novedge Vectorworks Webinar Series - 003 The Problem is Counting, The Answer is Worksheets.

Register here..
VectorWorks offers the possibility of  creating spreadsheets within the drawing.  That means you can count things, create databases, extract information from objects and do mathematical operations and functions without having to leave VectorWorks.

These spreadsheets, or worksheets as they are called in VectorWorks, are linked to the source of information so the worksheet can be updated when the source changes or to put it another way, if you edit the things in the drawing the spreadsheet can be updated easily.

The most powerful worksheets in VectorWorks are databases linked to Symbols or Plug-in Objects listing the data entered in the different fields.  As you add these objects into the file you can update the worksheet and check the information.  An example of this would be a bracing spreadsheet that tracks the bracing objects in the drawing.  As you add bracing objects the worksheet tracks the number, type and length of the brace and puts this information into the worksheet, telling you if you have achieved enough bracing in each direction.

We can classify the worksheets into a few different groups depending on the nature of the worksheets:

• Count / select objects ( generally symbols ) through the file.  They do not need to have a record attached and they need not be in the same Class or Layer.  We can choose to count symbols on a specific layer or assigned to a specific class.
• Do mathematical operations with the parameters of drawn objects: 
• areas, perimeters, volume etc.  
• Name the objects ( Object Info Palette) and find properties of them and their combinations
• Create reports using symbols with records and list the field values from the symbols in the report.  

Register here...

archoncad calendar now available

I have been requested by several people to turn all my sketches into a calendar. I have scanned many of my sketches from my travels, and I have made two calendars. I have used a web site called lulu.com.  You can see the calendars if you click on the button.

Terrific Textures

I'm just writing my manual for the user group, all the subscribers will be getting this manual in a week or two. I just wanted to share some of the textures we will be learning about.

There are two textures here. One for the marble and the other for the glass. The marble texture is really easy to make. It has a shinny surface that reflects the window. I like the way the glass has the suggestion of a background reflection. It's a trick really, the texture is made that way.

If you want to join the online session, see this blog post:
http://archoncad.blogspot.com/2010/05/vectorworks-user-group-online-meeting.html

What kind of textures would you like to see covered?
marble, glass, brickwork, blockwork, weatherboard... what else?

What Design Layer Scale Should I Use in Vectorworks

When I draw in Vectorworks I like to keep the scale of the design layer at about the same as the scale of the viewports that I will be creating. This has come about from using Vectorworks for a long time, way before we had viewports, when the only way to create drawings with different scales was to use different layers with the correct scale.

Now that we have viewports, could you draw everything on one layer, then use the viewport scale to create the drawings and details? I guess you could, but it will cause trouble. Robert Anderson from Nemetschek North America puts it like this:

" The "Layer Scale" used by VectorWorks is primarily an exigency of "WYSIWYG" drawing. "Layer Scale" exists to allow graphic properties of the drawing or model to be represented properly, as though you were drawing at a particular scale on a piece of paper. It is a scaling value used to allow proper representation for these attributes:
     -Line weight;
     -Line style (e.g. length of dashes);
     -Marker (arrowhead) size;
     -Text size;
     -Hatch scaling;

In "WYSIWYG" drawing, in order to properly display these attributes, there has to be an intended output scale so you can see how the drawing will look at that intended format. The practical upshot of all this is that you should set your "layer scale" to be the same as the predominant output scale of your project. This will necessitate the least amount of attribute-scaling in viewports."

Try to use the minimum of layer scales.

So, if you want details at 1:5, then create a layer scale at 1:5. When you draw the detail, add the notes and dimensions, the details will look correct in the final viewports, with a minimum of editing (and effort), what you draw will be what you get.

There are two short manuals I have written that will help out here:
Creating drawings for a building project
Creating Construction Details

Vectorworks and BIM

the main Vectorworks web site now has a BIM in practice area. I have found a lot of really useful information here. There is a whole page of BIM articles . 

Of particular interest is this white paper:

An Introduction to the IPD Workflow for Vectorworks BIM Users:
Many architects and architectural designers, particularly those with governmental or institutional clients, are being asked to “deliver BIM”.

This white paper is nearly 30 pages long, and it sets out:

The reasons for BIM

Integrated Project Delivery: The Basics

The National BIM Standard

Using Vectorworks in a BIM / IPD Project

Appendix: A Detailed Procedure for Planning an IPD Project

I really enjoyed reading his white paper, and I think that this white paper is essential reading.  The paper covers the really important aspects of BIM and Vectorworks will work with this. There is still some confusion over what BIM really is, and what clients expect when they talk about a BIM project, or what is a BIM capable program. 

Do we need BIM? The answer is, we can not avoid it. BIM can reduce waste, reduce errors and increase quality and may increase productivity. So, it will be with us in the future. We are moving from a paper-based physically documented project to a data-rich model based information system, and there is no going back. Even if you only draw in 2D you can still leverage some of the BIM capabilities and advantages such as viewports, associative dimensioning and creating data-rich drawings that allow you to create reports on objects in the drawings. 

