Joe_Carrick

You and I have a different way of dealing with project specifics. If I understand correctly you generally deal with client specifics for projects while I deal with projects specifics. My title sheet - example has virtually all of it's information supplied by text macros that reference the Project Information. Deferred Subittals has individual macros for each item and where a specific jurisdiction is needed it comes from one of those fields. General Notes and Building Performance are likewise macros that get specific data from those fields Project Name and Address - %project.info% fields Copyright - macro with %desigher.info% fields Property Details - Rich Text with %project.info% fields Building Codes - %code_list% derives the location, etc from %project.info% and constructs the list accordingly. This macro is designed to provide the correct codes per the city,state,etc without any reference to client or contractor. It automatically updates the current code year and code name depending on the project location (city, county/province, state). Designer & Consultants: %info_Designer% %info_Engineer% %info_Surveyor% %info_Soils_Investigation% %info_Energy_Consultant% %info_Geologist% %info_Builder% Scope of work relies on data taken directly from the Plan itself. Sheet Title Block including Sheet Index, Revisions, Designer, Client, etc are all on the Default Template Page(s). The Layout contains only 27 macros to handle all of the above plus 6 for Layout Box Labeling 2 of which determine the number or letter of details and sections I have separate Layout Templates (different sheet sizes) with all of the above ready to go. Basically I treat the Layout separtely from the model, just sending plans, sections, elevations, details, schedules images, etc to the Layout. Project Information categories>fields is the source for all of the project specific information so I only need to edit those in order to change what's displayed on the Title Sheet. I never need to change the layout macros since they are universal. It's taken a long time to develope this system but it saves me thousands of hours.

Mine is in the label of a polyline on my Layout Template. That way it's executed as soon as the Layout is opened. ps: The polyline dbx really needs to have a label box with at least 10 lines of space to prevent the need for so much scrolling.

I think that was in Brian's user library. It's up to you to create your own. If Chief adds one you would still want to copy to your own user library so you could add to it. I have a lot more that I've organized into folders

I do like the sort and macro suggestions. I'm not sure however that I would need to insert macros into field values. In most cases I will just enter the values as text - or copy the macro results from TMM into the field value. For the most part it's pretty easy to duplicate classes and copy field values. To be honest, I am so happy to get this as provided that I basically overlooked the slight annoyances you outlined above. What I really want is for the field values to be returned as actual data strings. Currently I have use a bit of ledgerdemain to get editable values.

No, the print preview seems to only effect 3D graphics and maybe line weights. It seems to skip anything that relates to text related objects such as labels and schedules. The preview in the print dialog takes considerably longer, obviously doing a complete update of each page. In reality, most of my macros execute when I open a Layout. The exceptions are: any macros in a secondary plan file I'm able to get those to execute if I send the view to my default layout template - which I essentially reduce to a size that can be "behind a filled rectangle" so it won't print but is still not hidden to the software. Or displaying the page that has that plan. schedules that reference 2 different objects and provide calculated fields The only way to get these to execute is to open the actual view and either open the schedule object or the schedule and then close it. Basically the print dialog "Update" provides that for all pages.

So the only way to really do a "Real Print Peview" is by starting the "Print Tool" (hotkey Ctrl+Q,P) and clicking on the "Update" button. I really wish CA would give us this functionality in a single tool. It's the only way Iknow to insure all macros get executed from all referenced plans and schedules.

IOW, pretty useless.

What is actually done by Print Preview In a Layout ? In a Plan ? Does it really do anything other than turning the display on and off in the Print Dialog?

I would actually need 5 since there's a cricket at the back. Some things are not that big a deal but it would be a nice feature if CA made flashing at vertical surface intersections with roof planes automatic similar to shadow boards. Another option could be a material region. They can be either recessed or not depending on the vertical surface. Recessed for Siding Flush for Concrete or Masonry After some experimenting I prefer the "Wall Material Region" because it seems to be much easier to adjust.and it sticks to the wall nicely.

X18 has some great new features. Here are my favorites: Project Information. Project Designer Client Custom - additional consultants, etc 3D Profiles User defined to add to Walls, Roofs, etc 2D Moldings - Board & Batt, Standing Seam Roofing, etc Lots of options using 2D Molding Profiles 3D Moldings - Mission Tile Roofing, Shingles, Shakes, etc Note that profiles should be as simple as possible to avoid redraw slowdown and file bloat. Don't attempt to create either 2D or 3D profiles with extreme accuracy. Fewer surfaces will provide better performance while still enhancing the 3D rendering. Room Labels with controls for what is displayed for various view types Wall Intersection editing & Wall Layer Fills Corner Board "Recessed to Sheathing Layer" option Replace Identical Objects in Plan (from Library) Numerous Framing and Truss improvements Schedules (Include from Floors options - much more flexibility)

That's not actually the correct view in the plan. What appears to be a newel post is actually a part of the wall but without the fill.

Maybe there will be a solution for these issues in X18.

I got it to work. It was a problem with the data assignment. I just had to change it to: ($TotalFloors - floor_number + 1) it seems to be important to have the spaces on either side of the "+" and "-" signs

So I have the following in an OIP custom_field named "supported floors" ($TotalFloors + owner.floor_number + 1) which returns: 1 for the top floor 2 for the next floor down etc. those values are displayed correctly in a schedule for the custom_field["supported floors"] But when I create a user macro for an object and try to get the value of that field it simply returns ($TotalFloors + owner.floor_number + 1)

No, I use the folloowing: referenced ? obj =referenced : obj= owner then all NVPs are per obj. That way my macros always work depending on the context..

OIP field values (even calculated or macro derived) can be displayed in a schedule. However, I'm not able to use them in other locations (text or macros). Does anyone know how to extract the values of a schedule row/column or the specific OIP field ?

Yes, it will still populate in the Schedule & Masterials list. The Architectural Block just contains the Cabinet. It doesn't make it a symbol.

The cables would need to be straight segments. OTOH, curved tubes could work but it would be very difficult to actually build.

Works for me. What app is your Chief Architect Profile set to use? When you open X17 does it switch to the Chief Profile? Just making a duplicate profile and changing the name isn't going to make it work. You need to open settings in Stream Deck, select yout X18 Profile and set the app to "Chief Architect Premier X18"

Have you talked to Chief to se3e if they could accommodate you ?

Do you have your Data Folder on a Drive other than "C" ? Maybe you are using a secondary drive like Dropbox. I've set mine up to use the "D" drive and Dropbox. What's shown in my "C Drive" isn't complete - it only shows the initial X17 toolbars, not subsequent additions. Otherwise, contact Customer Support.

So the question is: In waht version did you create it ? Have you migrated from that version ? If not you can still copy that toolbar from the version data/toolbars folder.

Have you exported your custom toolbar ?

It would be real nice if there were default settings for: Plan Views Exterior Elevations Interior Elevations Cross Sections CAD Details Where we could specify the scale and maybe even the drawing sheet size.

No arguement, I'm sure they would leave all of that out. BTW, I think they should hire @Medeek to do the Stairs improvements.