Vectorworks, Inc Employee Popular Post PVA - Admin Posted August 29, 2017 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2017 Todays teaser: A litany of improvements to the Resource Manager, originally introduced in Vectorworks 2017. Another in a line of features we intend to keep improving constantly over time. I think this feature may be one of the most densely-packed responses to community requests that we have had yet. One of the most improved areas of the Resource Manager in 2018 is the search functionality. We now use a full text search engine, which means a faster and smarter search, especially if you know how to take advantage of it. Search for a phrase and the search will try to match each word of the phrase, regardless of order. The results will be sorted by relevance. As you can see, the results which have both words in the name will be first. Resources that have one word here and one word there will be next. To be more specific, we can search for an exact phrase. To do this, place the phrase inside of double quotes. This tells the search that these two words should be together and in the same order. Search for one word, it will be read as “starts with”. This allows us to enter part of a word and any resource that starts with that part will be shown. To make searching easier, asterisks will be treated as a wildcard, which means any character or number. It is also possible to use the keywords AND, OR, and NOT to improve the results. These are case-sensitive, although the rest of the search is not. Using ‘AND’ will look for results that match both words or phrases. If we use ‘and’ as lower-case, it will look for only results that have all three words, including and, which will not provide any results. We can use the keyword “NOT” to exclude certain results from the search. There have also been a number of improvements to the user interface including two new buttons. Up-One-Level will take you back one level in the structure of the selected document. The Home button will take you back to the active document, regardless of what file is selected in the resource manager. Another improvement was to the file path that is shown at the top of the resource manager. Instead of just plain text, this path is now interactive. We can click on the file or folder in the path, we can navigate to the previous or next levels in the structure. This makes navigating your documents much faster, especially in files with many folders. Tool tips when hovering over resources- icons in the various menus- Page based resources now show as green. This includes symbols, hatches, tiles, and line types. Also, the layout of the Resource Manager can be changed using the Flip Layout button in the top right corner. This will use a vertical layout that can be useful if your Resource Manager is docked to the side of your drawing window. If we have created resource folders, we can now move the resources using the Move command. The move command will only work in the active document. Right click on a resource and choose MOve from the context menu. This will allow us to move the resource to an appropriate folder. Choose the destination folder to move the resource. If we have a resource folder, we can only move resources that belong to that type. Moving multiple resources at a time is also possible. We can move multiple resources, or a combination of folders and resources, but they will need to be of the same type. To make managing the content easier, we have also added the contextual menu to the file tree on the left side. This will allow you to right-click on a file or folder and rename, move, or delete it. Downloading libraries is easy with the resource manager, but could only be done one file at a time. In 2018, we added the ability to not only Refresh, but also to install entire folders or libraries at once. Another new feature with Resources in 2018 is that we can now add URL hyperlinks to the tags of resources. To do this, add the tag inside of [[ ]] (double square brackets). This will work as a hyperlink, so you can easily navigate to a web page to get more information about a specific resource. Under the Browse a Document command, you will see that Vectorworks now remembers recent documents that you have browser for before. Finally, a long requested feature to make acessing resource from previous versions even easier, we have added the ability to directly browse resource files from previous versions of Vectorworks and use the content right away. If you want to keep that browsed file as a favorite; right-click and choose to Save. Once the file is saved in the current version, we can now use other commands on the file, or create new resources in it. There are actually a number of other improvements included as well but this post was long enough as it is. These will be detailed in the upcoming Guide chapter dedicated to this palette and it's new upgrade. 5 Quote Link to comment
Andrew Davies Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 Ooohhh Jim, you're SUCH a tease.... Quote Link to comment
ericjhberg Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 2 hours ago, JimW said: Finally, a long requested feature to make opening documents even easier, we have added the ability to directly open files from previous versions of Vectorworks and use the content right away. After opening the file, right-click and choose to Save. Once the file is saved in the current version, we can now use other commands on the file, or create new resources in it. How is this different than the current methodology for pulling resources from previous version files? We already have to open that file and save it as a new version and my interpretation of this is that the process is exactly the same? Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted August 29, 2017 Author Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted August 29, 2017 3 minutes ago, ericjhberg said: How is this different than the current methodology for pulling resources from previous version files? We already have to open that file and save it as a new version and my interpretation of this is that the process is exactly the same? My fault, I worded that badly. You can now use the Resource Browser to browse a document's contents, regardless of its version. You no longer need to batch convert/open the file first in 2018 if it was created in an older version of the software. Editing the original for clarity. Quote Link to comment
