Travis

If you'll add vertices and slightly offset the portion of the roof where you want the gable, I think you'll get what you want. The problem VWA is having is it sees the entire "sole" of your "boot" as one roof surface with no place to break for a gable. You need to create that break point. (You could just add the vertex to the underlying polygon, but it's harder to see where the gable's going to end up.) Good luck,

I don't know PowerCADD, but if I understand your need. . .perhaps you can accomplish it by Grouping the items to be modified. Then grab the handle of the group, and it gets resized/moved depending on the cursor used to grab the handle. You can enter coordinates for accurate movements, if needed. This won't affect embedded PIOs, however. [ 02-22-2005, 01:54 PM: Message edited by: Travis ]

MW, What OS are you using? Generally you'll use Adobe Distiller to set up a "printer" which produces .pdf files. Alternatively, you'll print to postscript or export an image file and then use Distiller to produce the .pdf. Apple's latest (OSX) includes a Create PDF button on the print dialog box, tho some have found this implementation inadequate for their needs. [ 02-21-2005, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: Travis ]

Jim, "The memory has been boosted to over 100" Do you mean Mb? If so, you may not have enough for a complex import (we run min 512mb on all our VW machines, understanding that's more than absolutely necessary but memory has been relatively cheap lately and too little has been too often the cause of problems). However, I'm not familiar with the error so others may have better input.

MW, Depends a great deal on how much information you're trying to convey with your elevations. We draw very little, if any, in our elevation Viewports. We place one Viewport set to render behind another Viewport set to Hidden Line. You might want to play with the line weight setting on the "front" Viewport, and you'll probably end up "cleaning up" some lines (hiding stray ones behind white-filled/no-line blocks and completing a few others to their logical end point). This approach relies on having an appropriate collection of textures that you apply to the model for various exterior finishes and elements. (A collection that's taken us a few years to develop.) Elevation markers and a few reference notes, together with appropriate labels makes up our elevations. To further this point, we use Classes to turn off and on the necessary walls and roof components so our Sections also require virtually no additional work in the Viewport. If dimensions just happened to be (someday?) truly associative, our Elevations and Sections would be as close to "live" as I can imagine wanting them. I can't tell you how much power Viewports has brought to the table for us. Our goal is to spend no more time preparing construction drawings than it took to get the model developed and approved. With the help of Viewports, we're very close to this goal on a regular basis. Good luck,

But you can Edit Hatches, duplicate the one you want rotated. Rename it and then rotate the hatch itself. Sad part is, you have to rotate each layer of the hatch.

Kevin's idea works if you can match the rendered color behind closely enough. I combine the two (or more) walls into one, which gets classed as a Wall-FullHt-xx wall and only turned on from the appropriate viewport. At least for me, I can do that faster than I can draw all the stuff I seem to want in the elevation. The convert copy to lines option doesn't create shapes that can take fills, I have to draw them "again". Since I've already taken the time to make sure everything is textured (we've got many textures that are jpgs of hatches drawn in VW) the way I want it, all I need is to get rid of the floor lines, as you point out. To combine walls efficiently. . .well maybe that's another discussion. Hope that helps, [ 02-21-2005, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: Travis ]

jnr, If your title block is like mine, you have both static (company logo, address, etc.) and variable information (project name, sheet title, etc.). You must be placing something on each sheet that shows the variable information (which is probably a symbol or PIO that's in turn connected to the Issue Manager). Jonathan's point is simply to expand whatever you're placing 41 times to include the static information. Draw it once, store it as a symbol that contains both the static and variable info, and then place it like you're probably already doing. It's really only one symbol to manage--Issue Manager takes care of the variable details for you. Good luck,

Two points: 1) On the "composite" 3D mod layer (where all the mod layers are linked together), we place 4 lights representing the sun from different quadrants. Each is assigned to a different class (Light-L-Frnt, Light-L-Rear, etc.). From the Elevation Viewport that references the composite layer, the class for the light that provides the best shadowing is turned on. 2) Layer ambient lighting is adjusted on the composite layer to lighten/darken the overall effect. We generally produce full-color drawing sets for the client and let the copy-machine generate the b/w version. A little experimentation with textures/"suns"/ambient lighting will produce useable results for both end "products". Please note, these methods have largely come by combining suggestions from others here on this board. If my memory was good enough, I'd give appropriate credit (I'm pretty sure the idea to place one Viewport behind the other came from Robert @ NNA). I'm a much better plagiarist than original creator. Just trying to get the ideas in my head accurately communicated to the guy buying them and the other guy building them. . . like everybody else! Good luck, [ 02-21-2005, 01:54 PM: Message edited by: Travis ]