In a recent interview, Sean Flaherty, the CEO of Nemetschek North America, stated that

"We offer a whole range of different features and allow architects to choose whether to use them or not. And this is going to continue, even as we build. It's important to remember that there are people out there still not using BIM techniques. We don't want to make them second class citizens"

"in some areas it [IFC] is more popular than others. Scandinavian countries, for example, heavily base their operations on IFC, and the US-government now requires plans to be presented in IFC formats. It is increasingly becoming the global standard for model delivery."

So, if you have to deliver IFC models, you have to use Vectorworks as BIM. In my mind, BIM starts right at the very beginning of the project, even before you have start the conceptual design, and this is where you get the quality benefits of BIM, you can check your concept model against site constraints, site modifiers, solar studies. 

Back to the BIM/IPD white paper...

"Most Vectorworks users use it as a 2D- or 2D-3D CAD product. They may use Vectorworks’ “hybrid design” capabilities to develop a visualization model, then “break” the model to create CAD drawings once the design is approved. Or they may be working in a 2D-only environment, taking advantage of Vectorworks’ graphics capabilities. In either case, the user may be unaware that he can use Vectorworks as a fully interoperable BIM authoring tool, or he may be uncertain of just how to initiate such a workflow in Vectorworks.

Vectorworks is a design tool. Architects using Vectorworks, in the designer tradition of "flexible, versatile, affordable" have always been able to "do their own thing" -- as long as the basis of exchange was the physical drawing. And one advantage of Vectorworks for any architecture firm is that it allows the designer to use Vectorworks to “do CAD” or to “do BIM” or even “just design” as the particular design or architectural problem requires.

The BIM delivery of architecture is (not unfairly) perceived as being a more constrained, less flexible environment in which to work. This is true, not the least because the team is now a larger one and the teammates need a common playbook which will not be so tolerant of improvisation or individual style (at least as far as the processes are concerned)."

There are 2 manuals that I have written to help you into BIM:

Introduction to BIM

Guide to Residential Concept Design

Short Sharp Training (Monthly) - May 2010 Simple Stairs in Vectorworks

This month, Short Sharp Training (monthly) looked at the stair tools in Vectorworks 12-2010. Stairs have caused a lot of comment since Vectorworks 2010 came out last year. There are several ways to create stairs in Vectorworks. There a a few tools you can use, some for simple stairs and some for more complex stairs. Then, you can ignore all the tools and use other methods.

As well as stairs we covered:

Extended Podcast 106
Creating a concrete floor symbol to use with the framing member.

Extended Podcast 107
Protrusion/Cutout tool can use used like sketchup.

Beginners Corner 20
Creating Associative Dimensions

The manual was equivalent to 64 A5 pages with over 170 images and 14 linked movies. If you would like this manual, subscribe here.

Book Review - Remarkable Renderworks

Remarkable Renderworks - An Introduction to the Basics by Daniel Jansenson, published by Nemetschek North America.

This manual arrived in the post a few days ago, and I have been reading it ever since. I have heard about this book coming out and I am really pleased to see it. Rendering with Vectorworks is not a small topic, and there are some areas that are very subtle, so we need a manual that explains the basics for the beginner, but also explains the subtle parts of rendering for the more advanced user. That is a tricky balancing act, but I think the author, Daniel Jansenson has done this.

Like all the other NNA manuals, this is a quality offering. It is printed in color, on good quality paper and it is spiral wire bound so that it always sits flat on the desk, or, even better, can be folded back on itself.

The manual starts with an overview of the workflow for visualization. This is a great idea, not just for the beginner. It is a reminder to work in a methodical way so that you don't miss anything, or over complicate the project. There are some sage words of advice here.

The early part of the manual is like a quickstart, so the user understands the basics before moving on. After covering several of the rendering methods the manual movies on to textures. The manual covers the task of creating textures in a stepwise fashion. There are many ways to make textures and this manual covers these in a simple, carefully illustrated way. The whole manuals is full of screen shots, typically there are to or three screen shots on every page.

The middle part of the manual covers applying textures to models, and the final part is about lighting and high quality rendering. Again, the manual is full of step-by-step instructions with loads of screen shots. This was my favorite part of the manual, how to create good interior and exterior lighting.

When I first got this manual I thought that Remarkable Renderworks is intended for the beginner to rendering. Now that I have finished, I realize that Daniel Jansenson has created a book that balances the needs of the beginner with the needs of the advanced user to know in detail why things work (or not).

I thoroughly recommend this book if you want to render your models with Renderworks. Unless you are one of the few really good Renderworks users, you will get a lot from this manual, you will learn so much about rendering, in a short space of time. You will repay your investment in this manual very quickly. Go now and get your copy. http://www.nemetschek.net/training/guides.php

Remarkable Renderworks - rendering with Vectorworks

I checked my mail box today and look what I found!  I have been sent a copy of the Remarkable Renderworks manual by Daniel Jansenson. 

I've only had a quick look thought the manual so far, but I am really impressed. The manual is printed in color, has many, many clear illustrations and is written in an easy to read style. 

