HEengineering

Thanks BCD, So it sounds like the way we do it makes sense. Some of our drafters get a little confused when they open the actual library file as opposed to accessing it thru the browser as a favorite, and dont see any physically drawn parts, until they double click the item thru the resource browser, seems un-intuitive to most I guess. For many years we simply copy and pasted parts from single files,having multiple files open, not utilizing the resource browser. So I'm pushing to implement this workflow as we grow and want to make sure I fully understand it inner workings.

MichealK, When you build your library file, do you build that parts right in that file. Or build them as you go and export out to the library file. There is a little debate here as to how it should be done or if one is preferred over the other?

Thanks MichaelK Hmmm,I was kinda hoping that 70MB was normal as it didnt seem to large to me, however that now begs the question on why such a delay when switching from one favorite to another if a library of 500MB could work wo issue? Working on a late 2014 Imac that has all the VW recommended specs, and 16gb of RAM. VW 16 seems to really be bogging down our network, or at least appears to be the culprit, as most of our slowdowns are now occurring with 16 in place. We dont do much rendering or 3d modeling, more so simple 2d geometry. It seems the answer to my question is -no it isnt the large libraries that we reference from the server. Were also working on updating some of our network equip, maybe that will reveal an underlying issue.

Id like to hear how others are using or creating libraries?

I have exported out a few of the larger folders so I can see making it multiple files. As we found that you could create subfolders in a file, seemed practical to create 1 files as opposed to many. Right now we don't have much need for referencing. So as I set this up I thought maybe its best to convert to a group for now, eliminating confusion for some. So I set them to convert on use. IS 70MB considered big? Only reason I'm looking into this is we have started to incur some seriously slow load times when files are being referenced from the sever such as a set of favorite files in the resource browser. My thought was maybe the library bloat might be causing this. I think we have some underlying server issues that are the root cause, however if you have 5 guys accessing a 70mb file along with a few others files saved as a favorites ,I couldnt help but wonder if it was the constant refreshing of each library favorite by VW wasn't slowing this down?

Wondering how ppl are making their library files? 2 questions regarding this. question 1 Ive seen 2 methods 1.Open a new file build your parts within that file and then convert to symbols(which then puts them in the resource browser.You see both the parts in the drawing(bc thats where they were drawing) and in the resource browser (since they were converted to symbols. 2. Build the symbols in your file, and then export them out to the library. When using method 2 you dont see any parts or symbols on the actual drawing window.... only thru the resource browser Is there a right and wrong way to create these? I assumed the export method was in place for this reason. So you don't have to open the "library file" and paste in the item on the actual drawing. Question 2 Our "library file" size has grown to over 70MB. All of these symbols are set to convert to groups when used. All are basic 2D geometry, tho some are imported dwg with "many lines". We have attempted to compose a lot of the line work down to about a 1/4 of what they were. This doesn't seem to have a big impact on file size. Is 70mb considered a big library size? I could only imaging how slow this would become if we were using 3D geometry. Any insite would be appreciated.

Weve had this same issue. Ive wrestled with this for hours upon hours, with VW tech support and still no avail. We end up printing 1 to 1 and that keeps it at bay. However at random sometimes VW will spit our multiple sheets for the same page when simply trying to print a whole package, or it wlll print that second page as the OP states. There are so many options for printers. It can be frustrating and confusing.

We have a handful of referenced symbols we use from a source document. When we reference the symbol into the target document everything seems to work as it should. However if I edit a referenced symbol in the target doc, sometimes when updating the symbol which then updates the source file as well as the target file, when I try to view the edited symbol from the original source file thru the resource browser the symbol name is there but there is no thumbnail? It still functions, just the thumbnail is missing. This seems to be an issue in VW 2014, as I cannot reduplicate it in 2016. Anyone ever experience this? Now if I use the resource browser to "open current Favorite" for the source file then it shows up in the resource browser. Then when I close the source file it disappears again. All seems related to updating a referenced symbol after it is edited in a target document it seems to mess up the source thumbnail.

