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Sunday, June 30, 2013

[Archoncad] Weekly Digest Email 21 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)

These posts were added to my web site:

Why Customise Vectorworks?

Vectorworks has hundreds of tools and commands, and they have all been set out
in the interface, or Workspace as it's called, and they have been set out to
suit most situations.

0028 Numbers - Part 1 - Introduction

Numbers is the native iOS spreadsheet program. It does not come free with your
iPhone or iPad, you will have to purchase it from the iTunes App Store. It is
designed to be a very simple and easy to use spreadsheet program.

0027 - Newstand - The Place to Buy an Read Magazines and Newspapers

If you like to read magazines and newspapers, then you should check out the
that. This app is designed to collect together all of your subscriptions for
newspapers and magazines.

0026 - Clocks on the iPad with iOS6

Before iOS6 there was no clock app on the iPad, which I was always amazed about.
Now, Apple have finally fixed this with a new iPad clock app. This is not just
the copying of the iPhone app to the iPad, it’s a different app altogether.

0025 - Moving and Editing Notebooks in Evernote

In my business I use Evernote every day. It has become my main way of storing
notes that I want to access on my tablet, smart phone and desktop computer. It
does not matter where you happen an iPad one android tablet, a smart phone or an
iPhone, a Macintosh computer or a Windows computer. This cloud-based database
allows you to store notes and access them from any device.

Using Evernote 

I'm a big fan of using Evernote (http://evernote.com/). I use it to record
notes, photos, audio notes, and clippings from web sites. I have some overseas
colleagues that use even more than I do. You can sort noted into groups
(notebooks) that relate to a topic or project.

Business Card Scanner - SamCard-Business Card Reader 

I thought I would try out another another business card scanner to see if my
results were any better than the last one. Part of the challenge with business
card scanners is the graphic design of the business cards, they are not always
consistent.

iPad Basics Part 18 - Organizing the Home Screen 

When you have installed several applications on your iphone or ipad, it can be
tricky to find the applications you want. There is a way for you to group
applications together and to rearrange the location of them.

iPad Basics Part 17 - Setting a Passcode Lock 

If you have a tablet, iPad, smart phone, or iPhone, you should set a passcode to
prevent unwanted people accessing your phone or tablet.

iPad Basics Part 16 - Push Email on the iPhone 

The iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch have an ability to click your e-mails
automatically. The way this works is that your e-mail server will automatically
push your e-mails to your device as soon as they are ready. This is known as
push e-mails.

iPad Basics Part 15 - Setting up Email on the iPhone 

When you start with your iPhone or iPad you have to tell the device where to
collect your e-mail from. This requires you going through a series of setting up
questions.

Introduction to Evernote 

Evernote is an application that I use on my smart phone, tablet, iPhone, and
computer. It creates an online database where you can store notes, and it
synchronizes the notes between your devices. This is a very powerful piece of
software, and it is one of my recommended applications.

Business Card Scanner - CamCard Lite for iPhone and iPad 

I quite often get business cards handed to me, and I am never quite sure what to
do with them. After all, I want run a paperless office, so I'm not very keen to
have a stack of business cards on my desk to look through.

iPad Basics Part 14 - Search on the iPhone

The iPhone and the iPad allow you to search through your contacts, calendars,
notes, and so on looking for information. This really means that if it is stored
on your phone you can search for it.

iPad Basics Part 13 - Splitting and Merging your Keyboard on iPad

The iPad has the ability to split the keyboard to make it easier to type with
your thumbs. This can make it a lot easier if you have to stand while using your
iPad.

iPad Basics Part 12 - Adding International Keyboards 

If you need to write in different languages you can set your device to use
different keyboards. There is a huge selection of keyboards that you can use,
and it is easy to jump between the different keyboards.

iPad Basics Part 11 - Using International Punctuation 

If you write in other languages, other than English, you might have to access
international punctuation. Even if you said your keyboard to be English, you can
still access some of the international punctuation symbols that you need.

iPad Basics Part 10 - Multi-Task Bar

The multi-task bar on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch allows you to access all
the applications the running on your device. It allows you to shut down
applications, jump to other applications, access your music player controls, and
so on.

iPad Basics Part 9 - Punctuation Tricks

When you are typing and you need to access punctuation marks, they can be a bit
slow to tap on the 123 button to access your punctuation, then you have to tap
on the ABC button to get back to your regular keyboard. I found the trick to
make this easier.

iPad Basics Part 8 - Download Previous App Purchases

Once you have purchased apps from your iTunes Store, may automatically download
to your iPad, iPhone, or iPod. But for some reason you have deleted your app you
can always download it again.

