Vectorworks 2009 and Mac OS X Snow Leopard (v.10.6) Stability Concerns

Technical Bulletin

Vectorworks 2009 and Mac OS X Snow Leopard (v.10.6) Stability Concerns

As many of you know, Apple will be releasing Snow Leopard on August 28, 2009. And as many of our customers work on a Mac platform, the release of Snow Leopard naturally brings up questions of compatibility.

Understanding that for the majority of our customer base, our software is a key component of their work flow, our CTO, Dr. Biplab Sarkar, does not recommend running Vectorworks 2009 (Service Pack 4 or earlier) on Snow Leopard at this point in time. Dr. Sarkar and his team are already in process, developing a version of Vectorworks 2009 that will be fully compatible with Snow Leopard and free to all Vectorworks 2009 users. Expect to hear notice of this version availability in early November, 2009. And, if you’re not already subscribed to our monthly e-Dispatch newsletter, please subscribe now so that you’ll get the announcement. http://www.nemetschek.net/community/edisp_subscribe.php

For those customers with software versions earlier than Vectorworks 2009, please note we do not have plans to update these older versions to support Mac OS X Snow Leopard (v.10.6).

Thank you for your understanding and patience. If you wish to read a more detailed technical explanation of the current stability issues with Snow Leopard, you’ll find that information on our ever-growing Vectorworks Knowledge Base site: http://cli.gs/JrsNtD If you wish to be kept abreast of all our latest updates on the Vectorworks Knowledge Base, you can subscribe to the feed of new posts there.

Respectfully,

Juan Almansa

Product Support Manager

Nemetschek North America, Inc.

T 410-290-5114

D 443-542-0716

S jalmansamd

E jalmansa@vectorworks.net

Windoor for Vectorworks 2009

I’m a big fan of the Windoor Manager from http://www.ozcad.co.au. I have been using it for several years now, in preference to the standard Vectorworks window or door. it is able to create corner windows with butted glass, glass bay windows, but it’s most amazing trick is that windows and doors can be in the same frame.

I was telling Steve Scaysbrook about windoor and he said he had never seen it, so we did a screen share thing and he recorded a short movie of me giving him an introduction to windoor manager.

To see this movie, go to Steve’s blog:

http://blog.konstrukshon.com/?p=1836

Reviews for the 3D Modeling in Vectorworks 2009

The reviews for my new manual on 3D modeling are starting to come in. The manual has been designed to get beginners up to speed with 3D modeling, and the reviewers seem to understand that.

The first review is from FRANÇOIS LÉVY of Austin, Texas:

Throughout, Pickup addresses topics clearly and succinctly. NURBS, which have traditionally overwhelmed users new to 3D, are covered in a highly approachable manner, if not in tremendous depth. This is appropriate for users first learning 3D work. The accompanying videos are short and to the point, and the author strikes a good balance between keeping the viewer’s attention and covering the material fully. Needless to say, having print, video, and sample files all together covers the bases for all kinds of learners.

http://www.francoislevy.com/blog/blogger.html

The next review in also in from Steve Scaysbrook from the UK:

Now I have 3D under my belt, to me the price was and is not a problem, the quality of the sketch’s and above all the embedded movies on the CD make it a must have addition to my tech library, I can thoroughly recommended this book to anyone who has 2D CAD and wants to start using 3D CAD As we all move into BIM, 3D work is going to become more and more important, and this book has been such an enormouse help in achieving competence in 3D CAD work, nice one Jon

http://blog.konstrukshon.com/?p=1826

Nick from Salt Lake City says:

I would recommend this manual to anyone who has an acute need/interest in the power of the Vectorworks 2009 rendering platform. It is an excellent way to delve into the program that otherwise has a rather steep learning curve. I would also recommend it to those basic users, like myself, for an excellent way to expand your skill set, proficiency and speed in using the program for your creative needs. Either way, 3D Modeling in Vectorworks 2009 by Jonathan Pickup is an excellent tool for anyone who uses this power and effective modeling and drafting program.

http://nickhutch.blogspot.com/2009/08/3d-modeling-in-vectorworks-2009-review.html

Kevin Lee Allen Design Blog says:

I strongly recommend that students of Vectorworks, new users or users moving into BIM documentation buy this book. The $75 investment will be quickly recouped. Well, a few bucks and few days to work through the exercises and begin to master these powerful tools. You will have an excellent guide.

http://klad.com/blog/?p=821#more-821

So, if you want to learn 3D modeling, the manual is now shipping from NNA. http://www.nemetschek.net/training/guides.php

Vector-workout™ Introduction to Building Information Modeling

(Napier, New Zealand), 21 August 2009. Archoncad announce a new way to learn Vectorworks!

Archoncad is pleased to present a new service called Vector-workout™.

Vector-workout™ is a downloadable movie based training resource offering fast and easy access to instructive movies, ideal for sharpening vectorworks skills quickly.

Jonathan Pickup, the author, said "a client told me recently ‘I'm too lazy to read the manuals, just give me the information. Quickly!’

So, I've rethought how to deliver Vectorworks training resources as visual tools. Vector-workout™ is the result – it’s a visual teaching revolution for Vectorworks. As they say, a picture tells a thousand words, and Vector-workout™ kits do this brilliantly – movies are the perfect alternative to slogging through endless textbooks"

Vector-workout™ training manual kits use pdf files with embedded self contained movies. When you open the files with Acrobat Reader, you have bookmarks on the left-hand side for quick access to the movies. Acrobat Reader has a built-in search function, so you can type in a word or phrase and have Acrobat search for you.

Vector-workout™ kits are structured in a logical way, and can be used sequentially. This allows the user to start with basic principles and work though the kit in a structured way, as you would do with a textbook manual.

Alternately, they can be used non-sequentially - just use Acrobat Reader to find the specific movie you want and work smarter.

Jonathan also went on to say “we will launching a full range of Vector-workout™ kits soon, so there will be a variety of resources for all levels of user experience and design fields. These kits are very easy to use and so flexible that we know architects, designers, landscapers, etc, will find them ideal from improving their skills and productivity.”

The first set of resources available is the Vector-workout™ Introduction to BIM – go to www.archoncad.co.nz or www.novedge.com to view a preview of what this kit can do for you. This kit will suit beginners through to competent Vectorworks users.

Because Vector-workout™ kits are movie based, Archoncad offer it by web download, for instant access.

Each kit purchased will automatically entitle you to free download updates for that specific kit.

Available now www.archoncad.co.nz/training/vector-workout.php

Jonathan Pickup is an architect trained in New Zealand and in the UK with many years of experience. He has over 15 years of experience in writing and producing Vectorworks manuals and providing customer support. His company, ArchonCAD, is the premier provider of third-party manuals and training resources for Vectorworks. For more information, please visit www.archoncad.co.nz/