Viewport name already being used

[Ride]

I keep getting this error message, even though the viewport name isn't being used by another object. Any one else having this problem? I always have to go back to the viewport annotations to change the detail number, it would be nice to just assign the number when I create the viewport.

 

VW 2020 SP4, Architect, InteriorCAD

mid-2015 Macbook Pro

 

[Pat Stanford]

If you are getting that message, then it is very likely the name is actually being used by another object.

 

If you want to track it down, create a worksheet. Right Click on the Row 3 Row Header and check the Database option. You will get a Criteria dialog box. Set the Criteria to All Objects. Click the More Choces button and add a Criteria of Name IS NOT and then leave the last box blank.  Check all of the check boxes for Symbols, PIOs, Annotations, etc. and click OK. You will get a worksheet listing every object in the file that has a name.

 

Click into cell A3 and enter a formula of =N. This will now add the name of every object in the database. Click the disclosure triangle in cell A3 and set this to Sort either ascending or decending as you need to get the names in an order than works for you. Scroll down until you find the name that is causing you problems. Right click on the subrow row header and choose Select Item. The drawing will pan and zoom and the edit mode (symbol, active class, active layer) will change so that the object with that name will be centered in your drawing window. Rename the object as necessary.

 

HTH.

[Ride]

Thanks, a very thorough response. I'll give this a try the next time it happens and see what's up. I'll report back if I can find the culprit.

 

Thanks

 

[Bri Pattillo]

Hi Pat, 

 

I'm using Vectorworks 2023 and I have some items hidden in my drawing I'm trying to find and delete using your method above but I think I am missing a step (or maybe it has changed in 2023?), my report is coming up with results but I can't see the names of any of them to then delete the problem ones. Any suggestions or updated instructions? Thank you!

[Pat Stanford]

If =N shows nothing that means that those objects do not have names.

 

Try putting in Database Header Row formulas of:

 

=ObjectTypeName

=L

=C

 

In three different columns.

 

This will show you the object type, the Layer and the Class.  With that information you should be able to find the "hidden" objects and remove them.

 

You will also need to change the Criteria because the criteria I have specified above only shown objects that have names.

 

Actually, I think I need a better explanation of what you are actually trying to do so I can help more.

[klinzey]

Also, worksheet only report what is in the drawing. Resources that are not in the drawing such as texture names, style names, symbol names, hatch names, etc. all must be uniquely named. Everything except for layers uses the same name space.

If you are not finding it in the document you may need to look at the resources in the document.
If you are searching for a specific name you may want to try a vectorscript such as:
{Replace NAME with the name you are searching.}
If GetObject('NAME') <> NIL then AlrtDialog(Concat(GetType(GetObject('NAME'))));
Then you can look up the object type here:
https://developer.vectorworks.net/index.php/VS:Function_Reference_Appendix_D
 

This might point you in the right direction if the name is a resource.

[Jesse Cogswell]

I have a tool that might be able to help.  I made it as a way to consolidate batch renaming processes so that you could rename classes, viewports, and layers all at the same time.  As you type in text to look for, it will generate a list of all named objects containing that text, sorted by object type.  You could use it to find what kind of object is currently using your name, and even rename it then and there to remove your conflict.  The only thing it won't look for is Resource Manager folders, as I wasn't able to find a way to rename using code and have them properly update in the Resource Manager, but every other object type (class, layer, viewport, symbol, rectangle, arc, Lighting Device, etc) will be listed out.

 

 

To install, follow the directions below:

1. Download the attached .vsm file
2. Open your User Folder in an Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window.  An easy way to get to it is to open up Vectorworks Preferences, go to the User Folder tab, and select Explore / Open in Finder (depending on your OS).
3. In the window, open up the folder named Plug-ins.
4. Put the .vsm file you downloaded into the Plug-ins folder in your User Folder.
5. Restart Vectorworks (very important, will not work properly unless you do this)

The plug-in will now be installed, but you will need to get it into your workspace.  To do that, follow these instructions:

1. Go to Tools - Workspaces - Edit Current Workspace
2. Click on the Menus tab
3. In the box on the left, navigate to and expand the category called JNC
4. In the box on the right, find a menu to place the new command, such as Tools, and expand it.
5. Click and drag Replace Name Text from the box on the left to the target menu in the box on the right.
6. Click OK.

Replace Name Text.vsm

[Elite Exhibits]

18 hours ago, Jesse Cogswell said:

I have a tool that might be able to help.  I made it as a way to consolidate batch renaming processes so that you could rename classes, viewports, and layers all at the same time. 

 

Many Thanks ! @Jesse Cogswell works like a charm ...

 

Peter

[Bri Pattillo]

Thank you Pat and Klinzey, I was making Focus Points and it wouldn't let me make one called "C" because it was saying that name was already in use, this was very annoying to skip a letter, and problematic because I need to clean this file up for guest and student use. I searched in the resources and found a record called "C"! I deleted it and was able to now make a Focus Point C 🙂