I will be writing a full review, so watch out. Thank you to Lisa at NNA, for sending me the review copy. 

novedge Vectorworks Webinar Series - 002 What is BIM? How does it make you more Productive?

Can BIM Make You More Productive or Improve the Quality of Your Work?

Lots of people talk about BIM (Building Information Modeling), it means as well as creating 2D drawings for plans, sections, and elevations, you can draw walls, floors, roofs and other 3D forms in Vectorworks and use these to create live plans, sections and elevations, as well as extracting non-graphic information from the model like a finish schedule, door and window schedule, and other information like wall areas and glass areas.

If you set up your Vectorworks files correctly, you will find it quicker to draw your projects, the building forms in 3D easily and you can use the model to create drawings and elevations. When you edit the doors, windows or form of the building, you can quickly re-generate the elevations. This is the productivity part, but there is more.

If you use the dimensioning tools correctly, dimensions will update as you change the design. This will keep all views of the model up to date. If you move a door, all drawings that show that door with dimension will update. This manages the risk of changes.

You can use the model at an early stage to check the design against site restrictions, check for awkward junctions, and study the effect of the sun. This is the quality part, where you can check to make sure your design is doing what you wanted.

Join Novedge and Jonathan Pickup to learn more about using BIM with Vectorworks.

Archoncad have created a movie based manual, Introduction to BIM. If you want more information about using BIM with Vectorworks, this is a great introduction.

If you really want to learn more about BIIM in general, buy this book. It has a lot of information, but not many pictures.

Vectorworks User Group - Online Meeting

The dates are now up for the online user group meetings in June. You can register for the meetings at the links below, but you must be a subscriber to register for the meetings.

Session 1  Monday, June 7, 2010, Time: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM NZST Register : https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/213491290

Session 2  Wednesday, June 9, 2010, Time: 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM NZST Register https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/913230059

Session 3  Friday, June 11, 2010, Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM NZST  Register : https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/465711843

The topic for the meeting is Textures. It has been a long time since we have covered textures, and I have had several users request this topic.  Textures in Vectorworks can make you designs come to life. 

Stop presenting dull lifeless views of your projects. 

Textures can help your clients see what you really have in mind. You can use textures to make things reflect, make things see through, and so on. 

Image props allow you to make things that look like complex 3D objects from a photo or scan. Textures can be a lot of fun, and they can be very powerful. This meeting will get you started, and subscribers get a manual for this meeting with linked movies. 

If you want to subscribe to this service, click on this link and subscribe.

Vectorworks User Group - Alaska meeting

Hello Alaska Vectorworkers,
I am pleased to inform you that Jonathan Pickup of Napier New Zealand, will be our guest presenter for our Spring user group meeting. A noted Vectorworks "Evangelist Guru" and trainer, Jonathan is author of many Vectorworks training manuals. Since 2006 he has presented monthly subscriber on-line training sessions for VW skills, tips, tricks and new features called Short Sharp Training.

Our meeting will be here at my humble home "cave-office" at 7:15 PM on Tuesday June 8th. Jon will be on-line at 7:30 PM, at 7331 Ticonderoga.


The topic for the meeting will be "Annotations - fundamentals in using the VW tools to put notes dimensions on the drawing." We will be covering how to create libraries for you notes and setting up your personal standards for dimensions and notes.

I have room for six to eight people, but I'd like to be forced to bring down more chairs. Hope to see you all and more on Tuesday June 8th at 7:15 PM. Please phone to confirm your plan to attend.

Novedge Vectorworks Webinar Series - Stairs

archoncad and novedge have started to present  series of short webinars focusing of various aspects of Vectorworks. The first webinar was today and the subject was about stairs.

How are you supposed to use the stairs? The new stair tool, the custom stairs, the simple stair, what is best and how do they work?

Vectorworks 2010 introduced a completely new stair tool because the previous stair tool had received so many complaints. The old stair tool is still available, but it has been renamed the Custom Stair. I Have heard some complaints about the new stair tool in Vectorworks 2010. I think a lot of these complaints arise because the tools are complex and need to be understood.  That’s what this webinar is all about. 

Suitable for beginners and everyone that has trouble with stairs. I have recorded the webinar and I will embed it here. Be patient, the video seems to take a while to load.

novedge webinar series - 001 Stairs from Jonathan Pickup on Vimeo.

If you enjoyed the presentation and want to get more information about dealing with stairs, you will find a detailed set of movies about stairs in my Vector-workout Guide to Productivity, available from archoncad or novedge. 

The next webinar will be on BIM, book now!

EASTERN * PA * Vectorworks * USER * GROUP

WHO: ePaVUG EASTERN  * PA * Vectorworks * USER * GROUP

WHEN: The next ePaVUG meeting will be: Tuesday, JUNE  15th  at 6:30 pm

WHAT: This month we will present "An evening with Jonathan Pickup"

This month our sometimes Skype visitor, Jonathan Pickup,  from New Zealand will be joining us live, in person:

About archoncad and Jonathan Pickup:
Archoncad (http://www.archoncad.co.nz) was founded in 1996 providing training and consulting services to architects and design professionals. The principal is Jonathan Pickup who has been training architects and designers since 1993, both in New Zealand and in England. He is based in Napier, New Zealand where he is also an architect. He has written several VectorWorks training manuals for architects, landscape architects, educators and design students. He also organises the New Zealand VectorWorks User Group. He can be contacted at ++ 64 21 743 470 or jon@archoncad.co.nz.

