Marc Davies

Follow up. It appears there is a geometry redraw bug around this otherwise very useful function along the following lines: IF (DataVis is turned ON in the DataVis coloured menu box) AND (matching “ImageByDataVis” function is in cell header) THEN geometry recalculates (Green redraw bar) and update the worksheet colours - which it does after a short while. However, IF(DataVis is turned OFF in the DataVis coloured menu box) AND (“ImageByDataVis” function is called in cell header) THEN it gets in a geometry redraw loop as it cannot refer to the deselected DataVis. Net result : constant redraw loop and non-functioning Vectorworks 2021.

Hi, we are having problems with constant geometry refresh issues when using this function. It seems to work to begin with but the refresh update loops take longer and longer until the file is unusable. I wonder if we applying the function incorrectly? =ImageByDataVisualization(criteria,datavis name) I am confused by the "Criteria" requirement which is surely inherent in the dataVis set up? So I have been simply using the datavis name without any criteria. It seems to return the correct matching colours but is this throwing a curve to the calculations by not using criteria?

Ah, but it can and does play nicely with SQLite, such that you can use a lookup-key field to fetch all your data back from an external SQLite database (either on same machine or on a server) and fill in otherwise empty fields. This can be done for Symbols within a drawing (instances) where it is truly indistinguishable from magic, or by linking Symbols via the Resource Manager (Definitions). It takes a little set up, but saves hours, nay, days of in-Vectorworks typing for larger libraries. All maintenance can be done in the SQLite database file thereafter and updated with a refreshed lookup.

If your data Viz is working for other objects then commonly you may have a space or typo in your data which is throwing the viz.

Yes it works as promised, and is a great solution for adding colour keyed items to worksheets. Thanks to @drelARCH for pointing it out and Vectorworkers for implementing it.

@drelARCH brilliant - I hadn't spotted that function as my current project is in 2020, but it looks very much like that is the answer. Many thanks for pointing it out. I will open it in 2021 to try it. Cheers, Marc

I know there is a built in index/key which will show in a viewport for all Data Viz matching colours, but I'm wondering if there is a way to illustrate data viewed in a worksheet with the DataViz colour overlay? Ideally I would like to view my furniture items in 2D within a cell - which is currently easily achieved, but with the Data Viz formatting applied, or if not, then at least a matching DataViz index colour block in a cell alongside the image. Anyone achieved anything similar?

I believe SQLite does not use ODBC, at least it is not necessary via ODBC Manager (at least not on a Mac, but perhaps it does on Windows). So this may get around your issues. It does report an ODBC error on Mac, but it still maintains the SQLite connection. I have not yet tested this fully in SP3 however. UPDATE: SQLite does still work - and works very well, fast and reliable.

I awaited SP3 eagerly (since July last year) of the promised fix for object database connection. While it waited 5 mins before crashing previously, now VWks crashes immediately on connection of any object. Will test SQLite later for direct connection, but for now ODBC is rendered inoperable.

Hi Pat, It works like magic, really, totally indistinguishable from magic. A script which cleans up in 2 seconds that which took me 3 days (I could weep) in a project last week. It may take me a few years to get to your level of scripting, but now I know I really need to start learning this week. Many thanks @Pat Stanford.

That’s excellent and I can follow the logic. Many thanks for all your input Pat you are a star. It is getting late this side of the pond so will have a look tomorrow morning. We are currently on Vw2021 but the symbols came from an older file so I will be testing in VWks 2021. I hope to return the favour someday. Cheers, Marc

Hi Pat, Sent in direct message. 👍

I think the most likely scenario is that symbols will be placed in the blank “cleaning file”, then cleaned with the script and the definitions tagged to indicate they are cleaned. Changing the symbol name will likely create other problems with database connections so tagging would be best for us. Given we will be using by a “cleaning” file, then only newly imported symbols will be in that file so any options are good for us. We may need to create a “furnishings” Uniclass class to propagate through the Symbol first, then adjust any text within the symbol to the Furniture Reference Class indicated above. (sorry for delayed reply, forgot to hit send last night).

