[Archoncad] Weekly Digest 1 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)

This week, the following posts were added to the learn.archoncad.com web site.

Graphics - Part 15
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9174/graphics-part-15/

Creating Tiles - When you create a tile, you draw the object that you want to
repeat, and you can see how it relates to the rest of the tile.

Graphics - Part 14
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9172/graphics-part-14/

Applying Tiles - Use the Resource Browser or the Attributes Palette to apply
tiles.

Graphics - Part 13
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9154/graphics-part-13/

Tiles - A Tile is a repeatable graphic, like a hatch. But, it is much more
graphic than a hatch, and easier to edit.

Graphics - Part 12
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9153/graphics-part-12/

Object Opacity - Object opacity is the ability to make an object transparent.
For an elevation like this we could draw shadows for the building and make them
transparent.

Graphics - Part 11
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9152/graphics-part-11/

Attribute/Mapping tool. - This is the tool you use to change the position and
scaling of images and gradients.

Graphics - Part 10
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9151/graphics-part-10/

Creating Gradients - If you do not like the gradients that come with
Vectorworks, make your own, they are easy enough to make.

Graphics - Part 9
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9150/graphics-part-9/

Applying Gradients - Use the Resource Browser or the Attributes Palette to
apply gradients.

Graphics - Part 8
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9149/graphics-part-8/

Gradients - Gradients are a great way of adding  colour fill where you want
the colour to change from one colour to another (or several colours).

Graphics - Part 7
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9148/graphics-part-7/

Creating Images - You can use any image on your computer to create Vectorworks
images.

Graphics - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9147/graphics-part-6/

Applying Images - The Resource Browser can be used to apply images, and you can
use the Attributes Palette to apply images.

Graphics - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9146/graphics-part-5/

Images - Images are a great way of applying a graphic image to your drawings.

Graphics - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9119/graphics-part-4/

Creating Hatches - When you want a hatch that is not in the library, you need
to learn to create your own hatches.

Graphics - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9118/graphics-part-3/

Applying Hatches - You can use the Resource Browser to find a hatch and then
either double click on the hatch in the Resource Browser or drag the hatch to
the object.

Graphics - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9117/graphics-part-2/

Hatches - Hatches are a series of lines that represent a material. This could
be a series of lines that looks like brick, or tiles.

Graphics - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9116/graphics-part-1/

Graphic Attributes - How to apply graphic attributes, such as line weight,
hatching, image fills and graphic symbols to a drawing.

Resource Browser - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9115/resource-browser-part-6/

Finding Resources - You can look for resources in the current file, or anywhere
on your computer.

Resource Browser - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9114/resource-browser-part-5/

Exporting Resources - You can export resources from the current file to a
library, or to another file.

Resource Browser - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9113/resource-browser-part-4/

Creating a Symbol Folder - If you have a lot of symbols in the Resource
Browser, they are easier to find if you have folders for them.

Resource Browser - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9112/resource-browser-part-3/

Changing the Viewing Options on the Resource Browser - You can change the way
resources are shown on the Resource Browser.

Resource Browser - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9111/resource-browser-part-2/

Attaching a Library to the Browser - One of the useful features of the Resource
Browser is the ability to look into other files and use their resources.

Resource Browser - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9110/resource-browser-part-1/

What is the Resource Browser? - The Resource Browser is used to browse for the
objects that VectorWorks calls resources so that you can use them in your
drawings. Resources can be hatches, gradients, images, textures, symbols,
Plug-In objects, wall styles, worksheets and so on.

Object Info Palette - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9109/object-info-palette-part-2/

Data - The Data Pane allows you to attach database information to an object and
edit that information.

Object Info Palette - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9108/object-info-palette-part-1/

Shape - This part of the Object Info palette shows all the shape information
the shape information.

Snapping Palette - Part 9
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9095/snapping-palette-part-9/

Constrain Tangent - The is really useful for making sure that you are drawing
tangent to an arc or circle. When you need it, there is no substitute for this.
There are not options, the constraint is either turned on or off.

Snapping Palette - Part 8
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9094/snapping-palette-part-8/

Smart Edge - When you need to be parallel to objects, or offset from a line or
polygon, this is the constraint to use.

Snapping Palette - Part 7
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9083/snapping-palette-part-7/

Snap To Distance - The Snap to Distance constraint has options that can be
changed.

Snapping Palette - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9082/snapping-palette-part-6/

Smart Points - The Smart Points are really useful and it is one of the
constraints that you should keep on all the time.

Snapping Palette - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9081/snapping-palette-part-5/

Snap to Intersection - This one is useful, without it, you can’t find the
intersection of two objects.

Snapping Palette - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9080/snapping-palette-part-4/

Constrain Angle - This is one of the useful ones, but make sure you set your
preferences for it.

Snapping Palette - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9079/snapping-palette-part-3/

Snap To Object - If you do not use Snap to Object, you can’t snap on to
anything. This one is really useful.

Snapping Palette - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9076/snapping-palette-part-2/

Snap to Grid - Use this when you want to draw using a grid system. Turn if off
when you do not need it.

Snapping Palette - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9074/snapping-palette-part-1/

Where is the Snapping Palette? - The snapping palette is useful, so open it an
try to keep it open.

Productivity Techniques - Part 24
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9062/9062/

Clip - This tool can be used to clip nearly all selected objects.

Productivity Techniques - Part 23
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9059/productivity-techniques-part-23/

Split Tool - This tool is for more than just splitting some lines.

