Meyer Sound Documentation

If the DXF file is two-dimensional, all objects should be parallel to one of the three planes (XY, XZ, or YZ), which translate to Plan, Longitudinal Section, and Transverse Section views.

If only 2D DXF files are available, they can be arranged in a 3D file in an orientation that approximates a 3D file, as shown in the figure below. The plan file is oriented flat on the XY plane, and the longitudinal section is oriented flat on the XZ plane. The origin for both images must be in the same place, downstage-center for example. This enables the designer to add Primitives in MAPP 3D representing seating areas and to select them for prediction.

Imported 2D Plan and Longitudinal Section Drawings Arranged in a 3D File

Reduce file size

For best application performance, the size of the imported DXF should be kept as small as possible, though files of 20 Mb or larger can be imported.

Many drawings contain entities that are not needed for design work in MAPP 3D. Remove these entities from the drawing (e.g., lobby, doors, and bathrooms), select and ERASE (AutoCAD).

Replacing complex entities with simple entities is also recommended, for example, in the image above, replacing the seats with a single entity will reduce the overall file size significantly and simplify the drawing.

Zoom to Extents (Z-enter, E-enter) to check for extraneous entities in the drawing. View should be of intended entities filling the model window. If the intended entities do not occupy the entire window, there are likely unintended entities in the drawing.

Remove imported DXF or SKP drawing

To remove an imported drawing from a .mapp project: select Tools > Layer Management, select layers with imported drawing entities, and click Delete Layer.

Entity exclusion

MAPP3D cannot import certain DXF object types including:

• surfaces

• ellipses

• splines

• dimensions

• 3D solids

• polyface meshes

• leaders

• hatches

• attribute definitions

• blocks that contain these types of entities

These object types should be converted to entity types compatible with MAPP 3D or removed from the DXF prior to import, including:

• polylines

• faces

• arcs

• circles

Some blocks can be imported, however, the best practice is to EXPLODE (AutoCAD) all blocks in the event that non-importable objects are embedded within them.

Text is displayed in MAPP 3D at only one scale and is usually removed from the drawing before importing.

The AutoCAD purge command can also significantly reduce file size, but should only be utilized after the following conditions have been met:

• All blocks have been exploded, and only lines, arcs, and circles remain.

• All xrefs bound or detached

• All paper space layouts deleted except the default

• All entities have the same linetype

• All layer linetypes are set to Continuous

• All entities have the same color

• All entities have the same lineweight

• All layer lineweights are set to Default

• All text in the drawing is exploded using Express Tools–Explode Text function, turning any text into polylines that can be exploded to lines, arcs, and circles

The Overkill command can be used to delete duplicate lines, or lines that overlap one another unnecessarily.

Final considerations and saving

Layer colors can not be changed once the drawing is imported into MAPP 3D. Make any desired changes before importing. The MAPP 3D model background can be white or black, we suggest choosing a shade of gray, 253 or 254 in AutoCAD.

The origin point should be moved to a logical location, typically downstage center or where the stage face meets the floor, center stage.

Boundary limits can be set in AutoCAD. Use the Limits command, select the bottom-left point of the drawing, then the upper-right point.

Save DXF using File Type: AutoCAD DXF, 2013 format (select using the drop-down at bottom of Save Drawing As dialog).

If the drawing still doesn’t import properly:

1. Select all of the desired entities in the drawing.

2. Copy special (ctrl-shift-c).

3. Select down-stage center or or where the stage face meets the floor, center stage as the base point.

4. Spen a new drawing (ctrl-n).

5. Paste the entities into the new drawing (ctrl-v), use insertion point 0,0,0.

6. Save the new file.

Return to the above Import DXF Files section.

If these steps fail to import the drawing properly, please contact us: www.meyersound.com/contact, select Technical Support.

There are two methods to pan the view in the Model View tab:

There are two methods to orbit the view in the Model View tab:

There are presets for common viewing angles.

The Viewport tab has four Viewport preset buttons and the Multiple Viewport button. The view selections are preserved between the four views.

The Create New camera view button creates a new camera view in the Camera Management window where Cameras are managed; this window is also accessible via TOOLS > CAMERA MANAGEMENT. Views saved here populate the Camera drop-down in the Model View. Double-click names to edit them.

Zoom In, Out, Extents Tools

Use the scroll wheel of the mouse to zoom in/out with the cursor hovering on the model.

Click   to zoom out and view all objects of a model.

When selected, hover the cursor over an object to identify vertexes. When a white square appears, click on the vertex, then hover and click on another vertex. The distance between the vertexes is displayed. Press ESC key to clear the distance measurement.

Distance Tape Measurement Tool Example

Increase or decrease the size of an object in one axial direction by adjusting the sliders – applicable only for geometry (Primitives), 2D and 3D.

