Layers, is it possible to copy existing layers to a new doc?
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In Su,
In my architectural practice, I often use the same familiar "Layers" but I have not figured how to copy the layers to a new doc,
i.e. Foundation, Floor framing, walls, roof, roof framing, doors, windows, etc.
A similar request for groups and their naming.
Is this possible, practical and or present other issues?
aloha
red -
Hi Red,
If you often use the same layer structure in your models, make an empty file with these custom layers (you can even add pre-defined scenes based on various requirements) and save it as a template under the File menu - then in your Preferences > Templates you can set it as default.
Certainly a more flexible way (like in LayOut) to open a new file from a certain template would be even more convenient (so that you would not need to always use the same template) but in case you only need an empty file for a different project, you can easily get rid of your pre-defined layers by purging the model (which you would do time to time anyway).
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As G says make a SKP Template and thereafter always open a new model file using that.
I have my own Template with all of my usual 'AIA-type' Layers already set up in it.
[It also has a couple of scene-tabs set with their own styles, a 'TIG' image overlay in the presentation one and a 'troubleshooting' one that shows line ends, hidden geometry edges colored by axis and monochrome-mode with brightly colored reverse faces]
To make one take a copy of a SKP that has the Layers etc set as you want and erase unwanted any geometry, purge unwanted Components, Materials and Styles etc - BUT keep the Layers you want... then Save as Template.
If you have a 'blank' SKP then to bring in all of the 'used' Layers from another SKP you can 'import' this SKP. Then purge its 'component' from the Component Browser model-pane. Its Layers will stay behind [until you Purge Layers or Model Info Purge All]. This will also brings over any 'used' Materials in the imported SKP - purge these if they are not wanted.
To bring in ALL of the layers from a SKP [even unused ones] - you first export that SKP as a DWG [or DXF] then import that file into your 'blank' SKP - tidy up removing geometry, compo's etc but keep the Layers as before... -
Thanks, thanks, thanks,
I keep believing that this is possible to cost and time effectively use the SU/LO software to do most of my architectural design work.
I just finished my first set of working drawing on a very small simple house. (I should have tried that the first go around).
And with "best practice" tips like these, I see even more efficiency. I am just starting to see the brilliance and flexibility of this software.What has been interesting to me is that I have talked to a few people on this forum that use this software for their architectural design work. Most, if not all do not get deep into Outliner, as a way of organizing "groups" and components.
I find that a good working understanding of the "combination" of control / visibility functions in SU are critical to managing a complex model.
I am just beginning to grasp and apply this
What I would want is to have a "template" of Layers, Styles, Scenes, Groups (organized in Outliner) and I will look into the novel one's suggested by Tig.
From what I read in your reply's this is totally possible?
I also have experienced (only just beginning to understand) that I can heirarchially group things, and hide various levels of the group via a layer, i.e.
a lot of my doors, windows, kitchen cabinets, come in as components with various layers, that quickly clutters up my layers menu and the outliner. Though I have noticed when an item is hidden via layers it is not in the outliner, so that if I group all of the door components into a layer "doors" I can at the minimum clean up my outliner. but the layer list gets pretty long. I am still trying to figure out an efficient and easily understood (for others working with me) "naming system" for my Layers in SU, and to a degree in LO.
Any further suggestions, recommendations?
thanks
aloha
red -
hi Red,
somewhere there's a youtube of Chris Fullmer using layers in a summercode presentation, or similar, well worth finding..
john -
@driven said:
hi Red,
somewhere there's a youtube of Chris Fullmer using layers in a summercode presentation, or similar, well worth finding..
johnThat was the "Great" Google SketchUp 3D BaseCamp!
And here is the video.[flash=640,385:pa8zzde6]http://www.youtube.com/v/r9_F-bSGrKs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1[/flash:pa8zzde6]
Note that he is rather presenting a workflow while working with layers, styles scenes etc. with big models rather than using them for final presentation.
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@tig said:
As G says make a SKP Template and thereafter always open a new model file using that.
[It also has a couple of scene-tabs set with their own styles, a 'TIG' image overlay in the presentation one and a 'troubleshooting' one that shows line ends, hidden geometry edges colored by axis and monochrome-mode with brightly colored reverse faces]
This is a really great Idea!
Problem is, with all my templates Murphy's Law applies: as soon as I set them... I have to reformat my pc and I forget to backup them!!
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@broomstick said:
@tig said:
As G says make a SKP Template and thereafter always open a new model file using that.
[It also has a couple of scene-tabs set with their own styles, a 'TIG' image overlay in the presentation one and a 'troubleshooting' one that shows line ends, hidden geometry edges colored by axis and monochrome-mode with brightly colored reverse faces]
This is a really great Idea!
Problem is, with all my templates Murphy's Law applies: as soon as I set them... I have to reformat my pc and I forget to backup them!!
Then upload them to some online storage as soon as you make them.
Better yet - get an external HD and set up automatic backup. -
Hi folks.
A possible workaround :
Lets call the actual model with the layers to be copied as "A". I also suppose that there are no geometries in "A". If there are, "select all" then "Delete".
1 - Save model "A" under a new name, lets call it "B".
2 - Open the model that is supposed to inherit the layers from "A". This is the model that contains the geometry.
3 - "Select all".
4 - "Copy".
5 - Open "B" which already contains all the required layers.
6 - "Paste" or "Paste in place". The model geometry is now in the same file with all the layers.
7 - "Save".
Just ideas.
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Where I am currently at,
.... Okay, I did a small model house with working drawings as my first actual "building permit" set.
I jumped into a larger two story house and got to making groups, layers, and the model...
it got big fast and out of control...the outliner list was nearly a full page high, groups groping groups...and things getting buried in one layer that were nested inside another group...
it got CRAZY... so what I did was create a MASTER file, that I only drop in completed, organized, properly understood layering, files... paste in place works great.
I took the crazy file, made individual models for: foundation, walls, roofs etc. got them organized, then "paste in place" them into the MASTER file... a lotta work but so much easier than trying to figure out where things got buried.
If this seems too crazy... it is the only sane work around I could come up with given my understandings to date..
if there are any other suggestions, I am open to ideas.
Oh, I find the command E or hide function in Outliner REALLY dangerous, things can get hidden never to be found again,
and when the outliner gets big, it gets really hard to control, groups, when clicked, go off into wild fits of expansion, seems like there could be a "find the group you just clicked" game that should be looked into for potential "things to do when you have lots of time on your hands"
thanks,
aloha
red
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