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Device Duplication


Max_

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Hello,

 

If I have several devices of the same model in one drawing, I would like if I change one device (e.g. color, image, ...) that the change is applied to all devices and I do not have to make the change for each device individually 

 

Is there a way to update existing devices in the Resource Manager so I don't have to edit each one individually?

 

Thanks for assistance

 

Max

 

Edited by max123456
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  • Vectorworks, Inc Employee

Hi Max

 

I have already logged an enhancement request for this. I would like to have this facility IF ...  it is an action specifically triggered by the user and the extent and scope of the change to be applied is clear. That said, there are many reasons why ConnectCAD works the way it does.

  1. You can re-order the connectors for a specific device instance to un-cross connection lines - clearer drawings
  2. You can have only the relevant connectors actually used by the specific device instance - again clearer drawings
  3. You can have the same device in two places e.g. a master control switcher can be present on both the audio and video drawings - clarity again
  4. No unforeseen consequences - if editing a device edited every instance of that device then you would have to check each instance to be sure of your work

These are the reasons why 20 years ago I decided then to represent devices as groups and not symbols ( there are probably a few others too that I haven't remembered yet ). It wasn't the easy way for me - symbols would have been easier. But we would have lost the flexibility that has made  ConnectCAD so popular.

 

I'm wondering if Select Similar might allow you to select the Devices you want to change? Then you could make the edit using the Object Info Palette or Attributes etc.

 

Best

 

Conrad

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Conrad, I hear your reasoning as to why this functionality was never developed for ConnectCAD. But I have to say, coming to ConnectCAD from VW Spotlight, I'm really struggling with this. 

 

On a current project I'm working on, I have 204 of the exact same device drawn. These are simple lighting fixtures with an input and an output. Now what if need to change the connector type on all of these devices? Do I have to edit each device individually? 

 

Even if ConnectCAD doesn't go the route of updating devices via symbols in the resource manger, is there a way users can do some sort of find and replace function to save time and clicks?

 

Is there anyway in the currently released version of CC to make these kind mass edits easier?

Edited by Daniel Dickman
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On 4/6/2020 at 7:17 AM, Conrad Preen said:

it is an action specifically triggered by the user and the extent and scope of the change to be applied is clear.

+1 on this!

My thought would be:

A very clear warning prompt that pops up every time

This cannot be made into a default action every time you attempted to make a change like this

 

I've had the group functionality both help me and bite me on the @$$:

- I usually add my network switches several times in a drawing, and move sockets to the left and right based on adjacent devices to clean up my drawing. 

- accidentally made my speakers with NL4's and not terminal strips. Added 45 of them to a project only to realize my mistake when I started connecting them. 

Edited by livespace josha
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  • Vectorworks, Inc Employee

Hi Daniel

 

As I said to Max, I have already logged an enhancement request.

 

Of course there are sound workflow reasons for being able to make mass edits. This is the right way to go for the reasons I discussed above. if we had "Devices as symbols" it would then be much harder then to engineer exceptions. A Mass Edit command is a do-able thing and we will make that happen.

 

Meanwhile I want to try and turn you guys on to the possibilities of automating your more specialised workflows. Computers are by nature programmable, and there is no reason for anyone to have to perform repetitive tasks any more. I'd really recommend getting into Marionette. It's is an easy way to begin putting your feet up while the computer takes care of the work.

 

Conrad

 

 

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On 4/22/2020 at 6:31 PM, Conrad Preen said:

Meanwhile I want to try and turn you guys on to the possibilities of automating your more specialised workflows.

 

Is it posible to change the connectors on all devices of the same type by Marionette?

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