard, which leads to problems.

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