Expert: Bob - 3/24/2011

Question
QUESTION: I am a drafter at a design & engineering company.  We are using ADT, Acad 2000 utilizing Project Navagator and X-ref our constructs into our Floor Plans & Structural Plans.  I change the Display configuration to a different type in order to lighten the structural walls.

Recently, when I plot the Structural sheets (through a viewport), I see & plot the display configuration that I use for the Arch walls, (heavier lines, hatches, doors etc.) that are not suppose to show up in the structural drawings.  Other drafters in the office are not having this problem.

This is a recent problem and I haven't installed anything that I can think of.

Any help would be appreciated.

Gregg

ANSWER: Hi --

My DEEPEST sympathies for being stuck on that early release. Someone in your management does not get that present releases are up to 60% faster/easier/more accurate.  Although 2000 was a nice release of AutoCAD, the corresponding ADT was, in essence the very first version, modified to include the AutoCAD update. At the time, I told the Adesk people that it was a "Voodoo Program", because you kept getting surprised by nonsense.

Autodesk introduced the 2012 products last week, so you are basically driving an old Jeep on kerosene, while competitors might be in BMWs on jet fuel. (no kidding, I honestly think it's that different)

From your question, the only thing different is the change to Display Configurations -- an obvious answer is to change back. With the releases before 2006, one gets oddball results in another area sometimes, when making a "normal" change.

I personally rode out the Display Config thing until it was replaced by new stuff, and I was never good at it.  If I send you to an Adesk Discussion Group, you will find one of the
ADT gurus to help you with it, so that is much better than trying to figure out long distance where you went wrong.  I have to be smart enough to "know when I don't know"

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Autodesk-Architectural-Desktop/bd-p/51

By the way, with the evolution of the Project Navigator, etc -- you dont do xrefs, as such, anymore.  Everything is more like Revit, much easier.
But I cant spend your boss' money.

Bob

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My bad, actually ACAD 2004 if it makes any difference.

Answer
Thanks for being cheerful about my rant.

2004 was the first release to sort of make "the light at the end of the tunnel" seem real, but it was merely the first release with any real progress. At the age of 8 years, it lacks 80% or so of the capabilities of the new stuff -- thus, I personally believe that it is for people who have a lot of time to waste, if they are doing complicated work.

I will upgrade the old Jeep comment to "former cop car bought from a Syrian taxi driver".

Same advice -- please go to the discussions. Display reps are too tricky for me, and too far in the past for me to speak properly on them.

If there is any point to it, check out the new products, maybe get a free trial, and a good book or training. I dont see how you can compete when your tools are so old. But, that is the way I think, may not work for you.

BOB