http://www.bobrow.com/forumLatest News from the BCG ArchiCAD Forum.noneSat, 05 Jun 2010 18:05:03 GMTSat, 05 Jun 2010 18:05:03 GMThttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssFusionBB 2.3 (www.fusionbb.com)http://forum.bobrow.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/140/http://forum.bobrow.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/140/ArchiCAD MasterTemplate 12.1 (USA version) is now available for download!

The Release Notes are now posted online at:
http://forum.bobrow.com/templatedownload/AMT_ 12.1_...

The Release Notes are a 23 page document describing what's new in version 12.1, as well as how to install it and set it up.

I've written some guidance on how to upgrade from AMT 12 in two different ways:

1) installing the new template and transferring previous customizations into it, or
2) copying some or all of the new features from the new template into a highly customized template that is already in use.

The version posted April 17 is technically called Release Candidate 1, which means that although it has been tested internally and works nicely, we are requesting feedback from users on anything that may need cleaning up.

Now that I've completed the technical description of the new version, my next step is to create marketing materials that explain very simply what's new and what the benefits are. I'll also be updating the overall website that describes MasterTemplate, and going back to the original Manual and integrating everything into it.

In parallel, as Scott Bulmer's schedule allows, we'll get an International version prepared, as well as finishing up special Legends for Cadimage Tools users.

Somewhere along the line, I'll be creating promotional materials that we'll use for our affiliate websites. These are the sites of ArchiCAD resellers and other software distributors such as Objects Online, CAD Garage, Graphisoft West, Cadimage Tools, Object Stop, and others that will be starting to list and sell the ArchiCAD MasterTemplate.

I only wish I had more time to devote to this project, so all of this could have been done already! ]]>Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:21:11 GMThttp://forum.bobrow.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/125/http://forum.bobrow.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/125/
ArchiCAD MasterTemplate User Newsletter - January 26, 2009

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Thank you for your interest in the ArchiCAD MasterTemplate (AMT). We at Bobrow Consulting Group are pleased to report that in 15 months well over 200 licenses of MasterTemplate have been purchased by ArchiCAD users around the world.

Today I have three things to tell you. One is a technical notice about a bug in ArchiCAD that may cause problems for MasterTemplate users. The second is to announce an upcoming update to MasterTemplate, and request your input and suggestions for what you'd like to see. The third is to request feedback on how MasterTemplate has affected your work in ArchiCAD, hopefully for the better.

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1. TECHNICAL BULLETIN - A Bug that may Cause Issues for MasterTemplate Users

Periodically this past fall we heard comments that the Autosave functionality in ArchiCAD 12 was broken. Users reported that when they crashed, and tried to open the Autosave Temporary file, that ArchiCAD would hang during the process, and that they had to go back to an earlier saved version of their project, sometimes losing a significant amount of work. Since the reports were sporadic, we assumed that Graphisoft would eventually find and fix the problem.

However, in late December one of our clients told us that this problem occurred in projects based on MasterTemplate, and not on others started before they purchased the template. This made me concerned, so I spent several hours troubleshooting and finally narrowed down the problem.

It turns out that any project file that uses a Hotlinked Module that has a skylight in it will hang when attempting to open the Autosave file after a crash. Graphisoft has now confirmed this as a bug.

Since MasterTemplate's Legend file is a kit of parts that includes a skylight, this triggers the bug, and after a crash, the Autosave file will not open successfully.

The simple solution is to open up the MasterTemplate Legend PLN file, find and delete the skylight, and resave the PLN. The next time the template is used to start a project, or any active project based on MasterTemplate is opened, you'll get a message that the Hotlinked Module is out of date and needs to be refreshed. Go ahead and tell it (using the File menu > External Content > Hotlink Manager) to update the Hotlink for the Legend, and then that PLN file will be OK. Update of the hotlink for each project once, the next time you open them, and all will be well.

We expect Graphisoft to fix this bug in an upcoming hotfix, however we do not have any estimate as to the date this will be released.

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2. MasterTemplate UPDATE - Coming Soon!

