Tamsin Slatter

Hi From the Landmark menu, choosing VW Plant Database. I get the dialogue box which asks me where i want to store the resulting VW data and I choose the first option. Then click OK, then nothing happens. No error message, no crashing. VW keeps running, but no database appears. Any ideas? Thanks Tamsin

I can't get the plant database to open - I follow the instructions in the manual to access it, but although it seems to recompile the text files for me, I'm not getting the filemaker pro bit. Just nothing happens. no error messages. Any suggestions? Cheers Tamsin

P.S. If the object is hardscape, you have to apply the texture through a class for it to show.

Does the object you are rendering have a solid fill? This seems to be critical. Do you have anything set in the objects class? If the object is a wall, you will need to specify which parts of the wall take which texture. Hope that helps.

Hi Katie Thanks for answering this. However, if I use a final rendering on the layer which contains the lights, they glow beautifully. It's not the light objects that I want to see - but the light effect. Once this layer is combined in a layer link, the lights go dark! However, I have now discovered model view. This seems to do the trick, although my xfrog objects don't light very well - you can see the background of the image props. But it will do fine for now. For future reference, which is best in this scenario - Layer Link or Model View???

Hi Katie Thanks for answering this. However, if I use a final rendering on the layer which contains the lights, they glow beautifully. It's not the light objects that I want to see - but the light effect. Once this layer is combined in a layer link, the lights go dark! However, I have now discovered model view. This seems to do the trick, although my xfrog objects don't light very well - you can see the background of the image props. But it will do fine for now. For future reference, which is best in this scenario - Layer Link or Model View???

Hi I hope this isn't a stupid question. I have created lots of light objects. They render beautifully on their own layer. However, I have other 3d objects on other layers which I would like to include in my render. I have created a layer link. All included layers render. But my lights have vanished. Am I missing something obvious? Any help gratefully received. Tamsin

Hi Messing with creating new textures and I am puzzled over what the size fields in the brick bond shaders relate to. Are they real world? Are they page units? And what does the scale factor relate to? I have scoured the manual but failed to come up with the answer. Any help greatly appreciated as always. Tamsin

Hi Katie Sorry for the delay - I needed to find the time to upgrade. I'm now on 12.5.2 (71041) The upgrade completed with no issues or messages other than installation successful. I was on 12.5.0 when I first posted this. I'm afraid I still have the same problem: When I create a report, if I include my comments from the Scheduled Comments field on the "Plant" record, the data in the resulting worksheet is truncated at 64 characters. I have also tried creating a report using the User Comments1 field from the underlying "Plant Record", the same thing happens. It's a nightmare! I've done lots of work on my plant data so I can retrieve it and reuse it easily - and I can't! Thanks for any suggestions

Yeah I understand. I agree that it just isn't quite there. I think the framework is in place but now the developers have to do a lot more work to make this framework more usable.

Hi Katie Yes - just had a look at the sheet layer and yes - there is a line around the outside of the border which is on the edge of the paper size. Is this working as normal? I have no margin set for title block, grid lines are set to none. Border is not filled. If I set pen to None the whole border disappears. Any clues?

Hmm - yes, the whole thing is in a rectangle. The bottom right corner is the insertion point. There is nothing "extra" on this though. Not sure what you're getting at...

OK - fantastic. A big help. Cheers T

Hi When printing pages with a drawing border, there is an extra line printed outside the border. Presumably this is to show the page boundary itself but it doesn't look great. Is there a way to stop this happening and JUST have the one border line. I can export the file to pdf, open it with Illustrator and delete it, but this isn't ideal! Thanks

Hi I have updated my plant database using excel successfully. Is there a similar way to populate my notes database? I want to add all my standard specification information (currently in a word document) but rather than have to cut and paste into the dialogue boxes, is there a file I can access via excel to make this a bit quicker? If so, where can I find it? And presumably I need to back this file/files up before upgrading to 12.5.2 or I will lose any changes I have made? Many thanks!

Hi Richard I use a code which is the first letter of the generic name, then the first three letters of either the species or variety name. Then it's most likely to be a) memorable by you and b) unique on the drawing. e.g. Sgig is Stipa gigantea and CKar is Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' I went through the entire plant database and changed all the ones that were supplied. I also added lists from my local nursery. I did all this using excel though - rather easier than using VW to do it. Time consuming but once done it's done. It IS very disappointing that Place Plant doesn't pick up this info from the database though. Once I have selected the plant I want from the database I copy and paste the Species field into the Name field too. But yes, you have to re-type the height and spread as well as the id which is frustrating. The spread info is taken from the symbol you have chosen, not the underlying plant data. The spacing I can understand why it wants you to manually enter - but not the size of the plant. Maybe one day... However, for me, it's still a HUGE leap forward from a pencil, circle template and an eraser! And then getting a worksheet to count them for me is heaven. Have fun.

Hi I have added some text to the schedule comments section on my plant records (not the plant reference data record, the plant record). When I use a simple plant list, this information is truncated. If I create a custom report the same thing happens. I can increase the size of the column on the worksheet, and my data is not at the 256 character limit. It is truncating at the default column size (about 60 characters). Is there anything I can do about this? I have also tried creating a worksheet from the plant database record, using the notes field and the user comments 1, 2 and 3 fields. Same problem. What am I doing wrong? Is there anything I can do about this other than go directly to the plant reference file itself and cut the text I need? Thanks Tamsin

Thank you! Set the fill to solid in the class, then set the texture, then set the object to inherit class texture. Is that it? Many many thanks. I can go to bed now!

I have tried solid, none and an image fill. Which should I be using?? Thanks for replying - it's past midnight here!

Hi - probably a stupid question but please can anyone help? I have a drawing with lots of 3d polys and hardscapes all rendering beautifully with textures applied through classes. However, I also have several objects which were created using the wall tool. I have tried to apply textures through classes and through the OIP - but to no avail. When I render, they appear in wireframe whilst the rest of the drawing has textures where required. What am I doing wrong? Yes - I do have renderworks and I am on 12.5. Many thanks!

Katie I have Landmark and the Stack Layers command doesn't seem to be available. Is it Architect only? The Layer Link works fine though.

Many thanks So I have to use the attribute mapping tool in order to set the gradient attributes? Thanks T

If I create a gradient and use it to fill a shape, then use the Gradient Settings palette to change the appearance of that gradient all is well HOWEVER, if I then create a SECOND gradient, it appears in the resource browser, I can use it as a fill as usual. But if I try to amend it to be radial etc via the Gradient Settings palette, the second gradient doesn't appear. I can only use my first gradient or the default content. Any ideas?

Katie I just want to add a mass of plants to my plant reference file using excel... I WILL take up your offer and send you over my list, but I need to do a little work on it first so please bear with me. As for adding plant definitions (i.e symbols connected with plants from the database, picking up height and spread attributes etc) that would be lovely - but I'm just interested in enhancing my plant reference database. I'll be in touch on email over the next few days. Thanks for your offer.

Oooh - fab - thanks Katie. That's really kind of you. Do you want to save yourself some work and just send me the step by step? tamsinslatter@hotmail.com Many thanks Tamsin