Softplan does a great job adding more items to the symbol library, however, has anyone else noticed that there is zero logic to the organization of the symbol library? It could rally stand a major redo for 2020.
Posted 12 February 2019 - 09:10 AM
If you refer to the SoftPlan+ manufacturer libraries, i'm sort of in agreement. The logic is solid, its located in a directory tree within each manufacturer directory. I'm not a fan due to the complexity of each symbol, cutting a section, exploding or manipulating one is very time consuming and taxing on my computer. For the most part I've decided to stick with the simple architectural symbols.
Posted 12 February 2019 - 01:10 PM
I tend to stick to the simple architectural symbols for all my plans. I can see how the SoftPlan+ manufacturer libraries may be useful to the 3d modeling aspect but I am currently not taking advantage of that. I just wish that it was easier and quicker to search for most often used symbols as opposed to having to re-organize the files in the symbols folder of SoftPlan.
Posted 12 February 2019 - 03:39 PM
I find it easier to search and inmport symbols via Sketchup than to try to find them in SP libraries. Unless I already know the location of the symbol, I can't typically find it quickly. It is not uncommon to find a symbol in the libraries that I have already imported via Sketchup. I just happened to run into it later. Too bad really, cause many of those symbols are good quality.
I will say having the SoftPlan Plus new libraries highlighted regularly has helped raise my awareness of what is available.
One good practice (if your memory is as amazing as mine) is to copy the symbol into a quick access folder full of symbols you lean heavily on. This strategy has been echoed many times on this forum.
Posted 12 February 2019 - 04:38 PM
One good practice (if your memory is as amazing as mine) is to copy the symbol into a quick access folder full of symbols you lean heavily on. This strategy has been echoed many times on this forum.
OR, place a copy of your most used symbols on your template drawing then just do a 'draw select' when needed.
Posted 12 February 2019 - 07:57 PM
I have a folder called ~Miscellaneous in which I keep my most used symbols ... The tilde(~) ensures that it comes at the top of the symbol list. I also have assembled a group of symbols for kitchen, bathroom, living room etc. as an assembled symbol that I explode onto my drawing and use draw select as Gary suggests
Posted 23 May 2019 - 06:58 PM
Posted 29 May 2019 - 08:36 AM
Not a Softplan+ user, but have definitely seen quite the range of people's libraries. I've found the most logically organized folders for anything, including symbol libraries, are those where there is more than one person that needs to access them. If it's just you, it only needs to make sense to you. But when I was in an office with others I had to develop a logical sense of that others could follow.
Posted 06 June 2019 - 08:09 AM
Similar to replies above, I have grouped my most common symbols and notes together as a Speed Note, that I bring into any drawing, explode and use as needed. I have everything from appliances, furniture, typ. notes, etc. grouped into this one large speed note, which is kind of organized as a grid when it comes into a new drawing. For me so far, this has been the fastest and most reliable way to maintain a consistent style and feel across all our drawings. I have these bulk Speed Notes setup for "Floor Plan", "Elevation", "Foundation", "Roof" ....
Obviously this doesn't apply to every scenario possible, but it tends to cover most of what we always show on any given set of plans and definitely reduces mouse clicks in and out of the symbol libraries. Hope this helps.
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