[Archoncad] Weekly Digest 2 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)

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

Dealing With Walls - Part 16
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9538/dealing-with-walls-part-16/

Wall Sculpting - Wall Projection - You can use the wall projection add a 3D
shape into a wall. The wall stays as a wall, so you can still insert doors and
windows into the wall.

Dealing With Walls - Part 15
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9537/dealing-with-walls-part-15/

Wall Sculpting - Wall Recess - You can use the wall recess to cut out a 3D
shape from a wall. The wall stays as a wall, so you can still insert doors and
windows into the wall.

Dealing With Walls - Part 14
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9536/dealing-with-walls-part-14/

Replacing Wall Styles - I often replace the wall style. For example, you might
be drawing an existing building. If you wanted to show the demolished walls,
just need to change the selected walls to the demolished wall style.

Dealing With Walls - Part 13
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9535/dealing-with-walls-part-13/

Wall Style Library - All your wall styles can be stored in a library. This
makes if fast and easy to use your walls on every project.

Dealing With Walls - Part 12
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9534/dealing-with-walls-part-12/

Creating Wall Styles - Wall styles are fast to use and can be used on several
files. They can automate much of your drawing system.

Dealing With Walls - Part 11
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9533/dealing-with-walls-part-11/

Fit Walls to Roof - An easy way to get the walls to follow the roof is to use
the command Fit Walls to Roof (Fit Walls to Objects) from the AEC menu.  This
command will fit all the selected walls to a 3D object like a roof, extrusion,
site model, NURBS curve etc.  You have to create the 3D object before you use
this command.

Dealing With Walls - Part 10
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9511/dealing-with-walls-part-10/

Changing the Overall Height of a Wall - You can change the overall height of a
wall by changing the ∆Z (Layer Wall Height) of the wall on the Object Info
Palette.  Say for example that you want to make the walls at the lower part of
the building into balustrade walls.

Dealing With Walls - Part 9
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9510/dealing-with-walls-part-9/

Changing The Height At The End Of A Wall - Sometimes you want to change the
height at one end of the wall.

Dealing With Walls - Part 8
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9509/dealing-with-walls-part-8/

Reshaping Walls in 3D - Whether you want your wall to be sloped at the top or
have a gable end on it you use the same tool. VectorWorks calls this adding
peaks and VectorWorks uses the 3D Reshape Tool to add peaks or move the heights
of each part of the wall.

Dealing With Walls - Part 7
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9508/dealing-with-walls-part-7/

Using Walls On Multilevel Plans - Often you have a plan that has walls on
several levels.  There are two ways to deal with this, either split your file
up into lots of layers, or move the walls once created.

Dealing With Walls - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9507/dealing-with-walls-part-6/

Healing Walls - If you join walls and then later you delete one of the walls
you may be left with a joint.  The joints need to be removed for the walls to
draw correctly.

Dealing With Walls - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9506/dealing-with-walls-part-5/

Auto-Join Walls - If you set up your wall styles correctly, Auto-join walls
with join the core (the structureal parts) of the walls automatically, and you
won’t need the component join.

Dealing With Walls - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9505/dealing-with-walls-part-4/

Joining Wall Components - If you have walls with components, you might notice
that the walls do not join completely. The answer is to join the wall
components.

Dealing With Walls - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9504/dealing-with-walls-part-3/

Joining Walls - Walls look better when they are joined. I often draw a small
portion of the wall and join it later.

Dealing With Walls - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9503/dealing-with-walls-part-2/

Existing and Demolished Walls - If you are drawing an existing building, you
will need existing and proposed walls styles.

Dealing With Walls - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9502/dealing-with-walls-part-1/

Simple Walls -  you have Vectorworks Architect or Designer, the wall tool
allows you to use wall styles, and to store Wall Styles in a Wall Style Library.
We can start with drawing a simple wall.