Andrew Davies Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 The point is you can open it directly from the resource manager and convert it in place. Currently, opening a file from the resource manager gives you this error message. Sounds like in 2018 it will be replaced with the option to upgrade it in place. HTH Andrew Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted August 29, 2017 Author Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted August 29, 2017 9 minutes ago, Andrew Davies said: The point is you can open it directly from the resource manager and convert it in place. Currently, opening a file from the resource manager gives you this error message. Sounds like in 2018 it will be replaced with the option to upgrade it in place. HTH Andrew ^Correct! Reworded the original post as well. We've basically integrated a means of file conversion into the resource manager directly. You don't need to back out and manually File > Open then File > Save As, it'll just offer the new save location from within the resource manager if you choose to save it as a favorite after browsing it's contents. You don't HAVE to choose to save the file after browsing either, you'll be able to pull items right out of the older file format version of the resource file. Saving is only needed if you want to edit the resource file. Quote Link to comment
Tom Klaber Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 (edited) Need to use it to fully understand - but updates here are most welcome. Any upgrades to the thumbnail/preview area? This is my biggest issue - as resources like line type are almost impossible to see on a 4K screen. Edited August 29, 2017 by Tom Klaber Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted August 29, 2017 Author Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted August 29, 2017 5 minutes ago, Tom Klaber said: Any upgrades to the thumbnail/preview area? This is my biggest issue - as resources like line type are almost impossible to see on a 4K screen. No, unfortunately that apparently would require a more in depth UI system change than just the resource manager palette alone, but it's on the list. Quote Link to comment
Taproot Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 The hyperlink option is a nice touch. I'm very happy to see improvements to this part of the software. 1 Quote Link to comment
Kevin McAllister Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 (edited) Great to see this feature continuing to evolve. Does it solve the annoyance of this Mac contextual menu? In the large icon view or the icon view with text to the side I often get this right click contextual menu instead of the VW contextual menu. Often the right click easily causes editing of the symbol name which is part of the problem. It seems to only happen when a symbol is already highlighted in the Resource Manager. I'm constantly getting it and it was never an issue in the old Resource Browser. It would be way better if the system's contextual menu was disabled and I only ever got the VW one. It almost never happens in the list view. Kevin Edited August 29, 2017 by Kevin McAllister Quote Link to comment
Kevin McAllister Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 Also, does it solve this? KM Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted August 29, 2017 Author Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted August 29, 2017 3 minutes ago, Kevin McAllister said: Does it solve the annoyance of this Mac contextual menu? In the large icon view or the icon view with text to the side I often get this right click contextual menu instead of the VW contextual menu. So far I can only make that happen in 2018 if I right click on an item and then right click a second time on the text of the item when the menu is already open, but I don't see any specific mention of anything related to that in the task document. I had not seen anything like that before however, was there a bug submission about it? Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted August 29, 2017 Author Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted August 29, 2017 2 minutes ago, Kevin McAllister said: Also, does it solve this? KM It should, yes. Just did a quick mockup with one regular symbol and one inserting as a group in list view, same name coloring worked in all view modes: Quote Link to comment
Kevin McAllister Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 1 minute ago, JimW said: So far I can only make that happen in 2018 if I right click on an item and then right click a second time on the text of the item when the menu is already open, but I don't see any specific mention of anything related to that in the task document. I had not seen anything like that before however, was there a bug submission about it? I've been working with a lot of symbols recently and I've noticed it popping up a fair amount in that workflow. I assumed it was WAD but I could submit it. Sounds like it may already have been improved in 2018. KM Quote Link to comment
