Jeffrey W Ouellette

Thom, If you are using VW Architect, open the Architect workspace and see that there are electrical symbol tools in the MEP toolset that automatically create 2D objects for you regarding lighting, switching, power and communications.

K, Check the BIM sample project, Ellicott Heights: http://www.nemetschek.net/bim/projects.php Start with reviewing the 'BIM in Practice' white paper, then download the rest of the files of you want to see it in action. Be forewarned that it is a BIG project, many MBs.

I more thing.... Offline, I've been helping Terry further tweak and expand the capabilities of this sample worksheet. It has given me some ideas about additional reports to include in future versions of VW. Please feel free, with Terry's blessing, to witness the results of this particular collaboration...

The Finale, as promised.... Step 6. Totals With formatting complete create a new "Totals" row, Row 19. In Cell F19, enter the formula, =F12+F16, to add the two worksheet database totals. [Worksheet_edit-16] Extra Credit: Some of you have noticed some formulas missing from documentation. Sorry about that. We aren't intentionally hiding it from you. Some things have slipped through the cracks over the years since worksheets were first introduced in 1988 (MiniCad+ 1) and database worksheets in 1991 (MiniCad+ 3). Want to report wall height? Try: =WALLAVERAGEHEIGHT See some strange values from wall length? Try: =LENGTH/12 and format the cells to "Dimension". This should give you the correct feet and inches length. Yeah, its a known bug. Want Cu Yd instead of Cu Ft from wall volume? Try: =CRITERIAVOLUME/27 and format the cell to "Decimal" with desired decimal places and Trailer label. Another tip. Remember that formulas in VW worksheets follow algebraic rules of hierarchy; that is, using brackets in formulas will solve the value inside a pair of bracket before "moving outward" and solving the next part of the equation. Try this: =((C28*12)-4.5)/12 First, C28 multiplied by 12 is solved, that value then has 4.5 subtracted from it and that value is then divided by 12. Hope this all helps. Thank Terry (Wyle C) for prompting the discussion and the others (like Pat, Chad and gmm18) for pitching in...

Sorry for the delay. Here is the file for those of you still using 2008...

Step 3. Expanding scope of the worksheet. Start with labeling the new columns [Worksheet_edit-6] Then, insert six new rows just between the title in the first row and the column label row. Do this by selecting a row header, holding down the left mouse button and dragging down to include highlighting row 7. Then select the small menu triangle and select "Insert... > Rows". [Worksheet_edit-7] Enter a number of labels and fields for "cost variables". [Worksheet_edit-8]. Now enter formulas/functions into the header row for the first database row [Worksheet_edit-9 thru 13]. Step 4. Format the database cells to report the desired units. By default, worksheet database cells with numerical entries are decimal "un-formatted". Click-drag the cells under the "Area Gross" label. With the cells highlighted, right click while your cursor is inside the highlighted area. Choose "Format Cells..." from the contextual menu. [Worksheet_edit-14] The "Format Cells" dialog will appear. Select the "Number" tab if it is not already active. Then select the "Dimension Area" radio button. [Worksheet_edit-15] Repeat for the other columns. For costs/currency formatting, use the "Decimal" setting with (2) Dec. Places and "Use Commas" checked. Add a $ sign and a couple blank spaces in the "Leader:" field. [Worksheet_edit-15] Step 5. Format the text and style of the borders. Highlight cells, right click for the contextual menu and select "Format Cells..." again, this time cycle through the other tabs to set the font type, size and styles, as well as borders. Finale tomorrow...

Step 1. Getting Started You could start with a blank worksheet, or you could use the menu command "Tools > Reports > VA Create Schedule" in the Architect Workspace and select the "Wall Area" schedule. Step 2. Setting database criteria Reformat the criteria of the worksheet to delimit the database to only one design layer per section, but include multiple databases, thus multiple floors in one worksheet. Select the Database header row, 3, and right-click on the row number to open the contextual menu items. Select "Set Criteria". [Worksheet_edit-1]. When the "Criteria" dialog opens, adjust the criteria to include "Layer > is > Mod-CIP Footing" (our your own layer). Select "More Choices" and include "Type > is > Wall" Select OK. The worksheet should have changed. [Worksheet_edit-2] Next, expand the size of the worksheet by moving the cursor to the bottom right-hand corner of the bottom right-hand cell. The cursor should change to an "angle" shape. Left click and hold the left mouse button and drag down and right. You should see a ghost outline appear to indicate how far the worksheet is expanding. [Worksheet_edit-3]. I've expanded it to 10 columns. Select row 7 and right click for context menu, select "Database", then set criteria again in dialog, just like before, but this time choose another layer (e.g. Mod-Foundation). Results should look like "Worksheet_edit-4". Next slect the header cells A3 thru E3 and Copy, then select header cells A7 thru E7 and Paste. [Worksheet_edit-5]. Voila. next lesson tomorrow...

I've been working with Terry offline to whip a worksheet into shape. First, I'll post the worksheet/file and then some step-by-steps with images to help others get there.

Derek, Short answer: No. Classes aren't "containers" like layers are. Classes are attributes that help define the object. Changing a class requires "redefining" the object via the OI palette or the Eyedropper tool.

We are fully aware of the issues you all have raised in this thread, but I can't divulge the efforts of any ongoing development. Some of Will's concerns are bugs that need to be filed, some are issues of functionality that need to be addressed by engineering.

