Vectorial Sun Shadows & PM Import

[Dave Jochum]

Is it necessary to unlink a S/E with cast shadows in order to import into PM? I've tried it still linked and I get an error message that AC is not responding.

[Anonymous]

If I understand the question correctly. I think the answer is no. I have been importing and updating "model" S/E daily on the few projects I have done with AC. These all had cast shadows. worked fine. I am a little dissapointed in the speed of generating and updating S/E. Why should it take so long! My models have all been small (houses) and my computer is relatively fast. I could not imagine having an older machine.

[Dave Jochum]

So I've got some other *#!*#@*! problem then. I unlinked an elevation with vectorial shadows, then tried to import into PM and it timed out again. I have no trouble with the elevation if shadows are not cast.

Someone asked me at ACUWest if AC allowed me to be productive as an architect. I answered "Absolutely". If I was asked today I just might have a different answer.

[Dave Jochum]

I wrote:
Someone asked me at ACUWest if AC allowed me to be productive as an architect. I answered "Absolutely". If I was asked today I just might have a different answer.

I can say without hesitation that if it weren't for this forum, I absolutely could not be productive.

[Djordje]

Dave wrote:
Is it necessary to unlink a S/E with cast shadows in order to import into PM? I've tried it still linked and I get an error message that AC is not responding.

Nope, but it takes quite some time (I presume you are live linking?) to update. I use the shadows all the time on proposal sets (makes up for emptyish elevations) and aside from taking a bit to update (what is the lunch break for?) it works OK. Albeit, XP.

HTH,

[Dave Jochum]

Djordje wrote:
Nope, but it takes quite some time (I presume you are live linking?) to update.

Do you get messages that say AC is not responding during the process? After 8 or 9 minutes I get such a message, so I've cancelled the process.

[__archiben]

dave

just let it run . . . it gets there in the end: ignore the "not responding" messages!

these messages used to be a daily part of updating our drawings back in 8.0.x, but since 8.1, i don't recall having seen it at all. it just means that there is something that is taking longer than the developers originally intended (or tested) for.

HTH
~/archiben

[Dave Jochum]

~/archiben wrote:
dave' just let it run . . . it gets there in the end: ignore the "not responding" messages!

I gave it a whirl earlier today on a small elevation, and it did indeed work. I've never seen those messages before. Now I know what all the complaints about bAC are about. I hadn't used vectorial shadows on my elevations before. Ouch!

Thanks, Ben.

[Djordje]

Dave wrote:
Do you get messages that say AC is not responding during the process? After 8 or 9 minutes I get such a message, so I've cancelled the process.

Well, the stupid thing is so busy that it is not responding ... pretty much as if you are concentrating on something, and someone starts telling you something completely different - will you hear them?

Just let it run, it will eventually get there.

An aside note - there are tasks, like rendering, updating, hidden lines/shadows etc, that are best for overnight work and lunch/coffee breaks. Plan your work in such a manner that the computer does the computer work. You can't do anything while it is crunching anyway, so use that time as quality time spent with your overworked self.