Dockable Interface, Object Browser, Object handle ideas...

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2003-10-08, 04:51 AM
Richard McCarthy

1. Dockable tool bar and user interface (that can also be locked) (Much like Rhino, but with a LOCK function, or Window XP's own toolbar, that lock in place)

2. An Object Browser Panel much like Microsoft VISIO (that can be docked beside the Project Browser. Another example is SketchUp, which also use the same idea) that displays objects in 2D symbol form, and also you can toggle it to display in 3D (just at the top of the object browser panel)

3. More built in parameter and "Handle bar/point" for the family object that you can play around with, eg, door swing, windows, and oven swing (those are GREAT in VISIO, that for a tight kitchen space planning, you can see exactly how much space you are left with), basically, a handle that let you drag to open / close the doors and objects, or RESIZE the parametric object. (I particularly like this idea.. like the Table/cabinet in VISIO)

4. Maybe even MORE drag 'n drop feature?...like you can just drag out family object from object browser (much like VISIO) that you know how many objects (eg. windows) you need and just place them into walls etc.. that way, it just feel MORE like building a house....:)
(I sometimes work like this .. just placing all the objects I needed to put into project all in one 'assembly area' and place them to the place needed until there are no more in the "assembly" area... )

5. Hierarchical interface for Project browser... maybe implement folder/group feature that you can drag around.. One example.. (it may sound too extreme...)

6. Object Properties (for selected items) should be BOTTOM of the list on the right clicking menu. Sometimes, when you draft for over 10 hours straight, it is somewhat hard to see that "object" properties bottom in the right click menu...
View properties can probably be second to last of this menu in my opinion, depending if ANY object has been selected. eg. if object is selected, Object properties button takes precedent over view properties to occupies the most visible place in the menu (either TOP or BOTTOM)

7. POINT, EDGE, FACE manipulation... (Repeating from another post.. :) )
2003-10-08, 04:04 PM
Scott D Davis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard McCarthy

2. An Object Browser Panel much like Microsoft VISIO (that can be docked beside the Project Browser. Another example is SketchUp, which also use the same idea) that displays objects in 2D symbol form, and also you can toggle it to display in 3D (just at the top of the object browser panel)

You can use Windows Explorer to do this...if you use the Thumbnail view in Explorer, you will see 3D representations of all the family objects. Then you can drag-and-drop from Explorer into your model to insert objects.
2003-10-08, 05:08 PM
PeterJ

Wont you see the last saved view Scott? If you want everything 3D you would alsways need to close the family while in a 3D view for this to work - the supplied families are set like this. Good tip though, thanks.
2003-10-08, 05:12 PM
Scott D Davis

Yes, you are right! The thumbnail will be set to show the last view you were in when you save. So if you edit a family, make sure you are in 3D when you do your last save, if you want the 3D preview!
2003-10-08, 05:26 PM
Scott Hopkins

This may not be exactly what you were thinking of, but with regard to your point No. 7, you can do some edge manipulation to Revit families. If you make your families with instance parameters, once they are placed in your model you can use the tab key to highlight the edges of the family and then stretch the edges anywhere you want. I use this feature all the time and it is a huge time-saver.
2003-10-08, 05:41 PM
Scott D Davis

What happened to the edge manipulation ability for roofs? In a previous release, you could highlight the shape handle for the ridge of a roof, and move it up or down to change the roof slope graphically.

I just tried it in a simple model, and it doesn't seem to be available anymore??
2003-10-08, 05:49 PM
Allen Lacy

Quote:

Yes, you are right! The thumbnail will be set to show the last view you were in when you save. So if you edit a family, make sure you are in 3D when you do your last save, if you want the 3D preview!

To add to this, you can (under options when you save) pick a view the will be the preview.