Travis

Michael, As you can see from my "signature", we've had excellent success with Epson's printers. I'm very impressed with their new x800 line. Tho not the fastest pure plotters (by far), they're very versatile; the image quality is second to none; and the consummables are reasonable. The clincher, however, for us has been our local EpsonPRO dealer. They've had an answer within hours for the few problems that have come up. Sorry, have no experience with Canon. Good luck, [ 12-09-2005, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: Travis ]

We have a couple of workstations set up with fast user switching without problems. Be sure you install from the Administrator's "user". Be sure all users have access to the "new" software. Be sure to analyze & repair permissions. It seems you may need to quit VW before switching. . .I know, it kind of defeats some of the value of "fast user switching". I'll check it out when I get a chance. Good luck,

If you need a true bow-window, you can use the curved Window Wall tool. If you're spec'ing windows in a framed bay, I have a hard time imagining a slicker method than inserting them into a parametric wall. Good luck,

Have a look at this thread: http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=005590 Good luck,

Glad to be of help. Mike's usually the mate w' the good answers!!

A work-around is to make the hatched object (gerrit's rectangle) a Symbol. All Symbols have their "own" origin. By moving the rectangle around "inside" the Symbol, you can control how the hatch gets applied. The Symbol can then be placed wherever needed without changing the orientation/location of the hatch. Good luck,

You can also "uncheck" the Show Dim box. Then you can enter whatever dimension you like.

Interestingly, I'm running Mouseworks "pro" v2.51, which assures me is the latest driver (when I click Update). Perhaps it's because I'm using the 4-button rollerball rather than the optical mouse. Does your driver window have a Scroll tab? And if so, is it set to function for all applications? One of the benefits of Kensington's approach is the option to custom program nearly everything (buttons and scrolling) for various applications. Good luck,

Without more description, it's hard to know exactly what sort of ramp you're making. If it were me, for most ramps I can think of, I'd use the Roof Plane tool. This way I could use the Object Info Pallet (OIP) to adjust slope and size. . .from either a 3D or 2D view and it would be correct for both. In future postings, perhaps you could list your OS (type and version) as well as the version of Vectorworks you'r using. Good luck,

Marc, We've had problems whenever both the Kensington and Logitech drivers are installed at the same time. Try removing the Logitech driver altogether. Early this year I switched from a Logitech thumb-ball to Kenginston's rollerball. The scroll works as expected. If problems persist, it would be good to know which OS you're running. Good luck,

It's incredible, David, that no one has pointed out to you how critical the "leap" to shapes is for former ACad users. My best drafter (now) struggled for weeks before she finally "got" it. The difference in both initial speed and editability (going on to 3D, as you point out) are significant. Continued good luck, Viper, we figure color output costs about 18% additional. 5?8% for ink and 10% for better paper. We add a surcharge of 20%. The big Epson printer does run a little slower than a plotter, so having a 30-sheet set in an hour isn't going to happen! [ 11-24-2005, 10:14 AM: Message edited by: Travis ]

stevek, Which version are you running?

David, Our lines are nearly always a darker shade?but the same color tone?as the fill. That way, in Hidden Line Render, the color still comes through. I agree that thinking through your methodology so both color and greyscale still work is well worthwhile. However, I find it difficult to see how the extra output cost (of doing color hard copies) outweighs the benefit. We give the client the choice and I can't remember the last one that didn't specify color for all sets issued. You started a very useful discussion. Good variety of responders. Good luck,

For an excellent example of color in CDs, I'd encourage you to take a look at the Terry Ackerman set of prints at http://www.vectordepot.com/gallery1.shtml#TMA We've been using color extensively for three or four years. It's even penetrated to our shop drawings. You'll want to establish some working standards so colors have a consistant meaning. As one who both reads 'prints and oversees their creation, I can vouch for the increased clarity consistent color can add. In many cases, it's simply easier to discern the difference between colors than between hatches or fills. Good luck,

You might like to have a look at this thread: http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=005478 Seems pretty clear.

