topic Re: Importing/linking a Word/Text file in Collaboration with other software

!Restored: Importing/linking a Word/Text file

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 16:18:10 GMT

I'm looking for a way to bring in a large amount of text (from Word, preferably) for our Specifications sheets. Typically they run about 4 - 5 full pages (D size), sometimes much more on a small commercial project.

The text is written by one of our Architects, and it is my job to bring it in to Plotmaker. Typically the text is formatted into sections and I have to cut & paste them, then resize the text box to the right column width, then cut some of the text to place in the next column if there's too much text, or paste in some from the next section if there's too little. It's a lot of cut & paste.

I've looked in the manual to no avail for an easier way...

What I'd hope to do is link the text in the Word file to the text box in Plotmaker (or in ArchiCAD if necessary) and have the text wrap to the spaces(columns?).

I'd settle for cutting the text and pasting it all into one formatted space which I could arrange in columns on my page(s).

Any help you could give me would be great. I gotta stop spending days doing this task...

Re: Importing/linking a Word/Text file

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 17:29:04 GMT

I am afraid that there is no easier way on Mac.

Look at this Topics for more information http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=6317&highlight=ole+mac .

On windows, that works perfectly…

Re: Importing/linking a Word/Text file

Mark Wallace — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 14:08:02 GMT

Here is a link to a thread that is about a year old that is similar to this thread.

http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=1712&start=10

I have a posting near the top of page 2. I've been using the method described there successfully for the last 12 yrs in bringing specs into the drawings in Plotmaker. The posting describes using Office '03 with the OSX version of Plotmaker.

I have the same issues; Importing my specs as drawing notes over 4 or 5 pages of 'D' sheets.

I know....it's boring and tedious but that's why we get (or should be getting) the big bucks to make accurate, concise and comprehensive architectural documents.

HTH

Mark

Mac G5 Dual 2.3 Ghz , 1.5 Gb RAM, OSX.4.3
ArchiCAD 7.--,(still) Plotmaker 2.3 (Still)
_______________________________
Mark R. Wallace AIA
------------------------
Mark Wallace Architect
Collegeville, PA USA

Re: Importing/linking a Word/Text file

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 14:39:45 GMT

Mark wrote:
I know....it's boring and tedious but that's why we get (or should be getting) the big bucks to make accurate, concise and comprehensive architectural

Hey... big bucks? let me in on some of that... cause I sure as heck haven't seen any.

cheers,
dan

Re: Importing/linking a Word/Text file

Chazz — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 14:22:46 GMT

In the old days Print2Pict was a very elegant solution and one unique to the OLE-less Mac. That died with OSX. However, these days we have the absolutely essential app GraphicConverter. Using this tool you can:

1) Print Word to PDF via OSX
2) Convert PDF to JPG or something in GraphicConverter
3) Import those files into PM

This sounds like a lot of work but GraphicConverter is super scriptable and observes "watch folders" meaning that you can reduce the the steps to reprinting your Word doc (to PDF) and then doing an update in PM. Not too bad. Easier than cutting and pasting every time you revise. One key to making this work well is using Word's max custom paper size of 22". This fits nicely in an ARCH D sheet size (for those in the US).

If someone has a better method (and by that I mean faster to place AND to revise) I'd sure love to hear about it. Another plus of the above is that it cam be used with any app at all to produce the spec (Indesign, Pages, Etc).

Re: Importing/linking a Word/Text file

TomWaltz — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 15:32:30 GMT

Mark wrote:
I know....it's boring and tedious but that's why we get (or should be getting) the big bucks to make accurate, concise and comprehensive architectural documents.

Since when do architects make big bucks?
http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/15/pf/training_pay/index.htm

Re: Importing/linking a Word/Text file

Chazz — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 15:47:54 GMT

TomWaltz wrote:
Since when do architects make big bucks?
http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/15/pf/training_pay/index.htm

Man, I had no idea it was still this bad.... I've paid my dues in architectural offices but forced by the requirements of family and being an American consumer unit, moved to the more lucrative area of development. However, most people (myself included) see it this way: Developer=Devil. When people ask what I do I usually say: "I'm part of the problem, not the solution." So it seems you can have prestige and love of your job or $$ but maybe not both.

Are we drifting the topic?

Re: Importing/linking a Word/Text file

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 16:03:01 GMT

Definitely drifting to starboard, Cap'n. But what the heck. Where else are we gonna find the time to kvetch and listen to each other?

I'm looking at another 4-6 years of paying my dues to get my architect's license, but you guys are making me wonder if it's worth it, especially as I'll be over 50 when I get it...

Re: Importing/linking a Word/Text file

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 16:08:05 GMT

I personally think we should have a "lounge" forum, for discussions such as these, i find myself wanting to make obscure comments all the time, but I refrain in favour of keeping things on topic... in fact, I think I'll make a request in the forum issues board... right... now...

edit: http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=45420#45420

Re: Importing/linking a Word/Text file

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:12:15 GMT

Chazz: I tried the convert then import with Graphic Convertor as you suggested, but my text comes into plotmaker pixelated (and I tried several different settings and formats) and looks like heck. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Re: Importing/linking a Word/Text file

Chazz — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:41:30 GMT

siteline wrote:
my text comes into plotmaker pixelated (and I tried several different settings and formats) and looks like heck. Any suggestions?

Pixilation is inherent in a raster image. The key is getting the balance between image quality and file size. Yeah, it takes some tweaking. I use JPG with a 300KB fils size limit and call that good enough. I'm trying to attach an example file but I'm not sure if it's working.....

Re: Importing/linking a Word/Text file

Djordje — Sat, 17 Sep 2005 03:29:26 GMT

Daniel wrote:
I personally think we should have a "lounge" forum, for discussions such as these, i find myself wanting to make obscure comments all the time, but I refrain in favour of keeping things on topic...

We do ...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/archiPUB