(no subject)

[Shu Associates Inc. <eshu@world.std.com>]

Approved: september
From: "James Horecka, AIA" <jhorecka@pe.net>
To: <datacad-dbug@world.std.com>
Subject: DBUG> Text Scale/Pro - Pack
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2000 17:55:32 -0800

I use TxtScale exclusively.

Rarely do I use smaller than 1/8" text. Anything under that is way too hard
to read in the field. Using Stack Fractions exacerbates that; even at 1/8"
main text the stacked components at 67% of the main text height are TOO
SMALL to read on prints. DataCAD note: please take up the suggestion that
the percentage reduction of the fractional components be user-definable, or
simply follow the suggestion that it be bumped from 67% to 75% stock). The
font I use is the GP font. Redraws faster than HC. I use HC at larger sizes
for titles and such. Most of the time I use an aspect of 1.25. Works for me.

Where discerning the difference between certain letters is critical I switch
to Romans. Since there is a semblance of serifs on this font it makes it
easier to tell the difference between 1, l, I, (, ), and similar
look-alikes.

Of those tradesmen that actually read the prints at all, a third probably
need reading glasses but won't wear them (not macho). In Southern California
more and more tradesmen and especially laborers don't read or even speak
English; no offense intended, just a fact. Makes me wonder how half the
stuff gets built even remotely close to resembling the plans. I was on a job
site a couple weeks ago where a group of fellows were merrily screwing away
on a huge fire-rated wall, 24'+/- high and a over a hundred feet long. They
had no clue it was a fire-rated wall, no idea of the screw spacing required
or joint offsets required, and of course no understanding of why a
fire-rated wall was even there in the first place. Text size and even
content probably would not have made a difference here. A phone call set
things straight, you betcha. I guess my point here is that whatever you end
up doing, make sure you COMMUNICATE effectively with the folks in the field,
where conditions are completely different than in our climate controlled
office environments.

Most of my work for plans is 1/8" = 1' for new commercial buildings. For TIs
I use 1/4". For residential it's 1/4" also. Commercial site plans get
1"=20', larger ones at 1"=30'. City won't accept commercial landscape plans
any smaller than 1"=20', so larger sites have match lines. 1/8" text for
all.

I use TextStyles very often. A great time saver. Even better is
Identify/SetAll, the all-time killer Keyboard Shortcut in DataCAD.

Where a lot of text would get too busy I use Key Notes. These work great.
Always have the legend on the same sheet.

I make my detail cells wider than most folks: 8" is my standard cell width.
Works great, nice room for text and dimensions, very easy to read. If the
details are extremely simple I can put two in a cell, 4" each, usually
related details. 1/8" text here as well, using TxtScale of course. Most plot
at 1-1/2" = 1', some at 1" = 1'.

James Horecka, AIA, Architect
jhorecka@pe.net  http://www.pe.net/~jhorecka
DataCAD Roundhouse:  http://www.pe.net/~jhorecka/DCADLinks.html