Ah, good question. In this case I am trying to clean up instances already added in the drawing, but definitions are imported into the file and so also available via Resource Manager for the same file. Plus some symbols are only imported to Resource Manager without being inserted in the drawing.

Wow thanks Pat. The Uniclass 2015 code for Furniture text is,.... I-ZZ-20-10-T-FurnitureReference If you make it work for Furniture Text I may also need another for Equipment etc. so if I can get in and change the script "text" I can make those changes myself. [Incidentally I have solved my previous issues around assigning values to Symbol Definition data. I am using SQLite database connections via Resource Manager so I will video and post as promised. Still awaiting ODBC fix - updates in next Service Pack I understand.]

Thanks for picking this up (again) Pat. If only it was all text I agree it would be easier. Unfortunately it is only text within a symbol that I am looking for. However all symbols are within their own layer if that helps any scripting possibilities. So I am looking to select on the following criteria: all text items within symbols on a particular layer. Some items will have an existing class matching that of the parent symbol and others will not have a class assigned or may have a different class which I need to reassign. Unfortunately multiple product suppliers have a myriad on non-uniclass methods of data formatting which is down to me to clean up. incidentally your suggestion of doing an import into a cleaning file is great advice which I am encouraging colleagues to apply.

I am looking to update imported symbols so that the text within the symbol definitions is assigned appropriately to a "Text" class as I want to be able to toggle the text labels on or off. I can trawl through each symbol definition one-by-one via Resource Manager and select and reassign the text, but is there a quicker way? I have tried creating a worksheet database view which does list my text items within symbols, but not let me change them. Custom selection scripts don't appear to grant access within symbol instances. Currently I'm stumped.

I’m trying to set a Space Number from a text item but not sure how to pick up the Space object. All I know is the handle is 86 and that I can set the record values for Space field names. Is there such a thing as a Space node? I thought I could assign via a Space symbol, but not sure how. Anyone with any experience or examples?

Yes please Pat.

Ah, this is just the function I have been looking for. I would even go so far as to suggest something similar, matching user defined record formats, might be made available in a general utility menu/tool from Vectorworks for those of us who have to manage large object libraries (with all the necessary overwrite warnings etc). Multiple Symbol DEFINITION access is essential with the volume of data required for BIM today.

I agree Pat. I was merely suggesting an optional method that if you want to see more than only Symbols in your criteria you can choose “Record is Present” to show all items. Some built-in Vectorworks reports use this approach including a Boolean “on schedule” checkbox for fine control of what you want to show on worksheets, which is most useful. Copying and pasting data for records is certainly a much easier way to manipulate data across many record fields (for items in the drawing). Being able to similarly manipulate Symbol Definitions would be very useful e.g. for BIM Master Libraries. I am sooo looking forward to this being available in V2021 ...?? 🤔

You may already know this but probably worth mentioning to access and amend record data in worksheets is to use the criteria “record is present” instead of “Type is Symbol”. That way you can change records for all items including (Blue) Symbol to Group type or any other non-symbol objects which have records attached.

Just a thought - are you certain your plug-in object sits within the Space object top/bottom bounds. Spaces sometimes clip top and bottom to storey elevations or can have their bounds set manually. I have missed picking up items previously when my Space bounds are not defined as I expected.

Based on past experience I agree with Pat entirely, ODBC is definitely the way to work for a large number of objects. However ODBC only works on symbol instances placed in a drawing. There has not been a regular method (yet) to update multiple Resource Manager symbol definitions except via the Tools>Records>Change one field/Change all fields options. Also unfortunately ODBC (on a Mac at least) seems currently to be in a pretty shaky state. So I am rather excited by Pat's inferred hint that some of this may be resolved in the upcoming Excel data connection to Vectorworks 2021c.f. Teaser Tuesday. (Or am I reading way too much into this).

Hi @Pat Stanford . I added your script and it works a treat. As long as the text is fairly central to the Space object, and the worksheet is sorted appropriately, I can now copy the number text into the Space Number field in the worksheet in one shot. Great stuff. [There is still scope for a master puppeteer to knit together some marionette strings if you know of anyone]. Many thanks, Marc