Travis

I like that symbols have class attributes separate from the elements contained. This allows me to turn on/off certain elements or the whole symbol from a Viewport. We have a standard "General" class that is used for everything that doesn't seem to belong to another class. It's always on in every view and every viewport. It's usually the default class in Saved Views. This is where I would put a symbol that fit your description. Since it's the default class, the symbol would most often end up with this class assignment anyway. Finally, there is no way to multiple-select symbols or plug-ins that are inserted in a wall. Good luck,

You will need to create a custom print size of 24x36. You don't indicate which printer you have, but in our Epson 2200 (a 13x19 printer) page setup dialog there is the option to specify a custom sheet size. If your printer doesn't allow this, you'll need to install a large-format printer. Secondly, I'd skip the image-file step and print directly to PDF (it's built-in the Mac OS, tho the 10.4 version is more bullet-proof than 10.3). You'll still need a PDf writer (we use Acrobat) to compile everything into a single file. Good luck,

Richard, The way you "bind" WGR'd layers to your working drawing is to break the link(s). From the Workgroup References window, highlight the links and click Remove. Check keep info. This will import the layers directly into the file. BTW, we always do this prior to issuing a final C/D set. This way, future "updates" on the referenced files (typically standard details, etc.) will NOT be reflected in previously issued drawings. Good luck,

Do you work with Autosave turned on? I use it set to every 20 operations with the Save to Separate File also checked. This way, if the app crashes, you shouldn't have lost more than the last 19 operations. Good luck,

Turn on Adjust Flipped Text in VW Preferences, Display pane.

Michael, I do almost the same thing with VP Sections: place one VP Section, duplicate it in place, group the two VPs. Now I can set one to shallow depth with heavier line weights, various fills; the other gets more depth (maybe even infinite) and lighter line weights. Set the marker on one of them to invisible. Gives me most of the "depth" control I like while still keeping my sections live. Good luck,

Peter. . .you've been reduced to raising your voice? I think you're not getting enough sleep lately!! BTW, is the construction industry as over-the-top busy in your neck of the woods as here in the Upper Rockies? One of our designers just turned in 60 hours. . .and left at noon Friday. Our field crews are loving the overtime, but can't remember the last time they saw their kids with the sun up. And I'm still working Sat pm. I guess we borrow the old farmers' saw: you make hay while the sun shines.

We use Example 2 for all our typical details with the addition that we create a Sheet(s) that shows all the details in a file. A .pdf of the file's detail sheet is kept in the same folder for quick reference, if needed. We use Matthew's method for all typical components that get used repeatedly in various drawings: knee braces, windows, doors, ad infinitum.

cba ? much more elegant solution! I was too "stuck" on staying with the callout tool.

You need to go into the Lumber Sizes.txt file (Plugins-VW_Arch-Data) and change it to read (notice I've added the somewhat unusual 3x sizing): Units Actual Nominal Imperial 1.01" 1" Imperial 2.01" 2" Imperial 3.01" 3" Imperial 4.01" 4" Imperial 6.01" 6" Imperial 8.01" 8" Imperial 10.01" 10" Imperial 12.01" 12" Imperial 14.01" 14" Imperial 16.01" 16" Imperial 18.01" 18" Imperial 20.01" 20" Imperial 24.01" 24" Be careful to read the caution heading. Good luck,

Yes, but it's somewhat tedious. 1) Create the callout, 2) Ungroup it, clicking yes you really want to do this, 3) select the text and Convert TrueType to Lines, 4) Group what are now the callout components, 5) rotate the Group to your heart's content. Obviously, you give up the benefits of having an editable callout after this. You might consider simply angling the leader lines uniformly along the radius and letting the text itself remain horizontal. It'll likely be easier to read. Good luck,

The wood cut detail tool is 2D only, which forces the drawing to the 2D "view" to place objects. But, no worries. . . when the drawing switches, go ahead and place the cut detail. Then switch back to Front (Side, or whatever) and locate the detail where you want it. As an aside, I use the wood cut detail a great deal but nearly always in the Viewport rather than on the Design Layer. There's no perspective shifting and they're easy to move if the design gets revised. Good luck,

