AutoCAD Architecture

[#1]

Where are the (ribbon) tools for object anchors?

On ACA2009 these were under the design menu> Layout Tools and anchors.

Where are the tools for the model explorer?

On ACA2009 these were under the design menu> Massing

I found that I had to select a mass element for the ME ribbon to appear but it has no model explorer option.  Slice plates seems to have disappeared as well.  Exchange help says it's on the modify panel but it aint. Nothing about mass groups at all.   I did get the explorer to appear by typing in the full command.  

I hear that the ribbon is about discovering tools but if they are completely hidden until you know the magic words before they appear (kinda like the buttons) then it's ain't helpful to newbies or experienced users.  

Ah! Mass Group and Model Explorer show up after I've created some. mmmmm... yes that seems logical!   What am I missing?

[#2]

I dont think you are missing anything. I have been having the same problem also. Things just seem to be "LOST" in the new interface. I want the software to be more productive, not less. I hate having to spend 20-30 minutes hunting something that is "now relocated to make it easier."

Joe

[#3]

>>>... Mass Group and Model Explorer show up after I've created some...<<<

Start CUI command, create a new TAB (or two or three), and grab the panels above and any others and drag them to these tabs.

Or if they fit, just drag those panels to the tabs you want near what other panels you want.

You are paying for the ability to Customize as well as having the tools in ACA, take advantage of it all.

[#4]

So..... in order to get easy access to OOTB tools for ACA I have to spend my time learning how to CUSTOMIZE the interface to expose these tools?

mmmm........

And you say I am paying for this advantage?

Do you write political spin Dean?  You could make some $$ on the side.  We both have govt's that need lots of help on that.

Which panels do I grab?  What are their names? How do I know which ones are relevant? If I grab them from where they (prob) are (would seem Contextual) will I break something that will no longer work?  what's the difference between duplicate and copy? Should I use the transfer tab or the customize tab? .......mmmmm

I find the Mass Element tab under 'Tabs' yet it does not appear. (Why is the Modeller not included in this tab??)  It's set to full. What stops it from appearing?  I created my own tab but that doesn't appear either.

I guess I am ringing my reseller to fix up the interface!  Nice Autodesk! I pay lots of money each year for not much real improvement and a whole lot of trouble.  Oh and goody, I get to go thru it all again when I reinstall, install on a different machine or upgrade !!  Woohoo!!

[#5]

Just found that if you right click in the ribbon area, 'Show Tabs' - you can turn on the surfacing, solids and Parametric tabs on which is helpful but would be good if they are on by default.

No sign of meshing etc though.  and model explorer isn't just a tick away in the mass element tab.

[#6]

AutoCAD is built on a simple premise: OOTB you get what Autodesk thinks you need, but inside you get to change it all up to work the way you want, wish, and desire it to work. It's a sweet ability not found in many other locked CAD software.

Since you apparently started doing just that after answering my first reply, keep going and don't stop: the day you stop learning anything is the day you need to retire and move to a tent in the woods, you've stopped living a healthy life and stopped contributing to all around you (and more importantly, to yourself).

Happy 'true' cadding my friend.

[#7]

Sorry Dean, I know you are mostly helpful but that is just bull....

The idea that Autodesk hides basic tools from the user is rubbish.

As for customisation I have given up in frustration. 

I have a family to keep and waisting time trying to repair the product that I pay LOTS of money for is not amusing.  And it ain't Autocad.  Half that product is hidden too though I think I have learnt how to recover that bit.   It's AutoCAD Architecture !   Unfortunately the missing bits of ACA are not recovered so easily.

[#8]

I agree with ntellery. I have been customizing AutoCAD since 1985. The old .mnu files were easier to edit in a text editor. The idea that "we will give the user a simpler interface" sounds like a good idea. For those that say just edit the .mnu file if you want to, that also is not as easy as it used to be. Yes I believe in learning new things. I have been learning NEW AutoCAD things since 1984. I have written applications for digitizer tablets to use with Autocad. (really old huh), wrote my own LISP routines, dabbled in VB(until it was dropped for .NET), customized menus,toolbars, palettes, & reconstructed ribbons. Doing this in the architectural versions is not as easy as basic AutoCAD. Commands have been changed or just undefined. The time spent customizing pays for itself in the back end with increased productivity. However, doing this on a yearly basis is costly in the terms of lost production during transition. Migration tools are a hit and miss operation and often have forced a reinstall of Autodesk products. The best tool I have seen is the old express tool Aliasedit. I have a lot of the ACA tools set to 2 digit keyboard command. Sometimes I have to go through a lot of gyrations to find the actual ACA command but it is worth it. I do not have to fool around with clicking through ribbons to get to a command that should be top level. I am an old fart and the keyboard is still the fastest way to enter a command. Should the software be more in line with the 90% that really use it? Yes. Should the 10% that design and rarly use it in production be the driving force. Your call. I perfer to have fast production over fast design. Just my opinion. Production pays the bills.

Joe

[#9]

You are right jliston.  I was a fool for trying to get into the ribbon.

SM = Style Manager

DM = Display Manager

I shall aliasedit and assign for modelexplorer. (Dang ME is taken).

Back to my keyboard commands and not get sucked in by their latest gimmick that will change in the next release.  I do like the idea of discovering new commands on the ribbon (the whole idea wasn't it) but you can't do that if they hide them from you.  I might just sneak over to David Koch's expose on the ribbon and see if he'd found it.

[#10]

MODELEXPLORER is not on the ACA.cuix Ribbon in ACA 2010.

I hope you are not scanning through each ribbon tab (and the flyouts on panels that have them) looking for commands.  Use the search feature at the top of the Application Menu (the big red "A" at the top right corner).  In 2010, MODELEXPLORER is noted as a loaded command, but is not listed anywhere in the ACA ribbon or other menu interface elements.