How to put in an Architect's seal for a project

[jim.155208]

I'm using ACA 2008. We're new to using project navigator. I'm wondering how have you guys inserted an Architect's seal on the project, so you don't have to go to each individual sheet? Before PN, we had one project title block drawing that was referenced to each sheet. That way, you could put in the Architect's seal block in this titleblock background, and it showed up on every sheet. But with PN, the titleblock is unique to each sheet. The project name and date, etc. can be handled with text fields, but what about something graphic like a seal, "progress" stamp, or key plan?

Thanks,

Jim

[david_peterson]

What we've done is insert the sheet info (the things you want to be unique to each sheet, I'd suggest fields) and then xref the title block (as an element) in so you can change that easily. This way you get the best of both worlds. You can modify the project in and the sheet set info and get that to relate via fields, yet you are still able to modify the title block for the bigger graphical changes. Make sense. In the end you'll have to bind the the title block, but that's not the end of the world.
The other options would be to put in all the graphical stuff, (stamps and what not) up front on seperate layers, then you scipt it to turn them off or apply a layer state.
I'd go with the first option, less stuff to screw up.
Just my 2 cents.

[dzatto]

I only have one titleblock. I used fields for my date and project info. Then I drew a seal and Xref'd into my title block. When I create a sheet, it pulls in the border along with the X'ref'd seal.

[jim.155208]

What we've done is insert the sheet info (the things you want to be unique to each sheet, I'd suggest fields) and then xref the title block (as an element) in so you can change that easily. This way you get the best of both worlds. You can modify the project in and the sheet set info and get that to relate via fields, yet you are still able to modify the title block for the bigger graphical changes. Make sense. In the end you'll have to bind the the title block, but that's not the end of the world.
The other options would be to put in all the graphical stuff, (stamps and what not) up front on seperate layers, then you scipt it to turn them off or apply a layer state.
I'd go with the first option, less stuff to screw up.
Just my 2 cents.

I only have one titleblock. I used fields for my date and project info. Then I drew a seal and Xref'd into my title block. When I create a sheet, it pulls in the border along with the X'ref'd seal.

So they way my CAD manager set things up is all the title block graphics and interactive (project) field are in a drawing called titleblock.dwt. This is the template used when you create a new sheet. If I understand what you guys are suggesting is we make a drawing that has the graphics, lines, Architect seals, etc. We then reference that drawing into the titleblock.dwt which only has the interactive PN fields. That way, I can change any of the underlying graphics (and stamps) globally. Sound right?

Thanks for your help, we're still trying to figure out the transition to PN!

[david_peterson]

So they way my CAD manager set things up is all the title block graphics and interactive (project) field are in a drawing called titleblock.dwt. This is the template used when you create a new sheet. If I understand what you guys are suggesting is we make a drawing that has the graphics, lines, Architect seals, etc. We then reference that drawing into the titleblock.dwt which only has the interactive PN fields. That way, I can change any of the underlying graphics (and stamps) globally. Sound right?

Thanks for your help, we're still trying to figure out the transition to PN!

That may work, but you'd have to attach the graphics to the .dwt file and that's just not a good idea. Since you should be making project based templates for these things anyway (based on client requirements) I'd actually make the .dwt contain nothing but the overall sheet size in graphic non-plotting lines with the project info. Make the project based title block graphics an elelment. When you create a new sheet with the .dwt file, it will insert the overall sheet size along with the project data. Then you can simply drag and drop the title block graphics (from the element) onto the sheet as your first x-ref. (just like you would a view file)
Clear as Mud? :beer:

[dzatto]

That may work, but you'd have to attach the graphics to the .dwt file and that's just not a good idea. Since you should be making project based templates for these things anyway (based on client requirements) I'd actually make the .dwt contain nothing but the overall sheet size in graphic non-plotting lines with the project info. Make the project based title block graphics an elelment. When you create a new sheet with the .dwt file, it will insert the overall sheet size along with the project data. Then you can simply drag and drop the title block graphics (from the element) onto the sheet as your first x-ref. (just like you would a view file)
Clear as Mud? :beer:

Ah that makes sense. The only reason I don't run into problems, is because I am always the client! I work for a GC and we design our own buildings to sell to others. So,until it's built and changed hands, it's our building.

[kmorin]

Not sure if you figured out your problem or not, but hopefully I can give some insight into how we work.

I create a titleblock on a layout sheet however i want for that project (You can copy/paste your arch seal here). Then I saved that "drawing" with only a layout sheet with anything on it as a *.dwt Then in my sheet set manageri set each category to look for the default template file for creating sheets and point it to the template file i created.

You can setup multiple layout sheets in a single .dwt file and just reference each different layout for each category in your sheet set.

Also, in your .dwt template, you can setup fields such as sheet number and description that will automatically populate on your sheet when you create a new one and give it a number and description, or add any other parameteres you need.