[Troy DeGroot]

Welcome to the group @sudsy

You can definitely create a layout exactly like the one you shared. All you need is a handful of custom markup tools as you mention. You can easily import an image from Google Earth or some other source on a document as your base drawing (or overlay a civil/site plan).

1. Make sure when you create a screenshot of the image that you include the Scale. This way you can calibrate the drawing and have accurate measurements.
2. Go to Menu Bar at the top and select Tools>Markup>Image>From File
3. After you navigate to the image and load it, streach the image to fit the drawing or document.
4. At this point select the image and Lock it in the Properties panel so you don’t accidently move it. (I actually Flatten it in most cases)
5. Now you can mark up over top of the image all you want.

Hope this helps.

[Troy DeGroot]

Unfortunately placing each one and editing is the easiest way.

Once you place them all and edit them, I recommend saving that document as a worksheet. This way you have a place to edit them and add them to the ToolChest again. Saves a small step, but part of a big headache.

[Troy DeGroot]

You can eliminate the need for the script if you create one field with wrapping text. This way you can also force when you want the text to wrap rather than just the box limitations.

Or do you specifically want the next line in a different field?

[Troy DeGroot]

Do you mean for running summary reports? I have created a few extremely basic ones for different companies or demo purposes. Got any tips?

[Troy DeGroot]

setting scales from the presets always scares me a little given the unpredictable quality and consistency of drawings. I know how easy it is to print “Scale to Fit” and have it close but not perfect. Updating scales globally makes me cringe a little.

However, I completely understand the WHY. If you trust the documents are correct, that’s a completely different story. I love this workflow @Doug McLean

[Troy DeGroot]

Glad you found your way to the community @a-marsden94gmail-com

I look forward to learning from you along side everyone else.

[Troy DeGroot]

Not that I’m aware of, I don’t know where you would find the data much less draw it from the stamp. I would love to be proven wrong though, love this community!

[Troy DeGroot]

Ok, so everyone is correct here, and nobody is going crazy! 🤣

If you select the tool in the toolset and update the properties BEFORE YOU PLACE the markup, the change will apply to the tool in the toolset. If you make the change AFTER you place the markup, it will not change the toolset and you will have to replace the tool in the toolset.

How you go about updating the toolset depends on how many changes and what works faster. If it’s just some data in one field, it makes sense to update before placing the markup. However, if you are updating the color or data on 10 different markups, then I place them all on a sheet, select them all, make the change, and add it back into the toolset right away.

Hope this helps us all sleep again!

[Troy DeGroot]

Yes! I love legends, and also innovative ways of using Spaces.

I love your idea of “Applying to Pages” with the legend, really great tip!

[Troy DeGroot]

I was going to recommend a legend as well. Maybe you could have a few symbols that correlate with a block of hours (half day, full day, 3 days, etc.) Then you could place the symbol on the drawings on a detail or somewhere it shows the reason. Then create a legend just for those extras. I’m not sure what that does to your data-washing process, just thinking out loud.

[Troy DeGroot]

I’ve always tricked it by adding +0.4 to my formula. 🤣

[Troy DeGroot]

Hey @carlwegman I haven’t played around with the “Ceiling” type variables in my formulas yet. I’m also not an Excel expert who may be most familiar with these types of entries. Can you give us an overview?

[Troy DeGroot]

@Doug McLean What’s your reason for using the Measurement value instead of the Length? If we use the PloyLength tool they’re the same value. You have me curious!

[Troy DeGroot]

We’re nowhere near you, we are going skiing in Banff. Would love a tour at some point, nothing like the smell of sawdust in the morning!

[Troy DeGroot]

I’ll be in Canada over Christmas break @Doug McLean 😜

@David Cutler is correct though, leadership tends to listen to outside resources. They assume an expert knows best and don’t always realize they have an expert on hand. In my implementations, I always ask for people like Doug to be heavily involved so I can build on what they have already done. I also interview all the people who resisted to see how we could get over that obstacle. It’s always a delicate dance trying to please everyone.

In your shoes Doug, I would track the hours they keep you away from doing your job. If they are on the edge of hiring a new employee, this might eliminate that need or escalate it. Protect your time and sanity, it will be the only useful thing in your box when you leave the job.