Error Message after loading TFP / INFO PANEL LIST is empty!!!

[Gerald Abele]

Hi to all,
After getting some hands-on experience with the program yesterday, I get the following error message today after new start-up(s) of TFP:
      " ! An External Catalog must be open in order to run the House Builder" - ok - now what - or how does one open this catalog?
Also, and more importantly:
      My INFO PANEL LIST is and stays blank, no matter which buttons I press. This prevents any work from being done, of course.
Further, while I'm at it:
     - After I set the date and place, etc. to current and actual in Global, and then reload the program later, it reverts to its default - how to fix this?
     - Under Help, the Online Software Help Page cannot be found  - found this forum rather accidentally.
Additional Question:
     I purchased the online version, after trying to get the CD unsuccessfuly because the vendor "Digital River" was backlogged. Is there any additional information and stuff on the CD which did not come with the online version? Can one get the CD for a preferred price or for shipping costs only at a later date (when available)?

All help with these topics will be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your prompt replies.
Gerald Abele

PS.:  Does anybody know how to make working drawings in FP-V11 - I have an urgent project designed in FP-V11 for which I now need working or construction drawings and I have no clue how to do them quickly, shy of getting my old drafting table undusted and pencils sharpened again. I'm hoping TFP can do this, but I understand that I will have to redraw the project or wait for the interface - is a release date available yet?

[Jack Zimmer]

Hi Gerald,

I sounds as if you have lost your Catalog settings. This is why I've written in the Tips section that people be careful. How you lost them I don't know. If you lost them I don't know but I assume you did because you state that you have no Info Panel List (the technical term for the right panel is simply 'the Catalog'.

IF this is the case, that your Catalog on the right is blank, when you select Walls or Doors etc, then you must open it.

Go to File / Catalogs/ Open Catalog/ then select TurboFloorplan Master Catalog.bdb , select Open command on bottom of dialog.

Let me know if that helps.

==========================================

Your floorplan project can be brought into TurboCad to create working drawings. I've done it hundreds of times. Contact me if you need more info.

A project from TurboFloorplan can generate base floorplans for working drawings, Elevations / Sections etc need text / dims and that must be done in TurboCAD. You can export as a dwg file , any and all work created in TFPlan for working drawings in TCAD.

jkzimm@charter.net

[Gerald Abele]

Hallo Jack,

Thank you for your quick reply.

Yes, I had turned off accidentally 'the Catalog' - no idea how I did it.
In any case, I had some other additional issues and decided to un-install and re-install. It looks like I have a good working program now.

I have TurboCad Professional 14, but had no time to learn the program to date. I would need a bit of help and info how to get the FP design over there and how to prepare the working drawings for our clients. So, if I understand you right, no matter if you use FP or TFP, TurboCad is the right program to make the working drawings? Question here: Why can one not simply use TCAD for the design, etc. as well and be done with it, rather than using two programs, one for design and one for the working and construction drawings? Is TCAD not suitable for design work?Will TFP be expanded to do all that including the estimating and material lists - how strong is TFP currently for this? I guess I'm asking simply: Should I continue with TFP (and FP) or should I just concentrate on TCAD, learn and master and be done with it?
Your kind comments would again be appreciated - thanks in advance.
Gerald Abele

[Jack Zimmer]

Hi Gerald,

I'll  have to look into how a user can accidentally turn off the Catalog. There are some things in TFPlan that are 'buried' too deep and somethings like the Catalog that are a bit too accessable.

I have to produce, I have to use a program that allows for instant changes while online live with customers. That cannot be done with TCAD and almost any other program I have tried to date. TCAD for instance , doesn't create soffits and surely cannot create a two pitched roof. There are just tons of differences and I truthfully don't see TCAD coming close to TFPlan capabilites for 3D Modeling.

What TFPlan lacks is the paper space / 2D drawing tools to create working drawings although you can get good plans and because you have the model created, export Elevations / etc. I actually use Envisioneer v4 for all my work because I stay within the program, but if you already have TCAD the combo can do the job. (CADSoft develops both Envisioneer and TurboFLOORPLAN -that is no secret-).

I'm still thinking about producing some training materials on the use of TFPlan and TCAD. I don't know if I should wait until they create a bridge like FPlan has or just do a training set on the way it is now, exporting / importing dxf files. Would you think they would be of use to you or other users?

Z

[Jack Zimmer]

If you lose your Info Panel, which is the name of the right palette where you see your Catalog, you can restore it in Program Settings.

Under 'Workspace' check the box for 'Info Panel'.

Z

[Gerald Abele]

INFO PANEL
That exactly how I turned the Catalog off!!! I accidentally turned off the info panel - there should be a warning popping up when one does this.
G.

[harr6817]

I too had turhed it off! Thanks for posting this thread. I now know how it works
 

[peterdhaens]

hello
i know this a old post but i have the same problem
i tried the tips above but i dont get him back
i opent a new project but nothing

how can i fix this
thanks

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Peter,

Can you please confirm that the 'Info Panel' box is ticked (as in the image)? (It is in Settings / Program Settings / Workspace).

If it is ticked, please post a screen image of the whole of your main screen.

Allan

[peterdhaens]

hello allan

the box is checked

little question
how post i here a picture
sorry

i dhit it like this
http://bit.ly/zppd3z

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Peter,

From your image in the link you provided, the Info Panel is turned on but empty.  This implies that the program is not connected to a Catalogue.
Go to File / Catalogues / Open and select either the Metric or Imperial catalogue.

how post i here a picture

When you are doing a reply you will see the words "Attachments and Other Options" (with a + sign in front of it), just under the Comments box to the left. Click that and you can add up to 4 images or other files to a total of 4MB.

Allan

[peterdhaens]

thanks for the tip about the picture

about the cataloge
i dhit it both but stil not working

[Allan Chesney]

How do you mean it is 'not working'?
After you connected the Catalogue is it still empty?

Allan

[peterdhaens]

yes i tryt both
and nothing
stil emty

[Allan Chesney]

Can you post a screen image of  Settings / Program Settings / General ?

Allan