[Archoncad] Weekly Digest 1 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)

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

Graphics - Part 15
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9174/graphics-part-15/

Creating Tiles - When you create a tile, you draw the object that you want to
repeat, and you can see how it relates to the rest of the tile.

Graphics - Part 14
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9172/graphics-part-14/

Applying Tiles - Use the Resource Browser or the Attributes Palette to apply
tiles.

Graphics - Part 13
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9154/graphics-part-13/

Tiles - A Tile is a repeatable graphic, like a hatch. But, it is much more
graphic than a hatch, and easier to edit.

Graphics - Part 12
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9153/graphics-part-12/

Object Opacity - Object opacity is the ability to make an object transparent.
For an elevation like this we could draw shadows for the building and make them
transparent.

Graphics - Part 11
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9152/graphics-part-11/

Attribute/Mapping tool. - This is the tool you use to change the position and
scaling of images and gradients.

Graphics - Part 10
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9151/graphics-part-10/

Creating Gradients - If you do not like the gradients that come with
Vectorworks, make your own, they are easy enough to make.

Graphics - Part 9
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9150/graphics-part-9/

Applying Gradients - Use the Resource Browser or the Attributes Palette to
apply gradients.

Graphics - Part 8
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9149/graphics-part-8/

Gradients - Gradients are a great way of adding  colour fill where you want
the colour to change from one colour to another (or several colours).

Graphics - Part 7
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9148/graphics-part-7/

Creating Images - You can use any image on your computer to create Vectorworks
images.

Graphics - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9147/graphics-part-6/

Applying Images - The Resource Browser can be used to apply images, and you can
use the Attributes Palette to apply images.

Graphics - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9146/graphics-part-5/

Images - Images are a great way of applying a graphic image to your drawings.

Graphics - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9119/graphics-part-4/

Creating Hatches - When you want a hatch that is not in the library, you need
to learn to create your own hatches.

Graphics - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9118/graphics-part-3/

Applying Hatches - You can use the Resource Browser to find a hatch and then
either double click on the hatch in the Resource Browser or drag the hatch to
the object.

Graphics - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9117/graphics-part-2/

Hatches - Hatches are a series of lines that represent a material. This could
be a series of lines that looks like brick, or tiles.

Graphics - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9116/graphics-part-1/

Graphic Attributes - How to apply graphic attributes, such as line weight,
hatching, image fills and graphic symbols to a drawing.

Resource Browser - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9115/resource-browser-part-6/

Finding Resources - You can look for resources in the current file, or anywhere
on your computer.

Resource Browser - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9114/resource-browser-part-5/

Exporting Resources - You can export resources from the current file to a
library, or to another file.

Resource Browser - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9113/resource-browser-part-4/

Creating a Symbol Folder - If you have a lot of symbols in the Resource
Browser, they are easier to find if you have folders for them.

Resource Browser - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9112/resource-browser-part-3/

Changing the Viewing Options on the Resource Browser - You can change the way
resources are shown on the Resource Browser.

Resource Browser - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9111/resource-browser-part-2/

Attaching a Library to the Browser - One of the useful features of the Resource
Browser is the ability to look into other files and use their resources.

Resource Browser - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9110/resource-browser-part-1/

What is the Resource Browser? - The Resource Browser is used to browse for the
objects that VectorWorks calls resources so that you can use them in your
drawings. Resources can be hatches, gradients, images, textures, symbols,
Plug-In objects, wall styles, worksheets and so on.

Object Info Palette - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9109/object-info-palette-part-2/

Data - The Data Pane allows you to attach database information to an object and
edit that information.

Object Info Palette - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9108/object-info-palette-part-1/

Shape - This part of the Object Info palette shows all the shape information
the shape information.

Snapping Palette - Part 9
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9095/snapping-palette-part-9/

Constrain Tangent - The is really useful for making sure that you are drawing
tangent to an arc or circle. When you need it, there is no substitute for this.
There are not options, the constraint is either turned on or off.

Snapping Palette - Part 8
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9094/snapping-palette-part-8/

Smart Edge - When you need to be parallel to objects, or offset from a line or
polygon, this is the constraint to use.

Snapping Palette - Part 7
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9083/snapping-palette-part-7/

Snap To Distance - The Snap to Distance constraint has options that can be
changed.

Snapping Palette - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9082/snapping-palette-part-6/

Smart Points - The Smart Points are really useful and it is one of the
constraints that you should keep on all the time.

Snapping Palette - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9081/snapping-palette-part-5/

Snap to Intersection - This one is useful, without it, you can’t find the
intersection of two objects.

Snapping Palette - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9080/snapping-palette-part-4/

Constrain Angle - This is one of the useful ones, but make sure you set your
preferences for it.

Snapping Palette - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9079/snapping-palette-part-3/

Snap To Object - If you do not use Snap to Object, you can’t snap on to
anything. This one is really useful.

Snapping Palette - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9076/snapping-palette-part-2/

Snap to Grid - Use this when you want to draw using a grid system. Turn if off
when you do not need it.

Snapping Palette - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9074/snapping-palette-part-1/

Where is the Snapping Palette? - The snapping palette is useful, so open it an
try to keep it open.

Productivity Techniques - Part 24
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9062/9062/

Clip - This tool can be used to clip nearly all selected objects.

