Samuel Derenboim

In that case I'll experiment. What do you supposed would be a good indicator, file size? or ease of navigation? I mean the two are interrelated, but still, don't know if a same sized mesh would operate the same sized (polycount) generic solid or nurbs object for that matter. nurbs are subdivided, so I don't know how that would reduce poly count. Thanks for the heads up either way, i'll experiment, see where that takes me.

That would be pretty cool Eric, I understand the frustration, but imagine if they didn't progress? Yes, sometimes the changes will affect our workflow, but generally speaking, the titleblock tool is a little better than the one before - especially since i had to work around the idea that if i had several different titleblocks in one file and some sheets i wasn't using, i would have to come up with a workaround for modifying the record info regarding sheet lists, etc... and a list of changes embedded in the sheets. I'm sure things will improve. VW just got blasted with bugs right now, I'm sure they'll get resolved.

Kevin, Would it help to reconvert back to generic solid after poly reduction? Just curious, what makes the object inefficient? Right now I'm looking to make libraries, so this would be a great help for the future. Sam

The biggest problem is the centering issue. So it can be universal. If you move the page, the title block should move too. So in a new file, its easy to create a new titleblock, then move the page. Youll see even if the title block is centered on page, itll remain at the 0,0 mark.

Theres another great feature that VW snuck in this update which is a lifesaver. When selecting an object, convert it to a mesh. Once converted use modify->simplify mesh. This thing is great because it reduces polycount right inside VW. Hope this helps.

Hi Grant, You can do one of two things, either use the same symbol to convert the titleblock, or just copy and paste the information into a new titleblock pio. I would recommend making one from scratch, its easier than modifying / or converting one. 1. When you create a new one, go into the Titleblock menu (third from top) and click edit title block layout. Just past the linework and your titleblock in there. 2. When you create a new titleblock, it has margins and a grid. I would recommend disabling / turning them off. I normally use 0" sheet margins all around and sheet fit mode set to outside dimensions. For sheet zones / grids - turn all options off 3. The most important part is the record information that related your titleblock info parametrically. Once you copy your line work from the symbol and paste it into the editable titleblock layout all the previous record information will be invalidated because the new pio has a new record format connection thats just for the title block plugin in object. 4. when directing text to the record information, instead of linking text to record, under the shape info - the text has a new option all the way at the bottom called - Titleblock data link. Use the information there to link to the title block PIO. 5. When you need custom records that isn't there, add them under Project Data or Sheet Data bars in the plugin object. Once you add them, they will show up in the link values when you use text as linked record information. That's all there is to it to the new tool. Took me about 30 minutes to figure it out. One major problem - when exporting to Acad - it doesn't link the record information to the attributes of the block like it normally would if you were to export a symbol with record information. So, be aware of this glitch if you use acad and vw side by side. Hope this helps.

Good afternoon, After taking a look at the Titleblock elements for VW 2018, it is indeed flexible, however there is an issue regarding exports. Normally, when any symbol is exported with record information - in autocad it automatically converts it to attributes that can be modified for the symbol - very convenient when setting up standards in between two platforms. What I like - Before record information exported on a multiline field automatically converted to a single line field which made it impossible to modify multi line text without dramatically modifying the exported titleblock. This issue seems to have dissapeared, but for a different reason i believe. Now - with the new Parametric titleblock - the record information is there, however it is not exported as linkable attributes in autocad. In other words, record information for the symbol is there - however, attributes assigned to the text do not modify the text anymore. I believe it is because it was converted to a parametric record - not a database (modifiable) record. I thought I'd share this because it was quite handy to work in between platforms that links records and attributes together. Parametric constraints however do not. Perhaps theres a fix i don't know about? Either way, Thanks for the help in advance!!

Good afternoon, I know one of the features for vectorworks was the ability to import native elements into vectorworks from Revit. So I tried to do an example door - using TRUstyle doors as a guinea pig. Here is the attached link : http://www.trustile.com/tools/revit maybe I'm doing something wrong? Also - Simplify Geometry - Awesome Addition to importing complex models. Breath of Fresh air!!!