BCG has several significant ideas to improve the ArchiCAD MasterTemplate. I'll briefly outline them, then will request your input. All of these will be made available in two ways. We will provide new downloads, for those who would like to start with the official distribution of AMT then reimport their title block and make other modest customizations. For others who have customized AMT extensively, we will include detailed instructions for how to add these features into your own version of template.

a. We will improve the speed of accessing the Legend by referencing it as a Virtual Trace from a Worksheet. This simple change will allow keyboard shortcuts to jump to the Legend (for pickup of element settings using the eye-dropper) and back again. This will cut in half the time and effort of using the Legend!

b. We will extend the concept of the Interactive Legend of Visual Favorites by setting up a number of worksheets, Each one will have objects for one room or area, such as kitchen, bath, bedroom, living room, site and landscaping, commercial restroom, etc. Worksheets are 2D of course, and only allow 2D elements plus objects - but these objects can include all their 3D parameters. These room groupings will be supplied as separate MOD files, but will also be embedded into the TPL file into individual worksheets.

c. We will pare down the actual TPL file to make it somewhat smaller, by removing some of the instructional materials and examples. These will continue to be included in the SAMPLE project files, but aren't needed in the TPL.

d. We expect to finally work with Cadimage to make a version of MasterTemplate that can take advantage of their add-on products, including Window and DoorBuilder, Key Notes, etc. I'm hopeful this can be done at the same time as the rest of this update, but it may have to be released slightly later depending on how much time and effort is required.

e. I will rewrite the manual for the ArchiCAD MasterTemplate, to improve it's organization, legibility, graphic style and make sure it is fully up to date and as complete as possible.

f. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Please share them with us. We'd like to make MasterTemplate as fine a product as it can be. Don't delay - tell us now! We're about to start work on this update, and may be able to include your ideas!

The release date for this update is not set, however we will be starting work on it shortly and hope to finish it within a few weeks.

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3. FEEDBACK and TESTIMONIALS - Tell us What You Think!

Many of you have written very nice notes telling us how much you enjoy MasterTemplate. We'd like to hear from more of you. Have you been able to get your work done more quickly? Has AMT helped you to understand ArchiCAD better, and take advantage of more of its features and possibilities? Do you feel more organized?

We'll be creating a separate page on the MasterTemplate website with testimonials, and want to get as many of your comments as we can. If you wish, we'll use your name and can even post your picture - or you can share your thoughts with us but remain anonymous.

Of course, if you have constructive criticism or suggestions, by all means, give them to us. We want to hear from you, whatever you have to say!

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THANKS

Thanks again for your interest in the ArchiCAD MasterTemplate.

We look forward to continuing to work with you for a long time!

Best regards,
Eric Bobrow, Principal, Bobrow Consulting Group

]]>Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:34:47 GMThttp://forum.bobrow.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/90/http://forum.bobrow.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/90/July 29, 2008 - Los Angeles, CA

Bobrow Consulting Group is pleased to announce the release of ArchiCAD MasterTemplate 12, now fully updated for compatibility with ArchiCAD 12 USA and International versions.

Revisions include modifications of composite walls for use with the new Partial Structure Display; inclusion of some views and examples of 3D Documentation; addition of Curtain Wall components into the Interactive Legends of Visual Favorites; adjustments for compatibility with the new ArchiCAD 12 Library; and miscellaneous fine-tuning. Both USA and INT versions have been prepared for simultaneous release.

The update is a free download for all MasterTemplate licensees. Login to the BCG ArchiCAD Forum, then click the MasterTemplate Download link.

Revisions to the MasterTemplate Manual and Quickstart Guide will be completed in August. Until then, the previous MasterTemplate 1.1 versions are still quite relevant and useful.

