[Archoncad] Weekly Digest 8 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)

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

Guide to Residential Concept Design
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10442/guide-to-residential-concept-design/

Many of my clients want to use Vectorworks just for conceptual design.This means
that the users often want a cut-down Vectorworks interface that just shows the
tools they want, to make it faster to draw.

Often these users do not want to draw the walls of the building, they want a
quick way of modeling the building, a way to see the building on the site, and
they want to be able to check the building with a solar study.

Building with Walls, Roof and Windows - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10596/building-with-walls-roof-and-windows-part-3/

Simple Roof
- You can create a roof from the walls. the roof may need some editing to get what you want.

Building with Walls, Roof and Windows - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10595/building-with-walls-roof-and-windows-part-2/

Quick Doors and Windows
- You can easily make the spaces into walls with a command. It needs some editing after, but it is still quick.

Building with Walls, Roof and Windows - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10591/building-with-walls-roof-and-windows-part-1/

Creating Walls from Your Model
- You can easily make the spaces into walls by tracing around them.

Visualization - Part 7
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10588/visualization-part-7/

Solar Animation
- You can see the sun on your model, from sunrise to sunset, in a movie,
which you can share with others.

Visualization - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10584/visualization-part-6/

Solar Study - Creating a solar study lets you see the way the project will work
with the sun.

Visualization - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10581/visualization-part-5/

Set Sun Position - You can add a sunlight to your model.

Visualization - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10577/visualization-part-4/

Walkthrough Tool
- The Walkthough tool is great for walking into your model.

Visualization - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10573/visualization-part-3/

Flyover Tool
- The Flyover tool is great for changing your view interactively.

Visualization - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10570/visualization-part-2/

Renderworks Camera
- The Renderworks Camera is like the set 3D view command, but it’s more flexible and easier to edit.

Visualization - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10567/visualization-part-1/

Set 3D View
- To see your model in perspecive, use the Set 3D view command.

Creating A Complete Model - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10564/creating-a-complete-model-part-4/

Massing Model
- The Massing Model tool allows you to quickly create adjoining properties.

Creating A Complete Model - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10561/creating-a-complete-model-part-3/

Using Unified View 2
- The unified  can be used to view the concept on the site, but you have to have all the layers the same scale.

Creating A Complete Model - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10556/creating-a-complete-model-part-2/

Using Unified View
- The unified  can be used to view walls and roof together.

Creating A Complete Model - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10551/creating-a-complete-model-part-1/

Creating a DLVP
- A Design layer can be used to link your spaces to the site model, this works well when your site has large elevations.

Site Modeling - Part 9
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10549/site-modeling-part-9-2/

Texture for Recessions Planes
- The recession planes are easier to see and use if you give them a translucent texture.

Site Modeling - Part 8
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10544/site-modeling-part-8-2/

Recessions Planes
- You can make a symbol for your recession planes, and use this to create a 3D representation.

Site Modeling - Part 7
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10540/site-modeling-part-7-2/

Pads and Boundaries (Grade Limits) - Pads and boundaries (grade
limits) are the main tools for site modifying. The pad creates the 3D site modifier and the boundary (grade
limit) tells Vectorworks how much of the site will be affected.

Site Modeling - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10537/site-modeling-part-6-2/

Edit the Extent of the Site Model
- You can edit the site model to show just the parts you want.

Site Modeling - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10532/site-modeling-part-5-2/

Edit the Site Model Data
- If the Site model data is not as close to the original data as you wanted, you can add additional points to correct the site model.

Site Modeling - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10528/site-modeling-part-4-2/

Site Model From a Survey and 3D Points
- You can use a combination of tracing over the contours and placing spot levels.

Site Modeling - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10525/site-modeling-part-3-2/

Creating a Site Plan From a Polygon
- If you can draw a polygon of the site, you can make it into a Property Line.

Site Modeling - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10522/site-modeling-part-2-2/

Drawing Simple Site Plans
- The Property Line tool makes quick work of simple site plans. If the Sites do not have curves use this method.

Site Modeling - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10520/site-modeling-part-1-2/

What is a Site Model? -
A site model is a way of looking at 3D data (spot levels or contours) in a way that allows you to see complex 3D models and 2D representations. VectorWorks uses the 3D information to create the models based on the data to help you understand the 2D and 3D nature of your site.

3D Modeling - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10513/3d-modeling-part-5/

Editing The Concept to Match the Site Model - Using the Move by Points
tool to get the model to sit on the site.

3D Modeling - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10509/3d-modeling-part-4/

Split Tool
-This is not just a 2D tool, you can use it for 3D modeling.

3D Modeling - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10505/3d-modeling-part-3/

Push/Pull Tool
- This tool allows you to push and pull your shapes around.

3D Modeling - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10502/3d-modeling-part-2/

Creating a Tapered Extrusion
- Another way to create simple shapes, where the shape changes from top to bottom.

3D Modeling - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10500/3d-modeling-part-1/

Creating an Extrusion
- You can create simple shapes with this technique.

Creating Spaces (Rooms) - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10494/creating-spaces-rooms-part-4/

Creating a Space Object Report
- A space object carries additional data, and this can be reported.

Creating Spaces (Rooms) - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10490/creating-spaces-rooms-part-3/

Editing a Space Object
- After a space object is created, it is easy to edit it.

Creating Spaces (Rooms) - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10475/creating-spaces-rooms-part-2/

Creating a Space Object from Polygons
- This is the easy way to create spaces, drawing polygons first, then creating spaces.

Creating Spaces (Rooms) - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10483/creating-spaces-rooms-part-1/

Creating a Space Object
- A space object in Vectorworks is useful  for creating a quick 3D object like a room.

Document Set up - Part 7
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10478/document-set-up-part-7/

Save As Template
- A template is a great way to start a file. It can contain all your layers and classes you need, and it can save all your tool settings.

Document Set up - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10473/document-set-up-part-6/

Setting Up Layers for the Building
- You can set up the layers at any time. But, you will find it easier to set up the layer heights as soon as you can. The layer settings affect the walls and roof.

Document Set up - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10470/document-set-up-part-5/

Creating Custom Dimension Standards
- Custom dimension styles can be used instead of the standard dimensions. This allows you to create a dimension style that you like.

Document Set up - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10466/document-set-up-part-4/

Setting Up Units For Primary And Secondary Units
- Vectorworks has two settings for dimensioning, primary units and secondary units.

Document Set up - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10462/document-set-up-part-3/

Setting The Smart Cursor Settings For Faster Drawing
- There are several Smart Cursor settings. If you adjust them to suit your drawing style, you will find Vectorworks works very fast.

Document Set up - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10459/document-set-up-part-2/

Setting Up The Page Size
- You will find drawing quicker with Vectorworks if you set up the page size. The page settings will depend on your computer and printer.

Document Set up - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10457/document-set-up-part-1/

Creating A New File
- Creating a new file is easy, you can create a new blank file, or you can create a file from a template.

Workspace Editing - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10454/workspace-editing-part-4/

Editing the Workspace - Changing Tools
- You can edit the tool, adding or deleting toolsets and making it easier to use Vectorworks.

Workspace Editing - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10443/workspace-editing-part-3/

Editing the Workspace - Changing Menus
- You can edit the menus, adding or deleting menus and making it easier to use Vectorworks.

Workspace Editing - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10447/workspace-editing-part-2/

Editing the Workspace - Creating a New Workspace
- It is not a good idea to edit an existing workspace, it is a good idea to copy an existing workspace for editing.

Workspace Editing - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/12/10440/workspace-editing-part-1/

What is the Workspace
- The workspace is the arrangement of the tools and menus.