Questions:

Why can’t I see anything in a project or why are elements missing from drawing files?
Why are layers not visible?
Why is it not possible to select a privilege set in layer selection?



Answer:

Probably, you have not yet been assigned any privilege sets or the layers are frozen in the privilege set in question. First, check whether you can select another privilege set.


1. Selecting another privilege set

To do this, select the project in question and open the layer settings(Format -> Select, Set Layers). Go to the “Privilege set in list box” area at the top on the right and check whether you can select another privilege set (for example, ALLPLAN).
By default, all layers have full access rights in the predefined ALLPLAN privilege set.

If there is no privilege set with full access rights, you should assign the privilege sets correctly.
This can only be done by a user with administrator privilegesor, in the case of a project-specific layer structure, by the project owner.

Thus, log on as a user with administrator privileges and do the following:


2. Assigning a privilege set

Select the project with the frozen layers.

Open the layer settings(Format -> Select, Set Layers). Switch to the "Privilege Set" tab and click Define, modify privilege set.

Select the relevant user and assign the privilege set using the arrows.

Click OKto confirm.


3. Adjusting layers’ access rights in the privilege set

Finally, check the access rights of the layers in the privilege set assigned.
Go to the "Privilege set in list box" area at the top on the right and select the relevant privilege set (for example, ALLPLAN).

Check the area on the left to see whether there are frozen layers (gray or white). To change this, select these layers or simply select all layers using CTRL+A. Then click the Full access right (modifiable)icon in the “Change rights” area.
Click OKto confirm.

The next time you open this project, you can select this privilege set in the layer settings. You can then see all layers and set them to modifiable.

Do the same with print sets.


Alternative:

Since version 2006, the administrator has been able to select Show all users all print sets and privilege setsin the “Administrator options” group on the “Privilege Set” tab (“Design group” in version 2006). Thus, you do not need to assign new users to privilege sets. This option applies to all projects.

However, as soon as a user has been given a privilege set or print set, this option no longer applies to this user.



Note:

As a project can have its own layer structure, it is essential that you check the privilege set in the correct project.
To find out whether a project has its own layer structure, click
File -> New Project, Open Project-> right-click the relevant project -> Properties. Check whether the path settings for Layerstructuresare set to Officeor Project.

Question:

What are the reasons why I cannot modify the format properties (pen thickness, color, ...) of elements in a DWG/DXF file I have just imported?



Answer:

There are four reasons why these elements cannot be modified.

1st -the elements are smart symbols:

• To retain the smart symbols but still be able to modify the elements, select Modify -> Bonus Tools -> Smart Symbols -> Modify Smart Symbol(until V2006: Modify -> Bonus Tools -> Smart Symbols -> Modify Display Parameters) and click the relevant element. Now you can modify it (using Modify Format Properties, for example). For more detailed information on how to modify smart symbols, please contact us.
• If you do not want to retain the smart symbol, you can also resolve it: Modify -> Bonus Tools -> Smart Symbols -> Unlink Smart Symbol, select the smart symbol(s) you want to resolve and click the right mouse button to confirm.
• To resolve the smart symbols during import, select the file to be imported, click the"Options..."button,open the "Advanced Settings" tab (until Allplan 2008 "Advanced Transfer Settings")and select the"Smart symbol"check box in the"Explode elements" area. To confirm the dialog box, click OKand open the file.

2nd - theelements are composite elements:

• To explode a composite element, select Modify -> Advanced Draft -> Explode Composite Element. Select the composite element(s).
• To resolve the composite elements during import, select the file to be imported, click the "Options..." button, open the"Advanced Settings" tab" (until Allplan 2008: "Advanced Transfer Settings") andselect the "Composite elements"check box in the"Explode compounds" area. To confirm the dialog box, click OKand open the file.

3rd - the elements are on frozen layers:

• To modify these elements, you first have to set the corresponding layers to modifiable. Open the layer selection by clickingFormat -> Select, Set Layers.On theSelect Layer/Visibilitytab, set all the layers to modifiable.

