Joe_Carrick

I understand but I don't think that was Levis's problem. IAE, I will probably never need the 2nd form that was made possible in X10 since there are other ways of accomplishing those results - which I am very comfortable with using. Both "rb" files and custom class methods are capable of providing the same functionality and are IMO more consistent with Ruby standards.

Michael, See my answer above. I use this principle in almost all my macros for just this reason.

user macros are only "greyed out" if they are not currently considered valid. If you use error handling constructs in your macros you can essential guarantee that they will always be valid. IOW: begin result = some code that might fail rescue result = code that never fails end

I was born that way but it took 76 years to realize it.

Select the view Hold Down the Alt Key Grab the corner handle and drag.

Box Height is definitely in X10 as a Schedule Column, but it doesn't give what you want. However, in X9 you can create a custom field in the OIP and assign a macro that subtracts the counter_thickness from the height. Including that field as a Column in the Schedule will give you the actual cabinet height. I don't think that capability exists in X8.

Exactly !!! I've been asking for an attribute with the material and thickness of each layer as well as an identification of which layer was the main layer for quite some time. Essentially, that's what I simulated with my Wall Type naming convention. But it would be much better if CA made that information available as attribute(s). In addition we need the Insulation R value.

I just wish CA would make all this stuff automatic. For the average user it's almost impossible.

After repeated efforts to get CA to provide meaningful automatic labels to Walls in Elevation Views (both Interior & Exterior) based on the layers that make up the wall type - or to provide Ruby accessible attribute that could be used - I decided to set up a system that I could utilize to accomplish that goal. The first thing I did was to give my Wall Types names that included descriptions of the layers making up the wall. These were separated by commas so I could retrieve and parse the name. Examples: 1" Stucco, Housewrap, 1/2" Plywd, 2x6 Studs, 5/8" Drywall 5/8" Drywall, 2x4 Studs, 5/8" Drywall 5/8" Drywall, 2x4 Studs Those are just a few of my Wall Types. On a typical project I may have up to 10 or more. Then I created a macro that determines what Layer Set is in use and creates an appropriate Label for the Wall: Exterior Elevations -> a list of the Exterior Wall Layers "down" to the Main Layer. Interior Elevations -> a list of the Interior Wall Layers "up" to the Main Layer. Plan Views -> Wall # (includes the Floor #.Wall #) Subsequently I decided that I would need a "Wall Legend" and it would need to have a Graphic, a List of all the Wall Layers, the total Thickness, and the Insulation R-Value To accomplish this I created specifically named "Layer Set Layers" and a special "Layer Set" named "Wall Legend" - more about that later. Walls, Exterior Walls, Exterior R-13 Walls, Exterior R-19 Walls, Exterior R-21 Walls, Interior Once I had all that in place I added a "zero height Floor" within my Plan (between the top floor and the attic) & set the Layer Set to "Wall Legend". This Floor is reserved specifically to contain only the Wall Legend. That way, I can display Walls and their special Labels without interfering with the Wall Labels in Plan, & Elevation. A special Macro creates the Label for each 4' length of wall in the Legend. I set that Label to be offset to the right of the graphic. All I have to do is create each Wall Type and set it to the correct Layer. Here's a pic of my Wall Legend:

