Introduction to Customising VectorWorks

Introduction

VectorWorks works really well, but if you edit the workspace, and customise the arrangement of the tools and menus you can work faster and happier. We will learn how to edit the workspace and add commands to the right mouse button.

VectorWorks also has a built in programming language called VectorScript  that lets you make your own tools and commands. We will learn how to do some basic programming and learn how to start to make your own tools and commands.

Why Change VectorWorks?

The program as it comes out of the box is designed by someone else, it was not designed by you.  They have made assumptions about the way they think you will work.  They could be wrong, there could be better ways for you to work.  Customising VectorWorks is a way that you can change the program to suit you.  The aim is to make VectorWorks easier, faster and more enjoyable to use.

To add new tools or commands to Vectorworks, you have copy the plugins to the Plug-ins Folder of you VectorWorks application folder. 

• Locate your new tool or command.

• Right mouse click (control+click) on the tool or command.

• Choose Copy.

• Go to the Plug-ins folder of your  VectorWorks application folder.

• Right mouse click (control+click).

• Choose Paste.

• On a Windows machine Plug-ins will be in the Program Files.

• On a Macintosh the Plug-ins folder will be in the Applications folder;

You can download extra Plug-ins for VectorWorks from several internet places, and you can make your own. To use them, they must be copied to the Plug-ins folder of your  VectorWorks application folder.

Workspaces

Workspaces is VectorWorks’ way of describing the combination of menus and tool palettes.  When you start VectorWorks you get two workspaces, the standard Workspace and the Workspace for your profession.

• From the Menu Bar choose File > Workspaces > Workspace Editor.  

If you choose to create a new Workspace it has nothing in it and you will have to add everything.  The easiest way to start a new Workspace is to edit an existing Workspace.  

• Choose to edit a copy of the current workspace.  Do not edit your original Architect (or profession), or Standard Workspace because if you mess it up you will have nothing to go back to.  

• The edit Workspace dialog box opens.

• On the left hand side is a listing of all possible menu commands that you can install.  On the right hand side is a list of the menu commands that are in your current workspace.

Create a New Menu

• Go to the left hand side and select the New Menu.

• Hold the mouse button down and drag the New Menu across to the right hand side.

• Move your cursor between the Text and Window.  A line appears to show you that VectorWorks will insert your new menu between the View Menu and the Window Menu.  

• Let go of the mouse button.

• Click on the New Menu, it will highlight.  

• Change the name of the new menu to Utilities by typing in the name.

Adding a Menu Command

• To add a menu command,  find the command that you want to add.  

• Click on the command and hold the mouse button down.

• Drag the command over to the right hand side and move your cursor to the new Utilities menu.

• Notice that there is a black line and an arrow where the new command will be inserted.

• Release the mouse button.

• The new command will be in the Utilities Menu.

This is an exert from my Short Sharp Training (monthly). Each month subscribers get a manual like this on a range of topics.

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Introduction to 3D Modeling - Layers for 3D Modeling

Introduction to 3D Modeling
Before you can do any sort of complex 3D modelling you have to understand some of the basic 3D modelling concepts. That’s what this workshop is all about, learning the simple 3D stuff that you need to learn in order to make your 3D stuff.


Often when I am teaching I hear people say, “well, I’ll get the 2D stuff under my belt first and then I’ll get into the 3d Stuff”. One of the things that this tells me is that I haven’t explained the way the VectorWorks is designed.

VectorWorks is designed to be a simple 3D modeling package and if you draw buildings using the wall tool then you are drawing 3D information. If  you use door and window plug-in objects then you are creating 3D information. If you use the VectorWorks roof tools then you are creating 3D information. These things are created for you as you draw.

If you set up the layers correctly then you get walls at the right height, the roof sits on the walls and you can use the 3D model (which was almost created free of effort) to generate the elevations and sections. VectorWorks is designed to make this easy.

The first part of this manual will cover how to set up the layers correctly to  draw the walls, doors and windows.

Layers for 3D Modeling
It’s important to understand how to set a your files to make 3D easy for you. If you use your existing default file it will probably be set up for just 2D use. While this does not stop you creating 3D elements in it. 3D elements can be created in any layer, it would be easier to have your layers set up for 3D work.

