Cross inside rectangles

[MartinBlomberg]

Hi

 

A basic feature I'm after is the ability to have VW automatically draw a cross inside rectangles I draw.

Is there a feature? Seems like a lot of other software has that. Maybe a "Show cross" option would be something if there isn't already?

 

Thanks all!

[Pat Stanford]

What do you mean by cross?  Do you want a mark at the center point?  Or something else?

 

The Center Point tool in the Dims and Notes tool set works on rectangles, but it gives not only the center, but also extension lines that extend past the edges.

 

It would be relatively easy to create a tool that would make just the center mark. Or even a script that would add "crosses" to all rectangles. Or a PIO that would draw a rectangle with the cross.

 

Yours is the first request for this I have seen, so not certain how high the interest would be for a wide VW solution for all rectangles.

[Elite Exhibits]

@MartinBlomberg Center Mark Tool (Dimensions)

 

I use this to mark the center of an object with a "Cross"

In this example I converted the Center Mark to a GUIDE (Under Modify)

This way it is easy to turn on / off from the drop down menu or with classes

 

See Attached (VW2021)

 

Peter

Center Mark Tool.pdf Center Mark.vwx

[MartinBlomberg]

Sorry about the vague explanation. Like InDesign, this is what I'm looking for. Thanks!

 

[bcd]

Nothing like that in VW. A rectangle is a rectangle.

You can draw those extra lines if you like and if you group the whole you can change the size of the group = rectangle with inner x from the OIP and/or via the corner handles.

[Pat Stanford]

Do you need this to be able to draw rotated rectangles? Or would just horizontal and vertical as you have shown be enough? How do you want to insert the object?

 

What kind of object(s) do you want this to be?  A Rectangle plus two lines? A Group? A custom object type that contains everything?

 

I have a script that works like the first mode of the rectangle tool and creates a Rect + 2 lines. But it can be made fancier.

 

Procedure RectX;

VAR		H1		:Handle;
		p1,p2	:Point;
		
Begin;
	GetLine(p1.x, p1.y, p2.x, p2.y);
	Rect(p1.x, p1.y, p2.x, p2.y);
	MoveTo(p1.x, p1.y);	
	LineTo(p2.x, p2.y);
	MoveTo(p1.x, p2.Y);
	LineTo(p2.x, p1.y);
	
End;

Run(RectX);

 

[rDesign]

5 hours ago, MartinBlomberg said:

Sorry about the vague explanation. Like InDesign, this is what I'm looking for. Thanks!

 

Are you wanting to represent the graphic standard of showing an ‘X’ through cut framing members?
 

If so — and you have Vw Design Suite, Landmark or Architect — there is the ‘Detail Cut Wood’ object located on the Detailing toolset tab which does what you are asking.

 

VW 2023 User Guide : Detail Drawings

Edited August 12 by rDesign

[MullinRJ]

Hello @MartinBlomberg,

   If you want to draw a rectangle freehand, then the Detailing Cut Wood object will seem a bit restrictive, though it might be close to what you want. @Pat Stanford's script will do one better, but you'll have to run the script for each rectangle you wish to create. Without making it overly complicated, I've attached a simple plug-in tool that will let you draw a rectangle and it will put an X between the corners. Because it is a Tool, you can keep drawing X'd Rects until you change tools. I meant to post it yesterday, but I left my computer and only now realized I forgot to hit SUBMIT. 

 

   First, copy the tool to your User Folder and place it in the Plug-ins subfolder for your VW version. This is compiled in VW 2023, so it will work in the most recent two versions of VW. Place the tool in any of your tool palettes, or make a new palette for custom tools and objects. When you select this tool it will draw a Rectangle and two Lines using the current graphics attributes. The result is a Group containing a Rect and two Lines.

 

   It is also possible to create the same shapes by making the tool a Plug-in object, which would allow you to add rotation to the controls o the OIP. As group, you can still edit the XY position and the ∆XY size of the object.

 

    Once you add the tool to your workspace(s), you can assign a HotKey to facilitate quick access to the tool with the keyboard. I placed the Tool in the Detailing category, but you can change that with the Plug-In editor once it is loaded in your Plug-ins user folder. The tool is unlocked.

