Travis
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Posts posted by Travis
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I'm a little late weighing in here, but I second Kurt's opinion re the Epson. We've had such good experience in contrast with so much I've read here on this board. Epson's Pro dealers make a real effort to support the Apple community (unlike HP) and we've always talked to a live person whenever we needed to call Epson Cust Svc?twice in three years, I think.
We have several of Apple's Cinema displays, the big ones. Couldn't say enough good about them. Much easier to use than duals; you can show 11x17" at nearly 100% with full pallets and menus out of the way.
We have not yet purchased any of the dual G5s because VW doesn't take advantage of the second processor (unlike Photoshop) without the built-in help that Tiger (OSX.4, I believe) is supposed to supply. You'll note that I run 1.5mb of memory--that's where you need to put your resources, like KM said.
Good luck
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You can do that, or you can convert the polygon to a "Floor" (instead of extruding it). Textures only apply to the face and not the edges of Floors. However, a Floor can have a hatch when viewed from top/plan.
Experiment around to see what works best for you.
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More details please:
What platform/system are you running? How much memory? Which version of VW? etc.
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Jeff,
File-Preferences-Vectorworks Preferences.
Click the 3D tab. You'll see 3D Conversion Res. I generally set it to low during design and then medium or high for final output.
Click the Display tab. If you have plenty of memory (RAM), you might see some improvement by checking Use VectorCaching. I also leave the Hardware Accelerated option checked.
File-Preferences-Document Preferences.
Click on RasterRender tab. Under both options buttons, you can set rendering detail levels. Also shadow tracing with RW. Again, you might want to set them fairly low during design and then higher for final output.
Hope this helps.
[ 12-01-2004, 08:29 PM: Message edited by: Travis ]
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Exactly.
I knew it had to be some setting somewhere, but hadn't ever noticed that DPI option.
Peter, thanks for being so generous with your time and expertise. And stop working so late!
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I created a Viewport of a modeled structure. I get a horribly pixelated rendering from any of the RW options. All other rendering options perform as expected.
When I select RW on the design layer, it looks exactly as expected. Scale is the same on both the design layer and the viewport.
I copied and pasted the structure into a new file. Same results.
Any ideas, anyone?
![[Confused]](images/icons/confused.gif)
[ 11-30-2004, 07:55 PM: Message edited by: Travis ]
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Kevin,
We make extensive use of the annotations "layer" of the Viewport.
We've been using hidden-line rendering elevations (mostly). Then adding rectangles (into which we place hatches, color, etc.) and the occasional line directly in the Viewport. This seems to go fairly fast and actually gives us some extra control of the finished "look" that might be hard to achieve if everything had to be incorporated in the underlying 3D model. Particularly, we adjust line weights to look good in the elevation that we might prefer to be more uniform in the isometric renderings.
I haven't, personally, experienced "extra lines", but I suppose one could draw a "white" line over the extra one(s).
In addition, if you want some of the colored textures to show thru, use one of the Renderworks options. You can still place 2D poly-shapes "over" the rendering in the Viewport and have the best of both worlds (RW & hatches): something very difficult to achieve pre-Viewports.
This means, of course, that elevations have to be re-refined each time the model changes, so push this step off towards the end if possible.
Good luck.
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The exciting thing, Larry, is that you've learned all there is to know about floors w/textures. You get the top plane to render and that's it.
If you need the sides to show a texture, you can use a traditional extruded rectangle. That, of course, won't give you the 2D features of the plug-in object. You might want to combine a 2D rectangle with the 3D extrusion under Create Object to retain the best of both worlds. But editing size/shape isn't as simple and it may become tedious if you have a number of floors.
Good luck
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Don,
I don't seem to have the same problems you're describing. I do wince sometimes at the file size of a Final Renderworks PDF, but I'm able to get them saved. I've learned to open it in Acrobat and run the Reduce File Size option. In addition to significantly shrinking the file, it also prompts re version?which I usually set back to 5, in the event my client doesn't have the latest.
How much memory are you running?
If you'd like to PM me, I'd be happy to run your file on my system to see if I can be of any help.
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Don,
I probably create PDFs from every possible view/rendering combination within VWA every week. Always with consistent results.
You likely need to check the 3rd pulldown menu in the Print dialog box. Select VectorWorks - set the print resolution to 300, NOT 360, and then Save as PDF. For some reason, PDF chokes at the higher resolution.
Good luck.
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I would second that wholeheartedly.
In addition, I wish I could select several similar items and have access to the full Textures tab in the OIP. For example, if I want to change the scale of the texture on all the exterior walls of the first floor, could I please do it all at once.
Alternatively, or perhaps in addition, it would be nice to be able to scale textures from the Style dialog. I know, I can just create a copy of the Texture at a different scale. . .but while we're wishing!
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Gerry,
You can either change the OS shortcut or VW. I chose to eliminate the keyboard shortcut for the Dock (Apple Menu-System Preferences, click on Keyboard & Mouse, go to the Keyboard Shortcuts and delete the offending shortcut.) Alternatively you can assign a different shortcut from Edit Workspaces in VW.
Good luck and welcome to OS 10.
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Ben,
We've tested the limits of print size for our shop templates. I learned from Epson that MacOS has some inherent limitations related to both the physical dimensions and the density/complexity. I don't now recall the numbers they gave us, but perhaps that's what you're up against. For example, we can print a simple outline up to 84" x 24", but it breaks (won't print at all) at 84-1/2".
