setting standard objects

[Anonymous]

i am starting to create a standards manual after our 1st pilot project. i want to customize the pen settings of objects. to make it simple i am using the sts model and layout pens to start off our firms custom pen sets. this is easier because the template is already predefined (all the parts settings are associated with the pens). i want to change some pens on specific items (furniture, millwork, equipment, ect.) is there any way i can do this so my changes will save.... do i need to save the file as a template (this doesn't make too much sense because they are essentially library parts that live in there own file) i know i could do this by saving each model part as a favorite... but then my favorites will be over loaded... even if i have to go in and change each library part... i think i would prefer this... that way when i am teaching/implementing the office standards everything will already be set

[Laura Yanoviak]

Kbot373 wrote:
... even if i have to go in and change each library part... i think i would prefer this... that way when i am teaching/implementing the office standards everything will already be set

Although most people would consider this insane, this is what I do (just finished the AC11 Library this afternoon). It's a lot of work, but much easier than getting people to follow the standards.

[TomWaltz]

It's a lot less work to set up what Eric Bobrow called "Visual Legends". It's a way of setting up the most commonly used objects with the settings you want once, then referencing them in your various projects.

http://www.aecbytes.com/tipsandtricks/2006/issue13-archicad.html

I've been using this method since AC8 and cannot recommend it strongly enough. It's flexible, adaptable, and does not require you to take apart the hundreds of objects in the GS library every time they update it!

[Anonymous]

thanx
we'll see how this head ache of setting standards
pays off





ok so maybe i am a little insane
but this is actually kinda fun

[TomWaltz]

Whatever method you use, a good template ("good" meaning one that works for your company and its needs) can cut hours and hours off every project you ever do and help you maintain standards throughout the office.

I'm waiting for Link and Matthew to chime in, since they've done that for a LOT of companies.

[Link]

1. Changing all your library parts to match your pen standards;
2. Creating favorites of all your library parts;
3. Creating module file containing all your library parts already set up.

No method is perfect, and I used to teach method 1, but personally I now recommend and teach method no. 2. Then save your favorites into groups - not all into one file, and that is key. At that point, you can reload favorites over your previous favorites, or add them to the current list of favorites. The chance of bringing in rogue attributes is reduced greatly compared to method 1. And besides, this is why GS brought in the favorites.

Way back in '98 I tried method 3, but it is a lot of work and wreaked havoc on existing projects and severely limited the sharing of projects with others.

Just my 2 cents...

Cheers,
Link.

[TomWaltz]

Link wrote:
Way back in '98 I tried method 3, but it is a lot of work and wreaked havoc on existing projects and severely limited the sharing of projects with others.

.... and methods 1 and 2 are not a lot of work? Number 2 is useful on existing projects in a way that number 3 is not? How does it limit sharing projects with others? Do you mean within the company? Or with other companies?

I might propose that just because something did not work 9 years ago does not mean that it does not work extremely well now.