Master Layouts and the Door and Window Schedule

A feature of the Cadimage Door and Window Schedule is the ability to dynamically position your schedule elements based on Master Layout content. In the example shown, the relevant Master Layout has been overlaid using Trace and Reference so you can see that the title block is positioned up the right hand side of the page. There is also a small Information block to the left.

After generating the Schedule you will notice a frame surrounding the door and window information. Select the frame and you will notice the dynamic hotspots (pink).

Simply drag these to a position that does not clash with the information on the Master Layout and Update the schedule.

If you have multiple pages within the Schedule, you will not need to update the other frames.

Tags: layout, master, schedule

Important Note: ArchiCAD Hotfix and Cadimage Tools

The new ArchiCAD Hotfix conflicts with the Cadimage Tools in OSX, and in some cases, may stop the hotfix process from completing.

NOTE: This only applies to Apple computers running OSX, with ArchiCAD 13 and the Cadimage Tools. Specifically, the 3D Profiler, Design Suite, or Structural Suite.

To avoid this problem, navigate to Macintosh HD:Applications:Graphisoft:ArchiCAD 13:Cadimage Tools Extras, and rename Profiler to Cadimage Profiler before running the hotfix.

If you have already installed the hotfix and are experiencing problems, navigate to the following folder, Delete the Profiler file and then Rename the Profiler.backup folder to Cadimage Profiler.

When you are done in either case, your folder should be left looking this:

Once this is done, run the ArchiCAD Hotfix installer again to complete the process.

Tags: Hotfix

Cadimage Preset Manager – The Screenshot Tour

If you’ve stopped by the blog anytime in the last couple of months, you will no doubt have seen one or two posts about the new Profile Management system.

“I realize that you guys think this new system is amazing guys, but honestly, what does this thing even look like?” is a question that you may have been asking yourself at the time.

Well, wonder no further dear readers! I present for you, in spectacular technicolour, the screen-shot tour!

(Click on an image to see it full sized)

Figures 1 & 2 show that creation of a new Profile, which so far looks the same as it always has. However, after entering a Name for the profile (no file saving necessary, just give it a name), you can see in figures 3 & 4, how to get to the Preset Manager and what it looks like.

Figure 5 shows the dialog that is displayed when clicking the ‘Edit’ Button, and figure 6 is just showing off the profiler in 3D.

Finally, figures 7 & 8 illustrate the Import/Export system, which works by allowing you to import or export multiple profiles (or the whole set) into or out of just 1 DAT file. This means you can easily send sets of Profiles to others, or move them between projects!

Tags: preset, profiler

Accessory Tools – Important Note

We recently discovered one or two issues with the Roof Accessory object which were introduced in the latest update.

To correct this, we have created a new Interim Release (Build 208). If you notice that your 3D is very slow to generate when you have attached Roof Accessories then you should download this interim release.

To fix these issues we have had to roll back the code to the original version and then add the enhancements to it again, and because of this some of the previous fixes are no longer included.

Here is a summary:

Roof Builder cladding Overhang applies to all edges not just gutter edge is no longer fixed

Roof Builder – Ridge Barge and Barge are different depths is no longer fixed

All other previous fixes have been brought through to this version.

Additional Fixes are:

Roof Accessory causing ArchiCAD to Freeze

Roof Cladding not covering entire roof

Roof Builder – Soffits not showing in 3D

Roof Builder – Missing Barge

Cannot extend Wall Accessories beyond the wall they are attached to

Tags: accessories

Rapid Details & 3D Profiler Interim Release is Online Now

The Interim Release for 3D Profiler and Rapid Detailer mentioned last week (here) is now online.

Just login and go to My Account – Downloads – Interim Releases to grab the 208 builds.

Please Note: If you own both 3D Profiler and Rapid Details, you will need to install both of the Build 208 interim releases, as they make changes to each other. If you only own one tool which has a build 208 release, then you’ll be fine with just that release.

Tags: interim

Interim Releases

As we go through support tickets and emails, we often get reports of ‘issues’ in the tools that we need to patch up. Often this doesn’t take very long, but the process of fixing everything that has been reported takes time, as does getting the completed package properly tested and ready for release. We appreciate that in some cases, having to wait a month or two is just too long though, so that’s why we’ve introduced Interim Releases.

The Interim Releases will be issued much more frequently than the Official Releases so that you can get your ‘fix’ as soon as humanly possible. The interim releases will be given a basic check-over to make sure that they don’t do anything horrid to your ArchiCAD setup or your projects, so you can be confident in using them on production computers.

We’ll be working to get issues you report into an interim release as soon as possible, but sometimes we may not be able to fit all the fixes in before we make an interim release. You’ll be able to see which things are fixed in the Release Reports (in the Help Centre), and which are still outstanding. If in doubt, you can always just contact us (via support ticket, email, facebook, twitter, skype etc). At the moment, you can only download the latest available Interim Release for each tool, but we will be allowing access to the full history of all Interim Releases shortly.

