SHCanada2

hmm i was wondering that before I wrote it but I had checked mine that has two fields and they are both macros, and it works, but they come from rooms not notes...maybe its something along the lines of what joe said...interesting

they have a demo and Q&A next Thursday. I will ask the questions if i get the chance

did the "group similar rows" not work to get rid of the same null blank rows in the schedule

the offer was good for the rest of the year. Given I could not find any feedback, well that and its like $2k CAD, I decided to wait to see what people reviews are...and real people in the industry, not just some reviewer guy. So hopefully you will provide some valuable feedback. My biggest concern with all of these things that "make a floor plan" is they never seem to tell you what they adjusted to make it work. Given their stated accuracy is +- 1 inch, I dont want a bathroom shrinking an inch when they put it altogether. think most of these types of program make the walls thicker for the most part. but still, why not give me the raw measurements as well wo i can decide. I guarantee you a bathtub cant shrink by an inch

the other thing you could do, which I did originally for RSI calcs is put everything in one note for a single row schedule for each category. Given you want control and not have the user accidentally remove a row or have to do row management and looking at your example formatting, it might be an option:

you can consoliate similar rows into one(not zero) row, thats how room area schedules can be made to look like only a couple rows, but it would only work if your other rows have unique atributes

..another reason for the user to create a pdf from the downloaded excel, import into CA plan file....simple no headache or just screenshot the excel file, even easier (but loss of pixel accuracy) ..or the user can format excel and print to pdf ...or the user can create a "view" in excel to replicate the same thing every time ....or ... if the data is static and does not change and the format as viewed in CA does not need to change, I dunno, why bother bringing it in as numbers into CA.

I got a notice today for option to buy for a $100 discount on $1500, not exactly a lot. They do have the doc up and some videos on how to use. They also specify accuracy as +-1 inch ...per room it looks like. not great once you aggregate it all together. It also looks like it creates the floor plan as you go, which means it has the same type of logic as the apple room API. i.e it has to choose what walls to change the measured value on in order to close the room. It has an odd room transition. They recommend to,, hit the add room button on the app, then put the LX on the jamb to measure the wall thickness. ...and how exactly would that work? the casing is typically almost flush, which would mean, if it included the casing, they would calculate the wall to be another 1.5" thick. There must be something going on to mitigate this I also never saw in the video where they size a window that is flush with the wall. I would think maybe you just put it on either side of the window. ...and it does not show measuring a closet with a bunch on clothes in it. The one video I saw the guy says if it cannot get a laser reading it uses the gyro. it would be interesting to see a real life scenario with a third party reviewer. I looked around but have not seen one yet

oh the other thing to add, if you are using global variables to store the data, be careful as opening up two different plan files at the same time will execute the same. I use a global hash which includes the path/name of the .plan file for every NVP in the hash, in an attempt to mitigate this. ie. in order to show the contents of the variable, I check that it matches the current plan file name in the current active window. If you are doing it on the fly and returning data directly from a function, then not an issue

hmmm I dont think it would work in the restoring a backup or simply opening up a backup(which in this scenario is stored in the same dir), as the macro always reads the latest JSON, no? Or Consider the case where I create two different floor plan options in the same directory, if it always reads the latest, then both would show the same when I open them up, even though they should be different. to each his own, but I would see the tradeoff of that risk, vs simply creating a PDF of your XLSX (assuming it is pretty), and importing, as the least risk, easiest to manage, guaranteed accurate for backups & multiple option plan scenarios. hmmm, I thought the rb just brought the data into variables, and the CA text box with its grid lines is presenting that data(font, size, bold, etc).i.e. the RB would be more of an ETL process, where it extracts the data from the JSON, transforms it into the format you would like, and then loads it into variables. I suppose if you are adding tabs or the like as part of that to make it look pretty, then I suppose it is a bit of a mix never a dull moment in the CA automation topics...