Productivity Techniques - Part 23
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9059/productivity-techniques-part-23/

Split Tool - This tool is for more than just splitting some lines.

Productivity Techniques - Part 22
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9057/productivity-techniques-part-22/

Rotate Plan - This tool is really useful for drawings a building where the
wings are at different angles, or for lanscaping, when you want to have the
plants or hardscape lining up with the site or building.

Productivity Techniques - Part 21
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9052/productivity-techniques-part-21/

Keyboard Shortcuts - Keyboard shortcuts are a quick way to access menu
commands.

Productivity Techniques - Part 20
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9049/productivity-techniques-part-20/

Hot Keys - Hot keys are a really quick way to access tools.

Productivity Techniques - Part 19
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9045/productivity-techniques-part-19/

Use Symbols, not Groups - Symbols are relatively small repeatable objects. For
example if you are designing a restaurant, you could make the tables and chairs
into a symbol.

Productivity Techniques - Part 18
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9042/productivity-techniques-part-18/

Use Layers And Classes - Layers and classes are so important to making up your
drawings.

Productivity Techniques - Part 17
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9040/productivity-techniques-part-17/

Navigation Palette - This palette is fantastic. It allows you to change
visibility of layers and classes, change view options for design layers,
classes, sheet layers viewports and saved views, create, edit and design layers,
classes, sheet layers viewports and saved views.

Productivity Techniques - Part 16
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9036/productivity-techniques-part-16/

Create a Template - A template file is a starter file. It is the file you use
to get started on a project.

Productivity Techniques - Part 15
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9033/productivity-techniques-part-15/

Set the Tool Preferences - Nearly every tool as preferences for the tools.

Productivity Techniques - Part 14
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9030/productivity-techniques-part-14/

Align/Distribute - For lining up text, lining up symbols, or distributing
things. I use this command.

Productivity Techniques - Part 13
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9026/productivity-techniques-part-13/

Objects From Polyline - I think it is magic when I use this command. This
command will turn your polygon, polyline or any closed object into an object.

Productivity Techniques - Part 12
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9023/productivity-techniques-part-12/

Move by Points - This tool is so useful for copying and moving objects. You can
copy object by spacing, by distribution, and use this tool for accurate 
placement of objects in walls (doors, windows, etc.).

Productivity Techniques - Part 11
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9019/productivity-techniques-part-11/

Eye Dropper - If you need to copy the attributes from one object to another
then use this tool. It can copy the line weight, line style etc.

Productivity Techniques - Part 10
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9015/productivity-techniques-part-10/

Reshape Tool - This tool is used for so many things. You can reshape a polygon,
sure, that is what this tool is for. You can use the Reshape tool to reshape
more than one object.

Productivity Techniques - Part 9
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9012/productivity-techniques-part-9/

Zoom With the Scroll Wheel - Zooming in and out is much easier with the scroll
wheel on your mouse.

Productivity Techniques - Part 8
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9010/productivity-techniques-part-8/

Add Surface/Clip Surface - I use the add surface and clip surface a lot. If you
want to make a complex shape the easiest way to do is to make some simple shapes
using the rectangle and circle tool, then use the Add Surface or Clip Surface
command.

Productivity Techniques - Part 7
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9004/productivity-techniques-part-7/

Drag A Copy - This is a very fast way to copy objects. With this method you
create the copy and drag the object to the correct location. This method is easy
and fast.

Productivity Techniques - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8994/productivity-techniques-part-6/

Set Your Preferences - The preferences in VectorWorks can be set to suit you.
There are several preferences you can choose.

Productivity Techniques - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8993/productivity-techniques-part-5/

Use The Right Mouse Button - If you have a one button mouse, throw it away. A
two button mouse with a scroll wheel is the way to go.

Productivity Techniques - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8992/productivity-techniques-part-4/

Customise VectorWorks To Make It Faster - I’m a great fan of customizing
VectorWorks. I believe that customizing VectorWorks will make it faster for
you.

Productivity Techniques - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8989/productivity-techniques-part-3/

Tool Bar Shortcuts  and Quick Preferences - While we are talking about the
Tool bar, there are keyboard shortcuts, hot keys really, to change you mode bar
options.

Productivity Techniques - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8985/productivity-techniques-part-2/

Selection tool - It may seem strange to have this one in the list. After all,
don’t we all use the selection tool?

Productivity Techniques - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8982/productivity-techniques-part-1/

Draw With Objects - If you draw with objects (rectangles, polygons circles and
so on) you will be quicker.

BIM_SIG_012 Special Interest Group October 2012
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8959/bim_sig_01-special-interest-group-october-2012/

With the introduction of Detail Viewports in Vectorworks 2013, we are looking at
how this will change the way you create your drawings. In this webinar we looked
at how to create the new viewports, how they can be used, and how they might
change the way you create your drawings.

BIM_SIG_011 Special Interest Group October 2012
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8960/bim_sig_011-special-interest-group-october-2012/

Vectorworks 2013 introduced several new concepts. Two really important concepts
are the detail viewports and the hierarchal classes. My belief is that both of
these concepts are going to change the way you structure your classes and the
way you structure your sheet layers. In this Special Interest Group will be
looking at how these two concepts can be used.