Gerry, Here's the Help file section that applies to that message: Materials List Formulas Calculations in the Materials List are based on the properties of the objects in the model and the materials assigned to those objects. See Define Material Dialog. If the default calculations do not meet your needs, you can replace them with custom formulas. Materials List formulas use Ruby syntax, which allows you to use both basic arithmetic as well as construct more complex macros. See Text Macros. To insert a custom Materials List formula 1. Double-click in any editable cell in the Materials List. • The cells in some columns allow you to choose an item from a drop-down list. • Most cells are editable text fields. 2. In the inline text field, you can: • Type the desired custom text that you need. The resulting text does not perform calculations and is static. • Press the = key, then type or insert the desired custom formula. The = character at the beginning tells the formula to treat the text that follows as a formula instead of regular text. 3. If the cell has been previously edited, you can click the Revert to Default button to restore the original, automatically generated content. 4. Click the Insert Macro button to insert one or more User Defined text macros and/or Materials List column macros into the inline text field. 5. When multiple identical items are listed as a single line item: • Select Apply Formula to Line Item to apply the specified formula to the current row. When this option is selected, values in the other cells in the same row can be accessed, but not the properties of the object(s) themselves. • Select Apply Formula to Source Object to apply the specified formula to each individual object and display the total in the current cell. When this option is selected, the object(s)’ properties can be used. Fields with custom macros report values with accuracy of up to two decimal points, even in columns that report whole numbers when calculated automatically. Custom Formula Macros You can create custom macros in the Edit Text Macro dialog and then insert them into the inline text field. See Edit Text Macro Dialog. • Macros created for use in Materials List formulas need to have Evaluate checked in the Edit Text Macro dialog. • Formulas that reference the object’s properties need to have “Owner Object” selected as the Context. • Formulas that reference information in other cells in the current row need to have “Materials List Line Item” selected as the Context. I'm not sure this is all that useful, and since I'm not using the Bill of Materials I haven't tested it to see how it works. I think Michael is probably more knowledgeable about this feature. You might try PM'ing him.

New capability in X10. I think it's primarily for use in the BOM.

Ahhhh….. I never use the ALDO to change any of those settings. I only use it to see what layers are being used. To actually change any settings I use the LDO.

I don't think there's any problem with them opening the plan and using any of chief's features. They can probably even save to a new file - but they couldn't save to the Dropbox location.

Dropbox, Shared, View Only works for me.

Use Wall Material Regions.

Yep!

OK, what do you mean by "Rotate the Face"? Perhaps you mean using a 3D Camera within a Room (focal point at the center of the room)

I don't understand. The mouse orbit tool is only valid in 3D Views and AFAIK that's always been the case. How would it possibly work in 2D?

You need not only the layers, but also separate "Layer Sets" Switching between the "Layer Sets" allows different layers to be on or off. Here's a typical set of Layer Sets: Existing Plan Demolition Plan New Plan Framing Plan Electrical Plan Foundation Plan etc. Every Layer Set has all of the Layers but each Layer can be displayed or not as desired on each different Layer Set.

The notes in the Library were probably created at a 1/4" scale drawing. That means that 1/8" text is 6" tall. When you drop them into the Layout they are full size. Just Re-Scale the Layout Box to 1/4"=1' and they will be 1/8".

Edit the Demo Walls to be on "Walls, Demo" Layer. Edit your new Walls to be on "Walls, New" Layer. In your Demolition Layer Set make "Walls, Demo" displayed and in your Proposed Layer Set make "Walls, New" not-displayed In your Proposed Layer Set make "Walls, New" displayed and in your Demolition Layer Set make "Walls, Demo" not-displayed IOW, you need one Layer Set for Demolition and another for Proposed. There are other ways to do Remodel Projects as well. Sometimes it's easier to have to separate Plan Files, one for Existing/Demolition and another for Proposed. That may be easier for you until you get a better handle on Layer Sets.

I think this might be a case of a "Saved Plan View" that has some strange "Locked Layers" not consistent with the Layer Set. That statement makes no sense but I don't know how else to say what I think is happening. Try editing the Layer Set so all the appropriate Layers are unlocked and displayed. Then save the Plan View. Maybe that will clear up the problems.

I know I had a problem with custom window symbols before and it was a convoluted problem. Typically they get placed on the outside of the wall in plan view which is exactly what you are experiencing. I tried using a modified CAD Block and adjusting the origin of the CAB Block. Sadly that didn't work either. This is one that needs to be reported to CA Support. If you are still on X8 I think you are probably out of luck. The only solution at that point is to define your symbol as just an Architectural Block and manually place it in an "Pass Thru" opening.

Did you just create the Architectural Block? What was the current CAD Layer when the Block was created?

Essentially, Vent Symbols are just a special class of Window Symbols. By default the origin is at the back of the Symbol when created but Windows Symbols snap to the front face of the wall so we have to adjust the "y" origin to compensate. I often think the adjustment should be a negative number but it actually needs to be positive.