jfmarch

If you're trying to layer link a layer link, that error message may occur. I don't think you can link a link...

We experience this quite often. We NEVER rotate the referenced plan- it is sacred. What we do is create what we call a "Port" layer that has layer links of whatever plans we need. Once these links are unlocked, you can rotate, move, copy and paste to your hearts content. Its a good way to make sure elevations align with the plan. Hope this helps...

I have discovered an odd blip using symbols in walls ste at different Z levels. I am working on a project that has 2 floor levels, a major which is set @ 0'0", and a minor level that is 13" lower. While reviewing the survey model (its a renovation of an existing dwelling), I noticed that all the door and window heads were at the same height, even in walls that were set lower than 0'0". I cehcked these symbols several times, replaced them, and even redrew some of the lower walls- no change. I even reset some of the layer Z infor, just to test, and that didn't work. I thought it odd that, especially with door objects, the sills were not at the bottom of the wall, but hovered at the set Z level of 0'0". I finally noticed in the info pallette a setting for "Height" when a symbol is selected. That did the trick. My question- Is this the way it is supposed to work with walls of different levels on the same layer?

Thats a puzzling thing that happens. I've never experienced it and we use WG References frequently. We did learn the hard way that drawing on the referenced layer(s) is dangerous, especially when updating. We ALWAYS draw stuff- objects, walls, text, etc.- on a layer that is named for new items (in our case 6-WALL-1) in the target file, and in our presets we show this layer above the referenced layer (usually the survey file). Works fine all the time. By the way, we always ste the WG refs to "manual" updating, so we can control the updates. Hope this helps...

Thats an autocad request if I ever heard one. numbering colors is abstract, and i never liked it in autocad. As far as I know VW does not support numbered colors. Editing layers/classes through their dialog boxes I find pretty legible, and I'm over 40....

what I do is turn off the "style" classes while im model view. that way any glazed opening in windows or doors appear as voids....

By default it should open in the same position on the screen that it was last saved in. Unless you open it on another machine with a different monitor size, it should look like it did when you closed it last...

My experience has been with Cadvance, Autocad and Vectoworks. Hands down VW is the winner for me. If all you are doing is custom homes, VW would be perfect for you. Its ability to draw in both 2D and 3D works really wel for that type of project (something I do quite often). I would never go back to autocad willingly- its too dumb, inflexible and expensive. just becasue it's "industry standard" is enough reason to avoid it. By the way, VW's ability to import and export DWG's is quiet good- better that autocad's I think. We plot or drawings to our own plotter/printer and have expersienced no significat problems (we are all Mac powerbook G4's, VW9.5, OS X, ethernet network, HP plotter/printers). We also use PDF's for issue to output service with only the font being changed, otherwise it works quite well. PDf's are also great for sending to clients/consultants because they can't change the drawings. I really don't have a clue what you mean by "seats", but again, my recomendation is to take the dive and go for VW. Good luck...

If you need to SORT the info, you can use the little stepped icons located at the top left corner of the worksheet. You simply drag whichever icon on the column you want changed in the "database header" strip. The only things you can change on the database cells is the font, the width of the columns, and what info you want displayed. All other cells can be manipulated as with any worksheet. Or you can go into the RECORD being selected and change the format, but this should be done before placing symbols. I've heard of different complaints about the database worksheets, and am always puzzled. I think they work fine for what they are. We use customnized record formats to gather info on symbols and have had only great success with them (as door, window, p-fixture schedules, and tracking worksheets for symbols in the drawing). My only complaint is that worksheets cannot be exported in DWG format....

Layer Links are definately the way to go. You can place them on any layer and move them as required. Plus you can show them as 2d or 3d in the info palette....

If money is no issue, than switching to archicad is a no-brainer. i haven't used archicad, but my understanding is that is is an excellent design and drafting program that is quite expensive. as i've said in the past, VW is excellent for what is is and its cost. i used to work on autocad (from 1995 to 1998), and i would NEVER go back. I am not sure what you mean by poor integration between 2d and 3d. i'm presuming you mean hot-linking plans and elevations/sections. yes, that would be nice, but vw doesn't do that. so i work around it, and use vw for what it can do for the price. we find the modelling capabilities quite good, and communicating 3d changes very well, although its mostly for our own benefit. good luck with archicad...

if money is no issue, than switching to archicad is a no-brainer. i haven't used archicad, but my understanding is that is is an excellent design and drafting program that is quite expensive. as i've said in the past, VW is excellent for what is is and its cost. i used to work on autocad (from 1995 to 1998), and i would NEVER go back. I am not sure what you mean by poor integration between 2d and 3d. i'm presuming you mean hot-linking plans and elevations/sections. yes, that would be nice, but vw doesn't do that. so i work around it, and use vw for what it can do for the price. we find the modelling capabilities quite good, and communicating 3d changes very well, although its mostly for our own benefit. good luck with archicad...