SST_1210 - What's New in Vectorworks 2013
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/8874/sst_1210-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013/

There are a lot of new things in Vectorworks 2013. Some of these are fixes or
enhancements to the current Vectorworks, and some of them are brand new. The new
features are going to make working in Vectorworks 2013 substantially faster by
improving your workflow.

Graphics

I have posted 15 movies on controlling graphics in Vectorworks.

Start here...

 

Productivity Techniques

I have posted 24 movies showing productive tools and techniques. These are basic things that you should really know.

 

Start here...

 

Blog Action day

I write a lot of blogs, so I think they are important. #PowerOfWe, #BAD12 and #Blogactionday.

It's amazing what blogs have been written by authors and what they have been able to achieve...

http://blogactionday.org/2012/10/02/fantastic-content-for-your-powerofwe-blog-posts/

Online User Group Meetings for Vectorworks 2013

This week my online user group meetings will be focusing on what is new in Vectorworks 2013. We will be looking at the new tools and techniques and how they will improved your productivity and workflow.

The meetings start on Monday, October 8, 2012, and there are meetings almost every day until Friday. The meetings are about 60 min. long and interactive, which means you have an opportunity to ask questions and get further explanations. The times of the meetings are designed to suit most parts of the world, so I am sure there is a time that suits you.As usual, there is a manual that you can download from this website with notes, screenshots, and linked movies, that you can use to follow along with the meeting. Many attendees print the PDF file before the meeting starts so that they can write their notes directly on to the manual.

You can book for the meetings on this page, but you must be a subscriber.

SST_1210 - What's New in Vectorworks 2013

There are a lot of new things in Vectorworks 2013. Some of these are fixes or enhancements to the current Vectorworks, and some of them are brand new. The new features are going to make working in Vectorworks 2013 substantially faster by improving your workflow.

Read more...

Can't tab out of the X coordinate field in the Move Selection Dialog

 

Some users have been noting that the can't use the Tab key in the Move dialog box to move from one field to another.

The solution is to change your macintosh System Preferences.

Read more...

 

epodcast161 - Editing Your Profile

The learn.archoncad.com website allows you to edit your profile. You are not allowed to edit your username but you are allowed to change your password and set your options for the weekly e-mail about the posts that have been uploaded.

Read more...

SST_1209 - Room Finish Schedule

Vectorworks can create a schedule of the finishes in each room for a project. In order to do this, Vectorworks uses spaces to record the information about each room, meaning that you have to place a space in each room in order to assign the room finishes to it.

Read more...

 

 

podcast140 Changing Wall Lengths in Vectorworks 2013

This is a small but useful change to wall technology. It will allow you to quickly update your plans without having to select dimension, or without having to drag your walls.

podcast139 Site Modifier Changes in Vectorworks 2013

This is one of those small, but really useful changes to Vectorworks 2013. In the past I have often gotten confused with the site model and site modifies. In order to see where the site model stops and the site modifiers start I have had to render the site model. This new technique in Vectorworks 2013 makes it a lot easier to see your site model and modifiers clearly.

Landmark_SIG_011 Special Interest Group September 2012

This is the movie from the evening session Landmark Special Interest Group, September 2012. This meeting took a different approach to creating a set of drawings. We looked at using scanned images of freehand drawings, importing these as PDF files and using these to create a set of documents.


Read more...

 

epodcast160 - Adding an Image Prop to a Plant

I have created other movies about image props, and how to make them, but it appears that there is still some confusion about how to deal with the images in Photoshop, then bring those into Vectorworks to create your image prop and put the image prop as part of your plant.


Read more...

 

epodcast160 - Adding an Image Prop to a Plant

I have created other movies about image props, and how to make them, but it appears that there is still some confusion about how to deal with the images in Photoshop, then bring those into Vectorworks to create your image prop and put the image prop as part of your plant.


Read more...

 

Graphics Cards for Computers - Vectorworks 2013

I've just seen some specifications for the graphics card for computers specifically Vectorworks 2013. I'm thinking about buying a new computer, and I'm concerned that I'm going to buy computer with the correct graphics card.


Read more...

 

Landmark_SIG_010 Special Interest Group September 2012

This is the movie from the morning session Landmark Special Interest Group, September 2012. We are looking at starting a project by importing DXF/DWG information. An important concept that needed to be cover was when to use layers and when to use classes.

Read more...

 

podcast137.mov - New Line Types in Vectorworks 2013

In Vectorworks 2013 line styles have been replaced by line types. Line types can be simple  lines as an earlier versions of Vectorworks, all they can be complex line types that allow a huge range of graphic styles. You can easily create lines files that show fences, services, rocks, or even footprints.

BIM_SIG_010 Special Interest Group September 2012

This is the movie from the BIM Special Interest Group, September 2012, creating a BIM workflow, Part 4, setting up drawings using viewports and sheet layers. (evening session).

The previous BIM Special Interest Groups have looked at creating the information. This meeting looked at the setting up drawings, starting with the Site Plan and Floor plan.

Read more...

 

podcast136.mov Vectorworks training on your iPhone

In this movie I show you how you can access Vectorworks training through my website, http://learn.archoncad.com.  I have created a mobile website that allows you to search through thousands of movies and posts. The movies are playable on most mobile devices, although in this movie I am using an iPhone 4S.

epodcast159 - Joining Arc Using the Fillet Tool

I've just had a call from a client that was having trouble creating a circle that joins at a tangent to another circle.

