I do not believe 8.1 is usable for production

[Anonymous]

In AC7 I used the QuickView tto navigate Layer Combos. In a section window I had all my symbols and text settings. This Section faithfully followed the Quick View I clicked on, I had at my fingertip any symbol line fill text I can dream of except walls slabs roof. I was hoping for 8 – but what s surprise:

In 8.1 with the new navigator the section does not follow the layer combination, I may be wrong here but looks like I was rubbed of 80% of my productivity.

I am also getting such huge number of view Sets that it worst to navigate then the layer combos before Quick View was introduced. Using the pop up View Setting from the bottom of the Project Map or toggling between the Map and View set is insane. Both of them open leave less screen space on the 23” Cinema Display then AC6.5 on an Imac,

I am miserable and need to punch the one advising GS. I wonder who is advising GS, who and why it is listened to.

I may be wrong but I do not believe 8.1 is usable for production. It is just the most unproductive Construction Document tool I could imagine, and this is a fact no opinions please, unless aint so!

And all those schedules, has amy of these guys opened a set of CD made for lets say a $5M commercial building, has any of them noticed a doot schedule where every piece of hardware it listed.

[Anonymous]

Obviously I am a captive of GS’s and 8.1 is an advance and, I am not a fool.

Now back to the issue.
In 7 I had the capability of changing (with Q V) the layer combination and display option with the section fallowing with only a single click. This is gone. Certainly one can do this but with more steps.
With a single click I was capable of moving from ceiling plan to HVAC plan the section template fallowing and this is extremely important since GS does not have a template.. Now in 8.1 this is much more cumbersome. It is unlike a radial scheme where you operated at the first level from center now in 8.1 we are on the fringe with the center layer removed. Unfortunately GS and you guys do not get this, at he moment at

[Dwight]

How do we do what Albert wants with one click?

[Djordje]

Dwight wrote:
It seems that the constant shift of program and API lag has created [worse for beta testers] a fluid situation WHERE ONE CAN NEVER CATCH UP? [yelling]

I hear you ... although 12 hours divide us.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Adalbert wrote:
In 7 I had the capability of changing (with Q V) the layer combination and display option with the section fallowing with only a single click. This is gone...

Hi Adalbert,

Since it's been well over a year since I've used 7.0, I had to open an old project to understand what you're saying.

Before Dwight gets us all looking for a way to do what you want with a single click ... I should note that it takes a double-click to switch quickviews in 7.0 AFAIK.

Yes, you're correct that it takes more steps to change only the layer combo and display options (and scale) ... and nothing else. I complained about this on the list when 8.0 became public as I perceived it as a big loss in functionality as you do now. After many projects though, I have not really missed this ability because I have my view sets exactly matching my CD's and I find that navigation most convenient.

But, as many comment on this list, we each work in different ways and a key to AC has been that it allows us to do that, so I sympathize with this loss to your usual working method.

At the moment AFAIK, it takes four clicks instead of two (the double click on the QV): In Navigator or View Editor, click on the popup list of combos at the lower left to change and the popup list of Display options combos and change. (Someone posted a wishlist item to allow these lists to be permanently visible so that one click each would accomplish the change.)

Here is one hokey workaround that would let you continue to do what you want with a double click and a single click: you could create empty unlinked sections that are associated with the combo and display settings that you want (ceiling, etc.). Since sections always open in their own window, while double clicking on these dummy section views would indeed open a window that you would then close (the single click) ... you would be left with what you started with (plan and other sections) but with the new combo and display options applied. Did I say hokey (contrived)?

HTH,
Karl

[Anonymous]

Thanks Karl,ig

I hate to make that many view sets from the unlinked section I use as palette:
3d Ext
3d Int
3d w/ site
3d w/ site landscape

Site Exist
Site Demo
Site
Site Landscape Exist
SiteLandscape
Site Gading
Site Hydro
Site Layout
Site Signage
Site Light

A Plan Demo
A Plan
A Plan Calc
A Plan Det
A Plan Roof
A Clg
A Clg Det
A Workstationa
A Furniture
A Flooring

S Struct Ftg
S Struct
S Struct Roof
S Struct Calc

P Plum Plan
P Plum Det

FP Fire Protection

M HVAC
M Calc
M Radiation
M Gas

E Power
E Light
C Commun


In large multi story building the view set gets complicated with many little cubbies.

