MERV
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Posts posted by MERV
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Jim,
Here is a sample file. I can easily split the open polygon, but I cannot seem to split the closed polygon.
FYI, I had to remove the texture to get the file size small enough.
Thanks,
Martin
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Today I used a closed polygon and Extrude Along Path to create a wainscot around a hotel ballroom. Then I wanted to Split the extrude so I could remove the wainscot from the doorways.
When I used a closed polygon as my path, I could not split the extrude. If I went back and opened the polygon I could then split the extrude as required.
Not sure if this behaviour is a bug or not, but it seems counterintuitive to need to have an open polygon in order to edit the resulting extrude.
As always, I am open to alternative methods, as somebody always has a faster and easier way to achieve these tasks.
Thanks.
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So here's an update from my experience. What seems to make it crash is using or modifying imported images that are greater than about 500KB in size. I was using an imported image as a RenderWorks texture that was a 1.2Mb JPG file. I could turn it into the resource fine, but when I attempted to apply it to an object, it would crash.
Downsizing the source image to about 225KB and then re-importing it as a RenderWorks texture allowed me to use it with no crashing.
I have the same problem working with imported PDF files. Frequent and totally unpredictable crashes.
So, in my experience, VectorWorks has a bug when attempting to use
or modify resources or imported images greater than a certain size.
Does anyone else have the same experiences?
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I updated to SP3 today, hoping against all odds that it would solve my constant crashing issues. 2015 has been filled with compatibility issues on my Mac. After today's upgrade, when trying to select another Renderworks texture to apply to a video screen object, it crashes every single time, forcing a total reboot of the computer. It renders my screen totally unintelligible to the point that a hard reset is the only option.
It's my fault that I upgraded my OS to 10.10.x too soon but this has been the worst release I've had in 15 years.
I also found out talking to Paxar, that I have a limited number of installs on my license, (which is 5) meaning I have to choose whether to re-install a clean version to try to solve issues, and lose an install option for another machine.
Not happy right now, because all work has stopped.
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My Navigation Palette will not expand. When I click on the orange button to expand or collapse it, nothing happens. It is stuck in it's collapsed state.
I can close it via the red button, add it back via the Window menu, but it will NOT expand.
Every other Palette is functioning normally.
Did a full computer reboot.
Started a fresh drawing.
Reset VW main preferences.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Martin
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I updated to Yosemite, with 2015 already installed and working fine. Have now had multiple crashes where the screen just goes totally screwy, no ability to switch to anything else and no amount of keyboard combinations will force quit. Seems to occur while working on an imported PDF image. Only solution is a hard reset with the power button.
I don't normally jump on OS releases early, but for some reason this time I did. Now I regret it.
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Good morning,
I have searched the forum for an hour, but found no specific answer yet.
Is there a simple way to modify the 90-degree corner of a wall to give it a slightly rounded profile, similar to what you would achieve by adding a rounded pvc corner bead profile?
Needs to modify a Wall component, not 2d geometry.
Thanks all,
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Hey there,
No, I have no issues at all with the VS4 tools they are awesome and I add custom images to them on an almost daily basis.
I am looking to add a DL3 to a plot, assign it a custom image, and then have that image displayed on a flat surface (not a screen) on my set. I'm trying to use the DL3 fixtures to replicate a sort of series of "Billboard" effects at the top of the main set, and I thought the sizing and rotational ability of the DL3 would allow me to vary the "types" and positions of Billboards I can get. Much more flexible than a fixed screen and projector.
Can you make a DL3 use VS4 tools?? Or add a DL3 type option to the list of Projectors? How sweet would that be!!
Add the ability to set a horizontal rotation in the OIP so I can "tilt" my screens and we'd be rockin'
Thanks.
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Hello,
Does anyone have tips or tricks for getting a High End Systems DL3 projector to render a projected image? I'm using C. Andrew Dunnings plug in's for other screens and projectors but have not yet found a way to have the DL3 fixtures display specific images.
Any thoughts?
Thanks all.
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Thanks Frank, I will try this and see if it works.
This is a nagging little problem I have had for a while, but it seems to be pretty low on everybody's radar as far as bugs go.
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Alright,
I have run up against this problem again....
I am building a symbol that is basically a number/ label strip for a row of 12 circuit breakers. I built the symbol, created a Record, attached 12 pieces of text to 12 individual fields in the record, set all the text to wrap by clicking on the Wrap Text box in the OIP. It works fine, but the text refuses to wrap, and no matter how many times I tweak the little buggers to fit perfectly into their little spaces on the label strip.....it just goes back to one single line of text.
I am tired, my eyes hurt...
What am I missing??? It's got to be so simple and basic I cannot think of it??
