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@Tom W. Thanks for the tip! You're right, its pretty difficult to capture elements in detail viewports for roofs, using the all eligible objects mode works, but they get thrown all over the place somewhere completely different in the viewport away from the drawing. Moving the tags does not move the leaders from the tag location, so i can understand your frustration. What ive tried so far - 1. removed display extents beyond cut plane (to cut out any other extraneous information. Tag still selected extents beyond the viewport. 2. length range in advance properties - limited by section line length - attempted to cut geometry to crop. Same condition as above. 3. Tried detail level low - to cut detail level - limited to just the components - removed most of the information in the detail 4. Tried detail level medium and high - ended with same result. Cannot select multiple components in a roof. (for a wall however I can easily select components) 5. Fiddling around using the setting towards data tag mode help me isolate some conditions, but moving the tag along that material line proved to be difficult and often tagged another component in the roof. generally the furthest material the tag could find beyond the extents of the viewport. not sure why @Nikolay Zhelyazkov @Luka Stefanovic -- We've spoken before about tags, you've given us some great tips and solutions in the past. Any recommendations? or would we submit this as a bug report? -- EDIT -- Funky Solution - only use leaderless tags in a detail viewport. Using two tags - one for the callout the other for the mark. The marks would be located near or inside the material to closely reference the location of the callout - whereas the note would be off center where notation would normally be. In a worst case scenario - where components are small - add a custom leader / polyline to the data tag to point out the component - after using the all eligible objects mode. Not the best scenario, but its getting closer until we might have a fix. Side note - are sub components in symbols (3d or otherwise) in the works for tags? Currently tags can call out geometry in groups - but not in symbols.

@Tom W. Thank you! Actually I just found out both work, however, they do not work in detail viewports. Is this by design or a bug? I'll upload a sample file when i get home later today. Walls work, slabs occasionally (material name for example disappears), hardscapes do not work in viewports, nor do roofs. All tags however do work in design layer viewports for both roofs and slabs.

Hi everyone, @Nikolay Zhelyazkov@Luka Stefanovic I've been using tags quite extensively to call out materials in subcomponents of walls, floors (slabs), and hardscapes. Currently I've been using the tag callout of #WS_MATERIALPROPERTY(propertyname)# or simply materialproperty(propertyname). This currently works for walls and slabs, but roof faces or hardscapes do not work. Could anyone point me in the right direction - how can i call out the component properties inside roof faces and hardscapes?

Unfortunately I wasn't. I can't seem to connect to any other world imagery servers. It seems VW is working on a fix later to use google maps. But thats more of a question to the devs. For now, my solution is screenshot the view, paste it, scale the image and lock it under a different layer. At least that's what i've always done prior to this feature. The only benefit it really has if that landscapes can superimpose the geo image onto itself...but i've never really found it that useful for precision.

Hi everyone, This is more of a complex question as this concerns connection to remote servers. Is it possible to use xlookup and vlookup using a remote server. I've gotten xlookup and vlookup to work, which...in itself is great, and not only that, it works in tags too! I was wondering if a remote server using a much larger database can be used to import record information based on xlookup and vlookup. Think - large map with tax blocks and lots - that would also need information on zone, uses, zoning compliance, year built, etc... over a larger swath of land. Alot of this information is provided by townships -- however -- importing very heavy worksheets could slow down the program -- and then crossreferencing the information could be possible. I was wondering if this can be done using a remote database - particularly inside a worksheet. I.E. This is the traditional method of using Vlookup and Xlookup in VW =XLOOKUP(B5, 'not found', 'lot block info':B2..B100, 'Lot Block Info':C2..C100) -- where the array that searching for b5 is between lot block info:b2..b100 and the result is in lot block info:c2..c100 =VLOOKUP(B2, 2, 'n/a', 'Lot Block Info':B2..E100) -- similar to xlookup, only 2 represents number column - and B2..E100 represents the array. Both are very powerful. The only thing i haven't mastered is using it for two concurrent values rather than one. Anyone know how to do this? (Other than creating a hidden column that combines two arrays) My question is - Can the array be substituted with a remote database and using similar arrays to reference lookup and result? for xlookup and vlookup - the worksheet reference would be replaced by a connection to database i.e. mysql://username:password@host:port/database/tablename my best guess - this would need to be done using runscript or runscriptedit to reference the function that executes the query in a standalone script. Has anyone tried this before?

