topic Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12 in Modeling

Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

Chazz — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:11:43 GMT

Most people I talk to or do training with do not even know about the Project Chooser. I have tried to use it to copy over fully formatted layouts and all I get is the PLN locking up. I'm using the latest hotfixes and Libraries. I'm able to transfer views but when I try to import Layouts whole cloth, it just bonks.

Any thoughts? Does this work for anyone else?

Specifically, can you bring over layouts that include plan views with things like linked sections, elevations or details embedded in them?

Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

Chazz — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:19:58 GMT

The pic below shows the Project Chooser (on the left) open to the remote file Contractor Executed Details while the main, open file, ((Name TBA Jinan China) is on the right. When I try to drag layouts across, Archicad crashes. I have the remote file running concurrently. This makes it faster doesn't it?

Anyway the AC 12 Reference Guide says:

The external project is now displayed in a tree structure on the left side of the Organizer, in one of two available map options (View Map or Layout Book). You can add any of its views or layouts to the Layout Book of the active project by dragging and dropping it directly onto the Layout, or dragging the item into the Layout Book tree structure on the right side of the Organizer

Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

David Maudlin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:44:22 GMT

Chazz:

I have used this feature for importing Master Layouts and Layouts (usually empty) into another project without any problems. Generally, the project I am importing from is not open. For what it is worth.

David

Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

Chazz — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:21:18 GMT

Thanks David. My masters are usually imported views from a PLN file where I've set up various master title blocks, etc but I can see why you would do it your way.

I have been able to import blank or simple layouts too, but not layouts with things linked in them (sections, elevs, etc). Note that you can copy/paste these master items from other projects but for some reason, you then have to go back and re-link everything with drawing manager --a real pain.

Anyone else? I need to import pages and pages of standard details from a PLN that is filled with just our office typical details into to specific projects. Surely, other folks have this need too? Please speak up.

Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

Djordje — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:10:04 GMT

Chazz wrote:
Anyone else? I need to import pages and pages of standard details from a PLN that is filled with just our office typical details into to specific projects. Surely, other folks have this need too? Please speak up.

Working quite nicely here. Did you try with the external file NOT running - although I don't see why it should be a problem?

Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

Chazz — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:31:55 GMT

Just applied the 3rd hotfix and now AC does not lock up. But the layout never imports either. Nothing happens and you get zero feedback that something might happen. In the world of AC, this, I guess, is progress.

It soooooooo frustrating. Part of the hell of this tool is that the feedback is simply abysmal. If you try to import just a few formatted drawings from one PLN to another, it takes forever (even with the source PLN open) but worse, there is no progress bar, spinning wheel, hourglass or any other indication that something might happen in the next few minutes (hours? days? weeks?).

The promise of this tool/feature is immense but few people I talk to seem to understand how or why to use it and so no one complains about how bad it is.

So please people, use it, realize that you want it and then get upset that it hardly works. Complain and do so loudly. Maybe Obama should look into it?

/rant

Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

Laszlo Nagy — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:41:36 GMT

Chazz, please report this to your local reseller.
Seems like GS needs to look further into this.

Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

Chazz — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:51:31 GMT

laszlonagy wrote:
Chazz, please report this to your local reseller.

Done.

And to Mr. Obama as well

Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

Chazz — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:21:01 GMT

But reseller or no reseller, it still begs the question: Why does it work in Dubai but not California?

Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

Dwight — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:59:25 GMT

Chazz wrote:
But reseller or no reseller, it still begs the question: Why does it work in Dubai but not California?

There's no emission control in Dubai?

Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

Eric Bobrow — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:06:37 GMT

As Chazz's reseller, I have already replied to his personal email. However, given that the question is posted here, and Chazz directed me to this thread, I will take the opportunity to say a few things publicly that are relevant, both to his case, and to tech support as a whole. I'm adapting this posting from the email I sent to Chazz.

We have used this method successfully (bringing in Layouts from another project, complete with linked Drawings, through the Project Chooser). It does work in general, and should work for you.

That being said, if there is an issue when you try this, it could be specific to the actual file that you are trying to work with. You should try this with another file and see whether it's successful. Perhaps the file with all the details in it has a problem. You could try to bring in a sheet of details from another recent project (instead of from this particular PLN) to see if that works OK.

Let us know how it goes.

FYI, Graphisoft North America recently announced a new policy for technical support. As of January 1, 2009, Graphisoft handles "first-line" tech support, which means that users now are supposed to call 800-238-3992 or email support@graphisoft.com (instead of their reseller) with technical support problems. Graphisoft will refer "training support" (how-to questions and other advice, training and consulting) back to resellers who may opt to charge for the consulting services.

Graphisoft technical support is restricted to cases in which ArchiCAD does not perform according to the documentation. In your case, it would appear to qualify, since the program should be able to import Layouts from one project into another without undue delay. If your problem persists, please call or email Graphisoft and they will start a tech support case and work to resolve your issue.

Priority tech support for ArchiPLUS subscribers still is in place. With all tech support now handled by Graphisoft, active ArchiPLUS contract-holders will be served ahead of non-subscribers. Since you are covered by ArchiPLUS, you will get a response sooner than others who are not under contract.

Bobrow Consulting Group will continue to be available for email responses to questions without charge, as well as short phone calls. We have started to request permission to bill for consulting for additional assistance and trouble-shooting.

If you have any questions or comments about the new policies adopted by Graphisoft, please let us and/or Graphisoft know.

Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

Chazz — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:31:38 GMT

Thanks Eric, and everyone else who posted. Good to know that, yes, some users are taking advantage of this powerful feature.

While I see the problem in all of the files I try this in, all of those files probably have some root in AC11 and maybe even AC10. Other users here have reported miscellaneous issues with files started in earlier versions OF ArchiCAD and up-saved to AC12. Trying the same thing in a squeaky fresh AC12 may well work but what a lot of WORK. Rebuilding all of the views and relinking and layouts and transferring the section /elevation data etc would take a lot of work for one file let alone the dozens we have active at once.

It could be that this problem just points to a broader issue of file and version integrity which, together with library migration issues, is becoming the absolute bane of this tool. The thing of it is that the data in these files is really complex so doing a meaningful test with a new file is tough without a lot of work. I'll forge ahead and let you know the situation.

Re: Importing Layouts w/ Project Chooser -Crashes in AC12

Eric Bobrow — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:12:58 GMT

Chazz -

You shouldn't just live with or work around this problem. It appears to be a technical support issue.

Please call Graphisoft North America tech support at 800-238-3992 or email support@graphisoft.com and explain the issue. They will ask you to upload the two files (the destination file and the one from which you're trying to pull the layouts), to see if the problem is reproducible.

Alternatively, if you wish, you can have us troubleshoot on a consulting (fee-paid) basis.

One thought just occurred to me. I remember problems occasionally importing things from other files if there were warnings or dialog boxes that came up while loading that file. Basically, what we found in some cases was that warning messages (for example: missing libraries or library parts, drawings that the Drawing Manager says are unavailable, or missing/unlinked Hotlinked Modules) would hang up the background loading of the file.

My question, then, is: when you open the secondary file in ArchiCAD normally, do you get any warnings that you have to click through? If so, try to clean these up so that the file gives no warnings or errors of any kind and resave, then try bringing in the Layouts from that file.