taoist Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Is it possible to predefine tamplates for Model Setup? Templates for 1 story crawl space, 1 story, foundation, 2 story, etc..? The idea is to save time so we do not create from scratch everytime. taoist Quote Link to comment
Farookey Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Hi... I believe you can... Define your model and 'Save As Template'. Name to suit the particular type of building. Your settings should be saved, and you can easily select the type by selecting the corresponding template on 'New File'. Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 When you say save as template it becomes part of the template? I will try it and see. If this works, I will create 'templates for sheet size and number of floors. taoist Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 Does not work. Created a 2 story Model Setup, File > Document Settings > Model Setup. Created (2) story with Crawl Space saved as template, re-opened template, Model Setup settings set to Zero. Will try new template and open exisitng and see what happens. taoist Quote Link to comment
Farookey Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Strange... It works for me (in VW2011). I would have thought it should do the same in VW2008. I basically set up the file with the 'Model Setup' having various floors at different Z heights, and saved the template in the corresponding template folder in my user folder. Opened a new doc where I selected the (just created) template, and ALL the (model) layers I had generated were there. Could be a VW2008 thing (if you did it the same way and it DIDN'T work), but that defeats the purpose of having a template! Try it again... Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 (edited) I found I have to say New use Existing Template. Now all I have to figure out is how to use VW's built in layers. By that I mean have the Design Layers listed as Mod-1 Mod-2, etc.... Guess I create my own. Will look and see what VW has. Do not usually use Model Setup but want to know VW much better than what I do. Will keep looking. taoist Edited June 14, 2011 by taoist Quote Link to comment
CipesDesign Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 taoist, you can name (or re-name) any design layers, classes, etc... (except for a few classes that were still hard-coded back in 2008). My advice is to use names that make sense to you and those you work with. That makes it a lot easier to remember what is what... For example, I use Main Level Plan, Main Level Flr Frm'g, Lower Level Plan, etc., etc., because this is how I like to think about the buildings I work on... P Quote Link to comment
Farookey Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I myself have not (yet) investigated the benefits (or disadvantages) of using the 'Model Setup' option. But I believe that there are other features (such as standard viewports) tied in with it. I will have to explore this option soon to see what it is all about... Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 Peter, Thanks. Makes sense. taoist Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 Peter, I think along the same lines. As I have built (actual framed, drywall, finish carpentry, etc..)many homes, I think from bottom to top. Footing Foundation 1st floor Framing 1st floor Plan Etc.... I have started creating my own Classes and Layers. As most of what I do is remodeling, is it better for me to create existing, new and demo classes and layers or is there a better way to do this? taoist Quote Link to comment
CipesDesign Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 No that's more or less what I do too. One thing to be aware of is that your list of classes will probably get long, therefore I like to name classes as follows: Joist ML, Joist UL, as opposed to UL Joist. The reason is that they will be sorted alphabetically and will therefore be next to each other in the list and easier to find. Remember too that there are two distinct and possibly overlapping uses for Classes: they control visibility AND they can control attributes... Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 Peter, Thanks. By attributes do you mean fill & pen? I list classes by Type: Walls-Ext., Int., Load Bearing Joists-1st floor, etc. Cabinets-Kitchen, Bathroom Roof-Framing, Plan Layers by Type: Each of these type walls has its own color. Existing = black New = blue Demo = red This way the wall types are immediately identifiable. I figure I need to show the plan(s) anyway, put them on their own layer or would I be better off showing the different layer(s) (a copy) and change the classes for the walls, etc. I like having pre-defined so it minimizes my editing. We create Title Blocks for each size paper we use as well. 11x17, 18x24, 24x36. taoist Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 (edited) Question. If I create (1) set of classes and apply them to different layers, do the changes I make to these classes universally change across all layers? In other words, If i am in my New Layer and I turn off cabinets, do the cabinets turn of in the demo and existing layers as well or classes are on a layer by layer basis. Are classes global or local? I would think classes are layer dependent. Other wise, we would a boatload of classes. Hope this makes sense. taoist Edited June 14, 2011 by taoist Quote Link to comment
