Joe_Carrick

Doug, Why would you say that we should never use box_scale? If I send to Layout, I'm sending to a specific sheet size at a specific scale. The box_scale macro reflect that exactly and I don't print the Layout at a different sheet size. If I want to print to a different sheet size then I'll send to a layout that's set to that sheet size. Check prints I send directly from the Plan so the scale macro is fine for that - but I personally am not worried about the scale of chec prints. At that point I'm just using them for markup anyway. Perhaps you don't prefer to use box_scale but IMO it's not good to advise users to never use it.

Bill, I generally use a Text Block in the Plan that is sent to Layout for the View Title. I just draw a line under it. Sometimes I do it in the Layout instead. I have a couple of CAD Blocks in my Library that I use for this - make it pretty easy to add anyplace I need them. It would be really nice if we had RT Labels that could contain more info on multiple lines - something that we've been asking for but CA hasn't done it yet. It would also be nice if we had a macro for Layout View Name in addition to Layout Box Scale.

One thing that may speed it up is to hide the "Selection Pane" and make sure the "Preview Pane" is displayed in Render Mode, not Vector Mode. Displaying the Library Items in Vector Mode seems to take more time. Hardware is key anyway.

Bill, Try replacing %scale% with %box_scale% on your Layout Views. I think you'll find it's quite nice. If you want, I have a custom macro %my_box_scale% that further formats it to something like this: Scale: 1/4" = 1'-0" and I never see the strange 15/64"=1' in my Layouts.

I will attempt to clarify this issue. There are 2 macros that show scale: 1. %box_scale% which reflects the scale of the view in the layout box. This is what is on a printed sheet and indicates what scale could be reasonably used to check dimensions. 2. %scale% which changes with zoom factor on the computer monitor. It is inherently inaccurate because computer screens are different sizes and resolutions. Evidently, in prior versions if %scale% was used in a Plan and subsequently sent to layout the display in layout would be reflected in real time if zoom was conducted in the Plan. With X6 the value shown in the Layout is not updated automatically. Tommy is simply asking that the prioor behaviour be restored. I don't think that he is asking that %box_scale% be changed or eliminated. The %box_scale% macro is not new to X6 and it works exactly the same as it did in X5. Personally, I can't see any reason to use %scale% but if Tommy has a use for it that makes sense to him then having it modified back to how it worked in the past doesn't seem to be a big deal. I would actually like him to explain how and why he uses it and for what purpose.

Tommy, I suspect that someone in the past complained that %scale% was changing and so for X6 - which really was concentrated on OS, the UI & the Layout - that that particular item had percolated to the top of the "Fix it List". I don't know anyone else that uses %scale% the way you do. Actually, I don't really know anyone else that's using it at all. All of my regular correspondents are just using %box_scale% with each layout box.

Tommy, You would normally use the %box_scale% macro on each Layout box (the scale at which the view was sent to Layout). I'm not sure why the %scale% macro doesn't automatically get updated based on the Plan, but IMO it's pretty useless anyway and might create a lot of confusion if visible and printed.

Check to see if any of the wall layers are on. There's more than one. That should allow you to see the studs. You still can't dimension them, but if you pick one you should see a "Temp Dimension" that tells you what the size is.

Larry, I'm not sure why we can't snap to the framing members, but if you display the elevation using the "Framing" Layerset (with wall layers off) then you can select a stud or plate and see the dimensions.

Gerry is right about the "insert macro icon" >. I didn't see that in the Defaults because it was in a different position and appearance than in the RT. I modified post #1 to reflect that.

Chief provides several Macros that can be used in Room Labels. These can be found in Macros>Global>Room Info but the way to get them to display in the actual Label is a bit tricky. In Default Settings>Rooms>Room Labels insert the macros you want. The other way to get similar results is to use a Rrich Text (allows better formatting) and simply place that RT within the room or add an arrow which points to the room. With RT you have to manually place a copy of your RT into the room. The first attaced pic shows what I typically use for my Room Labels in a Rich Text. If you instead use the Default Settings approach, don't use the %room.name% macro as chief will provide that automatically. The second pic shows 3 examples: 1: Room Label, 2 RT with Border, 3 RT w/o Border Note: With Room Labels you also don't need to use the %room.dimensions% macro since the Standard Label does it for you.

How about something like the pic below? The Rich Text Box uses macros for all the in formation displayed. Simply by placing a copy of the text box in the room it properly displays everything.

Yes, but I can do that pretty easily. What I'd really like is automatic annotation in nelevations, sections and details. ;)

Hue, Saturation, Value is a system used in print media vs computer monitors.

Curt, Have you tried using a "Custom Doorway" symbol and then placing the Door in that Doorway? That might work better for you but you might have to have several such Doorway Symbols.

It's apparent that with many of the "New Features" that CA implements: 1. There's an incomplete specification of what it should do and/or not do. 2. Once implemented it takes a long time (2-5 release cycles) to get it fixed. As an example, the "Projection Windows" feature in X6 has the following shortcomings: a. "Frames" do not show inside the opening as they do with other Window Types. b. "Casings, Lintels, Sills and Aprons" default to a gray color and are not available for editing in the Materials Tab of the Window dbx. They can be "painted" but that has to be done for each such Window. c. If the Symbol dbx indicates that "System Supplies Casings" they should only be defaulted for ":Interior Casings", etc. Generally Projection Windows would not have Casings, Sills, Lintels or Aprons on the Exterior because the Projection Window is normally applied to the Exterior Wall Surface. Currently it defaults to both Interior and Exterior. During the X6 Beta I reported these things but so far they haven't been fixed. Hopefully they will be fixed in the next patch - otherwise, the feature is less than it should be and its' use will require additional work-around(s).

In addition, I was feeling like some posts were a bit too "persnickity" and consequently the thread had deteriorated beyond being of value. I will usually delete a thread that I was the OP if it gets completely off target or becomes a "P*******g" contest. IOW, I reserve the right to use the "moderation" options.

Curt, I did in fact delete it because it had become confused. Many responses were about differences between what a color looks like on the monitor vs a paint chip. The question I had was about the BEHR Library not containing all the BEHR colors. The entire "N" series of colors is missing for example.

Hi Perry, That works, but it presents a few problems with labels and schedules, not to mention the hassle with changing the sash sizes, etc. It would really be nice if the "swing side" tool worked with "Sliding Glass Doors" instead of just reversing the slide direction. It seems like CA intentionally programmed it to just reverse the slide direction instead of changing the "in/out" direction.

Alan, You might be able to do it with a CAD line (arc) consisting of a repeated capitol S. Not perfect, but it's an idea. It would really be better if we could define linestyles that included segments that were 2D rather than just linear.

Most of the Sliding Glass Doors that I use are not recessed into the wall. They are Vinyl Frame and are installed like windows. It seems that Chief's Sliding Glass Doors are inset to the interior face of the wall similarly to a swinging door. IOW, in perspective views they are not flush with the exterior wall surface. IMO, this is wrong - at least when vinyl or aluminum frame doors are being used. Shouldn't there be an option to make this appear correct in 3D?

Thanks guys, I kept looking in the Walls section of defaults.

No, but it's been raining for the last 3-1/2 days. I did get in a round with Scott on Thursday afternoon during a "sucker hole" but otherwise I've been cooped up waiting for the sun to return.

I will make custom garage doors - aluminum frame glass panel, etc - to your specs for a very reasonable fee [ $15.00 ]. You specify the width, height, frame and panel appearance - satisfaction guaranteed.

I can confirm that the Labels don't show when the door is in a railing wall. IMO this is a bug in the program.