Gadzooks

I'm assuming the boffins didn't want to automate how new menu items are transitioned to custom workspace menus, as the placement is entirely up to the 'owner' and they should oversee that manually.

Like this? Thats what I couldn't seem to work out. I expected the full menu and sub headings. No great harm done - got there in the end.

I've just been able to add this by manually adding a 'New Menu' followed by the submenus Edit: (Which behaves as expected btw) I assume thats down to me then - although I would have preferred it to be seamless

Zoomer - It started so well...... I've just taken the wrapper off 2018 and started to see if I can be (foolish enough?) committing live projects to it. I usually use a custom workspace and this is missing for me also. Have you tried adding it through the editor? I can't get it to modify the custom workspace complete with its sub menus. It insists on listing the submenus. This is what I have.. Whereas it should of course be.. Something I'm doing wrong?

Thanks - rookie mistake then. Or more likely I'll convince myself I was in too much of a rush. I believe (of my earlier options) it's the new glasses then. Thanks again.

Guys - I can't even get this to work in a simple manner. On reading this thread, I thought I would have a look for any answers to help @GVRTand came across the the following glitch (or feature?). To establish an insertion point for a simple symbol looks easy.... (Just to make clear - they were dashed lines before I did a screen capture ---------------------- Edit - I've just seen that should of course say leftmost part of the symbol (doh!!) ---------------------- Either this is.. My ineptitude - And someone will point this out to me. (gently does it!) Vectorworks problem - And this is a known issue.. Vectorworks new issue (can't believe this really, as someone else will have raised it and I haven't seen anything on this forum) I need new glasses. Sorry to jump on this thread BTW, but it seemed appropriate.

Ahhhhhh..........a little like a Vectorworks upgrade?

This is a good one.. https://youtu.be/5UKuwx-95rQ

Sometimes it's about using work-arounds rather than slogging away with the standard tools. Assuming you want to have the wall projection in a different texture/colour just for the render/visual, whilst still maintaining your basic 2D layout .... Would applying a decal to the wall in the correct position/texture provide the solution? Would using the extract tool provide the shape for its own texture just a 'nudge' (to keep geometry apart) in front of your added wall feature? There is a good 'how-to' of the technique with different finishes on walls here.... https://youtu.be/ppJ6Q4j8hi4

The first to congratulate you! Well done and many more. I thought it would be like the speedo on my car - I'd look down expecting 10000 and Id've missed it and it would be showing 10001 Im waiting for the next milestone obviously. Too many noughts! Just had to edit it in my excitement.

Yes, it's all in the brief really. We're not sure what @KyleBlasius has in mind.

Hi everyone. Those of us in UK have recently been notified that we will have a new direct contact "local" office for our needs. I expected to see comment on this appear on the forum, but nothing (apologies if I need better bins or need to step up to a guide dog). It would be nice to know a little of the background to this decision and of the fact that no mention was made of Exertis Unlimited, who (as CU) go back to my MiniCad days. No-one should have to explain their commercial strategies, but its nice to share....

Wouldn't you just know it. We're struggling with (the failings of) a basic ice cream and someone out there has one with chocolate sauce and sprinkles. Might move to Oz!

Good advice from Zoomer. I take from your question that this is for actors to step up to a higher level so a (working) circular staircase is a prerequisite of the design (it is in most modern goblin homes these days) so start with a usable bare bones staircase and dress it. Vectorworks provides a good start in the use of the Drape command. With some tweaking youl'll create the main trunk (which you can see may need a little cleaning up) and can then follow Zoomers advice to create Nurbs branches and roots. Additionally, and assuming you are going to render the finished scene. Because this organic centrepiece will most likely add quite a lot to file size, try to keep things fairly simple and don't underestimate the power of well designed and applied bump maps to give a convincing appearance to the bark etc. without feeling you have to model every last shred. Hope it goes well - Post the finished render!

I see where your coming from. The 2D drafting of a project is arguably the money. It needs to be completed quickly and efficiently in terms of the designer so all details are accurate and can be interpreted on site without questions raised. From that standpoint, the 3D and rendering could (should?) be put to one side until basic drafting needs have been met. But things move on. My alternative would be that that we use the join tool, make the irritating changes required to get it spot on, then use the eyedropper wall connection tool (you know, the one that's in VW 2018) to choose this (weighted skins) variation producing subsequent wall joins. I suppose a bit like Archicad, but this (crucially) would allow VW to maintain it 'leads rather than follows'. Lets see what 2018 brings...