However, if you want to create a 3D model then it pays to set up the file at the beginning to accommodate the file. It will make fast and easy to generate the 3D model.
Layers are a horizontal organising method where you can divide your file in to horizontal chunks. These horizontal chunks also have a height and if you set up their heights carefully you can generate your 3D views easily.

• From the Menu Bar choose
Tools > Organization...
• Double click on a layer to edit it.

The Edit Design Layers dialog gives you the opportunity to set up your layers with 3D heights. The Z height and the delta Z are the places where you  set up the heights of each layer.

The Z for the layer is the project height to the bottom of the layer. The delta Z is the height of the layer, its thickness.

Layers do not have to be stacked neatly on top of each other and more than one layer can occupy the same space. There could be a gap between the layers if you wanted.

3D objects don’t have to stop at the top of the layer, they can go beyond the delta Z height. You could say that the top of the layer is a conceptual top not an actual top.
Using Project Levels for the Layer 

You can use the Project Levels (RL) for the setting out of the layers but there are some things that you need to watch out for. When the RL’s are large, say over 20m then when you go to a front view of the building it is so high on the page, you’ll think that it is not there. If the levels are too high the front view will go out of the printable area.

So there is a better way. That is to decide to set one of the FFL’s as z=0 in the Layer Setup. Then all the z heights in the file are relative to this height.


Setting up the Layers

To set up the layers for the project you need to have some idea of the construction and setting out. For example if the construction is 2710 high from the underside of the bottom plate to the topside of the top plate. The floor thickness will depend on the project, depending on the floor joists that you use. For this example the joists are 200x50 with 20mm particle board on top. The construction of the top floor is 2440 from the underside of the bottom plate to the top of the top plate.

On the Organization dialog box the Mod-Level 1 layer will be set up so that it goes from the underside of the bottom plate (top of slab) to the underside of the bottom plate on the Mod-Level 2 (top of the floor). I find it easy to set up the layers from FFL to FFL.

Door and Window Objects

When you place a door, a window or a windoor object, you have the option to put in the height and width of the object. That is you get the change to put in the 3D dimensions of the window or door.

Take advantage of this because it makes it easy to use the model that you are making for elevations and sections.

after you have placed the window or door in the drawing you can edit the 3D portion of the door using the Obj Info palette.

This is an exert from my Short Sharp Training (monthly). Each month subscribers get a manual like this on a range of topics.

This is an exert from my Short Sharp Training (monthly). Each month subscribers get a manual like this on a range of topics. Subscribe here.

The full manual is now available at the Amazon Kindle bookstore. You can view kindle books on your iphone, blackberry, PC and Mac, check it out here. 

short Sharp Training Monthly - Irrigation tools

Introduction

Vectorworks has several irrigation tools. There are tools for placing sprinkers, pipes, and drip emitters, and there are worksheets for counting these objects.

The irrigation tools are only available if you have Vectorworks Landmark. But what if you have Vectorworks Fundamentals, Architect, or one of the other Vectorworks packages? You can’t use the irrigation tools, but you can build symbols that replicate the sprinklers and drip emitters. They will not be as flexible, but it is a workaround. We will cover these later, after looking at the Landmark tools.

Irrigation Heads
The irrigation head tool is used to place your sprinklers. This tool creates a 2D object that shows the head and spray pattern. It does not create a 3D version, although with Vectorworks 2010 you can see the spray patern in 3D, but only if you layer plane.

Because the object is 2D only, you can’t use the Send to Surface command to see the irrigation head on your site model, the planar graphics always have the spray pattern on the bottom of the layer.
In earlier versions of Vectorworks the spray pattern is 2D only, and you can not change it.

Go to the Site Planning Tool set.
Choose the Irrigation Head tool.

Go to the Tool Bar.
Click on the Preferences... button, the last button on the tool bar.

This dialog box controls all the settings for the Irrigation Head.
Fill in the dialog box to suit the Irrigation Head you want to use.
Click on the OK button.

Move your cursor into the drawing area.
You should notice a ghost image on the cursor. This is your Irrigation Head.

Move your cursor to the centre position for your first Irrigation Head (sprinkler).
Click once.

