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2.5.1 Default Layout Type — VLS, 2LS, PAL, or NONE

Default Layout Type —— VLS, 2LS, PAL (Mo Pinel),PAL, or NONE

2.5.1   layout

 

The Default Layout Type setting controls which layout system Spectre Cloud pre-selects when a new spec sheet is created. Rather than choosing a layout method from scratch every time, your preferred system is ready to go from the moment a sheet is opened. This setting can be changed at any time and overridden on individual spec sheets without affecting the default.

🎳 The Four Layout Types

Spectre Cloud supports three active layout systems plus a no-layout option. Each system represents a different method for determining where a bowling ball's pin and mass bias are positioned relative to the bowler's track and grip center.

📐 VLS — Vertical Line System

The Vertical Line System positions the pin along a vertical line relative to the grip center, with the mass bias placed at a specified distance below the fingers. VLS is widely used in the industry and is the default layout method for many pro shops.

  • ✅ Simple, widely understood, and IBPSIA-endorsed.
  • ✅ Well-suited for shops serving a broad range of bowler skill levels.
  • ✅ Pin distance and VAL (Vertical Axis Line) angle are the primary inputs.

📐 2LS — Two-Layout System

The Two-Layout System uses two measurements — typically pin-to-PAP (Positive Axis Point) distance and pin buffer — to define ball motion. 2LS is popular among coaches and advanced bowlers who want a more precise relationship between ball dynamics and the bowler's PAP.

  • ✅ More precise control over ball motion characteristics.
  • ✅ Preferred by competitive bowlers and coaches working with PAP-based fitting.
  • ✅ Requires accurate PAP measurement for reliable results.

📐 Dual Angle

The Dual Angle layout system defines ball position using three values: drilling angle, pin distance, and VAL angle. It offers the most granular control over ball motion and is favored by advanced fitters and coaches who want to fine-tune skid, flip, and continuation independently.

  • ✅ HighestMost levelcommon oflayout precisionsystem.
    • —
  • 🛠️ threeTools inputrequired: values fullyPro defineSect, theGrease layout.pencil.

The 3 variables for Dual Angle are

  1. Drilling Angle (controls track flare)
  2. Pin to PAP Distance (controls track flare)
  3. VAL Angle (controls breakpoint shape)

📐 VLS — Vector Layout System

The Vector Layout System will use measurements in inches for all it's variables. 

  • ✅ Simple, widely understood.
  • ✅ WidelyUses useddistances infor competitiveall andit's coachingmeasurements.
    • environments.
  • 🛠️ Tools required:  Pro Sect, Storm ARC Ruler, Grease pencil.

The 3 variables for VLS are

  1. Pin to PAP Distance (controls track flare)
  2. MB to PAP Distance (controls breakpoint distance)
  3. Pin Buffer (Pin to VAL tangeant, controls breakpoint shape)

📐 2LS — Two-Layout System

The Two-Layout System is based off the VLS system.

The 3 variables for 2LS are

  1. Pin to PAP Distance (controls track flare)
  2. MB to PAP Distance (controls breakpoint distance)
  3. Pin to CoG (Pin to Center of Grip, controls breakpoint shape)

Other numbers that will be needed for steps 4 and 5.

  • Lightning Line (hypotenuse of the PAP measurement from the grip center - displayed in the Layout section of the ball in Spectre)
  • PAP Vertical distance

📐 PAL — Pin Above the Line

The Pin Above the Line system uses similar principles to the 2LS system, however it will use the perpendicular measurement from the hypotenuse of the PAP triangle.  This system is much more complex than VLSthe orothers 2LSand —will notrequire recommendedsome aspractice.

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    default
  • 🛠️ Tools required:  Pro Sect, Storm ARC Ruler, Grease pencil.

The 3 variables for shopsPAL servingare

primarily
    recreational
  1. Pin bowlers.to PAP Distance (controls track flare)
  2. MB to PAP Distance (controls breakpoint distance)
  3. Pin to Line (Line is from the PAP to the middle of the ring finger)

📐 None

Selecting None means no layout system is pre-selected when a new spec sheet is created. The layout section of the spec sheet is left blank until the driller chooses a method manually.

