Evolution

Larry, I attempted to find some help on this, not sure what I did find will help you but take a look. You've probably already looked at this? It looked to me as if you have to select each scale and edit extensions individually? When I opened the temp dim dbx I saw no place to select extensions?

I've tried several from the re-manf world for my HP 1220 C and the black ink worked ok. But color is the pits!! I did order Color from HP (outrageous price). Its working for now (I use color only for printing the perspectives / renderings when I need them for a client).

Thanks Larry. I REALLY need to get a handle on Layer / Anno sets and do a better job of setting them up (correctly) so I can make the best use of them. I set the Videos in my favorites to watch. Didn't seem to be as hard in Auto-Cad (but then that's been YEARS ago and I'm sure I've forgotten more than I learned there too). I DO know the purpose, and def want to make the best use of the tools! Time to learn is still at a premium!!?!?

I had a little more time last night to work on the CAD detail and Detail Management, and at least I believe I'm finally getting the hang of the 1-2-3 of cad details (basics).

Thanks Larry! I REALLY do, though it may seem not, try to solve my issues especially when I'm not UNDER THE GUN! In fact, my wife says I work 25 / 8days a week!

Larry, thanks for the Vid. I understand the BASICS, in fact I started years ago (with other software) creating a "can" if you will of details, but they're PDF and like Chief they all would require modification to work in this situation. IF I can make the transition to using my CA software (the reason I keep paying the CSA fee every year) and I intend to as time permits, I too will develop a library of details. Thanks again!

Stephen I will def check this out ASAP, later! Send me a PM with your general Location in Arkansas. I live in Marion. thanks for jumping in.

Up until this year, I haven't used it everyday as my responsibilities had taken a different direction but now, the Co., wants to get more into design build. I wish I had time to use it more. And yes YOU'RE correct, I should have more familiarity with the workings, but in my case (no excuse) the majority of my time has to be devoted to managing projects, bidding, writing bid packages, vetting contracts etc., though I wish I could spend more of the 60-70 hour week using CA more! BUT, you are great to keep providing your insight and help!!! Thanks!

Sorry folks, I know you probably think I don't try to help myself....!?!?! well for a fact I came in this morning at 4AM so I could have time to search the VId's and KB as I am trying to wrap up this first project for code review and so far wasted 2 hours of precious time and am a stale-mate! I've actually watched three vids (about 1 hr) of Cad to view, adding detail to view etc., etc., and read through and attempted to follow the KB for same. I've managed to do a cross section, convert it to CAD detail, and now trying to add individual details, elementary stuff to you guys I know, but I've now got to put this on hold until after hours so I can work on my bid packages for my School project I've got to get out for bids...…..frustrating when I'm sure if I ever master (is that possible?) the minute details like this? Following the KB doesn't always work, for most part they apply to other versions (I think) for when I try to following word for word, most of the items it references aren't searchable in the Library, as I've tried for the past 45 mins to find Cad Block>Footings and Slabs> etc and the error message pops up I'm asking too much information...….I'll stop there but if there is a short cut you can advise I WILL BE FOREVER GREATFUL!

This is probably the best way for me at the moment. I've a lot to learn about Layer sets especially. But I AM TRYING TOO!

It's me again! I guess I don't understand a lot to do with the CA software, trial and error takes a lot of time, and trying to find it now (especially to search the forum or KB's etc.,) is frustrating. So, printing check set to catch any errors, I noticed my elevation call outs keep disappearing! As long as I have the elevations in layout (saved camera) open the call out show up on my enlarged plan, but the minute I close the elevations they vanish from the enlarged plan on my layout sheet?!?! If I print the layout sheet with the enlarged plan on it, in order to have the call outs showing I have to have the elevations open. Is this normal or am I again missing some important little secret nuance? Sorry to bother you with such silly stuff :-(

Mark, I found the problem. Seems on a previous iteration of the room they wanted unit shelving. On this iteration they requested custom built. Apparently I missed a unit when I was deleting them from the last plan update and it was ghosting the new shelving unit. Thanks!

Updated plan posted MPD_Plan.zip

I followed the instructions to customize cabinet for my particular need on this project, but stumped as to why it is turning out like it is, since it wouldn't be built that way in the real world. I hate to waste your time, but I'm sure one if not all of you have worked around it before. When I open the cab't DBX and remove doors, manually adjust the shelves, set it for framed box, in the DBX elevation looks the way I want it to but when the plan generates the elevation it changes to something not even close to what it should appear to be. Maybe no fix for it? Of course as always, thanks! (Edit) for got to mentioned it doesn't make any difference if I do Framed or Frameless.

The only way I was able to fixed it was export each view as a picture with allowed me to save it to file then, open my layout and import each view again as a picture. See the screen capture, when it saved to PDF. So for now I say resolved.

Chop, I sent them straight to layout from the open camera Perspective Full Overview. I did the same thing with my other project and when printing PDF it did not change the PFO views on that job. That's what I don't understand.

Working on my other project. Thought I'd go ahead a print a test of the layout to see how it was going before I got too far. Well the last project I printed the very same way and printing my layout sheets (set the drawing size first to Super B 13x19) printed those sheets just fine. Print this next job, very same way, set up my drawing paper size to super B. Have my perspective over view camera up, sent to layout sheet A1 - 4 different perspective views. Problem is when I send to the printer, Chief A PDF, and hit save, it replaces the 4 perspective views by erasing two and duplicating two. I checked the print command on this job and my other and the commands are the same. As always your help appreciated.