The next click controls rotation.
Move along the edge of the object you want to use. 

Click once.
This has positioned the Irrigation head (sprinkler).

Move to the next location.
Click once.

Move your cursor to set the rotation.
Click once.

Place the other sprinklers you want.

This is an exert from my Short Sharp Training (monthly). Each month subscribers get a manual like this on a range of topics.

Subscribe here.

Why Invest in Vectorworks if You Won't Learn How to Use it Effectively?

I have been chatting to my friend Bill. He was telling me about several of his clients that have bought Vectorworks, but are not willing to invest in training. That's like buying a car that you can't drive.

Vectorworks is a sophisticated program, there is so much you an learn about it. The difference between being self-taught and learning from a trainer could be the difference of an hour a day when you are up to speed. So, you could save yourself a day a week if you used the training resources that are available.

Some of my manuals look expensive, but if you were having trouble with roofs for example, you might find the answer in my manual within a few minutes, saving you a few hours of trial and error. Those saved hours would easily pay for my most expensive manuals.



Another example is learning correctly, from the beginning. I have some users at my 101 Landmark course this week. They are learning the correct way to get started, the easy way to draw landscapes. To get started well makes it easy to use vectorworks forever, and it makes Vectorworks fun. Attending a course is the easy way to get started, someone watches you to make sure you are
learning correctly.

It's Never The Right Time To Start Your Vectorworks Library

I've been chatting to a client over skype today. We were talking about making a Vectorworks library. My client was talking about how he has finally started to make his Vectorworks library, even though it is not the right time. I think that it's never he right time to start your Vectorworks library, but you have to start it anyway. If you wait until the right time, you will be waiting forever.

Do not wait until you have all the symbols you need, that will never happen, because you will always be need more. Building technology changes, client requests change, you change. So, do not wait.

There are so many parts to the Vectorworks library. In the past, you used one file to build your Vectorworks library. All your hatches, gradients, symbols and so on would be stored there.  You could add this your Resource Browser as a favorite.

Vectorworks now uses a folder to store default content. Hatches are stored in one place, gradients in another.

This might not seem a good idea, but it really does work well. When you use the Attributes Palette to assign a hatch, Vectorworks looks in the hatch default folder and shows you all the hatches it finds. this makes it easy to assign the hatches from your library.















So, the answer is to get started now. Make a library, even a bad one. It will make you more efficient than no library.

The notes my client was reading are still available at this web site.

ebook For Sale - Vectorworks Irrigation tools

I've been looking at ebooks for a while now, and I have started to create ebooks for sale. I wonder if ebooks are going to be a better way to deliver Vectorworks manuals online. The ebooks contain instructions and screen shots. In A5 format (about half a letter size), this manual has about 60 pages and 70 screen shots.

I have posted an ebook about using the irrigation tools in Vectorworks Landmark for version 12-2010. You can purchase the manual at lulu.com If you have a kindle the manual will be available soon. Just search for Vectorworks at the Kindle store.



Clicking on the link will take you to a web site to purchase the manual.

Free Vectorworks Training on Irrigation

Each month I offer free training so you can try out my online user group, Short Sharp Training. This month we are looking at the Irrigation Tools for Vectorworks. There are tools to add irrigation heads, drip emitters and irrigation lines. There are also way to report these. So, we will be looking at these tools.

But what if you do not have Vectorworks Landmark? Well, there are other ways, some people say better ways, of creating irrigation. So, we will be looking at this other way to create your irrigation plan and how to schedule the total length of irrigation pipe, sprinklers, drip emitters, risers and junctions.

Date: Wednesday 10th March NZDT (use this to convert to your time zone http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc

Location: online, so it is at your computer. You will need a headset with mic.

Cost: Free

This training will suit all levels of Vectorworks user, I will be explaining the concepts as I use them. The Training is limited to 20 people, so if you want to learn about this, please email me at jon@archoncad.co.nz

Vectorworks Manuals on Your iPhone

I am really excited to see my monthly manuals on my iPhone. I found an application you can buy from the iTunes Application store for viewing PDF files called PDF Reader Pro, which you can buy from http://www.yuyao.com.tw/pdfreader.html

The reason I like this app, is that you can use WIFI to upload files to your iPhone. This means you can read your PDF files when you are off line. It means you do not have to download the PDF file each time you want to view the file.