Please help.
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Hello everyone.
I am attempting to draw a rigging sling (spanset) wrapped around the chords of a lighting truss. I am trying to create about 24 different versions of how to wrap and not wrap truss properly as the basis for a small class I am teaching. I want to draw my own versions instead of using someone else's, for copyright issues.
I have tried various tools, both 2d and 3d but have not been able to achieve that "look" a spanset has, since it is fabric, and getting a line to look "wrapped" around another object is proving to be difficult.
If I only manage to do this in 2d I will be happy. If I get it done in 3d that would be an extra bonus.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Here's a wild thought too...a VW tool that let's you create a spanset wrapped around a truss with options for length of sling, number of wraps per chord, sling angle, etc, etc.
That would be a very industry specific tool yes, but still cool.
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Adam,
Here are some things I do when creating a model space for a theatre, auditorium, ballroom etc.
If you are looking to just created a basic space in which to later add your set or lighting design, then these sugestions may help.
If you want a detailed, "Looks just like the picture" everything in it model space of your theatre, these won't help.
Perhaps they may save you some time and steps. I have found that knowing how much information is really needed to communicate your design effectively to all parties is really the key.
1. Keep it simple. That rule works for everything. When I first started drawing theatres, I tried to jam as many details as possible into my model, and it eventually proved to be unecessary when communicating a design.
2. Use simple polygons, extruded rectangles, and basic elements to keep rendering speeds high, and reduce clutter. You only need a simple rectangle to represent a proscenium.
3. Don't try to add curtains using the curtain tool. This just slows everything down, and you can get your point across using an extruded rectangle with a black fill.
4. When drawing the apron, I use the layer "Z Height" feature. I draw my walls and proscenium from 0'-0" (The stage floor surface)
and go up, then when I want my floor I draw the stage area and apron as a ploygon and the extrude it with a negative "Z" Height value that is the same as the height of the apron. This basically creates a "minus" floorthat has thickness. Works great. If that doesn't work for you, you can extrude up, switch to Front View and move the extruded surface down using the Move command.
With a little thought, you can also do this for stages with orchestra pits or traps, by methodically drawing polygons and "negative" extruding them for different floor thickness.
You could also do this using two different layers (one for Apron and one for Walls) with their respective heights set properly so they show up nicely when rendered, but I found it troublesome when trying to switch back and forth between various views and perspectives to keep eveything lined up so I adopted the method used above.
5. Think about creating a very basic version first, then adding to it as the design gets further along and more definitive. You can waste a tremendous amount of time trying to make something look perfect from the start, only to have it cut later on. I keep my model and first two design version very basic, and only after second Director and PM approval do I start to create a more detailed version.
6. Plan your classes and layers before you start. If you can't figure it out on paper, the computer won't help. Think about what you need to see as you develop the design, and how you will want to work, then add as many layers and classes as logical to allow you to turn them off and on when viewing things from different angles. I don't always work from a pre-built template because it isn't necesary, so this planning step helps.
Hope that answers your question properly. If you would like more information or explanation just ask, and someone will be happy to assist you if they can.
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Joz,
I have not actually placed a title block using the File>Document Setting> Create Standard Viewports method you describe.
I just place a title block on a sheet layer, add all the project information I need, and then each time I subsequently place a new title block on a new sheet layer it will contain the "P_" information I typed into the first block. I use a custom title block which I created from scratch, and used the "link text to record" command to fill in the fields. Using the "P_" and "S_" in front of your filed names when you create the record file allows you to have whatever information you want in the "edit title block" section of the OIP. You can do the same thing with the Revision and Issue information if you name your record fields carefully.
I have not yet had ( and hopefully will not) the unfortunate situation of Mr. Mann.
This may all sound murky and counter intuitive, and I must admit I took several attempts to get it working. It helps if you go and look at the actual record VW uses to create it's title blocks. It can be found in the Libraries > Defaults > Drawing Border > Standard Title Blocks file. That's what I did to determine how to set up the custom version I use now.
On another note, has anyone solved that title block double line thick & thin border printing issue that was mentioned a few days ago.? I though that was normal?! Now that someone pointed out that it shouldbe like that it just irritates the bejeezus out of me. I have not found the post that details any kind of fix.
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Steve_M
Make sure that when you edit the symbol data you do not have anything selected. The Object Info Palette should have the title *Default* in the top bar. Enter the data you want into the appropriate fields, and then exit. Each time you place the symbol after that it should have that "Default" information already entered. It won't update symbols you have already placed.
The key is to make sure nothing is selected in the symbol edit window.
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Joz,
Are you using the Drawing Border Tool?
