The Field Template™ User's Guide

The Field Template User's Guide, Part I

The Field Template is a tool designed to assist the draftsperson in producing accurate, clean, rapidly drafted light plots. Although it has been laid out specifically to aid designers in the field, it can speed drafting in the studio as well.
The heart of the Field Template is the Pro·Trak System (Patent 5,031,333) of unit alignment. Using its features, you can rapidly position and draft units on the same axis, as well as instantly space them on 18" centers.

Use the Field Template to measure distances instead of a Scale Rule

Draw a guide line (indicating the hanging position) with the edge of the template or with a straight edge.

Using the 1/2" scale on the top of the template, draw dots for the lamp centers on 18" centers.

Raise the template so that the horizontal axis line of the lamps and the dots define the center of the lamps, and trace lamps.

OR

Draw a guide line (indicating the hanging position) with the edge of the template or with a straight edge.

Raise the template so the guide line is aligned with the horizontal axis line of the template. Then mark 18" centers.

Now begin tracing lamps on the 18" centers.

OR Use Blue 1/4" Gridded Drafting Paper and Save Yourself a Lot of Work

Scale and Ruler Notes:

The 1/2" Scales on the top and bottom of the template are reversed, so you can measure from Centerline to Stage Left, or Centerline to Stage Right, without having to flip the template as often.
The inch scale on the left and right side of the template are also reversed, so you can measure distances in inches without having to flip the template as often.

The Field Template User's Guide, Part II

The Pro•Trak 50 System:

If you're drawing a plot, or know the instrumentation layout of the position being drafted, it's not necessary to mark the 18" centers before tracing the symbols. The Pro•Trak 50 System provides you with a prespaced gridwork in 1/2" (or 1/4") scale:

Each bold vertical line is spaced 18" apart.
Each light vertical line (or Trak) is spaced 6" apart.
The top and bottom row of dots is spaced 3" apart.

Use the Field Template™ to Trace Lamps Without Marking Centers

Trace the outline of a unit.

Slide the template to the right so the first unit is aligned with the bold vertical line of the next adjacent unit.

Trace the second unit which is prespaced 18" from the first unit.

OR

Trace the outline of a unit.

Slide the template to the right so the first unit is aligned with the first light vertical line (or Trak) farther away from the bold vertical line.

Trace the second unit which is prespaced 24" from the first unit.

OR

Trace the outline of a unit.

Slide the template to the right so the first unit is aligned with the first Grid•Dot farther away from the bold vertical line.

Trace the second unit which is prespaced 21" from the first unit.

The Field Template User's Guide, Part III

Use the Field Template axis holes to trace lamps:

Trace the outline of a unit, and mark the axis hole on the right side of the unit.

Slide the template to the right, so the mark is aligned with the axis hole on the left side of the unit.

Trace the second unit which is prespaced 18" from the first unit.

Use the Field Template Axis Holes to Trace Lamps

Use the small holes above and below each unit to define the CenterLine of each traced unit.

Use the holes on either side of each unit to define the yoke axis of the traced unit.

Note:
The four holes around each unit or symbol can be used for pre-measurement, but they can be tricky. The horizontal axis holes are centered between each unit. The axis hole to the left of the 6 x 22 and the axis hole to the left of the Vari VL2 are the exception to this rule. Use these holes with discretion.

Use the Field Template to Define the Type of Lamp

Draw slashes in ERS's

The slashes can be used to draw the angled lines in the barrel of traced lamps to denote different designations of lamps.

Draw slits in ERS's

The slits can be used to draw the vertical lines in the barrel of traced lamps to denote different designations of lamps.

Grammatical Note:
The plural of axis is axes. Some radical etymologists insist that the plural form of axis is axii, but that is only if there are three or more; One axis, two axes, three axii.

The Field Template User's Guide, Part IV

Use the Field Template for Other Drafting Tasks

Drawing 45° Angle Units

Rotate the template 45°. When the small black dots "line up" on the guide line, lamps can be traced at matching 45° angles.

Indicate an Iris/Gobo

The circle and triangle on either side of the ETC Source Four can indicate an iris or a template in an ellipsoidal.
The third symbol in the "barrel designation" area is a square labeled "GMOT". This is in memory of Mr. Gilbert Helmsley, who designated lamps in a plot as "GMOT", or "Get Me Out of Trouble". Hey, the template had space, and who knows what other manufacturing oddities will turn up in the next five years.

To Indicate Twofering

The Twofer•Dots can both indicate and prespace twofering between traced lamps.

Indicate Lamp Direction

The arrows to the left of the title block can indicate the direction of striplights for hanging information.

Draw "trees" or "booms"

Draw a straight line. Now, using the Pro•Trak 50 System, you can draw parallel lines, 90° angle lines, or 45° angle lines to draft trees or booms.