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broesler

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Everything posted by broesler

  1. I'll chime in also. Within the last two weeks, if I try to launch a VW document directly by double-clicking, it trys to launch MiniCad. I've been a Blueprint/Minicad/VW user for a long time, so this is a new problem having nothing to do with newly installed software. It has run fine, until now. This problem started (I think) after I loaded onto a new external Firewire 45gb hard drive all of my Zip(s) archive, for re-sorting and then off-loading to CD. That same 45gb drive contains my currently active project folders but not my System and Applications folders which reside on a separate internal drive (Mac 450mh G3, 9.0.3). Weirder yet, for the first day or so of this haunting, it tried to launch Blueprint. There were old Blueprint and MiniCad documents in the archive. During the transfer, I had reloaded Blueprint and/or MiniCad from old floppies and had used them to open the archive drawings and re-save them in VW format. Blueprint and MiniCad and all associated files including preferences were then trashed and the computer shut-down and restarted and the desktops of both hard drives rebuilt.(And many times since). Now, whenever I launch a VW document from the desktop (when VW is not running) it tries to launch MiniCad. I cancel the MiniCad serial number window and trash the newly created MiniCad preferences file. I now always open VW direcly via an Apple Menu alias. I can then open any VW document directly from the Desktop by double-cliking. Now for the really weired part. I use Photoshop 5.0 also. I noticed last night that if I double-click on a Photoshop document to open it when Photoshop is not open, it tries to launch Photoshop 4.0. ??? Same problem, different application. I haven't investigated the Photoshop problem but it looks like a possible System problem rather than Application-specific . Before the Photoshop problem, I thought having launced Blueprint and/or MiniCad while the newer VW preferences file was in the System folder may have somehow corrupted the VW preferences file. I had therefore, completely de-installed Blueprint, MiniCad,VW, all preferences, etc., everything I could find. Trashed it, shut down, and restarted. Then I did a complete new install of VW, RW, and Architect from the CD's. Strange thing is, when I launced VW for the 1st time it started right up using the normal VW splash screen with my serial numbers listed. Where did it get that info? I trashed everthing! Weird! And still, if I double-click on a VW document icon it will try to open MiniCad (if VW is not running). If a clean install won't work, what will? I have yet to remove all the archived documents from the hard drive to see if that matters. If not, what then - reformatting? Interesting that others are having this same problem. I thought (and it may still be) that it was something I had done regarding the archive. But how about that Photoshop problem, I can't wait!!
  2. This response may not address the specific problem you are having, but I have found in creating 3D architectural models that once a boolean operation (add, subtract solids, etc.) has been perfomed, VW remembers the XYZ coordinates where the operation was performed and if you then duplicate the resultant object and move it to a new location, the new object will decompose into the original components at the original XYZ coordinates of the original operation if you for some reason "ungroup" it. I work around this potential problem by always performing boolean operations at the XYZ coordinates where the final object will reside.This does not create a problem with my work flow, and ultimately seems to provide a simple way of keeping up with everything. Even now though, I sometimes find I have inadvertenly ungrouped a object created by boolean and have to go through the process of figuring out where the pieces went, bring them all to the proper coordinates and then perform the operation again. Sounds like a pain, but it's really not.
  3. Since the reason for having the system automatically remind me "save" is to actually save, how about changing the default button in the auto-save reminder window to "yes", instead of "no". This would allow for a simple hit on the return key instead of having to move the cursor to the "yes" button first. Thanks, VW is great, and getting better. ------------------
  4. I've experienced the same problem with grouping elements of a .dwg/.dxf import and having the group disappear within a VW document when AutoCad imports are broken-down by Classes instead of Layers. If you make all classes show/snap/modify you can see and select the "missing group". The info panel will then tell you which class the "missing" group is located in. However, if you then show active class only and select the class the info panel indicated the "missing" group is in, the group is not visible. I get around this problem by never using the original import document as my working document. The original import document is simply a holding place until I then cut and paste the useful information into my actual working VW doucment. Even then I still test groups I suspect may have been AutoCad symbols (or whatever they call them) just to be sure the elements have lost any "intelligence" they may have once had.
  5. I have experienced a similar problem with an image flashing on the screen and then - nothing, usually when working with multiple large open drawings, especially if raster images are included. This always seems to be an application memory allocation problem.
  6. We typically re-render the same 4 - 6 perspective views over and over until completion. Rather than change the lights for each view, create a separate layer for the lights for each view and use Create Layer Link to link the correct lighting setup for each view.
