panthony
-
Posts
486 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Articles
Marionette
Store
Posts posted by panthony
-
-
Bandwidth!
I did not change anything and the download worked fine.
Pete A
-
I have recieved the same error text:
There was an error in GetAndInstallUpdates.
Exception Type: exceptions.UnboundLocalError
Exception Value: local variable 'zipObj' referenced before assignment
Exception Stack:
File "InstallerScript.pyc", line 1238, in GetAndInstallUpdates
File "InstallerScript.pyc", line 826, in OpenZipFile
Tried to start download a second time and recieved the same error.
Installing to Windows XP over VW 12.0.1
Pete A
-
JoeF,
OK....heres the stuff!
Vectorworks will work just like most other CAD programs on the market when it comes to drawing and generating simple line views from a model. Here is the exception...Vectorworks provides you numouros tools with which to develop a complex model that when either rendered as an image or, in the case of condocs, display hidden lines intended for the user to paint with textures or hatches, apply notations and dimensions in order to communicate precisely the intentions of the designer or architect. Many of the tools provided make the task of drawing extremely simple, quick and easy to perform allowing for adequete time to train on the system.
Here is the cool part...you can get a complex as you want the adding elements to the model which will reduce drafting time for presentation. For example...if you wanted to show lap siding, corner boards and frieze trim it can be done either in a viewport with paint on tools or through 3d objects placed on the model. Now of course it takes considerable time to develop the 3d objects on the front end but as you build your 3d library that time will be shorter per house. On the other hand you can slowly build your library as you utilize viewport hidden line and paint hatched to display on your condocs.
Parts of the program that are ready to go...
1. Windows and doors are inserted with parametrics...easy no brainer.
2. Walls are parametric...very easy!
3. Roof structres...very complex designs are obtainable.
4. Interior components...most are parametric and easy to install.
5. General drafting...logical application of text, lines, hatches, textures, colors and symbols make it exceptional for the user to get used to.
Now is Vectorworks the best....you have to be the judge. I personally have operated many of the top systems available on the market with great success, howerever I now use Vectorworks because it is a very easy program to learn, gives me as much freedom I want to design and finally, it's quick...I can draw faster with more detail than ACAD and many of the other systems and to me I need a system that is quick.
You can use textures/images then print to PDF as grey scale which looks very professional. It's a different way to present condocs but it works very well.
You need to go on the NNA site and preview the gallary of images there are some finished product of condocs that will surely interst you.
Pete A.
-
Katie,
I beg to disagree with you, however the polygon fill tool works excellent in VP's with hidden line rendering selected...even when you use sketch options. You do not need to convert anything from the model.
Now if you are in model space within a layer and you copy your model...create a view...and then convert to (hidden line) in the active class you can fill with the polygon fill tool also. Seems like a wasted effort when the VP's allow you to perform the same function.
Here's the kicker....! you can copy (CNTL>D) viewports and have available alternate versions to apply different surface textures, hatches and fill. Clients love Alt plan "B". Class overrides have even more function in this type operation.
Pete A.
-
I do not know if this has anything to do with corruption of files but since I took away layer and class control from the system I have had zero corruption issues. After the second project file crashed it really messed up the VW operating program which required a re-install. I have never been able to identify the cause of the corruption. Workgroup referencing helped to recover most of the data however.
Since then I have set up my own layer, class, sheet and VP structure that I manage and it is working great.
Pete A
-
BiplabNNA,
I seem to have consideralble "jerk-i-ness" to VP's when I have more than one VP per sheet with lots of hatch, fill, lines, text and dimens in the VP annotation.
Any....thoughts.......
to
.....
speed things
...................up
would be
appreciated.
After all I've run out of nails to drive into my forhead.
Pete A
-
I have found it easier to select multiple entities using the alt select and then using the 2d reshape tool marquee around the affected area and the using the ctrl-M "Move" command and typing in the accurate distance to move.
Pete A
-
The fill tool is great for VP's!
Make sure you set your 3D res to low in order to speed up the VP and SVP's..they seem to lag when it is set too high.
Pete A
-
cassey,
If XP is not set up to recognize character mapping than you must do so. Check to see if you have the right set up...go to http://www.unicode.org/ and see what they have to say and also follow the windows help system to see how to set up your system to recognize mapping.
