epodcast200 - Create Dimension Standards

When you create a Dimension Standard you will find that it is only in the file you created it. Unlike other resources, Dimension Standards cannot be exported to your library. They also do not appear in the Resource Manager. However, you can import Dimension Standards from  another file.  When you create a dimension standard there is an Import button on the dialog box. If you click on this button, you can navigate to the file that has the correct Dimension Standard. When you choose your Dimension Standards, they will be imported into your current file.

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epodcast199 - Create Similar Object

When you are creating your projects, you often want to create more objects like to ones you already have. You could copy an paste an object, but then you have to move it and edit it. The Create Similar Object command sets the same tool, class, and tool settings as the original. This allows you to move a new location and start using the correct tool instantly.

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epodcast198 - Slab Drainage

Vectorworks 2017 introduced Slab Drainage. There is a specific tool to use to create the drainage. This tool has several modes that allow you to add a drain, edit the location and direction, connect drains together, and edit the valleys. The slab drainage can change the entire slab, or it can taper a component of the slab, but it only works with slabs.

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epodcast197 - Select Similar Tool

I use this tool a lot to select a group of things that are similar. You can define how similar they are. They could be the same class, the came object type, or a combination of these. You can save your favorite settings so that you can recall them easily.

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epodcast195 - Keeping Viewports Rendered

When you open a file, you sometimes find that all the viewports need updating. This can be frustrating and time consuming. There are a few things you can try. You can enable the Viewport Cache or you can convert the viewports to bitmaps. 

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podcast 224 Align & Distribute

You can use the contextual menu to activate Align/Distribute.

podcast 223 - Roadway (Custom Kerb)

Of all the roads available in Vectorworks, this is the most flexible.

Podcast 221 - Exporting web view using Vectorworks 2017

In November 2016 my subscription workshop will be looking at creating an interior design project. As part of the project I wanted to show people how they can export the design so that other people can look at it, and Vectorworks 2017 has a facility for exporting your design as a virtual reality project (called web view). This movie is an introduction to using web view with Vectorworks 2017. You will see how you can view the project, export the project and then view this this a web browser..

Bamboo Spark

I often use the Bamboo Spark to take notes in meeting and when I am training others. the great thing about it is that you write on regular paper and the Spark then sends the electric version of your notes to your device. The Bamboo Spark software works on your iPad or android device.
It is a great utility for recording your notes and you can use it with Bamboo Paper to colour your notes and sketches.

Podcast 220 - Creating Downspouts With Vectorworks 2017

A few months ago I covered Roof Accessories with my subscription group. I covered using Extrude Along Path… to create the downpipes (downspouts), but I did not cover this plug-in. This plug-in is a very quick way of creating your downpipes (downspouts) few models, and it is also free from this website (https://andreafacchinello.wordpress.com).Thank you Andrea this is a great utility!

Podcast 219 - Sketching on an iPad using Procreate

Using an app like Procreate does allow you to trace over a photo, but I prefer to sketch over the photo so that it is not a direct copy. I used to have great drawing tutor (Pat Hanley) that kept telling use to focus on the “Big Issues” when drawing.

You can read more about this here:
http://learn.archoncad.com/2016/06/28213/sketching-on-an-ipad/

podcast 218 - Apple iOS 9 - WiFi Assist

One of the new features of iOS9 is WiFi Assist. this tells your phone to use cellular data when the phone is connected to a low quality WiFi signal. This will mean that your phone looks for the best signal whether it is WiFi or cellular.

Podcast 217 - Microsoft Word Tips - Styles

When I create documents using Microsoft Word, I always make sure that I set up my paragraphs using styles. Styles allow you to control the font, size, justification, et cetera. They are very powerful and they are easy to apply.

podcast 216 - Full Screen Window Macintosh Yosemite

I recently upgraded my computer to Yosemite. I have a habit of wanting to see my drawing window full-screen. However, when I click on the green button to make my drawing wonderful screen I have been losing my menubar. In this movie I will show you how to change this. I am sure that many people know this trick already but when I found that I was very happy.

epodcast194 - Interactively Scaling a Viewport By Dragging

You can't change the scale of the viewport by interactively scaling it (using the selection tool  to drag the corner).  But you are allowed to do this to a group. If you make the viewport into a group, then you can  and interactively scale it.

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epodcast193 - Plants and Row Spacing

Vectorworks 2017 introduced a change to the plant spacing. in the past your plant spacing was a specific number and that was it. Now, plant spacing can be a specific number or it can be "Best Fit." The idea of best fit is that Vectorworks will try to put as many plants as it can using the spacing that you have specified,  but it will always place plant start click and at the end click. As well as that, Vectorworks added the option to have the row spacing different from the plant spacing.

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epodcast192 - Custom Door Leaves

Vectorworks has the ability to create custom leaves for a door. You can use this to create any door shape that you want. The only thing to look out for is that the door leaf has to be a 3D Symbol. The 3D objects have to be simple (extrusions, add solids, subtract solids, or generic solids). You can also use this technique to create partial height doors (bar doors).

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epodcast191 - Story Levels With Symbols

This is a new technique in Vectorworks 2017. You can use a level to control the insertion point of a symbol. In this example I have a symbol for a power outlet with a 3D component. If you create a level for this symbol, you can set the height of the symbol using the level. When you need to change the elevation of all the power outlet in that story, change the level elevation. All the power sockets on that story will update.

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Fixing Computer Issues

https://youtu.be/nn2FB1P_Mn8

(There might be offensive language in the YouTube clip)

When my computer, phone, or Vectorworks misbehaves, I follow the advice from the IT Crowd, and restart the thing. I know this sounds like simplistic advice, but it so often works.

Vectorworks Tip 440 - Adjacency Matrix

Vectorworks spaces have the ability to create and read Adjacency Matrices. OK, but what are they and how do you read one. In simple terms, the Adjacent Matrix tells you the relationship between rooms. The Adjacancy Matrix uses and scale from o to 5. 0 means that the rooms have no need to be near each other, 5 means that the rooms have a strong relationship.

For example, the relationship between the master bedroom and ensuite bathroom might have a number 5 relationship, they should be next to each other.

In this example we will use the master bedroom. We want to find the relationship between the master bedroom and the ensuite. Start with the the room name and follow this to the right. Now follow the diagonal down.

Now go to the other room, in this case the ensuite. Follow this room to the right and follow the diagonal until you intersect the diagonal from the other room.

The next example is the relationship between the master bedroom and the double bedroom. Start with the the master bedroom and follow this to the right, then follow the diagonal down. Now go to the other room, in this case the double bedroom. Go to the right and follow the diagonal until you intersect the diagonal from the master bedroom.

In this example the relationship is a -, or no relationship. So if I was the designer, I would make sure that these rooms are not near each other.

My final example is the relationship between the master bedroom and the outdoor area. If you follow the matrix you find that the score is 3. This means that the rooms have to be close to each other. You have to be able to easily access the outdoor area from the bedroom, but they do not have to be right next to each other.

Once you have this Adjacency Matrix, you can use many other Vectorworks tools and commands to create spaces, create a concept design, and later on, use the spaces to create the walls.