RPC for Lightwave

Lightwave 7 - 9.2

The first step necessary to begin using RPCs in Lightwave is to run the installer. To run the installer, simply locate the installer executable file and double click on it. During the installation, you will be prompted to select whether the ArchVision Content Manager (ACM) will be running locally or on a network. The plug-in is dependent on having a Lightwave License available in the ACM. For more information about using the ACM, please click here.

Configuring Content Paths

The ArchVision Content Manager (ACM) manages all of your content paths. It is necessary to configure content paths in the ACM to access your RPC Objects. You can access the ACM by double clicking on the icon in the system tray or selecting Start → Programs → ArchVision → ArchVision Content Manager → ArchVision Content Manager.

1. Step 1: Select the Paths Tab
2. Step 2: Select Add a Path and then browse for the location of the RPC Objects.
3. Step 3: Choose Scan Paths. All RPC Objects detected will appear under the current content dialog.

Note: The ArchVision Content Manager does not recognize subdirectories. Please create a path to each directory where content resides.

Configuring Lightwave for the RPC Plug-in

Once the RPC Plug-in is installed into Lightwave, it is necessary to configure the program to load the necessary components of the RPC interface. The following steps will outline this process.

1. Step 1: Open Lightwave and select the Utilities Panel. It is located in the top panel as indicated in the image below.

1. Step 2: With the Utilities Panel open, select Add Plug-ins from the Plug-ins Group.

1. Step 3: Browse to the Lightwave root directory and select the folder Plugins and then select the RPC folder. By default this directory is C:\Program Files\Lightwave[8]\Plugins\RPC. Select the file RPC.p and then open. A message indicating that a quantity of plug-ins were successfully added will then appear.

1. Step 4: Press Alt+F10 to bring up the Configure Menus dialog.

1. Step 5: Next, add an RPC group to the Main Menu. To perform this task first click on Main Menu and then select New group. A menu labeled New Group will appear under the Main menu. By double clicking on the New Group menu, you can rename it RPC.

1. Step 6: From the Command list on the left side of the Configure Menus dialog select the Plug-ins option and drag the following plug-ins to underneath the RPC Menu on the right side.

The files to move include:

• Add RPC Object
• RPC Edit
• RPC Mass Edit
• RPC Global Options
• RPC Mass Populate

When finished, the Plug-ins included under the RPC menu should look like the image below. Click done to finish the configuration.

Configuring the RPC Plug-in to Connect to the ACM

1. 1) Click on Add RPC to open the RPC Selection dialog.
2. 2) Select Configure Content.

1. 3) Click on the Update Tab.
2. 4) Create a path to the ArchVision Content Manager.

If the ACM is installed locally, select Local and browse to C:\Program Files\Archvision\ArchVision Content Manager and open the file rpcacmapp.exe

If the ACM is located on your network, select Network. You can then choose Scan for the RPC Plug-in to generate a list of detected ACMS. Select an ACM from the list or enter the IP Address or UNC location of the ACM.

1. 5) Select Update Content to commit the change.

Using the RPC Plug-in

After completing the installation and configuration process, you will notice that a new menu is available called RPC. Once the RPC menu is selected, the RPC Plug-in commands will appear on the left.

To begin placing RPCs:

1. 1) Select Add RPC.
2. 2) Select the Project Name.
3. 3) Select the Content Category.
4. 4) Choose the RPC to place
5. 5) Select OK

The RPC will now appear in the Lightwave scene. When the RPC is placed into the scene another dialog will appear to configure the RPC parameters. Once placed, the RPC can be manipulated using the standard tools under the Modify group.