Read more...

 

podcast135.mov - Hyperlinks in Vectorworks 2013

In Vectorworks 2013 there is now a new annotation object call the hyperlink. This hyperlink allows you to create links inside your Vectorworks documents that will export to PDF files. The hyperlinks can create internal links, that is links inside the document, all they can create external links to documents, folders, or websites.

podcast134.mov - Detail Viewports in Vectorworks 2013

One of the new techniques in Vectorworks is Detail Viewport. I have been waiting for this technique for a while, and I think this will subsctantially change the way users structure their drawings in Vectorworks.



There is a known issue with Detail Viewports, but it only affects some Macintosh computers...
http://kbase.vectorworks.net/questions/1054/Tech+Bulletin%3A+Issue+with+Create+Detail+Viewport+-+Vectorworks+2013+-+Mac+OS+X+ONLY

What to do with Downtime

I had an interesting chat with a client recently. We were discussing the movies and blogs on the Short Sharp Training website. He said that when he has downtime (waiting for the client to arrive/waiting for site visits) he goes onto the website to look for new blogs or movies to play. He has found that this turns his unproductive time into productive time, but not only that, it has made all his work more productive as he becomes more skilful at Vectorworks.

Become a subscriber here...

 

Fifth Service Pack for the Vectorworks 2012 product line now available

Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. has released its fifth Service Pack for the Vectorworks® 2012 product line.

This Service Pack contains fixes for IFC and DXF/DWG export, as well as Mac OS 10.8 Mountain Lion compatibility improvements

This Service Pack is available for all licenses as a downloadable updater. To install the Service Pack, please close Vectorworks and click here. Or go to the About Vectorworks 2012 dialog box in the Vectorworks menu (Mac users) or Help menu (Windows users) and click Check for Updates.

epodcast158 – Backing up and Restoring Files on Windows 7

Windows comes with a Backup system that you can use to create daily, Weekly, Monthly backups of you most valuable files. If one of your Vectorworks files becomes corrupt, you can often go back to an earlier version to save the project. 

watch movie... (you have to be a subscriber to follow this link)

Subscribe here...

Back to School

I've just had my two university children home for mid-simester break, and it reminded me that in many parts of the world, the school year is starting. If you are learning Vectorworks for college or university, you might be looking for a good way to understand the power of it. If you are teaching Vectorworks, you might be looking for good resources to help your students.

This is an issue that comes up every year, but I think I have to solution. I have created 4 powerful tutorial manuals that students and tutors can use to unlck the power of Vectorworks. The Vectorworks Essentials Tutorial manual is the best start you can get for Vectorworks. It starts off with the basics and explains the major concepts that set Vectorworks apart from other programs. If you are a tutor, then this manual is magic, as it has a structuerd way to train users, it has structured exercises, and it has embedded movies to help your students. With a small amount of work, you can use the manuals as a course structure.

My Top iPad Apps

Many of my friends and family have been getting iPads in the last year, and most of them want to know which apps I use and why. The iPad comes with several apps built in, so I don't want to cover those. I wanted to cover the apps that I use most from the iTunes store.

Yesterday I was with my good friend Geoff. He recently got an iPad and wanted to use it for business. I was making a list of apps that Geoff should get, then I thought I should compile a full list of the most useful apps for business:

• Evernote
  
• Skype
• Google
• Google Drive
• Kindle
• Dropbox
• Blogsy
• Facebook

These are my everyday apps. I might add more to the list as I research the features of the apps on this list. I will also be expanding on this list with icons, screen shots and how to use the apps on the subscriber area.

 

Architectural Technologist Likes New Searchable Website for Vectorworks

The Architectural Technologist has been a subscriber to the Vector-workout Subscription service for several years, and still finds that there is more to learn about Vectorworks. I recently updated my web site to make it searchable and this has been a big bonus for the Architectural Technologist.

 Jon has added a new search function on the WordPress site and it’s so easy to use...

So no excuses, just search, I did and could not stop, I added other search items and stayed here for ages watching and reading... 

You can read his full article here...

Become a subscriber here...

SST_1208 Creating a Solar Study in Vectorworks

Vectorworks can be used for quick 3D modeling. You can use Vectorworks for lighting. If you combne both of these, you can use Vectorworks to create a solar study.

A solar study can be used at the very early stages of the design to check the way the sun lights your building. It can be used to check how your building will affect the adjoining buildings. You can use it to check the lighting in landscapes, and so on.

Continue reading... (you have to be a subscriber to follow this link)

Short sharp Training for Vectorworks Now Includes Special Interest Group Movies

Since February 2012 the  Vector-workout  subscription service has been offering special interest group webinars. These webinars are an interactive online session about a particular topic. The webinars are interactive, allowing the attendees to talk to each other, ask questions, and discuss the solution. Often these webinars cover difficult or complex situations. Sometimes they just cover situations where the users had forgotten what the solution was.

There are a special interest group sessions for Building Information Modeling and sessions for Landmark. This allows users to choose whether they want to learn Vectorworks from an architectural point of view or from a landscaping point of view.  having a special interest group like this allows the users to focus on the topics that suit that profession. For example, when dealing with roofing, from an architectural point of view there might be one solution, but from a landscape point of view that might have to be a different way of solving the problem. Having a special-interest group for each profession makes it easy to show them the solution.