  7. Once I got over trying to use roll paper and settled in on A2 size pre-cut sheets - I am completely satisfied with my 1520. A2 sheets provide me the printers maximum 13.85" x 22" printable area with minimal trimming. 450mh G3, 256mb RAM, VW 8.5.1
  8. Just a few words regarding Renderworks and various settings. I produce ray-traced thousand-color shadow renderings of hotel building(s) on a regular basis as part of both my design and presentation work flow. Using a Mac 450mh G3, VW 8.5.1, 256mb real RAM and maximum virtual RAM, I find I can usually render an image that will print without pixalation at 720dpi with my VW RAM allocation set to 175mb. This allows me 50mb to run something else simultaneously if necessary, though I try to avoid that. Using Renderworks bit-map tool, I end up with 30mb? pict images I can cut and paste into a manageable-size file. My clients are impressed and my billing rate shows it. I have played with all of the settings extensively, and find the only one that affects what I am interested in (the rendered bit-map image) is the resolution dialog box accessible by clicking the right-most icon on the tool bar (I probably have the name of that wrong). There you can set the point-per-inch/pixel-per-inch/dots-per-inch, whatever you want to call it - there you set the "resolution" of the area you enclose with the bit-map tool marquee. My normal print-out paper size is A2 (on an Epson 1520) trimmed to 13.5" x 22" (printer's maximum print). When I set my perspective view and close the bounding marquee as tight as practical, the image area is usually somewhere around 1/4 -1/3 the printable area of the A2 size paper. I am usually able to render this with a resolution of 150-250, within 10-15 minutes, producing a pict file I must cut/copy and paste into a separate document to maintain file reasonable file size. Even with 256mb of real RAM, I have only enough RAM to combine 3 rendereded images in a single file (84mb?) and open Epson Printmonitor after playing with the RAM settings. Like they always say, there's no substitute for REAL RAM. VW with RW module is a great application. My business depends on it. I'm looking forward to a Mac G4, OS X, and VW 9 with Velocity-engine. Hip - Hip - Hooray!
  9. I use a Kensington Turbo-Mouse. It comes with software to program the buttons. Somewhat similar to Quick-keys (I suppose) but just for the keys on the Turbo-Mouse. There are other brands out there as well.
  10. Is there any way to get additional shaders (not images) into Renderworks. Am I missing something, or is the shaders selector window all there is? ------------------
  11. If I understand your description of the Windows command it allows you to print just certain areas of a drawing at a size scaled to fit a particular size paper, such as letter. I perform this function on a regular basis allowing me to fax a progress print of the drawing. Simply save your drawing, use the page setup diaglog to select letter (or whatever) size paper and a scale appropriate to enclose the desired drawing area. Be sure your print area diaglog is set to "one page". The print area bounding box within your drawing window represent the area of your selected paper. Simply use the page boundary tool (? name) to move the bounding box over the desired area to be printed, and select "print". I usually then "revert to saved" just so I don't have to manually reset the sheet boundry locations.
  12. Reading Ves Mandaric's comments in more detail, if the Epson 3000 does print 18.8" wide, then I personally will check into that printer but still use the pre-cut sheet paper. I tried roll paper but found you have to special program the printer to get it to cut off and advance propertly, the roll-adapter is phenomenal cost rip-off at $49 of two pieces of plastic and a metal straight-edge, and all-in-all, just a real pain to try and make work properly. I can use the larger paper size and am very pleased with Epson quality at 720 dpi with my custom color pallet and colosync.
  13. As an architect using Mac and MiniCad/Vectorworks now for 8+? years, I have struggled with printing device selection. My present choice is an Epson 1520 using precut Epson A2 paper (16"x22") allowing me the full use of the printer 13.85" maximum output. Paper cost $29 for 50 sheets (?). Something like that, expensive but quality paper for quality work. I now have to live within a 13.8" x 22" drawing world, but that's OK, it beats tiling and dealing with cost/trouble of larger format pen plotters. ------------------
  14. Join lines keyboard "command-J" on Mac is inefficient in combo with mouse because of right hand/arm movement. I solved problem by using Kensington Turbo-Mouse with 4 programmable keys. Turbo now contros delete (upper left), return (upper right), join (lower right), click (lower left), rotate left 90 (lower left and right), and something else I must not use much because I don't remember what the upper keys in combo do. But obviously the point is you can simplify your keyboard effort by using a programmable mouse.
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