Steel Palette???

[brents]

Does anyone out there know how to use the steel palette, does it just produce a non editable section of standard sizes? Or can you use it to say build a steel frame with actual steel members that you don't have to build from scratch? Also I work a lot in theatre does anyone know if VectorWorks is going to include smaller standard sizes in the future (ie 1/2", 3/4", 1" etc...)?

[Gytis]

Place desired section in file, Modify>Ungroup and becomes polyline with myriad possibilities (usually extrude).

Use "Custom" in Object Profiles dialog from Mode Bar to create desired sizes. I don't know about NNA's plans, but I would second your request, as a cabinetmaker who also uses small profiles.

[Petri]

You can add (and remove) sizes by editing the relevant text files in VectorWorks Folder:Plug-Ins:Common:Data

Eg:

RectangularTubing-Metric.txt

Tee-Metric.txt

SquareTubing-Metric.txt

RoundTubing-Metric.txt

WFlange-Metric.txt

Channel-Metric.txt

IBeam-Metric.txt

Angle-Metric.txt

BTW, I find the 'a different object to each different section' -approach counterproductive, so a few years back I created an universal steel section object which allows one to change an already-positioned section type with something completely different, eg. an I with an RHS.

Edited December 11, 2006 by Petri

[Gytis]

Thanks, Petri. I always forget about those handy-dandy text files.

[brents]

Thanks that really helps a lot. I never thought about editing the txt files either