Using this app, I was able to see my Short Sharp Training on my iPhone. If you are a subscriber, you would have noticed that the new manuals are formatted in A5 format (about 1/2 letter size). Formatting the manual this way means there are more pages, but it also means that the manuals appear really well on the iPhone.

I can't wait to see this on a bigger format device like a kindle or iPad.

Now, if you do not want to buy this app for your iPhone, you can use other methods.

One way is to copy the PDF file to iDisk . This will allow you to view the PDF online, but it will force you to download the file each time you want to view it.

Another method is to use DropBox . Dropbox is an online storage system.

You can set up a folder online, and then copy any files you want to it.

This will allow you to view the PDF online, but it will force you to download the file each time you want to view it.

If you are not a subscriber, you can join here.

Vectorworks 2010 Tutorial Manuals on Windows 7

I have just had an email from a client using Windows 7. He was having trouble seeing the movies I've embedded into the pdf copy of the manual. This is not unusual if you do not open the PDF with Acrobat Reader. Normally this affects Macintosh clients, because they have a habit of double clicking on the PDF to start. 


The solution on a Macintosh is to right mouse click (control+click) on the PDF and choose Open With... and then choose Adobe Reader. 


The solution is similar on window 7. Here is my reply from the client:
1. Insert the disk into the disk drive. On my computer, with windows 7, I go to the windows icon and select "computer". The selections change and there is an "eject" option.  This opens the drawer to the Disk Drive.
2. I insert the disk and after a bit of spinning I am given a menu of choices so I select "Open Folder to view files".
3. At this point a screen entitled Paper Port opens. On the left is all my computers files and on the right a big screen showing a page from your manual and the sub title or file name that is Essential_Tutorial_Manual_2nd_Edition.
4. Now I right click (not double click)this file and an option screen appears which allows me to "Open".
5. At this point after a bit the file is opened in ADOBE. AN NOW IT IS SHOWING YOUR MOVIES JUST FINE.

Using Stacked Layers/Unified View

Stacked layers and Unified View allow you see all your layers together, so when you change views, all the layers change. But there are some things to watch for, like the 2D stuff.

Setting up your layers correctly is essential is you want to use Vectorworks for BIM, and if you want to use Stacked Layers or Unified View.


Stacked layers was a new technique introduced in Vectorworks 2008. Before Vectorworks 2008, if you wanted to see a complete view of your project, you would make a new layer for 3D viewing. Then you could layer link all your design layers to the 3D model layer. In order to view your model, you would change to this layer and make all the Layer Options Active Only. This would be the place to set up views for rendering, creating elevations and so on.

With Vectorworks 2008 and 2009, you do not have to set up the 3D model layer. Stacked Layers allow you to see all the visible layers in your file, and when you move the view around, all the layers look like they are joined together. Vectorworks uses the layer Z height to get all the layers to set correctly in 3D.

This is the normal view of a building when you change the view. One layer has the correct view, the other has remained in isometric. When you change views, both layers do not change together.
The answer is to use Stacked Layers.

Go to the View bar. This is one place where you will find the Stack layers .

The other place to find Stack Layers... is on the View menu.

When you turn on Stack Layers, all visible layers change to the same view. If you change the view, all the visible layers show the same view.

Go to the Menu Bar.
Choose View >  Stack Layers Options...

You can set the options you want.

The top option controls the look of all the 2D objects. If you turn this option on, all the 2D objects are shown.Notice all the dimensions, they can get in the way.

Try turning off the Display 2D objects option.

For visualization, this is a better option. The model looks a lot cleaner.

You will find it difficult to work with stacked layered turned on, there are some things that do not work, like you can’t use Show/Snap/Modify others for the layer options, and all of the 2D tools don’t work.
You will find yourself turning stacked layers on, just for visualization. You will have to turn Stacked Layers off to work.

Many users struggle with setting up their layer heights correctly in Vectorworks. This Short Sharp Manual will help.

You can purchase this manual at this web site:
http://www.archoncad.com/electronic-manuals.html

Electronic books

I have been looking at ebooks on the Internet lately, and I am starting to see them as being more useful.

