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Neil Barman

Vectorworks, Inc Employee
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Posts posted by Neil Barman

  1. @sara.t Welcome to the Forum!

    Which version of Vectorworks and Service Pack (SP) are you currently using? You can find this under the Vectorworks menu > About Vectorworks.

    In the lower left of that same About Vectorworks window, it is a good idea to press "Check for Updates" to see if there is a newer SP you should be using. If you need to update, please do then re-check to see if the issue persists. (It also helps to add your computer specs and Vectorworks version info to your Community Forum signature. You can do this via the icon in the upper right corner > Account Settings > Signature.)

     

    If you are up-to-date with your SPs for the Vectorworks version you are running, try saving and closing the file, and re-opening it. It that doesn't solve it, trying quitting Vectorworks and restarting it, then checking again. If that doesn't solve it, try restarting your computer and checking again.

     

    About the interior elevation extents, as I check the same thing in VW2021 SP0 (the initial release), I'm not seeing the same blue handles you are (which made me wonder about the Vectorworks version and SP you are using). Below is an image of what I get. As expected, I am able to change the length of the interior elevation using the two handles that I have highlighted.

     

    image.png

     

    Please check back in here with your Vectorworks version and we can go from there. This may be something that our tech support team should look at with you but a simple SP update may take care of it.

  2. @Design for Laughing Thank you for the appreciation! And you point out something very crucial about using any pro-grade application (as the same thing occurs with users of Adobe’s apps): Amount of time spent using an application doesn’t equal depth of knowledge.
     

    Case in point, I used Vectorworks for many years as a 2D only tool, early on because because I didn’t know any better, then briefly because I was hesitant to change, and finally because the offices where I worked forbid 3D. It was only when I went out in my own, jettisoned my hesitation, and finally made the time to dig a bit deeper did I discover how much Vectorworks could do. And while I know a lot about Vectorworks now, I still learn new things about it almost every day.

     

    You are so right – We can always learn something new.

  3. On 3/10/2020 at 7:44 AM, archdaly said:

    I've sent a file to tech support and am waiting to see what they say. As I've mentioned in other posts, a lot of the issues seem to occur if there is anything in the file from 3D warehouse. Might be a good place to start looking at potential issues with software overlap.

    I just happened upon this thread so I thought I would take a look. I don't see a file from you in Tech Support @archdaly, but since you mention that you may have an imported a file from the 3D warehouse, I wanted to check to see if you first opened that 3D warehouse object and inspected its complexity and quality? Objects at the 3D warehouse do of course vary in terms of quality and complexity (especially when it comes to the number of polygons) so it is advisable to inspect them, and if need be simplify them, in their own new blank Vectorworks file before bringing them into your otherwise healthy Vectorworks file.

     

    I hope this guidance helps. 

  4. On 7/17/2020 at 11:16 AM, ArchiPam said:

    I have become pretty well versed over the years on VW modelling, but one thing I haven't conquered yet is textures for OpenGL rendering. I must be missing something because I am surprised at the lack of "modern" textures for architectural exterior surfaces. I tried looking under the service select libraries and there is nothing useful there either. It would be preferable to find a resource than to build my own. Sketchup and other rendering software seem to have an unlimited database of objects and textures to access.


    Can anyone tell me where I can find a similar resource for VW? Does this forum have a sharing section I don't know about?

     

    I am specifically looking for shou sugi ban (charred cedar siding) textures as well as panel textures (Swiss pearl) and standing seam metal roofing textures.

     

     

    @ArchiPam If you are noticing that Vectorworks is missing some textures or other resources you wish we had, please do submit such requests via the Wishlist section of the Forum. Include as much detail and as many examples as you can so that the Content Development team has as much info as possible to work with.

    In the meantime, @jeff prince's charred wood texture above looks like it should serve you quite well.

     

    When it comes to textures, if the existing collection in the Resource manager doesn't have what you're looking for, making your own is often the best quick solution. Typically it isn't too difficult to search the web for non-copyrighted, tile-able images as your starting point. After picking the one you want you can then tune all of the texture's settings as you wish. If you search for "Rendering" at Vectorworks University you should see a number of related videos, including a session specifically on Renderworks Textures, that will help with the process.