I think VW 9 is pretty good, but VW 10 is available now as well. "Are the sections and elevations in VWA live now? If you cut thru the layer linked model or "copy convert to lines" is it possible to maintain the connection between these views and the model?" No- you still have to do the copy convert.. command, unless you use a layer link setup of some sort. "And can you set the hatched appearance of walls to be based on a wall style of some kind so you can update the properties of the wall style and see the change in both plans, sections and elevations?" Yes- the classes command is quite powerful that way with plans. But it does not translate into sections/elevations in a hot link way. Again, for what VW does its pretty good. But its not Microstation.

Large scale projects is a relative term, but we have had to deal with this issue w/Autocad based consultants. Often, we give export the backgrounds as DWG's to our consultants (engineers, mostly), who use it as they would any other files. Our office is not concerned about titleblock apperances, so they often use their own for the same project. We have been able to transfer TBLK's to others with only font failures (we are Mac based, BTW). Over time, we have learned to ask that consultants do NOT use paper space in their drawings, but this occurs only when we plot their files, which is often now with email. This is quicker and less expsnive since you don't have to wait, or pay, for shipping. Any hatches you want to use I would give to them. In the past Different scaled drawings on the same sheet required us to move them once imported, but I haven't had that problem lately. The import/export functions of VW for DWG's is quite good I find in general. We have had no significant problems in the 5 years I've been working with VW. Hope this helps...

i would suggest that you never, ever, send you VW files out to printers, or anyone, even if they are VW friendly. These files belong to the architect, and once you send them can be used or manipulated at will. Plus, with PDF's, the image you save is the image they will print. VW files may have errors, or be misread by the copy operator which can cause unecessary printing errors and a waste of paper and money.

This has happened to us before with WG Refs. You need to deselect everything in the target file, turn off the arrows in the pallette window. Save, then go to the workgroup reference window and try "reselect document" on the file you have highlighted. This should do the trick...

In the layer stack you have to move your Notes layers so that it is above the Plan layer. The Send to.. command only works for items drawn on the same layer. Hope this helps...

Stop shouting (using all CAPS). VW does have windows, or dialog boxes, for classes and layers. The model views work pretty good for me, design wise anyway. I don't use artlantis that much, and I find renderworks good for my needs (I don't like photo realistic renderings that much). Yes, a structural calculator would be cool, but the framing charts in Graphic Standards are easy to figure out...

Are you talking about importing images into a file? If you are on a Mac you can take a snapshot of the image and paste it in your VW file (as a PICT or Bitmap). VW works well importing image files, such as PDF's or JPG's, but sometime this make the file really big. Hope this helps...

If you check the box "Disable Driver Text Rotation" under the Vectorworks tab in the Print dialog box, that might solve your problem w/angled text...

My setup puts the Mod-Slab layers under the Mod-Floors layers. Since I do alot of renovations projects, I use the "Slab" layers for existing conditions, and the "Floor" layers for new work (that would be all items).

Yes, I agree. The schedules have to be in the same file as the objects they are collecting. It's alot of work to have a seperate file for the schedules- whats up? And yes, ease up on the visual shouting....

Shcedules, as far as I know, cannot be moved to another file without losing all the data. Since the schedule is reporting the data in that file, if it will not read anything. I think, though, that if you create a workgroup reference, you might be able to get it to work, if the correct layers are referenced. Since the worksheets are studborn creatures, we always keep thme within the files they are collecting data from. Hope this helps. Why are you trying to place the schedule in another file?

A. I use setup assitance all the time w/some modifications. I don't like to way the standard titleblock look, so I insert my own onto a new layer called "0-TBLK". I have some scripts that change the issue dates, and a script that places the file name next to the titleblock when printing. 1. I do know that you can add your own info/logo to one of the titleblocks by saving one as and inserting your info. You are not supposed to change any of the text blocks because it will cause issue manager problems. 2. The elevation sheet still does its thing, but its simply layer links of the model grouped on the elevation sheet. I usually modify that to draw real elevations (taken from the model). 3. I don't mind using setup assistant, and i've gotten used to the funny layer names. Its a quick way to create a file with layers, correct floor heights, and claas names. I do change the names of the sheets under the save sheet command- It's quicker for me to see the sheet numbers there. I have noticed (using OSX, Powerbook G4, VW 9.5) that if you want to add a sheet to a pre-existing file using setup assistant, that VW will quit. B. I have not upgraded to VW10 yet, so I can't offer any comments...

What I do when modelling a building with windows is simply turn off all the style classes for glazing. In that way the windows appear transparent, except for any muntin pattern you configure.