RDS Casa

Hello, I?m getting some unacceptable print issues with VW2014?? Geometry which is visible on screen, and carries through to exported pdfs is not appearing on prints, as if a class is not printing? But is exporting and displaying? This means we are currently having to export prior to print, which is really not acceptable. We are printing to a fully post script enabled Sharp laser colour printer (Sharp MX-2600 N with all current drivers). Never had problems printing from VW before. Further to this, I?m finding publish command is less functional than the batch print, as I can?t control the printer preferences (the colour/BW option in VW does not talk to our printer, but then it did in VW2012, 2013 etc ? at least in batch print I could go into printer preferences and change it manually, now it seems I have to change the default preferences in control panel to opt between colour and B/W in publish? Also, The forced sub folder set up of published pdfs does not suite us. Would be good to turn this off, and just export to the selected folder. The log is kind of cool. We really need the revision issue to appear in the PDF name, but I think that?s a whole other set off functionally frustrations, for another string I think. For now, I just need it to print correctly. Anyone else noticed missing geometry? Thanks

+1

Small stuff but... They have replaced the batch export pdf with publish? But still the revision code or issue code does not make it through to the pdf name? Our contractors insist on the revision being included in the title for their live information sets (and for good reason). And still the the revision tool is limited to just letters or just numbers? (Does anyone still do that? we need more flexibility T1, C1 etc.) And still they put those stupid square brackets in, which planningportal.org cant cope with so we have to manually take them off before uploading I've only been using it for a few hours. Sorry but I'm disappointed. So many little things could improve functionality.

Ok, the jpeg did not attach. Try this one? Thanks again

Thanks for the reply. Great to know people are out there. I'm actually trying to achieve something like the attached jpeg image. Its simply a call out, where you put in a specification reference, then it looks up on a table the name of the item and displays it. A good time saver we thought. Obviously we will not be using foodstuffs to build with, but you get the idea. The original post started with a simpler version, where the call out just contained the spec reference, then a key on the side of the drawing listed all the flags and put a spec item against the references listed. Different flags appear on different detail drawings, and the list was way too long to put the same key on every drawing. anyway, with out a Vlookup function like excel, this proved impossible without scripting. And scripting is has just too involved to break into for me right now. So, referencing an external data base seems like it might get us closer, its just a shame you have to link an object to the data base row, rather than putting in say a field value, and it then reference the object to the correct row. If there is a simpler way to achieve this, please let me know.

Hi I gave up with this some time ago. Got completely stuck. Recently I tried again with a different approach and may have got further. I'm linking a excel spread sheet to the vectorworks file using ODBC compatibility. I followed this http://kbase.vectorworks.net/questions/967/ODBC+Compatibility+-+Excel So now I have a simple 2 column spread sheet (in excel). I have created a little symbol with text strings linked to fields in a record. The record is linked to the excel document through ODBC. If I manually connect each symbol to a given row in the excel sheet, sure enough it can pull data in from the table to populate the other field, (and displays in the symbol). But with the number of entries I have this is cumbersome. Is there a way to put in a value in an id record format (say through the data tab) and then when I update it, VW pulls through the remaining data from the table. This would be like the Vlook up command, only it would externally reference a database Or Maybe I try a simple script that automates the "connect to database" and updates. this seems achievable. But with 100s of items, I don't want to scroll through a big list to find it. ideally I'd start typing in the id and it would cut down the choices or something. Does anyone think there is further mileage in this approach, or have I hit another wall Thanks

Hello, We are reviewing the way we structure our drawings to see if we can keep the file size down. We have until now been referencing in whole layers (using the old "Layer import method"). We bring these in from multiple files. then we make a SINGLE deign layer view port which contains layers and control of classes from these multiple files (a grid file, a M&E file, a landscape file etc) The problem with this is the files quickly become huge. With the referenced view ports, if we want to achieve the above we have to stack multiple view ports on top of each other. Controlling visible classes becomes a nightmare, and its very difficult to select the right view port. Then one moves a bit in error, and it all breaks down. The only other way we can find of doing this is to bring multiple referenced viewports into a holding layer, then make a design layer view port of this. but its quite chore, and you end up with loads of the "holding" layers. Can anyone offer advice on this> am I missing a trick? Thanks

oh, and sorry, we are on VW 2012 now, I must change my signature. And another question: Here in the UK we work with nice logical metric units such as mm and meters. However, some older clients struggle with this and ask us to show areas and dimensions in feet and inches. Is there a way to get my aforementioned data base (a room schedule in this case) to display imperial along side metric data? (and like wise the dimensions, without changing the units in document settings every time)? Thanks again

