CompuServe Messages

Cliff: No, I haven't seen it yet. What would I have to do to be able to see it? I haven't seen any fliers, etc. either, although I think I recall seeing something on the Forum about a release date. Is this going to be a free update or is there $ involved, and if so, how much? (just curious, I am sure I will get it.). I got my first look at ARRIS on Friday. I am formulating a number of questions for them to see what it can really do. This is sold by a dealer who ALSO sells ACAD and CV, by the way. I don't think I'm impressed enough to make any changes. I do think it is impressive to non ACAD owners at a first look see, though. I want to see if there are some good ideas for any lisp routines I want to write, and I want to pass on everything I am impressed with that I think AEC should address. As far as overview goes, I will pass on the following… They have substituted the cost of Autolisp for a greater number of provided drawing libraries and more powerfull macros. They sell their programming language as a separate module. Probably a good idea when selling to Architects. The single database concept has about as many good points as bad points. I fear for data damage wiping out an entire project. On the other hand, making a change once, and defining an attribute once that is in effect for the entire project is nice. Job filing is clean. Original setup of a job is much more involved, requiring more high powered people getting involved. If you wish to adapt a layering standard of about 160 standard layers on a CSI format, then a 10 drawing job would require 1600 layers, if all layers were to be used. (elevations, for example, don't need all of the layers.). Being able to display and reference to a layer without being able to edit it IS a big deal, and a great plus for ARRIS. Blocking and unblocking backgrounds, and the time to accesss a point on a block is rather clumbsy. They don't have an OOPS command and undo only undos once. More next message. .