Here is a more extensive list of changes to the Template since version 1.1:

1. Added layers: Y | SPECIAL | REGISTRATION STAMP.2D and A | WALL | CURTAIN SYSTEM.3D.
2. Deleted layer: C | SLAB | MODELING BASE (TERRAIN).3D.
3. Added layer combination: MODEL | BUILDING ONLY | 3D DOCUMENTATION that allows dimensions to be visible as part of the view.
4. Added layer combination: LAYOUT | REGISTRATION STAMP.
5. Added 3D Document viewport and axo example: AD-01 ANNOTATED 3D DOCUMENT.
6. Created a clone folder for 3D Documents.
7. Placed CUT AWAY-01 ANNOTATED CUT AWAY view onto Layout sheets A.12 ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS in the A SMALL PROJECT EXAMPLE SET, as well as sheet A8.01 in the standard project set.
8. Set the clone folder STRUCTURAL PLANS | DWG to use the Core Only Structure Display setting.
9. Converted all Visual Legends PLN Module objects to ArchiCAD 12 Library parts, and integrated all Legend MOD files into a single PLN file hotlinked into the template, located at the top level of the AMT folder instead of inside the MasterTemplate Library.
10. Deleted Modeling Slabs from EXAMPLE SOURCE SAMPLE and DESTINATION REMODEL PLN files, however they are retained but moved to the C | MESH (TERRAIN).3D layer.
11. Set all composites Structure Display Settings, including Complex Profiles.
12. Added layer: U | PRESENTATION | PLAN + SECTION + ELEVATION.UNIQ to accomodate new Image Fills.
13. Added Image Fills to PRESENTATION DOCUMENT VIEWS (Presentation Site and Floor Plans) in sample projects.
14. Renamed files for legibility and consistency.
]]>Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:28:39 GMThttp://forum.bobrow.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/75/http://forum.bobrow.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/75/
To access the international MasterTemplate, please login to the BCG ArchiCAD Forum and visit the MasterTemplate download page. ]]>Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:38:06 GMThttp://forum.bobrow.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/63/http://forum.bobrow.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/63/We reached a significant milestone this past week with the 100th license of AMT sold. I'm delighted with the continuing and growing interest in our product, which is about to extend its reach around the world as we prepare an international metric version. We've already had purchases from all parts of the U.S. as well as a few from Australia, South Africa, the Caribbean and Europe.

I'd like to ask your help in two ways.

The first one is to give us feedback, ideas and suggestions so that we can improve AMT. If you've been using it on your projects, you've undoubtedly customized it to suit your needs. We'd like to hear what you've done besides putting your name on the corner of the title block.

If you added layers or layer combinations for specific purposes, and feel others likely would need the same, let us know. If you've created new schedules or views that could be of general use, share them with us. I'm particularly interested in developing the Interactive Legends further, with more element types and variations as well as sample room layouts.

The second way you can help is by writing a short statement about how AMT has helped you in your work. These testimonials are crucial for establishing the credibility of AMT. When we say the ArchiCAD MasterTemplate is good, it's one thing; when users says it's good, that's much more powerful.

Email us your feedback or testimonial at template@bobrow.com, or post it at the BCG ArchiCAD Forum at http://www.bobrow.com/forum

If you'd really like to help AMT succeed, you can go further. Post your comments on ArchiCAD-Talk, the online discussion board maintained by Graphisoft. I've placed a notice in the ads section with a short summary of AMT along with several quotes from users. Your positive comments here will go a long way, and will be greatly appreciated by me and Scott. Feel free to mention AMT in other areas of ArchiCAD-Talk or on other online places if you feel it is relevant to the discussion.

We'd like to reach out more to ArchiCAD resellers and distributors. In addition to being sold at our website (www.archicadtemplate.com), ArchiCAD MasterTemplate is now available at the web stores of Objects Online (www.objectsonline.com) and Graphisoft West (www.graphisoftwest.com). Let your reseller know that you are using AMT and find it a worthwhile add-on for ArchiCAD users. When they hear from a few users about AMT, they'll tell others about it. If they're interested in getting a free review copy, or in adding it to their product line, tell them to contact BCG at template@bobrow.com

Thanks again for your support.
We look forward to continuing to serve you with the best startup kit for ArchiCAD projects in the world: ArchiCAD MasterTemplate! ]]>Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:50:14 GMT