Mawgan

Sorry should say that the version of AutoCAD we are running is LT2007. Perhaps a later, fatter, fuller version could make any difference??

Hi there I have a VW drawing of a planting scheme with about 10 sheet layers. The drawing has been set up using plant symbols and linked schedules by one of our landscape architects (It is quite a big drawing with a large plant schedule). We are trying to export to dwg format, and have tried all versions from 2000 upwards. The file exports but the problem is opening the dwg. When we try to open on our PC with AutoCAD the file gets so far then corrupts or crashes. For info we are on Mac OS 10.4.11 running Landmark 2009, exporting single active sheets. We have also tried exporting as design layers. When we turn off the layers with the linked plant info, the file imports fine. I've also tried ungrouping the plant data but that also will not load in AutoCAD. Anyone else had similar problems? Any help appreciated! Thanks

Thanks for the advice - I spoke to one of the tech guys at Autodesk, and they said I would need to purchase LT2006 to make dwf. I've found out through playing round with LT2000 that this is not the case - you can export as a dwf, but it is done under the print command, like a postscript file. The problem is the reading of dwf - you would need LT2006 or the downloadable reader from Autodesk. The reader is only free for 30 days, and I think its around ?150 to buy the full version. Just seems to be an annoying idea by Autodesk, when pdf is much more popular, better quality, accessible and free, plus I can't think of a graphics app that can load dwf. [ 01-30-2006, 07:12 AM: Message edited by: Mawgan ]

A client has requested we upload in .dwf format - we prefer pdf but they have specifically requested it. I searched the forums trying to find an easy way to convert from Vectorworks to .dwf and couldn't find a simple way. We have a PC in the office with AutoCAD LT2000 - but this version does not offer save as or export as dwf. Therefore, do I need to upgrade to AutoCAD LT2006 or the full version to convert my exported dwg files, or is there a simple conversion programe for mac or pc for download?

Just a quick note to say that I have upgraded to Mac OS 10.3.5, and although the slowdown has been reduced, its still there!

Robert: It looks like this is a major problem for anyone using a Mac. Is this problem likely to be fixed with OS 10.4, or could it be fixed with a Vectorworks Update - 11.2? I ask this as the problem is something of a common annoyance and frustration every day now, and I'm losing time just watching my machine struggle to select a polygon. Obviously other users are having the same problems. VW11 is great otherwise, but this could make us think of using another app. Is there anything on the horizon to solve this?

I'm running a 1.8 gig G5 Mac with 1 Gig of RAM and a GeForce card (I'm not sure which honestly) on OS 10.2.8 with Vectorworks 11.0.1 Landmark - I have noticed that Vectorworks is occasionally VERY slow, for even the most basic of tasks. For example, if I leave Vectorworks and come back say 10 minutes later, just selecting a line, clicking zoom out once etc, there is a pause followed by the darned OSX rotating colour wheel. The pause can last 20-30 seconds and is quite annoying obviously. This problem is much worse when it comes to rotating a large amount of data, or working on a referenced vectorworks file of only 20-40 meg, where the redraw or regen on screen is very bad, and there is a noticeable lag. I spoke to a Vectorworks 10 / OS X user, and he also has the same problem, basically involving regen or redraw on screen. He thought that it was an OSX problem in terms of the graphics card being utilised to perform regen rather than available RAM (as he stated OS9 operates). Has anyone else had similar problems, or can you offer any advice? Is this a Vectorworks problem at all, or should I take it up with Apple??

Thanks for the tip, but I'm still not having any luck. The method I am using is 1. Have 2 layers, one existing loci, one proposed, to the same boundary (effectively a pyramid shape) 2. On the existing loci I then create an 'existing and proposed site model', on new layer 3. I then select the proposed layer, select the loci and go site model, with update DTM selected, and proposed DTM. 4. But then in the 3d model layer, both DTMs are the same, which I assume is why the figure I am getting is 0.000. I seem to be having trouble creating the proposed DTM, but after that, with the proposed and existing DTMs on the same layer, is it as simple as clicking cut and fill? Or am I barking up the wrong tree completely?! Any help greatly appreciated.

I'm having trouble with a cut and fill test in VW11 Landmark: I've created an existing and proposed model based on 3d loci, then when I go to cut and fill I get 0.000 as my figure - I'm obviously missing out something obvious, can anyone help? In addition to that, how accurate can you make these - for example, is it best to adjust the grid spacing to a very fine mesh?