Electromen

There's been a lot of discussion lately about laptops & tablets.  I recently purchased a MacBook Pro laptop, I also have a Mac Pro Desktop.

Now the files on each one are Synced.  I can open a Plan on one, create a new plan, make changes, create new folders and documents, then save to the hard drive.  When I get the the other computer, all the changes are there on the other computer's HD.  My complete Documents folder matches on each computer.  I can also open these documents on my iPhone and iPad.  Of course CA isn't on the phone but I can open all the PDF and other documents.  This also works with Windows.  I'm using it on my wife's PC to back up and sync photographs.  

I'm using a Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra.  I purchased it with two internal - 2TB HDs, larger ones are available.   It plugs into my internet router or switch with Cat5/Ethernet.

From the My Cloud web site, which is free, I can make changes, open files, save etc. from anywhere internet is available.  For a phone or Tablet, there's an App.

Western Digital suggests using 3rd Party software called GoodSync.  The cost is $30/yr for the subscription. I use Good Sync at home.  Both computers copy their  hard drives to the My Cloud EX2 Ultra via WiFi or Ethernet.  Each one syncs with it and changes are made to each computers HD.  The newest file is the one synced.  

Now I can take the laptop onto the job site, make changes, then open the drawing on the desktop and the changes are there.  I can also created invoices and other documents and they are on both computers.  One advantage to this, it's a great backup.  Not only are the files on two computers, they are also stored on the My Cloud device.  I'm using one of the My Cloud internal HDs for the Macs, the other one is used for my wife's PC.

I own a two week old 16" MacBook Pro.

2 TB SSD, 32 GB RAM, 5500M video card with 8GB VRAM, 2.4 Ghz processor

I'm very happy with it. It's very fast with CA12.

I use Vimeo,  It's a paid service but the video quality is better than YouTube.

1 hour ago, Resolvetheissue said:

• How many passes should it take to do a ray trace? I usually do 10

1. How long should it really take to do a full ray trace? Depends on many facrtors, turn off unused layers
2. Why am I seeing so many people with this issue that it takes over 2 hours to create one ray trace?
3. I see that people have errors and some don't? I don't
4. What are cause this issue? N?A
5. By turning things on or off does that really help? YES
6. Are there hidden values in the program that are causing this issue? Third party 3D images
7. Could there be to many Camera shots? One per Ray Trace
8. could there be to much movement in the motion of the camera shots? I don't understand
9. Do you really need to limit what you do in the program when make the house plans? NO
10. Does customizing cause this issue?
11. What short cuts can make this easier on everyone?
12. can we see changes of this in the future to the ray trace?
13. can switching from one version to another, cause this issue for the ray traces to take to long?

I have some many more questions I will finish here for now.

Please help?

Jpeg is a Raster based image and will show the pixels as it's enlarged or zoomed in.

PDF is a Vector based image and can be enlarged an infinite amount without degrading the image.

Most Billboards are Vector based images.

In the Photography world, Adobe Photoshop is used for Raster.  Adobe Illustrator is used for Vector.

So, you are correct wanting to use .PDF

When you Export in CA, make sure the screen shows the entire image/plan  Adjust the Paper Size and Scale when you Export

I've been using the new Mac Pro for about two weeks.  It is at least equal to or superior to my Mac Pro.

3D views are instantly shown, no delay at all.  This is faster than the Mac Pro which takes about a second.

Ray Tracing is slightly faster by a few minutes.

I bought a CalDigit docking station and I'm waiting on two BenQ 27" 2705 monitors.  Then the MacBook Pro may become my main computer.

We'll see, I still like my Mac Pro and the setup I have using a Wacom Tablet and XKEYS for input. 

From my Layout, I always Print > PDF and match the PDF size to my layout paper size.  

20 hours ago, ChiefUserGingerP said:

I am reluctant to upgrade to Windows 10 on my office computer and take the chance of losing the ability to open the hundreds of house plans I have drawn over the past 20 years. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, can you give me advice? 

 

Thanks! 

 

Before you upgrade, copy these plans to an external drive like a USB or external hard drive or external solid state drive  Test a few to make sure they open from the external drive.  Then you can safely upgrade to Win10. Win10 includes DRIVE ONE.  DRIVE ONE is a free Cloud backup for the Documents folders.  Everything in that folder will be backed up to the DRIVE ONE cloud.

