Design Issues and Solutions -

[Sony]

This isn't a new problem but I've just been dealing with it until now because it hasn't mattered.

So I've been using VectorWorks 2008 for the last year and I'm trying to print out my Plot for the latest show I'm doing which is The Women of Lockerbie. For some reason the line weights are so thin on Accessories like Scrollers and Moving Yokes that when it tries to print it out that it can't properly do it. It doesn't print them properly and lines are missing because they are so thin. I don't know whats wrong, up until now I've Exported to PDF at 300 DPI and printed the PDF file which has helped quite a bit but it's still screwy.

My Printer is a Espon Stylus Photo 1400 wide format printer and it can print up to 13"x19". It's resolution can be up to 5760x1440 DPI.

I've tried everything i can think of, including going into Print Options and jacking the resolution all the way up on the printer to Fine. All these things have helped...but nothing has completely solved the issues.

I've gotten to the point where it will print anything that is on a perfectly horizontal or vertical plane but will have difficulty printing anything that is at an angle.

I've attached a picture of the problem

As you can see...the moving yoke is missing a few lines and the scroller that is supposed to be on the fixture down and left of it is almost completely missing.

Thanks for your help guys!

[bdkdesigns]

To me, it looks like a printer/paper issue. I've been using 2008 for awhile and have never seen this.

[icewolf08]

For the record, I have a strong dislike for Epson Printers. Have you tried cleaning the print heads? In my experience with Epson printers they seem to have a useful life, beyond which you can never get the heads clean enough to print well (fundamental flaw in built in heads). Second, are you sure that the line weight is actually heavy enough to print? Compared to the strip lights in your picture I would think so, but it may be worth checking out. Also make sure that you don't have any class settings that change the line weights for printing.

[vectorworks]

are you running mac or PC. If mac go to tools>options>VW preferences>display and toggle quartz imaging.
If PC> tools>options>VW preferences>display> toggle GDI+ imaging
I hope this helps, if not contact Vectorworks technical support at 410-290-5114 or

Juan P.

[Sony]

Originally Posted by icewolf08

For the record, I have a strong dislike for Epson Printers. Have you tried cleaning the print heads? In my experience with Epson printers they seem to have a useful life, beyond which you can never get the heads clean enough to print well (fundamental flaw in built in heads). Second, are you sure that the line weight is actually heavy enough to print? Compared to the strip lights in your picture I would think so, but it may be worth checking out. Also make sure that you don't have any class settings that change the line weights for printing.

The printer is almost brand spanking new and it's done this ever since I got it. Epson printers are fine as long as you use it enough. Leaving it sit for months at a time is what clogs the heads although I do know where you are coming from. I've had bigger issues with HP...they just seem to hate me for some reason.

Originally Posted by vectorworks

are you running mac or PC. If mac go to tools>options>VW preferences>display and toggle quartz imaging.
If PC> tools>options>VW preferences>display> toggle GDI+ imaging
I hope this helps, if not contact Vectorworks technical support at 410-290-5114 or

Juan P.

I'm using a PC

Thanks I'll try that!

[Sony]

Nope...that didn't work all it did was screw up the transparency of certain objects and made it look all ugly.

@icewolf08 could you elaborate on the class making it print different size lines? I'm still fairly new to Vectorworks...haven't gotten that far yet.

[icewolf08]

When you set up classes in the Organization window, you can specify if a class uses a given line weight. You can also tell it if the class should use that weight when you create an object (the use at creation checkbox). Normally I think if you give an object a line weight from the tool palette it should stick, but it may be possible that the class line weight is overriding. I haven't played too much with these features (I just have a set of line weights that I use for almost everything), so I could be totally wrong.

[Sony]

Originally Posted by icewolf08

When you set up classes in the Organization window, you can specify if a class uses a given line weight. You can also tell it if the class should use that weight when you create an object (the use at creation checkbox). Normally I think if you give an object a line weight from the tool palette it should stick, but it may be possible that the class line weight is overriding. I haven't played too much with these features (I just have a set of line weights that I use for almost everything), so I could be totally wrong.

Okay I tried messing with that but it doesn't seem to affect the line weights of Symbols and Instruments, only the line weights of Walls and Lines.

I really hope it isn't the printer...This is the best printer I have ever used and it prints amazing photos which is what I use it for mostly. It's main use is to print posters and production photos.

[CavezziMagnum]

The only way to change the line weights of any symbol and lighting instrument with VW Spotlight is to edit the symbol and change the line weight. To edit a symbol, double-click on a symbol placed within a drawing, then select to edit the 2D Insertion Options.

Don't forget! you MUST EXIT the editing of the symbol, via a tiny, little, very easy to miss, rectangular button in the top right of the screen. For a good line weight that will show, use a line weight of 6 (in Points). My scale of line weights are 1, 6, 12, 20, and 32. They have the best dynamic contrast when printed via PDF.

Good Luck!

[Sony]

Originally Posted by CavezziMagnum

The only way to change the line weights of any symbol and lighting instrument with VW Spotlight is to edit the symbol and change the line weight. To edit a symbol, double-click on a symbol placed within a drawing, then select to edit the 2D Insertion Options.

Don't forget! you MUST EXIT the editing of the symbol, via a tiny, little, very easy to miss, rectangular button in the top right of the screen. For a good line weight that will show, use a line weight of 6 (in Points). My scale of line weights are 1, 6, 12, 20, and 32. They have the best dynamic contrast when printed via PDF.

Good Luck!

I'm trying to double click the symbols in my plot and there is no 2D Insertion Options option. I'm on a PC and using VectorWorks 2008. Do you have a different version? Maybe it's different in your version.