I've been looking at ebooks since I got my first Palm Pilot, about ten years ago. At first I found them to be too small to read, and too many pages. A small novel turns into a thousand pages. The would end up with writing was too small, or there would end up with just one paragraph on each page.

Lately, I've been trying out ebooks on my iPhone. The screen is small, but not too small. The text is easy to resize. You can read landscape or portrait, and it's easy to change the brightness.

Ideally, if the iPhone was bigger, it would be even better, like the Kindle from Amazon. I would love to try out a Kindle, but they don't sell the kindle where I live. Is there anyone out there with a kindle willing to tell me what it is like? Please leave a comment, or email me.

The new Apple iPad should be the answer. Like an iPhone, but bigger.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Vectorworks Irrigation Tools

I'm just starting to write my notes for my Short Sharp Training (monthly) subscription. In march we are looking at the irrigation tools in Vectorworks. We will be looking at the standard irrigation tools for pipe runs and emitters, and we will be looking at how to schedule these.

The irrigation tools are only available in Vectorworks Landmark, but what if you have Vectorworks Architect and still want to use irrigation tools? I will also be looking at other ways of creating an irrigation plan and how you can use irrigation in 3D.

If you are using these tools, please leave a comment or get in touch at http://www.archoncad.co.nz  Are you happy with the irrigation tools and scheduling? Let em know...

It's hard to sit down...

It's hard to sit down when you are not allowed to move the chairs...

101 Vectorworks Landmark Online Course - March 2010

In March 2010, I have a 101 Landmark course starting. This course is ideal for users that have yet to get started with Vectorworks Landmark. This is a structured online training system, designed to teach you Vectorworks, delivered to your computer in bite-sized chunks. We use a high speed Internet connection so you can see my computer screen and you can talk to me and the other students. If we need to, your screen can be shown so I can watch you working and correct any mistakes.


There are two (one hour) sessions each week, and we progress through a series of projects. You are expected to be an active participant and complete set homework. I have a youtube movie that will show you what we cover in this course:





For more information, and to register for this course, please visit this web site.

Best Practice for Importing DXF/DWG

A few months ago, the Vectorworks online user group covered the topic of importing and exporting DXF/DWG files. The result is this short manual: 
We often have to work with consultants and clients that do not use Vectorworks. DXF or DWG (AutoCAD) is usually the best way to do this. It will allow the you to use their information in Vectorworks, or it will allow them to import your work.


When you import a DXF/DWG file, there are many options to choose. Choosing the correct options will make it easy, choosing the wrong options can really mess up your drawing. And what should you do if the drawings are always the wrong scale?


This short manual has 34 pages and over 170 screen shots to show you clearly what you need to learn. You can purchase this manual for downloading at this page.

Short Sharp Training (monthly) finished

I have just finished the manual for my Short Sharp Training (monthly). This month we covered stack layers/Unified View and how to set up layers.

Stack Layers and Unified View really needs to have correctly set up layers. Several of my clients have trouble getting all the layers to sit nicely on top of each other, and mostly the can't get the roof to sit nicely on the walls.

This topic was requested by the subscribers, and it seems to be well recieved. Those that attended said that they now understand about setting up layers now. I think they will all avoid that Model Setup dialog box now. I think it causes a lot of confusion, and it doesn't suit many projects.

Model View Tool, broken, or a waste of time?

I have just been trying to use the model view tool.

This tool is an old one and dates back to the time before we could make live sections and elevations on sheet layers. I saw an email where a Vectorworks user was having trouble with it.

I haven't used this tool for ages, so I thought I would have a play with it. There are a couple of challenges with it. First it uses layer links so that it can rotate the layer links to the chosen orientation. The problem with this is that layer links are not as powerful as viewports. The other problem is that you can't look at the model view with Top/Plan view turned on. You get the roof in plan, while the walls are in 3D.

Instead of using the Model view tool, you are better to make your own viewports on sheet layers. 

Should reading and user groups be in work time?

Over the years, I've had a lot of discussions with clients over the timing of  my Vectorworks user groups. Some say the user group meetings should be after hours, so that it doesn't get in the way of work. Mainly it's the employers and self-employed that say this. 