You've entered values beyond the Object's "database" . . . it doesn't know how to convert what you've entered into a nominal size. I'm presuming metric has an equivalent to our Imperial 2"x4" (nom) which translates to 1.5"x3.5" (net). You can add to the database, but it's fairly arcane. If this is a size you use frequently and would like to modify things, please repost. Good luck,

Jeff, Hatches are 2D, textures are 3D. And 2D/3D objects can have one or both defined. Be sure to see this as a significant benefit, as you'll often want to illustrate an object differently for 2D and 3D. There is a significant library of textures, including some great tile roofs, included with VW. In addition, you can create unlimited textures using .jpg files as the basis. Have a look at the manual/online help and repost with more questions. Good luck,

Yes, by creating a .jpg image of the desired hatch and then using that image as a texture. If you'll search this (and the Architect) board, you'll find a couple of discussions re this within the last year. If you don't find what you're looking for, please repost. Good luck,

Tom, I'm a little puzzled. . .just where is the center of stud in a block wall? You can use the "edge" of a wall cavity as a control point. Another alternative (the one we use) is to have a separate layer "Guidelines" where the spaces/rooms are simply laid out as geometric shapes, such as rectangles. This Guidelines layer is below the floor plan layer in stacking order. When walls are moved, we first make the change on the Guidelines layer and then adjust the walls to the new snap-points. The only caveat is that you must choose a point that the guide shapes come to: exterior/interior face of wall, face of framing, center-line, whatever. And then be consistent. Good luck,

Tom, It's easy to "grab" both the tag and the door. . .which would move the door with the tag. Just make sure you only have the tag selected. Also, just so you know, the Door Schedule is linked to the door NOT the tag. Changing the tag won't change the schedule or the door. Any changes, say to a door ID, have to be made on the door's Object Info Pallet-Data tab. This all is a good reason to delay tagging doors/windows/etc until as close to the end of the project as possible. Good luck,

You can use a word processor to create your notes database. (See the manual and/or online help) Then you reference the database from inside VW. If you're as fanatical about back-ups and duplicate files as we are, then you'll know to keep a separate copy of the file that can be used to replace the corrupted database. Probably in the original word-processor format. As far as trying to rescue the file, you might try opening the database (it's simply an ASCII file) with a text editor and see what it looks like. Good luck,

Regretfully, Don, you'll need to keep wishing. Hot links out don't exist right now, to my knowledge. However, you can format text in Word that can be directly read by the General Notes as a database. If the manual and help seem a little arcane (they are actually complete and guided me through the first time), you might try searching this board and/or repost and we'll see if we can't help. You will still have to establish the formatting via the General Notes dialogs, however. Good luck,

It would help a great deal to know which OS you're using.

If I read your post correctly, you're getting the data displayed but in the wrong location. Which probably means it's a layout problem rather than a data problem. Two things to check: 1) Would the text locate better if the text alignment was changed (Vert-Center or Horiz-Left, whatever)? 2) Make sure you have the bottom-right corner of the Custom Title Block set to the symbol's origin. Is it perhaps set too high? Good luck,

Wow, Matthew, what a great suggestion. We often use a large number of classes to control final output and your idea would definitely speed things up.

And if you're using v12, you can further tweak the two layers by adjusting layer transparency.

Dayv, You need to go to Vectorworks Preferences, Display tab, turn on Adjust Flipped Text. Should solve your problem. Re the Keynote issues outlined above: it's interesting that while I use Keynotes almost daily, I've not experienced the same problems. I always place the callouts w/leaders inside the Viewport and leave the legend outside, as it defaults.

I use a 4-button Kensington rollerball. I don't think I could over-recommend it: ? you can program each button and each combination of buttons (I have the upper right button programmed to Exit Group in VW, for example) ? the scroll wheel is very accurate ? my former carpal problems have all disappeared, since I can manipulate the large ball with different fingers, as I like ? Kensington's software is absolutely bulletproof in OSX. . .they started out doing only Mac accessories, so their roots are in the "right" place ? They are a little spendy, compared to a mouse. . .but I am at least twice as fast with the rollerball as I am with a mouse. Parly because I can be more precise more easily and partly because I can "throw" the curser clear across my 23" screen with the momentum of the ball. Obviously, I think it's worth a try. Good luck,