To get an Interim Release, go to the Downloads page and click on Interim Releases from the sidebar on the left.

You’ll then see a grid of all the available Interim Releases. Simply click on the Windows or Apple logo to download the Windows or OSX files, and once the download is finished, you can install as normal (follow the instructions here if you’re unsure).

If you do encounter any problems while using an interim release, please let us know which one/s you are using when reporting issues.

Tags: interim, interim releases, releases

Profile Management Enhanced

With the recent release of Update 1 we have overhauled our Profile Management System in response to customer feedback.

Without boring you with all the detail Profiles are now stored within the project file (PLN) so the need to search for text files is almost forgotten.

Text files still come into play if you want to move profiles from project to project or to share them with other 3D Profiler customers. However entire collections of Profiles can be imported and exported from a single file.

We suggest you review the information in our Help Centre:

• Create a Profile
• Edit a Profile

For those of you who have created large libraries of Text File based Profiles we have ensure you can migrate easily to the new system - just follow these steps.

Please note: Our Rapid Details Tool also uses Profiles and we are now in the process of transitioning this to work with the above system as well.

Update #1 for Cadimage Tools

Late last week we uploaded our first Update for our ArchiCAD 13 Tools.

This update addressed a number of issues discovered during the first 8 weeks of customer use. Thank you to all the customers who notified us about these issues and for your patience in this matter.

A complete overview of the updates can be viewed in our Help Centre.

In conjunction with the Update we also under took a major overhaul of how we manage the Profiles used in our 3D Profiler Tool based on customer feedback – more on that here.

During the last 8 weeks we have also improved our Internal Development processes and our Web Download Delivery System to help provide you with a better and simpler process and one which will enable us to release minor updates in a timely fashion. We still have the finishing touches to add to this new system so keep an eye out for more information soon.

Cadimage Tools – Support Bulletin

It has now been over 6 weeks since we started shipping the Cadimage Tools for ArchiCAD 13. The upgrades have been flowing in and inevitably so have the support issues.

During the last 6 weeks there have been a handful of commonly asked Support questions so we decided to consolidate them into a support bulletin.

ArchiCAD 13 Migration – Recommendations and Common Issues

Libraries

It is very important that only Cadimage Libraries for ArchiCAD 13 are loaded. Loading Cadimage Libraries for ArchiCAD 12 will lead to issues like “Can’t find Cadimage Macros” or a variety of other issues that appear when you try to produce a 3D View.

Work Environment

We also recommend using an ArchiCAD 13 based Work Environment. At times you will be required to use the Observe Elements command (see below) this command does not appear if you are using an old Work Environment.

Some Tools require additional settings in the Work Environment. Refer here for more information.

Observe Elements

Once you have opened your ArchiCAD 12 project in ArchiCAD 13 and loaded the 13 Libraries you will need to use the Observe Elements command on your Doors and Windows to ensure they work correctly.

Background: The Observe Elements process was implemented as part of our Speed and Portability enhancements. It only needs to be performed once on the Project. As part of our next Hotfix we have updated the process to work on the entire project rather than a selection of objects.

View Only Objects

If at any point an object shows the ‘View Only’ dialog and suggests you purchase the Tool you will need to simply re-load the Libraries. This issue commonly occurs when you close a second session of ArchiCAD. The View Only mode was implemented as part of our Portability Enhancements.

More…

Information regarding Migration is available in our Help Centre so keep an eye on this page for further updates: http://help.cadimagetools.com/#ins-transition-to-ac13

Activation Issues

We have started a Trouble Shooting page in our Help Centre regarding potential Activation Issues. If you experience any issues please visit this page first to see if it can help.

Stair Builder

A major enhancement to Stair Builder for ArchiCAD 13 was the introduction of the Assemble Stair command. In short this command takes all the individual flights, landings and railings of the Stair and assembles it into a single Object. This Object can then be saved as a favourite, dragged, mirrored etc but most of all is significantly faster to use.

This enhancement has raised a couple of frequent questions:

How do I change the Pen Colours of my Stair?

How do I turn off the Label for my Stairs?

The answers to these questions are in our Help Centre (click on the question to go there directly) as the next Hotfix will address these issues in an improved manner and therefore the Help will also be updated to reflect these changes.

Tags: ArchiCAD 13, Support

Support Update: Activation Issues

Over the last few days we have discovered a couple of minor bugs causing some issues with the Activation of our Tools and Suites on both ArchiCAD 12 and 13.

If you have yet to upgrade and download the Tools then you need read no further as we have resolved these issues and new downloads are all correct.

For those of you who have downloaded the Tools and have encountered Activation Issues please contact us either by creating a Support Ticket or emailing customer.care@cadimagetools.com and we can let you know the steps to remedy the issue.

We are also publishing an  a number of Trouble Shooting sections in our Help Centre so please keep an eye on these as well.