Fair enough. As logic would have it, anyone complaining about pricing or overhead are then therefore potentially bad at business and by extension are potentially inexperienced. A statement that can be a fallacy without additional variables. This is why I wanted to ask about how everyone feels about the field as it currently is and what they're doing about it. There will always be unexpected scenarios that are out of our control. Sharing solutions could be a constructive way of anticipating them.

That's my point. Who's duty is it to make it proportional to the price? Is it VW or is it us as professionals? VW have their own requirements for growth, so why not us? What I meant was that a lot of the time professionals unknowingly acknowledge certain service into the contract without considering the length in time it would take to integrate it into the project or in order to stay competitive and include those services in a lump sum like you mentioned. This can cause a loss in revenue down the line, and if fees are added to an invoice, clients often feel that additional fees are unexpected, not as advertised, or should have been provided within the scope of the service (which isn't always the case). This knowledge is fundamental to the practice of architecture as a whole and ignorance in the bureaucratic process (and all the steps in between) often add up and can negatively affect any overhead expenses which would include software.

Hey @Jeff Prince, thank you for moving the post. I figured it was relative to everyone looking to provide or seek employment, so i thought that was a good location. As for the discussion, I've noticed a lot of complaints about subscription services, including Vectorworks, and to me it highlighted a broader indicator that if software subscription services is an issue, income could be an issue. It wasn't an attempt at a cry for help, but how times have changed and how people are changing with the times. Because this is a forum for architects, it could be a good source of dialogue and exchange of ideas for some, and a good learning tool for others. But your points are well taken! I've come to a similar conclusion myself. Often times in high areas of bureaucracy, some services can be left out, and then they have to be made up for with either time or money. also overhead and profit have to be compensated for as well.

Given that I've made the post, I'll delve into some of the strategies I've read about, used and am considering implementing. 1. Billing practices have changed for me. I've noticed that some clients cannot pay lump sum payments given the high cost of each phase the larger the project. Furthermore, Living in a state like New York, expediting has become a burdensome process in order to file documents. In the past this was done using an expeditor, and they tend to charge a fairly steep price of a one off filing management fee. I've always felt this was wrong and gave way for expeditors to try to become 'architects' and have always been one to take care of things myself. Expediting fees therefore have been included in my fees as well, notwithstanding consulting fees for surveyors, borings, MEP, structural and civil engineering etc... I've also been taking care of energy analysis inside of VW, so no consultant there needed. However, should energy analysis be required, given the recent complexity of codes, this is also an additional fee to the contract. Micropayments therefor i think are going to be the norm in order to progress a project in a reasonable manner in a jurisdiction like New York. other states could vary. For example in NJ, building departments there are a breath of fresh air. However, I've heard about a lot of corruption going on, so that can be an impediment too. Curious what other jurisdictions are like. 2. Yes, prices and rates are changing. I am considering creating a list for services and raising the prices based on the rate of inflation to supplement loss to the value of the dollar. For reference, here is a post on Archinect that questioned what the general value for a small coffee shop should be. Some chimed in saying outsourcing to China is the norm. But then they would need a professional to rubber stamp, so go figure. https://archinect.com/forum/thread/150304570/reasonable-architect-s-fee-for-a-small-coffee-shop 3. There are a few provisions i have added in order to safeguard liability in a jurisdiction like New York. Given that the state is extremely litigious, extra provisions for existing conditions have been added - specifically for any conditions that might be uncovered that have been found to be non compliant with zoning, or building code. You would be surprised how often this happens. As such, in these situations care must be taken in terms of work because hours add up as to how to fix existing conditions when providing new work that is not under the same scope of work under the contract. 4. The rate of architectural work I've been noticing is on a down trend at this point in time unfortunately (at least for me). However, the work that I have been getting revolve around a lot of legalizations, CO changes and the like. a building here or there definitely pop in from time to time though. 5. All in all, my general guidance has been based on % of construction cost as an individual indicator. Using those approximate numbers from realmeans an average rate of change per project can be used to calculate any project under the sum based on initial construction costs. Having said that, the question is which tool to use. I know about realmeans and Craftsman national cloud estimator. The neat thing about Craftsman is that it is a fraction of the cost of realmeans and can come in database / excel spreadsheet form. but is it as informative? I'll be honest, I have not reached that far yet, but I am planning to soon. Any comments from people who have would be helpful! 6. For me it has. As I've mentioned earlier, leveraging BIM and databases with VW is a lifesaver. First off, takeoffs for square footages have become much more accurate given the detail of how they can be taken from geometry, walls, floors, hardscapes and the like. This allows for another layer of cost estimation. Second, kitchens (rudimentary at least) Have become MUCH easier to design for design development and walkthroughs. I've received a few compliments thus for for the level of detail in a walk through, and I credit this for the cabinet, hardscape and the new fence tools that can be used for various things. I've also been doing walkthroughs via D5. I think its been by far the most efficient and cost effective walk through resource. I've noticed twin motion renders or walk throughs tend to be very saturated and do not provide the wow factor one would expect from a walkthrough. GI from D5 in my opinion has been on par with Lumion without the headache of installation and the exorbitant fee for the software. The landscaping tools along with hardscape have also dramatically helped. Right now for example i am building a pool and generated a 3d landscape model from a 3d point cloud using points. This extrapolation along with using the landscape modifiers allowed me to estimate amount of materials, backfill and concrete required for a prefabricated steel panel pool. FYI, I used the hardscape tool to create the outline of the hopper using elevation markers. Fancy stuff! And lastly, The fence tool for example I've been using as a template to create construction fences for permit in NYC. Very useful given that it is 3d, aligns the the landscape and all the standards can be within the proposed openings for the fence. Add in all the notes and you have yourself a quick way to generate a drawing for the construction fence. All in all, I think I've summarized a bit of my take on our field, looking to get some input from others. Thanks again all!

