ajs
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Posts posted by ajs
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MBP mid-2015/2.8 i7/16/1TB/Radeon R9 M370X/OS 10.11.6
hello, Charles;
Yesterday, I ran into your not-possible-to-tell-the-difference issue. In my case, it wasn't at all obvious in the software, but I could grab a lower corner and resize the window that displays the 'other…' modes. At that point, I could see that there was additional text, and make an informed choice between modes. At least in the case of the Martin instruments I was fooling with.
Note that that was in SP1. Since updating to SP2 this morning, I've not been able to get the Fixture Mode popup in the OIP to do a bloody thing but briefly resize the fields in the OIP, and then return to normal, with no ability a-tall to change fixture modes.Support tells me that was a problem in SP1, but was fixed in SP2. If you're on SP1, bear this experience in mind if that's an important feature for you.
It would certainly be useful for me if it worked.
-andrew
www.saboedraws.com
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hello, Mr. McAllister;
I couldn't really say if this behavior began before the OS update. This is the first time in a while I've needed to name objects-I use it to help keep my hanging plot organized/tell which heavy black line is the cyc and which is the krinkle screen, for example.
It's been a bit since I've drawn something that used an actual proscenium stage, and the second or third time I've used this file, importing the previous file, throwing out last years' stuff and adding in new.
So strictly speaking, yes, the behavior was first observed after the OS update, but I have no idea if it was there all along, and I just hadn't needed that function so far.
Yeah-looks, smells, tastes, walks, and quacks like a bug. I've performed the usual rituals of exorcism to no avail.
Things that were created from scratch in vwx2016 seem to be behaving more as expected today, though.
-andrew saboe
www.saboedraws.com
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hello, Mr. McAllister;
I know what you mean, and I don't believe that's the case, for 2 reasons.
First, didn't have a custom tool installed to remove, and second, it affects pretty much anything. A line, a rectangle, a PIO, nothing I've tried so far allows me to assign a name under the Data pane of the OIP.
Or more precisely, while I can name anything whatever I like, it goes away immediately upon deselection of the object.
If the field was blank before, it reverts to blank. If the field had text before (because the object was drawn in 2015 originally), it reverts to that text.
For example, if I draw a rectangle in 2016 SP4 and name it 'rectangle'in the OIP's Data Pane, the field will be empty the next time I select that object.
Or, if I duplicate the soft goods object named #1 Border that was part of the drawing imported from 2015, and try to rename it #2 Border, that's not happening.
To keep things from being dull, neither of these behaviors have been 100% consistent, either. Though the first example's trying its best.
My workaround right now is to draw and name things in 2015 (where it works just fine), then import the 2015 drawing into 2016, and then paste the objects into my 2016 active file and realign everything by hand. Between that, and lighting devices that disappear in viewports, it makes me all nostalgic for my drafting machine.
I appreciate your taking a swing at this on a weekend, though-thank you kindly!
-andrew saboe
www.saboedraws.com
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using 2016 SP4 Designer on Mac OS 10.11.6/MBP core i7 2.8/16Gb/Radeon R9 M370X 2048
None of these solutions have worked for me in files imported from 2015 or created in 2016, and I need to be naming a bunch of flown goods for a large event. Which renders 2016 semi-useless for creating production drawings.
1.) Is there a fix for this, or do I roll back to, say, 2015 where it does work?
2.) Does anyone know if this feature existed prior to 2016 SP4 (this thread's appearance falling after SP4's release date)?
-andrew saboe
www.saboedraws.com
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hmmmm.
Well, none of the problem symbols are referenced, but all of them seem to have numbers plus text in the 'Candlepower' field. If I delete the text and leave the numeric value, suddenly the Edit Instrument Data Dialog gets overjoyed to change other things. The extra text in the Candlepower field is not visible in the default opening of the tool on my equipment. By expanding that column, I can see the common link between all the problem children.
So, Mr. Benghiat, you seem to have found the trouble. Thank you kindly for the pointer to the way out of this maze.
Mr. Linzey, there seems to be nothing in either the tool itself, or its online help to indicate this source of conflict. Makes it extra mysterious, if some fields support one kind of entry, others don't, and nothing tells me 'yo, numeric values only!' or suchlike.
Gotta say, be nice if that were to change.
Thank you both for your trouble!