Properties Tab – Scale Tool

Rotates objects in the model—applies to loudspeaker systems and geometry.

Properties Tab – Rotate Tool

Use the Align tool to move all selected objects to the same coordinate of the selected object and axis—applies to all object types in a model.

Non-Aligned Objects

Click to Select Alignment Axis

Click to Select Alignment Axis

Objects Aligned

If one object is added to the model and additional objects of the same type are needed in an equally spaced line or curve, use the Array tool—applies to all objects in a model.

The limit for loudspeakers is 50; the geometry and microphones limit is 100.

For Polar Arrays, the rotation is always around the Z-Axis, which means the z value of the reference point is not used.

First Object of Array

Select Object

Array Dialog, Polar / Rectangle, Enter Array Parameters

Array Objects Added

The Mirror tool duplicates an object across the selected axis at the same relative position as the original—applies to all objects in a model.

Select object or objects, EDIT > DUPLICATE to duplicate selected object(s).

When multiple objects are selected in Model View, they can be grouped together and be modified as a single object.

When objects in a group are selected, use Un-Group to separate the objects, allowing them to be selected individually.

Select object(s), EDIT > CUT (cmd-X), object(s) are removed and copied to the clipboard.

Select object(s), EDIT > COPY (cmd-C), object(s) are copied to the clipboard.

Select object(s), EDIT > PASTE (cmd-V), object(s) are pasted from the clipboard.

In the Properties tab, vertexes of a Free Draw primitive can be edited manually, added, and deleted. Click APPLY to accept changes.

Edit Vertices, Click APPLY

Free Draw vertexes can be snapped to points of an imported DXF or SKP file.

Repeat to add additional vertexes. If this geometry is extruded 180 degrees, it would represent the seating area. See below, Extrude.

Free Draw – Snapping To Imported Geometry

When adding Primitives, select a non-isometric or “flat” view (Top, Left, Right, Front, or Rear) to add geometry on an axis with a zero value. This is illustrated below:

To Add Primitive Flat on an Axis, Add Primitive in Flat Viewport

The reference point of a Primitive is the center of the Primitive by default. To change the location:

Change Geometry Reference Location

The location of geometry can be changed in two ways:

Method One

1. Select geometry.

2. Click-drag the yellow sphere inside the Primitive.

3. Limited by the boundary limits of the model.

Move Geometry – Click Object Reference Point and Drag

Method Two

1. Select the geometry.

2. Edit parameters in the Properties Pane or Object Settings Tab.

Based on the Primitive type, different properties will be displayed for each type of Primitive. For 3D and 2D shapes, the position coordinates, orientation/rotation around each axis, and dimensions are displayed and can be edited. Position is referenced to the center of the Primitive unless Select Vertex has been used to choose a different reference point.

Select the Prediction option for a surface—enables pressure plots to be displayed on that surface.

Model View – Geometry Selected for Prediction, Geometry with Prediction

Center lines of loudspeakers will pass through Primitives when they are set to Through (default). When not selected as Through, the Primitive will be pink (or purple if the surface is also selected as Prediction) and the loudspeaker center lines will not go through the Primitive.

This allows designers to determine if the center line of a speaker has line of sight to certain areas (e.g., under balconies).

Through Example – Orchestra Through, Balcony Not Selected as Through

Any Primitive that is selected as Predictive includes the Offset option. The prediction plane will be offset from the geometry by the value entered. This is generally used to approximate actual listening height. The offset value can be adjusted to accommodate seating or standing heights.

Geometry Offset for Prediction – Offset 1.5m, No Offset

MAPP3D acoustic data is based on precise measurements of Meyer Sound products. One of the benefits of this precision is that users can replicate and confirm the predictions made in MAPP 3D in the real world. Because ground plane measurements are often used to capture loudspeaker data, MAPP3D includes a tool to replicate this method for predictions.

When geometry is selected as Ground Plane, a first-order acoustic reflection from the geometry is modeled. One geometry in a project can be selected as Ground Plane. This is a perfect first-order acoustic reflection, without acoustic coefficients, no absorption or transmission properties. The intended use is to predict measurements with a microphone on the geometry, replicating a ground plane measurement in an open space, where a loudspeaker is measured with the microphone on the floor or ground. Selecting geometry as Ground Plane does not affect its appearance.

Ground Plane Prediction – Horizontal Geometry Selected as Ground Plan, Vertical Geometry Added for Visualization

Extrudes single 2D geometry to be 3D geometry.

Properties Pane – Extrude Parameters

Linear extrusion

When Linear Extrusion is selected, choose the axis to extrude the shape along from the drop-down menu. Enter a Length and optionally, a Zenithal and/or Azimuth angle, examples below. Click the APPLY button at the bottom of the tab to extrude the geometry.