iPad Basics - Setting Autodownload on the iPad

You can change the settings on the iPad so that if you buy a song or app on
your desktop machine (or other iOS device) it will automatically download to
your iPad.

iPad Basics Part 7 - Signing Into iCloud on a Decktop Machine

If you want to use a desktop machine in conjunction with your iPad then you
should sign in to iCloud so that you can share information between your desktop
machine and your iPad.

iPad Basics Part 6 - Signing Into iTunes

You don't have to use iTunes on your desktop machine, but if you do, you can log
in to buy  apps, songs, movies, and so on. If you use a desktop macine, you can
backup your iPad to it, and so on. I use my desktop machine to store all my
iTunes songs movies, and TV shows. The reason is that I have got too many to put
on my iPad at one time so I need somewhere to store them.

iPad Basics Part 5 - Creating an Email Signature

Your ipad comes standard with an email signature, which usually says "Send
from my iPad". I think this can be improved and made more business-like.


iPad Basics Part 4 - Introduction to Safari

This movie is not designed to be an exhaustive look at Safari. This is designed
as an introduction to Safari to make sure that you understand the main parts and
how to use it.

epodcast179 - Using a Massing Model as a Site Modifier

A massing model can be used as a site modifier.

epodcast178 - Editing the Roof on a Massing Model

Massing models are great way to place existing buildings around your site, to
give your project a context. When you place a massing model, you can choose to
have a flat roof or a hip roof.

Landmark_SIG_029 Special Interest Group June 2013

In this session we looked at creating a hatch, tiling, applying the hatch and
tile to a hardscape, using a stir as a site modifier and the resources for
leaning how to control stairs.

Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Upskilling Your Office

When new poeple start in your office, it is the perfect time to make sure that they know Vectorworks well. Since they will be working for you, it's important that they know how to use Vectorworks first, then they need to understand how you are using it.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

[Archoncad] Weekly Digest Email 20 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)


BIM_SIG_021 Special Interest Group April 2013

In the session had only one attendee. Lucky for him, he was able to have
one-on-one training as part of his subscription. His main area of problem was
roofing. So in this session we looked at his roof challenges and how we can cope
with them in Vectorworks.

BIM_SIG_020 Special Interest Group April 2013

In this session we started to look at how to control 2D graphics on elevations.
This session followed on from the recent epodcast that looked at the ability to
use the 2D graphics from the classes to give the elevations hatching it would be
live to the 3-D model.

epodcast176 - Unshaded Polygon Rendering for Elevations

For a long time we wanted to have the ability to automatically hatch our
elevations. There are several workarounds, but no one had yet figured out away
to make the hatching on our are elevations automatic.

Saturday, April 06, 2013

[Archoncad] Weekly Digest Email 19 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)

This week I posted the following blogs:
SST_1304 - Creating Construction Details
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/04/12488/sst_1304-creating-construction-details/

Creating construction details is a major part of your contract documentation.
But how should you create  these details? Is it possible to use BIM techniques
to create all your detailing?

For some projects, using BIM techniques will not give the content all the
graphic style required for detailing.

Online Sessions for April 2013
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/04/12485/online-sessions-for-april-2013/

This month the online workshop sessions will be looking at detailing in
Vectorworks. we also have special interest group meetings for Vectorworks
architect, Vectorworks landmark, and for the education sector. Do not forget to
book now....

Education_SIG_003 Education Special Interest Group March 2013
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/04/12478/education_sig_003-education-special-interest-group-march-2013/

In this session we looked at the resources that are on this web site and we
looked at t

epodcast175 - Clip Cube for 3D Modeling
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/04/12471/epodcast175-clip-cube-for-3d-modeling/

Vectorworks 2013 introduced this concept called the Clip Cube. The clip cube
is a 3-D modeling technique that allows you to hide all the 3-D objects outside
of the clip cube.

Education_m_002 - Extrusions and Modeling 
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12417/education_m_002-extrusions-and-modeling/

Introduction

3D modeling in Vectorworks is fun and it allows you to create objects that have
never existed before.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

[Archoncad] Weekly Digest Email 18 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)

This week I posted the following blogs:

Education_m_001 - Introduction to 3D Modeling
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12364/education_m_001-introduction-to-3d-modeling/

Introduction to 3D Modeling

In this exercise you will create a simple 3D model using simple tools and
commands. You can then use this model to create drawings using a new concept
called Viewports. We will be using a quick command to create the viewports from
the 3-D model. This command is only available if you using Vectorworks
Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, or Designer. The command we will be using is not
available if you have Vectorworks Fundamentals.