-andrew
www.saboedraws.com
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Using 2014 SP2 on Mac OS 10.6.8 MBP 2.2 GHz i7, 480/12
I'm using the Lighting Symbol Maintenance tool to update weights of equipment that I commonly use, and then updating all instruments via the checkbox. My mission is to have only numeric values in the weight field, so that a worksheet can extract that value to calculate a given position's equipment weight. The instruments themselves are a file that I've been updating for several years, and recently imported into 2014.
Most of the time, this works just fine. But I have a few instruments that, when I attempt to edit them, present me with a greyed out 'OK' button in the Edit Instrument Data dialog. So if I change the field, I can't OK out of it and implement the change. I can only Cancel, leaving the weight (or any other) data untouched.
There doesn't seem to be a common element so far. For instance, the problem children are currently either Martin or VariLite fixtures, but not all of the ones in this file. Some edit just fine. Some just aren't buying it. If I do it the old-fashioned way & edit the record attached to the symbol, that works fine-it's only when using the LSM tool that I run into this. It's generally easier to edit this info via the LSM tool, so that's what I'd rather do.
Any ideas what might cause/fix this?
Thanx
-andrew
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Katie-
with a passel-o-layers, and about forty classes, I just didn't have time to try that.
I did, however, make a discovery.
If my class settings were anything OTHER than show/snap/modify others, this behavior would appear in this file. This would happen even if I was working in the correct class, i.e., the class of the symbol/lighting device was the active class.
With the class options set 'correctly', all works as expected, and I was able to insert irises and pattern holders at last.
Ergo, I no longer believe that crossing platforms has anything to do with the issue.
I have since observed this in other, but not all files, which leads me to think that this is not a feature. Now, I am looking for the common element.
thanks for your input on this.
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Katie-
yes. It found nothing.
I also did a complete re-install 12/patch to 12.5.1 (65397) on my other iron, 2x2 G5 10.4.8. No damage this time, but the phenomenon continues to manifest. Which bolsters my thinking that the Evil somehow comes from the cross-platform files.
As an experiment, I Save a Copy As'd. The problem exists in the new file. I have noted that frequently, once drag-selected, I can at least move the symbol around (pointer changes to the little cross, or white pointer) by dragging (as opposed to nudging with the arrow keys), but I still am unable to click-select the symbol or lighting device.
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Update:
A complete reinstall and update to 12.5.1 seems to have utterly broken the software on one machine. I'll worry about that when I am not trying to get work done.
In addition, if I create a new, blank document, symbols behave as expected. The problem seems to be most likely to happen when I am working with files from others. These are usually coming across from Windows.
Does that help solve this?
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Using Spotlight 12.5.1 (65307) on Mac OS 10.4.8.
I am having intermittent difficulty selecting symbols or lighting devices while using the 2D select tool. When this manifests, I can select by dragging a marquee or lasso, but not by directly clicking. In addition to being very annoying in general, it pretty much eliminates adding accessories to the device.
When it manifests, the smart cursor 'sees' all aspects of the symbol, and the relevant cues pop up. But it is as though the mouse click isn't being read by the program.
Quitting and restarting the program usually changes nothing. Ditto adjusting the settings of the 2D selection tool. I have experienced this across two different machines, as well.
Suggestions or questions?
thanks!
-andrew
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thank you, Katie.
best
-ajs
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Thank you for clarifying, Katie.
As a Mac user, the phrase File>Print has always meant choosing Print from the File menu within the app.
FWIW, that tab also doesn't seem to exist in the Windows printer driver.
A search for 'SpoolSmart' and 'VectorWorks' at HP's website yields 5 hits that have nothing to do with the DesignJet 500. Which again makes me long for a link to your original source for this information.
However, one link does describe a method of reaching the Mystery Tab for the DesignJet 100 and 120. In the Basic Setup tab of the Printing Preferences, click the About button. Then, in the resulting About box, click OK, WHILE holding down the F8 key. A double-extra secret control panel appears, where Spoolsmart can be enabled or disabled.
I have forwarded that information to my client, in the hopes that something this silly doesn't change for other members of the product family, and he can use it.
Any more information would be a help, as this issue is serving to drive my client to WSYWIG for his light plots, and me to seriously wonder what I gained by upgrading to SL12 for this client.
best
-ajs
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Thank you, Katie.
I understand that this is not a Mac thing -the Mac side is working as expected.
you seem to be suggesting that the option indicated is NOT reached via the VW Print dialog, i.e., it is something buried in the HP driver?
While I am delighted to poke about in the HP support database, I don't suppose that you have any sort of link to this issue at HP's site?
thanks again for your help.
best
-ajs
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Using Spotlight 12.0.1 on Win XP Pro SP2, and Mac OS 10.4.6.