Er, I have a similar question? If I have a worksheet with a data base row that shows (among other things) a column of net area, why when I try and sum the column does it just give me the number of entries? not the sum of the net areas? Thanks

Pat, I?ve had a look through the forum, it appears you might be the man when it comes to VS and works sheets? So, although I feel I have learned much from your ?Worksheet of PIO Fields? script, and can just about gauge what each line of code is doing, I?m struggling when I depart your code. I'm not a coder - you'll probably notice this quite quickly. When I run the script I want it to: 1. Create a worksheet, which is named according to the current layer combined with ?SpecRefKey?. 2. Lists out all the field values present of a given field within a given record (with no duplications, should that filed value appear twice). 3. The script also references those field values against another existing worksheet, and returns a string according to the value. I think I?m close to 1. Not sure about 2. hopefully halfway? Miles from 3. Should I be creating a spread sheet for 2? Or should I really look to create a database/report that lists the occurrences of the field values. I have created one of these manually in the file, but as you suggest, I need a script to do a lookup? The poor attempt at a script below tries to create a spread sheet, rather than a data base? ----------- Procedure CreateSpecRefKey; LayerName : Handle; occur : Integer; WSName :String; WSH :Handle; Begin LayerName := ActLayer; {defines active layer as a string?} occur :={I need to count the number of unique occurrences of a given field??) WSH := CreateWS(Concat(LayerName,' SpecRefKey'),occur+1,2) {creates the worksheet with 2 columns and a variable number of rows dependent on how many occurrences of the field there are plus 1?} SetWSPlacement(WSH,200,200,800,700); {I?ll finalize this latter} SetWSColumnWidth(WSH,1,1,200); SetWSColumnWidth(WSH,2,2,200); SetWSCellFormula(WSH,1,1,1,1, 'Spec Ref'); SetWSCellFormula(WSH,1,2,1,2,'Discription'); {I think this sets up my worksheet?} This is where I get a bit lost. Very lost actually. Should I keep going with this strategy? Your script appears to populate the cells using a "while" loop? Until one of the looping handles is more than the number of records? I think I see what?s happening, I just wanted to know if a similar strategy would work in my case, or if I'm going in the wrong direction already? Thanks

Running the script manually would be ok. Its not likely the data would change very often in this situation. As much as I want to get into script writing, I've always failed to get anywhere before, so any help to get me started would be gratefully received Thanks

Thanks Pat, I just saw your reply after I posted the above.

I think it is the Vlookup command in excel if this helps. Does anything similar exist in VW? http://msgroups.net/microsoft.public.excel.worksheet.functions/compare-1-cell-to/105249 Thanks

That would be great. Thanks

Thanks I've got one worksheet to look at another but only in the simplest way that it returns a single cell. Say I have 2 worksheets X & Y Work sheet X has a number of codes, eg F1.352 in Column A, and a text string eg. "dense conc block" in column B. Work sheet Y has a list of a few codes in column A (driven by record formats, but that shouldn't matter) that match the codes in worksheet X column A How do I get Worksheet Y to return the text from X column B to match the codes in column A i.e X essentially drives Y Is this clear? probably not. Sorry

Does any one know if you can get one work sheet to reference another? Here is my problem. I have symbol which carries a record format. It has a text string which is linked to a field in that record format. I have a table which in one column lists out all the occurrences of that field. I need the second column to return text string dependent on the first column, with that text string stored in another worksheet. Hopefully this is not as complicated as it sounds. Basically I just need one worksheet to look at the data in one column, match it with a column in another worksheet, and return the data in the adjacent column in the first works sheet? Anyone follow this? Thanks

Can anyone help with this? Also, we are experiencing big problems with rectangles rotating themselves in viewports when the plan rotation tool is used. This is almost more problematic than the above problem. I think it might be Bug B070604 see http://www.vectorworks.net/downloads/fundamentals/2009/2009SP1_Notes.php A work around is not really good enough, disappointed they have not fixed this yet, its been known for a while now. Have they stopped supporting VW2009? Its enough to switch to ACAD

We seem to have discovered a strange bug with the call out objects in VW2009. Upon loading up a file, every call out within the annotation layer of all the viewports in the sheet layers seem to have reformatted across 2 lines, as if the "max text width" is insufficient (although it isn't). When you click on the call out object, change absolutely nothing but come straight out of it, it reverts to normal. Images attached. Stranger still, it displays correctly on a colleges workstation. Same version of VW, same build, same OS. Every time we load the file on the problem workstation, the problem appears again. Load it on another workstation, and it reverts to normal. Any suggestions? Its causing real problems, as no prints can come from the problem work station. VW2009, build SP5 115703 Windows XP (both work stations)

Thanks, I'll let you know how I get on. A long way to go for me I think.

