Elite Exhibits

Suggestion As Pat does - put the text of the script into the message VWX files are great - Except for those who run slightly older versions Something (...as we do) while awaiting for SP's to be posted and the new VW/RW bugs are worked out. Thanks You Much Peter

Then the Question would be Should I see "Generic Solids" in a Worksheet/Databse/All Items ? (Vs only seeing "CGS Solids" after running the above scripts ...) Peter

Pat / Raymond These scripts worked extremely well - Thank You - We are converting files to export into Form-Z and the Solids (via STEP files) transfer nicely / accurately. ¿ What I am wondering is the difference - CGS solids vs Generic Solids ? (No luck searching help or site:forum.vectorworks.net) I use a Worksheet / Databse: ALL IIems to check what is in the drawing. ( =T & =ST ) - see attached The Worksheet shows Extrude, Mesh, Group, CGS Solid, (Etcetera...) but never "Generic Solid" OIP states that an item is a "Generic Solid" Menu states "Convert to Generic Solid" ... and searching the HELP for CGS Solids returns the proverbial deer in headlights Assistance is always Appreciated ! Peter Search VW HELP for CGS Solids.pdf Item Type in Worksheet.pdf

Dubman Post your image ... ¿ Does it repeat ? on each side, like a Hanging Sign @ a trade show ? Peter

Question: Rotate vs Mirror or ¿ is there an alternate to Mirror for Extrudes, Symbols etcetera ? Being forced to recreate items and / or take up an alternate workflow - ie: do NOT mirror Extrudes, Symbols etcetera anymore ! When possible duplicate and rotate vs mirror. Or (UGH!) take Extrudes / Symbols apart and recreate in the new design from the fundamental geometry - possibly in several iterations. Some of this is based on editing old or inherited Hybrid Symbols (Made from extrudes...) that do very strange things based on where and how the original was created. Combine the Component Edit Mode complications with Paste and Paste in Place that do NOT behave as expected, and VW/RW creates one aggravating situation. Question ¿Is there a way to Mirror in VW/RW (... a preference setting?) that keeps these specific items in the Mirrored location, vs going back to edit in the original "zero-zero" location of creation ?) Thanks to Andy B comments (BUG), we have stopped editing Extrudes, Symbols etcetera on the drawing and attempt to only edit such items from within the Resource Manager. This eliminates one aggravation: the Rotated Plan effect. (File is a single Design Layer). ******************************************************** Assumptions: Where an extrude is created, is where it will go back to when you double click to edit. The item remains on the Screen in its current Screen location (Top/Plan), only the page moves (...& rotates) to the X-Y location of creation. This requires the use of 3D Move, for example, vs 2D move. Even though the orientation / indication / notation would indicate otherwise. Same thing for Symbols (?) - It is a double whammy here if the Symbol is created from an Extrude. Workflow Best Bet" "zero-zero" should always be the location of creation. ******************************************************** Question: ¿ How does one eliminate the Rotated Plan Effect ? (Short of hitting Command-A, Command 5, Command 4 every time you edit a ...) (VW/RW Designer 2020 - iMac Pro ) Suggestions are always appreciated ! Peter

emilyb20 Is this the desired look ... see attached Peter Frosted Glass & Logo.pdf

Andy Thanks ... I only see it work in a simple new drawing. It appears to also fault inside existing extrusions. (Something that may have been created over 10 years ago) I will be patient for now Peter

Ramon ¿ Did you get a solution to your questions ? Peter

Pat My question would be: How do you use this script ? Peter

Linked Layers / Design Layer Viewports may hold a solution - Not for making the Symbol, just an easy way to duplicate same. Peter

Eliot H Once again Thanks - this is very good - I find that a view rendered with Open GL (Shaded) works better for me as I grab on the item anywhere... and waiting for / recognizing that dotted projection line is the skill needed before hitting the "T" - Locks it into a single direction (with a quick look at the numbers to confirm) Even works in the "Z" up/down. - Just with the Data Bar had the "Z" dimension in it (?) Thanks Peter

Eliot Hartzler - Thanks The "T" key to lock to axis is good - when I get it to work. I see the number in the Data Bar remain at Zero (X or y) Question: Where do you see the "Z" - I am missing something ... Peter

See the attached - If you have the DWG (¿ Of the Brochure you posted ?) use it a a guide - My take is Pat's advice for the Flange / Button etcetera - Extrude along path for the arm - a single sweep for as many parts of the the head that are round + an extrude for the pentafoil + zoomers suggestion for the , outlets & nozzles Use the view in the brochure, that is the front at an angle, and scale disproportionately attempting to round / flatten it out. It will NOT be the exact geometry, but it will be a guide if that is all you have to go by Peter Shower_1.vwx

FYI One trick we have used successfully a few times Important Part: Old drawing (file without Saved Views) is very similar to new drawing (file with the desired Save Views). Duplicate new drawing. (This one has the desired Saved Views) Turn on all classes New & Old files Unlock all items New & Old files. Delete all items in this duplicate of the New file. Copy all items from Old file (one layer at a time if needed) Paste in Place into the duplicate New file. Layer and Class names should be the same Old / New files Select if Symbols, Textures etcetera, are the Old or New as needed (when prompted). ( May need to retain (locked) a reference locater as Paste in Place is not what it once was...) Group then Ungroup is also another way to keep from having a mess in the process. Old Drawing is now in a file with the Desired Saved Views from the New drawing Peter

Ray / Pat Did as quick test of the above (Long have we needed same Saved View in a different design) \ The Saved View add Camera Match Camera to view Copy Camera Past Camera in different drawing Activate Camera View Works great - Except ... Question: ¿ Camera does NOT like to do Top / Plan View ? (and the Class Layer settings of the Saved View...) Suggestions are appreciated. Peter

Another option - Utilize Vector Based PDF files Here is an option, if the desired PDF is a Vector Based file. To check, import the desired PDF into a blank VWX drawing. As you import or after In the OIP check the Snap to Geometry. If you are able to snap to several objects in the PDF, other than the corners, it should be a vector PDF Use an application like DWG import to convert the PDF to a CAD file. This equates to an intermediate DWG file. The end result should be vectors that can be separated, moved and easily scaled. Peter DWG Import Application_1.pdf

FYI That said ... Use an application that reduces the file size of the PDF - On the Mac PREVIEW does a good job - you are also able to set up your own option if the default drop down selection in PREVIEW is to pixelated. (Adobe Acrobat Pro also does a good job reducing the PDF file size ) - see the attached - The file size difference is about half for this PDF SMALLER setting - Imported into VW/RW it plays nice in the sand box. You are able to import the desired PDF into a blank drawing and save. Then compare the size of this VWX drawing, with one that has a REDUCED FILE SIZE PDF imported into it. In the example, note that the twin image appear the same, yet one is half the file size. Peter Reduce FIle Size PDF.pdf

FYI Another disappearing act based on Unified View Settings (¿ or ?) - see attached Not sure if this is the Symbol Edit BUG that Andy B. has documented, or if it is the Unified View "palpitations" that I have experienced in VW/RW Designer 2019 to 2022 Unified View is Off - Single design layer - Layer Options Active Only - Edit Hybrid Symbol - attempt to test render while in the Component Edit mode - Items disappear. Unified view turned on is the solution. (¿ Why ?) (VW/RW Designer 2020 on an iMacPro) Suggestions are always Welcome ... Peter 377544949_UnifiedViewDisappearIssue_2.mov

Suggested Workflow If the PDF is NOT a vector based file ... Make several Design Layers Put copies of the PDF on these Design Layers Double click each PDF on the desired layer and add a simple 2D shape to crop around the specific area of the PDF for that layer - Exit Crop PDF Use Pat's suggestion above Scale Objects. Try the Symmetrical by Distance (click on the dimension icons to the right) and select a specific item in the cropped PDF for the Current Distance, then enter this items known dimension in the New Distance. (This Click / Click option in VW/RW is quite useful) Now set the scale of this Design Layer to match or set the Design Layer Scale so the detail looks good on the page, in your layout. When you draw over or dimension it will be accurate. Repeat for additional Design Layers. Attached example shows the original PDF (In the center) and additional different scale copies of the same PDF, left & right. Several different scale Design layers are easy to arrange & show simultaneously - Be forewarned on the aggravations that Unified View causes if the wrong boxes are checked. (See Attached) Peter Layer Test.pdf Unified View Aggrivations.pdf

Pat =T (Type) or =ST (Sub Type) works for me ... Peter (FYI ... Leaving the right slot empty in the Criteria Builder appears counter intuitive) Worksheet Names.pdf

VW/RW 2020 ... Peter

Pat The =N works for me, (As you state above) but I get the same result as Beejaydub with =GetTypeName (Just happened to need such a Named Items Worksheet this week) Peter Named Item Worksheet_1.pdf

Pat =SymbolName does not fill the cell for me. Main Symbol is composed of multiple base symbols. Each base symbol is an Extrude (example attached) I copy sets of these symbols to a new file and convert them there - keeping the originals in the original file. At this point I have not converted the Main Symbol into a group, nor the base symbols. I only convert the Extrudes to Generic Solids. (Still testing with the Form-Z people) I edit the base Symbols in the Resource Manager where I am able to edit a symbol, then select and edit the next without exiting the first symbol edit. I refresh the Worksheet to see if there are any Symbols left in the current set. (FYI:There are 1898 potential Main Symbols in the original file.) (VW 2020 - MacBook Pro) Peter Extrude Count.vwx

Question Script to convert ALL extrudes in a drawing to Generic Solids. Many Symbols - Created from many basic symbols - Each basic component of these symbol is an extrude. Need to convert them to Generic Solids to export to Form-Z a script to convert all extrudes would be great. As a second thought, I have a simple worksheet to list Extrudes - Where they are is a key to converting them if the process is only by hand . The function =IMAGE shows me what they look like, a good start. The name of the symbol they are in would be good. ie: =SYMBOLNAME (criteria) what would the criteria be ? Suggestions are always appreciated Peter

Pat In a previous life - with an application call Cadvance (i believe) there was a way to record what you did as a script - then view it and edit it - This gave you the basis of simplifying some of the programs complexity, without the need to understanding a programing language. Any way to record a script in VW as a starting point ? Peter