Tom G.

> Kool Aid, >I am really curious..are you REALLY using a Mac Plus??? I'm very envious of the Jasmine Backpack. It must have really set Kool Aid back a few bucks!

Do SketchUp 7 imports still lose their textures when imported? The Arch demo showed a SU import with no textures and then, in a later view, the import was textured. Were these textures added after the model had been imported into Vwks?

Questions: Planar graphics: Can they follow the grade or only work on a flat surface? Unified Design: Can we measure between elements on different layers? If I make a DLVP of a model, I CAN measure between elements on different layers and of course, can in the old style of a model created using the Model View tool. Constraint Dimensioning: Can you pull from a wall component and have it lock or are only able to constrain to the outside of the siding or the outside of sheetrock?

New free how-to videos have been uploaded to Viddler.com http://www.viddler.com/search_detailed/?searchString=Video+for+left+handers Last year, in response to writing my Convert to Lines Seattle Vectorworks Users Group newsletters (http://converttolines.blogspot.com), I was asked if I couldn?t please illustrate my text-only explanations with pictures or videos of some kind. That winter, I began creating a series of videos designed for the newer user, the sole proprietor and those working in the residential, light construction market. Recently I?ve produced a couple of new videos plus rewritten others such that there is now a block of tutorials which gives the user an overview of 3D object creation and display via Viewports. Also explored is the creation of Design Layer Viewports and hybrid ways to control unwanted lines. The videos available are: VectorWorks for Left Handers: 3D Tutorial Part 1 VectorWorks for Left Handers: 3D Tutorial Part 2 VectorWorks for Left Handers: 3D Tutorial Part 3 VectorWorks for Left Handers: Hidden Line Tutorial VectorWorks for Left Handers: Viewports Tutorial also VectorWorks for Left Handers: Color and Texture VectorWorks for Left Handers: Workspace Editing They average about 20 to 30 minutes each. I?ve called this group VectorWorks for Left Handers because I?ve felt for a long time that the process of creating layers and setting heights of the elements within those layers was easier than implied by the software itself as well as the online manual. I?d like to provide a left-of-center, right-brained approach to using this powerful software, a tool I find indispensable in my professional life. There is no wrong way to use VectorWorks, in my opinion, only ways to be more effective and efficient in how you display your work. Conversely, there is no single right way to teach VectorWorks. I expect that others, having invested hard-won time in developing their own methods, will have important perspective to add to any discussion on technique or that advanced users may wish to look elsewhere for more focused help. It has been my pleasure to create and provide these. I want to especially thank Steve Scaysbrook for his encouragement in my getting them uploaded to Viddler. Take a moment to view one of Steve?s videos here: http://www.viddler.com/explore/scays/videos/15/ Cheers, Tom Greggs

Convert to Lines #37 is up at http://converttolines.blogspot.com/

In my 3D tutorial I explain the reasons for the above behavior and a simple way to structure your layers which will avoid the problem. Go to http://converttolines.blogspot.com and follow the link to the public folder. Once there, download the free 3D Tutorial.

I disagree. I want Vwks to provide a structurally accurate representation of my model so that the logic of the design remains intact. How is Vwks supposed to extract the correct information from your faux curtain wall? Does this put a kink in your BIM? How about I click on the bad line and it is rendered invisible? That would make me happy in several circumstances. The program already does this during Hidden Line Rendering.

>To get out of perspective, go to View > Perspective > Orthogonal. If you do a lot of perspective, you'll want to use a shortcut for that. Doesn't Cmd + 5 or Ctrl + 5 also work? It does when you are using the Camera tool.

Download and watch the 3D tutorial found at http://converttolines.blogspot.com The last three newsletters all contain directions into the folder bearing free tutorials.

Go to http://converttolines.blogspot.com/ to find links to this free 17 minute video which is designed to show how to add colors and textures to 3D objects.

Go to http://converttolines.blogspot.com/ to find links to this free 17 minute video which is designed to show how to add colors and textures to 3D objects.

The Create Roof palette needs to be re-ordered. The default palette shows zero eave overhang--it is the ninth input box. The first box is for eave profile. If you set this first box for eave style you immediately get an irritating warning that you should have an overhang, what with rain and all (I'm from Seattle so I get it) but this box should be SECONDARY to eave overhang so we don't continually trip this setting. Every user must battle this pop-up warning unless they do the user-unfriendly act of setting the ninth box prior to setting the first box. Please move the eave profile BELOW the eave overhang OR, less practical, place a default number into the overhang box. Thanks

Convert to Lines #35, the newsletter of the Seattle Vwks User Group, is out and contains links to a new, free 25 minute tutorial on setting user preferences. This video is intended for the newer user or those who have not upgraded for awhile. http://converttolines.blogspot.com/

I never comment on a thread where Petri holds sway as I expect to be insulted. He regularly jumps on newer Community Board users. We old timers know what's coming and stay away but we are complicit in helping him sting others if we never respond. Don't get mad at Jeffery for calling out this bad behavior.

Here in the West, this has been a popular brick and it would be a simple matter to add a texture representing this special sizing. Thanks!

Mike! Thanks for creating the tutorial. Where can Brent send the money? Some of us have also created tutorials (http://converttolines.blogspot.com) and will accept money anytime! NNA has been glacially slow at populating the tutorials rack. They are getting better--there is a very new one, perhaps not yet ready to be turned loose into the general population, on exhibit design that is wonderful and should be seen by anyone and everyone who uses VectorWorks. Brent: if you learn any tricks of your own along the way to becoming good at eyebrow dormers, pass em on!

