How can I reproduce a sheet´s layout and similar content in other related projects?

[Alfredo Medina]

What would be the most recommended method for reproducing one sheet that I have in one project and create similar sheets for other "siblings" projects?

I have 4 projects which are related. I have the sheet shown in the attached image, which belongs to project "A", and contains schedules, legends, and some details for doors and windows. When I started the project, I did not have a specific template for the Windows and Doors sheet. I did this one, and now I would like to recycle most of it for my other 3 projects, "B", "C", "D". I would like to keep the same layout of viewports, the same legends and schedules configurations.

Things I have already tried:

1) For schedules and drafting views: Insert views from file.
2) For legends: copy / paste
3) For viewport layouts: copy / paste

Obviously, I cannot do Save as. But I have the feeling that there must be a better way. Anybody would like to share any advice about a better way to do this?

[mdradvies]

How about this:

Create a copy of project A, delete all geometry and save 3 times under different names.
Open each empty copy and link and bind projects A, B and C. You will probably have to relocate the crops on each view but besides that it's the fastest way I know.

[Alex Cunningham]

How about this:

Create a copy of project A, delete all geometry and save 3 times under different names.
Open each empty copy and link and bind projects A, B and C. You will probably have to relocate the crops on each view but besides that it's the fastest way I know.

I have been thinking about this all morning and like normal havn't come with anything briliant. Way to go with thinking outside of the box on this. +++

[Gordon Price]

I have been trying to deal with something similar, and have been playing with "title blocks" to do the job. Basically a title block family called Layout with different types showing different sheet configurations. You layer the layout TB over the real TB and use it as a guide. Then remove it when done. I find I REALLY want a Family parameter, so I can toggle visibility of the line off in all the types at once, rather than needing to go to each one. I am also starting to use title blocks this way to create title for things like Legends and Schedules. Center justified titles look like 19th century dreck, and I want the titles to look the same for both kinds of views, and also be alignable to other parts of the sheet. Layered title blocks seem to do that. A few things still need to be worked on this week, but I will post some examples when I have them done. Unless of course someone says "I went down that road years ago, eventually THIS happens and it all falls apart."

Gordon

[Twiceroadsfool]

Link and Bind wont do it, since you will lose all of the sheets and details.

Unfortunately, if there are any Live Views (including legends), you are pretty SOL with that deal. What i think we need (and no one will get it if they dont speak up to the Factory) is VERY similar to the "Apply Dependant Views" button. That button knows to take what was done to one Levels Plan, and reiterate it to other Levels (albeit badly and abhorrently disregarding the assigning of Scope boxes even though it mimics the scope boxes boundaries, but i digress). What we need, is tha ability to point to a sheet, say "Create similar" and have it say "Okay, you used Level X, Level Y, and level Z on this Sheet... same or different?"

Its NOWHERE near that simple, but it is one area we are still desperately slower than ACA. A lot of the Add ins that are out there do interesting things, but so far they focus on the monotony of the SMALL tasks (make sheet, renumber door, start commands faster). What id like to see someone focus on (and i plead ignorance, the API might not be capable of executing all of the commands necessary), would be a command to do what i mentioned above.

THAT, i would pay for.

[Alex Cunningham]

Not to get side tracked, but...

Aaron,
Could you help some of us who don't know how to contact the Factory. Whats the best way to get our voices heard? I for one have never had contact with the Factory. Maybe you could write up a little topic on how to contact the Factory? I would love to learn how to best get my voice heard.

[Twiceroadsfool]

Alex-

It really isnt through any super secret channels. They have the following form set up:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=1109794

Most people dont like to use it, because they feel like it goes out in to the abyss and nothing ever happens. Well, having spent a bunch of time talking with the people who GET those forms, i know wht people feel that way: You should see what people submit:

1. "Revit sucks for design."
2. "I wish you could fix Schedules."
3. "I wish it worked more like AutoCAD."

What ive learned, is if you want to be part of constructive change, you eat the time investment on your end, and hope to get a better product later. What most people dont know, is that Development, QA, Support... They are all great people who WANT to give you the best product. But just like us, they answer to other people, and they cant just *decide* what to work on. They need QUANTIFIABLE data of why something is important.

For instance: I found what i THOUGHT was a bug, with the way Visibility in Linked Files worked. Filed a SR, and they didnt know what was wrong either. When support and i (working together) finally figured it out, we talked to someone in development, and it was actually done for a reason. I told them it ought to change, because it didnt make sense... The FIRST thing they asked for (not in an argumentative fashion) was for clear explanation of WHY the current way sucks. We emailed the project team, and asked them to estimate the amount of time the *issue* was costing them every week, and multiplied that times cost rates. We typed out the ACTUAL workflow against a HYPOTHETICAL workflow. We pointed them to posts on AUGI we had typed on the issue.

When we were done, they said (of course) that they couldnt make any gaurantees, but that they had enough data do at least make a case for it.

The point is, giving them GOOD USEFUL feedback is paramount. And for anyone doubting, giving them GOOD feedback is why we talk to them so much. If we send them good information, often times they will email or call us back. It we send them crap, we cant expect much.

But i can tell you for sure, someone on the other end gets an email every time you fill one of those out.

[Gordon Price]

I think we should have a closed sticky thread, with one post, that contains that link! Just sayin'.

Sometimes I wonder if we would have suckless site tools now if a few thousand of us had actually posted about the problems 5 years ago?

Gordon

[Alex Cunningham]

I think you hit the nail on the head with this. Having a well structured and documented support request is the key. Can you repost your post from AUGI as an example. Maybe in a new thread about how best to go about submitting support requests? We have a perfect forum here to education people, like myself, who are starting to hit the "wall" when it comes to Revit and are seeking improvements.

now back to your regularly schedules program...
I think we all wish that at least in Title Block families we had the option to control type parameter in all sheets, or even better select sheets.

[Twiceroadsfool]

Most people here (and at AUGI) *ASSume* that the folks in development KNOW as much as we do about USING the product all day. I can assure you, thats not the case. And thats not a slant on them at all. They are fantastic at what they do. But everyone thinks if they whine on AUGI enough, that they will get new stuff. Not the case. The factory DOES check in there, and here it appears, but the forums are MOSTLY user base.

If i get twenty of my friends in the driveway, and start complaining about my subaru, guess what: No one at Subaru knows, unless we submit feedback.