Real cool Shane! I know we can do about anything with CA software. Since I don't make my living with it (unfortunately) its difficult for me to spend any / much office time devoted to learning all the "tricks of the trade" with it, thus my ignorance to all the tools and how best to use them. Since I average about 55 to 60 hours a week managing projects, bidding jobs, writing bid-packages, working to build my stable of projects for my employer, as Dermot put it, "Perhaps I should spend some time watching the CA videos", and he IS right, but time to do that is at a premium, especially when I'm readying a 19MM project for bidding etc. You probably get my drift? And, believe me....I'm eternally grateful to ALL those on this forum who lay aside their dislike for ignorance and are willing to help folks like me. I'm NOT lazy, and wish I could devote more time to watching all the vid's available. In fact, I have spent quite a bit of time watching a few special ones, as in working with Layer sets, anno-sets and quite a few more. When I hit a snag, before I come to this forum for help, I "hit-the-books" if you will, and the vids. In fact I have the vid site saved to favorites, also have printed out much KB info. BTW, not complaining, the CA vids have to be time sensitive, and most of them arn't difficult to follow, however; some of them are done so fast I have to keep going back and replaying them over and over to get all the little bits of info hidden to the novice such as I. BUT, to ALL of you on this forum...…...YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER1 Thanks again!!!!

Eric, I think I'm headed in the right direction. Thanks for the help!

I'm catching on!

Eric, I understand the concept, but I guess I just don't understand how to make it work (how to get there), yet. I'll keep working on it (practice) but for now have to figure a way around it and keep moving for code review. Being the expert you are, I'm sure it's second nature to know what to do and how to do it. Don't give up on me! Joe, your suggestion "Also take the time to "Save As" the Reflected Ceiling Plan View, separate from your saved Floor Plan View. Then send each "Saved Plan View" to layout separately." makes sense for sure! I suppose by saving the RCPV separate from the other plan views and sending to layout separately, creating a sub folder for that plan set, also means saving the layouts to the same folder and then when all are finished, saving them as a CA PDF file so I can send them for printing? I'm not sure how to do that step any other way? Thanks for your patients also! YOU GUY's ARE THE BEST!!!!

Eric, I'm sure I'm making this too hard!?!?! Take a look at what I'd set up and advise if the Cad is not on the RCP layer. I am still in the learning stages (probably always will be) with C/A and certainly not the expert you and Joe and the others are!

Thanks Joe. Without going back through all the original explanation, I did do a unique layer set. I copied the LS for my plan view, named it Reflected Ceiling plan. I turned off everything on that layer set that is not relevant. I do need to go back and see if the cad lines are on the cad layer (which most likely they are), but the real issue, is not being able to show a separate enlarged floor plan (noted reflected ceiling plan) without it showing up on all of the plans. I have backed everything back out, and started from scratch again. I still may not be doing it correctly but, I've highlighted each room, and made a room poly line, to which I added cad lines (using transform replicate) to create the grid layout in both directions. As long as I don't drag them back into the RCP they don't muddy up my layouts, but the minute I do, then they show up on all the floor plans. I've turned everything off and on to see what may be going on. I am trying to do it for my self it just takes practice. Getting going in the right direction makes practice worth while but that too is part of the challenge, I just can't seem to get started in the right direction!

I tried that, but couldn't get it to save as a "cad" detail? I may not be doing it correctly? Do you start by making a room poly line? Then add the grid. Also, how do you insert lay in light fixtures and HVAC grilles?

(Sorry for being so verbose but) Interesting situation. I need a reflected ceiling plan of the addition. So, I went to each room creating room polylines. I believe that was the idea I had gotten from one of Chop Saw’s videos, but (using KB – 00291 “Creating a Suspended Ceiling”) I overlaid each room and slid the RPL off to the side so I could work on it better. I believe I followed it to the “T”, one step at a time. Got my ceiling lay out for each room perfect. I opened the layer set (floor plan set) / copied and renamed it to “Reflected Ceiling Plan Set. It looked great. I turned off everything not relevant to the RCP. Then I grouped selected each RPL and slid it back into each specific room. I sent it to layout on a different sheet than all the others, floor plan, etc., looked GREAT! But when I went to all the other layout sheets that had floor plans bang the Ceiling layouts were on each. I checked my Layer set for reflected ceiling and had turned off everything except walls and PL’s. So, since that didn’t work the way I’d hoped I looked at how to turn off the RCP layer set I had created, but even when I switched layer sets the RCP still shows in each of the floor plan (1/8” scale, ¼” scale). I had searched the Videos and found the vid that CA made (back in version X6) Drawing a Suspended Ceiling with Grid and Tile and I can do that as easy as what I did, but how do I undo the RPL / Ceilings I created? I’ve done all on set, and unchecked items attempting to isolate the RPL’s so I can take them out. Is there an easier way? I wasn’t able to isolate them and trying to take them out line by line is too time consuming. I tried the group select but it takes out walls, doors etc. Even if I turn them off in that layer. The other problem is how to keep the Suspended Ceiling I created from showing up in the floor plans? Sorry, forgot to mention are there not any 2X4 fluorescent lay in light fixtures in X10? I mimicked them with CAD lines. I guess I have to go look in the 3D warehouse?