Larry, You only compromise your data if it's inaccurate. The snap grid is useful to help you stay accurate. Personally, I don't use it at the large scale, but rather at the small end. Mine's set to 1/8". Good luck,

Tyler & David, Do you realize you can double-click the line/rectangle/circle tool and enter dimensions and the point of origin before you even place the shape? Try it. The very fastest way I know to draw a floor plan depends on the info I have: 1) If the layout is largely in my head, I lay it out with rectangles (occasionally using Add and Clip Surface or Rotate) and then trace it with the Wall tool adding Doors and Windows as outlined above. Later, you can learn about the Space tool. 2) If I'm entering as-built info (and VERY confident of the measurements), I may use the tab-data entry method and draw walls directly. Trouble is, too many as-built situations don't work out on paper, so I end up creating preliminary shapes to make things come together (like corners!) on paper. With respect to details, we have a group of Classes prefixed Detail-xxx(-xx) that define the line-weight, fill, etc. for each of the common detail components. If I were drawing the detail Tyler asked about above, I'd use the double-clicked rectangle tool to drop in shapes corresponding to each of the construction layers (insulation, concrete wall, etc.). Then assign each shape to to appropriate Class. Using the Break-line tool, I'd draw an angled-line across one end of the whole set of shapes and Group (command-G) it. I'd immediately enter the Group (command-[ ), draw a right- triangle (polygon tool) where the hypotenuse follows the break-line. Change the triangle's attributes to No Line, White fill, send it to the back (command-B) and exit the Group (command-] ). The white fill will cover the ends of the shapes already drawn to give the appropriate illustration. I can then duplicate the break-line group, flip as needed, and place on the other end of the shapes. Later, you'll learn about creating Symbols. Never touched the line tool. If you held a gun to my head and the dimensions and design were already known (as I presume Tyler's school assignment were), I could probably draw the above in about a minute (assuming I didn't have the advantage of our pre-determined classes). Others here will have different methods and may even be faster. I like this method because it makes changes (say the project calls for thicker concrete walls?select the shapes on one side of the wall and Move them the necessary distance, drag the wall's shape to snap; or the boss decides to use a different fill to represent insulation?simply change the Class settings and all Detail-Insl-xxx gets updated.) My point isn't to insist anyone else do it my way, but to try to show you one way to quit thinking in "lines" instead of shapes. Keep up the work, guys. You're tapped into one powerful piece of software that will serve you well. [ 02-21-2005, 10:51 AM: Message edited by: Travis ]

Do you have to use EPS? JPGs typically are far more efficient. You're going to have to do image optimization before you import. From whatever program you're manipulating the images (Photoshop?), be sure to optimize image size and resolution for your final output. You don't need to be importing a large image (or high resolution, if unnecessary) just to resize it smaller in VW. Also, while working on your drawing, you should have Preferences-Document-Bitmap Display set to Reduced, if not all the way to Bounding Box. That way it doesn't have to redraw the image every time you move something around on screen. Obviously, set the Bitmap Display back up for printing. Good luck,

Are all the computers Macs?

You've got to be working toward simplifying your data and getting a reliable model before you can move to rendering, etc. By then you might be able to combine onto one layer, or maybe you just need to be sure to set all the layers to the same Z-height so they mesh properly when turned on in a Viewport. You need more people looking at this. I'm sure there's good advice beyond my relatively limited experience. You might want to post this to the Landmark discussion board and see what turns up.

Somethings not set up correctly, it seems. (an understatement?) We have our office set up almost exactly like you describe. When you link to the "server" file from another computer, are you doing it via the Network button on a Finder folder? This should bring up the available connections on your network. Double-click on the appropriate resource, enter user name and password (if applicable, can be Keychained for future use without typing). The server resource file should now reside on the desktop of the linking computer. Transferring files from/to the server should be transparent. We partitioned the hard drive on one computer and called the partition CAD Server. That computer is used daily and the rest of us connect to the partition seamlessly. It's not uncommon for files to be worked on directly from the "server" while the user on that computer is working on something else. The only tricky part has been to keep Permissions correctly set. (If the "local" user creates a file and stores it to the CAD Server partition, she has to reset permissions so others can read/write. If the file is created remotely and stored, everything's fine.) It seems, somehow, you're working too deep into the Unix kernal for network services that are provided by the Mac OS interface. Good luck,

Can you maybe break it into sections, with each section on a different layer. Then work in smaller bites at a time?