The below examples begin with these three geometries lined up on the positive X-axis.

Model View, Linear Extrusion Example – Original Geometry: Rectangle, Ellipse, Free Draw

Linear extrusion along axis example:

Select an axis to extrude along from the drop-down menu. Enter a Length, which is always positive. Click the APPLY button at the bottom of the tab. When these Geometries (below) are extruded along the Z-Axis, the shapes are extruded along the Z-Axis, resulting in 3D geometry.

Model View, Linear Extrusion Example, Three, 2D Shapes Extruded Along Z-Axis

Linear extrusion along axis with zenithal angle example:

Zenithal angle is constrained between 0-180 degrees. Below are the results when the 2D geometries are extruded with the Zenithal Angle set to 45 degrees.

Model View, Linear Extrusion Example, Three, 2D Shapes Extruded Along Z-Axis With Zenithal Angle Set To 45 Degrees

Applies to 2D geometry.

Trim Modifier – Select, TRIM, Click to Remove, ENTER

Applies to geometry. Duplicates and offsets the selected geometry at the distance and axis entered.

Offset Modifier – Two Examples, 2D and 3D. Original Objects, Original Objects with Offset Objects

Used to create one 3D geometry from two intersecting 3D geometries.

Union Modifier – Two 3D Geometries, Before and After Union

Can only be performed on two 3D Primitives that intersect. This Modifier result is the intersecting volume of 3D Primitives.

Intersect Modifier – Two 3D Objects Selected, Resulting Geometry

Applies to two intersecting 3D geometries. This Modifier removes the intersecting volume of one of the 3D geometries.

In the example below, the cuboid is clicked to remove its volume from the cylinder.

Subtract Modifier – Two Geometries Selected, After Modification

Measure and the length X and width Y of the arena floor. Where they intersect is coordinate 0, 0, 0 in the MAPP 3D model (O for origin). From the origin, right and up are positive X/Y coordinates, left and down are negative X/Y coordinates.

There may be hockey dashers that define the floor, if not, use the first row of seating for the dimensions of the arena floor.

Measure Arena Floor, O = Origin, 0,0,0

Move the laser target to the location where the curve of the corner seating becomes straight on both sides of the corner (R for Reference Point).

The Reference Point Position is the location from which the Architectural Profile will be measured.

Figure 1.

Place Tripod Where Corner Curve Stops on Both Sides of Corner

Measure the distance from x = 0 m to R and record the distance as A.

Measure Distance (A)

Measure the distance from y = 0 m to R and record the distance B.

Measure the distance from y = 0 m to R and record the distance B.

Tripod with Target, Measure Height (Z)

Locate the range-finder/inclinometer on a stand at location R.

Measure the beginning and end of each seating section and architectural feature starting at the lowest elevation.

Measure and Record Distance and Angle to Beginning and End Points of Seating and Architecture

MAPP 3D: Select INSERT > MULTI-LEVEL VISUAL AID or right-click in the model, and then select INSERT MULTI-LEVEL VISUAL AID.

Enter the Geometry Name and select a Layer from the drop-down menu.

Enter the Reference Point Position coordinates using measurements A, B, and Z.

MAPP 3D, Multi-Level Visual Aid – Enter Reference Point Coordinates

Add points with the buttons until the number of Points equals the number of Architectural Profile measurements.

Enter the measured Distances and Elevation angles for each Point. Use the TAB key to move between fields.

MAPP 3D, Multi-Level Visual Aid – Enter Distances and Angles

Click INSERT to preview the Free Draw object in Model View. When OK is clicked, the MLVA is converted to a Free Draw object.

If the values entered do not result in the expected shape, review the measurements taken and values entered in the MLVA dialog. Each coordinate of the Free Draw geometry can be edited as needed in the Properties tab.

Model View – PREVIEW of Insert Multi-Level Visual Aid

For arenas that have a symmetrical Architectural Profile, the side Multi-Level Visual Aid is the same as the corner, except the reference point is moved to allow proper extrusion.

MAPP 3D: Select INSERT > MULTI-LEVEL VISUAL AID or right-click in model space, and then select INSERT MULTI-LEVEL VISUAL AID.

Enter Reference Point Position coordinates using measurements A, B, and Z.Change the X value to be negative (later extrusion must be positive).

Enter 90 degrees for the Reference Point Azimuth.

Multi-Level Visual Aid – Enter Reference Point Coordinates, Make X Negative, Azimuth = 90

Enter the Distance and Elevation measurements for each Point.

MAPP 3D, Multi-Level Visual Aid – Enter Distances and Angles

Click INSERT to preview the Free Draw object in Model View.