4th - the elements have the "from layer" format property:

• To find this out, click an element with the right mouse button and selectFormat Propertieson the shortcut menu: pen thickness, line type or line color is not available for elements with the "from layer" format property.
• To modify the format properties of the layer, select Format -> Select, Set Layers and open the'Format Definition' tab. Check that the''Match from layer based on line style, pen, line, color assigned (fixed setting)"optionis selected in the"Layers' format properties" area. Next, select the layer on which the element resides and change its format properties.
• To remove this property, clickEdit -> Modify Format Properties, select the"Change 'from layer' for pen, line and color" option(pen thickness, line type and line color must not be selected) and select the elements.
• To resolve the "from layer" property during import, select the file to be imported, click the "Options..." button, open the"Advanced Settings" tab" (until Allplan 2008: "Advanced Transfer Settings") andselect the "From layer"check box in the"Explode compounds" area. To confirm the dialog box, click OKand open the file.

Note:

If you have any further questions regarding data exchange, this topic is described in detail in the online Help. All you need to do is press the F1 key. Open the Index tab and selectInterfaces.

Question:

How can I export large volumes of data to 3D PDF?



Answer:

This FAQ shows you how to reduce the volume of data in 3D PDF files (and other visualization formats).

• Reduce the level of detail for smart symbols. You can define smart symbols so that the level of detail changes with the reference scale: the smaller the scale, the higher the level of detail. If you use smart symbols, set the reference scale to a greater value before you export the data, thus reducing the data volume.
• Hide smart symbols completely (View -> Show/Hide -> clear the check boxes for all smart symbol foils (A,B,C)).
• Switch off finish or textures (View Type -> Animation -> click the blue pen to modify the settings(Allplan 2014 and earlier: Tools -> Options -> Animation)).
• Reduce the data by hiding layers, for example, 3D furniture.

Note:

To free up memory, close any applications that are running before you export data to 3D PDF.


Note:

Sending a report by Quality Reporter does not necessarily lead to a reaction by technical support. However, technical support will react in exceptional cases.

Question:

How can I export data from the layout editor so that Allplan creates a layout DWG and an additional reference DWG for each drawing file?



Answer:

As opposed to Allplan, AutoCAD only provides one model space. You cannot work with various drawing files as usual in Allplan. Using external references, however, you can load parts of different DWG files into one DWG file.
The "exporting complex data with external references" method is particularly useful for exporting data from Allplan's layout editor.
With this method, a master drawing (layout DWG) is created from the layout and additional reference drawings (reference DWGs) are created from all the drawing files placed in the layout. All these reference drawings are associated with the layout DWG and thus also visible there. These files only contain the AutoCAD model space.

Export:

Select the layout you want to export in Allplan's layout editor:

• Select File -> Export-> Export AutoCAD Data.... Select the relevant layout and click OK to confirm.
• A dialog box opens. In the Save inarea at the top, select the folder where you want to save the exported file and select the required file type.
• Click Options... and set the required options on the 'General Settings'tab. In Allplan 2009 and later, for example, you can select the exchange favorite 3 as the basis for the export and set the other options manually.
  Open the 'AutoCAD specific'tab. In the 'Part of file to be transferred'area, select the Design (model space)check box.
  If necessary, define additional settings in the options and confirm them by clicking OK.
• Then start the export by clicking Save.
• The "Export:..." dialog box opens for the layout. Click the Modifybutton if you want to change the configuration. While exporting the data, Allplan displays the "Export:..." dialog box for each drawing file used.
• Allplan creates one layout DWG and an additional reference DWG for each drawing file.
  

Result:

1. Files created:
Allplan creates a file for the layout (e.g., "plan_1.dwg") and an additional file as an XRef for each drawing file placed in the layout (e.g., "tb_1.dwg", "tb_2.dwg" and so on).
When you open the layout DWG (e.g., "plan_1.dwg") in AutoCAD, the reference DWGs (e.g., "tb_1.dwg", "tb_2.dwg" and so on) are displayed as external references.

2. Resolving elements:
Elements in drawing files are transferred as complex elements (e.g., hatching, patterns and dimension lines are retained).
Elements that are directly in the layout are transferred as complex elements or they are resolved, depending on the settings in the 'Explode elements'area.

3. Filtering elements:
The filters in the 'Transfer elements'area apply not only to the data that is directly in the layout but also to the data of the drawing files.