As far as I know, if you place a title block as a symbol without using the Drawing Border tool, it will act like any other symbol. It will not update the record fields for other symbols.
If you place the title block using the Drawing Border tool then VW will know that the "P_" information is used across multiple sheets.
I place a new title block on a new sheet layer, then go to another sheet that already has the TB information I want, open the "Edit Title Block" in the OIP and then the information magically transfers to the new sheets title block.
That seems to work for me.
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The Brother P-Touch QL-550 Printer will print 62mm (2-3/7") x 100-ft Paper tape without cuts. It can be used to print a merge file for things such as repeating labels.
I am currently investigating whether or not I can wind my own cash register tapes onto an empty spool, because the store bought paper from Brother is prohibitively expensive.
I will post the results if I succeed.
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I have a work flow that gets me where I need to be. In older versions you could use saved views to get your drawing set "Just right" before printing it out. Now I use VP's to print all my work, including my title blocks, and saved views to quickly get me from one task to another. I find it very easy to use a saved view to navigate to a particular area of the drawing, turn on and off relevant classes and layers, and help me make sure I am on the correct layer before I spend 2 hours drawing something else.I rarely use a VP for anything more than setting up the exact drawing view I want, adding a title block, and then batch printing it all out at the end of the session.
2 very different features, both of which I use daily.
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Are you using the actual copy and paste functions to transfer your image? The clipboard can have DPI limits that will affect the image quality. I often use it the other way around, making my image in VW, exporting the image with a suitable resolution, and then importing into Illustrator. I am much faster in VW than Illustrator so this works well.
Try exporting your Illustrator image in various formats, and then importing into VW. You may find one that works better than the others for your particular needs.
Also, if you tell us what type of computer system and software configuration you have, you will get a more targeted response.
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When I pull a cable list for a shop order off of a drawing, I want to know cable type(awg), run length, name, voltage(so I know if it powers conventionals or moving lights)and what goes on the ends ie: nothing, edison break-out, L5-20 break-out/in, etc. Voltage drop for me is not an issue since the shop will only provide 2 gauges of socapex cable anyway. Knowing that the mac2K that is 350 feet from the distro will only see 98V(or whatever) a leg is not relevant. I know it will work because I have done it 600 times already. I use custom cable symbols with records attached for much of this already. The majority of my information is done on one master worksheet in VW that I set up with all common cable configurations I use on a weekly basis. As I go through the plot I update the worksheet. Tedious but it works.
I also think it would be very difficult to track cable runs when drawn using lines, for someone who has a large number of runs on a truss. I may have 20-30 runs coming off of the end of a truss, and that would be tedious to maintain.
If you come up with something you think might work, I would gladly contribute financially if it cuts down on the massive number of hours I spend converting LD dreams into Master Electrician reality!.
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Many Architects will model a small single section of the stadium and then duplicate and rotate the section as needed until the seating plan is closed. You may find it helpful to think on a more granular level by modeling only a few small sections, converting them to symbols and then placing them as needed. The "Seating layout" tool that Robert suggests can effectively be used to help with the initial model section.
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Yes, all the visibility options are selected. It is not ALL the folders, it is simply a folder nested two levels down under the "Top Level" menu. I can see it if I hold the pull down menu open, and I can select it if I move down to it from this menu. I cannot see it however, if I work my way down clicking through the folder levels. (I have no idea if that makes sense to you)
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This item is new for me. I have been importing a number of resource folders into a new blank document to use as a workgroup file. When you view the folder list by pulling down the resource sub-menu I can see a number of folders which are again farther down in the folder hierarchy. But when I select the actual main folder that this "sub-folder" is supposed to be in it does not show up. I can move things in and out of these "ghost" folders, but since I cannot select them directly from the top level I cannot delete them.
I find that most intriguing.... and since I just spent 3 hours cataloguing and sorting (an arduous task with the Resource Browser) these folders I would prefer not to have to start again.
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That was it.
Thank-you. I have not delved too deeply into all the new buttons,tools, menus, tool sets, and workspaces in v.12 so it does not surprise me that I had de-selected the "Show Default Content" button, thereby preventing me from seeing the default libraries available not only to the Drawing Border Tool, but also the Hatches and Gradients Menus.
That explains a few things. Now I'm moving on to that darn Place Plant Tool!!
Split Tool - Line Split Mode on Closed Polygon
in General Discussion
Posted
Thanks to you both.
I basically recreated the polygon of the entire room perimeter but did not close the last short section. This allowed me to "slice" out where the wainscot crossed openings and needed to be removed. I then just repeated the extrude process for that last short "open" segment and I got what I needed. I can also mitre sections that would normally have a return to the wall.
Interesting learning today.
Thanks.
M