New Version of Turbo FloorPlan

[gav]

Hi all,

I understand that there is going to be a fair differance between a product of 100 bucks and the 1200 to 1500 version. Cadsoft are offering Envis' 5 full bundle if you buy now at 1600 for a 2195 AU product. I DL a trial of Envis' 4.5 and could see maybe an extra hundred bucks of features, but as you say its all in the users market. (milk the market you can milk i spose)

If they added block features, quick 3d and surface dll's to TFP pro (they are already there) then then imsi should be entitled to the extra grand for altering the "GUI" and "EXE" files. Okay maybe a bit sarcastic really peeves me when a product is misinterpreted.

The EV 4.5 might import and export differantly / better but being a demo who knows, prolly in the same lacking functionality type of bracket being the same base engine .

I do have to laugh but the update I downloaded from imsi was to get it up to version i recently purchased - again i have no praise for imsi there, simply for not labelling the version of update (fits perfectly with the pro or unpro interpretation of things) extremely amatuer really.

This TFP (wont type rest) is a reasonable product that after some trial and error does serve a purpose if I print down with cutepdf email to my print shop and hand edit on the fly then scan finals. I really am hesitant to invest the bigger bucks as i have no confidence that it would be a full product. (I do realize the Big Cads are mega bucks)

Some things I would like to see fixed but really doubt they ever will. (unless theres a buck in it)

*print set up to actually be print setup (eg:once a printer is chosen its chosen)
*I bought a metric version so its annoying to have to set mm over inches on importing every elevation.
*prog' settings that are actually prog' settings as with majority of software, this is just plain poor to reset each drawing to Melb Aus from Canada for renders. (maybe i should get out more but not that much)
*simple cut and paste (Its 2009 guys)
*an erasing tool (its obvious I'm no pro and need a rubber) the above would suffice
* basic keyboard config (doesn't need to be "pro" just basic for basic)

This is imsi i wont hold my breath ;/

Regards Gav
Sorry for the rant but i have a lot of software that the developers will regularily patch to keep it upadated and functioning well. (not just save any fixes for a new version= bucks)

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Gav,

As you indicated some of the things are already there. In fact, if you attach an Env catalog some other thing become available. I recently opend and Env file in TFP and it opened Ok, rendered OK and enabled other dialog boxes that gave additional functionality. Obviously some things in TFP are just "turned off".

Some of the 'things you want fixed' can be fixed yourself in the Settings - it does not need IMSI to do anything.  You do not have to reset things for each drawing if you choose the right startup template. For instance, mine always shows my chosen printer and is always set to Perth at my preferred time and with all my preferred render settings. All you have to do is set things as you want and save this as a startup template, then select that file at Settings/Program Settings/General (otherwise you will be back in Canada with the default one).

Although I have not checked it I think you will find that import will import as mm is the original was made in mm.

I agree Duplicate is different to Cut and Paste but I must admit I have become completely used to Duplicate and don't even think twice about it now.

The keyboard Delete key works well as an eraser - or you can right click and select Delete.

I am not sure what you mean by "basic keyboard config". Keyboard keystrokes are available for most things, if that is what you mean. Alt I and W will Insert Walls for example the underlined character in the menu being the key character in usual Windows fashion. Ctrl P prints, Ctrl S saves, Ctrl Z undoes and Ctrl Y redoes (C and V don't copy/paste though - that would be a nice addition!).

Allan

[gav]

Allan
thanks for your help I can see how to get the template set now cheers. I still really think the "apply" button should see to it tho'

The mm / inches thing happens when i import elevation drawings every time thats 4 / 5 times a set usually. As I have to export the N.S. etc as 2d drawings and import as elements they always default as inches (just a mouse click but annoying as all is set as metric as purchased) the exports have all been drawn in metric.

I use the duplicate delete stuff too but its just not as clean a motion as cut n paste IMO.Once the elevations have been imported and place they are totally uneditable (as elements) thats where a rubber or cut funtion would be nice. I have used drafting white heavy lines to edit but its task and with a pdf if you dont reset the paper to white you will see them on a proof. A simple function that would be nice.

As I mentioned I really dont think EV would be worth the investment as I'm a builder designer and am only at a desk 50% and really dont think it would have addressed the niggles.Cads are out of my league so as basic drawings go this is okay . the quick 3d and blocks would be very handy, the surface tool doesn't interest me and EV's features are really for a differant market.

Sorry to really be negative against imsi but the paid support email thing makes me a tad angry, if I'm not mistaken imsi australia was myob when the gst come in in Aus' and to add a 10%gst dll (app) for the $$$$ at the time was just greed. Should really have just been a patch IMHO.I also purchased a 3DFP product ?years ago for 100 bucks as well and honestly after so many years was expecting alot more, there is more but around 10 years more no-way.

My kids games will get free patches of 100's mb that address any issues as developers support thier products.


gav

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Gav,

I think the Apply does not apply to everthing (if does on some) because if you open a model set at some other time (or place) you would want it to keep the original location - Maybe that's why - just a thought!   I agree the copy/paste is certainly easier.

I don't quite understand what you are doing with the Elevations. Are you exporting them in 3D and re-importing them again?  Is that to arrange them for printing?  In this case they would certainly not be editable so I see what you mean about an eraser. I gather you are using the Layout lines in white to 'cover' the unwanted lines.  Couldn't quite follow the PDF issue - I don't ever print plans, so I have not played with these functions much.

Allan

[gav]

Yeah I appreciate what your saying there with the global settings and have taken your advice and now the template is always right-cheers.

Allmy work is melb based so i just start with an A2 template (terrain a=40000 b=50000) now and a small block to the bottom right corner.

Export as 2D drawing (dxf) then import as element on terrain. I tried the export 3d model and it doesnt work. I then just place them as elements North, South etc. I have worked out that before i export I have to enlarge them on display (they remain scaled). If i dont enlarge them the element is 2 large to fit to paper even though its just white around it, the element  is the screen view therefore as its scaled if its really small on screen the box or "screen" when its imported is 2 large.

The printing is a virtual printer, the file is A2, A1 whatever but because I only have a couple of A4 printers i have to email to a copy shop.

Gav

[Allan Chesney]

Hi again,

I am starting to get a picture now of what you are doing. When you say the 3D export 'Does not work' I assume you mean it does not work for what you re doing. I use it all the time although more as a 3DS than DXF as they export multiple surfaces better.

I was just wondering if the Terrain may be getting in the way when you export resulting in the large white space you mention. Try turning it off in the View Filter.  I always do that with 3D exports, and the Grid, otherwise they end up as part of the 3D model.

Allan