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Graphite Studios

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  1. Thanks, the update process now works without any problems. I was able to install SP2 by simply running the updater I originally downloaded again.
  2. I'm still receiving the message 'Your version of Vectorworks was checked against the most current version and no updates are needed at this time' when attempting to update with the installer. While in VectorWorks however, the 'check for updates...' menu item does indicate a newer version is available and directs me to the update web page. Do I need to re-download the installer as well? Thanks! Patrick
  3. Thanks for the quick reply Pat. I guess I can use that to control my detail key information. I hoped that the drawing labels would be attached to the viewports they are associated with so that if they are moved or changed the section key on my plan views would be automatically updated. Just not quite a automated as I hoped unless I am missing something else. Thanks again! Patrick
  4. Probably obvious, but is there a way to rename section viewports or otherwise attach drawing label information between keys? I'd like to be able to reference my sections on floor plans with a section key such as '1/A3.3'. Enabling 'auto-text', the section key information shows up in my plan views as something similar to 'Section-2/A.3.3'. I can enter the correct information in the OIP, but would really like to use the 'auto-text' feature for coordination (speed, accuracy, less errors). I seem unable to get the desired result regardless of how my section viewport drawing label (annotation on my section sheets) is configured. The 'item' portion of 'item'/'sheet' options seems to only want to reference the section viewport name. Perhaps my method of implementing section viewports is incorrect. Thanks! Patrick
  5. I can confirm the same behavior with my VW2008 SP2. I am able to exhibit the same issue you've outlined when I select 'Top' view. Patrick
  6. Hi Katie: No rotated plan view here... occurs even in a blank, new file using unstyled walls, unmodified workspaces, etc. For myself, this is a fresh, new install of VW2008 (with SP1) on a new Mac without any plugins or other modifications. Patrick
  7. Hello: This is very similar to the issues I have been having with constraining of walls, lines, etc. while drawing. The issue appears randomly (though consistently) for me as well in blank new files using unstyled walls, unmodified workspaces, etc. For myself, this is a fresh, new install of VW2008 on a new Mac without any plugins, etc. There seems to be no logic to the values of the 'constrained angles' walls/lines snap to. The tooltips that identity the 'shift-constrained' wall/line seem to have no relation to the coordinate system of the drawing or each other for that matter. For instance, the tooltips that read 'horizontal' and 'vertical' are definitely not perpendicular to each other or the orthogonal system of the model. The values, as dcont states, appear completely random. The databar seems to work fine only if I do not enter any values or if I do not try to constrain the wall/line I am drawing. Perhaps there is an obvious convention or setting I have overlooked, but something seems not quite right with the databar. Patrick
  8. Hello: This is probably a simple problem on my part, but I'd don't recall this being an issue with VW 2008 prior to the SP1 update. Previously, I have been able to draw walls using the 'shift' key to constrain the drawing of walls along the horizontal or vertical axis. This is still the case except when I enter a length for a new wall segment. Typically the active wall length is fine, but the next (and subsequent) wall lengths snap to odd angles when I use 'shift' to constrain for horizontal/vertical. The smartcursor tip reads as horizontal, vertical, etc. but the walls are definitely no longer correctly oriented relative to the other 'horizontal/vertical' geometry. This is confirmed by the databar angle field - such as a 'vertical wall' constraint snap at 97.15d. It is as if a new origin/axis point is created when I enter the length for the wall segment. I've attached some images to illustrate this issue. Perhaps there is a setting or other step I am missing? I am still learning my way around VW, but as I mentioned, I did not recall this being an issue prior to the 2008 SP1 update. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Patrick
  9. I use a similar technique to panthony. I put the upper windows in a class I make such as "clerestory" and this allows me to control the visibility for the plan view. The walls at the "plan level" appear solid just as I want them to. Hope this helps! Patrick
  10. Another alternative may be using 'blogware' or similar type of applications that allow access to a variety of file types (images, .DOCs, .PDFs, etc.). Wordpress for example, has a wealth of plug-ins to control users, features such as calendars, photo galleries (think project galleries/updates), interactive commenting, etc. These features could be adapted quite well for projects. Of course the intended use would need to be considered with respect to the application's EULA. Ultimately, the simplest options are the 'old-fashioned email to clients' as PDFs or Katie's suggestion of hosting files on your FTP/web server. But there are some other options in the same 'price' range as Google Docs. Hope this helps! Patrick
