Importing Master Layouts

[Anonymous]

When ever our master title sheets change, which is often, cause my boss changed his firm name, and is picky about how things look, I go change all the title sheets in one project, and then I have to copy and paste them into EVERY other project....
Our "Template" is just an ArchiCAD Solo Project taht we open and do a save as with.

So-
Is there a way I can Import Master Title Blocks, instead of copying and pasting them?

And is there a way so that if I change the title sheets in my template they will universally change in all projects using that template. And is that the advantage to using and Actual Template, as opposed to renaming a blank Project and using that as the template?

[Karl Ottenstein]

Jesikuh123 wrote:
Is there a way I can Import Master Title Blocks, instead of copying and pasting them?

No, not the title block. But, you can transfer the master sheets themselves. Open Organizer and in the left panel, open the project that has the updated masters. In the right panel, display your current layouts/masters for the active projects. Just drag the updated masters across. [It's not actually quite so simple, since the masters with the same name will get a new name...and you'll have to make the new one the default, rename old/new, assign new to layouts, delete old... Hmmm. Sounds like a lot of work! Worth it if there are lots of masters. If not, copy/paste of the content - title block in your case - sounds much easier!]

And is there a way so that if I change the title sheets in my template they will universally change in all projects using that template.

Well, if GS had made life consistent, we would be able to place hotlinked modules in a master layout. But, we cannot. Nor, can we place xrefs on a master.

So, AFAIK, there is no way to directly, dynamically update a master.

Indirectly, you can create a module for the title block. Hotlink that module into an independent Worksheet (or Detail). Place a drawing based on that Worksheet on the Master.

And is that the advantage to using and Actual Template, as opposed to renaming a blank Project and using that as the template?

No... the only advantage of saving a template file as a TPL vs a PLN is that a TPL cane appear in the New from... and you cannot accidentally store the modified result on top of the original TPL. (Have to intentionally save-as tpl into the source location.) This is much like when you open a fresh Word or Excel document - which is based on a template - you cannot save, only 'save as' upon first trying to save.

Karl

Edited: added indirect workaround

[TomWaltz]

I have tried a few different things... the one I like best is making a 2D object of my title block in different forms (complete with signing partner info and autotext fields). Change once, it updates everywhere.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Ha. I knew someone would post before I could re-edit my post!

Tom, I think this would work? Haven't tried it, so don't know what would happen to autotext:

Karl wrote:
Indirectly, you can create a module for the title block. Hotlink that module into an independent Worksheet (or Detail). Place a drawing based on that Worksheet on the Master.

In both this (placed drawing) and your (placed object) approach, hotspots would have to be manually added to allow snapping to the placed element(s)...

Cheers,
Karl

[TomWaltz]

Karl wrote:
Ha. I knew someone would post before I could re-edit my post!

Tom, I think this would work? Haven't tried it:

Karl wrote:
Indirectly, you can create a module for the title block. Hotlink that module into an independent Worksheet (or Detail). Place a drawing based on that Worksheet on the Master.

How would that be any different than just drawing it in a Detail/Worksheet without the module? (assuming it's all drawn in one central PLN)

[Karl Ottenstein]

TomWaltz wrote:
How would that be any different than just drawing it in a Detail/Worksheet without the module? (assuming it's all drawn in one central PLN)

...and then just placing an external drawing, based on that Worksheet, on the master in each project? I guess not much difference - just network traffic for the larger PLN file from the server during drawing update, vs the single small module transmission at hotlink update time. Unless the master attempts to update its external drawings each time it is used in a layout...?

I don't usually post without testing, so I see I'm digging myself a hole... 😉

Karl

[TomWaltz]

Karl wrote:

TomWaltz wrote:
How would that be any different than just drawing it in a Detail/Worksheet without the module? (assuming it's all drawn in one central PLN)

...and then just placing an external drawing, based on that Worksheet, on the master in each project? I guess not much difference - just network traffic for the larger PLN file from the server during drawing update, vs the single small module transmission at hotlink update time. Unless the master attempts to update its external drawings each time it is used in a layout...?

I don't usually post without testing, so I see I'm digging myself a hole... 😉

Karl

I don't think a PLN with just the title blocks would be that big, especially considering it would only need to update when the title block changes.

Part of the reason I like the object method is that it takes user error out, but using a linked view would allow you the control over if/when a title block gets changed. You could easily unlink one that you wanted to stay the same.

[Anonymous]

To place these modules, would I draw them in a seperate pln, specifically for the sole purpose of holding the masters?
I guess I don't know really yet how to use modules.
I am going to check a couple t higns out with all these trick you guys suggested.

Thanks.
I'll be back.

I am going to try tthe 2D object thing too.
You cannot place them on masters eaither though right?
that would have to be in a detail or work sheet?
And then you said auto text Does work?
Argh.
Thsi should be one for teh wish list for sure!

[TomWaltz]

You can place objects on Layouts. That was one of the major benefits of merging Archicad with Plotmaker. Mine are REALLY parametric, but they could be pretty simple.

[Da3dalus]

Karl, you rock! I had no idea you could copy master layouts from one project to another (without manually doing page setup, detail grid settings, copy-paste, and troubleshooting). I think I actually started a wishlist thread lamenting this issue. Awesome!