domer1322

does anyone know how the 2D plant graphics function works in relation to the "edit plant definition" dialog box ? I tried to make my own 2D symbols, and when using the 2D render settings, I can't figure out how to control the outlines (select from 'none' or 'one outline' or 'two outlines'). It is a secret, I guess, since it isn't in the manuals. I think it has something to do with the class assignments for each portion of the graphic, and maybe with the fill. One example .... my 2D tree outline had many vertices, and when I rendered it using the "enable 2D rendering" mode in the OIP, the outline was a highly aggitated squiggly line, much like you can get with the plant outline or vegetative outline. I could not control the amount of "squiggle". Another example... the fills of trees, when colored, sometimes disappear when the document preference "use only black and white" is selected, and other times the color shows up when the "black and white only" preference is checked. I'm puzzled. thanks for any help ....

does anyone know of a resource to figure out how the 2D plant graphics function in relation to the "edit plant definition" dialog box ? I tried to make my own 2D symbols, and when using the 2D render settings, I can't figure out how to control the outlines (select from 'none' or 'one outline' or 'two outlines'). I think it has something to do with the class assignments for each portion of the graphic, and maybe with the fill. One example .... my 2D tree outline had many vertices, and when I rendered it using the "enable 2D rendering" mode in the OIP, the outline was a highly aggitated squiggly line, muich like you can get with the plant outline or vegetative outline. I could not control the amount of "squiggle". thanks for any help .... Windows XP Pro, VW 2008 and 2009 Designer series

For a 3D rendered perspective that looks up from ground level, how can i show reflections of clouds (or blue sky) on a multistory glass building ? Do you have to draw clouds (image props?) and have them float up in space ?

I concur ..... I use the Quicktime VR panoramas all the time ... the files sizes can be quite small so that emailing the QT panoramas is possible to those with email filters (that cut out large files). I've never really found a good way to manipulate the resolution ... except .... just make the window larger when generating the QTVR. Then when you play it back, shrink the window and it looks better. I think the QTVR always generates the file at the screen resolution (72 dpi ? ) PS: sadly, I report that some corporate clients with IT departments have IT reps that don't allow users to download Quicktime on their PCs. Apple doesn't help by combining QT with iTunes (another thing IT reps don't allow). Also .... using QT Pro you can piece the panoramas together and walk from room to room .... but I haven't done this.

I've got something you all missed ..... I recently discovered that if you export a sheet layer viewport image in pdf format using stack layers, the exported pdf file will not allow the Adobe pdf file to use the "layers on-off" option. In my case, I wanted to send a Adobe pdf file of a multi-story building with different layers for each floor. With stack layers on, the Adobe pdf file does not respond to choosing each layer and showing only the floors that the pdf file holder would manipulate. I intend to submit this as a bug .... afterall it should work as I intended ...... (PS: I find a lot of users don't understand that Adobe pdf files can show layers .....)

I am using the "export image" menu window when I have this problem. I am able to use the 'save' menu to save a new version (or a re-named copy) of a VW file to the main server. Whne using the "export Image" window, I've tried jpeg, tif, BMP options ... all with the same result.

Suddenly I am no longer able to export an image file (usually by drawing a marque) whenever I try to save it to the main server storage drive. I used to be able to do this, and I have no idea why I can't do it anymore. I tried it on both VW 2008 and VW 2009 with same result ... after I type in the new image file name and hit 'save' the Export Image window blinks but then returns to the exact same window as if nothing happened ... perhaps because nothing did happen. Fortunately, I can save the image to my C: drive, but it is annoying. Any suggestions ?

I've never been able to figure out how to integrate Artlandis into VW modeling. Is there a demo version for download free ? How much manipulation does it take to move a VW modle into Artlandis ? How many glitches ? if using Artlandis, do you just ignor all texture and color settings in VW ? What about image propos ... do they transfer ?

I have a large, 7 story 3D building that I tranlsated into VW2009 from VW2008 and there is a significant slow down in rendering speed. I've asked before, but didn't get much to go on ..... can anyone tell me what things I should look for that might be reducing the render time (in final RW) ? (That is ... I'm looking for things that don't translate into the new VW2009 well) note: I've timed VW2009 on other files that were originated in VW2009 and I don't have a speed problem on those files (but I can never have enough speed Windows XP Pro, 4G RAM, Dell Optiplex

I have a large 3D file of an existing bldg that I keep because my City govmt is constantly renovating the bldg/spaces. The 3D CAD model is in VW2008. I opened it in VW 2009 and it now takes considerably longer to render 3D in final RW. Based on other threads, it occurred to me that certain objects/ symbols/ shapes might not have translated into the new VW 2009 format, and some objects slow down the render time. I discovered that some objects can be edited in VW 2009 and then they re-appear. My question is... can anyone tell me what things I should look for to manually update so that the rendering speed goes back to at least as good as VW 2008 ? I want to keep this 3D CAD model for several years, and I'd also like to use VW 2009 instead of VW 2008. Also... it appears VW2009 will not allow direct import (in the resource palette) of VW 2008 symbols unless I go back and find the VW 2008 file and convert it to VW 2009. Is there a work-around for this ?