AFAIK, all drivers are current, but me no speak much Windows.
I draw a plot for a client, on Mac OS. I email him the plot. His plotter, an HP DesignJet 500, is connected to his Dell machine via a network.
He attempts to print via the network. The document consistently spools. From ~30% spooled, the status window suddenly zips to 100% and vanishes. The plotter starts up, prints about a quarter of the document, rolls out the remainder of the page, blank, cuts it off and calls it good.
Connect his Dell to the plotter's usb port. Same song.
Connect my old Ti Book, 667/1Gb, 10.4.6 via usb, document prints properly.
If he prints across his network from WYSWYG (or however they spell it), the plot prints properly. This suggests to me a Spotlight issue.
I found the Knowledge Base entry regarding SpoolSmart on DesignJet. The issue sounds familiar. The 'here's how' to fix this section tells me to:
select file> Print. Click Properties. Click the Services tab, and then click Troubleshoot Software Problems. In the Troubleshoot Software Problems dialog box, remove the checkmark next to Enable SpoolSmart. Click OK when done.
There is no Services tab. It simply doesn't exist. This advice amounts to saying 'open the yellow door in the middle of the wall and throw the switch'. Trouble is, there's no door at all in my wall.
We have both searched high and low. While neither of us are programmers, we are both pretty experienced users, and we are not finding this SpoolSmart devil.
How do I really make this print, as I'd like to keep this client?
thanks for any help!
best regards
-andrew
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thanks much, David.
I also talked to NNA Sales. They directed me to Maxon to get specifics. I pointed out that Maxon's web site aims the user at VW to get specifics.
Hilarity ensued, and I may pursue this further at a later time.
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a question or two for those of you that have used the C4D plugin-
First, what versions of C4D and VW are required?
Second, how does it work-does VW just seamlessly export to Cinema?
Third-only fifty bucks? really? Woo-hoo!
for those of you that haven't had contact with C4D, let me just say that the renderer is far beyond the Lightworks engine (as implemented in RW9, for example) in terms of producing gorgeous work. Don't know about 10-30 minutes vs. 5 hrs, but I do know that C4D is very quick. And C4D is incredibly stable, cross platform, and multiprocessor savvy. A fabulous product. End rant.
regards
-ajs
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A new version of Gimp-Print has been released for Jaguar. It adds support for many HP large format printers, like the 455 and 488, among several others.
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As an interesting addendum...The Full update, parked on my desktop where it downloaded, is 135.8Mb. Copied to the FW drive I use for fileswapping, it is 176Kb.
The other updates I downloaded (9.5.1, 9.5.2) maintain their size when copied across drives. If I move the compressed archive of the Full update, its size does not change.
Curiouser and curiouser.
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Same platform, both very close in OS (mac 9.1), though I'm unsure why you are asking, Katie.
To maybe clarify, I get the Stuffit error message on unstuffing after download, at work. Just for the hell of it, I then tried launching the installer on the work machine, which is when it gives me the -39 error.Haven't tried it on the home machine in any form as yet-I was hoping to carry the file home and do that over the weekend.Does this help?Any chance I need to update Expander?
thanx!
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I am attempting to do the full download of 9.5 Mac. I don't want to do the installer because I have a better connection at work than at home, so I plan to copy the file and update my home installation.The download goes smoothly, though leisurely, enough. Then I get an error message from Stuffit talking about an inability to verify the resource fork.Launching the installer yields an alert box saying that "The application 'Full Update to VW 9.5.0' could not be opened because 'Full Update to 9.5.0' could not be found (-39)"My only option is to OK out of this and gnash my teeth. I have downloaded twice. Once from each location on the download page. Same results both times.Mac OS 9.1, Stuffit Expander 6.0.1Suggestions?
thanx!
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Interesting...yup, there it is.
Thank you, Katie
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GregP-The Wacom Tablet is God's Own Tool. I use a 12x12 Intuos USB on Mac 9.1 G4/450DP, and I cannot imagine working without it. Not only does it Just Work, the arm and shoulder pain that plagued my mouse arm has practically vanished. The tool buttons across the top are handy, too.
That said, I don't use the tablet much for VW or fZ. For that stuff, I tend to use the trackball more. Mostly I use it for PSD and AI. I wouldn't mind trying a 9x12-the 12x12 borders on too large for me. Bear in mind that the Intuos has the capability to recognize multiple tools (pens, airbrush, mouse) and self reconfigure for each tool. It can also accept input from 2 tools simultaneously.