Careful what you wish for guys. Layer after layer of complexity will be like the change from simple stair to the current stair tool (can anyone use it to create anything more than a simple stair ?). It appears to me the join component tool works ok in this instance. VW is not aware you want to join the Metsec - you might have wanted to introduce a 'disconnected joint" (for sound/thermal/other). The fact that you are able to use it to make a tweek to the initial wall join to provide what you wanted seems to give the best resolution. (I assume this is what@Jim Smithis alluding to?) Or are Jim and myself not getting it?

Good one. That rendering is almost life-like. To put rain on the window glass must have been a pain. I like the cluttered office look with boxes and paperwork. Looks just like mine. (BTW - I think I spot a cold bridge on the parapet detail.)

Thanks. Upped

Woah...now your talking. That would actually be a very useful bit of kit. If it had x and y capabilities it could also be used to set-out brickwork co-ordination on plans. Yes please @Jim Smith - If you could post the link it would be good to raise the votes on that one.

Mike - Yes, I've sometimes done similar things for my own versions of these 'simple' tools so my drawings have a consistent or particular style for different presentation purpose. Take the North Piont This is good, but there's no automatic element to the z readout - which I have to say is the one and only nice thing about the Elevation Benchmark Tool, especially if you are placing a few on the drawing and then make minor tweeks to it later to keep up with elevation height changes (Wouldn't a parametric connection to an element be good?). And this whole thread touches on any designer's wish list - I like the tool, but I'd like my own graphic/display/style attached to it. After all, Vectorworks allows so much of the interface to be modified to make it 'your own' (workspaces etc.) that it seems a shame these simple tools (I assume legacy) don't have a bit more flair, or access 'under the hood' to be creative. To this end, it would be really good if you could simply 'enter' the created object and change the boring iso/uk graphic similar to changing the 2d elements of a symbol. I might like a smiley face rather than an arrow! Or.... I'm thinking someone with marionette skills (and that certainly isn't me atm) could produce a nifty little insertion point that 'knows' where it is in the z plane (although having said that, why not make one that could be defined in xy or z) Users could create their own symbol for their preferred graphic and embed the 2d or 3d locus (so as to be invisible) at the correct read-point. The text style etc. can still be changed via the text tool, but the display would be accurately showing elevation. Someones going to tell me it exists (aren't they @Marissa Farrell!!!!)

@justinekwoodIf you want to nudge with just the arrows, there's a little more to it. Nudge has user defined options you can access from Tools>Options>Vectorworks Preferences... Just switch the arrow key options to suit your preference. For example just arrow for Nudge objects can be chosen (as above). I would guess you were previously using a copy of 2016 that another user had set to their preferred default and (having got used to that) you expected the (as it turns out - default) 2017 to respond in the same way. Vectorworks is great in that you can 'make it your own', but using in a multi-seat environment (which I'm guessing you may well be in) can sometimes come-back-at-yer when others have set options you are unaware of. ..................................On the other hand, now you know what options are available, you might like a bit of shift-arrow. All the best.

No worries. I did wonder whether there was more to your question.

Hi Halfcouple, If I understand your query correctly you wish to create a symbol between the 3d loci. I think this is best with Extrude Along Path. Someone else will perhaps jump in with a better way. Place the two loci in space using the xyz's for the two distinct positions you require. Now draw a NURBS (straight) line between the two points. Now draw a circle of required diameter - this will be your pipe. If you wish the final graphic to be more 'pipe-like' you might want to draw another circle on top and smaller to represent the correct internal dia and now Modify>Clip Surface. You now have either a full circle or, if you've chosen to, a 'sectional' pipe. Now highlight both the circle (however you've decided to draw it) and the line and choose Model>Extrude Along Path. The dialogue box wants you to confirm which of the two will be considered the 'path' - adjust if necessary so the NURBS line is the one highlighted in red. OK to that. You now have a 'pipe' drawn accurately between the two loci and you could now turn this into a 3D symbol for later use. If you want to save as a symbol it is a good idea to include the loci as part of the geometry. Hope this helps

Just wanted to give @PatStanfordand @Marissa Farrella big-up for the above. Getting your head around drawing with a CAD package can be daunting, but to be able to turn out tricks like that is (certainly for me) magic. Also shows people like me are only scratching the surface of VectorWorks' capabilities. Man, there's a massive engine under the bonnet (hood) and I'm only using it to pop down the shops... Such a lot to learn....thanks guys.

Surely your office/company has examples? Follow the company style and/or what is required by the build contractor - they may have particular requirements. (But you should already be aware if this is the case) If you've drawn it accurately, then the resulting dimensions will be accurate. Errr....unless you don't dimension accurately, so make sure you understand how the dimensioning tools work. This isn't something that can be taught via a forum. Happy to try and help if you have a particular issue with dimensioning.