Converting Punch files to TurboFloorPlan

[RobinB]

Thanks Allan and Pat,
Your suggestions will help a lot.
Looking at the import/ export area reminded me of one of the original reasons I got TFP. I used the Punch software previously and the advertising for TFP said that it could import the files from Punch. So far I have failed to find out how that can be done! Again any help would be appreciated.

EDIT:  This topic has been split - the following comment relates to this topic: http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,1489.0.html
Administrator.

Doug,
I fully agree with you but software costing orders of magnitude more than TFP still has problems and in my experience trying to get help or fixes from the likes of MS etc. is a waste of time too!

Thanks all, hope you are enjoying the new year!

Robin

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Robin,

The Punch conversion involves a plug-in to Punch, rather than something in TFP. You will find a link to the necessary plug-in at the bottom of this page: http://www.imsidesign.com/Support/Overview/TurboFLOORPLANSupport/tabid/515/ItemId/3643/Default.aspx or just follow this download link:http://downloads.imsidesign.com/TurboFLOORPLAN/Punch-Plug-In-TFP.exe.

How well it works I have no idea - I looked at Punch once many years ago but was not impressed at the time so have not looked at it since. Maybe some others have tried it and can comment.

Allan

[Draftcad]

Hi Robin and Allan,

As a matter of fact, the Punch conversion involves a two steps process: one in Punch and other in TFP
For the first step, download of the plug-in as per the links in Allan's post. Then proceed to install the plug-in in Punch. This plug-in will appear differently depending of your Punch version, but as a general rule, it will appear in the Power Tools section. However, for some versions, it appears as a blank slot, but the PT is there
By using the plug-in, you will be creating a *.pxf (Punch exchange file) file. This file contains the information of your Punch file, but using TFP language
For the second step, open your TFP program --> File --> Convert --> Convert PXF --> open the file you exported from Punch

The steps above are the right process, however, in real life, the plug-in doesn't work as intended. Check this post
http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,976.0.html

Pat

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Doug and Everyone,

This is an old bug from at least ver. 12 or 14 (I forget which), maybe earlier?

Was reported back then (search this forum if curious; a couple years ago or more) but apparently nobody at IMSI or Envisioneer (coders) ever fixed it.

Should be fixed! even if not used often or even if there is a work around.

You will be pleased to know that this bug (extra lines on some printout types) has now been fixed in Envisioneer 7.2 just released. This should flow through to TurboFlooorPlan in an update - fairly soon hopefully!

Allan

[RobinB]

Hi,
Good news about the fix. Let's hope it comes through as a fix rather than a paid-for upgrade! (EDIT This topic was split - this comment relates to this topic: http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,1489.0.html) - Administrator

I've just had a chance to try the Punch export.
It seems to install OK but just gives an error - "Unable to locate data exchange file" - when I try to use it!
I suspect that the plans I would like to import probably wouldn't come through very well anyway though so I guess I'll have to keep a copy of Punch for any updates that are needed. Example punch plan attached.
Thanks
Robin

[Draftcad]

Hi Robin

Is this the plan that you produced with Punch or is this the plan that you intend to export? What Punch version are you using? Your image doesn't seem a Punch file, but perhaps I can help with the conversion to TFP

Pat

[RobinB]

Hi,
The attachment was a PDF output from a Punch file. I would like to be able to transfer it from Punch to TFP for future use. I was, however, only trying to transfer a very simple plan (four walls and a roof) to see if it would work. I was using Punch Home Design Architectural Studio 3000. I also have an earlier copy of Punch Professional Home Design Suite if that would be more likely to work.
Thanks for your help.
Robin

[Draftcad]

Hi Robin,

you can apply the plug-in to export to TFP only to the Punch file, not the output. In other words, the conversion is from a PRO file to a PXF file and TFP will import the PXF file and the file will become a BLD file

Hope this helps

Pat

[RobinB]

Hi,
I'm not sure what you mean.
I open the simple four walls and a roof plan in Punch, I click the Export PXF power tool and I get the "Unable to locate data exchange file" error message.
I'm guessing that it doesn't great any export file to import into TFP.
(I have just searched my hard drive and found a 5Kb Data.PXF file updated a few minutes ago so perhaps it has!). I'll experiment some more!)
Robin

[RobinB]

Nothing! The TFP Converter just opens a blank file!

[Draftcad]

Hi Robin,

Attach your *.PRO file with 4 walls and a roof and I'll try to convert it To PXF

Pat

[RobinB]

Attached. I had to ZIP it as you can't upload ".pro" files.

[Draftcad]

Hi Robin,

See the attached pxf and bld files

As you will see, 4 walls and a standard roof work without problems, but custom roofs, windows, doors, etc don't work

Anyway, try to import the pxf into TFP and let us know how it works

Pat

[taliesin]

EDIT by Admin - This topic has been split to keep two subjects separate and the comments below refer to the original topic. Please see http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,1489.15.html to get the previous comments on this subject. Allan

Backing up to the original question of this topic, and as noted by Doug later on, this is not a new problem.  I've experienced these ghost lines in the current and previous versions of TFD-Pro for a couple of years or longer.  Just this week I was attempting to print rendered outline views and elevation views, and the mutiple, parallel "ghost lines" run horizontally across the image.  It happens with more than one printer, and I get them when printing to a PDF.  I've tried every printing and drafting setting I can find other than standing on my head to eliminate the lines.  Very annoying. 

I see here in this topic that the bug has been fixed perhaps?  Do we know if that fix is now available for current version owners?  I downloaded the latest V.15 update yesterday and the lines are still there.   

And, finally, do we know if the bug fixed in the new V.16?

Thanks,

Randy

When using elevation view and prints to paper in the mode "Rendered Outline", will horizontal 'ghost' lines also be printed on paper. These ghost lines are always within the building contour.

When printing to PDF (e.g. via PDF995), there is no error.

Please confirm if you also get this error.


(TFP Pro v15.0.C2.770)

[RobinB]

Randy
Yes, sorry I seem to have moved this off the subject and probably should have started a new one.

Pat
Yes I can convert/ load the PXF from within TFP. But the problem is that I can't export it from Punch so I have nothing to load. I get the error message mentioned above.

Regards

Robin