Overriding "Use Object Colors" and ".. Linety

[TomWaltz]

We have a few users who like to turn off the "Use Object Color" and "Use Object Linetypes" options when placing objects, making objects completely one color or another.

Is there any way to over-ride the override, FORCING Archicad to use the intended Object Colors from the GDL script?

[David Larrew]

A true CAD Manager question...
Unfortunately, no.

[TomWaltz]

A true CAD Manager question...
Unfortunately, no.

so I'm hearing... but to the API, all things are possible 🙂

I've got that disabled, and am working on a few other pet peeves now .......

[Erika Epstein]

Tom,
What are their answers when you ask them why they do this? Perhaps there is an unforseen condition/working process that should be incorporated into the template, with a new favorites settings or something that can address their concern?

[James Murray]

Erika wrote:
What are their answers when you ask them why they do this? Perhaps there is an unforseen condition/working process that should be incorporated into the template, with a new favorites settings or something that can address their concern?

This is insightful and considerate. I was going to say something like, 'Get a bigger hammer', i.e., sounds like a training issue. But it only becomes a training issue when the object is finished, when your users', and your office's, needs are really met. Then it becomes the users' responsiblity to learn and use the object correctly. Now the hammer, er, standards enforcement, comes in.

PS, Tom's wish is good. One of the big advantages of GDL is the ability to embody standards, to make it impossible to do things wrong. The 'Use Object's...' checkboxes can be a loophole. The more control we have in this area the better.

[Anonymous]

Tom,

Please excuse me for butting in, but I think people would be interested to know what you did.

Tom's API just resets the default for the object tool to use the internally defined pens. As I understand it, one can still override the pens of elements once they are placed. I like this approach since it preserves the flexibility but removes the option to repeatedly make mistakes by default.

[TomWaltz]

Sorry, I haven't been on in a few days.

The problem is usually one of laziness. People "do not feel like" settings the individual pens for complex objects, such as cabinets, doors, or windows, so they override them.

The problem that arises is when you have an object that REQUIRES more than one pen weight to maintain a drafting standard, such as an interior elevatiton symbol (heavy permineter with lighter internal divider line) and doors (heavier frame pen, lighter swing pen).

Turning off the "Usel Symbol Pens" and "Use Symbol Linetypes" gives everything a very flat look.

Matthew is correct. I wrote a simple add-on that our users don't even see. Whenever they select a tool, the add-on sets the value for any office-standard setting for that tooll.

As an example, when they select the object tool, the "Use Symbol" options are turned on. If a user needs to turn them off, they can easily do so.

I did the same thing for layer selection of dimensions and text. The add-on detects the current view (plan, section, or detail) and the current scale, then selects a working layer for that tool based on the company standard.

It wasn't that hard, and most users don't consciously realize it's there.

[Erika Epstein]

GREAT add-on.
Unfortunately sounds like a topic for you next office meeting to review the office standards with the powers that be there to back you up.

(or recharge the batteries in your cattle prod)

[TomWaltz]

My request was for a whipping post, actually.

It only took me an hour or two to write the add-on once I had the list of what I wanted, and figured it was worth the reduced aggravation as project managers would come to me as ask why all the pen weights look the same in this "great new program" we're on.

[Erika Epstein]

just curious,
I've noticed that often people using AC and other cad programs who never learned to draft by hand aren't always as sensitive to what lineweights can do i.e make it easier to read by emphazing what you want the drawing to communicate. They seem to take their cues from engineering drawings which tend to the "flat" look you mentioned. Would this apply here?