alanmac

quote: Originally posted by michael john williams: If NNA can make it work in Allplan why not in VW? As a matter of interest I am not the only sceptical architect in the UK as illustrated in an extract from the RIBA web site ongoing discussion: From: William J. Sutherland Subject: Re(14): Vectorworks 12 To: IT & CAD michael j. williams on 22 October 2005 at 09:35 +0000 wrote: It is a great demo but still seems more of a presentation tool rather than a construction section. It looked very neat - and I liked the way you could switch between different 'looks' - OpenGL, shade or just plain etc and the presenter even gave a tip on how to 'mellow' the lines beyond the section line. To do real detailed section drawings is still I imagine easier when dealing with 2D elements rather than this sort of live 3D view - it's what I do in Allplan - I think Revit uses an approach whereby you can draw 2D on top of the 3D view as a sort of 'patch' which is rather clever. In Allplan you can animate a section as well as view it as a drawing - i.e. show the section in the OpenGL animation window - which is quite fun - presumably you can do this sort of thing in VW as well. William As far as I can interpret the quoted william person is in fact only pointing out the differences, noting this is how he works in Allplan, 2D detail over 3D, and appears not to be knocking or sceptical but praising VW saying like Revit its "clever" So it does not appear like he's sceptical at all. Figure that one out ? That's my interpretation, but I may be wrong - but at least I'll admit it. Alan [ 10-24-2005, 06:40 AM: Message edited by: alanmac ]

If using Windows with a multibutton mouse, use ctrl left mouse button click to create copy, as an alternative. If using OSX use alt-left mouse click to do the same with a multibutton mouse. Alan [ 10-23-2005, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: alanmac ]

Ariel It's simply not worth entering into a dialog. In other forums we'd recognise this as a "troll" and in my experience it's best not to feed the trolls. Alan

quote: Originally posted by mike m oz: The UK distributor for VectorWorks is Computers Unlimited http://www.unlimited.com/3ddesign/vectorworks.html Which he has been told on several occasions, searching posts will verify.

Li Mei Pentium 4 is not available as a dual processor configuration. You'd need to be running a Xeon machine to have that capability, or the older Pentium 3 machines. What you may have is Hyperthreading (HT) whereby the processor appears like two processors to the Windows OS. Also don't confuse this with the latest dual core processors from Intel and AMD, which Apple now has with its latest machines. Along the way both Intel and AMD changed their processor designs so that each processor has different pin connection configurations. So its not a case of pulling your processor and replacing with a dual core one - only if your motherbard design was designed for it in the first place. It would have to be a fairly new machine to be that way. AMD dual cores are regarded as the better of the two in windows machines, again they are not interchangeable. If yours is a Pentium board you can't fit AMD and vice versa. Alan

Erich I'd say that real must depend on your circumstances. I think the Intel machines are still some way off, and many cautious people will wait for the "revised" model to iron out bugs etc. How often do you upgrade etc. How many machines are we talking about are obviously important issues. So in my opinion if you were planning to upgrade your machine, go ahead. Lets face it by the time they've sorted out the Intel Mac machines for people to feel confident it could well be time in the natural upgrade cycle to buy another machine/s anyway. Why hold back productivity for a year whilst you wait. To some they would say the lost time and money would be more than a new machine anyway !! Look at it another way, if you're still, by any chance, running with a early model G4 then you obviously felt you could struggle along okay with that up untill now, so what makes it that you can't "struggle" along with a dual processor or dual core processor G5 brought now for the same number of years in the same way? In my opinion whilst the two dual core processor machines seem reasonable value for the money, given that they are still on the pricey side compared to what a Windows machine would offer, the dual core dual processor 2.5 seems to offer very good value for money indeed. I doubt you could spec a Windows machine anywhere comparable. Alan

Take a look here http://media.99mac.se/g5_dualcore/ Alan

Hi Peter Sorry, thats a facility built in to the Operating System - the trouble is that it's the Apple OSX one not Windows. What you can do is download a free pdf creator and create pdf's that way. Go to software995.com. If you download and install the whole suite you can also then combine multi pdf's into one pdf document. If you don't want the "nag" sponser screen just buy the software for a reasonable cost. Alan [ 10-20-2005, 07:26 AM: Message edited by: alanmac ]