CipesDesign Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Good question. The answer is that yes if a class is off it is off in all design layers IF you are simply stacking design layers to create your finished sheets. Better idea: Use Viewports on Sheet Layers. Each VP can have it's own set of visible/invisible layers and classes AND as a bonus, if you check Use At Creation for the class set up, you can use VP Class Overrides to change the graphic attributes (pen, color, fill, texture, etc) of any class in any VP... Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 Peter, Thanks. I guess that make sense about ViewPorts as you only need to show what is visible at output and you can control/edit on the fly. Seems like we need those principles in Design Layers, but then again maybe redundancy is the deciding factor. Then again, how do you control what you are designing without using ViewPorts? I suppose you could use ViewPorts as your are designing. Then again, VW2011 has Design ViewPorts dose it not? What are the advantages? taoist Quote Link to comment
CipesDesign Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 You *can* do it with Design Layers by using Saved Views. This methodology has been in VW's since before it was called VW's. It still works well if the user is diligent. However by comparison Viewports offer enormous benefits over Saved Views such as scaling, copying (and modifying), cropping, rotating, moving around on sheet, using layer or class overrides, etc., etc., all without affecting design layers. I like to think of the Design Layers as containing all the objects of which the building is made. Pure and simple. But exact and detailed (to a certain degree, decided by user and by project needs). Viewports then can be generated from the design layer(s), including Sections and Elevations and Rendered Presentation Views. All of my text and notes live in the annotations of a particular VP... It is also possible to use a combination of the two methods. Example: use a discreet design layer for the building elements and another for dimensions and text, then make a VP of the two (or perhaps more, of course)... Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 Peter, If I understand saved views, that gives you a snapshot at any point in time but it is not editable. ViewPorts seems to be the way to go. Saved views also do not alter design layers correct as they are "saved" views. OK, you have my interest on "layered" viewports. How do you go about this. I know you can have multiple layers of renderings modes. Thanks for your responses, quite illuminating. taoist. Quote Link to comment
CipesDesign Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Actually you can edit the contents (layers and classes) of a Saved View. In other words you can modify which ones are visible or not after creation using the Edit View dialog... But that's about it. I didn't think I mention layered VP's (usually called Stacked VP's). But yes you can duplicate a VP in place (for example) then change the crop, rendering, etc. etc... Not nearly as useful as it once was prior to being able to have one VP with discreet background and foreground rendering modes, but still a good trick for some tasks. Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 Peter, Thanks. I know about ViewPorts on sheet layers as that is your "output". I also know you can copy a ViewPort and change its render modes and such. That is one of the great things I love about ViewPorts. You do not have to change the design layer to show the changes. So to recap to make sure I have it correct. Create Walls and Class them, change attributes accordingly. In my case Demo, New, Existing Walls each with it's own class. Create layers to suite my needs/style. Foundation, 1st floor framing, etc... Create Classes as I need (create a master set if you will) so I don't need to do this every time, same for Layers. Use ViewPorts on Sheet Layers for output, elevations, sections, etc.. taoist Quote Link to comment
CipesDesign Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Yes that sounds about right. Don't forget to Save As Template... Also, if you're like me you might find that your template grows and morphs with each project... Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 Peter, Thanks. I am in the process of creating templates based on project design. That is 1 story, 2 story, crawl space foundation etc. Create the walls accordingly ahead of time so they are in the wall library. When I upgrade to VW2011 will I have to convert VW2008 templates, walls, classes and such to VW2011? Thanks for all your input, great help. taoist Quote Link to comment
CipesDesign Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I would be careful in simply converting older files. Unfortunately in my experience there can be troublesome translation problems. So much has been added in 2011 that you might find it actually easier and faster to create new ones... Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 Peter, Thank You. I'll keep that in mind. Maybe I can streamline some of this process while I create the layers and such. taoist Quote Link to comment
CipesDesign Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I should add that it's mostly Objects & Symbols that have changed (due to the newer screen plane and layer plane distinction). You probably will be okay with all of the layers and classes... Quote Link to comment
taoist Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 Classes will definitely be the largest of the group. Walls Joists Rafters Roofs Cabinets Flooring Siding Appliances Doors Windows Plumbing Fixtures Electrical Fixtures Etc... Quote Link to comment
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