Alora

Michael/ Peter, I have tried and failed to make Preview my default PDF viewer. When I open the Preview app. I can't find the 'Change All' button. Where is it? Since I can only print PDF's from Preview (I get an error message with Adobe) I really would prefer to use Preview. Alora

Peter, You are right - Adobe keeps trying to take over when I open a pdf. How can I make Preview the default Pdf viewer? Alora

Peter, Opening a pdf always triggers Adobe, but opening from Preview works! My plan looks great in shades of grey! Thanks, Alora

Peter et al, Thanks for the suggestions. I would prefer to print in a gray scale as I show concrete as a solid gray object for example. However, I am getting stuck after 'Save As' as I can't find 'Gray Tones' in the dialog box, which only asks for the name of the file and where it should be located. Quartz Filter has been enabled under VW Preferences. Alora

My drawings are colour-coded and I would like them to be in black and white before I export them as as pdf's. Is there a simple way to do this or do I have to change all of the individual attributes?

Fred, I found out from my distributor that I needed to save the VW8.5 file as an MCD. Then I was able to use my memory key , which I am assuming is the same as a thumb drive, to transfer to my new MacPro. I followed your steps and it worked like a charm! Glad to hear I'm not the only one who was slow to update VW 8.5. Alora

It turns out I do have a Magic Mouse ( I had to check the box it came it because it looks the same as my previous mouse ). I've since installed the software, slowed down the 'tracking', 'checking' and 'scrolling' functions and stopped using the scroll button for everything so it's now behaving itself! Thanks for the suggestions.

I can hardly wait.....................although I am still waiting to hear from distributor.

Ray, Thanks for your offer. I won't be transferring all of my files - just the ones which are still active or the ones I want for reference. I was told by my dealer that I could import 8.5 directly to 2010 so I will contact them now, although I find I generally get a quicker response at this site! Alora

Ten years worth although I'm not trying to import them all at one time. I tried importing a single plan and that didn't work.

I have recently upgraded from 8.5 on a G3 to 2010 on a MacPro and need to import my old files to my new computer. I've tried to export them as DXF and PICT files but neither open. Any suggestions?

Katie, The DPI is already set at 360 - the preferred resolution. I have been using the Epsom printer 1520 with VectorWorks 8.5.2. on a Power Mac G3 for 4 years & haven't encountered this problem until recently.Any other suggestions? Thanks, Alora

My Epsom 1520 has started printing plans with wavy lines - they look hand drawn! I have had the printer cleaned, the driver reinstalled, and the print heads realigned, to no avial. Any suggestions?

Why don't you email me <griffin@saltspring.com> and I'll give you the info.

I live and work on Salt Spring Island and visit Vancouver every couple of months, which is where I took my training for Vectorworks.

Thanks for your reply. I don't think reinstalling the driver is going to be the solution because the printer still works with other applications so it seems to be a problem with VectorWorks, but if all else fails I will give it a try and cross my fingers!

I have been printing with an Epsom 1520 with few problems until recenlty. Now the printer will only print an inch of the drawing and then appears to get stuck. The printer sounds like it's printing but a message from the Epsom Monitor flashes - the printer is not responding etc.I haven't made any recent changes to my setup - still using Vectorworks 8.5 on a G3 with plenty of memory. Any suggestions?

As I am new to the Import/Export business I would appreciate some simple instructions. A local surveyor has been trying to email me a plan, both as a DXF and as DWG file, but whenever I try to open them my screen freezes and I have to shut down my computer. He is using Autocad 14 and I am using VectorWorks 8.5.with a G3 Mac. What are we doing wrong?

David, the Use Layer Color wasn't checked but I checked and then unchecked it and that did the trick. Thanks.

After I copied and pasted the floor plan onto the site plan, both the copy and the original turned orange. I mean everthing - walls, furniture, dimensions etc. - although the class pulldown still shows different colours. How do I revert to a colour coded plan?

quote: Originally posted by Melissa: Hi there, I'm new to Vectorworks and new to this forum. I'm learning the very basics of the program and going through the tutorial. When drawing lines the tutorial shows words appearing like "Angle/Length" or "Horizontal" or "point" or "Datum". However, all that shows on my screen are black rectangles where the words should be. Can this be fixed? What am I doing wrong? Thanks for your help. Melissa I had the same problem when I first started using VecorWorks. The technician I contacted at Diehl sent me on a wild goose chase by telling me I needed to download a videodriver from Apple to correct the problem. Needless to say that didn't work. Finally I hired a technician who discovered by checking Opaque SmartCursor under Edit in VectorWorks Preferences the black cues turned a transparent yellow. This appears to be a programming error as opaque by definition means non-transparent.