Travis
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Posts posted by Travis
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Where can I look to identify the correct field name to return data from a PIO? If I use the =('Room Record'.'Room Name') syntax, but want to return the Area (or some other data) from a Room Record, how do I find the other data "names"?
BTW, is there a fairly clear tutorial on working with VW worksheets and schedules? If I wasn't reasonably proficient in Excel, I think the manuals would just as useful if written in Cuniform for me.
[ 02-16-2005, 10:33 PM: Message edited by: Travis ]
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Thanks, Mike. That was too easy. Obviously I've gotten lazy to the point it's easier to ask than to try.!
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In the upper "Files and Folders" pull-down menu (on the Resource Browser Pallet), select Browse A Document. This will take you a standard file-selection dialog box. Go to VW-Object Libraries, select Plumbing Fixtures for toilets (for example). You can make a selection "permanent" on the Resource Browser by making it a "favorite".
There are also lots of other files, some will include windows and doors. If you're using Architect, these latter will also be available via the Architect pallet.
Good luck,
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I've finally taken the time to create customized classes for our frequently-used PIOs (windows, doors, stairs, railing, etc.) and made the changes via the VectorScript Plug-in Editor.
Now, how do I transfer these "updated" PIOs to the rest of the office? Where are they stored? I'm guessing it's not as simple as copying the Workspace to the other workstations.
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Ben,
I'm not sure this will be the whole solution, but verify that you're working @ 300dpi, not the VW default of 360. For some reason that difference in resolution makes a huge difference to Acrobat.
You should also do a search here on this board. PDF is discussed frequently and you'll likely find useful suggestions.
Good luck,
[ 02-16-2005, 01:28 PM: Message edited by: Travis ]
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Robert,
I have no problem using the door swing as the indicator, but my issue is with the unexpected flipping taking place once placed inside a symbol.
Any observation on that point much appreciated.
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Perhaps Robert will catch this post. Is this something we can add to a bug- or perhaps wish list somewhere?
I've just discovered that even if I modify one of the classes used by the embedded PIO, the "flip" occurs. . .sometimes! Thankfully, we rarely change things around within a project once the window or door has been symbolized.
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Thanks, Kevin, I've been using Font Book like you describe. Only drawback is the change is system-wide. I was somehow under the impression that different collections from Font Book could be selected from within/or assigned to different applications. Or at least applications that paid attention to some OS setting or other.
I can't seem to find anything better, so I'll continue as you outlined. (Can't handle having 200+ fonts scroll by, as I'm sure you can imagine.)
[ 02-15-2005, 09:37 PM: Message edited by: Travis ]
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I refine a window for a project and need to use it more than once, so I make it into a symbol and place it multiple times in various walls.
My walls have three cavities showing framing, drywall and exterior sheathing/siding.
If I go in to modify the window symbol, it always "flips" so the exterior trim is on the drywall side of the wall. The only workaround I've found is to copy the window from the symbol, place it in a wall so I can flip it back the right way. Then copy the window, go back inside the symbol, paste the corrected window and delete the incorrect one.
So long as I don't modify any parameter of the window, the symbol works great. Any modification (say I duplicate the symbol to have one with & without masonry sill), will instantly cause the window to flip. Doors act the same way.
Any suggestions?
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I would add a hearty "second" to this suggestion.
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Wow, thanks Ed for reposting. This helps a lot.
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Tom,
After you clip the the first two shapes, but before you join them, click on one of them and select the 2D Reshape tool. Click on the shape. Are there by any chance "extra" vertex points. . .more than one at each corner? Also verify by glancing at the OIP: it states the number of vertices.
Then do the same after Adding Surfaces. I've sometimes had additional vertices wreak havoc with subsequent operations.
Keep diggin, we'll find it. . .
[ 02-15-2005, 11:04 AM: Message edited by: Travis ]
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Tom,
Obviously, I spoke w/confidence because what I think you're describing only seems to happen to me when I make the mistake you're apparently not making.
I'd take a look as well, if you like. ttolman@exteriorstructures.net
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Alan,
I think I may understand George's wish--tho I think that's all it is.
He's apparently creating camera-ready art in Vectorworks that he'd like to define the final CMYK percentages for. Regardless of the intermediate color (mis-)interpretations by displays, proofs, etc.
I earned part of my way through college "driving" a 4-color Heidleberg for the university press. I can tell you that when someone specifies 45%K, a good press operator will get you exactly 45%K. You can, actually, specify precise CMYK percentages in most of the graphic arts and page layout software (Illustrator . . . remember 88?, InDesign, etc) that will then be output at those specified %'s on film to burn to plate, or now many times direct to plate.
