Cursor snapping to drawing entities while in Layout mode

[Anonymous]

Folks,

Does anyone know of a way to make the cursor NOT snap to entities in a drawing placed in a layout? I frequently have very busy elevations (like modeled tile roofs) and the cursor's "searching" constantly for a snap point really slows it down. I want the cursor to 'ignore' the underlying drawing. I do my keynotes in layout mode, and it takes forever with the cursor moving like molasses over the drawings.

Also, the same behavior occurs when I'm defining a zoom window.

Is there any way around this?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

It used to be possible to display the drawings as bitmap proxies. I don't know if this is still true (I'd check but I'm already shut down for the day). If so it would be in the settings dialog for the individual drawings. Bulk changes can be done most easily in the drawing manager.

[Anonymous]

Matthew,

Thanks for the quick response, brother!!! This thing is driving me nuts.

As near as I can find to what you're eluding to is turning off the vectorial hatching in my general viewing mode. Sure enough, it makes all the fills bitmapped, but the cursor still appears to be searching for things to snap to, as it's still looking at the placed drawing as a 'model' (cursor changes to check / mercedes / etc. as I move over placed drawing). Any other ideas? Where would I find the function you're mentioning in the menu structure? It would certainly be the answer to my dilemma.

I've even went as far as the searching the registry options to see if there's a switch for this... no dice.

[Link]

Dave wrote:
Is there any way around this?

The way around it is to embellish your views in the model, not in the layout. This is the way GS intended and the only way to go IME.

Cheers,
Link.

[Anonymous]

I missed the bit about doing notes on the layout. Like Link said. Do it in the views.

[Anonymous]

Guys,

Looks like I'll be changing my habits.

The reason I started doing things they way I do was to keep my models as much strictly 'model' as possible in AC, and do tasks like annotation in the layout software, PlotMaker. It kept the file sizes a little more balanced. Also, any notational changes could be done without opening the PLN file.

I liked being able to compose my rack of notes neatly in PM and not having to concentrate on composition of same in the model. Guess I'll have to change with the times!

As an aside, I'd like to say I'm considering doing my layouts in a separate file just like the old days, as the file size in AC12 with modelling and layouting combined is HUGE. My machine has no trouble 'handling' the file size in my working environment, but saves take a long time (in relative terms). I save frequently, so it slows me down a little. Any of you guys doing this? This first project I'm doing in AC12 is a fairly simple project and it's up to about 80 MB, which takes a little time to save. I could see this ballooning to over 150 MB on a more complex project, and that would generate a long save time (and likely a 'slower' file overall).

Thanks for the info... It was very helpful in getting my overall strategy worked out for future projects. I'm experiencing some mild pain in the transition to AC12 from AC9, but less than I expected. I'll say this... The new solid element operation options are worth the effort in transitioning, as it's made tricky roofs with little dormers and over-shoots with goofy little cripple walls MUCH easier. My family was ready to call the men in white coats when I started hooting and hollering in delight the first time I gave the SEO's a spin!

AND... AC12 build 2156 has been remarkably STABLE. I like that.

Talk with ya'll soon... Thanks again for the data points.

[Laszlo Nagy]

Dave wrote:
As an aside, I'd like to say I'm considering doing my layouts in a separate file just like the old days, as the file size in AC12 with modelling and layouting combined is HUGE. My machine has no trouble 'handling' the file size in my working environment, but saves take a long time (in relative terms). I save frequently, so it slows me down a little. Any of you guys doing this? This first project I'm doing in AC12 is a fairly simple project and it's up to about 80 MB, which takes a little time to save. I could see this ballooning to over 150 MB on a more complex project, and that would generate a long save time (and likely a 'slower' file overall).

Do you have file compression enabled? That can reduce file size by 60-80 %.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Other ways of keeping file size down (for sure, stripping it down if you have to email it to anyone) are to not let ArchiCAD store linework in the file:

Work Environment > More Options - remove the check from "Save Navigator Preview Data with Project Files"

Settings for every placed drawing (and change the default for the Drawing Tool, too): remove the check for the box for "Store Drawing in the Project file". You can do this via Drawing Manager to do them all at once.

Curious what that does to your file size...

Karl

[Anonymous]

Karl & Laszlo,

Thanks for the tips - I'll look into those items.

With so many new features, I'm running into Gladwell's 'Paradox of Choice'!

Laszlo.... Any relation to Laszlo Maholy-Nagy?? Just curious.. Your name is just TOO coincidental!

[Laszlo Nagy]

Dave wrote:
Karl & Laszlo,

Thanks for the tips - I'll look into those items.

With so many new features, I'm running into Gladwell's 'Paradox of Choice'!

Laszlo.... Any relation to Laszlo Moholy-Nagy?? Just curious.. Your name is just TOO coincidental!

No, no relation.
Nagy is a very common Hungarian family name, and Laszlo is an even more common Hungarian surname.
It is so common that I am here in Hungary and there is another Laszlo Nagy in Australia (the author of Virtual Tutor), both working in connection with Graphisoft.
Try to be a unique individual with such a name.