Joe_Carrick

Dropbox is the way to go. Essentially, every user has the Library in a Dropbox Folder on their own computer. When something is changed in the Library it will be uploaded to the Cloud and other Systems will be updated. That happens in the background and theirs no waiting for the server. Network traffic and locking can be a pain - don't use it.

Thanks!

I like your Icon - but I would like it more if it was a raised button.

Ideally, a Keynote system should have a Callout that could have an Arrow. Then, if the Arrow was attached to an object it would recognize that the Keynote referred to (referenced) that object. This would allow the macro to use attributes of the object.

Perry, You can use macros in a Keynote, but nothing that would automatically get info from the object - since the object is a only a plant, not the object to which the Keynote is about. OTOH, if you have non-evaluated text macros with the desired text then those would work fine. You just have to select the correct macro.

One big advantage to the Library is that you can select a wall type and start drawing with it immediately. Instead of having your "Default Wall Type" and then needing to change to the one you really want, you can just use the Library wall type. You can draw over existing walls but that will eliminate any existing doors, windows, niches, etc. OTOH, once a Library Wall has been drawn in the Plan, it will also be in the Plan Wall Types for use (change an existing wall to the new Wall Type).

I have the same stuff from V9.5 & V10. I have kept them in storage but they are probably worthless.

Use a composite wall by adding additional Layers to make up the total recess depth. 1" Stucco Housewrap Sheathing - 1/2" 2x4 Studs -3.5" Air Gap 3.5" 2x6 Studs - Main Layer 1/2" Drywall Then set the windows to recess to the Main Layer & set the Exterior Casing to 1.25"wide x 8.5" deep - material "Stucco"

To assign text or a macro to an Architectural Block - add it to the Label. As far as the Counter Tops, I have a macro package similar to the Roofs Package. The price for each of those is $25.00 ($50.00 total) My complete list is at To purchase, just deposit the total amount for the packages/macros you want in my PayPal account chriscoll@dslextreme.com (include a note listing what you are purchasing)

Skip, You can export Layer Sets, Annosets, Defaults, Wall Types, etc and import them into your Profile Plan.

I have another system. Using some macros, I essentially copy an entire Project Folder to a new Project - totally renamed and relinked automatically.

Of course you can. Any Plan can be set as the Default Template for new Plans. Templates are just Plan files. In Preferences>New Plans you can select any Plan as the Default Template

Maybe "Edit Area - All Floors" would work.

OK Michael, I know how to include lines, polylines, & arcs in an Architectural Block. That's just a matter of converting them to Molding Polylines - or one of several other object types. But how do you include Text, Rich Text, Markers & Callouts?

Have you ever wanted to be able to display the Cabinet Labels (maybe as a Schedule Callout) but then have a separate Label for the Island that the Cabinets make up? Here's the trick: Select the Cabinets Create an Architectural Block (red blocking icon on the edit toolbar) Assign the text or macro desired to the Architectural Block Make sure the "Architectural Blocks, Labels" layer is displayed You now have separate labels for the cabinets and for the block. If you want another label, marque select the block and create another Architectural Block and assign the desired text to that Label. I'm not sure how deep you can nest Architectural Blocks but I've done it 3 levels which is more than I need. IAE, this works for Cabinets, Furniture, Fixtures, etc. (anything that can be combined into an Architectural Block).

Dropbox is really easy to use. Each computer gets a Dropbox. Folders can then be assigned to the Dropbox which causes the contents to be uploaded to Dropbox.com. Any folder can be shared with other users and the contents will automatically be synched to all computers. The advantage is that everyone is working on their own copy. Whenever a change is made and saved, that file is uploaded to Dropbox.com and then synched to the other computers.

Walls, Material Regions, Doors, Windows, Cabinets and many other things can be stored in the Library. Organizing the Library into Folders is really important for efficiency.

Is everyone's network drive the same letter? BTW, I would have just used Dropbox with a shared folder. That way the template is stored on each user's computer and synched whenever it's changed.

Alan, You should be able to do that just by assigning the material to the p-solid and adjusting the transparency.

There may also be some objects that still exist in your template that you are just not seeing. Turn on all layers, then check every Floor Level, and delete anything that shouldn't be there. Also check CAD Details, Elevations and Sections.

It appears to be the archive file that's the problem. The path is set in preferences so you may need to do a bit more checking. If all else fails, contact customer service.

The problem with this is that it will not retain column widths. Copy and Paste to the Template (in CAD Detail Windows) provides a much more complete solution and doesn't require any blocking or unblocking.

Dermot, here's the situation I'm trying to solve. Macro_1 sets a $Global variable. $LayerSet (get's the layer_set_name from a text object - generally the view name text) $LayerSet is used in other macros to control the result. Macro_1 may not have executed before the other macros so $LayerSet might not be correct if I've just switched from a Plan view to an Elevation view. <F5> or pan/zoom is currently the only way to force the redisplay The layer_set_name attribute is only reliable for CAD objects in any view other than a Plan View. It's not reliable in Camera Views (Elevations, Sections or Interior Elevations). Maybe that just needs to be fixed. Then I could just use the object's layer_set_name from within the Label macro.

So, if there was a <F5> special key that could be placed in a Label wouldn't that force the redraw?

The F5 key forces a redisplay. Is there any way to cause that to happen automatically from within a user macro? If not it would be really nice if CA would add 'F5' as a Global Special Character.