The evening's Session:  3D Modeling and Vectorworks

Topics:
Introduction to 3D Modeling
Complex 3D Modeling
Creating drawings from a 3D model
Model the Guggenheim Museum

Learning Objectives:
Learn basic concepts of 3D modeling and how these apply to architectural design.
Learn how to use 3D modeling to speed up concept design.
Discover how to use 3D modeling tools to create Elevations, Sections, Plans.
Demonstrate the integration of 3D Modeling by creating a model of the Guggenheim Museum.


If you know you are coming and want to join me and possibly Jonathan for a quick bite of dinner and/or a drink before the Meeting, let me know ahead of time.

Please join us, thanks

_________________________________________________________________

WHERE:

Offices of:
STEVEN L. GLICKMAN ARCHITECT and LYNNE HOLDEN INTERIOR DESIGN
24 NORTH 4th STREET, SECOND FLOOR
EASTON, PA  18042      610-253-6536 (office), 610-570-4429 (moblie)


Looking forward to seeing you there.

Novedge Vectorworks Webinar Series

Novedge Vectorworks Webinar Series 
Novedge, the Vectorworks online reseller (www.novedge.com), are sponsoring a series of online webinars for Vectorworks. The webinars will allow users to see a few short, important aspects for Vectorworks. We have planned some sessions for beginners and some sessions for more advanced users.

We would like to make the sessions partly interactive, partly presentation, and we want to keep the sessions short, about 30mins depending on the questions and answers.


The series includes 4 webinars: two basic, and two advanced
The registration pages show both the ArchonCAD and Novedge logos (200x200 pixels). 

1. Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 3:30 pm PST (May 12, 10:30 am NZ time)
   [For Existing Users]
   Vectorworks Stairs: How are you supposed to use the stairs?
   The new stair tool, the custom stairs, the simple stair, what is best and how do they work? https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/367265563
2. Monday, May 24, 2010 - 2:00 pm PST (May 25, 9:00 am NZ time)
   [For New Users]
   What is BIM, how does it make you more productive? https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/230595930
   
   
3. Monday June 7, 2010 - 2:00 pm PST (June 8, 9;00 am NZ time)
   [For Existing Users]
   The Problem is Counting, the answer is worksheets.  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/196952162
   
   
4. Monday, June 28, 2010 - 2:00 pm PST (June 29, 9:00 am NZ time)
   [For New Users]
   How can you create a Residential Concept design quickly? https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/224352651

Vectorworks e-Stores

For a long time, it has been hard to find a Vectorworks e-store that sells a good range of 3rd-party training and plug-ins for Vectorworks. There is vectordepot, which has been throughly updated. But what has really been missing is an electronic store, like amazon, where you can buy what you want for Vectorworks. 


It seems they are like London buses. Nothing for ages, then two come along at once...


There is a great e-store for the UK and Europe, at www.facade-it.co.uk. This store is an old friend of mine from when I used to work in London, so I know it can be trusted. You will find them  really knowledgeable with Vectorworks, and they provide great support and training. They have just set up the e-store for automated purchasing. Look for this store to expand its line of products. 


There is a fantastic new e-store from the New Zealand Vectorworks Distributor, Megabits Trust. This store covers training, manuals, courses and additions to Vectorworks (plug-ins). I have enjoyed working with megabits for over 12 years now, and I throughly recommend them. The megabits site is becoming a one-stop shop to get the best from Vectorworks. They have printed manuals, electronic movie based manuals, short manuals, online training courses and the best of the commercial plug-ins to expand you Vectorworks. 

Vectorworks Position in Auckland, New Zealand

DesignTRIBE are currently seeking two experienced draftspeople/ technicians to join us in our team to work on an exciting tertiary development drafting package for 4-6 month contract from mid-May.

One position is available for architectural graduate/ draftsperson with 5 years min. local experience, and one position for technician with 8-10 years min experience.

Must be able to work in a team, have a good sense of humour, and have had experience with Vectorworks
Please contact miles@designtribe.co.nz by Friday 30 April, with CV and examples of recent work.

Diehl Technology LLC releases TABULUS 2010 Service Pack

Diehl Technology LLC releases TABULUS 2010 Service Pack 1, introducing new spreadsheet organization tools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2010

CONTACT:

Michael Bendler

VP, Sales & Marketing

Diehl Technology LLC

443-595-0066

marketing@tabulus.com

www.tabulus.com

Columbia, Maryland, April 21, 2010—Diehl Technology LLC announced the release of TABULUS 2010 Service Pack 1, The Table Oriented Spreadsheet software for Microsoft Windows.