Matt Overton Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 (edited) I notice the Attributes Palette is not on any of the screenshots? Hoping that because it's been overhauled to work with docked palettes and you want to avoid letting the cat out of bag. But to ask a question about the improvement. In vertical docked mode will resource palette still auto shrink to free up design space. Could I have it stacked with Object info as both of them need space when active and information dense but can often be very empty, information poor.Making it hard to get a good balance of how much screen they get without getting in my way. Edited August 30, 2017 by Matt Overton Quote Link to comment
Kevin McAllister Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 (edited) Interesting observation about the Attributes Palette being missing. Here are a few more - - the rulers are translucent instead of opaque. - there are question marks in the top right corner of the Object Info Palette, the Resource Manager and the Navigation Palette. - there's a small bell icon in the bottom right hand corner of the application window. - there's a double >> in the top right corner of the side docked version of the Resource Manager which doesn't appear in the standalone versions. Does it auto hide while docked on the side as well? Kevin Edited August 31, 2017 by Kevin McAllister Quote Link to comment
Matt Overton Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 39 minutes ago, Kevin McAllister said: Interesting observation about the Attributes Palette being missing. Here are a few more - - the rulers are translucent instead of opaque. - there are question marks in the top right corner of the Object Info Palette, the Resource Manager and the Navigation Palette. - there's a small bell icon in the bottom right hand corner of the application window. - there's a double >> in the top right corner of the side docked version of the Resource Manager which doesn't appear in the standalone versions. Does it auto hide while docked on the side as well? Kevin Add to that... - No more move origin button between the rulers. - Render tab of Object Info shows no data but a wall or 3d object is selected. Just make up our own teases about small useful workflow improvements. Quote Link to comment
Andy Broomell Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 12 minutes ago, Matt Overton said: - Render tab of Object Info shows no data but a wall or 3d object is selected. I think that's just the pre-selection highlighting. I like the translucent rulers! Quote Link to comment
Bertf Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Hi Jim, Any idea if my request in the link below can be added to the resource browser? Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted August 31, 2017 Author Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted August 31, 2017 12 hours ago, Bertf said: Any idea if my request in the link below can be added to the resource browser? Added already! 18 hours ago, Matt Overton said: - No more move origin button between the rulers. - Render tab of Object Info shows no data but a wall or 3d object is selected. Please ignore those two, they're just anomalies from taking screenshots in pre release builds. Those functions have not changed. 18 hours ago, Kevin McAllister said: - there are question marks in the top right corner of the Object Info Palette, the Resource Manager and the Navigation Palette. These are part of an effort to make the documentation not only more obvious, but quicker to access. They work contextually, similarly to "Whats This?" but without requiring the user to know where to find the "What's This?" command in the first place. 18 hours ago, Kevin McAllister said: there's a double >> in the top right corner of the side docked version of the Resource Manager which doesn't appear in the standalone versions. Does it auto hide while docked on the side as well? 20 hours ago, Matt Overton said: But to ask a question about the improvement. In vertical docked mode will resource palette still auto shrink to free up design space. The double arrows expose the navigation buttons and commands so help decrease the minimum width possible for the palette: Unfortunately, there is still no auto-hide functionality while palettes are docked. That is how I would want them as well. 17 hours ago, Andy Broomell said: I like the translucent rulers! So do I! Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted August 31, 2017 Author Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted August 31, 2017 1 minute ago, Tom Klaber said: PURPLE!! Exceedingly so! Quote Link to comment
Kevin McAllister Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 1 minute ago, Tom Klaber said: PURPLE!! Haha I thought about adding that to my list but I wasn't sure if it was finalized.... KM Quote Link to comment
Tom Klaber Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 4 minutes ago, JimW said: Exceedingly so! Who gets to make that call? I want a user poll for next year. 2 Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted August 31, 2017 Author Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted August 31, 2017 9 minutes ago, Tom Klaber said: Who gets to make that call? That would be the CEO! I doubt they'll be open to polling about it, the debates internally on color for the version are some of the most heated I've seen. I am slightly colorblind (mild Red/Green type, the super common one) so I stay 100% out of those arguments and just use the color picker to steal the exact color when I need to use it for something else. One of the VERY few arguments I stay out of. However, we do have a new Creative Director this year, so who knows what might happen next time around? I am very fond of the icon itself (regardless of color) and the current styling we use. Quote Link to comment
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