ok so I think I am getting it....maybe... You are forcing the user to use a specific backup mechanism, where they must copy your .plan file and the JSON file into a separate directory when they make a backup? vs for instance in non PM mode I would make a back up or create a new version of the plan simply by copy and pasting the plan in the same directory or what exactly does this mean. Is this done by what the user downloads (MSI or something)? uhmm you are actually doing two formats? xlsx and JSON I dunno, copying around 2 files, requiring specific backup directories from the user, writing macros to read(which may impact performance), making sure the right .plan is linked, vs creating a specific JSON file for CA that the user just imports, presumably same as the workflow for the revit and softplan people...seems like a headache, not to mention the user has to maintain the links to your plan file. You might even want to ask your customers the question: If we had a standlaone utilitity to change the JSON file to a CA JSON file, would you rather run it through that and import the CA JSON file, or would you rather this setup where there is a seperate .plan file you have to link and maintain the JSON and .plan file. In my view of the world, which I will admit is far from the average person, I would pick the utility and keep with one .plan file. but and there is always a but, the CA macro import just brings in the text, you have a lot of grid lines. If these are just text boxes with lines, then the user would need to create those. If I was your company and went the CA JSON file route, I would then provide the example .plan file with those boxes and the text macro names and then the person could just put those on their own template file. BTW, the new feature of the "Project Information" where you can create your own fields, is exactly the same as the existing text macro functionality with respect to behaviour to read from them. The Project Information features implements a nice GUI to enter the data, vs the text macro which (if not imported from a JSON) needs to be entered via TMM. or...if your XLSX is already formatted pretty, the user could just make a pdf of that and import to their plan file. one and done

hmmm I'm not sure I understand . If I understand correctly, you are giving the customer a .plan file with the macros in it to read your json file They are responsible for opening up that file and sending the tables to their .layout file. They then get the json file from your website and place it in the directory . In the import a macro file use case I suggested, their layout would show nothing if they had not yet imported the file, it would show something if they imported a json file, and it would show something new if they imported another. If you had them import into the plan(instead of the layout), you would be guranteed what they chose to import reflects the plan (as they would have imported what they just downloaded from you) if they open a plan from a backup, then you are guranteed the tables reflect what was in that plan at the time. In your implementation, if they opened up a backup plan, how could it possibly know which JSON file to use, unless they created copies of your plan file as well? it would have to go look at other version of the backups and find the next latest date, and then find the JSON that is between those two dates. Not to mention if the customer deleted a backup, then there would be no possible way. but either way the backup cannot be guaranteed. suppose they just finished adding a beam, and had yet to download your file, but a backup occurs, but then they add another beam and download another one of your files so now there are two more changes. If one brought the backup back to life, how would the macro know which to use, Not to mention sometimes one has to use the CA backup file located elsewhere. ...I must be missing something? I would think if you want to guarantee them to be in sync, you would have to have some sort of thing where as soon as something is changed in the CA plan, the structural tables disappear, telling the user they need to go get another one. If not, and one is relying on the user to download, then it would seem to have same holes in trying to keep them in sync whichever way one chooses

hmm interesting, so from the user use case perspective, they have their layout, they put in these text boxes where they want them. They then download a JSON file from your website stick it in a directory on their computer, and you tell them the particular macro name that parses out the information for that specific layout sheet? And for them to get this working they specify the directory in a variable, and then your macro uses that to find the file? And the end customer may change parameters and download that file multiple times for the same project? The other way you could have done it, is to format that JSON file as a CA text macro JSON file, and then the customer imports it. CA text macros are persistent, stored with the plan or layout file, so you only have to go read the file once on demand. I suggest this method because if the user has to go download it anyway, then they are the ones that know that it changed. They could just reimport when it changes. The advantage: No global variables, user uses a standard windows file selection box, no performance hit, no CA/ruby programming(assuming it is all just formatted text)

agree that stacked schedules is more of a headache for managing real estate, than text boxes....but in looking at your example, what are you doing if you need another 5 rows in any of those text boxes? They would then overlap no?