  • ✅ SuitsUsed shopswhen thata usebowler differentDOESN'T HAVE A PAP.
  • ✅ Text input for you to put a note in the layout methodssection. depending onEx: 60 degree standard layout

Note: NONE will be your only option if the bowler ordoes ball.not

  • ✅have Preventsa anyPAP singlemeasurement methodon fromfile. being appliedSince byall defaultlayout whensystems are drawn based off the shopbowlers hasPAP, noif consistentthere preference.
    • is
  • ❌none, Requirestherefore ayou manualcan't selection on every spec sheet — adds a step to each fitting session.

    • 📊 Layout Type Comparison

    Layout TypePrimary InputsBest ForComplexity
    VLSPin distance, VAL angle, MB positionGeneral pro shop use; mixed skill levelsLow
    2LSPin-to-PAP distance, pin bufferPAP-based fitting; competitive bowlersMedium
    Dual AngleDrilling angle, pin distance, VAL angleAdvanced fitters; competitive and coachingHigh
    None—Mixed-method shops; manual selection each time—

    Tip: Not sure which to set as your default? Iflayout the majority of your bowlers are recreational or beginner, VLSball... is the most accessible starting point. If you work primarily with league or competitive bowlers, consider 2LS or Dual Angle based on your fitting philosophy.

    🛠️ Setting the Default Layout Type

    1. Navigate to Settings from the top menu.
    2. Locate the relevant settings section. ⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm the exact section name for 2.5.x settings.
    3. Find the Default Layout Type option.
    4. Select VLS, 2LS, Dual Angle, or None from the available options. ⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm whether this is a dropdown, radio button group, or segmented control.
    5. The change takes effect immediately for all new spec sheets created going forward. ⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm auto-save behavior, consistent with other settings in Book 02.

    Note: Changing the default layout type does not affect any existing spec sheets —— previously saved layouts remain exactly as they were recorded.  This will simply change the default selected layout type when you create a new ball.  It can always be overwritten.

    🔄 Overriding the Default on Individual Spec Sheets

    The default layout type is a convenience setting —— it does not lock every spec sheet to that method. On any individual spec sheet,ball, the layout type can be changed freely before or during the fitting without affecting the account default.

    • ✅ Change the layout type on a spec sheet at any time before saving.
    • ✅ The account default remains unchanged —— the override applies to that sheetball only.
    • ✅ Cloned spec sheets carry forward the layout type of the original, not the current default. ⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm clone behavior for layout type.

    🔌 Arsenal Plus Plugin

    Users with the Arsenal Plus plugin have access to additional layout features including suggested layouts, layout conversion, and 3D layout rendering. The

    default

    Layout Convension will need to be turned on in your plugin settings.  When selected and you bounce between layout types in a selected bowling ball, it will automatically calculate it for your to the selected layout type.  This is a great tool for anyone who struggles with a type of layout.  A good example of this, would be the 2LS layout system.  A client asks you for a 4 x 5 x 3 2LS layout, but you struggle with the steps to draw it correctly, however, you are very familiar with Dual Angle. 

    1. Select 2LS as the layout type setfor herethat determinesballs.
      2. which
    2. Input systemthe those2LS suggestionslayout and(ex: conversions4 arex based5 on.x ⚠️3)
      3. Verify
    3. Click withDual Angle
    4. Confirm that you want to convert from 2LS to Dual Angle
    5. It will now display the correct Dual Angle equivalent for you to draw in your Spectreprefered team:method. confirm
      6. how the default layout type interacts with Arsenal Plus suggested layouts and conversion tools.

    ☁️ Scope of This Setting

    This setting is stored at the account level and applies to all new spec sheets created on any device. ⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm per-user vs. per-account/shop scope, consistent with the open question carried across 2.3.5 through 2.4.4.

    • 2.5.2 —— Next setting in this chapter (if applicable)
    • 4.x —— Spec Sheet: selecting and entering a layout
    • 7.x —— Arsenal: layouts and ball motion
    • 7.x —— Arsenal Plus: suggested layouts and layout conversion
    • 1.x —— Getting Started: initial shop setup checklist

    Tip: If your shop is transitioning from one layout system to another — for example, moving from VLS to Dual Angle as your team's skills develop — update this setting to reflect the new default and leave a note in your shop's internal documentation. Bowlers with existing spec sheets will retain their original layout type in history, making it easy to compare old and new approaches side by side.

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