The sessions are recorded and the movies for each session are posted online for the subscribers. Until now, there has not been a simple way to store and recall these movies. Now, we have a solution for storing and retrieving these movies. This allows me to record each session and post each section individually on the subscriber website.

As you can see from this picture, each online session has a brief description of what was included in the movie. This will allow you to search the website to find the topics that we covered. The order of the topics  shows you where to look for the topic and the movie. So topics at the top of the contents are at the beginning of the movie, while topics at the bottom of the list are at the end of the movie.


If you are a subscriber, login here: http://learn.archoncad.com

if you would like to become a subscriber, visit this website: http://www.archoncad.co.nz/learn.php

Graphic Card Recommendations for Vectorworks

If you are thinking of buying a new computer, you should pay very careful attention to the graphics card recommendations for Vectorworks. If you purchase a new computer that does not match the graphics card recommendations, you will have constant trouble with the computer.

If you are thinking of upgrading your Vectorworks with your existing computer, you should also pay very careful attention to the graphics card recommendations. Upgrading your Vectorworks to a computer with a less than satisfactory graphics card will result in constant frustration.

The Vectorworks knowledge base has several articles about graphics card recommendations:
Vectorworks 2012 System Recommendations

Video/Graphics Card Guidelines for Vectorworks - 9/13/2011

Follow me on twitter

If you have heard of twitter and you have a twitter account, then you should follow me. I have recently started to tweet when I add blogs, movies, or manuals to the subscriber web site. If you follow me, you will see my tweets, and this will make it easier for you to keep up date on the new information.

If you have heard of me, but you do not have a twitter account, you should get one. It's easy to sign up to twitter, just go to http://www.twitter.com and sign up.

When you have signed in, you can search for me, just search for archoncad, that's me.

If you want to follow me, click on the Follow button to follow all my tweets

 

 

 

Font Mapping in Vectorworks

When you open a file that uses fonts that are not on your computer, Vectorworks will use font mapping to map the missing font to a font that you have on your computer.

If you are a subscriber, login here: http://learn.archoncad.com

if you would like to become a subscriber, visit this website: http://www.archoncad.co.nz/learn.php

My Vectorworks PDF Files are too Large to Email

I've just had an e-mail from a client who wants to know what to do about the PDF files in Vectorworks. My client is now finding that when they export PDF files from Vectorworks the files are over 22 MB.


read more...   (you have to be a subscriber to follow the link)

New Vectorworks Web Site for Training Resources

I have been working hard over the last couple of months updating my subscriber web site, and now it is online. This is a completely new website, with a brand-new structure. Everything will communicated through this site, mainly using the home page.

The blog now contains everything that I have written from all the different blog sites that I have created in the past. You will find blogs all the way back to 2005.

I have added all the manuals, cadmovies, extended podcasts, and beginner movies that have been created, so please do not be disappointed if you do not find everything at first. There are over 1000 movies to add to the site, over 60manuals, and hundreds of blogs.

Being a subscriber costs about $24.00US per month and you can become a subscriber here: http://www.archoncad.co.nz/learn.php

 

Looking for the Vectorworks Eyedropper

I was running one of my monthly online webinar sessions today, and the question of the eye dropper tool came up. I thought perhaps I had spoken to the uses previously about using the eyedropper to copy the attributes from one object and apply them to another.

The eyedropper tool is on the basic toolset. It is one of the tools that I cover in my Vectorworks Essentials Tutorial course early on. I even have exercises for the students to complete, so that they learn how to use this tool.

The eyedropper tool also has settings that allow you to control exactly what parts of an object you pick up. If you save your settings, then you can access them from the pop-up menu on the toolbar.  One of the settings but very useful is the ability to set the information you pick up with the eyedropper tool as the default setting for that object.

I was showing my online users how to use the eyedropper tool to save all the settings for the sheet border. In fact, I thought I had already made a movie that showed my users exactly how to do this.  when I went to my website to check, I found that I had made more than one movie on the eye dropper tool.

When I did my search, I found three movies and one blog with information about the eyedropper tool.  I found this movie showing exactly how to use the eyedropper tool to set the defaults for tools.

 Here is my website address, http://learn.archoncad.com

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Where to Buy Vectorworks Manuals

At my online webinar last night I was asked about where to purchase my manuals. The manuals in question were the larger, printed manuals with the embedded movies.

The answer is that all my larger manuals can be purchased from Nemetschek Vectorworks, your local distributor, or local Vectorworks reseller.

Nemetschek Vectorworks have a web site where you can read about the manuals. This site has a detailed description about each manual and you can download a sample chapter.

 

 

 

 

 

If you live in USA, you can purchase the manuals directly though the online store. You access the store by clicking on the BUY button.

 

 

If you live in Europe, I recommend that you visit the online store at facade-it.co.uk.

 

SST_1206 Referencing in Vectorworks

Referencing in Vectorworks is the ability to link your current Vectorworks file to an image, PDF, or another Vectorworks file.

What makes this so special is that when you update the original file (image, PDF, or Vectorworks drawing) you can then update the link file. The referencing concept allows you to divide your work with other people to speed up the drawing process. This manual will cover the basic concepts of referencing image files, PDFs, and the techniques for referencing Vectorworks files.

