Christiaan

Can you confirm, Ray, that you had no problem importing 700BF? I wonder if this is an issue with the Mac version of VW?

Unfortunately no. There are a few problems with this approach (compared to what I outline above), including some crucial problems: 1) First of all if you add a file from a network to your Resource Browser as a Favourite you can't then open that file from another machine (although you can add it to any other Resource Browser as a Favourite) 2) As far as I can work out there's no way to save anything to a Favourite directly via the Resource Browser. You need to open the file first before you can import anything into it. (see 1) 3) Even if you could add things directly to a networked Favourite, there is no way to manage this process, which runs the risk of bad classes or incorrectly named symbols infecting the workflow. 4) Even if you could add things directly to a networked Favourite in a managed process it's still a networked file, which means unnecessary network activity, potential sluggishness (compared to using a local file which is synchronised with a master), and a problem for people on laptops who work in and out of the office.

Another, related, wishlist item: Ability to centralise and synchronise resources http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=64697

Better yet, the ability to measure in Stack Layer view.

This derives from another post, where I've asked for the ability to toggle between networked and local resources: http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB20&Number=62213 What I'm doing instead, for the moment, is to use one machine as a master, with regard to resources, and to propagate these resources to all other machines when updated (using Apple Remote Desktop). The downside of this is that it precludes people from helping to build up the Library by adding resources directly to the master Library. Ultimately I think what I'd like is for Vectorworks, via the Resource Browser, to: 1) allow users to add resources to a centralised Library 2) allow for an admin to manage this process in some way (i.e the ability to edit first or stop the resource from being added to the Library) 3) allow users to synchronise their local Library with the master (automatically and manually) 4) allow an admin to synchronise any client machines with the master from one machine

I get the same problem if I try to import 700BF.

Dunno about you but if I draw a non-standard 3D/2D stair in VW 11 (i.e. any stair that can't be drawn with the stair tool, which is most) and then make the same one in VW 12 I can go sit down for lunch in the same time it takes in v11.

As well as Jon's stuff, I recommend these (free): http://nemetschek.net/training/library.php And these (not free): http://nemetschek.net/training/trainingcd.php More tutorial than reference but valuable none the less.

I'd recommend updating to VW v12.0.1 and Mac OS X 10.4.7 for a start.

Whoops, sorry for bad info. Not sure how I managed that.

As per: http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubbthrea...=true#Post53172 /Vectorworks/12.0.1/VWHelp/Additional Documentation/VSLanguageGuide_12.pdf

Yeah I was thinking about something like this the other day. A variant might be the ability to swap two objects in terms of which is in front of the other.

Yeah that's it Mike. With regard to what I was trying to achive, either solution works. My solution works if you already have an existing stair you want to edit.

Can you post the entire file Dexie?

Any ideas why I might not have the same options as Michael, Katie?

That is handy, thanks azizg.

Yeap: http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB12&Number=30598

I can't see a "Double Platform-U" setting. These are the options I see:

With Mac OS X all you need to do is mouse over it.

Having discussed the issue with Robert over email it's now clear that the problem has to do with the fact that my symbols are made with plugin windows and doors (should have realised really). If you place plugin doors or windows directly into walls they always put the hinge-direction on the outside of the wall (which is the correct behaiviour if you ask me). The problem is when you then place them inside a symbol they no longer know which is the outside of the wall. The workaround is to ensure that what the plugin window or door thinks is the outside corresponds with the symbol's fixed aspect. In my case I was able to simply flip the windows within the symbols, while the doors were a bit trickier and it was easier just to recreate them. There are other issues with placing plugin objects inside symbols. Another example is the inability to create cavity closers: http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB20&Number=63116 My preference would be that symbols have some level of intelligence to cope with such things.

It would be very interesting to know the reason only VW files were affected.

Here's another comparison: http://www.systemshootouts.org/shootouts/desktop/2006/0809_dt3200.html I think you'll find that Apple hardware has often been maligned as expensive when in fact such hardware has been competitive or cheaper than other comparitive hardware. Problem is it's always been difficult to compare different architectures. I think Apple's reputation for being expensive comes mostly from not catering to the low end of the consumer market. The Mac Mini was the first machine that did and suddenly they got a whole lot of press about being competitive on price for a change, which was a load of bollocks; if you analysed their offerings, the iMac was actually far better value. The Mac Mini may have been cheaper but you got a lot less bang for your buck. Most people I've come across who go out and buy a cheap PC don't consider value for money, but instead just the cheapest price tag. So it's hardly surprising Apple got so much press for their Mac Mini. Yeah that's always a sticking point, although it helps when companies like NNA provide cross platform licences!

I have the same problem. One solution could be to ask whoever created the DWG file to resave it in a way that was more compatible with Vectorworks. Question is, what would we ask them to do with their Autocad settings for us to get 3D loci or Polys? P.S. the other solution is to ask them for the raw files created by their survey (if they used a digital device).

I've managed to duplicate the problem Robert. It appears to be something to do with Hidden Line render. Check out this file.

Yup, the Nav Palette rules.