I see. I must have misread, as the smaller extension seems reasonable. It looks like a nice add on. I've been in on the marionette training as well tho Im struggling to see how it can be useful for our office in a specific application. It's great VW is looking to help the end user with new tools and now even some training. I wish they did more of this with other aspects of the software such as BIM or sheet views/Modeling/drawings class/ along with layers for buildings and 3d Models. There is alot of power in that, but can also be confusing.

I have little to no knowledge on scripting. It seems strange to me that such a simple task would require scripting? We are designers not coders? My hope was I could create a report and just ask it to list object in its space in the create report dialog box with that criteria. Sounds like there is no way to do this unless you know scripting or want to slap down 400 on an extension package?

Pretty simple task here I think, but not to sure about the workflow. Ive figured out how to create and attach records to objects or symbols (I think). Looking to create a space and put either objects or symbols into this space with a record format, then create a report that lists how many lights are in that particular space. My report would list each space, and then the number of and type of light or object. I feel like this should be easy but when creating the report Im at a loss for how to get the report to find a space and then give info on the records with objects in the space? Just trying to explore new features that may be useful down the road with a simple test first.

SMB on OSX El Captain. I also toyed around with designating these custom libraries as a workgroup folder thru Preferences within VW. Im not quite sure if this does what I think it does, but it did go looking for this folder the minute I opened up VW, bc I had set it as a workgroup folder/Library. Maybe you can help me clarify what exactly does the workgroup folder designation do that a "favorite" cant?"

yes they are. Once I add them there are staying put for the day. However the following day when we come in they will automatically load up for some, and others have to re-point. I dont get why some guys have this issue but others dont.

Anyone have issues with this?

We have been using the Panzer CAD plugin for a while but it no longer works with versions 2015. I'm looking for a way to export an entire drawing with SAVED VIEWS. When I export to DWG we have 2 pull down options in the dialog. one for SAVED VIEWS or one for DESIGN LAYERS ONLY. Problem is no matter what options I select, it never exports the entire package into one dwg file. When we use the Panzer CAD plugin I believe what this does it creates VIEWPORTS from SHEET VIEWS in a script and then export them, giving us the desired file with everything enclosed. It seems odd to me that VW doesnt have a its own option for this. It seems maybe because we are drawing in sheet views and not Viewports since the Panzer CAD plugin requires that step. What seems odd is the export dwg command exists in VW, but there is no way to export all the saved sheet views into one DWG file for the client?

Everyday I have to reload my favorites for the resource browser. We keep the favorite or custom resource files on our local server. We also keep all the sites we work on, on this same server. Some of the sites will stick as favorites, however the actual custom favorite files/libraries where we keep our commonly used parts, doesnt stick. Everyday they must be reloaded. Doesnt make much sense because they are all on the same server, but only some files stay in place within the resource browser, but the library files always go missing the next day. Any thoughts on what might cause this?

Pat was nice enough to provide us with a script for this. We are all fairly new to the coding aspect of VW but Pat clearly knows what he's doing here. I would suggest his skills to anyone with a problem that they maybe can't solve. Great to have someone in the community like this.

File

All great suggestions guys, I was just hoping for a magic command. Everything you have stated is basically what Ive been attempting. This workflow works for a guyed tower because all the members are the same length. Any ideas for a lattice tower or a self support? take a look at this one.

I wasnt able to even get a portion of the nurbs to extrude along path. When I would compose 5-6 lines would join, however the extrusions doesnt come out correct.

Seems far to time consuming for what the ultimate goal is. I was hoping for a few commands. Even if we simplified it down this workflow isnt gonna help. We have lots of towers. Some with different lengths and Id guess this alone would take a few hrs to get one tower built. I appreciate the help, but Im not sure there is a solution.

Weather I compose them, or ungroup them, seems to offer no advantage over the extrude along path when its a 3d poly vs a nurbs.

Once the nurb is created it still wont let me extrude along the path.x

Another gentleman here thought maybe it would be possible with the plugin manager if we modified the "create objects from shapes" Were you able to select the entire model when you converted to nurbs?

Might be a start. We had another gentleman here thinking we could possible create a script or plugin using 'Create objects from shapes" but Im not that well versed. Just thought while I got someone Id ask if there were any additional methods beyond what you described. Sounds like this could be the ticket tho.