lbuttery

If you changed the Dims individually throughout the Project as you saw them then you have a small issue ( or maybe a large one?) Mick: yes, as I created the dims I changed them all individually to NOT "use default formatting" and had set the min fraction to 1/1 now that you provided the answer in the other thread to always set "use default formatting" while placing dims and to turn it off only when it was desired not to see the fractions I needed a way to globally change them back to "use default formatting" I tried doing that before creating this thread and it didn't work but I found that it takes two stages to do it as listed above in steps 1 - 8 I now have a method for toggling dim fractions on/off as needed but still would like a toggle to do this "easier" Lew

Select all the dims at once, hit "open," go to Primary Format tab and check "Use Default Formatting" Chris: I had tried that and it didn't work it takes multiple steps to do it 1. use "all off" layerset 2. display desired dim layers 3. multi-select desired dims 4. click open and set "default" then close the dbx 5. unselect the multi-select 5. multi-select desired dims again 6.click open go to Primary Format tab 7.set desired smallest fraction - say 1/16 8. check "Use Default Formatting" and close dbx

I have changed many of the dims in my last project to use 1/1 as the smallest fraction to do that change the "use default" setting has to be unchecked is there any way to global reset all the dims to use 1/16 for fractions and set "use default" ? Lew

Perry: Hmmm, glad it works for you I just wouldn't feel comfortable doing that Lew

when I measure with the disto, I will round off the measurements to the nearest inch Perry: Hmmm, that would introduce a lot of error in an as-built things just wouldn't jive "here and there" Lew

so it shouldn't be a problem to get an even number. even at 1/16. Perry: huh ? I don't understand ??? with a Disto I measure to 1/16 and model to 1/16 but all those fractions can clutter up a plan and most of the time I don't want to see them yes, I allow a 2" tolerance for a few of the dims if I start to get a lot then something is wrong and another site visit may be in order Lew

all you need to do in the Default Dims DBX is change the Fraction Dimension from 1/4" to 1/1" and those Dims using the Defaults will change , even the already placed ones. Mick: you are correct it does work: 1. leave primary format set to "use default" for each/every dim 2. set the default primary dim to desired min fraction - usually 1/16 3. place dims as needed - any dims with fractions will show the fraction 4. when desired to hide the fractions choose "default settings" dbx set primary dims to 1/1 to display to nearest whole inch - or maybe 1/2 for nearest 1/2 - or maybe 1/4 for nearest 1/4 5. reverse step 4 when fractions are desired again it would be easier if CA would create a toggle for this on/off display Lew

I like to actually have the walls exactly where they need to be by moving them to not have fractions. my dims and grid snaps are set to 1/4" ,but if I don't want to see a fraction, move the wall when needed, then the model will be better. Perry: that may work for new construction (for the most part) but when working with as-builts - not even close to being able to do that Lew

My worst feature is NO hardware lock my friend (partner) and I will be staying with X9 also, still waiting for the Library to be fixed to allow sub folders etc and to have all the libraries replicate the website structure 1 for 1 also, still waiting for Ruby to have recordable macro capability also, still waiting for true BIM capabilty best feature is probably "plan sets" but I haven't tried them out Lew

Mick: thanks, got tied up today will try it out soonest Lew

double click the dim tool and change the defaults. If the individual dims are on default settings and on the active layer you can change the default and it will change all the dims it is my understanding that it won't change dims that have already been placed I'll try the group select but have doubts that it will work, need to try later this eve I'm still thinking a simple on/off toggle would be best Lew

Mick: I suspected it wouldn't affect already placed dims so, if there is no current solution for toggling fractions on/off I will post a suggestion that a toggle be created Lew

Eric: no joy with using annosets ??? I created a copy of the 1/4 scale dimension defaults as 1/4 scale dimension defaults - no fractions and set the smallest fraction to 1/1 I created a copy of the 1/4 scale annotations as 1/4 scale annotations - no fractions and set it to use 1/4 scale dimension defaults - no fractions nothing changed ??? what else do I need to do ??? Lew NO_FRACTIONS_TEST.plan

Eric: Hmmm, I'll check them out so far never had a need to use them still seems it would be nice to have a simple toggle maybe with a hotkey ... Lew

I know how to use Dim "primary format" to hide fractions by displaying to nearest inch but this has to be set each and every dim - if desired is there a way to display the fractions and then toggle to not display back and forth as needed ? I like to model using the fractions - but I don't like them displaying - too much clutter on the plans most of the time no one cares if a dim is 5' 9/16" or 5' 1" Lew

I use a 37" tv/monitor set to 720P resolution it works great when clients come - no having to squeeze in shoulder to shoulder Lew

Michael: thanks so very much for the refresher on setting materials and transparency I now have the "placement block" set to transparency in plan mode and 3D mode your tip on using "replace from library" works very nicely so I suspect the "placement block" may not be needed anymore open the attached site plan and in 3D mode turn off the "placement block" layer then select the "Sawmill Symbol" and use "replace from library" and choose the TEST sawmill symbol you should see one wall turn to blue paneling in the past there has been debate over the "hassle" of keeping each building in a separate plan and then creating them as symbols to be placed in the master site plan "replace from library" appears to have eliminated this hassle fantastic Lew BUTTERY_SAWMILL_CT_SITE_180211_0950_LBX9.zip

Michael: wow, forgot about that after dinner I will give it a try thanks Lew

Michael: any thoughts on a "better/easier" way to replace the Sawmill symbol if it ever needs updating ? Lew

Michael: fantastic thanks for taking the time to make a video that should do the trick Lew

trial versions are specifically designed as trial versions so that nothing of value can be produced Understood, yet only they may have tools that can do something we can't ? Lew

On Monday contact CA's tech support they may have some tips or they might even be able to do it for you ??? Lew

Michael: with the fill style set to solid the "transparency pattern background" is "grayed out" Hence I didn't try the transparency slider (I should have tried) I had set the "Fill Style" to sand and tried the transparency slider in 3D mode and nothing happened I just tried it with fill style "solid" I now see that it changes the transparency in plan mode I do like it at 50% transparency in plan mode is it possible to control the transparency in 3D mode ? that was my goal - to see the Sawmill with the "placement block" in transparent mode thanks Lew

I just changed the fill style to solid and bumped the transparency up Michael: I had tried that but the transparency setting was "grayed out" ??? I'll try again Lew

Perry: this is a brand new model done in X9 you must be thinking of something else I did awhile back Lew