Pete A
-
Mike,
I realize that the roof tool will create the simple roof I used as an example. However the roof tool will not work on the complex roof samples I displayed. In the case of the complex roof layouts you need to work with simple roof objects to build most of the structure than you need to convert to hidden line and trace over with polys to make the planes. The roof tool needs some work to create complex structures and with that work I believe that NNA will add the trim plane features that we are all looking to see.
Pete A
-
Don,
You need to change the default class in the plug-in editor under tools > Scripts > VectorScript Plug-In Editor. This will open the editor window where you can scroll down and find the Stair Script. Highlight the Stair Script and the select the Properties Button...then add the class you want as the default under Default Class:.
You can change this as often as you need to put stairs on different classes. This will ensure that the stairs do not revert back to Vert Trans-Main Class when you modify them...howerver each time you edit the stairs they will be classed to the default in the Object properties window.
Pete Anthony
-
I believe you can assign a default class in the object properties window under the "Stairs" Vectorscript plug-in editor.
Yup...I do not use auto classing and have changed the default to one of my classes and the stairs drop to that class all the time...I also assign the arrows and data to one of my classes using the 2D Detail section of the General tab in the Stair Settings window (by default they will drop to the active class unless specified in this window). I've tried to change the class parameters but they do not read modifications....
Pete Anthony
-
Have you tried using the "Hide wall components" selection in the documents prefrences? It might help to hide small wall component detail at reduced scale drawings.
-
Kaare,
I believe that your nail in the head thing is very descriptive. You may have some issues....uh..yah you might need to seek some help. But in the meantime have you been able to isolate the specific keystrokes prior to it defaulting back to the zoom tool. I have noticed that I am always causing my problems with the sensitivity of my keyboard and that I hit keys very lightly causing a shift to the zoom tool...also I seem to create duplicate viewports when I bump the control-D accidently when I control-S to save.
However....they have taken all the hammers and nails from me at my workstation because I threatened to cause harm to myself and those around me with my CADD frustrations.....They took my scissors, staple pullers, rulers, pens and pencils (I must use crayons...they say I can't hurt myself with crayons). Heck...they even make me use a corded mouse because my cordless was to close to a grenade. But I kind of like the view through the little window in my new padded office....reminds me of...hmmmm..well...dang zoom tool!!!...I gotta go...it's really difficult to work CADD with a straight jacket on....you know the mouse gets tangled up in the....
-
Most of the object inserted into a wall penetrate entirely through like a window. However there are some instances when you need to have only a partial cut into a wall such as a beam pocket in a masonry wall. Up to now I have created a symbol with the back half of the wall behind the 3d solid and insert the symbol into the wall with full break and no caps defined. To simulate an actual cut out of the masonry wall I built the solid with 3d polys leaving the face out to show a hole in the wall. This symbol once installed may be adjusted in "Z" height and shows well in plan view.
I have had to create redundant symbols to cover most occurances of a masonry beam pocket but once you have one it is just a matter or duplicating and modifying existing symbols.
Following is the different graphics:
1.) 2 dimensional (plan view)
2.) 3D inserted into wall
3.) 3D view of actual symbol
The only issue I have encountered that shows poorly is the edge surface of the wall at the top and sides where the beam pocket inserts next to will not be cut by the symbol. If there was a way to subtract or mask out the wall edges that collide with the symbol it would make the 3D view and hidden line rendering show better.
Any comments would be appreciated.
Pete Anthony
-
Here is how I find the valley lines in 2d using VW....
Please excuse the large images as I am trying to show detial lost with reduced image sizes.
And here is an example of 5 complete roof hidden lines using the way stated above.
-
Arch.Ken
Here is how you find the valley lines in 2d using VW....
And here is an example of 5 complete roof hidden lines using the way stated above.
I hope this answers your question and dispells any confusion in the ability of locating a work-around.
-
Question I have is....are you creating two seperate roof structures at different pitches that collide with each other without trimming to the break at the valleys. If so than your collision intersection will never produce a hard line on a hidden line rendering because there is no collison object created that the system can see.
However if you take the two roof objects and convert to lines with hidden line option selected than using that drawing as a guide to create roof faces you will create a roof that provides absolute accuracy in the the valley cut.
I've done all this using the power of the CAD that VW has provided.
Pete Anthony
-
Chisa,
Create a poly and change is attribute to the texture than export it as an image in an alternate directory on your hard drive. I have done all mine to 48" square ploys and exported each to an image directory as JPG files where windows has no problem viewing in thumbnails.