This is a general question to all practitioners of Architecture in this forum. Generally I would post on places like Archinect or other places, but for some reason I find the Vectorworks forum friendlier when it comes to group discussion about topics. 1. Given the conditions of the economy (both US and World Wide), how have billing practices changed for people that practice independently ? 2. Have you raise rates? Have your prices changed since 2 to 3 years ago? 3. Any new provisions in contracts that you added in order to compensate for inflation, higher software and hardware costs, interest rates, and length for the scope of work? 4. Has there been an increase or decrease in work Architectural work? How about Interior Work? 5. And if it isn't a secret how do you usually estimate work? % of cost of construction? lump sum? hourly? or square footage rate? 6. Has your workflow changed since the inception of new features in vectorworks ? Just reaching out there, see who is willing to open up and have a discussion. I see alot of complaints about vectoworks cost of services, but never any commentary on the state of the economy, rate of new work / proposals and how they can be offset in order to make all parties happy. I'm looking to change up a few things for myself as well. in another post I'll answer some of the strategies I've developed. Thank you again for your input!

after doing some digging this seems to be a free service. This is the link to get the api going. However, can anyone help me set it up please? https://www.here.com/docs/bundle/raster-tile-api-developer-guide/page/topics/playground/playground.html

Can't seem to be able to get satelite map tiles to work...arcgis forces login now behind a paywall. Also all other links for imagery or mapping do not have options to show maps. Don't know if this is a bug or feature. Could anyone tell me how to get the satelite imagery to work? (for any other service other than arcgis) if possible. Also, we can add map tiles ourselves. Any tutorials in adding api or maptile server url parameters to get imagery for services that provide satelite imagery other than arcgis? I.E. Google, bing, maptiler.com, etc... VW 2026 is fairly new, however, hopefully the devs can help us out!! Thank you!!!!

I have noticed issues getting map tiles from arcgis to display in satelite form in VW 2026. Is this intentional ? or is it a bug? Also, if it is not a bug, are there other mapping servers that can show satelite imagery for VW...i.e. bing, google, maptiler, etc... any suggestions? Thank you!

@Katarina Ollikainen Thank you for the reply and suggestion! I will get on it. The specific thing that is great about this tool is that you can import and assign database information columns from a spreadsheet. Doing so will allow staff members to create separate catalogs so to speak that can be imported based on matching the assigned columns to each other like in the plant catalogue (as far as i see here). Doing so for materials and for symbols in a similar fashion would allow to import that databases in the excel spreadsheets that would be 'open' and simply assign generic 2d / 3d symbols to the list thus making the assignment of information for symbols a much more streamlined process. The materials databases are especially crutial as clicking though the dialogues to fill out weight, u / r values, cost, manufacturer info and masterspec categories is a headache. Having something like this that can mass assign textures, hatches and line types in a list format would be an incredible addition to vectorworks in my honest opinion. again, thank you vectorworks team for paying attention to us users!!

