RickR

I've been experimenting with flattened sections via the new viewport from clip cube function. I haven't had a lot of time to play around but its been promising. The main difference between these and other forms seems to be in two areas. First is drawing annotations in a real design layer rather than on a sheet annotation layer. Now you can work with the underlying viewport (copy to lines), use saved views and other class based tools. In short it's just regular drawing. Second is the clip cube function itself. Because you can move to it or "unflatten" the viewport you can work on objects that are currently cut. It's almost a live true live section. I'm sure there are some hidden issues but new tools bring more choices.

However during an import elements could be copied and converted into different things. Each face should become a 3D surface with a fill color and a texture applied. If you don't have RW then you only see the solid fills. When importing the object(s) should appear EXACTLY like they did in the other software, to the limits of the new software. The worst thing is when nothing happens at all. I am currently working with a file that does not import anything except through .3DS. Other silliness is "components" not becoming symbols and layers not importing. Yes this has been wish listed, I imagine many times over the years.

+1 on all points. Minimizing clicks is a standard programming goal, except to enforce clarity. I suspect these got through because no one bothered to look.

I'm not a big fan of things magically appearing and disappearing. Simply moving my mouse across a drawing is getting to be like seeing a light show. But I love the idea of editing in place. Perhaps a simply editing what is shown, or the Excel trick of putting the formula in the cell. Then edit mode can be the full deal.

I have worksheets for drawing labels and title blocks for their parameters, but didn't include basic attributes. I shared them here: http://techboard.vectorworks.net/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=193412#Post193412

Of course there is a way I did this recently - Selecting: Custom Modification> by object type. - Brings up "Properties" dialog that is like the OIP but has a button for Attributes. - Click on that and set line values as you like. If you're not sure what you'll want then make a new class and use that. The one thing you can't do is change setting to "by Class"

Hmmm, pre-order? I've seen too much vapor-ware to get too excited.

OK

I've posted my worksheets in the shared area. http://techboard.vectorworks.net/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=192747Post192747 Similar worksheets or mods can be made if you have changed the records or use different objects. Many thanks to Pat Stanford's script to get all the fields from a PIO.

2 Worksheets to simplify checking Drawing Labels and Titleblocks for consistency.

I have created a worksheets for both drawing labels and title blocks listing all their settings. (Sorry there isn't just one setting to worry about.) Before printing I always check these to make sure I'm using the same values for most everything. I check font and size settings as well as descriptions. It's also an easy way to update issues dates. (I don't like the issue/rev managers)

If it didn't require being a Position object then you couldn't have any special functions for Positions. You can put a light on anything or nothing. But then you can't get a position summary or have it auto number, etc..

There is probably something about your system that is locking the VW library files. I find it a better practice to always save custom work into my own files with my data files rather than with the program files. This absolutely protects my work from being written over by installation files and allows me to use upgraded standard files when they come out. Most of my symbols, including title blocks I keep in a single resource file that is named starting with a 1, so it sits at the top of my favorites list. The system automatically loads that file into the resource browser so my favorite favorites are quickly accessible.

That and a menu resorting. I'm suggesting that assembly as well as near all these disassemble variations be near each other. Maybe even sub menus with titles that help you decide which to use. Hmm, I'm sure I don't understand all the fine points, but is it possible for the software to apply some intelligence? Just do what can be done with that type of object?

I've also used the PDF route for long worksheets. It's common for me to have lists of theatrical fixtures that run several pages. I set up duplicate objects to be the headers for each page. (something else VW worksheets don't do) It's a pain to set up but it updates almost flawlessly. Yes it's a hack, but I think VW shouldn't duplicate major "office" tools such as word processors and spreadsheets. They should make interacting with those tools as easy as possible. Right now PDF is the only truly universal complex file format.

+1 With the idea that sub groups can be renumbered. 1.0, 1.1, 1.3, 2.0, 2.1 should not go to all 1.x numbering.

Sounds like the easy way is to make duplicate fields; channel, channel large, etc. I would still leave room for error in editing, but it's only the designer...

You haven't lost anything. A symbol made from a PIO inserted with "as PIO" option checked is exactly the same as the original PIO. Without that option checked it stays a symbol without the edit options of the PIO. Think of it as "convert to group-ungroup" for a symbol with only one object.

I believe you could modify both the Lighting Device format and the Label Legend symbols to get far more fields. The basic symbol and data functions should work on these elements as well as Spotlight shipping versions. I've done many similar things with receptacles and DMX ports. Just because there isn't a menu item for it doesn't mean it can't be done!

I like the duplicate tag idea. Sounds like an incomplete inadvertent feature!

Always something to learn. Be careful adding loci - there must be one at the center of the body rotation. It also becomes the light source. More than one loci has always caused problems. The "Default Instrument Texture" is a strange short cut to allow slightly less complex geometry. If you build your bodies with a hole or recessed area back to the loci, then you can use simple fill colors w/o texture or whatever you want.

On many object you can set the defaults before placing it. Look for the "settings" icon when the tools is selected. This will be the default for the tool until changed. You can also rapidly set them with the eyedropper tool. You can also create symbols of PIOs. Several of the default libraries are just that, with various settings giving different objects. I.E. I have standard title blocks for A (landscape and portrait), B & D size sheets, with custom sized title blocks, settings and default texts. Just create the objects and then make a symbol from it checking the "convert to Plug-in-Object" box. The label in the resource browser should be red. I store these in my custom favorites file and in most of my template files (where they are already on sheets) so they are always handy. I rarely use the title-block tool. If you really wanted to make others stay with the standards you could delete the tool from the workspace. Smart folks can get around it but it will be easier to use the standards. That's what you really want right? Easier to comply than to stray!

Many with AutoCad experience learn that the Vectorworks "None" class is much like "Layer 0". Always keep it on and almost never draw on it. The main exception is for the contents of general purpose symbols.

Bruce: unfortunately the select similar is exactly the wrong tool. The objects are identical in every way I can find, down to lines that have the same start and end coordinates! Imagine copying a drawing for various sheets and then stacking them back on top of each other in the same layer. Looks OK but really a waste. Thanks for trying

Does anyone have a procedure or script for removing exact duplicate objects? I seem to get a lot of dwgs where someone has collapsed several things on top of each other. Often its just wall lines but they are the same layer, class, color, width, pen. Thanks in advance!