DDDesign

If you double the resolution and keep the same number of pixels (pixel dimensions button on), simple maths dictates the area of the image must halve. If you want to keep the exported image area the same check the print dimensions button BEFORE changing the resolution.

Hi Aleks, If you go with a PC I bet your father will have a much steeper learning curve than the switch to V11/v12 on OS10. If he uses his computer for other things apart from CAD, there will be additional complications in the change over. Yes I admit, I'm a Mac fan, but let me tell you I bought my 80 year old mother an iMac (OS10) for her first ever computer -she was a complete novice. 2 years later nothing has gone wrong, no crashes, no viruses, and she's thrilled with it. Can I say more?

quote: Originally posted by dunsterville: And this is after I've set all preferences to the right output, rather than the stupidly preferred and dreaded 'US Letter'. The preference for US letter can be permantly changed in Mac OS10 for all applications. It's not clear to me if you've already done this or not. Open system preferences, select print & fax. In the printing tab select your default paper size from the drop down menu. No more US letter. Easy!

Eric, I'm not familiar with the auto wall join function. Whatever the clue is, it needs to work for more than two stacked objects. I'm also thinking about how Jan uses layers to cut down the number of stacked obects. I'm not sure how it would work for me. My needs are certainly more on the fringes of VW use... Also I was not until recently aware of the second mode of the selection tool which enables dragging of the underneath object, so I'm having a play around with that.

Yes, looks like you're right about that. . I thought we were on to something. Looks like it's back to the work-arounds, for the next few years at least!

Kimcz, I think you've made a good point. Maybe there needs to be a "2D rendering " option which will render 3D views according to the 2D class attributes. Also, I don't use hybrid symbols because they only work properly in plan view.

Symbols can themselves contain other symbols. Does that help?

Jan, I agree with your analysis that there are two separate functions here, but that isn't to say that they can't or shouldn't be combined somehow. After all, the pointer is a combination tool used for selecting/deselecting, moving and resizing - and we'd both agree that we like how this tool works. In fact, the suppressing selection and selecting an object from a stack functions ARE related. Given that the default mode of VW is to move the top object in a stack when click-dragging, the proposed modifier key, once used to select the desired object within a stack, is then used to suppress the default mode of reselecting the top object when an attempt is made to click-drag the selection. In my proposal it's then this suppressing function which can be used in an auxilliary way to achieve your desire for an "offset" click-drag mode. Personally, I'd change VW so that click-drag would always work on the selected object, regardless of stack order, with the default being the top object. It seems to make more sense - and is more consistent with the click-strech mode. However I'm sure that NNA would be resistant to change the way such a fundamental tool worked, and there's bound to be someone out there who has a major reason for not wanting a change. That is why I suggested a modifier key, as it would be transparent and completely compatible with anyone wishing to continue to use the pointer tool in the way that it has always been used. The reason I suggested the cmd key as modifier is that it is already used to select stacked objects in other applications, including the desktop publishing industry's InDesign, and there is perhaps an argument for standardization here. Also I know from experience that this method is simple, intuitive, and works very well. I'm less sure about the method you suggest. If we can get a modifier key at all I would be happy to have it as cmd, U or whatever, but NOT the OIP, nor the right mouse. BTW Macs have had a right mouse function for years using 3rd party (including Microsoft!) mouses. VW commands can be edited in the workspace editor, as you would expect I do like the idea of a cursor cue. Maybe it could simply flash the level number of the object in the stack. Maybe it could provide more data, but in any case I would have this function settable under preferences - so as to maintain comatability with users who don't want/need this function.

quote: Originally posted by ErichR: Again, select to top object and move it to the background. Now, the object you want is on top and can/will be selected. Why make it difficult? Erich, this is only true if there are only two objects in the stack. Restacking is tedious for multiple objects I've added tp Jan15's post in the wish list thread, and spelt out exactly what I had in mind for the selection tool modifier.

