11 replies to this topic

[Jeremy Stover]

One thing I think would be helpful in the next patch/version would be to add some more control to interior elevation tags.  I do interior elevation sheets on some of my drawings, and try and use the "live" annotated views for ease and saving time.  I had an instance where I created all of my elevations (20-some of them) and then noticed that I had forgotten one that belonged back at number 4 or 5...it should have been grouped with the others on the elevation sheet, and in order for me to do that and re-number it with the auto numbering, I would have had to delete all of the following markers and redo them all.  It would be easier to just click on the elevation markers and be able to renumber manually if desired.  And maybe even have SP notice the manual re-number and then ask if it wants us to have it rename the others automatically following?

[Lane De Muro]

Softplan is way, way, way behind the times when it comes to annotating a drawing.  It would appear it does not give much of a second chance when it comes to forgetting something or revising something.  
For instance, the "Keynotes"; all notes are put on one schedule that applies to every aspect of the project.  If you want a separate keynote schedule for cabinets, electrical items, framing items, whatever, you are out of luck.  They all get grouped into one big keynote.  Pretty archaic for a CAD software program.

Section view annotation is likewise limited.  Other programs give you the ability to add elements which are automatically found, such as roof ridge, top of subfloor, top of joist, bottom of header, top of window or door, etc.  Again, Softplan comes in a distant last in this type of annotation.  

But, and this is a big "but", it is miles ahead when it comes to drawing the model, wall heights, foundations, roof, dormers, rake walls  and the real nitty gritty, so I am convincing myself that things like complete control over schedules, setting a system wide schedule option, being able to make line styles, having automatic center lines, keynotes for individual types of things, ability to add column items (such as vent area of windows and doors) to a schedule, auto aligning walls and openings from one floor to the other is not as important as they are convenient.  I really miss not being able to generate an electrical schedule where I can show which light fixture, fan, or split wiring device is controlled by which switch.

It may just be me, but it seems Softplan and others (one I have used for over 20 years) are more concerned with the 3D version of getting sun shading, beautiful trees, sidewalks, brick textures and the like than they are with the down and dirty line drawings that, in the end, are whats need to be submitted for permit approval.  Kind of like putting a spoiler on an old Dodge Dart....looks great, but you will never be able to go fast enough to really use it.

[David Zawadzki]

Softplan is way, way, way behind the times when it comes to annotating a drawing.  It would appear it does not give much of a second chance when it comes to forgetting something or revising something.  
For instance, the "Keynotes"; all notes are put on one schedule that applies to every aspect of the project.  If you want a separate keynote schedule for cabinets, electrical items, framing items, whatever, you are out of luck.  They all get grouped into one big keynote.  Pretty archaic for a CAD software program.

Section view annotation is likewise limited.  Other programs give you the ability to add elements which are automatically found, such as roof ridge, top of subfloor, top of joist, bottom of header, top of window or door, etc.  Again, Softplan comes in a distant last in this type of annotation.  

But, and this is a big "but", it is miles ahead when it comes to drawing the model, wall heights, foundations, roof, dormers, rake walls  and the real nitty gritty, so I am convincing myself that things like complete control over schedules, setting a system wide schedule option, being able to make line styles, having automatic center lines, keynotes for individual types of things, ability to add column items (such as vent area of windows and doors) to a schedule, auto aligning walls and openings from one floor to the other is not as important as they are convenient.  I really miss not being able to generate an electrical schedule where I can show which light fixture, fan, or split wiring device is controlled by which switch.

It may just be me, but it seems Softplan and others (one I have used for over 20 years) are more concerned with the 3D version of getting sun shading, beautiful trees, sidewalks, brick textures and the like than they are with the down and dirty line drawings that, in the end, are whats need to be submitted for permit approval.  Kind of like putting a spoiler on an old Dodge Dart....looks great, but you will never be able to go fast enough to really use it.

Can't wait to hear your opinion once you have been using SoftPlan for 20 years. ;-)

[Lane De Muro]

Can't wait to hear your opinion once you have been using SoftPlan for 20 years. ;-)

Well, let's jump ahead 20 years......"I'm still trying to move one wall cabinet without Softplan attaching it to every other cabinet on the wall, uppers and base, and moving them as a block.  I exploded them. I went into the edit panel and unchecked "join cabinets", I tried to use the move command with cursor snap and still no luck. The Attach button is disabled.  It's been almost 20 years, and I sure would like to get this kitchen layout done so I can bill the client"

[David Zawadzki]

Haha,  don’t be so hard on yourself.  You know it’s not going to take 20 years to master SoftPlan.

 

Are you trying to move the cabinet in 3D mode?  When working with interiors, I like to have 3D open on one monitor and 2D open on the other.  It’s easier for me to get things done in 2D, while checking out the results in 3D.