4. Construction lines:
Using the filter for construction lines in the 'Transfer elements'area, you can filter construction lines both in the layout and in the drawing file. In the 'Transfer elements'area, switch off the Construction linesor Not plottable elementoption (same effect).

5. Clipping boundaries:
A clipping boundary is an area that is cut, for example, by a layout window. Clipping boundaries are taken into account.

6. Allplan structure:
Allplan creates a separate DWG for the layout and for each drawing file and transfers the drawing file structure in this way. The layers of the drawing files become the layers of the DWG.

7. Paper space – model space:
With this method, the model space is transferred in each DWG.



Note:

If your planning partners do not want to work with several DWG files in AutoCAD, they can integrate the reference DWGs into the layout DWG and thus work with a single DWG file.
To make sure that the data is referenced correctly when the DWG file is opened, you need to save all the files in a common folder and transfer this folder.
If you have any further questions regarding data exchange, this topic is described in detail in the online Help. All you need to do is press the F1 key. Open the Index tab and selectInterfaces.

Question:

How can I import a DWG/DXF file into Allplan?



Answer:

A DWG/DXF file always consists of the model space (design). In addition, the file can have one or more layouts (paper space). AutoCAD’s paper space is similar to the layout editor in Allplan; AutoCAD’s model space is equivalent to drawing file edit mode in Allplan (provided you work with only one drawing file).

You can use the following settings for import:

Import to a drawing file
For importing only the model space of the DWG file

Double-click an empty drawing file to select it. Then click File -> Import -> Import AutoCAD Data... -> Settings(click the icon showing the gearwheel).

Click Resetat bottom left to restore the default settings.
If you do not require 3D data, open the 'General Settings'tab and select 2D for the transfer mode. Open the 'AutoCAD specific' tab and select the 'Design (model space)' and'Check file during import' options.
Click OKto confirm the settings. Then click Opento start importing the data.

Another dialog box appears. Click the Modifybutton.You can then check and correct the assigned colors, line definitions, layers and so on. To do this, select the entry you want to change and reassign it using the shortcut menu (right mouse button)

Import to a layout
If the DWG file has one ore more layouts you want to include in the import.

Select an empty layout. Then click File -> Import -> Import AutoCAD Data... -> Settings(click the icon showing the gearwheel). Click Resetat bottom left to restore the default settings.

If the DWG file has several layouts, you can open the 'AutoCAD specific' tab and select the 'Multilayout' option. You can then select the layouts you want to import. In addition, select the 'Check file during import' option.
Sometimes the unit used in the layout can differ from that used in the design. In this case, open the layout editor and set the unit from 'm' to 'mm'. Then open the 'AutoCAD' tab and set the Factor for correcting layout unitto 1000(1000 mm = 1 m).
Another dialog box appears. Click the Modifybutton and open the 'XRef files'tab. Select the entry. Open the shortcut menu and assign an empty drawing file. Allplan will create the design of the DWG file in this drawing file.

Note:

If you still cannot import the DWG file, please send this file by email to support.de@Allplan.com.

Question:
How can I work together on a project with a partner from another country?