Education_008 - Viewing
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12249/education_008-viewing/

Viewing

There are several viewing tools. Some of the tools are located in the Tool
palette, and some are on the View bar at the top of the drawing window. We will
look at the most useful tools and techniques later in this manual.

epodcast174 - 3D Snapping for 3D Modeling
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12317/epodcast174-3d-snapping-for-3d-modeling/

In Vectorworks 2011 you could snap to objects that were not on the working
plane. In Vectorworks 2013 there is now a preference that controls whether you
can snap to points that are not on the working plane.

Education_007 - Dimensions
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12248/education_007-dimensions/

Dimensions

A drawing without dimensions is pretty useless. It is important that when you
place dimensions you place them accurately. Learning to dimension your drawings
accurately will allow you to draw more quickly in Vectorworks.

Education_006 - Applying Graphic Attributes
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12247/education_006-applying-graphic-attributes/

Applying Graphic Attributes

Vectorworks is a very graphic program. We have control over the stacking order
of objects ( the way things appear at the front or the back), we can assign
colors to objects, we can change line weights and line styles, and so on. It is
important that you understand how to control the graphic style of objects so
that you can make your drawings more readable.

Education_005 - Snapping
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12205/education_005-snapping/

Snapping

Snapping in Vectorworks means that you use other objects on the screen to draw
accurately.

Education_004 - Basic Concepts
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12146/education_004-basic-concepts/

Basic Concepts

To be able run the software efficiently you need to learn the basic concepts of
Vectorworks first. This section of the manual is designed to show you the
concepts that form the basis of Vectorworks. We will learn to make a few simple
objects, how to select objects, who to delete objects, and how to delete
objects.

Apple Increases Account Security With Optional Two-Step Verification System for
Apple IDs
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12141/apple-increases-account-security-with-optional-two-step-verification-system-for-apple-ids/

Apple has implemented a new two-step verification system for Apple IDs (via
9to5Mac), adding an additional layer of protection for Apple accounts with an
extra security code and a "trusted" device.

Read more...

Landmark_SIG_023 Special Interest Group March 2013
http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12134/landmark_sig_023-special-interest-group-march-2013/

This is the second session for the Landmark Special Interest Group for March
2013. The session started out with a discussion on what was included in my
latest Vectorworks Landmark Tutorial Manual for Vectorworks 2013.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

[Archoncad] Weekly Digest Email 17 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)


This week I posted the following:

Vectorworks Landmark Tutorial Manual for Vectorworks 2013 Announced

I'm pleased to see that Nemetschek Vectorworks have announced my new Landmark
Tutorial Manual for Vectorworks 2013. All the movies in this manual have been
updated for the new version of Vectorworks. The feedback from this manual has
been very positive. Users are getting up to speed in a week with this
manual.

Landmark_SIG_022 Special Interest Group March 2013

The consensus for today's special-interest group was to look at Renderworks
styles and lighting. Renderworks styles were introduced in Vectorworks 2012 and
they allow you to create a rendering style with lighting options, quality
options, and background options, and then save those settings. If you store the
Renderworks style in your library, you will be able to access the style in every
file.

New 'Yontoo' Adware Trojan Targets Major Browsers on OS X

Russian security firm Doctor Web this week highlighted a new trojan (via The
Next Web) affecting OS X systems and which installs an adware plug-in capable of
injecting ads into users' browsing experience.

As with other trojans, this new Yontoo malware relies on tricking users into
installing the package, which in this case masquerades as a movie trailer video
[...]

Book Review - Vectorworks Essentials Tutorial Manual 2013

The fifth edition of my popular Essentials Tutorial manual has been out for a
little while now, but i found this review of the manual posted on my friend's
web site yesterday.
This morning, I thought I would review Jon Pickups's excellent book
“Vectorworks 2013 Essentials”, it's the first in the series and probably the
one [...]

BIM_SIG_019 Special Interest Group March 2013

In this session we looked at two main areas of Vectorworks. The first area we
looked at was Constraints. Vectorworks has several constants that you can use to
set up relationships between objects. The other areas we looked at were the
Reshape tool and the Move by Points tool.

epodcast173 - Property Line on Site Model

I saw a discussion recently on the Vectorworks community board where a
Vectorworks user was trying to get an outline of the property onto the site
model.

Monday, March 11, 2013

[Archoncad] Weekly Digest Email 16 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)

This week I added new posts to my web site:

PDF Quality on Export PDF

http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12029/pdf-quality-on-export-pdf/

Some clients want to make sure that the PDF files they export are to a high standard. There are some settings you can use to control the output of PDF drawings, but it depends on how you are trying to create the PDF's

 

New Vectorworks Architect tutorial available

http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12025/new-vectorworks-architect-tutorial-available/

I'm really happy that Nemetschek Vectorworks have just announced my new Architect Tutorial Manual for Vectorworks 2013. Each year when I update my manuals, I try to ensure that I have including the most up to date workflows.