[Lane De Muro]

Haha,  don’t be so hard on yourself.  You know it’s not going to take 20 years to master SoftPlan.

 

Are you trying to move the cabinet in 3D mode?  When working with interiors, I like to have 3D open on one monitor and 2D open on the other.  It’s easier for me to get things done in 2D, while checking out the results in 3D.

I have been trying to move things in 2D.  I'll try it the way you described it and see what happens.

[Mark Petri]

For me if attach isn't highlighted it helps, but I understand the frustration. Especially when SP decides that upper wall cabinet ought to snap to the inside corner of the wall over the top of the tall cabinet it does not recognize. But, just the same, there are so many things that work better than other programs. You take the good, you take the bad, and there you have CAD for life. Too invested to stop or switch now. And, most competitors have some cool parts of their program, but lose out in the important ways as far as how I like to work.

[Harlon Suttle]

There is only one near perfect "CADD" tool.... and I have seen and used them all.....NONE will ever be as near perfect as the human brain.... ever see a great carpenty with only one saw etc....I have and he was simple amazing and 77 years old and still going strong...so, ya learn how to "used" the one tool in your tool box to it's max and become an expert...then you add those really special other "tools" to compliment the one tool you are expert in using....BTW: That carpentry began as an apprentice at the age of eight years old in Poland after WWII....RIP Louie P.

[Keith Almond]

...being able to make line styles ...

 

Not officially supported, but Softplan has the ability to quite simply create new linetypes - I've been doing it over 20 years.

 

Save the linetype.def and siteline.def files in the SPUtil directory with NEW names so you can restore them if necessary, and edit them in a standard text editor ... NOTEPAD.

 

Following the same pattern as existing lines, you can create your own in this format.

 

;-FIRE BLOCK

BEGINLINE

NAME Dashed FIRE BLOCK

ATTRIBUTES HEIGHT=3

ATTRIBUTES FONT="ARIAL"

PATTERN LINE=25 SPACE=2 TEXT="FIRE BLOCK" SPACE=2

ENDLINE

;

 

 

OR if you want LINES etc.

 

;----....----.... 

BEGINLINE

NAME Dash Dot Dot Dot Dash

PATTERN LINE=6 SPACE=2 LINE=0.5 SPACE=2 LINE=0.5 SPACE=2 LINE=0.5 SPACE=2 

ENDLINE

;

 

I take no responsibility if it doesn't work for you.

 

If anyone is interested I can send you my linetype.def file to examine and play with as you see fit.

[Lane De Muro]

 

Not officially supported, but Softplan has the ability to quite simply create new linetypes - I've been doing it over 20 years.

 

Save the linetype.def and siteline.def files in the SPUtil directory with NEW names so you can restore them if necessary, and edit them in a standard text editor ... NOTEPAD.

 

Following the same pattern as existing lines, you can create your own in this format.

 

;-FIRE BLOCK

BEGINLINE

NAME Dashed FIRE BLOCK

ATTRIBUTES HEIGHT=3

ATTRIBUTES FONT="ARIAL"

PATTERN LINE=25 SPACE=2 TEXT="FIRE BLOCK" SPACE=2

ENDLINE

;

 

2022.02.18_12h32m22s_001_.png

 

OR if you want LINES etc.

 

;----....----.... 

BEGINLINE

NAME Dash Dot Dot Dot Dash

PATTERN LINE=6 SPACE=2 LINE=0.5 SPACE=2 LINE=0.5 SPACE=2 LINE=0.5 SPACE=2 

ENDLINE

;

 

I take no responsibility if it doesn't work for you.

 

If anyone is interested I can send you my linetype.def file to examine and play with as you see fit.

 

Thanks!  

[Michael Trostrud]

BACK TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTION ABOUT KEYNOTES:

Keynotes are a great way to annotate your drawings. 

There are other tables, like opening schedules that allow the user to select this drawing, or all openings in model. Can't this functionality be added to keynotes as well?

[Verlin Klassen]

It's a bit of a workaround, but you can show keynotes on plan set pages for the individual drawings. After you have created all your keynotes, do a renumber and they renumber according to the drawing they are on. In other words, all the key notes on a specific drawing will be in consecutive order. Put the keynote schedule on each drawing that you need them. Then you can edit the schedule seperately on each drawing and set the number of notes in a column so that all the notes for that page are on columns of their own. Arrange your drawing so that the keynote schedule is situated so that it can be placed on the plan set page by itself. You will need to have 2 copies of the same drawing on 1 plan set page. Crop the one so that the keynote schedule is not showing. Crop the other one so that only the applicable columns of the keynote schedule show.