topic Re: Reading & Using Problem Reports for ArchiCAD in Modeling

Reading & Using Problem Reports for ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 22:47:56 GMT

I have several models that continually crash in Lightworks Photo Rendering.

Can we read the report or can we use it to correct the problem...or.....do we just give up and not do a Lightwork picture of this model...?

How can I learn what to do when...? any Ideas may help.

Thanks

Re: Reading & Using Problem Reports for ArchiCAD

Djordje — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:27:00 GMT

atelier wrote:
I have several models that continually crash in Lightworks Photo Rendering.

Can we read the report or can we use it to correct the problem...or.....do we just give up and not do a Lightwork picture of this model...?

How can I learn what to do when...? any Ideas may help.

Thanks

Can be a lot of things ...

Archicad version, OS, machine specs?

Re: Reading & Using Problem Reports for ArchiCAD

Link — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:59:54 GMT

Djordje wrote:

Archicad version, OS, machine specs?

That's it! I'm going to start counting now!

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Reading & Using Problem Reports for ArchiCAD

Dwight — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 05:19:46 GMT

To fix a rendering problem, or any software problem requires the slogan
"Think Like a Mechanic™".

Think like a mechanic because everybody knows that to solve a problem, thinking like an architect really means "what stooge can I pass this off to with a fancy arm gesture. (see avatar)"

First, put on your Graphisoft mechanic coveralls.

When faced with a problem or malfunction, the mechanic methodically eliminates error possibilties. Renderings crash for two reasons:

Complexity and/or Corruption.

Corruption:
You made an impossible element and ignored the initial warning. Something developed bad parameters or whatever. Boogles.

Complexity:
The model's 3D temporary file exceeds the hard drive and RAM capacity. The rendering slows down or stops. Lot of hard drive grinding.

In both cases, the 50/50 approach is useful. Turn off 1/2 of the layers holding content. Does the rendering work now? Reverse - look at the other half of the layers. Does the rendering work? If so, you have a RAM/memory problem. Get more ram. Check hard drive.

If one of the 50/50 layer renderings fails, it is a corrupted element. Continue to reduce layers by half until you isolate the bad layer. It will contain the bad element. Switching layers off is way faster than guessing about elements.

Odds are that a bad element will be something involving external macro references, picture references or will be a third party object.

You must also keep track of what you are doing. The first time a rendering goes bad is the time - no matter how inconvenient - to do the problem solving with persistence and courage.

Re: Reading & Using Problem Reports for ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 20:56:55 GMT

Thanks guys
LEts start with the basics...this does not always happen, just 50% of the time for specific model files.

I am running AC10 with all the latest updates on a G5 MAC that is only a year old.....so the hardware is most likely not the problem. And, the models are often very simple and small.

My question is what to do with these reports...? how to read them...? and/or how to correct the problem..so that I can present a 3D Lightwork image to my cllients? No where in all the litterature do I find any assistance in any form with "if this happens try this" etc.

Yes I can take the lights off, or reduce the size of the picture..but to what levels etc. is it all trial by error? Where do we go....evey my AC sales representative or Boston's office can not give any directions.

Thanks,

Re: Reading & Using Problem Reports for ArchiCAD

Dwight — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 21:08:23 GMT

Can you send me a small, problem file?

That would be as a DROPLOAD free file transfer (www.dropload.com)

ZIPPED

to:
info.beginnernomore@telus.net