Matt, I was going this route until I had to copy the txt file export. It looks like a csv export of some sort. Direct export to txt? how would i go about doing that? I also noticed the xml file is coded, so therefore it would be best to leave that end alone, right? Once you empty out the spreadsheets, you can create the catalogs from inside vectorworks - no need to modify one by one. But I agree, copy and paste a few dozen times for various door and window manufacturers and you have yourself a great resource without filling in the blanks just modify the rough opening and clear opening elements and possibly frame sizes / descriptions of the window and its catalog cut sheet. Something we in NY specify often are Ceco doors, or other steel doors for egress / mechanical room access, etc. Surprising theres no catalog for them yet. But if I manage to get it to work, will share! Other door companies like simpson, etc... or window companies like pella. Looking forward to new releases! One huge cumbersome element however - Descriptive elements for doors / windows are parametric - and cannot be edited or modified from a worksheet! Back in 2015, it was, until a more proprietary integration system was put into Vectorworks. That I believe is the biggest downside with automating schedules and updating libraries. Just my two cents. Otherwise, this new update is a great breath of fresh air. Its faster too! Especially the additional viewports and the tabbed windows. Either way, I'll come back when I've explored a bit more regarding hacking into the catalog files Thanks everyone!

Good afternoon, I'm in love with the option to use catalogs. Is there any way to make new catalogs for doors and windows? This is great because custom symbol creation now has the possibility of becoming so much easier

Hi everyone, I do have a question regarding schedules, particularly those that are symbol styles (i.e. doors styles, windows styles, etc.) 1. Is there a full list all the record format connection references in a complete guide for all objects? i.e. window.height, door.height, etc... I can create a worksheet with all records that are provided from the create worksheet menu, however, it's cumbersome doing this process for all styles in vectorworks. 2. Is there a way to modify these records from a worksheet remotely? I've noticed that even if I unlock the parameters set (instead of them being controlled completely in them) in the styles, I can't modify them for ALL of the elements in a drawing, particularly if there is more than one symbol. I have to modify them one by one in the door/window dialogue box and in doing so its a very inconvenient procedure. Any help please? Thank you in advance!

Just curious, does anyone have a mass import script for revit files handy? or perhaps something similar for marionette that would import and create symbols from revit libraries? Could be useful since alot of product manufacturers issue revit files only. Any takers? Willing to share some libraries after i'm finished.

Is there currently a way a schedule can callout objects by their style in the database? I.E. Windows and Doors? etc...? or rather limit a function of windows or doors by their style type or name?

Well i've narrowed it down, when i create the viewport from a clip cube, know the depth length and width of the viewport, it seems to render it fairly quickly. However, as soon as i turn on the markers layers for the windows, then it takes ages. By the way...by ages, I mean it freezes, and doesn't finish rendering...:/ Any reason why? UPDATE: So for some reason when i assign a different class to a marker, it doesn't render, but when i keep the marker in the window class, it renders. Could this be a bug? I assigned an Anno layer only for markers... I have a total of 200 windows, maybe 1/3 are showing on this layer....Also, does the length of characters in the markers depend on rendering time? I know they're opengl, so i figured it shouldn't matter, no?

Thanks on the tip Alan, My file is pretty tidy in terms of textures, hatches, etc... I try to use line work, hatches and textures only once. I try not to use patterns because they require opengl, and i prefer to render in hidden line format. I do have a lot of classes open, but I will be using them in the near future. Can empty classes really slow down a file by that much? Either way, I'll purge, will tell how it works out. Thanks !

Good afternoon everyone, I've worked with vectorworks for quite a while in a few different firms, however, only the past year and a half did I really get into the parametric end and BIM end of vectorworks. I do love the features and time saving elements in vectorworks that vectorworks allows you to customize on your own or are inherently in the BIM elements. Having said that, when working with larger projects - i have come up to a few issues when working with larger and larger projects. Since I need to often share information with engineers and clients, they prefer the information in CAD. This means that all of my plans and elevations need to be exportable (not rendered in OpenGL). Whenever a project grows larger and larger in size (multiphased) the harder it is to work with the file itself. Why should a line rendering take 5-10 minutes???? But then again, it could also be the workflow. Generally what i do is store the entire project in one file rather than several. It doesn't take as long to update references stored in a separate file and is generally more responsive that way. But, i recently reached a 600 mb threshold, and i'm having a major problem rendering all of the elevations. Could this be a problem with the amount of information stored? All my walls are brick, and some elements have stone work...which could make the renderings intricate, however, this is unintentional. Using regular hatches should make it easier to render. Does anyone have any tips? or feedback? Maybe similar experiences? Thanks alot everyone!