The employees tend to say that if the user group is an advantage to the employer, then the user groups should be in work time. After all, if they get better at Vectorworks that is an advantage to the business. 

If you went to a seminar on improved insulation, solar water heating, or some other construction technology, would you expect that to be after hours? All the building seminars I've seen are in work time. the presenters don't want to work after hours, so why is it the that the expectation is that the user group meetings should occur after hours?

AS it's turned out, I run 4 different sessions times each month for my subscribers. They can choose a time during work, or in the evening. As it turns out, the most popular time is Friday morning...

I recently started reading a book to help my business. Should I be reading this during business hours. The common wisdom is that I shouldn't read this during business hours. If the book turned out to be a real bonus to my business, why not read the book during work time. 

It is alright for me, I'm self employed, so I only have myself to answer to. Image if you worked in a large company and you were sitting back reading a book when your boss walked past. Ouch, you'd probably get fired. But if you learned something that would help the business, it would be a good thing...

By the way, the book I am reading is The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris. you can read more about here at the blog of Timothy Ferris

Setting the Layer Height for a Roof

I have just finished my Vectorworks online user group meeting. We spent ages talking about setting the layer height for the roof. The others at the session had many questions about layer heights.

One of the frequent questiions was about setting the layer height for a roof. I use this: set the Layer Z of the roof layer to the same height as the layer Z of the floor supporting the roof.

Another question was about using the Model Setup command. I never use the Model Setup command. The main problem to watch out for is the roof height. The layer Z of the roof layer should be the same as the layer Z of the floor supporting the roof, but this dialog box shows the setting for the roof layer to the underside of the roof. This causes confusion every time you use this dialog box.

If you have a building with 3 floors and 2 roof heights, the model setup can not cope, so you still have to learn how to set up the layers correctly. If you learn how to set up the layers correctly, you don't have to use the Model Setup, and you will get your layers faster.

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Using Layers or Classes in Vectorworks

I have been reading a discussion on the Vectorworks Discussion email list about how to set up drawings for a renovation project. Some people prefer to use a extra layer for the existing building, I prefer to use one layer for each story of the building. Everything that relates to that floor of the building is on that layer. Yes, this means lots of classes, but with the visibility tool, they are easy to turn on and off. 



This post has moved here....

I have written a new manual for Layers and Classes. You can read more about it here...

Stacked Layers/Unified View

This month the Vectorworks online User Group is looking at Stacked Layers/Unified View and how to set up your layer heights correctly. http://www.archoncad.co.nz/usergroup/join_int.php

Stacked layers was a new technique introduced in Vectorworks 2008. Before Vectorworks 2008, if you wanted to see a complete view of your project, you would make a new layer for 3D viewing. Then you could layer link all your design layers to the 3D model layer. 

In order to view your model, you would change to this layer and make all the Layer Options Active only. This would be the place to set up views for rendering, creating elevations and so on. 

With Vectorworks 2008 and 2009, you do not have to set up the 3D model layer. Stacked Layers allow you to see all the visible layers in your file, and when you move the view around, all the layers look like they are joined together. Vectorworks uses the layer Z height to get all the layers to set correctly in 3D. 

Stacked layers in Vectorworks 2008 and 2009 had some limitations:

you can't use Show/Snap/Modify others for the layer options, 

all of the 2D tools don't work 

You will find yourself turning stacked layers on, just for visualization. You will have to turn Stacked Layers off to work.

The Unified View in Vectorworks 2010 is a big improvement, you can edit everything, on all the layers.

Monthly Manuals work again and again

Hi Jonathan,

a thank you for your excellent support products, had a problem with
wanting to cut out a section of eaves on a colonial roof to slot in a
veranda, was nearly going to call you then looked up your tutorials, and
YEP there it was, Cut out in a standard roof, page 13, dealing with roof's
tutorial.

Independance is great,, Many Thanks... Peter

Join the monthly tutorials at http://www.archoncad.co.nz

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Vectorworks for quick Visualization

I have been working on a visualization project for a client this week. I'm surprised how fast the project has come together. Using wall styles allowed me to texture all the walls together. Plant image props and furniture have made it fast to populate the scene.