Pete Anthony
-
Mike m,
I appreciate your candid view of the "this is the way I've been doin' it for years...why change" guys. Sometimes when you've got a product that is doing just fine and your making a decent living using the product why change it. To the user that works just fine...however, to the the software manufacturer it is certain death. Can you just imagine where you'd be if you had to draw with the old mechanical arm and pencil and where would we be if we had to ride horses to the office. Change is tough...but necessarry so people may complain but they will still get on board.
Not to long ago I developed a way to heat and cool homes without using conventional fossil fuel powered devices saving literally thousands of dollars. You would think that people would be lining up to get this technology...but they aren't because they have a choice and they are going to stick with what they know even if it means costing them much more in the long run. Now if your builder delivered you new home to you and you found out that he had added several upgrades to the HVAC system that advanced your home to the next level of technology you might complain and moan how it's different and complicated to learn the new ways but eventually you would see the logic behind the addition and would not only accept it but promote it to all the people who were looking to heat and cool thier homes.
That's software...
Pete Anthony
-
Islandmon,
I apprectiate your rule...however, when I have the occasion to insert a new window or door I tend to insert as a plug-in rather than symbol. Then If I find that I use the object a second time I import to my favorites library and save it as a symbol for future use. I have had to index my symbols into a numbered system and have a hardbound binder which keeps track of the numurous symbols collected over the years. Being new to VW I have adapted the same concept to my symbol library creating a new binder to index and categorize symbols.
Pete Anthony
-
One of the main reasons for relying on viewports for annotation is it's flexability for creative artistry. As a designer I find myself needing to create multiple versions of the model for potential client. I perform work for production builders nationwide. In this type of environment I must be able to come up with several versions of elevations for potential use in the end product. VW has provided the perfect avenue to perform complex versions with the manipulation of classes and layers. I can create several floor plan options with alternate roof parameters and the assemble the complex versions in the viewports. This has become a huge time saver in the presentation and eventual mobilization to the final product. I always have a record of the past versions residing on seperate design layers so returning to previous desings is quick and reduces my draw time.
Now the issue is when I perform one off designs for individual clients. Here is where all the benifit comes into play....my clients can be walked through the design process with multiple versions for selection of the final design. They may pick and choose different ideas and options presented on the multiple classes and layers used (even though they have no idea how I structured my model)...they only see the options I've presented. The candy is...I've allready worked all the geometry and design logic out in the multiple redundant model variations so making the final presentation is a breeze in just assembling the proper layers and classes to build the selected variations from the client and then adding dimens, notes and misc graphics to the final viewport.
I can do all of this with ADT but it takes me twice as long so I can now spend more time being creative rather than being draftsman with VW.
Pete Anthony
-
I have the same issues with rendered display only. 2d lines and fill zoom into the thousands of an inch. OpenGL fails at 7579% zoom factor.
Using NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT Card on a Pentium 4 3GHz 1GB Ram machine with MS xp Pro
Pete A
-
Slothrop,
You may save a single occurance of a window or door as a symbol and any revisions you make to the symbol within the drawing will affect all occurances of the symbol. However, this means that you will need to create redundant symbols for instances where the window or door parameters will be different...say for instance you would like see the same window in two seperate locations with different head heights. This will require two symbols of the same window with different parameters. I have set up my standard window configs as symbols to make it quicker to insert them to the model. If I need to modify a single instance to change the parameters than I duplicate the symbol, change the parameters and insert to the model. I also save the new symbol to my favorites standards drawing for future use.
Hope this helps.
Pete A.
Wall Components in Section
in Wishes Granted / Issues Resolved
Posted
OK...let us go much deeper into the crevass of graphics.
Here is the ultimate scenario...
I would like to see a BIM that was truly dynamic in sections and viewports. Wall sections aside...give me the ability to alter individual walls and wall parameter components...ie. siding, studs, sheathing, 3D visualization and so on and you will empower me to go beyond the standard and excel to the next level of dimension. If I had the ability to defing individual wall components in 2D and 3D defining sheathing, siding, framing, drywall, veneer....but wait don't stop there *****It would be revolutionary to have a multiple dimensional control over individual wall components in the same space...lets say a 1/2 brick wall under siding condition....all the while I could still frame conventionally!!!.
Ouch! I just pinched myself...#@%*11N#)%. Dang...I was dreaming.
Ring....ring....hello?...you want a visualization concept sketch....oh...ok...I'll have something for you in 7 to 10...thanks.. click.
Back to work....VW IS STILL better than ADT////...Oh my..!
Lions and Tigers and Bears...