I wish it was that easy. But after i have 18 layers, and 19 references sheet layers and almost completed sheets, its very hard to redo the callouts....i was hoping there would be an easier way to fix this? Also, does this mean there's a bug? or the file itself is just corrupt? and if so, how do i go about avoiding this problem in the future? Thank you in advance!

Pat, Sorry for the bother again, there seems to be a bug - after heavily using the callout tool, it starts to behave very oddly. I am attaching a sample file where the callout tool has been corrupted. Problems include: In design layer view port - 1. An additional leader element is added to the callout tool (usually on the right or left side - there is an unnessary line) 2. Note is slightly offset when adding and additional leader that gets in the way of the text. In Sheet layer viewport 1. Callout is displaced drastically from leaders 2. Shoulder length function or text margin doesn't solve the issue. In annotation Layer viewport 1. When placing a new callout - leader only is called from the left side of the callout, and cannot be switched normally - unless the mirror function is used. 2. Cannot delete leaders in annotation mode. All problems therein have been bubbled. You can test it yourself, could you confirm it behaves similarly? and if so, is there a way to fix it? In new files, this problem doesn't seem to persist, but who knows? I just recently started using the callout tool. Anno_Leader_Trouble_Shooting.vwx

Thank you Pat, How do i go about doing this?

Good afternoon everyone, first would like to start off by saying happy new years ! I've been playing around a little bit with the callout tool, however i discovered a bug. I've been trying to create a symbol detail library to reference for standard wall details - and i've recently discovered the callout tool (earlier posts) I really like the feature it has where it can generate a legend for a series of callouts - and then just that legend can be modified for that particular element. But i don't think this tool has been fully developed. The callout tool isn't designed to be inserted into symbols, something ive been trying to do. It loses its properties and generates a separate note for every callout every time it's dropped, something that i don't want to keep fixing all the time. Could anyone please confirm this is the case? Does anyone else think this is a bug?

Pat, Thank you for the suggestion. I figured it wasn't possible. I've been using this method thus far, just thought there might be a quicker way to do this.

I think i found a bug - Can anyone else verify this ? I have the latest service pack - for the callout tool - Adding a leader works, but deleting one doesn't. Can someone please verify?

Thank you for you that Pat, Is it possible to continue information in a database in an adjacent column though? I.E. Lets say i have a database connection with 2 column references, and i have a total 4 column worksheet. Would i be able to say continue the database information on the 3rd and 4th column after i reach 10 rows of records?

UPDATE: Apparantly the call out tool is a really great resource for keynote legends. Pardon my ignorance, i just recently discovered this feature. A great thing about this feature is that it has an option for additional columns - which is great! However, i do have a question : Is there any way to add additional columns to either : 1. Worksheets - if it exceeds a certain width / length or 2. General notes tool. There is no option for this in the general notes tool - a huge limitation!

Good afternoon everyone, I've been working on a set where i have alot of callouts for plans, elevations and sections that seem to be repetitive but not parametric, and i've been wondering... Is there a way to combine notes database with a callout tool or perhaps a bubble revision tool? I've been thinking of a simpler way of marking up notes by using annotation bubble revision markers and linking them to notes that are shown separately on the sheet in list form. There are multiple reasons why this is a useful feature 1. CSI can be embedded into notes parametrically - unifying elements in the project to specifications without any deviation to notation 2. Simply the callout process in plans - and eliminate clutter by referencing notes beside the plans. 3. No errors in documentation 4. Information is centralized - and modification to notes or finishes can be made remotely. 5. Notation tool does not need to be updated independently from the bubble revision callouts - they're intended to work simultaneously. Method - My current method is simple - i created a 2 custom record fields one for number, the other for description of the object - and reference those records in a table for that layer only. I however - end up having to make one table for each layer (floor plans, rcp, tenant protection plans, fire safety plans, etc...) which is the only nuisance. I end up having 10 - 20 worksheets just for that set. Is there a way to combine this method with the notation tool? and is there a way to eliminate duplicates? perhaps a method that would allow us to use one worksheet dynamically? Either way, I know this feature doesn't exist, but i figure , if anyone has any ideas how to combine these tools, i'm all ears? perhaps Nemetchek will hear us? Thanks everyone!