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.

cadmovie868 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 18
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9481/cadmovie868-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-18/

Plants - Vectorworks plants in 2013 now have two parts to the Plant
preferences. There are the plant settings which controls the current placement
of plants, and then there is the plant definition that controls the overall
definition of the plant in the file.

cadmovie867 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 17
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9478/cadmovie867-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-17/

Door and Window Improvements - I was recently working on a project where I had
to make similar changes to over 40 windows. The challenge is, that if you choose
more than one window, the Settings... button on the Object Info palette is no
longer selectable. This means that you have to make the changes to each window
individually.

cadmovie866 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 16
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9475/cadmovie866-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-16/

Sheet Layer re-ordering - When you creating a large set of drawings,the sheet
layers are always sorted by the numbers first and then alphabetically.
unfortunately, this often means that my drawings are out of order, because my
structural drawings are then placed after my general notes. In reality I want
the general notes to come last.

cadmovie864 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 14
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9459/cadmovie864-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-14/

Space Objects - Space objects have been improved in Vectorworks 2013. In
particular, the way the classes can now be assigned to parts of the space.

cadmovie865 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 15
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9460/cadmovie865-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-15/

Site Modeling - When you create a site modifier, you need to create an object
that limits the extend of the mofidcation. This used to be called the fence or
boundary. It’s now called Grade Limits, but it is the same thing, it limits
the amount of the site affected by the site modifier.

cadmovie862 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 12
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9442/cadmovie862-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-12/

Physical Sky - Heliodon Changes - The physical sky is a new background in
Vectorworks 2013 and it is tied to the heliodon tool. The difference between
previous skies and the new physical sky is that the physical sky changes its
appearance according to the time of day shown in the Heliodon.

cadmovie863 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 13
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9441/cadmovie863-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-13/

Auto-Hybrid  - I think this is going to be a huge benefit when you are
creating your library. I often use imported objects from manufacturers to create
my 3-D parts of symbols. But it has always been a lot of work to trace over the
3-D objects creation the 2-D portion of the symbol.

cadmovie861 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 11
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9451/cadmovie861-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-11/

Surface Array - The surface array command is really powerful for creating
complex 3-D geometry. It creates a repeating array over a NURBS surface.

cadmovie860 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 10
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9439/cadmovie860-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-10/

Non-Blocking Rendering - I have several projects with high quality rendered
viewports. When I want to render these viewports Vectorworks locks up and I
cannot do anything until they are finished. Non-blocking rendering allows me to
carry on working while these viewports are being rendered.

cadmovie859 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 9
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9440/cadmovie859-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-9/

Inset Dormers and Skylights into Roof Faces - From long time has been
recommended that you keep a roof together for as long as possible in case you
need to insert skylights or dormer windows.

cadmovie858 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 8
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9436/cadmovie858-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-8/

Windows Explorer Preview - On the Macintosh you have been able to see a preview
of the contents in the Vectorworks file before you open it.

cadmovie857 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 7
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9433/cadmovie857-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-7/

Images in Worksheet cells - This is a technique I have been waiting a long time
for. This is the ability for the worksheet to display images based on the
selection criteria in the worksheet. For example, a picture of every Plant for
the Plant counting worksheet. Or another example would be an elevation of every
window in the window schedule.

cadmovie856 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9429/cadmovie856-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-6/

Clip Cube - The Clip Cube is a new navigation feature in Vectorworks 2013. If
you have a large project, for example an urban design project, when you create
an isometric or perspective view, you sometimes have too much information.

cadmovie855 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9426/cadmovie855-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-5/

New Perspective View and Walkthrough - When you change to a perspective view you
have a crop object around the perspective view. In Vectorworks 2013 there is
now an ability to turn this crop on or off.


The walk-through tool has also changed. It used to be very difficult for people
to use the walk-through tool, because the controls of the walk- through tool
were based on the center of the view.

cadmovie854 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9419/cadmovie854-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-4/

Hyperlinks - Hyperlinks are a new annotation object in Vectorworks 2013, and
they appear in the Dims and Notes toolset. A hyperlink can be used to create a
link from a part of your drawing to a saved view, sheet layer, document, folder,
or website.

cadmovie853 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9416/cadmovie853-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-3/

Custom Line Types - Some people have complained that Vectorworks does not have
enough choice over line styles. The new custom line styles in Vectorworks 2013
will allow you to create your own line styles with graphics or text as part of
the line.