I used a lot of floors because the site is completely flat. The easy way the get the polygon for the floors is to use the 2D polygon tool with the second mode, the paintpot. It was so fast to create all the floors.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

iPad

I know, everybody is talking about the iPad (http://www.apple.com/ipad/). But I have been thinking about it, and while some people have pointed out all the things that are missing, I think they are missing the point of the ipad.

The ipad is not a laptop with a touch screen. It would have been easy to make a macbook with a touch screen, but that is not the purpose of the iPad. I have seen many people point out that the iPad is missing a USB port, keyboard and so on. these are things that a laptop has. If you want all these things in your iPad, then you really want a laptop.

I remember when the first iMac came out. Everyone complained that it was missing a floppy disk. But Apple stuck to it and soon the floppy was a forgotten storage system. The iMac did not have a serial bus. Everyone complained that they could not use their old keyboards, mouse and scanners. Now we don't even think about the change we made, it's all USB.

I think of the iPad as being like the first iPod. When the iPod first arrived, we did see the change that it would make to our music habits. Until then we listened to albums or CDs, we did not listen to our library. We could not shuffle our entire music collection. Now, it would be hard to remember what it was like before. Imagine having to get up and change the CD when you've only heard two songs. Now we have shuffle, genuis playlists and even movies and tv shows on our iPods. I didn't see that coming when we had the first iPod.

I believe the iPad is similar. We can't see where the iPad will be in a year's time. We are judging the iPad from our current understanding, which is limited to our history. We need to judge the iPad on what we will be able to do with it, and that we don't know. Software developers are starting to image what they can do with it, and when they tell us, we will be amazed at what the iPad can do.

The iPad is not a big phone, it is not a laptop, it is something completely different. How does this fit with Vectorworks (http://www.nemetschek.net/)? Maybe it will be an input device, maybe a Vectorworks viewer. If nothing else, it makes a nice PDF viewer to carry your drawings to site and make notes.

Maybe it will change your computer buying habits. Instead of buying a Macbook pro (or PC equivalent),  you will buy a desktop machine and an iPad. More power when you need it, more portability when you want it.

archoncad Newsletter February 2010

Hi!

I hope you all enjoyed the last newsletter, I know several of you read it. I would like you to tell me what you would like to hear about future newsletters.

In this newsletter have 6 topics for you:

1. The Vectorworks online user group is meeting again in February. There is a free meeting in the 2nd week of February. Be quick, the January meeting filled up in 30 mins.click on this link to see the calendar.
2. Backing up your work is vital. Install  automated backup software to save time, and save your work.  click on this link.
3. Many of my clients do not know that we have created some of the best short manuals for Vectorworks. These are short task-based manuals without movies. There are about 16 manuals on a range of topics. click on this link.
4. Courses are starting again. Learn Vectorworks in the new classroom, online. Small classes, interactive, click on this link for details
5. The second edition of my Landmark and 3D Modeling manuals have started shipping. I've got mine! click on this link
6. Here is one of my popular youtube movies on the Snap Loupe tool in Vectorworks 2009 and 2010 click on this link

Jonathan Pickup
++ 64 21 743 470
http://www.archoncad.co.nz
jon@archoncad.co.nz
skype me: archoncad@skype.com
follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/archoncad
view my youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/archoncad
follow my blogs: http://web.me.com/jpickup1/Site/Blog/Blog.html

Using iWeb for blogging

Until recently, I have been usin iWeb (the Apple application) for writing my blogs. I recently made some changes to the name of my blog, and iWeb changed the names of all my podcasts and blogs.

This has broken all my podcast and blog links. So, every link to a blog or podcast that I have written or created is now broken. This is not the effect I wanted.

I'm really dissapointed, I really enjoy using iWeb to create my blogs. It's very easy to use, maybe it's too easy, and so it turned out to be too good to be true.

One of the things I just found out about iWeb, is that you can't copy the text off the screen when you look at the web. When you look at a iWeb site in a browser, instead off seeing text that you can copy and paste, you see an image. No copy and pasting, and my guess is that robots and spiders can't read the image.

So, for now, I'm back to using this site for blogging. If you have any suggestions for software to use for blogging, leave a comment below.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone