Welcome to the first edition of ProjectMatrix "Quick Tips".
The purpose of these Quick Tip files, which are now available through our website at www.projectmatrix.com as well as through our e-broadcast, is to point out ways to make using our software easier, more productive, and more efficient.
Spec Tip #1 - Using the Catalog Manager
This is one of those basic tools in ProjectSpec that most users only look at when first installing the program, and then never think twice about again.
The Catalog Manager keeps track of all of the installed
electronic catalogs on your computer or network. What we usually find
on users machines is that they have 20 or more catalogs that they have
installed and set to be "ACTIVE", but they use 18 or 19 of them only 5% of the time.
To Activate or Deactivate a MFG, click on the bold face name of the MFG and
choose the button on the right menu that will Activate or Deactivate that
MFG. By keeping those manufactures that you don't use all
of the time deactivated, they are prevented from showing up in the Catalog Viewer and
from being searched when you "F2" a part or "Price from Catalog" if you
don't have a MFG code in your record. This can shave seconds off of a
"Price from Catalog".
Let's say you use the "Generic Company" and the "Acme Company", but you
typically use the "Acme Co." more often. You would want to move the
"Acme Co." up in the list above the "Generic Co." so that "Acme" appears in
the Catalog Viewer first. You can also run a quick "Update Catalogs"
from here too. This compares file dates from your computer to those on
our website to ensure that you are using the most up-to-date data. If
it finds a more recent file on our website, then simply hit the "Update Now"
and you are ready to go!
In the Catalog Manager you can also "Move Up"
and "Move Down" MFG's in the list. Why would you want to do this?
Symbols Tip #1 - Adding Options to AutoCAD symbols.
With the release of ProjectSymbols (version 4) in March 2007, you are now able to add your finishes to the AutoCAD blocks in your drawing. To utilize this option, check the box in the lower left corner of your Catalog Reader in PSPlace.
When this option is checked, double click on the part number and you will be given the option to select the finishes.
Once the options are applied to the blocks, they will SIF out into ProjectSpec and will be "completed" records. You can also load a "Standard Option Table" to use with selecting options for symbols. Once you have optioned a part, or want to add an option to one in the drawing that does not have options, you can click on the "Option/Reoption" button.
This brings up the Catalog Reader for that part and allows you to add the options.
NOTE: If you are using an old drawing (prior to 5/1/07)
you may get an error message saying "Symbol does not have options". In this
case, type in "fixon" in the AutoCAD command line, and select all of your
symbols. This will update the blocks to the new format.
If there are topics you would like to see covered, please feel free to email me so that I can add those topics that are important to you.
