Sheet Manager (NOT sheet set manager)

[OSCGOLF]

I remember the olden days when it was easy to create sheets in Land Desktop... using Sheet Manager. How do you do it in C3D?

 

I created one sheet the manually, but can't even copy one of my tabs to make the next sheet look the same...

 

Can anybody help me?.... How do YOU create sheets?

[lpseifert]

Are you saying you can't copy a Layout Tab? Rt-click the tab, select Move or Copy... make sure the Create a copy box is checked.

[OSCGOLF]

I can right click it, and it does copy... but it is far from being a desired copy, I get a copy of a layout tab (Layout 1 (2))...

but 1 or 2 viewports are missing, the pagesetup is different, scales inside the viewports are different etc...

I've monkeyed with the Sheet Set Manager... don't really understand that concept. I've created a few View Frames.... but editing a view-frame is not very friendly, in my opinion.

 

My question: How do you create sheets?

[rustysilo]

The plan production tools are hard to get along with. I did fair when I was trying them a few weeks ago, but still had troubles. Haven't had the chance to get back to trying them out just yet.

 

I just create the sheets manually as of now what with the troubles being too much trouble.

[AlinOz]

Now, That's not right!!! I'd be saying that you may have a corrupt drawing. You should be able to copy the Layout Tabs and the new one will be exactly the same with the same Viewports, etc.

 

Try this for a test:

1. Make a new Blank Layout (Optional: set up the Page with the Page Setup Manager for Paper size, plotter, etc.)

2. Select the Layout that you want to copy 'from' and select everything you want copied (so they all have Grips attached). Right mouse click on a selected Object and choose 'Copy with Basepoint' and set the basepoint as 0,0.

3. Go to the target layout and use CTRL V (or Edit/ Paste) And Insert the copied Objects at 0,0

 

Did it all come over into the new Layout? If it hasn't, whatever didn't come over is most likely corrupt. Audit may fix the problem, but it may be better to open the drawing using the RECOVER as this goes deeper into the drawing database. Be warned though, if there is a corrupt viewport, it may wipe it out.

 

Let us know how that goes...

 

By the way, you're correct... The Sheet set Manager is another beast all together but I would suggest you research it a little deeper if you're into projects that involve multiple drawings - very nice operational benefits

[OSCGOLF]

My question is: How do you create sheets? (automatically, like sheet manager used to do)...

 

Thanks for the test AlinOz... although my task is trying to find out how plan production tools (sheet manager) works, not how to make my "have to do it manually" work better.

 

I can create view frames with no problem (editing view frames are a joke). It seems that you have to know where you want your sheets before you start. For example: If I have an alignment 1200' long my view frames start at the beginning. Later if I wish to edit the starting view frame station 200' or so, the matchlines can't be moved.

 

So I am asking how others create sheets...

[OSCGOLF]

OK... I've got another question.... does anybody use Paperspace Tabs for sheets in their drawing?

Or has everyone decided that Sheet Set Manager is better and no one works with ONE drawing and multiple sheets?????

[rustysilo]

Have you gone through the ootb tutorials for the plans production tools?

[rustysilo]

I use ps tabs most definitely. It is based mostly on user preference or office standards. Personally, I despise doing all work in ms as opposed to ps layouts.

[OSCGOLF]

WHAT IS ootb ?

[AlinOz]

OK... I've got another question.... does anybody use Paperspace Tabs for sheets in their drawing?

Or has everyone decided that Sheet Set Manager is better and no one works with ONE drawing and multiple sheets?????

 

Sure, I use Multiple Layout spaces in my drawings in this metodology. From the one Modelspace drawing, I produce a Layout, Electrical and Hydraulics Drawing. Each Layout has the same underlying 2D model, but the display of the different drawings is controlled by the Layer display in the relevant Viewport/s.

 

I have seperate drawing Files for the different areas of the project, so in my case I have Multiple Drawings with Multiple Layout Spaces. This is where the Sheet set Manager comes into it for me. I set up a Project as the Sheet Set. I then Group the Layouts under an appropriately (friendly) Named Subset and move the relevant Sheets into matching Subset. This now gives me a central location to instantly access the Hydraulics Drawing from the Kitchen, then the Layout Drawing from the Bar (as an example). AutoCAD will look after opening the relevant Drawing and Layout no matter how or where the drawings are stored/ named.

 

Works a treat once you've set it up for the project... Still looking for a more automated way to set the Project up, but I'm sure it has saved many hours of File/ Open, find it (after a pause for "what file was that in") and select the relevant Layout Space Tab...

[rustysilo]

WHAT IS ootb ?

 

out of the box

[rustysilo]

This lisp really helps speed up the process of setting up sheets manually.

 

Another thing you can do is set up a template that has the basic sheet structure already in it with all layer settings set up as necessary. This way with all future projects that are similar in nature you will have the basics all ready to go when you first start.

[AlinOz]

Another thing you can do is set up a template that has the basic sheet structure already in it with all layer settings set up

 

Oh yeah, presetting the Viewports and Layout Space I do - it's just the actual manual set up of the Sheets into the Sheet Set Manager. Once you've got it though, you wouldn't go back to the old way...

[OSCGOLF]

Just so I understand.... sheet SET manager is for projects that have multiple DRAWINGS correct?

If I have a drawing (one model space) and multiple tabs (seperate sheets)... I don't need "sheet SET manager" do i?

I have a template and I also created a View Frame in model space... now what?

[rustysilo]

Need. No. However, the Sheet Set Manager can certainly be a useful tool and speed up printing as well as edits in regard to title block data when using fields. In order to use the Sheet Set Manager you must set your .dwgs up with paper space layouts and as far as I know any fields being utilized for your title block data need to be in paper space, not model space.

 

Now on to creating your sheet using the Plan Production tools. If you have created your viewframe(s) and your sheet creation template then now you want to go to (in C3d 2008 - might be different if using '09) General > Plan Production Tools > Create Sheets and follow the sheet creation wizard.

[AlinOz]

Agree wholeheartedly with you Rustysilo. One other thing you can also do is use it to automatically insert a 'Sheet List' on one of your drawings. This requires the name of the Layout Tab to match the name of your drawing and if you're real clever, you can then use the Tab name as a field in your title block. That way, all 3 sections can automatically line up and be updated.

 

One other benefit I see is that you have say 10 Layout sheets, you're mucking around with the Horizontal cursor for the Tabs to get to the one you need. The Sheet Set Manager will list them in a vertical aspect that is resizable eliminating this backwards and forwards.

 

It's one of those tools that may or may not suit you but give it a try as there may be some benefit