General Structural Notes in a Word Editor

[Other Aaron]

Does anyone have suggestions for a word editor or software that can be used to easily set up columns and tables for general structural notes?

I have been tasked with trying to streamline our GSN process to cut down on editing time and be easy enough for some of the less computer savvy engineers to do without enlisting a drafter or opening AutoCAD (only have 2-3 licenses for our engineers, we have in house drafters). I'm looking for something that basically functions like word, but allows for backgrounds (for title blocks) and standard sheet sizes (word maxes out at 22"x22"). I want to set up sheets with our title blocks, then set up columns and just import all our notes and tables. When the notes are edited the columns will automatically adjust as lines are added or removed. Basically, word but without the arbitrary page size limit. Being able to add tables in line with the text is another bonus

Best I have so far is Publisher, or keep using Word and CAD

Thanks
Other Aaron

 

[Brad805]

We use an add on called word2Cad to go direct from Word into CAD. It works ok, but not in LT. You create your standard word document and define the columns height and layout in the addon settings. We have some custom fonts, and those do not work perfect all the time. The standard MS fonts seem to work.

 

[dold]

Our general notes are in a master Word document. If you set the pages up correctly (very tall and skinny with zero margins), you can save as/export to .png. The .png is then either linked or just copied into the cad file or revit file. Same with all of your special inspections, etc.

 

[dik]

I just use LibreOffice and if I need tables, I can use them. Alternately, I set the text up and use 'DejavuSanMono' for the font instead of Arial... This gives columns like:

Dejavu... is about as close to Arial as you get. This is from an actual drawing... it goes into drawing notes as Arial with the Dejavu edited to suit.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[Ron247]

One thing to think of is trying to keep your drawings "searchable". Inserting a picture may not be as useful for the "life" of the drawing since they tend to not be searchable for text. I work with pdfs that are scanned, made a pdf via the cad and with pictures inserted. Sometimes, they are not searchable at all and sometimes I can find almost any text. Depends on how you make the drawing.

 

[Other Aaron]

@Dik

whenever I need to go from word to pdf I use the Monospac821 BT font. I have found that it looks the best and is pretty close to our autocad font

 

[Aesur]

We use .rtf (rich text format) files saved directly from word and insert the text into pre-setup text columns in CAD. I suggest looking into this as it doesn't require any additional software and can be done directly from word. with RTF file the formatting is compatible with CAD. I don't recall being able to bring in "table line work" from word, but we were able to create offsets in text to make it look like a table. One thing to note though is when setting up the template, the spacing may need look odd in the word file as the width of spaces or tabs in CAD seem to be different. Also this format allows for tabs to import without issues, so you no longer have to use space 5 times to = the indent from a tab.

 

[dik]

I used to use Monospace821, but the font is not always available.

Aesur... I just cut and paste from the text file... and I may have 6 or 16 columns of notes (I don't usually use specifications); I have a standard sheet with columns in defpoint boxes.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[BigH]

Call me old fashioned but wished we were back to hand printing. Older drawing had soul - beautiful lettering and the sweat of the drafter. But, I do understand why.

 

[bridgebuster]

You're not alone BigH.

For years, I've used Word for notes and Excel for tables.

 

[dik]

Part of my work is reviewing and sealing shop drawings. One customer still does manual drafting... I'll check and see if I can find a sample of his work; it almost brings tears to your eyes. It's so good.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[Ron247]

Oh you young people. I have seen stone tablet drawings from sesoM drafting. Beautiful chiseling.

 

[dik]

Somewhere in my negative collection, I have photos of the original St.Boniface Basilica drawings that burned in Winnipeg in the late 60s (?). The metal trusses supporting the dome had filligree web members and these were all drawn by hand. The original drawings were on linen with ink.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[dik]

Others, more recent...

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[Brad805]

Reminds me of the old sticky backs we used to use.

 

[dik]

but, the revisions are a b*tch...

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[Ron247]

sesoM did not allow revisions. It was #1 of his 10 Demandments.

 

[dik]

I don't recall, "Thou shalt not revise." Seems to be a pretty solid statement... almost carved in stone.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[IFRs]

Autocad and others support OLE objects, Excel and Word don't have to be converted into anything, they are easily edited in their native apps, remain embedded in the drawing, etc.