topic MSA Detailer Tutorial Problem in Project data & BIM

MSA Detailer Tutorial Problem

Anonymous — Tue, 30 May 2023 11:05:11 GMT

This is the first time I have tried to use the MSA Detailer Tutorial. In fact this is my first post!

The problem is in "Tutorial 3 - Objects & Finishes (page 9). Placing the 2x6 mudsill is no problem (step 1 &2). When placing the anchor bolt (step 3) the mudsill is gone. Seems the layer is turned off. maybe something to do with layer combinations. Has anyone asked about this before? any suggestions/remedies?

Also the connector parts have "use Detail Level 2" and "Use Detail Level 1" in red over some of them. What gives?

Thanks for your help, Vic

Re: MSA Detailer Tutorial Problem

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 18:33:02 GMT

I am looking for the answer to this too. My post was "MSA - "Use Detail Level 2" (huh?)". I'll let you know if I hear back.

Re: MSA Detailer Tutorial Problem

Karl Ottenstein — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 18:50:59 GMT

Vic and Ted,

Well, so much for your excellent adventure with MSA Detailer! 😉

I've just investigated, and frankly Graphisoft should be ashamed. You have done nothing wrong.

The original MSA Detailer 3.0 package was a dream to work with and was smoothly and most cleverly integrated into the QuickView system of ArchiCAD 7.0 and 6.5. It used to be a for-purchase product, from MSA SoftTools. With 8.0 (as I recall ... not sure which version really), Graphisoft bundled it with the US version as a value-added 'bonus'.

Unfortunately, Graphisoft has never updated the manual ... which is still written for 7.0 and earlier "QuickViews" (long gone). So, following the manual is the first struggle.

But, the tutorial files and templates were simply not updated properly for 8.1/9.0 either.

The View sets that we have in 8.1/9.0 are quite different from the old QuickViews... since QuickViews did not memorize all the same settings as Views. What worked slick-as-a-whistle in 7.0, just doesn't work without some new thinking in 8.1/9.0. In fact, a new approach is needed to have the same 'magic' as the entire MSA system had in 7.0.

Someone working in or for Graphisoft produced the 9.0 version Tutorial files... and did them rather badly I'm afraid. (You have to understand how the original worked to appreciate how an update should behave.)

Also, the objects themselves require some editing to fix the Detail Level issue and a few pen issues. But, the source code is hidden for many objects, so there is only so much we as users can do.

Vic - the reason your mudsill disappears, is that when you click on the view for "Connectors", the layer combination changes, and the wood layer is turned off. You could create a new layer combo to show everything, and switch back to that combo. (Or with the ridiculously implemented 'story' views in the tutorial file.) This is NOT your fault! This is a problem in the way that GS brought MSA over to 8.1 and 9.0 from 7.0, which makes the templates and tutorials unusable.

If you use the MSA parts directly in your current template, in detail views or elsewhere, they do work fine. Typically, I put them all on one layer (and use Active Layer so that my linework and detailer parts are on that layer), since I never turn parts of my details on or off.

It's a clever system and rich library that, with it's snapping template, yields beautifully laid out details. If GS wants to hire me to update it, they know where I am. 😉 I would imagine the original authors are available too! (Not clear what the options are since the manual and templates still show a MSA SoftTools copyright.)

Karl

Re: MSA Detailer Tutorial Problem

Anonymous — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 20:55:39 GMT

Karl,

Thanks for the reply. Being a new user and all, I will try to figure out your work around.

I have e-mailed Graphisoft Support with the problem and mentioned this post in ArchiCAD-Talk.

Thanks again for your help,

Vic

Re: MSA Detailer Tutorial Problem

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 16:37:37 GMT

Here is a quick example. In AC9, if we add an MSA part from the ArchiCAD Library 9 we get a parameter listing request we don't have access to. When we load the ArchiCAD Library 8.1 in AC9, the request disappears...

ArchiCAD Library 9
MSA Library 9 > MSA Connectors 9 > MSA_AB_Nut_Elev

ArchiCAD Library 8.1
MSA Library > MSA Connectors > MSA_AB_Nut_Elev