Service Pack 1 (SP1) is the first of 3 quarterly releases planned by the company this year. SP1 introduces several new organization tools to assist users in organizing their data: Summarize, Create groups from Columns, and Filtering. SP1 also contains a number of fixes and other feature improvements like new Calendar display options.

TABULUS is for spreadsheets users who want a simple solution to their more complex spreadsheet and business modeling needs. TABULUS combines the flexibility of a traditional spreadsheet with the structured approach developed for databases and financial products, to produce a more reliable, more maintainable solution to spreadsheet needs.

TABULUS contains an OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) style database suitable for Business Modeling and analysis of a variety of business data. TABULUS uses the structure of the model to create professional quality presentations automatically without tediously setting each cell attributes.

“The ‘drag and drop’ feature is the most efficient and effective means of moving information around the interface. I think any accountant, bookkeeper, controller or CFO who operates in multi-dimensional corporate environment and must get data quickly and accurately needs to have TABULUS within reach on a daily basis” says Tony Philips, TPJaveton Enterprises

Traditional spreadsheet errors can be caused by simple copy and paste of cells, blocks of cells, deletion or insertion of rows, and columns. Business decisions based off of incorrect spreadsheet data can cost an organization exponentially by the time the error is caught. TABULUS changes all of that with tables which can easily be dragged around and placed where needed within the file and worked with separately or together.

To increase accuracy and save time, use the built-in formulas. TABULUS reduces formula maintenance by over 95%, because single formulas can be applied to thousands of cells at the same time, and common formulas such as sums are written and maintained by the system. Fewer formulas save time as well as reduce the need to check for errors. Read our report, “10 Ways to reduce spreadsheet errors”. http://www.tabulus.com/Overview/10Ways.aspx

To try the FREE 30 day trial of TABULUS 2010, visit http://www.tabulus.com/GetItNow/

TABULUS 2010 is $495 USD per license and $195 each additional year maintenance.

About Diehl Technology LLC please visit http://www.tabulus.com/AboutUs/Default.aspx

TABULUS 2010®, Diehl Technology LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Mr. Diehl remains Chairman of Nemetschek North America, makers of Vectorworks. Vectorworks is a registered trademark of Nemetschek North America, Inc. ###

archoncad Newsletter May 2010

Welcome to the May edition of the archoncad newsletter. The theme this month is how to help your business. Learning is important. If you wanted to cut down a tree, you'd use a sharp chainsaw. Learning is like sharpening the saw.

1. Training is always important, and free training always seems to be popular. This month we will be looking at the Stair Tools. Click on this link for details.
2. Each week the guys at Vectorworking (http://www.vectorworking.com/) create a news digest. The digest is a round up all the news and links they can find for Vectorworks. Check it out at the Vectorworking site, down on the left-hand side. While you are there, become a member of Vectorworking, it's an open community for all of us and there is some valuable information there.
3. VectorWorks offers the possibility of creating spreadsheets within the drawing. That means you can count things, create databases, extract information. Read more...
4. I can help you with one-on-one consultancy and customization. Let me help you to get get better and have more fun with Vectorworks. Email me, or skpye me for details, and don't forget about the online courses starting in May 2010
5. Book Review - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The seven habits are so important to not just your business, but also your life. So, you could say that is book is not just a business book. Read More...

Jonathan Pickup
http://www.archoncad.co.nz
jon@archoncad.co.nz
skype me: archoncad@skype.com
follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/archoncad
follow my youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/archoncad
follow my blogs: http://archoncad.blogspot.com 

Inicio rápido de Vectorworks 2010 (Capacitación Corta) (Spanish Edition) (Kindle Edition)

Bienvenido a archoncad.com Guía de inicio rápido de VectorWorks 2010. Esta guía le mostrará la forma rápida de empezar aprender las habilidades básicas en VectorWorks 2010. Vamos a trabajar en unos ejercicios que explicaran los conceptos básicos, formas de trabajar y cómo dibujar con rapidez en 2D. Tabla de Contenidos Introducción Configurar su Dibujo Configurar el área del dibujo Unidades del Dibujo Escala del Dibujo Configuracion del Smart Cursor Creando información en Vectorworks Creación de un Rectangul Dibujar con la Barra de Datos Flotantes Dibujar con Cuadros de Diálogo Selección y Deselección Selección Selección de Multiples Objectos Deselección Elimiar Objectos Aplicar Atributos Gráficos Dimensiones

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003I64A36

This manual is a very quick start to using Vectorworks 2010. This manual is ideal for users that want to understand the basic concepts behind Vectorworks 2010, translated into spanish Table of Contents Getting Started Set Up Your Drawing Drawing Setup Drawing Units Drawing Scale Smart Cursor Settings Creating Information in Vectorworks Creating a Rectangle Drawing With The Floating Data Bar Drawing With Dialog Boxes Selecting and De-Selecting Selecting Selecting Multiple Objects De-selecting Deleting Objects Applying Graphic Attributes Dimensions

Should Vectorworks be Used in Schools?

