Improve line weights

[Eric Milberger]

Currently line weights by color makes no sense.  Make weights of a line apparent when on the screen. and only use colors for colors.

Considering the high resolution screen we have today - why should it be a guess or have to remember a color to note a width.

[Eduardo Rolon]

I don't know why this needs to be a wish since you can already do it by editing your pen sets.

• Everything uses black pens
• Anything by GS that uses pens 1-20 (except 19) is yellow to highlight that it has not been edited.
• Add colors as necessary and use GO's to highlight items

[Eric Milberger]

Simple, Pretend you are a newby to your template.

Without having to search which of these dark squares are 1.25?   

Note as a new user I've seen a dozen templates, trying to remember all that is needed to work and just to add this is frustrating.

It would actually be quicker to add a list of the lines I would use on the template.

But I have a problem here - even then with the settings correctly set up - many of the lines do not look any different than the other 

[Eric Milberger]

Edwardo  - You are dong what I am doing

the problem is this has to be redone and redone as this is not something that is setup for any file I open.

Settings like these should be from a STANDARDS file or files  Where you grow that file.

But on this specific one If I gave you a new file to work with me - and I had half the boxes filled 

Hou would you determine which block color is for what?

It should be WYSISYG

Things like this should be in a file on the Company folder and not the Job folder so that it grows and improves or just stays the same from every job to every year.

[Eric Milberger]

But this does not follow from template to template nor version to version.

This should at the least be in a standards file that is linked into the file you are using.  That way as things change or mature they follow you from job to job year to year.  right Now every year is a total retool.  All the standard items end up being a retool also 

Things Like  lines and libraries should not be in a file but a folder that grows and grows for years

And a reference file or folder this is simply linked every template update.

[Eric Milberger]

Maybe I need to put this into context.

I have AECOSim from Bentley and switched to Archicad for several reasons.

I started doing cad in 1986. and Modeling like we do today in 2003.

Very similar package and closer to Archicad than Revit.

I have 38 years worth of 2d cell, 3d cells and compound cells (This is a small model like a bathroom or a row of seats.)

They are in folders divided into some subfolders for organization,

They travel from project to project as they are in another design file.

If I wanted to I could reference the entire file into the project if I wanted, however it would be too big

Every Compound Cell is grouped and saved in a compound cell library  that is NOT in file so the file is still lean

That is what I am suggesting - closest I can do this is have a design file for every cell Library or one giant one

Then Past and cut.  this eats more recourses that just saying Place:toilet3

Plus every year need to rebuild the setup with a new template

Part of this might be more use of reference files.  However that is a much slower process during your work.

[Eduardo Rolon]

Some quick comments and FWIW I am not arguing against your wish:

• The file shown is the one I use when teaching AC 2nd year architectural students (since 2005).
• This is part of my template so it is available for all my projects
• I started using Autocad around 1990 and one of the issues I have had is to adjust that 2020's CAD/BIM is not 1990's. This means that for current users they don't care, know, about specific line weight thickness, They have never used any technical pens. In that case the set up is:
  • first black square = any line that is not Cut or Uncut
  • middle square = Uncut
  • 5th square = Cut
  • In between are for exceptions
• You always work with True Line Weight on and if it looks ok then it is, if not then fix it.
• For External Drawings I have 2 options:
  • Have a dedicated pen set for those that I apply to the placed drawing (not exploded)
  • Have been redrawing my details as I go along and have them all with black lines
• For the comments about folders etc. I get your point but I have my own take on it but it is personal and I don't presume to force anyone else to use it.