  11. Hi Katie: The heads-up display sounds like a great feature. Does it support input based on mouse gestures/inference (movement in horizontal, vertical, along line, etc.) to determine the appropriate input field? This would be a huge feature for my workflow and greatly enhance my production if a 'smart' feature such as this automatically highlights the appropriate input field based on the direction of the mouse movement, rather than needing to 'tab' to x, y, etc. Thanks! Patrick
  12. Thanks Gideon, this is basically what I am looking for! I'll have to play with this a bit more but it would be great if the space tool were a little more robust so it could work in a similar fashion. The ability to 'lock' a space to a specified area/size is invaluable in schematic design. This would allow the designer to quickly arrange spaces while still maintaining the target area/size of the building program. Thanks again!
  13. Thanks for the responses and tips, there are indeed many conventions and standards of practice one can use in dimensioning walls for construction documents. The primary intent of my question is in regards to exterior walls since the layout of these usually coincides with the foundation footprint, sheathing modules, etc. For instance, if my exterior wall has finishes, siding, insulation board, or other materials that project past the face of the foundation, how does one apply associative dimensions to assure that the face framing = face of foundation? I can dimension to the face of framing, but if the length of the wall needs to be changed for whatever reason, I need to update those dimensions manually (is it correct that dimensions are not associative except to outside/inside finish faces and centerlines of walls?). I guess it would be very helpful in some instances such as mine to have the added feature of associative dimensions to each of the control points of wall framing - exterior and interior face of framing as well as centerline of wall. This would give greater flexibility for dimensioning (particularly exterior walls) those conditions where the finish material may be 'variable' such as stone veneer wall system or a wall where a mixture of siding types may be applied to the same wall sub-assembly (different siding thicknesses, profiles, etc). It is in these types of assemblies where the face of framing dimensions can be a useful reference point. Thanks again for the replies!
  14. I'd like to the ability to dimension to 'face of stud' but also show all my wall components if desired for a particular drawing. Can associative dimensions be used in this application? Typically it is common practice in my region to dimension to face of framing unless the work involves renovation or other special conditions. This provides a clear and logical reference point during construction since no on-site mathwork is needed to work back from finishes in determining wall locations. Face of framing dimensions are consistent with the sequence of construction (framing first... finishes last). I certainly can replace wall styles etc. to get the assembly I need, but is there a way to use associative dimensions for face of framing without needing to change wall styles after I dimension? It seems as though only exterior/interior corners, wall centerline, etc. are valid points for associative dimensions. For instance, if I use a wall style like the default 'Ext-2x6 Siding' and wish to create a wall that is 10'-0" long (framing), it is difficult to get a true 'framed wall' length without going through the wall-style switch. Indeed it is important to document the actual 'finish' dimension of an assembly, but it is perhaps more important to provide clear dimensional information for the sub-assembly (i.e. wall framing) particularly to trades in the field. I realize I am probably missing something simple here so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
  15. It would greatly enhance the speed of my workflow for move/copy to work like this. It does take quite of bit of dexterity as indicated to move a specified distance as it currently functions. I'd also like to see a more intuitive feature such that once the command is invoked, a simple mouse gesture (horizontal, vertical, along line, etc.) determines the appropriate input field. The input field would automatically become highlighted based on the direction of the mouse movement, rather than needing to 'tab' to x, y, etc.
  16. Thanks for the replies! I have used the Workspace Editor in the past to customize my workspace as well as create palettes of tools I frequently use. I will work on creating scripts to provide the functions I need. I was just wishing it could be a little easier, especially for commands/functions that already exist in VectorWorks. Thanks again!