cadmovie852 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9412/cadmovie852-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-2/

Collapsible (Hierarchal )Classes - I am a fan of using lots of classes. Layers
are where things are, so you tend to have layers for stories of the building or
for structuring the file. Classes are what things are. This means that you have
classes to differentiate different parts of the design depending on what the
objects are.

cadmovie851 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9406/cadmovie851-whats-new-in-vectorworks-2013-part-1/

Detail Viewport - I have been waiting for this for a long time. In previous
versions there wasn’t a viewport that you could use for this. What this new
viewport concept will do is to take a portion of your design layout and place it
on a sheet layer.

epodcast163 - Importing old Vectorworks Plant database into Vectorworks 2013
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9377/epodcast163-importing-old-vectorworks-plant-database-into-vectorworks-2013/

Last week, when I was looking at the plant database and Vectorworks 2013, I had
trouble importing plants from my old plant database into the new Vectorworks
2013 plant database. At first I thought this was a serious flaw, but I have
since learned that there is a way to update your old plant database to make it
useful in Vectorworks 2013

Landmark_SIG_012 Special Interest Group October 2012
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9371/landmark_sig_012-special-interest-group-october-2012/

This is the movie from the afternoon session of the landmark special-interest
group. This session was slightly different from the morning session because we
looked at starting a project from a hand drawing. We then created layers on top
of the scanned hand drawings so that we could start our Vectorworks plants.

Landmark_SIG_011 Special Interest Group October 2012
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9370/landmark_sig_011-special-interest-group-october-2012/

This is the movie from the morning session of the landmark special interest
group. We looked at starting a project from the beginning by importing a DXF/DWG
file. We looked at the options for importing this type of file and then we
created the other layers that we needed, and then we created plants.

Site Modeling - Part 13
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9339/site-modeling-part-13/

Texture Bed - You can use this to add colors to part of the site model. This
doesn’t so much edit the site model, as apply areas onto the site model.

Site Modeling - Part 12
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9337/site-modeling-part-12/

Stake Object - You can use the stake object to help create a site model.  You
can use the  stake object on a site model to give the spot height. And you can
use the stake object to edit your site, or modify the site.

Site Modeling - Part 11
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9336/site-modeling-part-11/

Hardscape - Hardscape is a special tool that makes it easy to draw areas of
paving. This hardscape can be 2D only, or it can be 2D and 3D. If you make it
3D, then it can be a site modifier and can affect the site model.

Site Modeling - Part 10
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9335/site-modeling-part-10/

Cut and Fill Calculations - You need 2 things for cut and fill calculations,
you need a site model and you need site modifiers. The first one should be
obvious, with a out a site model Vectorworks has no way or calculating the site.
The second part is, if the site is not modified, there is no cut and no fill.

Site Modeling - Part 9
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9334/site-modeling-part-9/

Pads and Boundaries (Grade Limits) - Pads and boundaries (Grade Limits) are the
main tools for site modifying. The pad creates the 3D site modifier and the
boundary (grade limits) tells Vectorworks how much of the site will be
affected.

Site Modeling - Part 8
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9332/site-modeling-part-8/

Roads - Roads are great for making simple roads and paths. They can be easily
fitted to to the slope of the site. Do not think that Vectorworks is a roading
design package though. There are several road situations you can not make in
Vectorworks easily.

Site Modeling - Part 7
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9331/site-modeling-part-7/

Site Modifiers - There are several options for site modifying. You can use
roads (good for roads and paths), pads (good for flat or uniformly sloping
areas), hardscapes, landscape walls and stake objects.

Site Modeling - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9330/site-modeling-part-6/

Edit the Extent of the Site Model - You can edit the extent of the site model,
so you can change how much of the site model you see.

Site Modeling - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9329/site-modeling-part-5/

Edit the Original Source Data of the Site Model - You can edit the original
source data to edit the site model.

Site Modeling - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9328/site-modeling-part-4/

Site Model From a Survey and 3D Points - You can use a combination of tracing
over the contours and placing spot levels.

Site Modeling - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9327/site-modeling-part-3/

From Text File - You can import a data set from a surveyor.