     

    Also... There is actually a Resource Sharing section of the Forum and even a sub-section for sharing textures.

     

    I hope this info helps.

     

  5. @BenG As what you are asking about sounds likely unrelated to the topic of this thread, I would recommend starting a new thread with your questions. This should help get some  fresh attention on your query. Please do include the file you are referring to (or a link to it) and/or a screen capture video of what you are describing. Thanks!

  6. @Karl Martin The basic answer to your question is Yes. There would almost certainly be a way to start with what you have been given on a sheet layer and ending up with a drawing layer (aka design layer) that is a replica of the original sheet layer but instead composed of simple lines. Vectorworks in extremely capable when it comes to such unique processes. However...

     

    Doing this to a file would likely take some time to complete and it is difficult to say exactly how it would be done without seeing the file. Developing a workflow for this, if you are not familiar with commands beyond the mere basics, may require the assistance of a consultant. On top of all this, doing these modifications to a file sounds like it would be drastically reducing its usefulness relative to how Vectorworks is designed to be (and shines when) used.

     

    On the other hand, I would encourage you take this opportunity to increase your Vectorworks skills a bit. Since you already have some Vectorworks experience, it is very likely that, with a bit of one-on-one training, you could make that existing file do what you need it to do. You would be then be able to do more drawing/edits on the design layer, work with those symbols, use viewports to show your work on a sheet layer, and print or export to another application. The skills your add while learning about these things will of course benefit every future project you do.

     

    If doing some training sounds like something you would like to do, send an email to training@vectorworks.net and they would be happy to assist.

     

  7. @BenG What you are describing is very likely related to something else (and may actually be related to how you are doing steps, it hard to tell from your descriptions) so I would recommend creating a new thread in the General section. That way, your query would be reviewed on its own.

     

    If you are able to include a full screen recording of what is happening, especially in scenario 2, that could help others as they assist you.

  8. Well put, @michaelk!

     

    @Kieron I would recommend requesting and downloading the educational version and giving it a try. If you do find any bugs, just report them to us so they can be investigated and, ideally, solved. Keep in mind though that VW2020 is at SP5, so it may only have one Service Pack left in its development cycle (don't quote me on that – I'm not on the development side of things.) 

     

     

  9. That's brilliant @Matt Panzer!! 

     

    I was curious to see how the shadow catcher approach would look in action, comparing two schemes, so I went ahead and did it. I made a new design layer with the "extended" design, a bit of sheet layer viewport duplication & layer visibility adjustment, some viewport naming and voila:

     

    image.png

     

    The file is attached too, in case anyone would like to see the file organization:

    Shadow Study Allowed vs extended v2020.vwx

     

    • Like 3
  10. 7 minutes ago, Kazemester said:

     

    It was just n example, sometimes you don't have to zoom in that close.

    Do you mean that sometimes you don't have to zoom in that close to see the graphical bug that you are getting? If so, can you share a file that shows the graphical issue without having to zoom in as far as one has to with the "weird graphic" file?

     

    If this is indeed a bug we would like to be able to identify it and correct it.

     

    Thanks.

  11. 13 minutes ago, Kazemester said:

     

    If you zoom in on it, there is still weird. I have this issue here and there sometimes, but my workflow is pretty much the same all the time. Sometimes it happens sometimes it doesn't.

    Thanks. Now I see it. It begins when I zoom in to 38,547% and the "hatching" gets more dense as I zoom in closer.

     

    Now, what is causing you to need to zoom in that close or closer?

  12. Thanks for posting the file @Kazemester.

     

    For what it's worth, before I open your file, this is the preview I see:

    image.png

     

    Then right after I open the file this is what I see... no graphical issue:

    image.png

     

    Out of curiosity, what are the full specs of you computer? (It would be helpful to add the details to your Forum signature.) 

    And since you mention you've had this issue for many versions, have you had the same computer the entire time too?

     

    I'll keep taking a look at your file and see if I can recreate the issue.

     

    -Neil

  13. @Kazemester Getting back to your original question, it would be very helpful to have one of your files in-hand so we can check it out. While this may be a distance from origin issue it could instead have something to do with the working plane. If you would like this looked into, please upload a file so we may assist.

