www.avstencils.com

Quit trying to outbid me!

Damn.... I thought this was e-bay.......

Anyone buy these? http://www.dipartner.com/

AHEM, I am loading up my snipe program right now, so don't bother bidding!

I already have SI2.5 PRO. I have yet to Fully implement all of the processes. I have to reload it onto another computer and reregister. My Sager and Gateway laptops took a dump. I finally have the Dell Latitude. Anyone need laptop parts before I do some skeet shooting practice with these?

Are there any users interested in Dtools User forum(yahoo group?) or getting together for a user training session? IF there were enough users, we could have a central meeting point for a couple of days and discuss and help each other further along.
The reason I ask is that Dtools no longer does training for my version. I certainly could use some refresher points to short cuts and time saving techniques.

Hey guys.....I'm also thinking of using Visio since some of the other programs are quite expensive.

Can any of you show me what your layouts look like in Visio? I just want to get an idea of what can be done with Visio. I would really appreciate it. I'm just trying to figure out what would be best for now. Thanks!

The easiest way to use Visio is to make flow chats and then color code all your different wires, and then make a key on the side. That way when anyone picks up the plan they would be able to do the work without too many questions.

avguy22, I'll zip you a basic layout of what I've done in the past. Feel free to give me any feedback.

Matt

avguy22, what's your email? If you don't want it posted, just send me an email at [email protected]

This message was edited by diesel on 02/21/05 11:43 ET.

I am very interested in using Visio for AV diagrams as well...Just beginning. Is there any thing out there with AV stencils that you don't have to spend even more money on? Just a thought anyway. Netzoom seems to want me to pay or something...

I have been using d-tools for a couple of years and it has saved me so much time.I dont use a plotter,just print stuff out on a small color printer.I did go to the training.Its a necessity for all jobs over 75,000 and can only make smaller jobs faster.

Have you considered creating your own stencils?

Well to rcott and other pros that have yet to delve into any level of documentation, I would highly recommend buying Visio Standard for about $150 and downloading Rack Tools from Middle Atlantic.

At the very least, your rack layouts are nicely drawn for sales presentations, job sheets, and the most important thing- documentation of the specs given to carpenters.
This is a low cost way to see if the documentation makes your life easier, and this is what convinced me to consider a more powerful system.

In additon, rack tools will prompt you on adding accessories associated with a chosen rack so you won't forget to price out (and order) things like the cable carrier grid and tracks for AXS racks if it has been a while between proposals for a roll out rack.

Rack Tools is nice for what it is, but it won't do connectivity or floor plan diagrams.

However, Rack Tools is little more then basic Visio with some custom shapes and VBA attached. Studying the shape sheets will allow you to expand your Visio developing knowledge.

There is a free trial of Visio available and you can also download RackTools so if you want to try it out that would be an opportunity. The link for the Visio trial is:

[Link: microsoft.com]

The link to RackTools:

http://www.racktools.com/

Whether or not you can document the wiring plans for your staff, the ability to easily provide the exact dimensions of your equipment racks on a scale drawings for the builders, custom cabinet makers, and trim carpenters is worth every penny of the $150 to buy Visio Standard.