I visited a client the other day for training, and I really wished that he had this manual. There were so many questions that he asked about roofing, setting up wall styes, creating areas, and so on, that were answered by this manual. It would have been easier for me to teach him and it would have made our training time more productive.

 

SST_1303 Vectorworks Service Select

http://learn.archoncad.com/2013/03/12016/sst_1303-vectorworks-service-select/

Vectorworks introduced this service a few years ago. The aim of this service is to provide an upgrade each year, a video library, library objects and so on. The manual of now available for online reading and downloading.

[Archoncad] Weekly Digest Email 15 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)

I have added some posts to my main web site this week. Click on the links to read more...

Saturday, February 23, 2013

[Archoncad] Weekly Digest Email 14 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)

This week I posted the following blogs:

Archoncad Plugins

Over the years I have created several extra tools, or plug-ins, for Vectorworks.
These are very useful on older verisions of Vectorworks and some these are still
useful on the latest versions.

Education Resources

When you're teaching Vectorworks it's important for the students to understand
the basic concepts. Sometimes these basic concepts are abstract, and it can be
difficult for some students to understand how these basic concepts can affect
their later working.

Education_SIG_002 Education Special Interest Group February 2013

This was the second session for the education special interest group, and again
we spent a lot of time discussing the structure that would be appropriate for
educational purposes.

Education_SIG_001 Education Special Interest Group February 2013

This was the first session for the education special interest group. We spent a
lot of time discussing the structure that would be appropriate for educational
purposes.

BIM_SIG_018 Special Interest Group February 2013

In this session we looked at detailing again. We have covered detailing in an
earlier manual, but there are always questions about how to finish the project
and detail. Of course, how you detail depends on your drawing philosophy.

BIM_SIG_017 Special Interest Group February 2013

In this session we looked at detailing. We have covered detailing in an earlier
manual, but there are always questions about how to finish the project and
detail. Of course, how you detail depends on your drawing philosophy.

Try the 5-Inch iPhone Experience with this Printable Papercraft Model

This mockup can be printed out at 100% scale (example), trimmed, and folded to
provide a three-dimensional paper version of the 5-inch iPhone.

Apple Updates Processors & Prices of MacBook Pro with Retina Display

CUPERTINO, California—February 13, 2013—Apple® is making the MacBook Pro®
with Retina® display faster and more affordable with updated processors and
lower starting prices.

Mac Pro Now Unavailable for Purchase from European Apple Online Stores

As noted by 9to5Mac, the Mac Pro is no longer available for purchase from
Apple's European Online Stores.

cadmovie884 - Animations - Part 8

Animationworks Light Object - The AW Light Object gives you control over then
the lights start, stop, rate of dimming, and intensity.

cadmovie883 - Animations - Part 7

Animationworks Sliding Object - As with the Rotating Object, the sliding object
uses a 3D only symbol.

cadmovie882 - Animations - Part 6

Animationworks Rotating Object - This object does not need a path, so you can
place it anywhere.

cadmovie881 - Animations - Part 5

Animationworks Moving Object and Path - This works in a similar way to the
camera object. You create the moving object path, then you attach a symbol to
the path.

cadmovie880 - Animations - Part 4

AW Camera - The AW Camera is designed to work with the camera path object. You
have to place the camera path in the file first before you place the camera.

cadmovie879 - Animations - Part 3

AW Camera Path - This tool is used to create a 3D path for an AW Camera. When
you create the 3D path, you can get around the problems with the standard
Vectorworks animation, where it can be hard to create a smooth turn.

cadmovie878 - Animations - Part 2

Simple Animation (Move Along Path) - Move along a path allows you to set up a
movie that walks (or flys) through your design. It works by using a series of
views. Each view is a keypoint in your movie.

cadmovie877 - Animations - Part 1

Simple Animation (Orbit) - The easiest animation to make is called and Orbit
movie. This movie flys around the model. It is effective for showing the outside
of a building or an object. You would not use this animation to walk through a
building.

I've lost my password...

Sometimes you forget your password, or you have trouble logging in, so what
should you do? The answer is that there is an option on the login page you to
reset your password.

What Happened to archoncad.co.nz?

You might have ended up at this web site because you were looking for
www.archoncad.co.nz. So why are you here. Well, for the past year I have been
planning on changing my web site so that it can be more user friendly, so that
it can contain all my movies and manuals, and so that it is searchable.


