Wishlist for Layout 2018
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Layout should allow decimal dimensioning out to .00000 just like in SU (which goes to .000000). Why should decimal inches be constrained to 1/4" accuracy?
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I would have expected most functions requiring a particular style would be put on the same layer, Rich. Think Text, linework, symbols, fills, etc. Isn't all your body text on the same layer so you can isolate it if you want? If so, the layer hierarchy should be set in your template and never change [or very rarely].
If I want to sample my general dimension style I'll want them all to be on the same layer so I can control them. Again, that layer will be located in order of building up the final image....The same goes for Scrapbook for that matter. God knows why you can apply a layer to something in your scrapbook file them when it comes into your drawing space it doesn't bring that info with it???
My screen space surrounding the page is filled with things I want to use for that particular series of drawings. [see attached] How easy would it be if all of those things [text, lines, fills, yarda, yarda] could bring their layer properties with them when sampled?
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@utiler said:
I would have expected most functions requiring a particular style would be put on the same layer, Rich. Think Text, linework, symbols, fills, etc. Isn't all your body text on the same layer so you can isolate it if you want? If so, the layer hierarchy should be set in your template and never change [or very rarely].
Mate I totally understand WHY you have adopted this workflow, but that is because you've been forced to by Layout's inherent lack of "Object Style Management". If you have ever used InDesign you would be very aware of what such a feature can add, and it doesn't rely on layer assignment. You can assign multiple attributes to a "style" and all objects assigned this "style" will be updated with a change in that style. Similarly the swatch feature there means that colours themselves can be updated globally which will update the style.
So in the want for a better workflow you have chosen to work around this lack of functionality, to permit everything assigned a layer to be selected and updated. This however must result in a layer stack that represents say just a line's weight instead of it's actual function - say "site boundary".
So for me yes, right now the function of the sample tool dragging to the same layer makes sense to your workflow, but may have significant issues to others who don't work that way, and hense why a modifier (eg: shift+) would be warranted. And the bigger picture that the Trembling guys address the overwhelming need for a style management and assignment system. Even MS WORD has such a feature.
@utiler said:
The same goes for Scrapbook for that matter. God knows why you can apply a layer to something in your scrapbook file them when it comes into your drawing space it doesn't bring that info with it???
TOTALLY with you there mate!
@utiler said:
My screen space surrounding the page is filled with things I want to use for that particular series of drawings. [see attached] How easy would it be if all of those things [text, lines, fills, yarda, yarda] could bring their layer properties with them when sampled?
Again this is a nice idea, though how much better would be if an object dragged from the scrapbook maintained it's layer assignment, whilst it's assigned style was updated to any modification made to that style in the current document.
So in the end mate, there is a bigger world out there that function could be sourced from to reduce some rather time consuming workarounds.
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@utiler said:
My screen space surrounding the page is filled with things I want to use for that particular series of drawings. [see attached] How easy would it be if all of those things [text, lines, fills, yarda, yarda] could bring their layer properties with them when sampled?
I do exactly the same thing you do... almost actually. My reference objects are at the top and left of the paper sheet, as when you change paper size it stretches down and right...
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@jql said:
@utiler said:
My screen space surrounding the page is filled with things I want to use for that particular series of drawings. [see attached] How easy would it be if all of those things [text, lines, fills, yarda, yarda] could bring their layer properties with them when sampled?
I do exactly the same thing you do... almost actually. My reference objects are at the top and left of the paper sheet, as when you change paper size it stretches down and right...
Of course, smarty pants!!
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@richard said:
So in the end mate, there is a bigger world out there that function could be sourced from to reduce some rather time consuming workarounds.
So with InDeisgn, Rich you don't keep all your similar elements on a particular layer? Like:
Linework
Dimensions
Text
Symbols
Etc..If you were to work in a CAD program again (heaven forbid!!
) would you not want to group these elements together?Maybe rather than a modifier key, we need to actually have it as a preferences setting...?
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@utiler said:
So with InDeisgn, Rich you don't keep all your similar elements on a particular layer?
Mate Indesign is like Layout on some serious steroids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Layers
Provide as they should be for display level hierarchy or control of on / off significance.
Object Styles
Can be applied to any object: Rectangle / circle / text box / imported PDF / imported image / imported DWG / imported EPS. You can control stroke style / fill style / fill gradient / bevel / feather style / shadow cast / internal glow / external glow / transparency etc.
Changes made to any object styles are global, ie: Any object assigned a style will update to any changes made to the style.
Paragraph Styles
Can be applied independent of object styles. Can be applied to a text box or individual paragraph. You can control font, font size, font weight, font spacing, italics slant, font width scale / height scale, kerning, tracking, leading, baseline shift, paragraph spacing / indents, justification, tabs, numbers or bulleting.
Changes made to any paragraph styles are global, ie: Any text assigned a style will update to any changes made to the style.
Swatch Colours
Swatches in much the same way layout can save swatches, though you can change the swatch to update the instances they are assigned. EG; if I assigned a background fill to bedrooms of say orange, if I edit the swatch to green, any objects painted with the orange swatch will be updated to green. This will effect anything irrespective of it's object or paragraph style.
Swatches control the colours of strokes (lines), fills, gradients (where assigned via swatches), text and text outlines.
BTW you can edit the names of Object Styles, Paragraph Styles and Swatches to ensure their assignments are understood.
BTW again, if I drag in a PDF to a page, I can also control the layers of the inserted PDF on page via a right context click.
Mate, I limit the work I do in Layout for these reasons, I can achieve SO MUCH more in Indesign. And I haven't even touched on tables and assignment of cell styles. I use Layout to it's limits then output a PDF. In Indesign I just click update to the PDF so the workflow is one click off seamless.
Oh and BTW again again, none of these settings or workflows are difficult OR demanded. Anyone could still work in the 1990's way that layout is set up to now!
@utiler said:
If you were to work in a CAD program again (heaven forbid!!
) would you not want to group these elements together?Mate I haven't used AutoCad since version 2.1, but NO, if it pushed me to that workaround it fails.
@utiler said:
Maybe rather than a modifier key, we need to actually have it as a preferences setting...?
I still like the idea of a modifier, as even for you there maybe instances you don't want to drag to layer, and the issues then again exaggerated.
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Mate, if you want even the most basic insight into how styles could work in LayOut, open up WORD and start assigning text / paragraph or object styles - doing this in WORD is not at all intuitive but will give you some idea of it's power. You may recall from the PPB days, I then did all my design in WORD. Layout certainly changed this but only on the ability to stretch to size, or assign layers, otherwise it was a step backwards.
Oh and BTW - get Indesign, you will never again write a document in WORD again, and then wonder what shite you've been dealing with for the last 10 years! Admittedly, there will be a bit of a learning curve - 10-15 minutes, about the same time it takes to put a table in a word doc.
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Cheers for the overview, Rich. Might have to look at what InDesign can do for my work. So many bloody programs from renderers, image editors, work processors... so days I just want to pick up a pen!
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@utiler said:
Cheers for the overview, Rich. Might have to look at what InDesign can do for my work. So many bloody programs from renderers, image editors, work processors... so days I just want to pick up a pen!
Mate, you can then imagine things this end, doing a LOT of marketing, print, website stuff on top of that! My mind these days seems in total overload. But truthfully Indesign took a lot of time away from all that as SO much can be done so easily.
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