When designing CDs, focused on an area you need quick movement between all the above combos with the particular display. They must be visible in a glance and with the pallet to pick up elemets. You do not need the maze we have. I do it all at once. Take the ceiling draw the fill, in the lights go to Lighting add switch add circuit inexcell, back to ceiling add diffusers SP heads go to Mechanical add VAV box....... Most of the time is the same zoom. Efficient quick focussed, Few consultants no mistakes.
Same integration between Structure and Architecture.

By the way I get this message when trying to log in to post a message “ your brouser does not support meta redirection please here to redirect” than the window closes??? Nasty on all the G5, PB , G4 1ghz, G4 733 all with X10.3.2. could this be the update

[Richard Morrison]

AA:

You may be happier with using the Navigator with only the single column of Project Map displayed. This is pretty small and you can minimize it to take up relatively little "real estate" on the screen. There is a single button on it for layer combinations which can be selected to give pretty much the same effect as the former quick views process. (Unless I'm missing your point, of course.)

[vfrontiers]

Yes, we all complained when they took "ENVIRONMENT" quick views away with 8.0. I, too, used that technique and am still wishing for it back again. You can set up DISPLAY OPTIONS preferences with some of the stuff, but it's not the same.

On the other hand, have you ever accepted the fact that Sect/Elevs were not meant for this... A better solution for me (yes, I said for me... so interpolate as you will).. is to create MODULES of my DRAWING TEMPLATES and HOTLINK them into the plan on a Story that is convenient. When you HOTLINK them, they have a GLOBAL Layer that will HIDE them as you need (to print) but keep all the elements on their proper layer. So If I create a TEMPLATE layer and use that as this master layer for all my different templates, I can simply make sure that it is hidden for printing and LEAVE them in the file forever. In fact, they can start HOTLINKED into the file as part of my stationery.

The HOTLINK MODULE can be moved around in plan, so if your working on a large plan, you just carry it around with you as you would a BEROL GRAPHIC TEMPLATE. And if you ever get tired of seeing it there, just DELETE it. You can always RE-MERGE it if needed.

Again, techniques to be discussed at ACUWest....

[lapishawaii]

I agree with you Dwight, it does seem like we can never catch-up. It's a constantly moving target that we are trying to reach. This is not a problem caused by ArchiCAD, but by the entire technology based world that we now function in. It was only a few years ago that the most technically challenging office task for an architect was to restring a mayline after the cable broke.

With that said, I find ArchiCAD to be a great program for both design and production. I've used the program for 8 years, and 8.1 does have a very long and steep learning curve. I have certainly struggled at times, but I now design all of my projects in 3D model form and can quickly produce a set of construction drawings in which none of section/elevation windows need to be unlinked (even with rather complicated forms). Each time I add to or update my drawings with the new PlotMaker interface I feel like dancing around the office. This one improvement alone is worth upgrading to 8.1. What an incredible manager of drawings and a valuable time saver.

It just takes time to understand the power and beauty of ArchiCAD 8.1. There are other options. I know very successful offices that still use maylines or much simpler programs. Instead of whining, they just decided what worked best for their situation.

[Anonymous]

Hi Adalbert,

Every issue that I've seen posted by you are, for the most part, EASILY achieved w/ 8.1 and with 1410 some improvements have made it even easier. I'm anxiously waiting for the next release slated for March 04 to see some more "major" (IMO) improvements many of which you've requested yourself over the years. Seems you're always trying to make a left turn by turning right, eventually you'll get there but it will take a little more effort not to mention it makes your head spin unnecessarily. Our previous discussions have always ended in your unwillingness to invest a little time and money with someone who can get you going in the direction you want, as you just insist AC has made it absolutely impossible to achieve your goals. As I've told you before I guarantee my services. This is the offer: you give me 30 hours of your time (three consecutive 10 hour days) if at the end of that 30 hours I haven't demonstrated how to achieve the results your looking for there will be NO CHARGE to you. As I've indicated to you in the past I specialise in document creation and come prepared to work with you on an actual project from beginning to "end" and will not train any other way as the hunt and peck process is a waste of my time and your money. If I'm able to show you how to resolve 95% of the productivity issues you "have" I'd expect all my normal fees plus some form of gratuity on your part. If I'm unable to do so at least everyone here can assume a degree of validity to your complaints. Personally, I think it's time to end your complaining about nonexistent issues and circumventing the way AC is designed and putting the blame on GS.

[TomWaltz]

Some people just like to complain.

On the other hand, I'm curious about what kind of training you do.