about 1 year ago on this forum I found a script that allowed me to have a hot key combination to toggle the "zoom line thickness" preference on and off. I set it up in VW 2008 and now i can't figure out how to transfer it to my workspace in VW 2009. I can't find that forum posting anymore, and I can't figure out how to move it. Can someone please tell me where it is (on this forum) or tell me how to move it from VW 2008 into my new VW 2009 workspace. Thanks....

to satisfy our curiousity .... I rendered the viewport, then switched the VP to wireframe, then rendered in again in Final RW .... and the result was ..... exactly the same amount of rendering time for the second render as for the first. What's this about cached viewport renders ?

thanks for all the info ..... you all might be interested to know that I took the exact same file rendering as reported above, and then made a viewport and tested the speed of the viewport render (final quality renderworks).... surprise... the viewport render took 3 min 40 sec ... actually longer than the 3 min 30 sec render time I initially reported from a design layer. Any explanations ? PS: I'd attach an image of my test render.... but I still can't figure out how to attach it to this web site.

OK ... but .... what part of a 3D rendered scene is "3D modeling operation with parasolids" and what part is something else ? Is the '3D modeling' only 10% of the total render operation time ? Is it possible that only brand new files that are initally drawn in VW 2009 will experience the speed increase ? Is there a way to "update to VW 2009 objects" that will allow quicker rendering of VW 2008 files ?

I upgraded to 4G RAM, then tested a 3D interior auditorium Renderworks render on VW 2008. It took 4 min 20 sec. Then I installed VW 2009 and did the exact same render view on the exact same file. It took 3 min and 20 sec. I was under the impression that VW 2009 was "4-5 times faster" which I thought would mean it should have taken a minute in VW 2009. Am I missing something ?

I expect to install my VW 2009 package soon, and I wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction to figure out how to make sure my previous default files get transferred also ? That is, I always seem to have trouble because things like my custom default title blocks, or my custom 3D door hardware, or my 3D tree symbols/definitions, or my self-made 3D symbols get lost. Is there an easier way than trying to figure out which of the original VW default files have been altered by me by looking at the modification dates ?

I wonder if this is common ..... the pre-release advertisements said "work 10-12 times faster" . I have my 2009 version in the box, waiting for my RAM upgrade before installing VW. Am I likely to be disappointed ?

can someone answer this simple question: can VW 2008 or VW 2009 open/import a file saved in Revit format ? Somehow, I thought the Revit file format was dwg but I'm not so sure.

rDesign: thanks for the link ..... it looks like these might work for panoramas .... however, I tried the Bixorama, and during the installation, it said I have to download Direct X to make it work. Now I'm back to the same problem .... my IT department would have to individually go to everyone's computer and download DirectX since it apparently is not part of our standard City application package. Once again, I'm thwarted by my "big brother" IT department who knows what is best for me and everyone else. I am so frustrated .... even though I have adminsitrative priviledges and can download this stuff, no one else does ..... so I still can't show off how VW works for me. But, alas, this is my problem .... thanks for showing me one possible solution.

Ray: I followed your link to the QT Pro export formats, but I'm still lost. I don't see format "WMF" and as far as I can tell the other formats are still image formats. I need a panorama and movie format. I also believe that if I export a VW animation movie as an MPEG-4 codec, (or others) the file still retains the QT extension and therefore PC users without QT still can't open it. Please enlighten me .....

thanks ..... but the problem still exists. Flip4Mac only works on Macs, and I have a PC in my office. I do have an iMac at home, but it is cumbersome to take files home, translate, then bring them back to the office. Any other suggestions ?

Thanks for the help ... but my basic problem is that our IT dept has a stranglehold on adding any extra programs to our -PC centric world. Each user has no control over loading more applications on his/her PC. Thus, I need to convert (or export) my QT panoramas (made in VW 2008 with Windows XP Pro) into a format that anyone who has XP Pro can open. I'm looking for programs that everyone else will have .... I think our standard City instalation includes Flash player .... is there a way to get a QT panorama (or movie) into flash player format ? (I'll try the MPEG stramclip mentioned above .... I am among the few who can load new programs without contacting our IT dept.)

Is there a way to get VW to output 3D panoramas or animated movies without using Quicktime ? Is there a way to output a panorama in QT then translate it to another format ? (I know you're thinking ... why ? The reason is my fair City IT department will not allow users admin rights, and they can't download QT to their computer. Every time I make a cool 3D panorama or movie and send it to the user, they can't open my files. Of course, my IT dept won't allow QT as a standard application for all computers. )

For your info .... VW 2008 has a bug that does not allow extrude along paths for polylines that are not planar, and that have 'corner' vertex points. For instance, if your path is shaped like the number '5' and is not planar, it won't work. However, if it shaped like an 'S' then it is OK. I encountered this when trying to extrude curbs in a parking lot that showed actual height 'Z' elevations .... similar to your 'non-planar' downspout if you think about it. I've read somewhere (?) that this bug was fixed in VW 2009.

I was also told I could not get a MAC serial number .... unless I bought another license. I've run VW 2008 on a 2006 iMac with Windows XP Pro SP2, 1 gig RAM without incident. Works great. However, HD partition for Windows is limited to 32 gig in order to be able to "see" Windows files within the Mac OS. I have not tried "parallels" because I understand the speed is decreased by about 30%.