Jan15 - as you know I've recently stated the issue, but I have been complaining about this for years. Maybe it's worse in 3D as several stacked items is commonplace, at least for me. I can see from the level of your contibution that you're passionate about it too - so thanks! However, I think you've discounted my level cycling idea too readily. If you've ever used an app. like InDesign you will know how well it works - and how vital. To have to select objects to drag/move by changing their stacking level is ridiculous. The selection depression modifier you've suggested is a great idea, but I think you've neglected the issue when there are more than 2 objects in the stack- you still need to select which of many objects you want to drag-move. Also, I'm not sure what you mean about "But that won't solve the problem if multiple objects are selected". I can't see an issue here. In fact there is no contradiction between the two ideas -the two functions can be combined in the one modifier key, as they are entirely compatible. The principicle is simply this: 1. any unselected object clicked. Result = top object selected (as present). Any unselected object click-dragged = the top object moves (as present) 2. modifier (eg cmd/alt) + click. Result = next level down object selected. Further clicks will continue down the order then recycle. 2a. shift+click. Result = objects added to selection (as present) 3. click-drag any selected object. Result = selected object moves (presently selection reverts to top object - which is moved) 4. hold modifier+click-drag selection. Result = selected objects move, drag-stretch mode suppressed. 5. hold modifier+ click on anywhere else but on already selected objects. Result = selection/deselection does not occur 6. hold modifier+click-drag on anywhere on the drawing. Result = all selected objects remain selected, all selected objects move. Does this cover it? I would think it would be easy to implement, and would be easy to get used to, as apart from the modifier key the only real change is the drag moving of selected objects regardless of stacking level- which is more intuitive anyway.

There is still a major issue here. It doesn't matter which object is selected, if you go to drag it, the top object is the one that will move. After many years it still manages to catch me out! On the other hand, if you drag a handle it's the selected object that will resize . Can anyone explain why this behaviour is so inconsistent - and counter-intuitive? I still maintain the solution is for VW to make cmd(alt)+click cycle through all objects - as it does in other apps - and have the selected object move when dragged.

Viewports works on 2D - just select "project 2D objects". All my work IS in 3D - viewports make a huge difference. However even in 2D, it's hard to see how you wouldn't for example find a use for a croped view(detail) of a drawing with different a scale and class visibility...

quote: Originally posted by john vs: 2. You can't start a selection inside a polygon or circle to select items within the polygon/circle because that selects the enclosing polygon/circle. It would seem to me that in nearly all cases you can start your selection outside the enclosing polygon, but still be able to select everything you want inside it. Alternatively select everything, then deselect the poly. I get your point, but you do get used to it, its not really an issue. What IS an annoyance, for me at least, is selecting overlapping objects (usually in 3D),where you have to send all the frontmost objects backwards. I wish VW would take a leaf out of apps like InDesign, where cmd+ clicking cycles you though all the overlapping objects. By the way Nicholas, that's a great tip about the shift-drag. I never knew that before!

Sorry Mac, I disagree. A printed manual takes up more space, is harder to access, provides fewer search options, is more likely to be out of date, uses up more paper and adds considerbly to costs. I've had every update since mCad 6, and bemoan the fact that I thow out manuals each time in pristine condition. Surely there is a way you can "bookmark" favourite pages on your computer, without having to have a 730 page (VW11) book.

New Sheet layers can also be created on the fly when you are creating viewports (View/Create viewport...). You will see this option in the drop down menu used for selecting which sheet to place the new viewport on. NB you can't set orientation for sheet layers as implied by dcont, view orientation is set individually for each viewport. Also, using Page/Set print area... you can set up each sheet itself to have multiple pages, just as you can have multiple pages for design layers.

How about being able to set font and size for dimensions within the dimension preferences, rather than having it set by the general text defaults? Alternatively, make text styles settable by class, so dimension text can be formated indepently from other text.