Read more... (you have to be a subscriber to folllow this link).

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Referencing for Productivity

Referencing seems like a big complex topic, but referencing can be easy to use, and can be very productive if you understand it. I often use referencing to bring in PDF files from consultants or for large areas of text. In simple terms, referencing is when you link external files to your current Vectorworks file.

Referencing the structural engineer's drawings is useful when the drawings might change. When you import PDF drawings, you have the option to reference the PDF. Choosing the reference option allows you to quickly update the structural drawings when they are updated.




This month the Vector-workout Subscription will be looking at this topic. I'm in the middle of writing the manual for the subscribers.

If you are a subscriber, book you place now.

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044-2012 Conceptual Modeling in Vectorworks

New Kindle manual for Vectorworks available

Vectorworks is extremely good at creating conceptual models, especially for urban designs. Vectorworks allows you to import a plan of a city (using Shapefiles) then quickly build the 3D parts of the city for you to check your urban design against. You can then add a sun to create solar animations, fly around your design, and so on.

3D Modeling in Vectorworks is a lot of fun, and it is extremely productive if you apply the basic tools and techniques we covered in 027-2012 Introduction to 3D Modeling (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JCUTTY). Some people use other software to create conceptual models, but I believe that Vectorworks has powerful techniques for this as well.

SST_1205 Creating a Conceptual Model in Vectorworks - Now Online

Vectorworks is really good at creating a conceptual model, especially for urban design. Vectorworks allows you to import a plan of a city (using shape files) then quickly build the 3D parts of the city for you to check your urban design against.

You can put in a sun, create solar animations, fly around your design, and so on.


Read more... (you have to be a subscriber to folllow this link).

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Vector-workout Subscription June Sessions

Referencing is where you link your current file to another Vectorworks file, image file, or PDF file. You use referencing to bring in the information you want, allowing you to split the workload with other people. It is also a good way to keep consultants work separate from yours.



Many people do not understand referencing, but it is very useful. The other day I taught a client to use referencing to link a survey file and a shape file from two different sources. Not only did the two files have origins, but for some reason, they had been rotated. Using a reference allows the client to import more shape files and see the information on the survey file accurately.

Other clients need to have more than one person working on a project. Referencing is how you do that.



There are four sessions for subscribers, at different times to suit different time zones, but the sessions all cover the same information, so you only need to attend one session.



You have to be a subscriber to attend these sessions, and you can subscribe here...

Penultimate

I have been using a great app on my iPad lately called penultimate. It allows you to create several notebooks, and you can see a thumbnail of the plast page you viewed. I have tried a few handwriting programs on the iPad, and this is my favourite.



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Purge... (delete unused objects) in Vectorworks

In earlier versions of Vectorworks there was a command called Purge Unused Objects... In later versions of Vectorworks this command has been replaced with a new Purge… command.
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SHORT SHARP TRAINING (monthly) 1203 Creating a Landscape Budget Plan in Vectorworks

If you use the correct techniques, it can be very quick to create a landscape budget. One of the nice things about Vectorworks is that if you create a landscape budget in one file you can then save this to your user folder and have it available on every project after that.
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Also available as a Kindle manual.More information...

Extended Podcasts Movies for Vectorworks now on line

Each month we have Special Interest Group meetings for BIM and Landmark,  and each session is recorded. These movies are a great way to catch up on the Vectorworks training. The movies record interactive online sessions. The sessions often have several people interacting to discuss a particular topic.

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SHORT SHARP TRAINING (monthly) issue 1202 Introduction to 3D Modeling in Vectorworks

The manual for Short Sharp Training issue 1202 is now online. The topic is Introduction to 3D Modeling in Vectorworks.

Vectorworks has several ways to work in 3D, but there are some basic principles that you have to understand.

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SHORT SHARP TRAINING (monthly) issue 1201 Setting up Layers in Vectorworks

The manual for Short Sharp Training issue 1201 is now online. The topic is  Setting up Layers in Vectorworks.

Setting up your layers correctly is essential if you want to use Vectorworks for BIM.

Vectorworks 2012 has a new organizing concept called Stories which will require you to think carefully about how you organise your project into layers and stories.

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Using Evernote

I use a program called Evernote. This is a great little program. I use it to collect together notes. For example when I am teaching my online webinars, users quite often suggest things that would be useful. 

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Simplifying Polygons in Vectorworks

One of the tools I use a lot is the polygon from inner boundary. But when I use imported polygons, they often have thousands of vertices. With so many vertices the polygon from in a boundary works very slowly because it has so much to calculate.

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I'm Constantly Surprised by Vectorworks

I'm constantly surprised at what Vectorworks is able to achieve. There seems to be nothing that Vectorworks cannot do. A few months ago i blogged about a case study that Nemetschek Vectorworks had produced on one of my clients (icebreaker). They have really taken to Vectorworks (and my training) and completely changed the way that they do business. 

This month I was asked by a client to build a special tool that would take site measurements and convert them into a Vectorworks drawing. Without this tool it takes between five and ten minutes to draw the cross-section, then you have to double-check the drawing. 

With this tool, it takes seconds. More importantly, the tool removes the possibility of drawing error. When you consider that there might be between four and six sections on each project, this tool saves between thirty and sixty minutes on every project. This is a huge saving. 

