WendyatArtform

I've run into a layerset I can't delete - does anyone know why that is?

If you REALLY want to do cleanup:

1 - Go to your defaults for the various types of views, see what layers they use.

2 - Anno Sets - ditto

3 - Saved views - ditto

4 - and probably a couple of other places too.

If you carefully watch the message it gives when you try to delete, you can then clean out those unwanted layers.

So to use Johhny's page for example:

I keep all my standard notes in a separate plan file and just send to each layout from there.

So my regular plan might be Smith Residence.plan

and my notes are in my AFHP Commons.plan

Both get sent to the Smith Residence.layout.

My AFHP Commons.plan has my current standard notes and the same exact notes are sent to every CD layout.  That way if I catch a typo or just make an update to my standard list of notes - it shows up on every set of CDs correctly.

For those describing a difficulty and having trouble getting it across in words - a video can really help.  Jing is free - 5 minute limit - google Techsmith to get it.  I don't own stock in them, just like to understand things.  There are probably other free or low cost options.

Oops.  What he said!  ;-)

I use the layout this way too. BUT, when you're working on framing and want to keep sections (or elevations) up to date with text, it would be wonderful to be able to move between plan and 3D and have each hold it's assigned anno sets.  Cycling into the layout to get to the correct anno set is an extra step.  I can do it, but I don't want to.  If it can remember it there, why can't it remember by switching views????  It breaks the flow and seems like an inconsistency to me.

 

Not to mention it's one of those things that trips people up.  When I think about folks learning this program now, I am very sympathetic.  This is one of those got ya's, that would make everyone's life easier.  How many times a day to you go to the anno set drop down and change the set because it's showing 'using active defaults'?  Too many times for me!  I bounce around between views a lot!

Maureen,

I think I know what you're talking about.  (never mind, re-read post more clearly - i think you do understand how it works, just find it non-intuitive?).

But - For most people - important to know:  A saved camera does not remember an Anno Set.  So if you are in a plan and simply open a framing section or an elevation, that's not necesssarily going to be in the annotation set you want.

• Enter through layout box - WILL remember Anno Set, IF one is assigned in that Plan View tab.
• Enter through Project Browser - WILL NOT remember Anno Set automatically.  You will  need to use the drop down to select the correct one.  There are still benefits, in that 2 clicks can save you 14.  But still gotta select.

And for me - a solid Feature Request that would benefit many - I think it would be clearer and more intuitive if we could assign Annotation Set to the view itself in the Project Browser.

Dermot said, "Views will remember your active defaults, not your annotation set."​

 

 

Well, sort of, but not across the board.  We can and do assign a specific Annotation Set to a specific "view" in layout.

1. Select a layout box - single click only.
2. Open it's dbx via the "Open Object" icon at the bottom of the screen (looks like a door)
3. On the Plan View tab - you can assign an Annotation Set.

When you assign an Annotation Set to a Layout Box, when you double click that layout box to edit the plan, it will then be in the correct Annotation Set for that view.  Any cad, text or dimensions you add will then be on the correct layer, be the correct text style, etc.

It's one of the most important reasons we use Annotation Sets.  It's not the changing of defaults for major work that's the time killer.  It's the little edits.  Why?  For major work, maybe it takes 60 seconds to change the defaults, then you do 2 hours worth of work.  For minor edits that 60 seconds (when lobbying for this feature, I counted 14 clicks....) applies to 60 seconds worth of work.  Uh oh, there went sanity and productivity.  Oops.

Larry's method now makes sense. Like Perry, the use of "Anno" to start the layer set was confusing to me.

Yep.  

Something else to think about - the Annotation Set drop down looks EXACTLY like the Layerset Drop down!  The only way to tell them apart is via location (just gotta learn that Anno is on the right, Layer on the left) or pausing for the tooltip.  We insist on a common toolbar office wide, with the Anno always on the right.  But....

If I were doing it over again, I might even name my pairs something like:

Pres Anno 1/8"

Pres Layer 1/8"

That way when looking at those two drop downs, readily obvious which is which.

The key is that if you do use the system where the layerset is assigned via the Annotation Set, make a thoughtful decision about the names - something that will make sense to you on all fronts.

And - did everybody catch a central point from Dermot:

Annotation sets can have an effect when you create text, cad, dimensions etc. - they do not change them afterwards.  So once your text or dimensions are the text style that you want, font, size, layer, etc., that's it, you're fine.  They are a tool for getting there.  It's a bit like driving across town - this route or that route.  Once you get there, well there you are!  

As Johnny was eluding to use the build foundation to this layer in the wall DBX

Actually - almost.  That's what the dbx used to say.  Apparently in X7 they made it a little clearer by just giving it a simple setting.  Like this:

(PS - I just realized this myself, since I never ever change this.  I spotted it when I went in to make this png file! - nice job chief peeps!)

1 - Go Larry!

