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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Vectorworks Tip #120 - Visualization - Create Animation - Move Along a Path

If you have tried the Orbit Point animation and now you want to try a more advanced animation, this is the one to try. You save a series of views, then put these views on a timeline. Vectorworks uses these views to walk through your model. It takes a lot of care to make sure that the views flow from one to another, but you can make inviting animations.

The leader in Vectorworks training and manuals: http://learn.archoncad.com

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

3D Modelling Special Interest Group - July 2014

Commands in detail – Extrude Along Path (EAP). The session decided that it would be a good idea to look at one particular command (Extrude Along Path). In detail to see what works and what doesn't work, to see where you need to be careful and see where we can find a substitute.

Vectorworks Tip #119 - Basic Tools - Instant Access to The Floating Data Bar

The Floating Data Bar is extremely useful for typing the the size of objects that you are drawing, that you often have to use the Tab key to access it. There is a quick preference that allows you to set the numeric keypad to have instant access to the data bar. Activating this option Will substantially speed up your drawing.

The leader in Vectorworks training and manuals: http://learn.archoncad.com


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

podcast 187 - Ortho Drawing in Vectorworks Using Angle Snaps

Some users want to be able to draw orthographically (constrained to 0, 90). I usually get this request from AutoCAD users. Hold down the Shift key to constrain linear objects (walls, lines, polygons) to orthographic and other objects (rectangles, ovals) to symmetric. You can also control the angles for othro drawing using the Snap to Angle, So let's look at that as well.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Vectorworks Tip #118 - Slabs - Use Slab Components to Create Slab Recesses.

You can use the slab components to control how much of the slab is cut out. In this image the slab has been cut out one component at a time. If you need to have a set down in the slab, you can use a component to control it.

The leader in Vectorworks training and manuals: http://learn.archoncad.com

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Vectorworks Tip #117 - 3D Modelling - Automatic Working Planes

Automatic Working Planes. When you understand the concept of working planes, Automatic working planes will be easy to use. Automatic working planes allows you to instantly find and use working planes on the objects you move near. The Automatic Working Plane will appear as a blue plane on the object.

Vectorworks Tip #116 - Visualization - Create Animation - Orbit point

Create Animation - Orbit point. The easiest way to create an animation is to create a an Orbit Point animation. First, set the view, then choose the animation options for the duration and angle. If you have never made an animation in Vectorworks before, try this one, it's almost impossible to fail.

The leader in Vectorworks training and manuals: http://learn.archoncad.com

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Vectorworks Tip #115 - Basic Tools - Ortho drawing in Vectorworks

Some users want to be able to draw orthographically (constrained to 0, 90). I usually get this request from AutoCAD users. Hold down the Shift key to constrain linear objects (walls, lines, polygons) to orthographic and other objects (rectangles, ovals) to symmetric.

 


The leader in Vectorworks training and manuals: http://learn.archoncad.com

Wednesday, July 09, 2014

Vectorworks Tip #114 - Basic Tools - Edit the Contextual Menu

Once you start using the contextual menu, you will find that some of your favourite commands are not there. You can use the Workspace Editor to edit the menus to add the commands that you prefer using. This can dramatically speed up your drawing. An easy way to customise your workspace is to use the Customise... button at the bottom of a tool palette or set.

 


The leader in Vectorworks training and manuals: http://learn.archoncad.com

Friday, July 04, 2014

Vectorworks Tip #113 - Slabs - Slabs

Slabs are like walls. You can create slab styles that can be stored in your library so that you can use them on all your projects. If you set up your slab styles to work with your wall styles and stories, they will be easier to use, and when you move the walls, the slabs will update to match the walls.

The leader in Vectorworks training and manuals: http://learn.archoncad.com

 

Thursday, July 03, 2014

Vectorworks Tip #112 - 3D Modelling - Save Working Plane

Save Working Planes. You can use the Working Planes palette to save working planes, but you can also use the right-mouse click. Set your working plane, then right-click away from everything and choose Working Plane > Save Working Plane.

The leader in Vectorworks training and manuals: http://learn.archoncad.com

Wednesday, July 02, 2014

Vectorworks Tip #111 - Visualization - Classes for Area Light

Classes with area lights. Be very careful about the classes that you use when you make Area lights. The easiest way to do this is to make sure that the first object you create for the area light is on the None class. After you have made the Area light, then assign it to the correct class.

The leader in Vectorworks training and manuals: http://learn.archoncad.com

Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Vectorworks Tip #110 - Basic Tools - Visibility Tool - Turn Off Classes

If you use a lot of classes, like I do, then it can be had to remember the names of the all the classes, so when you want to turn some of the classes off, you find it hard to locate the classes on the Navigation palette. I don't bother to find them on the Navigation palette, I use the Visibility tool. Set the options on the Tool bar, then just click on the objects that you want to hide. The Visibility tool will turn off the class for you.

The leader in Vectorworks training and manuals: http://learn.archoncad.com