I have been teaching some users how to use Vectorworks for urban design (and this will be the basis of the May 2012 Short Sharp webinars). Vectorworks allows you to import the kerbs and building lines from GIS (there are websites for this) and use these files to create a city map. There is a really cool command in Vectorworks that will use the GIS building height data to automatically extrude all the buildings. This command has so many uses for commercial architecture and urban design, it can do much more than just extruding information. 

I have been to a major client to see how I can migrate them from 2D drafting to modeling and using the model to extract the plans, sections and elevations. This shouldn't be amazing, but many clients of not work this way, nor do they understand how to make this work. When they are shown it is amazing for them to have so much drawing work automatically generated. 

Having the model information generate the drawings has a more important feature, reducing the risk of the drawings being wrong. I have a client that has several people working each project. Using modeling techniques and Referencing, they can ensure that the errors in the drawings are kept to a minimum. All they needed was a little help. 

iPhone or Android phone?

I have bought an Android phone to test some of the apps that I use on my iPhone. So far, I have found that several of the iphone apps I like to use are available on the Android phone, so it looks (on the face of it) that you could choose the iphone or an Android phone. There is more to it than that, but for what I paid for the phone, it does a lot.

This is the phone I bought. It was on sale recently for $189NZ ($155US) for an unlocked phone. It runs Android 2.3, which I thought is better than Android 2.2. 

I have an Android Tablet running 2.2 and i do not like it al all. This phone is another story, it works well. 

The Android market allows you to find and download thousands of apps. I found I could quickly locate all the apps that I was used to using on my iPhone. These apps (Kindle, Skype, Evernote and Dropbox) are indispensable for my work, and to be able to download them to my cheap smart phone means I could  run my business, even if I lost my other phone. 

I have had arguments with people that say the Apple ecosystem (Mac/iPad/iPhone/iCloud) is a closed system, and does not play with others, whereas the Android ecosystem is an open system. That is not quiet true. Calendar, Contacts, emails, photos, and a lot more sync well using the Apple system, but if want to use Apple for your emails and Google for the calendar, you can do that. I find with the Android phone, it like to work with Google and nothing else. If anything, it is more of a closed system than the Apple way, but if you use gmai, google calendar and google+ you will be happy with an android phone.

This phone has voice search, and voice dictation built in.

Special Interest Groups for Focused Vectorworks Training

A few months ago, archoncad changed the structure for the subscription meetings to have workshop meetings one week, with special-interest group meetings the following week.

Each month, we have a series of workshop meetings. These meetings follow the structure of the PDF manual closely, but still allow time for Q&A based on the workshop topic. These are working extremely well, allowing users to question topics from the workshop (following along the PDF manual) or ask questions when more clarification is required.  the PDF manual has links to movies. This allows the user to read the manual, click on the link and watch a movie that covers that part of the manual.

Unlike the workshop meetings, the special-interest group meetings do not have a PDF manual, therefore we not limited to the topic. This allows users to choose the topic for the meeting, allowing them to focus on the most important areas of Vectorworks that they need to resolve. Users are responding well to these special interest groups. They are enjoying the ability to ask questions on a range of topics, but focused on their industry group.  These sessions are recorded, allowing users that were unable to attend to still learn from the sessions. After each special interest group session, I get several users sending me e-mails or messages, telling me how much they got out of the session, such as this email.

What is the Value of Free Information?

I was reading a blog recently about the value of free things. I thought this was an interesting blog because the questions the concept of free and whether we should give away free information.

A few years ago, I used to give away a lot of information on my free blog. In fact,I used to provide about 10% of the paid manual for free.  When the manuals were 10 or 15 pages long,this ended up with a blog about a page long.  When the manuals were much longer, say, 40 or 50 pages long, this ended up with a blog four or five pages long.  I am sure they felt that I was giving away all the information that I had.  In reality, I was only giving away about 5 or 10%. So the question was, " how much do the readers value this free information?"

If you are disappointed with the amount of free information I give away, I understand.  However, the information I have is valuable.  Since that information has a value, I feel justified in giving away a very small amount for free, but allowing users to subscribe to a service that has all the information for a small charge.


My feeling, is that if you pay nothing for  information, it is probably worth what you paid for. I often give information freely on the Vectorworks tech board and on the Vectorworks e-mail list. Recently, a user posted a question on the Vectorworks e-mail list. Only part of the information was given. The user then complained that the free information he received back was somehow substandard. Had the user posted the complete and full information we needed, I certainly could have given a better answer. However, what surprised me, was that the user complained that the free information should have been better. This has caused me to rethink my contributions to these areas.

There is a theory that says information should be freely given to anyone who needs it. The challenge I see with this, is that it does take me time to give that information to another person, and also took me time to learn that information. That means this information was not acquired freely, so why should it be given freely?

Introduction to 3D Modeling in Vectorworks 2012 [Kindle Edition]

I have just completed my new Kindle book: 027-2012 Introduction to 3D Modeling (Short Sharp Manuals) [Kindle Edition]. This Kindle ebook is based on the Vector-workout Subscription manual for February 2012. 


Extract:
In Vectorworks you can use different ways to create 3D work, but for all of them there are basic principles that you have to understand. Working planes are the basis to start a 3D object, whilst extrusions are the primary tool to create a 3D object. Once you understand this it all gets much easier.


