Keeping a lighting plot and a Patch Printer file in sync can mean entering the same fixture information twice. Import Patchprinter Data brings fixture patch changes from a Patch Printer .pxp file back into the Lighting Devices already in your Vectorworks drawing.
Choose which information you want to update instead of replacing the entire Lighting Device record. The command can update patch and fixture details such as universe/address, position, instrument type, wattage, weight, and selected user fields.
Fixtures can be matched by channel or UID. When matching by channel, the channel numbers must agree in Patch Printer and Vectorworks. UID matching is available only when the Patch Printer data was originally imported from a file created with Vectorworks’ Export Lighting Device Data command.
Before making changes, choose the fields to import and review warnings for options that need extra care. Empty Patch Printer values leave existing Vectorworks values untouched unless you explicitly choose to clear them. The command updates matched Lighting Devices only; it does not create missing devices or move fixture geometry.
After the import, a report shows how many fixtures matched, which fields changed, which fixtures were missing from either file, and any warnings or skipped values. This gives you a clear record of what changed and what still needs attention.
New to PatchPrinter?
PatchPrinter is lighting pre-production software for creating patch lists, paperwork, and labels. Visit the official website to see how it works and explore whether it fits your workflow.
The download is a Vectorworks third-party plug-in package.
Before installing
Save your work and keep a backup copy of the Vectorworks document you intend to update.
Download the .vwlibrary file and keep it available locally rather than opening it from cloud-only storage.
Install in Vectorworks
Go to Tools → Plug-ins → Plug-in Manager.
Open Third-party Plug-ins, choose Install, and select the downloaded file.
Allow the installer to add Import Patchprinter Data to the STB-VW Tools menu, then restart Vectorworks after installation.
Remove the plugin
Remove only the two files owned by this freeware plugin.
Remove Import Patchprinter Data.vsm from the STB-VW Tools folder inside your Vectorworks user Plug-ins folder.
Remove STB_VW_Import_Patchprinter_Data.pyc from the same folder.
Remove the command from the STB-VW Tools menu in the Workspace Editor if it remains listed, then restart Vectorworks.
Frequently asked questions
01Does this plugin require a license key?
No. It is free to download and use.
02Does the importer create Lighting Devices?
No. It compares Patch Printer data with Lighting Devices already present in the active document.
03Can I undo an import?
Keep a backup before importing and review the generated report. Use Vectorworks undo immediately when appropriate, but do not rely on undo as your only recovery method.