Monday, February 18, 2013

podcast145 - Creating an Orbit Animation


Vectorworks has an easy way to create an animation, called the orbit point. While this is the simplest way to create animation, it also has the least options, making the result rather simplistic. However, if you want a quick method that give your clients an idea of the building, then this is an easy way to do it. It's also the easiest method to start using if you haven't created animations before.

There are some options that I don't cover in this movie but you will find them in my movie on this website : http://learn.archoncad.com


Sunday, February 17, 2013

What Happened to archoncad.co.nz?

You might have ended up at my new web site because you were looking for www.archoncad.co.nz. So why the new site? Well, for the past year I have been planning on changing my web site so that it can be more user friendly, so that it can contain all my movies and manuals, and so that it is searchable.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

[Archoncad] Weekly Digest Email 13 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)

This week i posted the following blogs:


Google Nexus 7 Updated to 4.2.2

I switched on my Nexus 7 this morning to find a message that it was ready to
update to the latest version of hte operating system. All i had to do was OK the
install, and it updated over the air to the latest version. This is a nice piece
of news.

The People's E-Book

I love e-books. I read them all the time, and my subscribers know that I write
them as well. I found this project that hopes to make e-book publishing easier
and more elegant.

epodcast171 - Tidying up Elevations

I had a client call today, he was having trouble tidying up the elevations of a
house. He knows how to use most of the tools, but he was not just the tools in
the right order to get a fast result.

Interactive Workshops February 2013 - Animations

Animations

When you present your design you cannot be sure that others are thinking of the
same thing that you are. One of the ways around this is to create images of your
design, so they can see it from several views.

SST_1302 Animations with Vectorworks (1st draft)

When you present your design you cannot be sure that others are thinking of the
same thing that you are. One of the ways around this is to create images of your
design, so they can see it from several views. These can be rendered views so
your client can see the light, shadows, and textures. These images work well
with printed media, but if you want them to fully understand design, a movie is
best.

CX - A New Cloud Storage System

I have just seen this new cloud storage system called CX. This is a system that
lets you store your files on line (like Dropbox and iCloud and Google Drive).
With so many options, what will CX do for you?

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The People's E-Book

I love e-books. I read them all the time, and my subscribers know that I write them as well. I found this project that hopes to make e-book publishing easier and more elegant.

Monday, February 11, 2013

[Archoncad] Weekly Digest Email 12 (blogs and movies for Vectorworks)

This week i posted the following blogs:

Animation in Vectorworks

This month we are looking at animations in Vectorworks. You can make movies
directly inside your Vectorworks files using the tools and commands. Of course,
you have to be careful how you set up your lighting, models, views and
rendering. When you set up the file correctly, you can produce high quality
movies.


Drawing a Stone Capping on a Wall

One of my clients was asking about drawing a stone capping on a wall. There are
two ways to deal with this, drawing a 2D plan view, or correctly modeling the
stone capping in 3D. This applies to more than just a stone capping, it applies
to any wall that has a capping on it.


epodcast170 - Adding Curved Text to a Curved Wall

You can use the Text Along a Path command to add curved text to a curved wall.


Landmark_SIG_019 Special Interest Group January 2013

Like the other session this month, this session focused on creating and storing
plants. this session also had time to look at storing plants in the default
content and in the Resource Browser.

Thursday, February 07, 2013

Animation in Vectorworks

 

This month we are looking at animations in Vectorworks. You can make movies directly inside your Vectorworks files using the tools and commands. Of course, you have to be careful how you set up your lighting, models, views and rendering. When you set up the file correctly, you can produce high quality movies.

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Drawing a Stone Capping on a Wall

One of my clients was asking about drawing a stone capping on a wall. There are two ways to deal with this, drawing a 2D plan view, or correctly modeling the stone capping in 3D. This applies to more than just a stone capping, it applies to any wall that has a capping on it.

Read more...

 

Monday, February 04, 2013

epodcast170 - Adding Curved Text to a Curved Wall

You can use the Text Along a Path command to add curved text to a curved wall.

Read more...

 

Landmark_SIG_019 Special Interest Group January 2013

Like the other session this month, this session focused on creating and storing plants. this session also had time to look at storing plants in the default content and in the Resource Browser.

Friday, February 01, 2013

Monday, January 21, 2013

BIM_SIG_016 Special Interest Group January 2013

In the session we talked about creating template files. When you create a template it is tempting to put everything in the template that you think you will need. Unfortunately, this creates a very heavy template file with lots of textures, hatches, line types, and symbols that you might never need.