Should Vectorworks focus on High Schools?

The answer is that Vectorworks simply cannot afford NOT to focus on High Schools.

It my belief, that Vectorworks should be actively involved in schools, high schools and universities.

A good friend of mine (and a lecturer at Unitec in Auckland) used to say to me, “Jonathan, what you need to do is to get their mindshare. Get their mindshare, market share will follow” 

I wrote my first Vectorworks manual for schools for Vectorworks version 8.5. That was some time ago, but we needed support from Vectorworks and its distributors to make this a success. I updated this for Vectorworks version 11 and Vectorworks 12.5.  Several schools have purchased this system from me and have had great results. Imagine, a high school student that learned Vectorworks 11 in 2004, would now be graduating university, and most likely, using Vectorworks commercially.

Design and Technology is being taught at high school, almost from the first year at high school. The students are no longer waiting until university to learn CAD, they are learning from year 11 onwards. At least two universities have said to me that is not their job to teach CAD The universities are looking to high schools to teach CAD. If Vectorworks does not focus their energy on getting Vectorworks into high schools, the users will be learning other CAD programs and Vectorworks will have to move users from these other programs. It isn't too late to attach this market and give the students a better alternative. 

I have recently been helping a high school friend that wanted to use Vectorworks for a project. By using the 3D Modeling manual and Essential Tutorial Manual he was able to create a really cool coffee machine. This was a major project for him, and he was able to create orthographic drawings, a product range and a movie. Now that he has achieved so much with Vectorworks, isn’t it likely that he will carry on with it?

Here is another example… In 2008 we put up a series of posters in a New Zealand  University Landscape Design School promoting Vectorworks and downloadable student copies, we made student copies available through a web site portal and we did demos to students and lecturers.

Today we got an order from a student who had downloaded in the last year and now wants a full licence for his work.

This just shows that if you can get their mindshare on then orders and loyalty will follow.

When Vectorworks users look for employees, make sure you advertise in the newspaper and on the Internet. Schools, and especially universities, use these adverts to choose the software they will be teaching or supporting. Make sure Vectorworks gets a mention.

What about getting you, the readers – who are all Vectorworks users and enthusiasts – to contact your local schools to urge the administrations to consider Vectorworks as a software of choice for their design courses. Who better to demonstrate the value of Vectorworks training than real-world users?

archoncad now has a dedicated Special Interest Group for Teachers and Educators.
Click here to find out more...

Book Review - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Book Review - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

I have read this book more than once, and I rate this book very highly. I have the audiobook version of this as well, so I can hear the book in the car or in when I'm doing something else, like bike riding.

The seven habits are so important to not just your business, but also your life. So, you could say that is book is not just a business book, it is about creating a highly effective lifestyle.  Stephen R Covey uses the phrase highly effective rather than successful, because the book is about achieving what you want, which other may not see as successful.

When you first look at the habits, they seem like common sence. As Stephen R Covey says, common sense is not always common practice.  Here are some of the my favorites:

• Be Proactive
• Start with the end in mind
• Put first things first
• Think Win/Win
• Sharpen the Saw

The reason I read this book so often it that it helps me to get myself back on track, and put the important things first (not always money). This book also helps me to think about my business and when I look at my copy, the margins are full of notes and ideas.

Do yourself a favor, read this book.

Vectorworks Tutorials on Amazon Kindle

I finally got my hands on my very own Amazon Kindle. It has some wonderful features, and I am really enjoying it. Before I go too far, a big thank you to Roger W. for helping me to get the Kindle.

When you first buy a Kindle online, you buy it through your Amazon account. When you do this, amazon then links the Kindle to your account. So far, this doesn't sound very unusual, but when you get your Kindle and open it, it knows who the owner of the Kindle is, it comes pre-linked to your account. The great part of this is that it when you buy a kindle book on the Internet, iphone, blackberry, PC or mac, the book is wireless delivered to you Kindle. You do not have to ask for it, you do not have to approve it. It just arrives.

While I was waiting for my Kindle, I bought a few books on my Kindle for iphone application. When the kindle arrived, I had to charge the battery, but then when it was going, the books started to arrive, wirelessly, directly to the kindle. I think this is the part I really like.

The screen on the Kindle is very good for reading. It uses an E Ink screen. This type of screen is great in sunlight, room light and so on, but it is not backlit, so it needs a light source. So, for normal book reading, it's great. It's a shame that it is a grey-scale screen. All my nice color images that I fill up my manuals with are displayed in grey-scale and are not as readable as they a computer.

One of the things I really like is the ability to open a book or a manual on the kindle and read it for a while. then sync the kindle, and go to the computer. When you sync the computer and open the same book, you are on the same page you left on your kindle.

When you open a kindle book on your phone or computer, you see the images in color. You can get a Kindle app for the iphone, blackberry and ipad. So, the problem with the  greyscale kindle screen doesn't apply.

 I can't try my manuals on the ipad, but I have seen them on an iphone. The look good on the iphone, they must be amazing on the ipad.