 

RectX.vst

 

Raymond

 

[Gadzooks]

On 8/14/2024 at 1:38 AM, MullinRJ said:

the Detailing Cut Wood object will seem a bit restrictive

 

Certainly is. Most use Symbols or grouped objects to help the detailing process.

 

v2018, so I've not been able to take your little gem 'for a run', but can it draw (or be added a choice to draw) a choice of pens - thick outline with thin cross. Also choose fill colour?

 

 

Assuming its fairly easy - BIG ASK - would you be kind enough to compile for v2018 please.

 

 

Grateful TIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MullinRJ]

Hello @Gadzooks,

   The tool as written does not apply any graphic attributes to the rectangle or lines, so it uses the current drawing settings when it's invoked. The Plug-in is unlocked, so you can easily* modify it to always draw with a certain pen thickness, color, and pattern. Just remember to place a PushAttrs; call before your attribute changes and place a PopAttrs; call after them to will restore the current graphic state when the tool finishes.

 

RectX.vst for version VW 2018 (and newer):

RectX.vst

 

Raymond

 

* If you need help doing the "easily" thing, contact me offline and I can help you make the adjustments, but so can may others on this forum.

Edited August 16 by MullinRJ

[bcd]

The cabinet tool can also show such a rectangle with X.

I'm curious why you need it. Would a solid fill work easily as well?

[E|FA]

What I do is just draw it & group.  Then copy, paste, reshape.  Could be a symbol (with reshaping allowed in settings) instead of a group.

[EAlexander]

1 hour ago, bcd said:

The cabinet tool can also show such a rectangle with X.

I'm curious why you need it. Would a solid fill work easily as well?

I don't want to speak for the OP, but it is fairly common in events and concert staging to show stock platforms (4x8 or 1Mx2M) as a rectangle with an X. 

[Gadzooks]

11 hours ago, MullinRJ said:

RectX.vst for version VW 2018 (and newer):

 

Thank you for taking the time Raymond. I'll have play with this. 

I may well be in touch regarding the "easily" thing!!

 

10 hours ago, bcd said:

The cabinet tool can also show such a rectangle with X.

 

Does it? I don't use VW cabinets. They may have been 'the thing' in my MiniCad days along with quite a number of VW symbols and the like still within VW's resources. It's a bit like Antiques Roadshow. It's certainly a 'look'!!. So that may be lost on me.

 

Also v2018 so maybe not available or hidden?

 

9 hours ago, EAlexander said:

I'm curious why you need it. Would a solid fill work easily as well?

 

It's just an Architectural detailing 'standard' (UK - maybe not for you?) when cutting through (mainly structural) timber.

 

It would be good if VW auto produced an X within the outline of timber(s)cut by section. Neither a bell nor a whistle - so it'll never happen.

 

9 hours ago, E|FA said:

What I do is just draw it & group.  Then copy, paste, reshape

 

Yes - what I tend to do atm. That then supports my (usual) thicker outline and thin X.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for related input from others. 

 

 

Edited August 16 by Gadzooks

[bcd]

2 hours ago, Gadzooks said:

It would be good if VW auto produced an X within the outline of timber(s)cut by section. Neither a bell nor a whistle - so it'll never happen.

Seems like an excellent request, and easily implementable. Surprising that it hasn't been requested years ago.

I don't think this has even been implemented for the Structural Member object yet?

[E|FA]

7 hours ago, Gadzooks said:

It would be good if VW auto produced an X within the outline of timber(s)cut by section.

I agree that this would be useful for cutting Structural Members and Framing Members.  It is available in 2D detailing with the Detail Cut Wood tool.  However, it's a very limited tool that doesn't let you set different line weights for the border and X.  I find it easier to just draw it.

[Gadzooks]

11 minutes ago, E|FA said:

However, it's a very limited tool

Yes - too many parts/options to either check in or check out. In the end most find it easier just to simply draw it. 

[MartinBlomberg]

Thanks all! I've tried the cut wood tool now, and it somewhat does what I need. Still, it would be great to be able to add a framing member, adjust the size and position, and then be able to view the object in i.e front view, and see the cross to indicate the cutting surface. But, you can't have it all 😃 Thanks!