Michael At the risk of wasting my time I'm going to have one final crack at trying to get through to you and why you get the responses you do. (My apologises in advance to fellow readers.) Either you don't understand, don't want to understand or understand but cannot accept for whatever reason what is said to you. This is a Nemetschek Tech Board, which means it's a Forum to discuss "all" Technical aspects of the program, where does it say this is a place just to moan, complain and blame Nemetschek for what either VW or you cannot do. By discussion that means any aspect, good or bad about the program or how we all use it. But by your own self addmission you "won't come hear to compliment NNA" but merely use it as a place to complain about NNA. Great attitude to have and if you use that as your yardstick in life I bet you get on really well... hmmm. Sure you have freedom of speech, but when what you say is not correct you don't even have the good grace or strength of character to admit it when the facts are put to you and are corrected on them. I think you'll find, if you care to look through the forum, many of the contributors who have given praise to NNA, praise where its due, have also voiced their concerns and criticisms at some point. You lend your voice to the arguements about bug fixes, so tell me what ones have you personally discovered or experienced to have needed to get sorted so as to work, and I mean bugs not lack of knowledge or skill in using the program, bearing in mind the complexity of the program as a whole. So you expect to come on this site, moan, usually without knowledge or substance to your arguement, try to insult those who correct your inaccurate statements and then expect us to help you ... great bit of logic there. As for racist humour, what are you talking about? You reserve the right to say what you think, and so do I - are you so lacking in intelligence you cannot see the quote for what it was. I also reserve the right not to help you in future when you have a problem and seek advice, and with your stated attitude I'm sure I'm not alone. Kevin has said exactly how and why I come to this site and respect nearly all the fellow members on it. It will be a sad day when this Forum is populated by the likes of yourself just wanting to complain about NNA, not only do I hope never to see it happen, I won't, I'll be long gone !! Alan [ 10-18-2005, 12:20 PM: Message edited by: alanmac ]

Go to the site front page. On the right is a news dialog. Click on the 11.5 announced link and read the pdf through. It mentions their colour pallette feature there with a link to a movie. I have watched it ages ago, but I can't seem to download it at present. Maybe you'll have better luck now you know were it is. alan

Peter Yes indeed. Will it be dual core single processors machines or (and this gets the heart racing)dual core dual processor machines. Only another day to go. Mind you, many days before I can afford one !!! Alan

quote: Originally posted by Peter van der Elst: The new iMac has better specs than the single G5 Powermac. Regards, Peter Hi Peter Just as a little side note I think you'll find Apple have quietly dropped the single processor G5 Towers from its line up some time ago. I think the only available would be in stock or ex-demo etc. items Alan

Hugo It's always a difficult choice when it's your own hard earned money you are stumping up, or worse putting your signature to a big fat loan to pay for equipment. Maybe you should look at it like this. You'll never regret having too fast a computer or too much RAM but you'll always regret the reverse. Whilst it really is a case of what each person is trying to achieve with their equipment I think if its something you intend sitting at for most of your working day it should work easily effortlessly and let you get on with doing the job. I think for this purpose the base model Dual 2 ghz G5 Tower should be your entry level with at least 1.5 gig of ram. But I'd wait to see what happens after the New York event this week. You may be looking at faster machines or using this fact to get a good price on an "older" model. Certainly, as said before, the G5 iMac will be an improvement on your current machine, no doubt, and the 20" looks a cracking spec for the money. If that's all you can really afford then at least its one of the best options available, but do try to max the ram, even if its buying the minimum at machine time but buying better value ram elswhere afterwards. Apple's tend to be expensive although slightly better on price these days. But do buy good quality, I hear the G5's don't like cheap ram, as in poor quality. Alan [ 10-17-2005, 11:39 AM: Message edited by: alanmac ]

Michael Nice try but I'm afraid we are all a little to intelligent not see through your last post. Its a poor retort to being soundly corrected on your previous remarks. "Supporting early comments" - with what, certainly not with in-depth knowledge. Just remember those so called "diehard" users the next time you have a Vectoworks or associated problem you want an answer to.

Hi I think Mike is correct in the only or at least most secure way is a paper copy, although as he points out not above abuse. My company has signed up to ACID which hopes to stop the widespread abuse of peoples work. We also have laws in this country which ACID advises on implementing to safeguard your work. It may not be for every business sector but I think its a step in the right direction and every little helps. www.acid.uk.com Alan [ 10-17-2005, 05:29 AM: Message edited by: alanmac ]