When OK is clicked, the MLVA is converted to a Free Draw object.

MAPP 3D, Model View – PREVIEW of Insert Multi-Level Visual Aid

Multi-Level Visual Aid – Enter Reference Point Coordinates, Make Y Negative

For each Point, enter the Distances and Elevation angles.

MAPP 3D, Multi-Level Visual Aid – Enter Distances and Angles

MAPP 3D, Model View – PREVIEW of Insert Multi-Level Visual Aid

Use the Mirror tool to make symmetrical copies of these objects to complete the arena model.

Select the Corner geometry.

Select the Mirror Tool. From the pop-up menu, select MIRROR ALONG Y AXIS and FLIP OBJECT.

Select Corner, Mirror Tool, Mirror Along Y Axis, Flip Object

Corner Mirrored Along Y-Axis

Rename mirrored Corner geometry, double-click the name in INVENTORY > GEOMETRY, change the name to Corner 2.

Select the Corner 2 object and Mirror along the x-Axis, rename new object Corner 3.

Select the Corner 3 object and Mirror along the y-Axis, rename new object Corner 4.

Corners 3 and 4 Mirrored

Select the Side object and Mirror along the y-Axis, rename new object Side 2.

Select the End object and Mirror along the x-Axis, rename new object End 2.

Mirror Side and End Objects

Add geometry to represent the floor seating and stage

MAPP 3D, Completed Model with Added Floor Seating and Stage

Settings for basic functions, enable/bypassing processing, high/low-pass filters, polarity, gain, and mute are accessed via this tab.

Correction for high-frequency air absorption over distance is enabled here. When enabled, enter the distance between the loudspeaker and the audience area. Based on environmental settings entered in Project Settings and distance, compensation filters are automatically added. When used, adjust the temperature and humidity setting when there is a change of 3 ºC or 5% humidity. Atmos. Gain Factor will increase/decrease the magnitude of these filters. The higher the percentage value, the more gain the filters can add, and the larger the cost in headroom. Select Atmos Corr. Response in FILE > PROJECT SETTINGS > PROCESSOR tab to view the correction filter response in the output processing plotter.

Processor Settings – Channel Settings

Each channel has ten bands of parametric equalization. Filter values can be manually entered below the plotter window. Click-drag a filter in the plotter to change the gain. After a filter has been selected, click-drag the blue bars to adjust the bandwidth.

Processor Settings – Parametric Equalizer

Meyer Sound’s proprietary U-Shaping equalization filters are adjusted with these controls. Values can be manually entered or click-drag the horizontal and vertical bars in the plot to change the settings.

Processor Settings – U-Shaping Filters

All Pass filters affect phase response, not magnitude response. These filters should only be used for a specific reason, e.g., adjusting the phase response of one loudspeaker to match another model.

Processor Settings – All Pass Filters

Loudspeakers and arrays can be moved within the boundary limits of the model using two methods:

or

The basic parameters of an array or a loudspeaker are viewed and edited in the Express Settings pane. Use the Express Settings drop-down to select the desired object. Changes are viewed in the Model View immediately. This is helpful when changing splay angles between elements of an array, for example.

All parameters of an array or a loudspeaker are viewed and edited in the Object Settings tab. Select the loudspeaker or array in Model View. Select Object Settings tab to edit parameters. Changes are viewed in the Model View immediately. Double-click tab label to un-dock, top bar of window to dock again.

Express Settings – Flown Loudspeaker Array, Model View Tab, Object Settings – Loudspeaker System

The View menu drop-down offers several helpful visual markers related to loudspeakers and arrays that are toggled on/off. Please see View menu.

View Menu – Loudspeaker Selections

The loudspeaker model drop-down list is constrained to those models that are suitable for a ground stack.

Insert Loudspeaker – Ground Stacked Loudspeaker System

Gradient subwoofer arrays have some elements facing forward (front) and others facing rearward (rear), in addition to signal processing, to create a cardioid coverage pattern. Additional features of this dialog (refer to figure below):

Insert Loudspeaker – Gradient Flown Subwoofer Array

Available Point Source Array Systems models are constrained to full-range, point-source models that can be arranged in clusters with Meyer Sound-provided hardware. Available splay angles between elements are supported by Meyer hardware.

Insert Loudspeaker – Point Source Array System

Used to build arrays, including the rigging options. These are currently constrained to only horizontal arrays. (coming soon, vertical rows)

Insert Loudspeaker – N-Point Source Array System

Select this loudspeaker type to insert an individual loudspeaker. The Reference Point is selectable from the drop-down. CRDM (Center of Rotation During Measurement) is the point inside a loudspeaker that was the point of rotation when the loudspeaker data was recorded in our anechoic chamber.

Insert Loudspeaker – Individual Loudspeaker