Duplicating pens?

[Anonymous]

So if I'm looking at my pen set, is there any way to inherit the exact attributes of lets say, pen 15, into pen 20?

[Anonymous]

Erika wrote:
When you want to differentiate between existing, demo and new walls, the convention is to do that with different wall types and/or settings...

I have had cases where we set up separate pens for existing conditions so they could be easily greyed (or not) in any view. Of course this is a bit of a commitment to a higher level of control and detailing and is not recommended in most cases.

[Anonymous]

Matthew wrote:

Erika wrote:
When you want to differentiate between existing, demo and new walls, the convention is to do that with different wall types and/or settings...

I have had cases where we set up separate pens for existing conditions so they could be easily greyed (or not) in any view. Of course this is a bit of a commitment to a higher level of control and detailing and is not recommended in most cases.

I agree. Of course once again, I was merely giving examples to understand the program, not figure out what I am doing in my current project.

I understand it would be easier if I told you guys exactly what I need to do, but the reason I made this topic in the first place was to understand how line weights work within the program rather than figuring out how to do something specific within a given, current project. Sorry I wasn't clear on that. Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

allegronea wrote:
I understand it would be easier if I told you guys exactly what I need to do, but the reason I made this topic in the first place was to understand how line weights work within the program rather than figuring out how to do something specific within a given, current project. Sorry I wasn't clear on that. Thanks again.

It's about framing the question. Yours appeared to asking a specific question rather than starting a general discussion. It is important to be clear about this so people don't spend time answering the wrong question.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Matthew wrote:

Erika wrote:
When you want to differentiate between existing, demo and new walls, the convention is to do that with different wall types and/or settings...

I have had cases where we set up separate pens for existing conditions so they could be easily greyed (or not) in any view. Of course this is a bit of a commitment to a higher level of control and detailing and is not recommended in most cases.

Another option that I imagine is common (at least I use it) is to separate demo / existing / new via layers, but all use the same pens. (This keeps the pen table simpler, but makes drawing assembly more complex.) Then, set up two or three views, each with its own pen set to display the demo / existing / new as desired and stack the views onto the layout.

For allegronea's benefit, such a view for the demo elements, e.g., would just show the demo elements ... and display them with the desired pen colors and weights. Those elements would not be visible in the other views. Once all views (drawings) are stacked up on a layout, the desired result is obtained.

Karl

[Anonymous]

Matthew wrote:

allegronea wrote:
I understand it would be easier if I told you guys exactly what I need to do, but the reason I made this topic in the first place was to understand how line weights work within the program rather than figuring out how to do something specific within a given, current project. Sorry I wasn't clear on that. Thanks again.

It's about framing the question. Yours appeared to asking a specific question rather than starting a general discussion. It is important to be clear about this so people don't spend time answering the wrong question.

This thread was about pen sets. I'm not sure how much more clear I have to be when I start my saying 'for an example'. But I really do appreciate the effort guys.. either way all feedback helps, but I can't control how far you bring this!

Thought I already explained it in a previous post..

[Anonymous]

Karl wrote:

Another option that I imagine is common (at least I use it) is to separate demo / existing / new via layers, but all use the same pens. (This keeps the pen table simpler, but makes drawing assembly more complex.) Then, set up two or three views, each with its own pen set to display the demo / existing / new as desired and stack the views onto the layout.

For allegronea's benefit, such a view for the demo elements, e.g., would just show the demo elements ... and display them with the desired pen colors and weights. Those elements would not be visible in the other views. Once all views (drawings) are stacked up on a layout, the desired result is obtained.

Karl

I like this, thank you.

[Anonymous]

Im also coming to terms with the idea of assigning a PEN NUMBER rather than a lineweight or colour to a particular element.

Also what helps with understanding is the acceptance that pensets are an attribute of the file you are working on.

So although it may seem quicker in the short term to assign pen weights and colours to pens using Autocad, the long term productivity of Archicad is much better.

You can capture the attributes of a project you have toiled with and save an attribute file. Then you apply this attribute file to future projects or even better a template file.

To explore attributes go to Options>element attributes> attribute manager.

More experienced users Im sure will correct me if I am missing the point, but this is how I understand it.