[How do I set the Z axis for a 2D object?]

Yes, I have unified view enabled.

I just tried ungrouping a grouped object again. I took it all the way down to its individual components. This is only a bunch of 2D objects then grouped together. When I examined the individual objects there is again the plane options in the OIP are "screen" and "3D". I then choose "screen". Then, when I look again, the only options that are available are "screen" and "layer", but no "3D"! I then choose "layer", regroup everything, and my resulting group is now in a zero z-axis.

Interesting...

Why?

[How do I set the Z axis for a 2D object?]

Ah! It goes on...

I am trying to teach myself 3D drawing. I'm creating a 2D drawing with one 3D item where I tried some extrusions and subtractions. That seemed to go OK. What is strange is that in the top view everything looks somewhat like I would expect. In isometric view some objects, both 2D and 3D, are not in the same Z position. All my layer planes have an elevation of zero. I don't see anywhere else I can set the Z level for individual objects. When I hover over the objects that are strangely low and I see in the group of XYZ numbers at the bottom right of my screen (there are two groups) that the Z number is something like -30,000 millimeters. Clearly known, but unchangeable. I tried the ungrouping method that I used successfully in an above post but it didn't work this time. How can I move these objects in the Z axis?

Thank you,

Mark

[How do I set the Z axis for a 2D object?]

For me, the problem turned out to be a group. I ungrouped the items and deleted one of the copies. The layer plane on the individual parts of the remaining set was set to "3D" with no other layer plane options. I deselected them, reselected them and then "layer" and "screen" available and the only options available. "3D" had disappeared.

[How do I set the Z axis for a 2D object?]

I just drew some brackets for a plastic box in 2D in top view in the same layer. When I chose a right isometric view (to view some other 3D objects) the brackets appear to have dropped down by perhaps 10m. I thought I would just select them and set the Z axis to zero, but I don't see how to do that.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Sheet Layer help]

Wow, thanks for all the help, Kizza!

I did finish my "title block" but it is not a real title block using the Vectorworks tools. I watched the video and, if nothing else, see the usefulness of the title block system. I will have to watch it and try some things to get a better feel for it.

Thanks again!

[Zooming and Panning]

Ah, I see.

[Zooming and Panning]

Hi Kizza,

What about holding the space bar that allows you to move the drawing in 2 dimensions with the mouse?

[Sheet Layer help]

I am creating a title block based on the title block I used in TurboCAD. I'll let you know how it goes.

I haven't experienced the two-way nature of the sheet and navigation palette yet, or perhaps I don't understand what you mean. Is this about the automation of sheet numbering?

Thanks,

[Sheet Layer help]

What I have noticed about centering is that it centers to the snapable shapes, in this case the print area which is not in the middle of the paper.

I tried to follow your recommendations on setting zero margins for a custom sheet, but my setup is a little different. Ultimately, I had to choose borderless printing and that gave me the correct settings, so far... I'll run some tests and let you know. I don't use borderless printing too often, but I have noticed that there is some variability in the settings.

Thanks,

[A Bounty on Bugs]

Cool idea. It does take quite a bit of experience and effort to research and report a problem accurately.

[Fillet greatest radius]

+1 on that.

[Constrain rotation arm length]

Yes, interesting. I like this.

[Combined Poly(gon)(line) tool]

One tool capable of the following:

1. draw continuous lines, arcs, curves (maybe even freehand and multi-line)

2. finish as a line or a shape

3. choose whether the entity is open or closed

-a) a line that is visually open could be closed as a shape and receive a fill of some kind

-b) a shape that is visually closed could be an open connected line without a fill

4. edit individual segments or sections

5. apply point simplifying transformations to complex curves

6. perform 3D operations

This would be a tool that would end the confusion of the polyline/polygon tool. I'm not suggesting that special tools like circles, rectangles, etc. be eliminated.

[Combined Poly(gon)(line) tool]

That was more of an example of integration. This thread is mainly about the confusing nature of the polyline and polygon tools.

With that said, I am aware of be able to choose multiple tools for various reasons. I'm not suggesting to get rid of the rectangle tool or the circle tool, or even the simple line tool, for example, but I am interested in getting rid of redundancy.