Thanks for quick response. I can see I have a lot to lern here, but I'm happy with that. If I could pick one of the smaller bits first, I'll slowly built up my understanding, I hope. I'm not a coder, so this may be a long journey. Here is a very basic script taken from VW examples page, Ive changed the name and thats all PROCEDURE Create03DetailClass; VAR newname : STRING; ch : HANDLE; BEGIN newname:= StrDialog('Enter name of new class:','XXXXX'); IF NOT DidCancel THEN BEGIN ch:= GetObject(newname); IF (ch = NIL) THEN NameClass(newname) ELSE AlrtDialog('Class name already exists.'); END; END; Run(Create03Class); I think I understand most of whats going on here. I simply want to know how to add a pre fix, (or a suffix, or combine two strings) so the class is not just called "newname", but "example+newname". The"example" need not even be a variable, but part of the code. Its just to help us name classes easily. One day I'd like to write something that can access an external data base (hence the original questions), and this would include pre defined atributes and standards. Currently however, i'd like the script to bring up the diaologue box just like when you create a class the normal way? I know its only a small step, but at least I'd be moving! Thanks again

New to Vectorscript. Looks powerful, but frustrating. I have a few questions which I hope will help me solve a number of problems, if anyone can help? 1.Can Vector scrip read an external file, most likely a .txt file? I want to keep a script up dated, or get a script to read a database of information (in a txt file?) which I keep updated. By keeping the external source up to date and adding to it, I hope I will not have to keep updating the individual scripts in each file? If so, could some one tell me how, or show me an example and I might be able to work out what I need. 2. I?m truing to sort out a file set up script. I have taken a simple example to create a class, but how do I then get the class attributes options to pop up? If I could work out how to get it to execute an existing command (such as edit class options) I could apply this to a series of problems, In the apparent absence of a listener is there a list of commands? 3. I know its possible to produce a pull down menu group box, because thats on p70 of the language manual, but there is no real explanation of how I might do this? 4. hopefully and easy one?. How do I add to a text string. If I define a string using newname:= StrDialog('Enter name of new class:','New Class Name?); and I wanted to ad the prefix ?example?, how do I make the string become ?example New Class Name? Is it the Concatenate command? Concat? I could not get it to work. Can anyone talk me through an example? Thanks. I know these might seem random, but I hope I should be able to apply the principles here to more scripts Cheers VW2009, Win XP

Kevin. Yes we use separate sheet layers for each individual drawing. I didn't realize you can change multiple page set ups by selecting more than one. This will help a lot. The sheet layers are split across multiple files (plans, sections, L series, A series etc.) so it does not solve everything, but it still a great tip and I'll do this in future. Thanks Still, a script would be nice for easy changing the page set up in different files. They ought to put a script listener in VW. It would help non-coders like me get a handle on scripting. Pat, I have added a signature now. see string above. We are on Windows XP pro here, sorry. Thanks all.

Thanks, we do this sometimes, but it?s proved to be a bit cumbersome. It?s a two stage operation, which is a bit fiddly, and there are a number of QA issues - you lose track which are current pdfs, which are old, naming then with a revision number can be dangerous if they are not a formal issue, and where they get saved to on the central server, others don?t know why they have been exported? also you end up with a lot of pdfs which then need to be deleted or filed ? bit of nightmare. and it does not seem to work so well with line weights which do not seem to scale down well from a pdf. Thanks though.

I've done this now, but if it does not work, then its VW2009, Architect SP5 runing on Windows XP pro. Thanks

Hello, Can someone help me with a script? We have 2 printers here, and A1 plotter and an A3 printer. Formal drawing issues to contractors/consultants are sent out A1, but mostly we use the same drawings printed at half scale on A3 for everything else. This means I am constantly going into page setup, then print setup, then changing the printer and the scale from the A1 at 100% to the A3 at 50%. When doing a long print run of 50 drawings, this is tedious. Is it possible to write two scripts to do this? Ideally so I just click run it to get it to A3 printer at 50% and run on the other one to get it back to the A1 @ 100%??? Or is there another way to do this in the batch settings? I have never found a script listener in VW, so I can?t find where to start on this. Thanks