Thanks @Kevin Allen That's great to know!!! I've been wishing for something like this for a while..have been jerry rigging it as best as i could to keep an updated database of information for components and materials. Passing the barrier of styles, symbols, components is pretty tedious, even with the resource manager.

This is pretty awesome for landscaping. Any way to make this possible for symbol libraries? Ie light fixtures, components, symbols....autopopulating information from spreadsheets and databases would be an insane productivity boost!!!!

Personally never tried it before, but a good tool i would try to use would be the fence tool. It can custom extrude and array a channel glass profiles based on a certain height...but then there would be the problem of getting custom window profiles in there.

Well Well, look at this! Ok, any takers to guessing what format and printing tabs do? Taking bets. Find out next Tuesday? 😂

Yeah, can't wait. Looks pretty awesome.

Hi Everyone, I'm looking to buy a new graphics card for VW. Lately, its been a bit sluggish when working in shaded view on a complex model. It also has lights with shaded elements turned on. Granted I have 3 monitors, and 2 viewports working in tandem to update elements on different layers or sheet layers. Generally I use viewports to work on multiple layers at the same time while looking at the model in real time to see how it looks. Here is a screenshot of the model Currently I have the RTX 3070. it currently has a vram of 8gb and ryzen 9 3950x processor (16 cores) with 128 gb of ram. VW is installed on a solid state drive that should be fast enough to run. Generally, I don't have any issues when running VW2025, however, when shading and shaded I am trying to decided between the RTX 5080 (also contenders can be rtx 5070 - 12 gb vram, and rtx 5070 ti - 16 gb vram) and AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT. bot the RTX 5080 and RX 9070 has 16 gb of vram (double what I have currently). Question - Which card would be recommended - if one to be chosen. (Either one is not an answer. lol) Thanks a lot in advance!!! Also could you explain why? Does gddr 7 vs gddr 6 play a role in shaded view? Does the number of cuda cores help with shaded view and multiple viewports? Does base clock and boost clock help in complex 3d models in VW? Drivers and compatibility - which among the 2 manufacturers has better compatibility with VW?

So based on the last coffee break, I learned you can paint surfaces on walls. We can finally show paint finishes and materials of a wall component....AWESOME. Here is the catch. I wasn't able to reproduce it every time. In the file attached, I accidently made it work on the one hour wall. But for the two hour wall (made independently of the 1st) - doesn't allow for me to paint the object surfaces. Could someone tell me where i went wrong? One hour version -- notice how the paint tool selects the component Version 2 Notice how the whole wall is selected. Further more, despite it being selected, the paint bucket tool doesn't work on this particular wall anymore. Both walls are based on component textures and materials and they were made in an almost identical way. But only one wall works for paint bucket, the other doesn't. Painted Wall test.vwx

I don't know if I'm doing anything wrong, cannot seem to be able to pick cabinets in pick mode or marquee mode for countertops anymore. Is there a setting that would omit that? or is this a bug? Edit : Just realized that selection mode and marque modes work, however, the screen does not show highlighted objects when selecting them. Is there a setting that can undo this? Edit 2 : Figured it out. If anyone has similar issues - the solution is in settings :

I have been following recent graphics card trend events that have show the AI revolution really put a strain on demand for ray tracing graphics cards. Recently with the release of Nvidias Geforce 5070 ti and 5080 and Amds 9070 and 9070 xt models its become apparent amd is narrowing the gap in terms of rtx performance..having said that, the price gap is pretty outragious 5070 ti cards starting at 1000 -1100 usd vs rt 9070 and 9070 xt at 600. Given that alot of software is optimised for cuda cores, is vectorworks among them? Or is amd a reliable card that can be used for high end workflows in vw 2025? And lastly a general question - how does vw 2025 take advantage of graphics hardware? (I wouldve posted this on the hardware forum, but i feel noone checks that anymore) In any regard, im considering saving 400-600 on a workstation build and thought id share thoughts here. Comments welcome! Thanks

HAAALLLELLUYAHHHH!!!!!!!! AHEM.....VW Team, very welcome and very AWAITED addition !!!!

@Tom W. This is the function in the tag. VW did an awesome job allowing for worksheet formulas to be used in tags. So i tinkered, this is the surface area function for the wall. First tag the walls. Make sure to check the button Then go into the tag layout - this is for the surface area... And finally you should get this. The areas look correct now. dimension of the space is 14'5xx17'1x9' also, pleaaaase tag subparts work with walls!!!! Awesome addition!