Seat Family General Description

Seat families have been constructed with specific parameters that allow the Performance Seating application to perform the proper calculations and ensure the objects are precisely placed and graphically accurate.  As a result, the application is currently limited to seat families provided as part of the installation, or as specifically created by the developer.


There are currently three primary seat types available:

  • Fixed Seats
  • Removable Seats
  • Portable Seats


Each seat family has been developed based on manufacturer standards, but left as generic geometry that is also able to be used in renderings.


Fixed Seats

The Generic Fixed Seat family is intended to serve as a floor mounted fixed seat with shared standards and end standards.  There are currently 6 seat sizes available ranging from 19" to 24" in 1" increments.  Seats are placed using shared standards / armrests, and end standards are used at both ends of the rows.




Removable Seats

Removable or "sled based" seats are provided in single, double, and triple configurations, intended to represent sections of fixed seats that are removable by the end user.  Individual seats include dedicated armrests, while double and triple share interior armrests.  End standards are not provided for these seat groupings.


Portable Seats

Portable seats are individual theatre stacking style chairs, similar to what one may find in a flexible theatre or conference facility.


Additional Seats

Additional seat families and geometry will be made available as they are developed.


Seat Widths / Types

The application uses Family Types to provide varied widths.  For ease of convention in the Properties Panel user interface, types are named specific to their nominal widths.  There is nothing to prevent a designer from renaming the Types or adding to them; however, doing so may result in undesirable effects on the application and are not supported by the Developer.


Seat Customization

Due to the complexity of calculations and parameters, users are not able to use their own seat families as part of the automation process in the application.  There are a few options available for those who need custom seat families:


Minor Customization

It is possible for a user to either change the widths of each family type, or even add family types to the family, provided the Seat_Width parameter is properly set.  It is also recommended to adjust the Seat_Width_Display parameter to ensure the user feedback is accurate.  For instance, for metric projects, a seat family could be adjusted for accurate widths in millimeters.  Provided a seat family is copied and appropriately named, it should be able to be inserted into the project.  Press "Refresh" in the Performance Seating Property panel to refresh the available seat family and size list.


Materials may be replaced for the Frame, Seat Bottom and Back, Alternate Wood Bottom and Back, and Arm.  



Seat 3d geometry may be adjusted in the family at the users own risk.  Minor changes to seat backs and pans can be made and still work within the application; however, parameters are tightly coupled to standards to ensure proper alignment on curves.  


Issues resulting from doing seat customization will not be supported by the developer.


Seat Replacement

It is possible to simply replace families after the application has placed them.  Keep in mind that the width geometry must match each seat family type or the seats will not be represented properly.  The application will not be able to edit rows after seats have been replaced.


Purchase Custom Seat Families

Custom seat families can be created and provided by the developer for individual use.  Contact the developer for further information and pricing.