Chris Whilst I respect you have a different agenda to many other users, certainly me, as regards Vectorworks I don't in fact sit with the client doing as you suggest, but if it was appropriate and helped in the process of the client realising what they require then I see no problem with that. It appears you are so hard done by and have such and axe to grind with certain sectors of your industry that you fail to consider that others use this software under different circumstances. As such find enhancements, new features or the failure to implement your needs as a reflection of poor business practices today and pandering to these sectors of your industry. I'd even go so far as to say what you require from VW is so specialised it may never have what you want. As for "fashion" don't you think design is something you should pay for, and good design even more, just the same as any other service. Apple have traded very successfully using this as one of the cornerstones of their business. Do you not think that the way the interface of Vectorworks has been "designed" to make it easier or nicer to use should not be paid for? My industry, exhibition design and build and other associated display work, design, quote and pitch totally for free - yes free. So we will travel, take a brief, go away, create a design with perspective views, plans, costings and other documentation to support our pitch. We then travel back to the client with our mounted visuals, documents and make the presentation. The prospective client will have also called in other companies to do the same, in some cases unprofessional ones will call in up to half a dozen, all under the same free design basis. Included in that pitch is a price, one that if the design does not change, we have and will to adhere to. We then go away and wait, and wait. If we are successful then we a get a phone call. All this is at our own expense, at no cost to the prospective client. So yes, in real terms it's not free, but an overhead we have to accept, and in doing so we as a business seek ways to reduce that. So if a program such as Sketch Up or even Vectorworks provides us with the tools, or work methods to increase our chances at convincing the client, or better explaining our concept to him so we may win the pitch then I'm all for it. Ease of use, and speed such as in SU is also a good thing, as time is money - you'll agree on that part I'm sure. It's not fashion, its a change in working practises brought about by new innovations in the tools we use - these days computers and software, as opposed to drawing boards, pens and marker pads of a few years ago. It is indeed horses for courses, but I think with all due respect your comments would carry more weight and acceptance if they were not covered in a thinly veiled rant with contempt and vilification of fellow practitioners within your industry sector. All the best Alan

Christiaan Will the "rotate drawing" available free from Vectorbits.com not do what you wish for. Alan

Hi Richie and other "rotators" Just been looking once again at the various plug-ins etc. available and as Mike said before there is a free tool at Vectorbits.com to rotate the drawing. Whilst I don't want to enter into the debate that this should be in the program, surely the fact this function is available as a freebie at Vectorbits should make you a happy bunny - yes? Alan [ 10-16-2005, 01:32 PM: Message edited by: alanmac ]

quote: Originally posted by Chris Manus: As fashion dictates,sketchup is the flavor of the month As far as Sketch Up is concerned it's got nothing to do with "fashion", its to do with a piece of software that comes along, and by its very nature, ease of use, end result and other virtues makes it a success. I think Sketch Up is perfect example of a piece of software that, without huge amounts of money spent on promotion, has become highly successful because of the product itself. Alan

George It's done by a third party for Maxon who I'm led to believe are the same people who do the Artlantis one, hence the similarity. Alan

Go to the new look site at the old address www.nemetschek.net click on downloads then the program you have - note, basic is now called Fundimentals or Fun-with-mentals as I'm sure it will get called, and scroll down the page to your choosen update requirements. A word of caution, I don't think you can upgrade from 10 straight to 10.5.1. Not sure but I'd go through each upgrade to be sure. Maybe others can comment on this. Alan [ 10-15-2005, 02:38 PM: Message edited by: alanmac ]

It's a question for the plug in supplier, Maxon rather than NNA, but of course you could be asking other users, I realise that. To early to say from the users position as VW12 is not out yet. Maybe one of the testers who also has CD4 would like to comment. If not I'd say your best bet is to drop an email to Tech Support at Maxon. My experience shows them to be responsive and honest. I'm still on CD4 8.2 with the first old plugin. With the improvements talked about in Renderworks I'm not sure what to do as the upgrade/additions to the latest versions in my CD4 stuff would be more than Renderworks. It depends how good Renderworks really is now. Decisions, decisions .... Alan [ 10-15-2005, 07:29 AM: Message edited by: alanmac ]

Am I wrong ? Sorry but I think if you want to get round this by not sending a pdf, because that can be copied , extracted etc. then Viewer may not be the answer. Surely once in Viewer you could then "print to pdf" and then they have a pdf of the file ? In fact, correct me if I'm wrong, by sending the file to use with Viewer you are giving them more information to potentially extract than pdf's. At least in the case of a pdf they can only view the pdf. Some pdf creators give you security and encryption options, may be worth you looking into your pdf creator to see what it can offer. alan

I guess its been a difficult week for some, and the only therapy is to dash of an email rubbishing VW. In the haste to seek satifaction and a feeling of "getting back" at what nasty old fate has thrown at us this week we don't mind chucking in a few incorrect or provacative remarks, maybe in the hope we can continue on with this "debate" to further the therapy. I suggest not rising to the bait of such remarks and think Christiaan hints at the best attitude to take. I recall an old expression used to describe somebody I had the misfortune to work with some years ago "He's only really happy when he feels a depression coming on" Have a good weekend. Alan

Its not the hard drive its talking about its the RAM. That's the sticks of memory you add to the machine to increase its speed and performance, not the hard disk/drive. It sounds like you are pushing this poor old iMac too far. Check out the memory it has on board and what OS its running, using "about this mac" in the menu. What are you trying to do with it? If you are going to reformat the hard drive I hope you have all the install discs and any program ones. Don't attempt to reformat the disk till you are sure you have all required discs/software ! Alan [ 10-13-2005, 06:52 PM: Message edited by: alanmac ]