If this is just static text(static in that CA does not use the values for anything) for a layout box, and if you are not using PM mode, another possible option, is because CA will let you link a layout box of a pdf or image to an actual file on disk, you could have that layout box point to an image or pdf (easiest would be the same filename everytime) in the plan/layout directory. And then write a windows service that monitors the directory or all directories for modified json timestamps, and then have the program, spit out an image or PDF formatted to how you like. The layout box updates when you change pages, or goto print. You could also likely do it in PM mode by looking up where the PDF is stored on disk, but non PM mode is a lot simpler in knowing where the files are. From a user perspective for a new layout on a new project, they would have to go into the layout box and select the "prettytext.pdf" (or copy paste the path) in the directory of the layout. but once they do that, CA will show the updated pdf/image if it changes behind the scenes (on a page change or print). I've pondered doing this before, but I have so little external data, its not worth it, but I am surprised no one else has done it given AIs ability these days. P.S. I was also like Rene in thinking you got this into a CA schedule (directly at that I thought), had me all flustered as to how. it was short lived as I read the replies

I've been writing text files(i write to a log file for a couple macros) for years using a static root + dynamic ca provided filename and have not had the security error. I use the same full path from that variable for a key in my hash as well, with no issues. actually i checked I dont even have a static root logfile=File.dirname(filepath)+"/log.txt" filepath comes from CA's macro I looked at how I read files, and it is similar. the only other thing related to security that I can think of is the Ruby execution level

i would do one of two way. create garage on separate plan, convert it to symbol then place on house plan or 2 draw the garage and when done, select all areas and the rotate..but its is a bit if a paint to get exact location. you could also do a reference display, but given it is only a garage I would probably do 1 or 2

I want black on the outside, bone on the inside, but it looks like it will only do a single color for outside and in. This typically works, so not sure what happened. Anyone seen this and how to fix it? Screen Recording 2026-09-04 224705.mp4

Use a manually type in date?

I see a lot of plans from others in my work up here in the north. The vast majority of new single family home construction plans I see combine a basement plan and foundation plans into one. joist direction and sizes are noted, but there are never joist and truss plans, because they come from the truss and floor manufacturer. Your comment that "Yes, for drawing a walkout on level 0 you would have to adjust the floor heights of the room that supplies the garage footings/stepping, keep in mind that there is a lot less liability keeping auto foundations on and working for you as opposed to manual foundations. " is a bit perplexing. I do the basement on floor 0, if it was wrong then I am drawing or changing the wall locations to be wrong, the foundation walls are the basement walls, so there is no chance they are different. it would be, I would think, the same thing for your floor 1, if you draw it wrong then the auto foundation would be wrong. I'm not sure what the difference is? Not to mention you have to copy and paste the garage walls, which means if you change them, you have to go and change the copied walls. for this: Correct, but you are still having to manage the room height since you dont want your stem walls 8' under ground You do not have to manage the garage foundation room height on floor 0. I build floor 1 with auto build foundations on, I draw the attached garage, then in that garage room you set the stem height. you never have to touch the garage room height on floor zero. This is what I do in the garage room. it gives the 12" concrete wall above grade. you can alter the stem height even after auto build is turned off I personally prefer separate foundation and basement plans(I have 2 different SPVs/def sets for notes, dims etc), but I am not in the majority from what I have seen around here. I can see why they combine them, normally there might be 2-4 footings, so its not a lot to add them in on the query, why not use the more flexible option, I think the answer up here is, they are almost always done the one way that I have shown below (Foundation cribbed, then slab poured, then furred walls and daylight walls framed. The only downside that I see for this canadaland scenario, drawing on floor 0, is one has to set the walls as having a pony wall. Everything else AFAICT seems to be standard CA workflow, and there is no copying/pasting of walls. But I do mainly reconstructs in these scenarios(the last new build walkout I did was last year or the year before), so I only see the plans given to me for most of my work. Rob is the one designing them up here on a daily basis, he would have the ins and outs of any "workarounds" some examples of foundation plans I have had to reconstruct with elevations below. the last two are essentially the same plan, but one is a walkout, so you can see what changes they made (the walkout wall shows as a normal wall is the most obvious) here is a duplex with a separate found plan: another duplex walkout version

did you set to to replicate to the cloud onthe as built app?

hmm, and you click on it then clicked rebuilt framing for object?

for the second roof plane, did you try and go into it and change it to 9.25"

Looks like you may not be showing the corresponding layer. Try switching to the all layers layerset to see 8f the elevation shows correctly

The other common reason for not being able to select a room is it is not actually closed in by drawn walls. If you have foundation walls on floor 0 they will create attic walls on floor one. These will make it look like you have walls enclosing a room...but you really do not