     

    -Neil

  14. Hi @Patrick Davis, Welcome to the Forum and to Vectorworks,


    In terms of door numbers only, in the OIP (Object Info Palette) when you have a door selected, there will be a field for the door’s number.

    image.png

     

    By default each regular door will start at 01 in order to allow the user to control the door’s number. Because there is no strict order/process when designing a building, if doors auto-sequenced their numbers when being inserted in a plan, the user would have quite a mess of door numbers to deal with when it came time to a door schedule. And this is ok because...

     

    In terms of doors and data tags, you may use one of the pre-made Data Tags that has "(incr)" in the name and those will increment the door numbers as you tag doors.

    image.png

     

    Also note that the Data Tag tool has a few modes that you will want to practice with to see how they work. Modes will let you tag one eligible object at a time to tagging ALL the eligible objects at once. Information on those modes, and more about Data Tags, can be found in the built-in Help system on this page.

    image.png

     

    I hope this information helps.

     

    Now, since you mentioned that you may have skipped some steps in learning Vectorworks, I highly recommend making the time to build a good, solid foundation (excuse the pun) of knowledge before diving in too deep. I know how exciting it can be to fire up the application and start drawing and modelling, but skipping the basics can result in hitting hurdles when you really want to be cruising along. In contrast, taking the time to learn all the relevant basics will pay off on every project you do, forever. I recommend doing the Core Concepts and Intermediate Concepts courses (normally available for free to Service Select members but available for free until the end of the year here). In addition, if you find that you need one-on-one training to supplement your learning, please do get in touch with us at Vectorworks Canada – We can help.

     

    Have a great weekend!

    -Neil

    • Like 2
  15. @zoeageorg It should certainly help. Give it a try and see what your results are. It's always a good idea to work close to origin.

     

    If the file is still having performance issues I would recommend auditing it for problematic or overly complex items that may have come in with the DWG file. If you don't need any of those complex items it would be best to delete them. If you do need them but they are still overly complex, it would work worth simplifying them or replacing them with native-built Vectorworks objects.

     

     

  16. Thank you for the screenshots and it's very good to know where you are located. Knowing this helps. Since you are in Austria, I would recommend contacting your local Vectorworks distributor... By the looks of it they localize your version of Vectorworks so they would be they best ones to speak with about your workspace and the missing tools.

     

    In the meantime, I would recommend going to the Vectorworks Help (under "Hilfe" if I am correct) and searching for your "Customizing Workspaces" in your language. That should bring you to a page that describes how to add those missing tools back into your workspace. (The English version of that page is here.)

  17. I would imagine that some or most of the slowness may be caused by your project being so far from origin (0,0). See below.

     

    image.png

     

    Try correcting this and then see how performance of the file is.

     

    Also, it looks like a DWG file may have been imported directly into you Vectorworks file. (Since I never know how other people create their DWG files, I prefer to not bring their objects into my otherwise healthy Vectorworks files.) Instead it is advisable to not import DWG files directly into your Vectorworks file but rather to import them into a "shuttle" file that can then be either be cleaned up for import into your Vectorworks file or saved as a Vectorworks file of its own to then reference into you Vectorworks file.

  18. Hi @IDquestion, Welcome to the Forum.

     

    The Reference Marker and North Arrow tools certainly should be in the Dims/Notes tool set. Here is a screenshot of that tool set for your reference.

    image.png

     

    Are you by chance using a modified workspace or a workspace that was migrated from a previous version of Vectorworks?

    What version of Vectorworks are you currently using?

    Might you be able to upload a screenshot of your entire workspace with a view of that tool set?

     

     

  19. Hi @Sawol, Welcome to the Forum. I'm not sure if or how you would get an older version of Vectorworks. However, I would recommend that you try adjusting a setting to get VW2020 instead. Try going to the Vectorworks Preferences > Display tab and adjusting your Navigation Graphics setting to be either "Good Performance and Compatibility" or "Best Compatibility".

     

    Also, please ensure that your computer meets or exceeds the Vectorworks System Requirements.

     

    When you have a moment, please add your computer system specs to your Forum signature so that others may know what your specs if you need feedback here.

     

    image.png

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