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CipesDesign

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    update advice

    in Architecture

    Posted

    The web-based installer/updater will make an exact copy of your entire 9.5.0 folder and put the contents in a new folder called 9.5.1. As long as all the stuff you need is in your original folder, it should be in the new folder. I would only save the older folder until you are satified that everything is as it should be. (PS make sure that any work you do on your existing files is done from the NEW copy of them as they will have the exact same names as their originals!) PLC

    Upgrade to 9.5.1

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    As I understand it, the web-based updater for 9.5.1 makes a copy of the entire 9.5.0 folder and everything in it. Therefore the answer is "yes". I would, and did, just to be cautious, keep the older folder (hey that rhymes!), kind of as a back-up. Eventually I will trash it. PLC

    Resize object

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Max, It sounds like MAYBE you added the object into a different layer than your original layout, and that layer may be in a different scale than the other. If this is the case, no amount of re-sizing will fix it. We always use the door/window plug-ins to insert INTO walls. When they are inserted, they become part of the wall and will be in the correct scale. If you need more info, or if I've completely mis-interpreted your question (sometimes these things are tricky in a message-board!), please let me know. PLC cipesp@mind.net

    How to create perforated metal texture?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Another possible method would be to create a 3-d "skin" or "mesh". I have had success using a series, or pattern of duplicated lines, mass extruded to very thin (like 1/4"). This was for a chain link fence, but could posibly be adapted for your needs. The same effect could also be acheived by clipping holes from a 2-d polygon and then extrudung it (again, thin). Have fun! PLC

    Exporting to .PDF format

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Yes, is the short answer. Here's how I do it (On a Mac): 1) I have a full working version of Acrobat; 2) with the VW document open I select Acrobat PDF Writer as my printer. 3) I go to page set-up and make sure that the correct page size and orientation is selected. 4) I go to print and make sure that the text rotation box is checked in the VW options menu. 5) I print.

    This automatically opens the PDF as soon as it's created, so I can see if it looks OK. BEWARE as I have had some strange experiences with my VW documents after creating PDF's from them (eg: page set-up stuck as per Acrobat settings and cannot be changed in VW) so, make a copy of your file first, just in case... PLC Mac G4

    Vectorworks Dropping Prefernences

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Mickey, I'm not sure, but it sounds like you are launching the program by clicking on its main icon, as opposed to launching a TEMPLATE file. Here's what we do: 1) Open a new document (from the VW Icon); 2) Make any changes to page, size, text, line weights, origin, scale, layers, classes, etc, etc, ad infinitum; 3) Save this document as a TEMPLATE. Then, when you want a "blank" document which retains all of your settings, simply open the TEMPLATE you created. It will open as Untitled until you rename it. PLC

    In General - Thanks

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    OK. I do mainly architectural stuff and hardly ever draw with the mouse alone. I use a combination of mouse & keyboard. If you double-click any of the VW tools (rectangle for instance) a dialog will appear. Fill in the appropriate numbers AND set the 'snap-to' point (you could select the center, for example). Then when you click out of the dialog, your next mouse click will place your object.

    I only use nudge for inaccurate work. But I use the MOVE command a lot for accuracy. Select an object then hit Command(Control)-M and you will get a dialog. Put in numbers and hit OK.

    BTW- we should move this discussion to a more appropriate topic heading. Or if you want you can email me at <cipesp@mind.net>. PLC

    In General - Thanks

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Nolton from Bend: VectorWorks does what you are asking BUT (and this is a big one) you can't do anything else in between. So, you select an object and hit 'command D' to make a duplicate, the duplicate stays selected. Without de-selecting it, drag it to the EXACT position you want. Then with it still selected hit 'command D' again, and again, and etc. My only problem with this method has to do with accuracy (or lack thereof). If your first copy is placed slightly off, all the rest will be as well. PLC (Ashland, Or.)

    Silly dimensioning question

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Stella, you can uncheck the "show dimension" box in the object info pallete and then write your own number as a header. We do this a lot when we want to show only feet & inches without fractions. One word of caution: make sure your chains still add up to your total or your builders will laugh (or worse) at you! PLC

    Multi-floor Roofs

    in Architecture

    Posted

    Not to put words in Robert's mouth, but I would normally show "roof below" on any plan view which is above (like a ground level porch roof, as seen from the second story). For me this is only for graphic integrity, but it may also be an architectural convention. Glad to hear your model is working! PLC

    Multi-floor Roofs

    in Architecture

    Posted

    Oh, as I'm re-reading your question, I'm thinking: or you can create a new layer. You'll need to set the appropriate "z" and "delta z" values and then you'll need to add it to your LINKED LAYERS (if you are modeling). PLC

    Multi-floor Roofs

    in Architecture

    Posted

    I think this is the easiest way to get where you're going: Draw your new roof elements in the (lower) floor plan layer and give them the appropriate bearing height (8'?9'?). Let me know if it works!.

    PLC MacG4/450DP

    vw 9.5 on mac os X

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Katie, are you saying that all OS X / VW 9.5 users will need a dongle & driver? What happens to those of us who have no free USB port (for me because I already have a dongle for MacPlot)??? Would we need to buy a USB hub just to have room for the dongle? While I understand that dongles are cool in terms of preventing software piracy, I think it's slightly over-the-top for us long-time users. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. PLC/ G4/ etc.

    Positioning doors and windows

    in Architecture

    Posted

    Michael, for what it's worth, I also do a lot of as-built drawings for remodels and I've gotten really fast (as I'm sure you are too) checking window/door locations using lines. I draw a line at the appropriate corner then use the move command. Then I actually use another line line to measure to the window edge. Then I use the position button to and add or subtract to move the plug-in. It sounds like a big pain, I know, but it guarantees me accuracy, and in the whole scope of a job it is a very small piece, $$$-wise. PLC

    PLotting

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    The best way I've found to do this is trial & error. I ran a sheet with a lot of different line weights, colors, grays, patterns, etc. and then compared the results to what I saw on my monitor. Here's a couple tips: if you want natural, even looking gray scales make sure that your dithering (in the pull-down in the page setup dialog) is set to "scatter". Test lots of weird colors as some of them may pleasantly surprise you. Also, be sure to take your test sheet to be copied the same way you copy your finished drawings. We no longer use bluelines because we were losing too much control over the copies, too much variation. We now use "blackline" (actually a photo copy process) which gives fairly consistent results. PLC Mac/HP

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