You can find more information about this ebook at the Kindle Store.

Repetition is Important When Learning Vectorworks

Prior to running my Vectorworks courses online, I used to run them in a classroom. At the time it seemed like the best thing that I could do. I was aware at the time that repetition was important, and the way the courses were structured, it allowed time for the attendees to practice, while I would circulate the room, helping any users that were struggling.

For a long time this worked well. I did notice though, that after a few days of training, the users could follow instructions, but the instructions were not sinking in. The users could not remember the instructions they had been give ten minutes ago. One user said to me that he was suffering from "brain-fade".

I know that the human attention span is 60-90 minutes. After this, it is hard to keep concentrating. So, stopping my lessons for a break every 90 minutes would be the answer, but the feed back from the users was that they want to learn, and they do not want too many breaks in the day.

When I was able to use online training with GoToMeeting, it gave me the change to completely I change my training system. I was able to shorten the lessons to 60-90 minutes, and I was able to get users to practice at least once a day. This has had a huge impact to the success of the course. I am now finding that when users have completed the course, they are able to retain more information, and understand more about the concepts in the course.

I have recently started reading a book called Smart Thinking: How to Think Big, Innovate and Outperform Your Rivals [Kindle Edition] by Art Markman. This is a great book and it sets out how the brain works and how we learn. And, repetition is vital to learning. It turns out that the brain likes to work on auto-pilot as much as possible. For example, if you learn the keyboard shortcut for the Selection tool (x) then every time you need it, you can hit the x key without thinking about it. This will make it easier to use Vectorworks, and it makes it easier on your brain, because it doesn't have to think too much. Repeating exercises allows the brain to remember the instructions and understand them.

It appears from reading this book, that the online structure for the course has a big advantage. Each session is short, just 60 mins. The user then has at least two days before the next session, allowing time for repetition. The user can put in as much effort as they want, and every time they repeat the lesson, they get better at it. This allows the user to build their skill incrementally, building each session on the foundations of the last one.

Upskill yourself, join a course now.

Happy Vectorworks User says "Wow!" About Subscription...

All of my subscribers are happy with the Vector-workout Subscription service. It is the best way to get productive with Vectorworks, but this email arrived the other day from a subscriber who wanted others to know how valuable the service is. This is an unsolicited recommendation...

Jonathan;

Just a note to follow up on my last post regarding ideas for the subscription groups and the Landmark Special Interest Group.  I’m not including any additional topics exactly, but I wanted to add a few points:

1.       I think the online subscription group works very well for a lot of Vectorworks users at all levels of experience and expertise, but especially in my case where I’m switching from hand drafting and had very little real-world CAD experience.  I think a multi-pronged approach to learning is critical, but I wish I had included the subscription service right away, since I would be much further along now.  Here’s the thing:  There’s a huge amount of information to sort through just to get started.  Prioritizing what to focus on, then working with the program enough to start learning even a fraction of its full potential is a daunting task.    I did work through the Getting Started guide for Landmark 2010 and followed that up with your Landmark Manual which was a good start and did point me in the right direction.  I also attended the various official Vectorworks webinars as I could which were also helpful.  But for me your subscription service has proven critical on an entirely different level.  Here are some things I’ve appreciated:

• You emphasize Workflow and Productivity in your live sessions, and this overall philosophy is reflected consistently across all your training materials.   This is nearly impossible to convey in a help menu.
• On a similar theme, you share learning tools  that help organize Vectorworks concepts and put them into perspective.  For example, your 3 rules for managing classes to control visibility, graphic style or to schedule information; your 4 rules for layers;  or your analogy of a group as a container object.  I think you should collect these together and have Vectorworks publish them as an expansion of the “cheat sheet” they already provide on keyboard shortcuts. 
• The sessions are truly interactive, giving the group members a chance to ask questions and clarify things in real time as your presenting them. 
• It’s usually equally as valuable to me when someone else in the group asks a question, because It’s usually one I also need answered, or more likely, one I never thought to ask. 
• You clearly work hard to stay current in the latest Vectorworks Program features, but still have the depth to answer questions from someone in an older version.
• The session times and dates are very accommodating for my schedule (which works better late at night)
• You record the sessions and make them available for download, complete with supporting material.
• And perhaps for me the most important thing; the regular schedule of 2 different sessions per month was vital to keep me actively using the program even during the busy summer months when I abandoned the Computer for hand drawing.

2.       This is a bit redundant, but I purchased Vectorworks Landmark in the fall of 2010, and even that first winter when I would have had time to focus on learning the program, I never truly engaged or committed enough time to bring my skills up to a useful level, so that following spring and summer, I resorted to hand drafting for most of my work.  That was clearly a lack of discipline (and planning) on my part, but for some reason, the subscription group turned all that around.

3.       Now that I’ve had a little experience with actually creating drawings, I noticed I’m no longer turning to the drafting table for new projects.  That’s a very big change for me.  As you recommended in one of your blog posts, I have created a set of goals for my Vectorworks learning, so I thought I’d share them with you, as added incentive to get to work on them.  They are in two categories; setting up systems, and ongoing learning goals.  I have downloaded and saved most of your previous SST manuals, and I know they contain the information I need to reach most of these goals.

In case I didn’t say it directly, above, thanks for all your help and advice!    


John M.

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