Post the plan?

From the Home screen, Swipe Down from the Top-Right Corner to Open Control Center

Tap the Rotation Lock to Off.  The Pad Lock should look unlocked/open.

I just ordered two 27" monitors.  I considered one large one but I prefer dual monitors.

I did it !

I ordered a 16" MacBook Pro

2.4 GHz Intel Core i9 8-Core, 

32GB RAM

2TB SSD

AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM

It's going to be interesting to see how CA X12 performs compared to my 2013 Mac Pro 

I'm an electrical contractor, commercial / residential / light industrial.

Are you sure you're not looking at the commercial permits?  

I would call the permit office and ask for specifics.  Something to this level is usually not done by an architect, but an electrical engineer and only one commercial jobs.

If this is residential, they are way out of line.

The one's I pre-ordered will have USB-C, Thunderbolt 3.  I don't have a computer with that, but will in the future.

https://www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/designer/pd2705q.html

I just Pre-Ordered Two-BenQ PD2705Q monitors.  $399 ea. at B&H 

I came within seconds of ordering the monitor and got called away.

When I returned, I did a little more research and found that 4K may not be the best resolution for things like reading this forum because the text will be smaller.

I know I can scale it, but now I'm considering the 2K monitor.  BenQ is coming out with a new model PD2705Q and it's $139 less, $278 less for two.

I was ready to order, but now I'm on a bit of a delay, I applied for a BenQ business account to see if I can save a few bucks.

Just now, Kbird1 said:

 

If Ryan was right earlier , you'd need mDP to Thunderbolt adapters too ??  ( or TB to mDP or DP depending on monitor inputs.

I downloaded the User Guide.  The monitor has MiniDisplay Port, Display Port, and HDMI.  

Thunderbolt 2 and MiniDisplay are the size and fit.  From what I've read, there is not need for the Thunderbolt cable, just a MiniDisplay to Display.

Just now, rgardner said:

Nice.  What is the USB Cables for?

 

USB input to the monitor feeds four powered USB outputs.

1 minute ago, rgardner said:

OP has a Mac pro desktop (professional desktop version Mac has and not a laptop.  That particular model does not have HDMI ports rather 6 Thunderbolt 2 as it has dual video cards so has to bring them together to the mainboard for distribution to the monitors.

 

I use dongles (already had them before I changed monitors for wife's old setup).  But a quick search found a good review and cheap price on these cables: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5RY8D7/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01N5RY8D7&pd_rd_w=6yuNz&pf_rd_p=48d372c1-f7e1-4b8b-9d02-4bd86f5158c5&pd_rd_wg=rOC5y&pf_rd_r=KGAAYNPZ7Q62B1ANEDY2&pd_rd_r=8948c729-d3ce-4b0c-a72d-73824097f63e&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMVdHTVFaMDZaN00mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyODE0ODg4NzJVQk8xMFdIQlQmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDM1MTM0NjJGUTNHTUZTM0dQMkMmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Thanks for your help.  My computer is a Mac Pro (Cylinder) with six Thunderbolt 2 ports and one HDMI.  I"m going to order two Mini Display to Display cables and two USB-A to USB-B cables.  I want to use the HDMI for a TV when customers visit.  I'm ordering it all now.

8 hours ago, rgardner said:

I use thunderbolt to display port adapters with my two from my Mac Pro.  Works great.

 

Finally retired my 27” Apple display and went with a 32” Samsung curved and a 25” ultra wide LG.

Thanks, Display Port cables are about 1/4 the cost of Thunderbolt

I have a Mac Pro with Thunderbolt 2 ports.  I'd like to buy two monitors.

I've read that I can daisy chain the monitors.  Do you know what type of cable I should run?

MiniDisplay, Thunderbolt 2 ?

Anyone using a BenQ Monitor?  I'm considering buying two of these to use as dual monitors.  My 23" Apple Cinema Displays are 15 yrs old.

https://www.benq.com/en-us/monitor/designer/pd2700u/specifications.html

Echo, where do you live in western PA

Here's a Photo of the Shed and a CA View