I just wish that Wacom sent me money for every hosanna of praise that I have heaped on this product. There must be something wrong with them, but I haven't found it.
hth.
hmseiden-I have not seen the jiggling pointer anomoly in my Intuos. It is connected through a hub in the base of my Viewsonic P815. I don't know if the hub is powered or not.Out of curiousity, what application for pressure sensitivity would you have in VW?
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GregP-The Wacom Tablet is God's Own Tool. I use a 12x12 Intuos USB on Mac 9.1 G4/450DP, and I cannot imagine working without it. Not only does it Just Work, the arm and shoulder pain that plagued my mouse arm has practically vanished. The tool buttons across the top are handy, too.
That said, I don't use the tablet much for VW or fZ. For that stuff, I tend to use the trackball more. Mostly I use it for PSD and AI. I wouldn't mind trying a 9x12-the 12x12 borders on too large for me. Bear in mind that the Intuos has the capability to recognize multiple tools (pens, airbrush, mouse) and self reconfigure for each tool. It can also accept input from 2 tools simultaneously.
I just wish that Wacom sent me money for every hosanna of praise that I have heaped on this product. There must be something wrong with them, but I haven't found it.
hth.
hmseiden-I have not seen the jiggling pointer anomoly in my Intuos. It is connected through a hub in the base of my Viewsonic P815. I don't know if the hub is powered or not.Out of curiousity, what application for pressure sensitivity would you have in VW?
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Using 9.0.1 on Mac 9.1Is there a way to globally set the dimensioning precision?Often, I want to have no fractions. My only option seems to be to dimension the object, choose the dimension, and choose 'No Fractions' (or whatver else) in the Precision popup of the Object Info Palette one dimension at a time.Quite a drag. Creating a custom dimension standard doesn't seem to offer this option.Suggestions?
thanks!
Augmented Reality 2 (sports hall)
in General Discussion
Posted
This seems to have become a bit of a defacto Nomad AR thread sooo…
I’ve started doing some tinkering with AR in Nomad, iOS, v.5.9. Viewing on iPhone SE/128 running iOS 11.2.2, output from vwx 2018 SP2.
Mostly, it seems straightforward; I’m keeping the model pretty simple-a little event layout with a small ATV in front of a small stage, a video monitor on the stage, a small circular truss overhead with 4 lighting fixtures on it. Well and good. The ability to show/grey/hide layers is nice, too.
Here’s what I’m not finding a solution for.
There seems to be but a single render mode, and it looks like OpenGL w/o edges. Shadows are being cast, so there’s obviously a light source, though there isn’t one in my model.
For many applications for me, it’d be extremely useful to render in the equivalent of OGL with edges, but no colors, and Ambient Occlusion. It would make it a better presentation tool for me (perhaps others?), and remove the need to texture and color things before working out masses and locations. White model mode (if you will) would also help the AR insert to show up better against its background, and AO would, I think, drastically improve the rendered aesthetic, as well as making items in the model easier to see. In an utterly perfect world, I could use Artistic Renderworks, with AO, but I can guess at the processing overhead that represents, so I could happily live for a while with-
•Open GL, with drawn edges and no colors,
•Ambient Occlusion,
•and for extra Krispy Goodness, the ability for any screen images I’m using to show up, and in color. When things go in front of a corporate client, it never hurts to be able to put their logo on a screen. And if that’s the only thing in color on the model, even better.
•bearing in mind the aforementioned heavy lifting of Artistic RW (so maybe everything isn't available), the ability to set a render mode within vwx that'll carry through to Nomad. Perhaps OGL modes only?
Is there a way to do this on the app as it stands, and I’m missing it?
I tried setting the model up in vwx with those OGL settings (including AO), then exporting to Nomad, that didn’t do it, and one of the last things I’d want to do is go through an entire model recoloring things. Even if I did, it doesn’t seem like that would get me my screen image, since it doesn’t seem to appear in the colorful mode that I have now. I also think I still wouldn’t have edges. Ditto, keeping a separate bleached-out model for AR is extra non-billable work for me for something that seems pretty simple.
This could become a powerful presentation tool, especially for clients that have a hard time visualizing, but for me, lacking these abilities, it ain’t quite there, yet. I’m hoping I’m missing something, so input is welcome, and I thank you in advance!
-andrew saboe
www.saboedraws.com