Anders, Thanks for the heads up. We're on it.

Anders, The first one is NOT a bug, rather a change in the way the tool now works. For 2009, you change the position of a plugin object in the wall by using the "Move by Points" tool. If a plugin object is selected and your select the "Set Position..." button in the OI palette, the command is automatically invoked for you. The Mode BAR changes to reflect the "Move by Points" is active. Your first selection is the reference point along the wall where you want to set the desired distance from. The next selection is what point on the object you're moving you want to set the referred distance. Finally a dialog pops up and asks for the distance between the two points. Why the change? This offers more flexibility for users to decide what reference points are important to create desired positions. For example, with the old method, the dialog and diagram only let you set a distance based on the centerpoint of the PIO (window) being moved relative to one of 6 wall endpoint datum. Now you can select any point along the wall (or off it, or another object) and any point or feature in the object itself. Just takes a little re-learning...

Chad, With 2009 you can get the "mitered" return with a single NURBS path with right-angle bends.

Lucy, Design Layer Viewport (DLVP) functionality is a replacement for the Layer Link command. IT is meant to combine the power of Layer Link and Workgroup Referencing in one place. DLVPs are single "objects" that the user can manipulate to a far higher degree than Layer Links and ARE NOT limited to 2D.

Andrew, Short answer: No. While it is technically possible to include "modeling" objects in the annotation mode of a viewport, this "space" doesn't behave the same way as a design layer. The viewport spatial orientation is controlled by the OI palette and can display various orthogonal/perspective views of the design layers included, but the drawing/modeling view, aka annotation mode, is essentially locked to the Top/Plan view relative to the sheet layer/page.

Darrell, Landmark questions are most effectively answered when posted to the Landmark forum where Eric Gilbey and other users who are more familiar with your issues can answer related questions. I help as much as I can in the General Discussion Forum. I must honestly admit that I am still trying to catch up on everything in VW2009 and have barely scratched the surface of all the improvements in the products outside Architect.

Mar, Open the drawing and select the Drawing Label tool. Before placing any Drawing labels, select the Preferences button in the Mode Bar. This should open the settings dialog for the Drawing Label object. Delete any text in the "Dwg Title:" field. Select OK button. Now when you place a Drawing Label inside a Viewport, it should default to the VP name. If this doesn't work, a bug will need to be submitted.

Ozzie, try asking in the Landmark forum.

Rub?n, When someone from another competitor's perspective asks such a question, the answer should be that VW has the ability to generate reports on any and all elements within the file by using the database worksheet functionality. To our users, this is functionality is embodied in the "Create Reports" and "VA Create Schedule" commands. The user is able to create linked database worksheets which parse the data elements in the file as desired by the user (e.g. Door Schedule, Window Schedule). These schedules/database worksheets can be customized by the user to a very high degree. In some cases, the schedules/database worksheets are bi-directional, allowing the user to change values in the cell of the worksheet and have it change the respective parameters of the object in the file (e.g. doors and Door Schedules). I can create database worksheets that count walls, their areas, heights, thicknesses, etc. Truth is, VW has been doing that longer than Autodesk has owned Revit and maybe even longer than Revit has been around. Database worksheet functionality was introduced in 1991 with MiniCAD+ 3.

In response to higgins original post, the space tool area (mis)calculation is now a known bug. Someone has finally submitted a bug against it. I don't have first hand knowledge of the plant tool bug. If a bug was submitted via the proper channel (http://www.nemetschek.net/support/bugsubmit.php), then the issue is in the hands of the appropriate engineers. We don't take our users' problems for granted. We don't like to see bugs anymore than anyone else. There are lots of factors involved in finding and fixing them. Many times there are risks involved in "fixing" any bug. Careful consideration must be taken each time NOT to do more harm to the rest of the program, while trying to do good fixing a tool/feature/command. We don't take our users for granted. If it seems, at times, there is little response from any NNA staff to questions in these forums it may be because of other factors. Please be aware that we do not offically handle tech support issues via the Tech Board, as this meant to be a users' community. While various NNA staff members moderate the different forums, we contribute when we can. These forums allow users to help each other before turning to official technical support channels. If you need assistance with tech support please email Tech@nemetschek.net, or call 410-290-5114. If you are a Non-US user please contact your local distributor. To locate your local distributor please use the following link: http://www.nemetschek.net/international/index.php _________________________ Technical Support Nemetschek North America Tech Support - http://www.nemetschek.net/support/help.php Knowledge Base - http://kbase.nemetschek.net/ Video Tech Tips - http://kbase.nemetschek.net/index.php?ToDo=browse&catId=29 Training - http://www.nemetschek.net/training/index.php

Rub?n, Not to sound dense, but what exactly do you mean? Aren't all file formats essentially databases? Many of them are proprietary and deal with lists of information/data in their own way. I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to get at.

Thanks, Mar. I'll try to get back to you by Monday.

I don't mean to belittle or minimize the matter, but.... Apparently no one reads their "License Agreements" of any of their software anymore. Open VW and select the "About Vectorworks" menu command. When the Splash screen comes up, hit the "License" button. This is very standard industry stuff, folks.

Mar, I would like to see the file. It sounds like a bug, but I'd liek to be sure.

Shaun, Parasolid was just introduced for 2009. A lot of work went "under the hood" to replace existing technology. Who knows what the future will bring?