Convert to Lines #34 is out and can be found at http://converttolines.blogspot.com/ Included with tips and tricks is a new video tutorial describing how to manage, as simply as possible, the elevation in space of layers holding 3d objects. Feel free to add yourself as a Follower if interested in future posts.

Lovely. You've helped make my point, I think. You can still create layers for other 3D objects with Z's set higher than zero provided you are mindful of Vwks additive habits.

Bruce: What I'm saying is, if you are drawing a house, which will typically need several layers to hold various groups of 3D objects, go ahead and set the Z height of each layer holding those objects, as Pat Stanford has laid out. If you are drawing something whose parts could easily reside on one or two layers, leave the Z at zero and just move your 3D elements manually, above or below the zero base line as needed, whichever layer they are on (since they share the same base line), in order to make a complete model. In either case, use Stack Layers to assemble those layers holding 3D info. The potential problem with setting Z heights and Delta Z (typically used to automatically set a wall's height) is that Vwks tries to help you by taking the last setting for Z or Delta Z and adds it to your newest layer, whether that layer was made in order of the building's construction or not. Thus it assumes you intend to start from the bottom and work up to the top in a very organized way. Vwks expects you to know what you want beforehand and this is contrary to the way some of us work. Therefore one needs to keep track of this pesky habit and zero out the additive amounts when needed or risk finding their objects launched into space. Those working on simpler projects or those with fewer blocks of 3D elements need never fight this tendency if they keep Z and Delta Z at zero at all times and just move the objects relative to the Z height shared by all layers. You can also mix and match. Set the layers for all stories holding walls as Pat has said, and make one layer set at Zero to hold misc. 3D elements like floor volumes. Create each floor, then manually move it to up or down to fit between the walls. Setting this layer to 0'-0" simply gives you a solid reference that you can return to in your thinking. You also gain the opportunity to make this layer invisible when printing floor plans (Top/Plan) if the extra lines from these misc. items complicates the view.

If you are having problems getting the DWG output you want from your 3D viewports, you might try using the exploded lines process discussed in detail and with video tutorial in the last two newsletters found here: www.converttolines.blogspot.com The 32nd letter has a text discussion, the 33rd includes links to a video which can be downloaded.

I tested the free DWG TrueView 2009 reader from AutoCad on the Windows XP partition of my MacBook Pro (OS 10.5.5, Vwks 2009 Designer SP2) sending over a multisheet file in DWG and the translation was great* except for fonts which is no surprise considering I use Arial Narrow which I've not yet placed in XP and so the default font caused the text to run long. Otherwise, it was a revelatory experience to see the file on AutoCad's turf. They do shake a boney finger at you with the warning that the file you are importing WAS NOT created in AutoCad. The Microspot viewer is $49 US, as a download. I think Jeffrey said it was $110? *I did not print the set from the PC side, only viewed it.

Let me add some clarification to the above points. First off, some editing for clarity offline on my part prior to posting would have been wise. Second of all, Peter: as a great admirer of yours, let me say I did not intend to dismiss nor construe your points. I must say again that a new user MAY elect to draw all of his or her 3D elements on one layer set to zero and then move on to setting Z heights, layer by layer, as the complexity of the drawing demands. Beginners and many, many others may elect to place all their 3D elements on one layer OR organize them on as many layers as needed, all set to zero, if they so choose, moving them up or down, as needed. Choosing this path allows the user to move ahead more quickly, eliminating quite a bit of overhead in my opinion, and so is worth considering. Layers can have a Z setting for when you want or need objects placed in relation to a second, third, or fourth Zero. This is an aid to organization but not a requirement. Those of us drawing architecturally benefit more by setting Z heights of layers than other users, I would submit. Bruce K. says "I know that using the appropriate Z value for each layer is necessary." Helpful perhaps, but not necessary. Just to add my own point to Pat's last post about windows and doors (i'm not in disagreement). A wall can be drawn on a layer set to zero but can be moved up in space to 25', let's say. A window or door placed in that wall will be set off its bottom to a default height of 6'-8". It won't be placed 6'-8" above the bottom of the layer. WIndows and doors take their first cue from the wall, not the Z of the layer. They can be reset by using the OIP to move in relation to the Z height of the layer if you wish them to not relate to the bottom of the wall. The one thing I'm not sure about is if layers are really gas filled. Whether I am or not is best judged by others.

I would say that layers have no Z height, despite the implication of the settings boxes found in the Organization palette. Setting a Z height in the Org palette merely tells certain objects where to hang themselves in space. If you don't input a setting, the object will default to zero, as Pat says with his "chairs" example. So layers are really like big gas filled voids that go on forever with only the objects within moving up or down as we determine. Peter makes the point about design layers sharing the same Z space and I would underline this by saying this is the only way layers exist. A rectangle extruded into a cube has to be set manually, typically by shifting to a front view (if extruded when in Top/Plan View) and using the Move command (Command+M or Control+M) to go up or down. There is no way for the layer to tell it where to be. Floors and walls are more intelligent and can be set in space by using the Object Info palette. You need not ever use the Z settings in the Org palette if you don't want to. Keep them all at 0" and use the Object Info palette and the Move tool instead. You can work up to using the input boxes of the Org palette as your model becomes more complex and you find yourself struggling with too many items winding up at zero.

To get exploded lines from viewports--which should give you a simpler DXF to export (while still keeping back an updatable template layer)--try this workaround shown in the video tutorial called Hidden Line Editing. Links to the video can be found here in the #33 newsletter: www.converttolines.blogspot.com A text counterpart exists in the #32 newsletter. Can you simply agree with your A'Cad counterpart to use the same font?

Convert to Lines #33 is available at www.converttolines.blogspot.com Links to new, free movie tutorials can also be found there for downloading and viewing on your desktop.