Patrick Fritsch

@Brian my issue with the take-offs in Vectorworks is that when you have to model a component from scratch because the PIO does not do it or does not exist, you end up with a mix of object types and the modeled stuff won't show up on a spreadsheets with the other PIO's. Their may be a way around this but it's most likely too time consuming and will just make me feel like i'm testing a Beta program for the fun of it when i'm actually trying to make my bread and butter efficiently. I don't do any extravagant architecture so I expect a BIM package to be able to draw a simple bungalow construction without "workarounds" or excessive user input to format takeoff estimates...after all theee year of development BIM is still broken and i'm loosing faith for a short term promise. @Grant, I have not made any definite decision yet that was the reason I posted to get opinions. Maxwell attracted me for it's super realism (similar to Octane Render that I also use but that's a beta program), easy enough to use, initial and upgrade costs are low and lastly like I mentioned above I may not stick to Vectorworks after the next release so an independant renderer that can be used w/ many BIM/CAD packages would be a more flexible choice.

I agree that VW does not stand up to it's marketed capabilities, I've just strated using it and I'm not impressed. Which is the main reason I do not want to put all my eggs in one basket by going w/ Renderworks or C4D. I may not stick to VW if the next release is not a serious game changer as my Service Select upgrade is up for renewal after 2013 release. I'm a "smart sized firm" as they say (ie; one man show) so it's easy to flip flop to other platforms...I may just go back to my Sketchup/2d CAD workflow for a while. With all the "workarounds" the quantity take-off capabilty is useless, which is what I was hoping for as I do a LOT of estimates for General Contractors. In the end, a quick and dirty sketchup model can extract all the quantities I need to plug into my spreadsheets. Just sharing my thoughts and experience.

They also do notebook workstations. Check em out http://www.xicomputer.com/ And no I don't get a commision, just trying to help out as others help me a lot on this forum.

Have one assembled and burned in by people who know CAD and Rendering. I got mine last december from @Xi Computers in California ( check their website ), the guy walked me through my requirements and explained the pros and cons of each components decision very patiently and then when I made up my mind I just called back, gave them my quote number and it was shipped to my doorstep in BC. You can really screw things up by self assembly like not putting enough watts power to feed you big graphics card or not enough fans etc... God is in the detail...I'll stick to learning my CAD software properly!

Hey Frank why can't we do the same for roof slabs? We can't enter in ratio? Odd ! Should this be put on the wishlist?

Thanks for the heads up J. I tried out the sketchup plugin yesterday and it boiled my CPU from a cool 30 deg. C to 78 in an couple minutes. I have a cooler master case with 8 fans on an i7 CPU so it's another concern for me now. On a parallel note, is there a nice way to get VW files out to Sketchup 8 Pro? I did a 3ds but the roof was at the wrong Z height etc?

I totally agree with your theory of not making things too complicated to use and YES please someone write a 1000 pages VW prescribed workflow bible. As for the type of Fndt PIO or at least the type of "functionality" automation That I think would be interesting for VW is outlined here http://techboard.vectorworks.net/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=34763&Number=171615#Post171615 No other BIM package automates this process either so it could even be an edge for VW sales.

Thanks Matt, I'll use this workflow until you come out with a proper fndt toolset plugin...I think your a safer bet that NNA to get this right the first time.

Has anyone used Maxwell Render to create stills from their Vectorworks models? I'm thinking of going this route but since they do not has a VW plugin the workflow will require an export as 3ds model from VW to be able to import into Maxwell Render. If anyone has used this workflow I'd be interested in any good or bad comments about using VW w/ MR.

How do most of you model your sill plates between u/s of floor framing and top of fndt wall so they show up in your bldg sections? The only way I can think of doing it is w/ an extrude, and offset the wall sheathing above to come down over it. What i'd like is for a way to have it included either in the fndt Wall style (vertically stacked mat'l) or in my slab style of the floor composition. Has anyone acheived this?

No because it's the most common way to frame roofs in North America so NNA logic kicks in; "just model it" or maybe this type geometry is too difficult for them to program. Like every other basic BIM components that don't work properly as advertised. Advise! Model it in Sketchup and save yourself the pain!

Brian now your talkin' my language...i'll give this workflow a go.

Simple request, add the top riser and nosing option to the "custom" stair tool as per the "std" stair tool. See attached. I use this often, sure beats drawing it manually!

Uh Funny, I bought Pickup's VW 2012 Architect book and he's peddling WinDoor for 10 whole pages...that's ridiculous, even if their your buddy's from Oz. I paid to learn how to use VW 2012 Architect NOT a plugin that I don't have.

For those who may encounter this, I figured out my problem, I had the main VW workspace open on my secondary monitor and I ripped the 3 palettes to my primary monitor. For some reason VW does not like that as it works fine now that I've switched it around (VW to primary monitor and ripped palettes to secondary monitor)

It's the countertop end joints in top/plan view that I want to hide. See attached circled in red example.

It's the end to end joints of the countertop that I'm trying to hide in top/plan view. See attached image.

Hi, I'm using the "base cabinet" tool to layout kitchens, there is a setting to include the counter-top for each module inserted but how can I hide the joint that is shown in top plan view?

I was reading this and thought I'd give it a try, so I put my OIP, Resource browser and Navigation palette on my 2nd monitor but then I notice my mouse scroll wheel would no longer work to zoom in/out. Did any of you have this problem?

A little friday humor as I find out another un-explained anomaly of Vectorworks that their engineers can't even understand so forget about a fix; stairs don't like to be mirrored or duplicated. Check out Murphy's Law on BIM software developement; http://www.murphys-laws.com/murphy/murphy-computer.html

Hi, I'm trying to reposition some bldg walls/slabs/roof on a site plan but I can't seem to move it by an edge or corner point as this only stretches the walls, to move it all at once I'm forced to put my cursor withing the walls boundary but this is an arbitrary point and kind of useless if I'm trying to line the bldg up with property setbacks for example. It's a simple flat site w/ no DTM so I'm not using the shuttle file concept as I usually do, and this is probably why I've never had this problem before. Any tricks anyone?

I started doing exactly as you say Peter, first a rough bldg elevation position then a section viewport at every bldg face to check ground cover of my foundations...At least I don't have to extrapolate the grade section profile like I've done on a drafting table many times before! I was kind of hoping the software could figure out the fndt stepping for me, I guess the BIM DTM/Fndt walls is not smart enough yet!

Amen! thanks I'm still learning the all the keyboard commands...I still keep typing "L" for line. Thanks a bunch!

Hi, is there a way to undo the last click during a command, let's say I'm tracing a 2D polygon for a bldg perimeter and I click on the wrong point, I find myself having to put a bow around my finger to remember that I have to reposition that wrong point when the command is complete. And if I click several wrong point after 20 clicks it's a pain. How are people dealing with this?

Nice tip Vincent!