User tips in drawings

[jlogan02]

What methodologies do others use for creating Notes to CAD users within a file? I've recently been toying with using the Hyperlink tool to create a tool tip effect for objects that need special drafter attention. Much like you would see in the Augi forums when you place your mouse over the subject of a thread in a list of threads I want a user to be aware that the object in question needs their attention.

J. Logan

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

First thing I do understand your request + I've seen your post within the ACAD 2005 Wish List Forum -

Mouse over Tool tip for Vector objects (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=9362)

At this moment in time Autodesk would like you (Autodesk Product User) to use DWF and it's Red Line capabilities, please refer to thread -

DWF Composer & DWF Viewer (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=8477)

+

Autodesk DWF Composer (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=4086277) - Information on the Autodesk web site.

Please note I'm not saying your's or Autodesk's methods are right or wrong, am just pointing out Autodesk's current preferred method, plus just trying to get this thread moving a long a little....

Have a good one, Mike

[G_Sarver]

I use an application called notes.lsp. It utilizes a xdata to place a note in the drawing and a dialog pops up upon open informing the user of pertinent notes for the drawing. It even has a history of date, time and user who added the note. I use it alot for holds, RFI's, etc.If interested drop me a line.

[Maverick91]

Every now and then I have to wonder if we get too technology-happy. Are there some things where a piece of paper and a red pen would still be more efficient?

An engineer I once worked for once told me that the pencil is still the most intuitive input device man has come up with.

[jlogan02]

I certainly don't disagree with the idea we get too reliant on technology.

I do however know that there are times when I need notes to stay with the CAD file that are CAD related and shouldn't be found on a set of plans.

J. Logan

[Robert.Hall]

Yeah to some extent I agree....when you have tons of cad files it would be
nice if they all contained notes as to why you did something to the drawings.
Currently all I am doing is throwing some dtext off to the side of my drawing and
turning it yellow. Would be nice if cad had some sort of notepad file within your
drawings so that you could put all your note taking in one place, all nice and neat.

[mjfarrell]

Try putting those RFI or other type of received from consultant type notes
on the THIRD tab of File>Drawing Properties function
This a great place to keep information within the CAD file.
Without using additional software, one can also create your
own Mark-up/No Print Layer to place these notes within the
drawing. Additionally the Revision number block could contain sufficient
Invisible Attributes that when one double-clicks the revision block
they would be able to read the details of the revision.

[jlogan02]

Not a bad idea using the properties function of the drawing file itself. I tend to think in ways that are fool proof or more obvious to the user. Kind of "hand holding" if you will. With the properties window you run the possibility of the CAD user not viewing the notes portion of the file properties. Unless you create a script or lisp routine to automatically open that notes window upon opening the drawing.

One negative about a mouse over function directly in the drawing would be the note popping up all the time while working. I suppose if done right you could set a default coordinates or location on the screen for it to appear at. Or provide functionality for the message to only be viewed once with the mouse over command and accessed after that via command line option.

[mjfarrell]

The added benefit to using the drawing properties function
is that one can view that information while looking at the
files in the explorer window.

[jaberwok]

I'm also playing with hyperlinks but my long-term answer is to put notes on a non-printing layer.

[Baghera]

I curently use the NO-PLOT layer method as well.