The problem George is frustrated about, is that he can't get VW to output the %'s. I don't think he cares what the screen shows or even what his inkjet might proof, just that when it's finally sent to film or plate, the %'s are accurate. Since VW (apparently) tracks colors in RGB, everytime his file gets output, the RGB info gets interpolated for a different target. . .thus he has no control over the final color.
Most of the color-synching processes that keep Hell and Scitex (and the like) in business are in fact an effort to get RGB monitors to accurately reproduce CMYK colors, not the other way around. This way photos can be retouched accurately, clients can approve colors on screen, etc.
George, I'm afraid you're asking a dolphin to pull a cart. I have a hard time imagining the developers of a CAD program making the effort to turn it into a pre-press solution at the level you're asking about.
The closest I can think of would be to set up a pallet of colors that you've taken through the process from your computer to the final printwork. Then don't change any of the steps along the way without reproving your colors. Then you'll be able to predict the final color. But, obviously, that limits your options.
One other possibility would be to output VW files to PDF, then use a PDF-prepress interpreter that will allow you to map specific RGB colors to specific CMYK percentages. It's been too long since I made my living in the graphic arts, so I can't recommend a specific software, but I know they exist.
Good luck and I hope I didn't muddy the waters much more. . .
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Jacques,
We've purchased both Nemetschek's and Archoncad's training materials. I'm not sure I have a strong preference with respect to the beginner, but the latter has proven more useful over time with our drafters.
It's difficult for me to imagine how the $100 amounts to a real barrier. You're going to spend time and money getting up to speed. . .the real question is how do you best learn new software?
1) If you prefer to learn on your own, post questions occasionally here, and do lots of trial and error (my personal preferred method, frankly), you won't need to buy training materials. Give yourself a project and "build" it in VW, learning along the way all the ins and outs.
2) Very few people don't benefit from the expertise of others (including myself). I can verify that Jonathan's manuals/CDs are not only clear and easily understood but they're presented in a moderately logical sequence with actual "mini projects" to clarify the process. Additionally, he's an architect and goes to some length to help users understand a good way to use most of the built-in aids for that profession.
If you're going to be using VW+A to produce income, you simply need to divide your billable time into the training costs. As someone pointed out elsewhere on this board, if you're only billing at a rate of $30/hr, are you really only able to devote 3hrs to improved training?
Good luck, and welcome aboard
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Buz,
Look forward to your response after some further investigation.
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I would agree. We spend far too much time developing hatches that Mike's suggestions would reduce to minutes.
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Mike,
I've learned to be careful not to name any two things exactly the same. Most of the files that I've eventually become frustrated with because things start behaving wierdly (now there's a useful, specific description, don't you think?!), have had at least one instance of duplicate nomenclature.
Perhaps this is what Jonathon is observing.
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Tom,
Your clipping object doesn't quite overlap the shape you're trying to clip from. If you zoom in very large and set lines to 1, you'll see what I mean.
VW will allow you to clip a shape out of a larger shape (holes on a rectangle, for example). It thinks that's what you're trying to do.
Just make your clip shape larger or move it till it distinctly crosses outside the shape you're trying to clip.
Good luck,
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Is there a simple way to manage the fonts available to individual applications? I thought I could set up font collections with Font Book and then specify which collection is to be used by which application. . .but I don't see how to do that.
Maybe we still have to do it the "old" (pre- OSX days) way with an unused fonts folder . . . ?
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Thanks, Mike, for the pointers. I'll explore them soon.
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While I'm wishing for improvements to Classes & Layers dialogs, I'd sure like to be able to turn everything off or on or gray by clicking at the top of the respective column. If I'm trying to show most everything, I can click everything On and then turn off the few I don't need. Or vice versa. (Hope that's clear.) And this should work everywhere I can set Class and/or Layer visibility.
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Thanks, mates. Now lets get those additional pallets working, shall we? (Presuming they'd be of use to others besides myself.)
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I would certainly like to have the ability to assign a key-combo to the Previous View/Next View commands. Also to the Align Layer Views command. (If someone knows the trick, I'd be grateful to learn.)
I'd also like to be able to have the Layer and Class Visibility dialogs stand open as pallets, when I want. Like the Script Pallets. Also, can we please have changes selected on the Layer and Class Visibility "pallets" be updated dynamically on Mod Layers. I click, I see the change.
One can always wish. . .
Pantone Colors
in General Discussion
Posted
Seena,
You'll have better luck exporting your VW file as PDf and then opening the PDF in Illustrator. Once in Illustrator you can map the PDF RGB colors to specific Pantone/CMYK colors.
VW just isn't intended to function at the true graphic-arts level.
See: http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=001392
Good luck,
[ 02-17-2005, 02:50 AM: Message edited by: Travis ]