LiMei, You've run up against the ceiling on windows as symbols, as far as I know. 1) The window PIO is "smart" enough to make some adjustments based on the wall into which it's inserted, such as the wall wrap. Once the object is turned into a symbol, the PIO loses its connection to the wall. Any edits are best done by entering the symbol, copying the window object, exit the symbol and then pasting the window into the wall. Make your parameter edits?which will edit both the 2D and the 3D portions. Then paste the revised window object back "inside" the symbol. This will update every incidence of that window. 2) Placing the ID Label inside the symbol defeats, at least to some degree, it's usefulness. Since it's *technically* only attached to one incident of the window, it won't increment. If you wanted all identical windows to have the same label, maybe this would work, but you wouldn't be able to specify any variations. I'd be more inclined to use the ID tool to place the labels on the symbols rather than inside. This way the labels would increment, I could specify tempered vs standard glazing, location, trim color, etc. Good luck,

Is color an option? I know it doesn't repro using traditional methods, but it's been a key communication tool for us for some time. Otherwise, LiMei's suggestion is nearly identical to our "old" method. By the way, we use the beam PIO to create beams and then draw a dashed line on top. Group (or create symbol) the two together. This way the beam appears, accurately, in both 3D and 2D. Good luck,

Welcome aboard. As you've noticed, the referenced layer is a design layer. I'd recommend a couple of keys: 1) DON'T do anything directly on the referenced layer. . .the one(s) that appears on the layer list in italics. Any edits you might try on the referenced layer will disappear the next time the layer is updated from the master file. This includes everything, even rotation. 2) Create a layer link on the layer (I'll call it the editing layer) you want to add objects. The layer link can then be rotated or moved about as needed, and will serve as the base over which you can draw. The link will automatically adjust to the editing layer's scale and will be accurate. Then, when such additional drawing as req'd is complete, simply create a Viewport that shows the desired portion of the editing layer, as normal. Good luck, [ 11-17-2005, 01:16 AM: Message edited by: Travis ]

Daniel, Please see this thread and the referenced links: http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=005477 After that you might do a search here on this board under "new user" and other keys. There's a considerable amount of information directly related to your situation. . .it's just spread across numerous posts and threads. I seem to recall that "Oldguy" and "David Bertrand" are recent switchers from A-Cad. You might search on their screen names and scan the threads for answers to their questions. Finally, since we're both here in Utah, I'd might be able to spend an hour or two with you to help get you started. PM me if you're interested. Good luck, [ 11-08-2005, 01:12 AM: Message edited by: Travis ]

I've "test driven" them at our Epson Pro dealer but we haven't yet decided to replace our 7600. They're much faster. Quality for linework looks the same; for photos, it's noticeably better. Be aware that Epson's print driver doesn't do a very good job of orienting a sheet across the direction of the paper. Meaning, you'll almost certainly get a 24x36 sheet printed in the same orientation on both 24"-wide paper as well 36"-wide. That's the only complaint I've ever had with Epson. Would like to get your feedback if/when you try one. Good luck,

C, ? = shift-option-8 The other three are font specific and not all fonts will have fractions. For example, the drafting font we use the most places the fractions using option-denominator, but most fonts will return the ? symbol from option-2. You may need to create & print out a font map. (I would use a spreadsheet, but it could easily be done with a wordprocessor) Good luck,

I've struggled with VW's General Notes feature and found a measure of success. But if I want to place stuff directly from Word, I just print to PDF and then place the PDF on the VW Sheet. You can't edit it, but it looks pretty. Good luck,

Michael, I think what Robert is trying to point out is that NNA offers a trial period rather than a trial version. I'd encourage you to take advantage of that offer. You get the full program, all the features, drive it and go. The learning curve is not insignificant, so post whatever questions come up and someone will likely help out. You might simply start with the Architect version. It includes all the features found in Fundamentals. . .so you'll be "test driving" both at the same time. You'll only need to draw a few walls and add a roof to be convinced which will serve your purposes best. You might find the following threads to be useful: http://techboard.nemetschek.net/cgi/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=001325 http://techboard.nemetschek.net/cgi/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=004567 http://techboard.nemetschek.net/cgi/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=004541 Good luck,

Ramon, Please note that the Callout tool can either place "local" notes (which stay in the viewport) or can place references to a list of notes: a true call-out. I suspect the thinking was that all call-outs on a Sheet would be numbered and tracked to a single list of notes. . .thus they have to reside outside any one viewport. HTH

Peter, I've never seen that process better explained. I think you ought to post it over to the How To board so we can all find it a little easier. BTW, aren't we supposed to be away from our computers this late in the day?! I notice you're now officially ranked as an "addict". Couldn't happen to a nicer guy!!