2 - I was on the testing team when they created it.  I feel safe in saying the "intent" with it was a serious amount of flexibility.

My advice - most people will be best served to either "use current layerset" throughout, or assign specific layersets to annotation sets, as I do.  The reason they provide both as an option is that both are perfectly valid.  But my two cents is "pick a horse, ride that horse".  First take some time to take all this in, and play with some tests until you understand it.  Then create (or modify) as few or as many annotation as work for you, using whatever system is going to work for you.

I run anywhere from 8 to 10 seats at once, doing upwards of 500 projects a year.  There's a whole lot of fast production.  So for me a system where I set up some 17 anno sets ahead of time and then insist on consistency in staff usage is my best course.  Having the layerset tied to the anno sets is one less opportunity for error and one fewer click, times however many times an hour, times some 320+ hours of production every week!  That's a whole different picture from someone who does 4-8 projects a year, works alone, and where each project is detailed within an inch of it's life, inside and out.

So don't think in terms of "right" or "wrong".  Think in terms of personal utility.  

Some important points/tips:

1. When you export an anno set, it exports the layerset as well.

2. When you then import it, pay very close attention to the settings for overriding and such, at each screen.

3.  After that import, it may look like it didn't "take" at first.  iow, imported anno or layer sets may not be there.  Close and open.

3. Do a saveas first, and after that import have a really good look around to see the effects of the layerset override and such.

Wow - oldie but goodie.

Rather than bring it forward, maybe we start a new one!  A lot of those are for X2.  That's a loooooonnnnnggggg time ago.

Look in this forum for anything that says "stuff" and "wendy".   They are in separate posts.

Is there a way to isolate the one scene in raytrace and it ignores all others versus having to delete or turn off?

Yes - sort of.  Do a saveas on your model and delete freely outside the area that will be in view.   It's not "vs delete", but If you're doing large raytraces it can be well worth the few minutes it takes. 

You have the exterior wall surface as "Glass - Standard".

I suspect somebody's been using that material painter!  Oops.

Oh Glenn, I really don't know!  This is what I can make quickly using the Jing video recorder that makes "swf" file types.  You'd have to find a converter of some kind, or just find a friend with a PC?  I'll see if I can find my license of Camtasia for eventual use in making these.  But what I have time for right now is Quickie Jings.

Here's a little bad boy condition that I had to fix, so I taped it.  

This touches on the following topics:

• messy outside wall connection at dormer cheeks.  In this case it's related to attic walls and the roof eave being higher than the ceiling.
• misbehaving frieze at roofs with jogs.
• getting corner boards and rafter tails to look the way you want at dormer outside corners.

Even though this is not technically a "dormer", it's definitely dormer-ish.  So techniques from here can be applied directly to dormers.

it's the three videos titled "Roof Schmutz" in the Dormer library folder - http://www.screencast.com/t/FotMcxvnpAI

No chocolate!  I'm trying to become less of myself!  ;-)

Just do good work and pay it forward.  And throw some requests in here when you run into something you think you "should" understand but really don't.

Well, each of the videos in these collections have anywhere from 25 to 55 views.  I'm actually quite surprised that 25 slogged all the way through what's kind of a ridiculous amount of video for anno sets!  Each time I made another 5 minute segment I was saying to myself "really Wendy, you're not done YET!?".

The other video groups got as many or more.  So when I get a chance I'll do some more.

I was going to do "Sane Terrain" next, maybe over the weekend.  

I also have "Fancy Schmancy Roof Trim" on my list.

Requests?

Oh maaaannnnn - I left out the cussing and swearing!?  There's actually quite a bit of that here.  But I did try to discipline myself.  ;-)

Thanks much for the thanks everybody.

Thanks Wendy,, i like that idea , did you set up a new Text Style for Roofs to do that ? I assume it's using the Default Text style now as I can't figure out it's setting.....did I miss that in one of your new videos ? (Thanks again for those BTW ...excellent) 

 

M.

I think I just changed the color of the Roofs, Labels layer.  And nope, not in the videos.  Maybe next week - labels....

Also it would be great to get room names in the sections.

yes please

In plan view:

1 - Grab the roof edge @ 1 in this picture, drag back and snap to the surface of the adjacent wall.  That will cure the problem with that wall not building correctly.

2 - To have zero overhang, grab the roof edge @ 2 in this picture, drag back and snap to the surface of the wall it's above.  Then look in 3D.  If the wall is shooting up past the roof, go back to plan view and drag it back out by 1/2" or so.  Repeat until 3D looks correct.

Ya see, I'm about to hire and train 2 new staff.  Between that and just back from the UGM, I seem to be in training brain.  So let's ride that train while we're on it!!!!

This series shows:

• careful use of Copy and Paste/Hold Position to save time
• sequence to avoid foundation height problems (make sure you watch the last, #5)
• getting your stem wall right at a garage without losing your mind.
• some general good practice thrown in along the way.

http://www.screencast.com/t/G6i5FAph