Answer: Using Allplan 2019 and later, you can work on projects across countries. You can define projects in a country-specific manner. This means that a project gets the resources (for example, hatching, patterns, layers and so on) and reinforcement settings of a specific country. Depending on your license, you can install one or more additional country packages. For example, you can then create a project with resources and settings for Germany and another one with resources and settings for the UK. Requirements: Whether you can use country packages depends on the Allplan license. Only the ‘Cubed’ and ‘Exponential’ license types include country packages. These license types enable you to use as many country packages as you like. You can create and open projects with any country code. The ‘Lineared’ and ‘Squared’ license types only include one country package by default. This also applies to all conventional license types such as ‘Architecture’ and ‘Engineering’. In other words, you can only create and open projects with this country code. Installing country packages: When installing Allplan 2019 for the first time or upgrading from Allplan 2018 or earlier, you must explicitly install the additional country packages. A default installation onlyinstalls the country package of your country. If you want to use different country packages, you must do a custom installation. Only a custom installation allows you to select the country packages you want to install. You can do this whenever you want - be it the first installation or an upgrade or update. Doing a custom installation: Start Setup. Select Customfor the Setup type. When it comes to selecting Features, you can select the language packages you want to install. You can see a list of all Allplan languages included in your license. After this, you can select the countries. Select the country packages you want to install. Click ‘Next’ to confirm all other dialog boxes. Note:Please note that the more country packages you select, the longer the installation will take and the more hard disk space will be required. Using country packages in Allplan: You must define the country when you create a project. You cannot change the country later. Creating a new project: When creating a new project, you can select the county in country-specific templates. Select the country and the template you need. If you do not select a project template, you must select the required country in the next dialog box. In the project: The status bar shows the country set for a project. The units for length entries and reinforcement set in the Options are project-specific settings. These units are preset depending on the country selected. Important note: When checking out a project in a workgroup environment, you can choose which country-specific office standard you want to check out. Click in the ‘License Settings’ to see which countries are included in your license. There is a default country, which is usually the country entered in your license. Setup always installs the data for this default country in the STD and ETC folders. During installation, Setup creates a STD.??? folder and an ETC.??? folder for each additionalcountry package selected (??? stands for the country code). The office path and default path are always based on the country set for the project that is currently open. That is to say, when you open a project and save a favorite or library element in the office path or default path, these elements will only be available in projects with the same country settings. ProjectPilot is an exception; here, the office path and default path always refer to the STD and ETC folders.

Question:

How can I use Allplan to create PDF documents (Portable Document Format) that can be opened and viewed using PDF viewers such as the free Acrobat Reader?



Answer:

You can export PDF files directly from Allplan.
In addition to the design, bitmap areas and text, the direct export tool transfers layers, OLE objects, transparency and gradients.
Of course, you can also use external programs such as Adobe PDF and FreePDF to create PDF files. However, these programs do not provide all the options mentioned above. For example, transparency is not transferred.

Allplan provides the following options for exporting PDF data:

1. using the layout editor:
Create -> Plot Layout -> Export PDF Data

2. using the print preview:
Click the Export PDF Data icon in the toolbar at the top

3. exporting 3D PDF files from the animation window:
You can create a PDF file from the animation window. This file contains the 3D model displayed in the animation window.
This option is not described any further in this FAQ.


General settings:

When exporting PDF data, you specify the file name in a dialog box, where you can also make basic settings for the PDF file:

• Resolution (in dpi)
• Document size (paper size (with margin) or printable area (without margin))
• Entire layout content
• Archiving format PDF/A 1a
• Export layers
• Embed TrueType fonts
• ...
• Add to file (first select an existing PDF file in this dialog box and then select this option -> the PDF file is attached as a new page to the existing file)
• Grayscale (version 2011 and later)
• Open file with associated application (should be selected. After you have created it, the PDF file automatically opens in this application so that you can check it.)

Note on the page format (new in Allplan 2011):

In Allplan 2011 and later versions, you set up a page in Allplan. The page size should be used as the size for the PDF file.
You need to exactly define the size you require for the page.

To use the page size for exporting the PDF file, select the following options:

• Select 'Paper size (with margin)'.
• Clear the 'Entire layout content' check box, if necessary.

Notes on 1. settings in the Plot Layout module:

You can make advanced settings in the "Plot Layouts" dialog box.
The following settings are used for exporting PDF data:

• Plot elements / options (Selection tab)
• Paper format and orientation (Output tab); see the above notes on the page format.
• Resizing: Resizing factor, resize pen thickness and rotation by 90° (Settings tab)
• Pen and color assignments... (Settings tab)
  -> Line thickness for monochrome output and line colors for color output
  -> Line display in color, black or using shades of gray (can only be changed when you select a color printer beforehand)
  -> Gamma correction
• No pen optimization/ Use one pen only (number:)
• Plot profile (Settings tab)

Notes on 2. settings in the print preview:

The PDF file is exported as it is currently displayed on screen.
You can make the settings that are used for the "Print" tool directly in the print preview (Display tab in the Print Preview Options).



Notes:

To export PDF data in color, you need to install a printer driver that supports color and select this driver in the layout before you start exporting the PDF data.
It is advisable to install a printer driver for a large-format color plotter such as an HP DesignJet even if your office is not equipped with a large-format printer/plotter.
[Install as a local printer/ without plug & play, port: FILE, do not share the printer, do not print a test page.]