  17. Perhaps I am missing something being a relatively new user to Vectorworks, but I'd like to have the option to create a tool palette (similar to 'constraints') for standard views - top/plan, front, right, etc. I know I can use keyboard shortcuts or pull-down menus, but the familiarity of a simple set of view icons seems like a logical option. It is a standard feature I have grown accustomed with in the various other 3D modeling apps I regularly use. Additionally, an undo/redo set of tool icons would be a nice option as well. These simple, 'industry standard' type options are typically part of every interface and would enhance the customization of the program. Thanks!
  18. I can understand the challenge of complex shapes. As I mentioned, if it is possible to have a 'fixed area' for simple shapes such as squares, rectangles, and triangles, that would be really helpful. Ideally, one could lock an edge(s) or vertex(s) and still be able to manipulate the fixed area shape somewhat. This at least gives the designer a quick way to organize spaces through manipulation of their proportions while 'invisibly' maintaining the target area/size. Thanks!
  19. Ideally I'd be able to fix a length of one of the polygon's edges. Using that variable, and the target area/size for the space, a polygon for the space would result. Then perhaps I could select one of the edges to change (based on a structural grid, etc.) and the resulting polygon would still maintain the required area. For example, say I have a required program area of 400 s.f. The initial polygon generated may be a square that is 20'x20'. I then select an edge that I want to be a specific size, say 16' (based on my structural grid). The polygon would update to a new shape that is 16'x25' (still 400 s.f.). I am less concerned about repositioning the space object than maintaining the target area during early design. This process is akin to the old practice of using scale paper cutouts of rooms and then arranging them to work out design solutions. The great benefit of doing this electronically is the ability to change the proportions of the spaces quickly (with no manual calculations) while still meeting the critical target area requirements Essentially I'd like eliminate the manual calculation I need to do as a designer when doing a plan layout, even if it just applies to simple shapes like rectangles, squares, etc. When working on a project with dozens of spaces, even that would make a huge difference.
  20. Perhaps this can already be done... if so, please point me in the right direction. When space planning, I almost without exception deal with a target area specified from the building program (i.e. 150 s.f. Entryway, 500 s.f. Meeting Room, etc.). It is these numbers that correlate to function/needs as well as help establish the project budget. A feature that would be absolutely invaluable during schematic planning would be the ability to specify/define a fixed area for a polygon, then be able to manipulate its shape while still maintaining the area. For instance, say a room of 500 s.f. could be created with the space tool. Once created, the shape could be changed but the area 'rubberbands' to maintain the specified area. This logic would be consistent with architectural programming where required areas are defined, etc. With the current space tool, it is a bit of a hit and miss game to determine the space dimensions, etc. that match a required area. Any reshaping of the space using the current tool changes the area as well. A much better solution from a designer's perspective would be to enter a program area size and have a square polygon generated. This 'space polygon' could then be reshaped, etc. but would stay the target size/area as specified by the building program.
  21. Thanks for your reply Charles. That would definitely be a useful tool in order to easily illustrate the total parking spaces on a site. Currently it is kind of tedious to do parking totals on a large site or to make revisions. A change to any of the parking 'bays' means a manual update of all the numbering downstream from the change. Our planning department typically requires numbering of all the standard parking spaces on a site plan (not including accessible spaces). I'll contact you about a script. Thanks! Patrick
  22. Hello: I am looking for how to link all the parking space numbers on a site sequentially, without manually having to change the starting number for each bay of spaces. I hope I am just missing something obvious. Thanks in advance. Patrick
  23. I was able to change my registry setting so at least the dialogue for file associations now appears. I've simply left it as the default for now.
  24. I am receiving the same message as well. It appeared after I set my selection in the 'file association' settings dialogue when VW starts. There appears to be no way to access the file association dialogue once again and change my settings. I am logged in as an administrator. Any ideas?
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