Site Modeling - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9326/site-modeling-part-2/

Using 3D Points - 3D Loci - When you create a Site Model the 3D heights must be
shown by 3D loci or  some other form of 3D data.  The 3D information that you
put in must have the correct height for the Site Model to be any use (and it
will avoid later confusion).

Site Modeling - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9321/site-modeling-part-1/

What is a Site Model? - A site model is a way of looking at 3D data (spot
levels or contours) in a way that allows you to see complex 3D models and 2D
representations. VectorWorks uses the 3D information to create the models based
on the data to help you understand the 2D and 3D nature of your site.

Importing and Exporting Files - Part 6
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9317/importing-and-exporting-files-part-6/

Importing Sketchup  Files - There web sites where you can find 1000’s of
Sketchup files for furniture, cars, people and so on. You can import these into
Vectorworks.

Importing and Exporting Files - Part 5
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9313/importing-and-exporting-files-part-5/

Importing Shape Files - Shape files are geo-referenced (referenced to the
earth) so they know where they are in the world. You can import these into
Vectorworks.  

Importing and Exporting Files - Part 4
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9311/importing-and-exporting-files-part-4/

Exporting DXF File From a Sheet Layer - Exporting a DXF file from a sheet layer
will preserve the drawing.

Importing and Exporting Files - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9306/importing-and-exporting-files-part-3/

Exporting DXF File From a Design Layer - There are often times when you need to
export your work to a consultant so they can work on it. You will have to decide
what you want to export, as there are several options.

Importing and Exporting Files - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9303/importing-and-exporting-files-part-2/

Importing DXF Files - There are often times when you need to import a file from
a consultant. Your consultants may be using a program other than VectorWorks, so
you may have to share information in  a form that both your CAD program and
your consultant’s program understands.

Importing and Exporting Files - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9238/importing-and-exporting-files-part-1/

Importing PDF Files - Vectorworks can import single or multi-page PDF files.
Depending how the PDF files are made, you can span to them and extrude directly
from the PDF.

Property Line Tool - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9239/property-line-tool-part-3/

Property Line to Draw One Line - You can draw one edge of a property line.

Property Line Tool - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9237/property-line-tool-part-2/

Creating a Site Plan From a Polygon - If you can draw a polygon of the site,
you can make it into a Property Line.

Property Line Tool - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9234/property_line_tool_part_1/

Drawing Simple Site Plans - The Property Line toll makes quick work of simple
site plans. If the Sites do not have curves use this method.

Layers and Classes - Part 3
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9230/layers-and-classes-part-3/

Storing a Layer and Class Standard - When you create a Layer and Class
Standard, it is important to store it in the correct location so that
Vectorworks can use it.

Layers and Classes - Part 2
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9226/layers-and-classes-part-2/

Creating a Layer and Class Standard - When you create a lot of drawings it’s
essential that your drawings are similar to each other in the way they are set
up, a standard will do that for you.

Layers and Classes - Part 1
http://learn.archoncad.com/2012/10/9224/layers-and-classes-part-1/

Use More Classes, Use Fewer Layers - Layers should be where you have drawing
the information, classes should be what the information is. For example, the
walls are drawn on Floor 1, the class tells you that the walls are existing,
proposed, or demolished.

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.

There has also been a lot of work done on importing and exporting, site modeling, spaces, and plants have been improved. There have been a lot of improvements to small parts of Vectorworks that you might not notice, but these will ease your workflow. Some of the improvements will be noticed by beginners as they learn Vectorworks. Some of the improvements will not be noticed straight away, but Vectorworks will just feel faster.

Read more...

 

cadmovie851 - What’s New in Vectorworks 2013 - Movies uploaded

I have just uploaded 18 movies about the new things in Vectorworks 2013. These moves are linked the SST_1210 manual and they cover all the important new features and how to use them. Some movies discuss the implications of the new features on your workflow.

Start here...

 

[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

 Become a subscriber here: http://www.archoncad.co.nz/learn.php

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).

Become a subscriber here....

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.

If you are not a subscriber, become one now.

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).

Become a subscriber here....

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.