Productivity Techniques - Part 22
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9057/productivity-techniques-part-22/

Rotate Plan - This tool is really useful for drawings a building where the
wings are at different angles, or for lanscaping, when you want to have the
plants or hardscape lining up with the site or building.

Productivity Techniques - Part 21
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9052/productivity-techniques-part-21/

Keyboard Shortcuts - Keyboard shortcuts are a quick way to access menu
commands.

Productivity Techniques - Part 20
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9049/productivity-techniques-part-20/

Hot Keys - Hot keys are a really quick way to access tools.

Productivity Techniques - Part 19
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9045/productivity-techniques-part-19/

Use Symbols, not Groups - Symbols are relatively small repeatable objects. For
example if you are designing a restaurant, you could make the tables and chairs
into a symbol.

Productivity Techniques - Part 18
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9042/productivity-techniques-part-18/

Use Layers And Classes - Layers and classes are so important to making up your
drawings.

Productivity Techniques - Part 17
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9040/productivity-techniques-part-17/

Navigation Palette - This palette is fantastic. It allows you to change
visibility of layers and classes, change view options for design layers,
classes, sheet layers viewports and saved views, create, edit and design layers,
classes, sheet layers viewports and saved views.

Productivity Techniques - Part 16
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9036/productivity-techniques-part-16/

Create a Template - A template file is a starter file. It is the file you use
to get started on a project.

Productivity Techniques - Part 15
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9033/productivity-techniques-part-15/

Set the Tool Preferences - Nearly every tool as preferences for the tools.

Productivity Techniques - Part 14
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9030/productivity-techniques-part-14/

Align/Distribute - For lining up text, lining up symbols, or distributing
things. I use this command.

Productivity Techniques - Part 13
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9026/productivity-techniques-part-13/

Objects From Polyline - I think it is magic when I use this command. This
command will turn your polygon, polyline or any closed object into an object.

Productivity Techniques - Part 12
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9023/productivity-techniques-part-12/

Move by Points - This tool is so useful for copying and moving objects. You can
copy object by spacing, by distribution, and use this tool for accurate 
placement of objects in walls (doors, windows, etc.).

Productivity Techniques - Part 11
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9019/productivity-techniques-part-11/

Eye Dropper - If you need to copy the attributes from one object to another
then use this tool. It can copy the line weight, line style etc.

Productivity Techniques - Part 10
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9015/productivity-techniques-part-10/

Reshape Tool - This tool is used for so many things. You can reshape a polygon,
sure, that is what this tool is for. You can use the Reshape tool to reshape
more than one object.

Productivity Techniques - Part 9
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9012/productivity-techniques-part-9/

Zoom With the Scroll Wheel - Zooming in and out is much easier with the scroll
wheel on your mouse.

Productivity Techniques - Part 8
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9010/productivity-techniques-part-8/

Add Surface/Clip Surface - I use the add surface and clip surface a lot. If you
want to make a complex shape the easiest way to do is to make some simple shapes
using the rectangle and circle tool, then use the Add Surface or Clip Surface
command.

Productivity Techniques - Part 7
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9004/productivity-techniques-part-7/

Drag A Copy - This is a very fast way to copy objects. With this method you
create the copy and drag the object to the correct location. This method is easy
and fast.

Productivity Techniques - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8994/productivity-techniques-part-6/

Set Your Preferences - The preferences in VectorWorks can be set to suit you.
There are several preferences you can choose.

Productivity Techniques - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8993/productivity-techniques-part-5/

Use The Right Mouse Button - If you have a one button mouse, throw it away. A
two button mouse with a scroll wheel is the way to go.

Productivity Techniques - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8992/productivity-techniques-part-4/

Customise VectorWorks To Make It Faster - I’m a great fan of customizing
VectorWorks. I believe that customizing VectorWorks will make it faster for
you.

Productivity Techniques - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8989/productivity-techniques-part-3/

Tool Bar Shortcuts  and Quick Preferences - While we are talking about the
Tool bar, there are keyboard shortcuts, hot keys really, to change you mode bar
options.

Productivity Techniques - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8985/productivity-techniques-part-2/

Selection tool - It may seem strange to have this one in the list. After all,
don’t we all use the selection tool?

Productivity Techniques - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8982/productivity-techniques-part-1/

Draw With Objects - If you draw with objects (rectangles, polygons circles and
so on) you will be quicker.

BIM_SIG_012 Special Interest Group October 2012
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8959/bim_sig_01-special-interest-group-october-2012/

With the introduction of Detail Viewports in Vectorworks 2013, we are looking at
how this will change the way you create your drawings. In this webinar we looked
at how to create the new viewports, how they can be used, and how they might
change the way you create your drawings.

BIM_SIG_011 Special Interest Group October 2012
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8960/bim_sig_011-special-interest-group-october-2012/

Vectorworks 2013 introduced several new concepts. Two really important concepts
are the detail viewports and the hierarchal classes. My belief is that both of
these concepts are going to change the way you structure your classes and the
way you structure your sheet layers. In this Special Interest Group will be
looking at how these two concepts can be used.

SST_1210 - What's New in Vectorworks 2013
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8874/sst_1210-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013/

There are a lot of new things in Vectorworks 2013. Some of these are fixes or
enhancements to the current Vectorworks, and some of them are brand new. The new
features are going to make working in Vectorworks 2013 substantially faster by
improving your workflow.