A really important technique with a kindle book is the ability to add notes and comments. Often when I'm reading a good book on business, I have a thought on how I can use what I am learning. I'm terrible with books that I own, they have pencil comments all over the margins. With a kindle book, and it doesn't matter what device you are using, you can write notes and comments on it. When you sync, the notes are available on all devices. The Amazon web site says that annotation on the mac will be available soon, but I can certainly do this on the kindle and iphone.

You do not need a Kindle from Amazon to read kindle books. Amazon have made apps for several devices, so you can use your current computer, phone and tablet to read kindle books. This site has all the apps. Get yours today.

Batch Convert Your Old Vectorworks Files to 2010

I have been helping a friend with setting up the User Folder. I noticed as I helped him, that several of his old library files had not been converted to Vectorworks 2010. This happens to me every time I update my version of Vectorworks. There is a solutions though, Vectorworks has a batch convert command. 

Go to the Menu Bar.

Choose  File > Batch Convert...

Choose the folder for the start location.

Choose the folder for the end. 

Click OK.

This will convert all the files in the source folder and place them in the destination folder. This should let you covert all the library files in your old version of Vectorworks and place them in the the new location, for the new version of Vectorworks. 

Vector-workout Guide to Visualization with Vectorworks 2010

I have started to work on a visualization manual for Vectorworks 2010, called the Vector-workout Guide to Visualization. The idea of this manual is to cover 4 main areas that come to together for a rendered view:

1. Preparation
2. Lighting
3. Textures
4. Rendering

I have made some progress on the setting out and structure of the manual, but I wanted to get feedback from reader and users. I want to know if I am missing topics, have I got the right mix of topics, do I need more movies in an area, would this manual be useful, should there be more task-based problems explained.


Please, give me your comments.


Here is the suggested Table of Contents:
Preparation 
Setting a View with Set 3D View  
Renderworks Camera  
Saved Views  
Camera Match  
Create 3D Objects  
Edit 3D Objects  
Add 3D Objects  
Websites For 3D Models  
Adding Floors and Ceiling  
Lighting  
Set Lighting Options  
Background Lighting  
Set Sun Position  
Placing a Directional Light  
Placing a Point Light  
Placing a Spot Light  
Placing a Custom Light  
Placing a Line Light  
Placing an Area Light  
How to Make Area Lights Glow 
Don’t Place Too Many Lights 
Textures 
Creating A Simple Texture - Granite 
Editing a Simple Texture - Reflectivity
Editing a Simple Texture - Transparency 
Editing a Simple Texture - Glass 
Editing a Simple Texture - Bump Rendering 
Hidden Line Rendering 
Dashed Hidden Line Rendering 
OpenGL Rendering 
OpenGL Options 
Custom Renderworks
Final Quality Renderworks
Custom Radiosity
Final Quality Radiosity

201 Vectorworks Landmark Course

I have a 201 Vectorworks Landmark course starting next week. This course is ideal for Vectorworks users that want to draw their landmark projects in 3D. I think that drawing your projects in 3D is very important. I have one client that moved form 2D plans to 3D presentations. They found that the conversion rate from concept to construction on site went from 40% for the 2D drawings to 90% for the 3D presentation.

In this course, we start with a blank file. This is to show you how to set up your drawing, units and dimensions. Then we will create a site plan using the Property Line tool. This is a great tool for drawing a property because it uses surveyor's bearings.

Next we create a 3D site and a quick building with doors and windows. This gives you the context for your landscape.

Then we draw a deck addition to the building, add the planting and hardscape and set up our 3D views and make drawings.




You can book for this course, at this site

Weekly Vectorworks News Digest - at Vectorworking

I was talking to my friends at Vectorworking (http://www.vectorworking.com) yesterday. We were, of course, talking about Vectorworks. They asked me if I had looked at the Vectorworks News Digest. I had to admit that I had never seen it.

The Vectorworks News digest is a weekly roundup of all the Vectorworks news they can find. It is in a Digest format, which mens you get a heading and a link. This format works well for looking over a vast range of information for the topics that interest you.

Here is a sample from the current digest....

• Unclaimed Members of the Week
  iTunes Cards Just Begging For a Home!
  http://bit.ly/8UH8su
• Forum: Numpad on Unibody Macbook Pro
  Solving This Hardware Problem
  http://bit.ly/d2wsvC
• Forum: A Place to Say Hello!
  Welcome Matt Hobbs + Graham Gault
  http://bit.ly/cHT17m
• Forum: Plant Tags
  Editing Issues
  http://bit.ly/aPaULR
• Blog: Dave Elliott Says "Mod Your Cad"
  Stage Direction Mag on Spotlight Changes
  http://bit.ly/akZubG
• Blog: Top Ten Tips & Tricks in VW Video
  Nemetschek YouTube Tutorials!
  http://bit.ly/bAYKlQ
• Blog: Introduction to Worksheets in VW '08-'10
  Jonny P Is At It Again!
  http://bit.ly/aEMchA
• Photos: River Road
  The Work of Graham Gault
  http://bit.ly/b8GzyJ

Using Colors for Line Weight in Vectorworks

I have just had a call from a client about using classes in Vectorworks to control line weight. When users come from AutoCAD,  they are often used to using Color by Layer. This allows the user to see the line weights of the lines on the drawings by the color of the lines.

