RickR

There are MANY other threads and wish list items on this topic. Originally all standard content had everything on None. Then some PIOs started making classes (Doors, Windows, Label Legends etc.) and now there are lots more. Now some standard content has half a dozen or more classes. The pendulum has swung WAY too far the other way. This is a huge issue for me when I trade files with architects or engineers. If I keep all my classes at T-xx and they stick to the construction industry standard A S E M K C L starting letters then we can at least manage the chaos. It is highly unprofessional to send someone a file with classes that are not only confusing to me, but intermingle with their own. I still want/need to take advantage of the online content. I also need, like most of you, to control my own process. @JimWwhat can be done?

Go to a cable making company like Lex Products and look a their standard adaptors list. Then ask them about the custom versions they do. I would wager long odds that a huge percentage of their work is custom connectors. IE I recent specified a stage pin to edison (NEMA 5-15/20) 2 fer adapter, not a stock item but very common.

I think this should be in General or Architecture @JimW move this? Most PIOs come with installation instructions. Usually moving the files to the plug-ins folder is step 1, and putting the command/tool into the workspace is step 2. Restarting VW is step 3. But the authors instructions are what really counts.

The first one is -90 if the first vector is 0,0,0. The vs.Vec2Ang function works on each xyz set as if it's a vector from 0,0,0 not the vector between points. Normally coincident points would throw an error. I was thinking I'd try to get one node to swallow either data type since the base function will do that. The Rotation node says it does that too. The notes on Vec2Ang say that if it gets a 3D vector it will give the 3D angle. But maybe I'll just wait to see what's in v2017.

Time! I work with someone with Spotlight that has limited CAD skills. He mostly used the drop-downs as you described. (I'm training him, slowly) His main issue was getting lost in files with more than one design layer. Similarly if a class if off then selecting it as current is the only way to turn it on, other than opening the "organization" dialog. You lose many of the benfits of complex viewing switching when it takes too much effort to navigate.

New weirdness! The text above stripped out the indents and I didn't notice. Alan's text is almost exactly mine. My node works in Alan's file and his does not work in my test. Even if I import one of his test networks wholesale. But both work in a new plane file. So something went silly in my test file. :confused: Both work with or without Kevin's delete so I can only conclude it's irrelevant code, which makes sense now that it's been pointed out. I will try to make it work for 2 point vectors, but thought I would take it one step at a time. And this mess is why!

So I tried to make a Vec2Ang node. It should be very simple to call an existing VS function. As expected it doesn't quite work. So am I missing something silly, or just don't understand the code format?

There isn't an automated way to do this. Model the odd railings by hand. You can get a head start by duplicating what you have now, turn off the original railings, un-group the duplicate stage, delete the stage parts, modify the railings to suit. I suppose you could cut the intersected deck into 2 smaller parts. Choices usually depend on your goals. Speed vs accuracy is a frequent choice.

I suspect your 3D parts have gotten onto a class that's off. Do you see anything when "show footprint" is on?

Kevin is right. This brings several options when importing DWGs. Unfortunately there are many ways to use Xrefs and so no one way of importing will solve every problem. I suggest you review all the help files and videos on DWG importing. I generally break all links when importing, and then rebuild the links with Design Layer Viewports. Be sure to 'purge' your imported files to eliminate much of the clutter. If that seems too much work for the goals of the moment, I leave it all in place. Then I have to navigate the many cropped views and symbols and symbols in DLVPs and other confusions until I find the offending line.

I suspect Vectorworks will encourage use of ESP Vision as a visualizer to do all of that. They just bought the company and we all hope for better integration, at no extra fee! Within VW layers and classes is all you can do. That will mean duplicating your fixtures to an enormous extent. Saved Views will be the only way to keep your sanity. If you are doing more than 4 renderings some other visualization software is the only way to go. I presume your favorite console has an offline version that can output sACN or ArtNet.

I use both on every project, because there are often views that are useful in design that I never intend to print. I use saved views exclusively for navigation and sheets just for printing. I also make saved views from viewports, if I've twiddled with a viewport a lot or decided to make multiple similar sheets.

Except that Labels can use the same number, if on different sheets. There should be a #1 on each sheet. The Name of each viewport updates as you describe. I just did a test and got an even Kevins result. A sheet with 3 viewports, duplicated with viewport names incremented as expected "Batten Splice - 7" that was 6. But the labels which were 1, 2, 3 are all now 4, an illegal but not fatal condition. This is a couple of bugs all at once. And a wish for a "renumber" tool.

Are looking for the count of lights or the area of your space? One worksheet really can't do both without 2 database rows. What would you like your worksheet to look like when it's done? I strongly recommend you read the pinned post just above this one "Spread Sheet Reports" it's loaded with information that is hard to dig out of the manual. I've also posted some assorted samples in the shared resources section including simple counting worksheets. I don't have Architect so I can't use the Space function, but things look right.

I actually meant vs.Vec2Ang. I'd do up one myself but every time I get into coding in this stuff something else gets in the way. All the discussions about Marionette being an introduction to coding don't thrill me. I do better with Macro style programming than actual coding and that's what I want. I used to do some C++ but it was too long ago. So adding a rotate node should do the job. Thanks Guys!

I use Ctrl-Drag a lot, a new version about where I need it.

I can't seem to duplicate the issue, but may not have your steps exactly. Also don't have Architect so that may be a factor. FYI Text doesn't factor in =area criteria. But even so you could set more types as shown here.

So, "Get Point on Poly" node is giving what looks like 3D points for the tangent. I assume these are intended as vectors from a (0,0,0) of the poly point as no rotation is (1,0,0). Do I have that right? Is there a node to do vs.Vet2Ang or do I dig out the trig functions? (I looked, but I'm not sure I'm up to date.) Or is there a Symbol node that takes vectors?

Exactly, the incrementing is sneaking in during the process because the programmers never thought to (or can't) prevent it.

I would imagine that a string input version of the 'Obj by Crit' wouldn't be hard. Then the string could show up in the OIP or whatever. Something like:

Always many ways to a goal. Moving to another layer or I suppose a class is a good idea. (Now I want nodes to make and deletes classes and layers...) The main purpose of my request was that Selection seems to be a missing element in Marionette. Very little can be done in normal workflow without selecting things, so why not in Marionette? Exactly why we need an object handle for selected. So much could be done with it when all these tools are combined!

There may be a different issue here. The rationale listed above is about editing the text, not about copying. For my money, disabling auto-labels is silly. Making items with duplicate labels is counter to good organization and the VW way of life. A related suggestion that might solve some issues is to change the notes database function. We can have multiple databases of notes. I think there should be an automatically created database of 'notes in file' like in the resource browser. Then with some bulk selection tools we can update/merge/label and whatever to our hearts contentment. BTW this should apply to General Notes, Keynotes and Callouts. Should all be separate tools?

If Spotlight can have libraries of manufacturer specific lights then Architect should have cabinets, furniture, doors, etc. And not just 3DS imports. However before that can be fully realized auto-classing will have to get straightened out. Real control of all elements both 2D and 3D is needed. VW strengths are in the things other software doesn't do! It's weaknesses are in things it doesn't do.

I thought that selection would be handled by the network. - Inside an object or control geometry - Relative to existing object - via criteria like a worksheet - depending on another object - any whacky blend of all that and stuff I can't imagine, yet :grin:

Likely an internal process issue. 1. Make new sheet 2. Duplicate objects on original sheet, that increments labels 3. Move to new sheet