2172 folder name length big problem

[Ignacio Azpiazu]

2172 for Mac can't access from the Open command the folders with a longer name (didn't check exactly what the character count limit is). These are folders previous releases were opening with no problem. The files open all right from the Finder, but don't want to even think what can happen with project libraries, or BG ArchiCAD.

The network is a 100 mb Ehternet with G4 and G5s on OS 10.3 and 10.4. The server is OS 10.3.9 using AFP over IP and the data is stored on an xRAID [whatever all of that means].

Anybody else had this big problem?

[Ransom Ratcliff]

Ever since the 32 bit version came out on Window NT 3.51, we have been using long folder names to make up for the short 27.3 limit. When you need to explore many different options or you are maintaining facilities over a long period of time, or both, it is very helpful to have long descriptive names. I can tell you that even using acronyms and abbreviations in the most creative way, it is very easy to run into the 27.3 limit.

There wasn't a good reason for limiting the Windows version of ArchiCAD to 27.3 back then any more than there was a need to limit the Mac version to 8.3 when ArchiCAD for Windows 3.1 came out. You just truncate the name on the other platform.

All this is ancient history anyway. And the fact that after all these years GS has not even tried to justify it just shows how good they are at ignoring the elephant in the middle of the room.

[Anonymous]

Today I had the 'pleasant' experience of surveyors being verbose in their naming of drawings, missing their vocations as novelists.

More to the point, what should be a simple thing to just print out hard copies of drawings becomes a whole renaming process for 21 long-named DWGs.

I JUST WANT PRINTS... is that so difficult?!?!?! It's ridiculous!

So now, I've renamed all 21, merely to open them (initially), and they no-longer co-related with the original DWGs by name. Instead of a simple update (after printing I'm inserting into proposal model) when I get the new ones from the surveyor, it'll be a witch-hunt to match them and replace correctly.

I have better things to do with my day. I sincerely hope AC10 fixes this obstructive 'quirk' (trying to be polite here).

ARGHHH!

I hope they've taken out the 27 character filename limit in 10.

Please can someone tell me that 10 will relieve us of this headache.

[Ransom Ratcliff]

Not to make little of this silly limitation of ArchiCAD, There is a utility that is so helpful in many similar situations. It is called Bulk Rename Utility and it is fast, and easy to use. Great for digital photos, folders, or any kind of file.
Download here.

Cheers,

Ransom

[Anonymous]

We suffered this problem as we do use long filenames i.e Job number description of drawing etc. The first time we came across it was trying to import a file into plotmaker and the folder was greyed out and un-accessible. Our suppliers and technical guys told us this was to keep in with the PC's maximum characters for files, when we shortened the name we could access it.

We have also had problems with filenames that don't mean anything from other consultants and now we request any drawings sent to us to be named appropriately. A structural engineer sent us 30 Dwg's named 1143A, B, C etc etc. 1143 being his job number and A, B etc being the drawing name, try finding the correct drawing when discussing something with the site agent, 30 minutes opening and renaming the files to what they were and a snotty letter to the consultant.

As to Toms comments about it "being fun when things stop working suddenly" I can't recall how many times my monitor was destined to exit the window at speed. It seems new problems we find end up getting sent via our technical support to GS HQ and 2 days later come back saying, their baffled as well!!! Got to love the unknown

A quick one for any mac user, we had problems with PDF's loosing lines and hatching when viewing it via preview (Mac OSx 10.3.9 picture and pdf viewing utility) the problem ended up being preview not understanding some of the components. Adobe worked no problem, just Macs own PDF viewing utility, this is currently on GS's desk to try and work out why! So if preview doesn't view it, download adobes reader.

[Thomas Holm]

Organicsabre wrote:
A quick one for any mac user, we had problems with PDF's loosing lines and hatching when viewing it via preview (Mac OSx 10.3.9 picture and pdf viewing utility) the problem ended up being preview not understanding some of the components. Adobe worked no problem, just Macs own PDF viewing utility, this is currently on GS's desk to try and work out why! So if preview doesn't view it, download adobes reader.

My advice, if you use Archicad as a professional, and use PDFs to distribute and print professional document, buy full Acrobat. You will save a lot of time and have less problems. If you don't like that, at least upgrade to OSX10.4. The printing and PDF creation is SO much better in Tiger.

But still, OSX-PDF doesn't like everyting Archicad produces. Suddenly items drift, and that is not acceptable professionally. Especially if you make pfs by printing from the 3Dwindow, rendering with ACs internal engine, and with vectorial hatching on (and all elevations are). And some linetypes, like Archisketchy's, only work with Acrobat-created pdfs.

[Ransom Ratcliff]

I would like to add that you should absolutely download and install the latest Acrobat Reader. It is the standard by which you can determine the quality of the PDF. Preview is no substitute. Acrobat reader is free and is available in a standalone intaller here.

BTW, get the latest Quicktime installer (without Itunes) here.

[Anonymous]

Ransom wrote:
Not to make little of this silly limitation of ArchiCAD, There is a utility that is so helpful in many similar situations. It is called Bulk Rename Utility and it is fast, and easy to use. Great for digital photos, folders, or any kind of file.
Download here.

Thanks Ransom - I haven't downloaded yet (a long spate of deadlines), but will certainly be doing so...

But the question remains - why do we need to have this frustrating limitation? And the hope remains that it is fixed in 10 ...

Kim

[Anonymous]

kimfromzim wrote:
But the question remains - why do we need to have this frustrating limitation? And the hope remains that it is fixed in 10 ...

Kim

AFAIK