This post has been moved to here...

Vector Depot gets Makeover - Plug-ins for Vectorworks

There is a third party site where you can find shared Vectorworks objects, tools, hatches and plug-in objects, http://www.vectordepot.com/

I have recommended this site several times, and now the site has had a makeover, to make the site easier to navigate and find what you want. The reason this site is so useful is the amount of stuff you can find here. Many of the products are free and there are some you have to pay for.

For example, there are a couple of tools to help you to improve your drawings. One of the tools is a drawing label object, and the other tool is one of mine, that Mike Moore in Australia updated to work in viewports.

We have made these tools free so you can download them and start using them. We have also made them open source so you can see how they were made and learn to make your own. Maybe you can make the tools better and share them back.

There are a huge range of things that people have shared.  This shows just a small amount of the symbols you can get from VectorDepot. There are so many, I can't list them all, you need to visit this site and look through the symbols that are available.

VectorDepot is not just for the latest Vectorworks. There are a huge number of old tools for older versions of Vectorworks. I have used several of these, and I still use a few of these tools in my current version of Vectorworks (2010), so don't forget to look at the older plug-ins.

There has been some discussion lately about the support for 3rd party things for Vectorworks. This i s a long-standing 3rd party site that supports Vectorworks.

Please support this site!

Productivity is Not Just About Speed

I have just spend several minutes with the designer of the Landru Design tools, Andrew Dunning. These tools are designed for the entertainment industry and they are fantastic. I interviewed Andrew so that he could show me the tools, but during the interview, it struck me that he tools offered a lot of feedback to the designer.

The interview was so long, it had to be broken into two parts.
Part one:


Part two:


What struck me during the interview was the ability to see the results of your choices. For example, when Andrew was showing the projector screen in part one, you can see the viewing area of the projector in plan. this allows you to see the results of your choices. If you had the seating layout on the plan, you would see the area or seating covered. If the projector is too small, not everyone will be able to see the screen, and that will be very easy to see in plan.

So, within seconds of making your choices on the projector tool, you have visual feedback about the results of your choices.

The speaker tool has the same visual feedback in plan, and in 3D, so you can quickly check your design to make sure the audience will get adequate sound.

These tools made me think about productivity, and I think Andrew and I talked about it in the interview. This feedback that Andrew's tools provide can make it faster and easier to design a good presentation. But is productivity really just about speed. I can see the feedback you get from these tools can make your designs better; in a short time you could try several designs until you have the solution you want. So, you can improve the quality of your work. I think that improving the quality of your work is as important as improving the speed of your work. In the long run, the quality of your work is the most important thing, far more important than the speed.

What about landscape and architects? You may not be needing the tools that Andrew has created, but you have other tools that can help you improve the quality of your work. Building a 3D model of your site, adding simple 3D models of your project and checking the solar study will help you to improve the quality of the project. You can see within a few minutes if the project can be lived in the way you wanted.

I think that the true test of increased productivity when using CAD (like Vectorworks) is an increase in quality as well as an increase in speed. Training is a why to learn the best from your software, and I can help you to get the best from Vectorworks. See my web site: http://www.archoncad.co.nz

Posting Comments

I want to encourage you to follow this blog if you are reading it. Click on the Follow button, so you can find out when I have updated the blog.

I would love to have your comments. What topics would you like? What topics do you want me to stay away from?

Thanks for visiting, Jonathan

Introduction to Worksheets in Vectorworks 2008-2010

Worksheets
VectorWorks offers the possibility of  creating spreadsheets within the drawing.  That means you can count things, create databases, extract information from objects and do mathematical operations and functions without having to leave VectorWorks.

This post has been relocated...

Jonathan Pickup to visit USA

After too many years, I am planning a return to USA for a short trip in mid-June 2010. The aim of the trip is to meet many of the people I have been working with, and to meet user groups. I will start my trip on the east coast around Philadelphia, Maryland and NYC.

If you have a user group, please get in touch with me, I'd love to come and share my knowledge of Vectorworks with you. I am planning on coming to NYC to meet the user group. If you are in NYC, get in touch with the user group there and tell them you are interested, book your place now!

If you are in eastern PA, get in touch with Steve  and tell him you want to be there. We should have a lot of fun, i was at Steve's group today over skype. It should be a lot better to be in person. 

If you are in Maryland, New Jersey, Philadelphia, or nearby, get in touch with your local user group. I would like to talk to them about having me visit. I will in in San Francisco or Fresno from 24-27 June. 

If you would be willing to show me around you office, or town, get in touch with me. One reason for my trip is to look at the way people use Vectorworks. If you have a multi-user environment and you would to show me how you use Vectorworks, I'd like to listen. If you would like to show me round your town, then please get in touch. 

I am currently looking for sponsors and hosts. If you can help please email me jon@archoncad.co.nz