When you print to PDF, make sure you've set it to 300dpi (NOT the default 360) under the Vectorworks pulldown in the print dialog box. Regretfully, a good PDF may still not print if it's an OS limitation.
Perhaps others with direct HP experience will have better suggestions. Good luck.
[ 11-01-2004, 10:36 AM: Message edited by: Travis ]
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Though we've had the VW11 box for several months, we've only this week installed the upgrade. Our initial reaction is generally pleasant.
I find the spinning beachball occurs less often in 11 than 10.5.1; rendering (esp. dashed-hidden-line) to be substantially faster; the implementation of Viewports is immensely valuable.
We've generally kept files in the version they were created. I did, however, try to "upgrade" one file we're still working on. One of the saved views has two design layers and one came through the upgrade in a different scale than saved in 10.5.1. I tried it again three times with identical results. It was easy to change that layer back to the original, albeit custom (3/8 or 32:1), scale.
I realize you're looking for confirmed bugs, and my comments don't help that very much. I can say we wish we'd opened the box sooner rather than later.
BTW, David, you might try hitting your escape key when you want to edit the object rather than the OIP: it will "jump" you back to the object without deselecting it.
[ 10-29-2004, 10:04 AM: Message edited by: Travis ]
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We use the Epson 7600 and are very pleased, not only with the printer/inks/quality but also with Epson's excellent support for the Mac platform. NOT something we found with HP. You might consider looking on eBay for a reconditioned one. We did.
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We've had our Epson 7600 up and running for six months or so. We simply print directly to Epson's latest driver, non-ps, and have had excellent results. The printer is connected to one of the less-used work stations, but even the few times I've worked in VW (on that station) while it's printing, I didn't notice any performance issues. (I don't believe I'd ask that station to render something complex while it's printing, however.)
Our experience, and that of several other individuals posting here over time, is that Epson does a tremendous job of supporting the Mac environment. We've only had reason to call Epson a couple of times, but both times we got a live person on the phone within 5 minutes and the answers shortly after.
The added bonus of being able to print truly high-res color photos (promo display boards, etc) pushes the balance heavily in favor of the Epson.
Good luck with your decision.
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I've faced this same dilemma and solved it by extending the framed wall "down" to the bottom of the door. Since my framed walls are narrower than the supporting foundation wall, they "disappear" into the concrete. . .but the lines left at the bottom of the wall, when the door tool cuts everything else out, are at least where they belong.
Obviously, this only works in a limited way. It would be difficult to prepare accurate framing details from these over-long walls, for example. But if elevations and 3Ds are all that are needed, just make sure both layers (framed and foundation walls) are always linked in the view.
Good luck
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We use the 7600 and are very satisfied; especially pleased with Epson's support. Would strongly recommend that you work with an Epson ProGraphics dealer. Ours has been indispensable. (www.pictureline.com - no, we're not affiliated in any way
![[smile]](images/icons/smile.gif)
)[ 03-25-2004, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: Travis ]
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Ricardo,
I could not be more pleased with both printers. Epson pays a great deal of attention to the Mac market (unlike some other printer/plotter vendors we've dealt with) because they see the two (Mac and Epson) as the ideal graphics solution. The drivers have so far performed flawlessly under Panther, tho there are a few tricks to getting colorsync to work correctly. Print quality is so much better than any plotter as to not be a fair comparison at all. We run all our "plots" at 360dpi: they're sharp and crisp with accurate line weights. At full photo quality (2400dpi on both printers), you need a loupe to find dots.
You'll do well to hook up with an Epson ProGraphics dealer--we use PictureLine (www.pictureline.com) here in Salt Lake City.
By the way, I've called Epson tech support two or three times with questions and always been able to speak to a knowedgeable "live" person.
Best of luck -Travis
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Thanks, Katie, for being redundant just for me.
In addition, I learned from Epson that OSX places a limit of 80" in any direction on "System-managed" printing. I set the page size to 79" and everything printed just fine. Epson also advises that a 3rd-party RIP, that bypasses the System, might be a solution.
I'll do a little further investigating, but 79" will suffice most of the time.
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I'd sure like to output long templates (VWA limits to 125 inches) at 100% for our shop to work with. Template prints fine on our standard 22x34 print size, but leaves border gaps between pages even when margins are set to zero.
I set up a custom paper size (23 x 120); everything looks good on screen but won't print. After clicking print, the timer/info box just flashes across the screen, a print file is created that the driver chews on for 30 seconds or so and then gives up.
Any ideas?
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Stuart, I believe VW can use any font available to your operating system. There are several utilities available that can print a font catalog.
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I generally extrude trim boards and apply a fill and texture. Then I rotate as needed to fit. I use this same technique for soffit & fascia details along roof eaves.
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What platform are you working on? (If it's Mac, I can help you, if not someone else will surely respond.)
[ 02-25-2004, 01:49 PM: Message edited by: Travis Tolman ]
PDFs
in General Discussion
Posted
We just completed two projects that were shuttled around (engineer, consulting arch, lndscp arch, owner's rep) A LOT via email. I just reviewed them carefully, especially for line weights/hatches/color and find them to be acceptable.
We generally use the OSX Save as PDF option, then compile multiple sheets into a binder in Adobe Acrobat. Finally, we always run the reduce file size option and set the version back to 5 (in case someone else isn't running the latest version).
Must be working well. . .no one's complaining!![[Cool]](images/icons/cool.gif)