Why the differences in area-specific libraries?

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Whilst looking through the latest Cad digest article here I noticed they were refering to a 'free downloadable Detailer template'.

So after a bit of hunting around I find its only in the USA version of the library. I appreciate I can extract it from the container myself if I want, but I'm curious why it's not included in all library versions. Are the details not typical of European construction or is it set up in a style European architects never use perhaps?

I also noticed that in the Help menu in AC there is a link to the 'AC 10 Library Guide'. In the INT version it stretches to some 48 pages, with a beautiful picture included of every single library part.

After digging further, the USA guide I find, is 66 pages long! The AUS guide is also 66 pages long. Amazingly the GER version has got 78 pages. Obviously much more comprehensive (but still no detailer parts).

So the question is, why the difference?. Surely the library parts are so generic anyway that you can't call them area specific. When was the last time you placed an object without modifying at least some of the parameters to get it to look how you wanted?

If the argument is that some parts wouldn't be used in some areas of the world, surely lumping them all together and letting us decide to use what we want would be best solution for both the end-user and the developers, in terms of maintaining them.

For example, the German Library has eleven types of garage door listed. But in the INT version we only have three!!?

Why do Graphisoft think we would have no use for the other doors in this country? Is the UK renowned for its lack of garage door styles or something!!

Go on, translate them and lump them all together in ArchiCAD 11 for me... Please!!

Ta muchly

Pete.
(BTW - That's a genuine question about detailer at the top:- why is it not included in INT version?)

[Anonymous]

Valery wrote:
Norman Foster now makes projects for Russia. Can ask him as he makes out drawings.

Mmm, Let me have a look in my contacts book. Ah no, I don't seem to have his number anywhere!! I don't think he visits the westcountry very often!

andyro wrote:
Along these lines ACE has assembled a mashup of the INT/GER/USA libraries. It will go live in mid-June for free download. All macros have been resolved, it shows 0 errors in loading report. The foundation is INT, the GER parts not found in INT are added, and the US parts not found in INT are added (I used some editorial discretion here)

Great idea Andy, I think that's just what I'm after. How are you going to deal with the periodic updates that GS make to the library every so often?
Are you also going to add the best custom parts found on various sites on the internet?

300mb file! That's a hell of a library! The INT library is only around 70mb currently. The GER version is over 130mb though. You must be adding a lot of extras!

Don't forget that the lcf package is quite 'wasteful' of file space. Zipping the file using winZIP, winRAR or the mac equivalent will reduce the file size probably to a third of the original which is much more reasonable.

For hosting how about something like using Rapidshare.com or similar to take the bulk of the downloads initally. You would have to split it into three parts if not compressed (max file size 100mb) and with the free version you have to wait 1 1/2 hours between each download, not the best solution but it may be useful to you perhaps. I'm sure somebody here must have some spare bandwidth you could use instead.

Cheers,

Pete.

[Laura Yanoviak]

andyro wrote:
All macros have been resolved...

This is what has postponed my adoption of the INT casework -- it calls for macros that are identical in name to those of the US casework, but in fact are different, so the two couldn't co-exist -- you've addressed this?

So, Andy -- not sleeping much lately? Still waiting for your materials update...

[Anonymous]

Laura wrote:
So, Andy -- not sleeping much lately?

I think Andy has sworn off sleep all together 😉