It seems that the polyline and polygon tools have too much overlap. I can draw more complex shapes with the polyline tool. I believe either can have fills, or be open or closed in some way, or have fills in some way. There does not seem to be a consensus from users or manuals why one would be used over the other.

I will post a more detailed request in the wishlist.

Thanks for all the responses!

[Snap to Paper Edge in Sheet Layer]

Not only do I want to snap to the printable area in a sheet layer, but I would also like to snap to the sheet edge.

[Sheet Layer help]

Yes, I understand about the print area. What I would like to do is measure some distance in from the paper edge for a consistent look. As you know, print areas usually have a larger non-printable space on the trailing edge than on the leading edge. I'm not suggesting that I want to put printable items in the non-printable area. I just want to measure from the paper edge.

With that said, How can I reduce the margins to zero and still use a physical printer? That would allow me to snap to the paper edge.

Thanks,

[Combined Poly(gon)(line) tool]

There may be good reasons for the separation, but they are completely wrong for the user. Again, this is a programming conundrum that has been passed onto the user.

Here is what it should be:

1. Grab the one combined tool (arc, line, polyline, and polygon - and maybe even freehand and multi-line) and run with it.

2. Draw a line, or a curve, or a complex line, or a complex shape.

3. Leave it open or closed. Or, change whether something is open or closed.

4. Edit segments.

5. Make simplifying transformations.

4. Use fills.

5. Perform 3D operations.

There seems to be no consensus about polylines and polygons - not on the forums and not in the user manuals. Let the software do its work because I don't want to do it.

Dammmit, Jim! I'm a doctor, not an escalator.

[How do I draw a circle with a center and circumference?]

Sure they work, but it would be a lot easier to just plug in the circumference. When I plot the existing trees on a project I measure the location and the circumference of each tree. I don't measure diameter because it isn't very accurate. It would be very convenient to just place the center of the circle and enter a value for C.

So tabbing into the fields should provide three linked values

R(adius) - which is currently L

D(iameter)

C(ircumference)

Thanks!

[Sheet Layer help]

I don't print on pre-printed sheets but have been trying to create my own borders and title blocks. How do you snap things based on the paper edge? The software seems to only snap to the print margin, which is not usually centered or of a consistent distance from the paper edge. I like knowing where that margin is, but I would much rather design to the paper edge which is what everyone will see.

I like your idea of selecting all the sheet layers that have common print needs and setting them all up at the same time. Great time saver.

Thanks!

[Sheet Layer help]

Hi Kizza,

Thank you for your response.

I think I am starting to get a better idea how to do this.

So, for clarification:

Would I would create a number of sheet layers based on one that I set up which has a consistant title block?

And then, would I use each of those as a somewhat static item such as "Overall Deck View" and place and juggle around various specific viewports?

[Gradients - Fading solid white to nothing?]

Yes! I agree! Separate opacity control over both the perimeter line and the fill of an object would be great.

On those gradients it would be fairly easy that when the color arrow is clicked the choice for color AND opacity could go together, like Adobe Illustrator.

[Sheet Layer help]

Well, for starters, I would like to print various views of a project so the crew can begin to see how it will look.

[Sheet Layer help]

After all this time, I still really don't know what I'm doing when it comes to printing out drawings. It is a very different philosophy than TurboCAD and I don't see it yet.

Would you all be willing to post a short bullet point list of the process starting from the drawing to printing a nice view on existing paper with standard sheet information? And then, what is the appropriate process for having many different drawings using the same sheet size?

Thanks!

[How do I draw a circle with a center and circumference?]

Such a simple programming fix. Maybe for VectorWorks 2020.

[Combined Poly(gon)(line) tool]

So...

I'm continuing this conversation that stopped back in 2011.

So it seems from studying the various comments about polylines and polygons here and in other threads that no one really knows what they are about and why they exist as two things. It sounds like a programming challenge that then got passed on into the user interface for all of us to wrestle with this silly combination of tools.

COMBINE THEM ALREADY.