topic Re: Projects with different drawing scales in Documentation

Projects with different drawing scales

Strawbale23 — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 23:52:32 GMT

Just wondering what is the prefered way to work with different projects at different scales using the same template file?

Often my individuaml projects will require a different scale for the page layout, depending on the size of the project. Very small projects 1:50, larger projects 1:200 , etc.

Wondering what the best way to managed this when using one template file? keep the view map the same and adjust the scale for each drawing in the layouts?

thanks for any help

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

jl_lt — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 07:08:35 GMT

Hi! We have layers for notes and dimensions on different scales and layer combinations for each scale we use (mostly 1:20, 1:50, 1:100 and 1:200) and layer combinations and GO for different types of plans (landwork, foundations, structural, windows, metal work, details, isometrics, slab perimeters, etc). We also have folders with sections, plans and elevations for each scale and pensets for each scale. Still a work in progress and so far it has worked well, but personally I think it should have been made easier by now, specially with regards of working with anotations on different scales.

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

Strawbale23 — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 10:57:40 GMT

Thanks for your reply, sounds as though you have a similar setup to me.

Then it looks like I have to persevere with recreating entire project sets for each project scale: Views, layouts and publisher sets, in 50, 100, 200 etc.

I can do this but the big drawback I find is having a massive list of views and layouts, which can be tedious to navigate.

It would be nice if it would be possible to have "books" for each project type, so that I can select which book to work in for that project. inside that book I could place the views, layouts and publishing sets customized for a specific scale of project.

In the project navigator:

I can duplicate views and publisher sets, but not layouts....??

I can organize views and layouts in folders, but not publisher sets....??

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

Karl Ottenstein — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 22:37:22 GMT

I'm not sure how annotations at different scales could have been made easier, based on having done exactly what you've done to have different scale drawings depending on the master/printer and wanted text to be the same size regardless of drawing scale. My experience has been that it is almost always necessary to drag dimension text, annotations etc to slightly different locations at different scales so as not to overlap drawing elements... but in an aesthetic way. I can't imagine it being done automatically and looking good. But, yeah, a lot of extra work.

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

Strawbale23 — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 22:45:58 GMT

Possibly by having the option to set a group of text, label, dimensions sizes for a given scale?

When a scale is chosen, there is the option for these elements to resize to the scale default. You would have to reposition some of them possibly but it would be quicker and easier.

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

Barry Kelly — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:56:46 GMT

Never re-scale the drawing you place on the layouts.

Set up views for your drawings and set them to what ever scale you need.

If you need the same view at different scales (i.e. floor plan, site plan, room layouts), then you use the same model layers but have different layers for annotation at each scale.

That is because usually you will have different annotation for each scale (more or less information) and you will probably find you will need to place the annotation at different locations if you are keeping the text the same size.

You would know early on in a project what scales you would need, and it is not hard to change them.

Or you can set up views for each scale and save them all in folders which you can move around, ignore or delete if not needed.

My template consists of 1:100 floor/electrical plans, 1:200 site plans and 1:50 room layouts - all in the same template.

I then have annotation layers for each scale.

Plan text and plan dimension layers I use for my 1:100 floor plans.

Electrical text layers @ 1:100 and another @ 1:50 just in case I need a larger scale electrical layout.

Site text layers for general site, landscaping, stormwater, etc., usually all @ 1:200.

My layouts I set up in folder groups for the type of documentation I need - sketch plans, construction documentation, engineers plans, etc.

I can delete or simply ignore folders I do not need.

On layouts such as floor plans, elevation, site plans, I place drawings of the views on the layouts - of course they need adjusting depending on the model.

Other layouts such as large scale room layouts and elevations, I leave as a blank page (just the master with the title block) and add the views (drawings) I need because I will always need to adjust them anyway, and it is easier to just place new drawings.

Barry.

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

jl_lt — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 02:13:26 GMT

Hi Karl. Me neither, but the revamped dimension tool i have been proposing with mvo capabilities could be a good start.

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

Strawbale23 — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 23:44:12 GMT

Thanks Barry , I appreciate you taking the time to respond fully to my question.

This sounds like the way I am doing already, was just wondering if there was a better way.

Like I said before, just really wish that views, layouts and pub sets could all be duplicated and organized in folders, for convenience and consistency. Its a bit tedius having to create every single Layout sheet from scratch for each scale.

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

Barry Kelly — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 01:03:11 GMT

@Strawbale23 wrote:

Like I said before, just really wish that views, layouts and pub sets could all be duplicated and organized in folders, for convenience and consistency.

They can be organised in folders.

And if you drag a folder holding the CTRL key (CMD on Mac?), you will get a duplicate.

You can also drag copies of views and layouts, even parts of the publisher sets.

And with the Organiser, you can drag views onto your layout pages, and layout folders into a publisher set.

@Strawbale23 wrote:

Its a bit tedius having to create every single Layout sheet from scratch for each scale.

Layouts don't have a scale.

It is the drawings (views) you place on the layouts that have the scale.

I find for many of the layouts (especially room plans and elevations) in a template, it is easier to just place them on a blank layout, because you really don't know the position and extents of those views and you would end up having to adjust them anyway.

Barry.

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

Strawbale23 — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 01:08:53 GMT

Publisher sets can go in folders?? I have ner seen or found this!

Nor did I know it was possible to drag copies of layouts!

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

Barry Kelly — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 01:24:16 GMT

@Strawbale23 wrote:

Publisher sets can go in folders?? I have ner seen or found this!

Sure,

Although generally I have publisher sets that contains just the layout pages I want to publish.

Then I can publish any or all of the sets as I need.

I can't say I have tried to publish a set that has folders.

I assume it will allow you to publish the same folder structure with individual files in the folders.

I tend to publish as PDF and merge all pages into one PDF so don't need the folder structure.

Barry.

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

Strawbale23 — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 11:22:00 GMT

Ah ok, but it's not possible to organise publishing sets into folders. Only folders within publishing sets.

Still, I'm very happy to know I can just drag copies of layouts. Wonder why this isn't a right click "duplicate" function, as with views.

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

Dave6544 — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 17:15:05 GMT

Thank you Barry, I will use this as a basis for future projects. The thing is... if various scales are used in the workfile, it annoys our consultants when sending out DWGS. If I work at 1:1, then change the scale on layouts - I don't have any complaints.

Just wondering what your thoughts are?

Many thanks,

David

Re: Projects with different drawing scales

Eduardo Rolon — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 18:02:59 GMT

@Dave6544 , can't parse your comment. Having different scales in the "workfile" should have no issues with your consultants. You might be exporting the DWGs incorrectly. Check if you are using "Paper Space with Cropped View's content" that should keep them happy.

To recap:

Model is always 1:1
You save Views at specific scales.
You NEVER re-scale views placed in Layouts, you create a new view with the correct scale and place that one.