This discussion and the one linked in it may be of help to you. http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000339 Good luck,

Thanks, Robert, for your prompt reply. If it's "buried" that deeply, I'll leave the defaults alone and change the classes after the fact, like this last time. Still puzzled over the attribute malfunction. Maybe it'll recur and I can get a better track on it.

I'm just beginning to use Wall Framer heavily. As it creates the various components it assigns each to a class: Framer-Sole Plate, Framer-Block, etc. In order to streamline the Class menus, I refined the nomenclature to: Framer-Wall-Sole Plate, Framer-Wall-Block. So far, no big deal. This last time I ran Wall Framer, it was on a template that already had the refined nomenclature, so it re-created its own classes. Using Classes-Gray Others, I selected all the studs on the layer and reassigned them to my preferred class. The lines changed colors, everything looked fine. Repeat for remaining classes. The surprise came when I reverted to Class-Show/Snap/Modify Others. Suddenly all the frame components have black lines and white fills. The attribute pallet shows every setting to Class Style, but the settings are being over-ridden somehow. If I choose items and reassign them to yet another class (say Guides), and then change them back, they *finally* take on the attributes of the Framer Class. Obviously, I'll have this all done soon. Two questions: Has anyone else seen this class "ghosting" effect, where the attributes showing on screen (and when printed) are NOT what's showing in the attribute pallet? Where can I go change the Class defaults in Wall Framer? It doesn't show up in the Plug-In Editor. Thanks all,

The thanks goes to Katie. Some time ago (a year or more?) there were many of us struggling with this, long posts, some acrimony, etc. One day out of the blue, she posts the answer. All hail Katie. [ 02-18-2005, 10:15 AM: Message edited by: Travis ]

Tyler, It may seem almost contradictory to take "valuable" drafting time to spend on training, but it will give you a break from the frustration and *guaranteed* you'll be faster when you get back. I just purchased both Essential and Architect from Jonathon. I've been using VW+A for nearly ten years, so I'm pretty familiar with the program. I skimmed through both manuals in less than an hour and improved my productivity by another 5?10%. They would easily double your production. When I first started, I had notes and keyboard shortcuts and "flow charts" taped all around my desk. Just by forcing myself to study the keyboard shortcuts, I discovered ways to do things. (You mean, I can Convert a PIO to a Group? And then edit it in ways not possible from the pallet? Cool. etc, etc.) The most valuable thing I could share with you comes from my younger days learning my first foreign language. For several weeks, one is constantly "translating" in his head from English. Suddenly, with just barely enough syntax and vocabulary to get by, the day comes one realizes he's *thinking* in the new language. Progress from that point is rapid, almost easy. As much as you can, stop trying to translate from ACad. In VW, you're drawing shapes, not lines. Zoom your thinking out a little. Think in shapes, objects, groups. Find the resources and tricks to get those components on screen. I frequently draw a detail in 3D because I can see if they're any mistakes in my design AND I can quickly develop various views with Viewports. Don't get discouraged. Besides, you can always move to the beautiful Wasatch Front. Skiing is great and we desperately need another CAD jockey willing to get up to speed in VW. Good luck, A couple minutes later after rereading your post: Don't give in to the temptation to work in one while learning the other. The best, fastest way to learn a new language is by immersion. You're already wet, stay in the pool and you'll learn to swim quickly. [ 02-18-2005, 01:54 AM: Message edited by: Travis ]

Could we please have a 2D component added to the Rafter Tool. I know the Rafter created by the Roof Framer has a 2D element, but I often don't use the automated method. (It also seems to have some serious issues with 2D/3D reliability.) Also, could we have the option to set the Rafter as either solid-sawn or wood I-joist . . . like the Joist Tool allows.

Dave, And all this time I thought my crashes were because I was *sitting* on the office chair. . .

Martyn, This might get more response on the "Printing" board. I can just assure you we have excellent success with Epson's drivers and VW11. But then you're running XP. . . Good luck,

Not when I use Acrobat Distiller (rather than the MacOS built-in pdf generator). But this may be partly because our line-weight protocol is for a fairly large size differential (1, 4, 10, 15, 20). I like subtle line-weight differentiation on screen and from our own printers, but small differences don't seem to hold up to multiple copying or PDF creation as well. (We live and die with PDF)