My workaround is that at some stage I export a low res image to a designated preview file. This has the downside of having to be a bit more organized and remember to do it at the right time. It also takes a little bit of time, although the 20 seconds or so is hardly a lot in the general scheme of things. At least when saving the image the default name the same as the drawing file, with a jpg extension, so it is easy to find the related file. The advantages of this method is that I can make an image of exactly what part of a drawing I want to use as a 'thumbnail'. Often it I show just a part of a drawing using the marquee method - in my case there can be too much on a single sheet or layer to make it useful when scaled down so much. Also, I can open and browse many thumbnails at once using an image browser (Preview in MacOS). And if thumbnails fail to show sufficient detail to distinguish them, as often happens when I've drawn several concepts with minor variations, then I can easily expand the thumbnail in the image browser. In the past I've used decriptive file names, but I found it hard to be consistent and things got very messy. Now I just have a simple date-based naming system and let the browser do the work for me. If VW were to incorporate a preview image, I think a marquee (automatically updating) would still be a more useful approach than using a whole sheet or layer.

Have you tried the "font book" which comes with OS10.3? It will be in the application folder. Open it and go to preview/custom, and you can enter your own sample text. Also, there is a system utility called keyboard viewer - similar to the old keycaps - which might go part of the way. It will also help with finding symbols and the effects of using shift, cmd, option and control keys. To use it go to system preferences/international/input menu and check "keyboard viewer". Now click on the map found on the right side of the menu bar. Select "show keyboard viewer". Select the font you want to see. Similarly, the character palette will allow you to find such things as common fractions etc.

First convert a copy of your symbol to a group using organize/convert to group. This group can now be ungrouped and/or edited in the normal way. Covert this to a symbol with a new name. Voila!

I would recommend viewport resolution being 300dpi. Also check that VW preferences/3D/3D conversion res is set to very high. Be aware though, that ultimately all curved 3D surfaces are faceted, unlike 2D curves. That's the nature of the beast. If you want perfect curves, say on the orthagonal view of an extruded solid, you could resort to printing out the 2D profile instead.

There seems to be a concensus that there is value in being able to draw by hand. I don't disagree, although, islandmon, saying that CAD isn't drawing is like saying that a pencil doesn't draw, it just leaves black marks on a bit of paper. In the end they are both just tools, only used differently. However, I think that most of the above responses have missed the point. If demonstating the value of drawing - with a pen or pencil - is really the aim of part of the purpose of the execise, then this should be communicated to the students. Students will always learn more if they know what is expected from them. The fact that this aim couldn't be communicated even when requested by a student indicates to me either ignorance on the part of the instructor, or that this wasn't in fact the purpose. The nature of the execise itself and the fact that that it doesn't matter if it is done in pencil or ink (different techniques) adds to the sense of confused thinking. If drawing is important enough to be taught then, well, teach it properly. Furthermore, seat of "higher learning" such as this institute should be welcoming students' enquiring minds, not fobbing them off with inanities.

Double-click the "snap to object" constraint in the constraints pallette. This brings up the "3D snapping" window. Select "snap to edge points". I don't think the smart cues are perfect on 3D objects - for example they won't give you the centre of an extrude - only the centre of an edge, and curved surfaces give far too many snap points. There is a 3D dimensioning tutorial at Vector depot that might be of use. http://www.vectordepot.com/downloads/3d_dims.pdf

Hi Dave, I have to admit I'd not noticed this feature before - and it completely fulfills my wish. Thanks.

I'd like to see a live preview window that updates as you change each shader parameter. It can take a lot of trial and error to get shaders right, and a lot of extra time when you have to keep going in and out of the edit window. Also, what about having the preview object selectable as any lit object in the document?

Wow, it must be the season for minor grieviences to come out of the closet - 16 replies at last count! All it takes is one click -cmd+W- to get rid of the default document. Or what about putting a copy of a saved template in the dock and opening VW through that?