Neil Barman

Well put @Tom Klaber. Perhaps, but I suspect it's more that you are in the minority of being vocal about liking the Service Select maintenance program. If that's the case, I'll add my voice to yours... I vastly prefer owning Vectorworks with Service Select vs owning Vectorworks without Service Select. I too believe in contributing to the the continued development of the software. And, for what it's worth, I review the new features & improvement list each year and do incorporate at least a few new techniques to my skill set. My kids seem to appreciate that because it makes me more efficient... which means I get to spend a bit more time with them. My design clients seem to like the applicable new features/improvements that I incorporate too because it typically means they reap the benefits of my improved workflows. I've found that, when I speak with the "doubters", the vast majority of them realize the advantages of Service Select. Most understand and agree that dropping Service Select really only makes sense for someone who is retiring and won't be doing any paid work any more.

@richardavatarThen, as you suggest later, it sounds you might be using a 3D navigation tool in a different Mode. This one is a personal preference, and somewhat related to the kind of work one does. For me, doing more architectural design work, I haven't wanted or needed Roll so far. I suppose if I was working on industrial design or set design, I would use Roll to get a better perspective on what I was creating. This could very well be. First, try @Andy Broomell's suggestion and let us know how it goes. If that doesn't help: 1) What tool are you using when you are in the "3D Mode" you are referring to? I am guessing it's the Flyover Tool, but I'm hoping you can confirm this. 2) Which Mode of the Flyover Tool is enabled in the Mode Bar? (There is a chance that if your objects are drawn away from "Origin", and your Mode is set to Active Layer Plane Origin Mode, this would cause you to, understandably, rotate around based on a point that is far from your objects.)

@richardavatar You are most welcome and thanks for the screenshot. Your settings appear to be different from my settings, so here's what I've got for what it's worth: Note that these may be the stock settings, but there's a chance that I modified them long ago for my SpaceMouse Wireless, which I have had for a couple of years. I picked up my SpaceMouse Enterprise within the last week and just plugged it in for the first time today. I fired up Vectorworks, made a simply mode to practice with and had no trouble navigating. (I just had to turn down the speed for my liking.) Even my 8 year old son came by and gave the SpaceMouse a try. He had never used it before and has some basic experience with video games. He had no trouble moving all around the model on his first try. My green mappings are as follows and don't seem to conflict with the blue ones at all. Interestingly, even though roll appears to be on, I can't actually get the view to roll. I am good with roll not happening because I get enough navigation options as is. Roll would have the potential to have me viewing my model as though I was laying down on my side, and for me that's not how I would want to work. It would likely make me want to go take a nap. 😉 About activating the Flyover tool, I should clarify - Activating that exact tool is not a must, but it seems you must at least switch from top/plan view to some 3D view. Simply switching from top/plan to right view works for me, as does switching to right ISO, etc. Switching to a perspective view should work as well. I would say this is a good thing because if I was in top/plan view and was able to bump the navigation knob and then get kicked into a 3D view it would be quite annoying. I don't use any particular perspective view to use the SpaceMouse - Narrow, Normal and Wide all seem to be fine for me. Orthogonal works too, though it is not as fun to use. And for what it's worth, I actually let my old Sketchup Pro license "sunset" last year. I had the option to make it current, but I honestly haven't needed it in years so I couldn't just the added expense and export/import routine with Vectorworks. I do all of my 3D in Vectorworks and, quite frankly, the few times I have run Sketchup lately I have found it somewhat limiting. Once you get this hiccup ironed out, and get more comfortable with doing 3D in Vectorworks, it may be difficult to go back to Sketchup. I have no regrets.

Hmm, that sounds odd to me @richardavatar. I too am on a Mac with 10.12.6. Spin and tilt work fine for me, I just had to adjust the speed a bit (Roll was off by default, thank goodness.) Mind you, you do need to be in (or switch to) a flyover view to get the 3D navigation to work. I seem to recall that when in Top/Plan view, using the SpaceMouse just let you move in that 2D view. Are you now running SP3 and the latest version of the 3DC driver? If you’re still having an issue perhaps you could post a screenshot of your Axes settings in the 3DConnexion preference pane.

Yes, most definitely.

For anyone who has got one of these mice, and especially you @Markvl, how have you found the thumb Quick Zoom buttons work in Vectorworks? Do they work out of the box with Vectorworks or did you have to re-map those buttons to Vectorworks-specific zooming functions (i.e. fit to object)?

+1 Great idea @Grethe Connerth! This would be a very useful ability to have available for comparing styles, fine tuning, teaching, etc.

@B Cox No problem. I just thought I’d mention the solution (graphics driver updates) that we find helps a large majority of Windows users with graphics anomalies and even some interface issues. In terms of submitting a bug to Vectorworks Inc., one of the fastest ways to send one in is to complete this form. The form will give the tech support team the basic information to get started with assisting you. (If you’re outside of the US, contact your local Distributor for tech support.) Take care!

Thanks @JimW! I’ll be curious to hear the results from @Tim Olson, @LivinProductions and @mbft.

@Tim Olson Since you’re seeing the same performance, and you have dual graphics cards, have you ensured that your computer is being forced to use the NVIDIA card (in System Preferences > Energy Saver)? You and I have essentially the same computers, though I’m running Mac OS 10.12.6, and I’m not seeing the slowdowns that you are.

Good one @JuanCarlos! And nicely done @JimW This game is fun to watch. I'm going to need to see this as a live session at the next Design Summit.

I’ve not seen the issues you’re describing per se, however... - Are you able to update your Mac OS to 10.12.6? - Have you restarted Vectorworks and your computer? - Is the Navigation Graphics setting (in Vectorworks Preferences > Display) set to Good Performance & Compatibility? Integrated graphics cards such as the Intel Iris Pro aren’t typically recommended, so that may be part of the problem, but see if the tips above help.

Yes, AutoCAD’s model space is effectively Vectorworks’ Design Layer and AutoCAD’s paper space is effectively Vectorworks’ Sheet Layer. Having trained many previous AutoCAD users, once this is explained they seem to have their concerns eased. The only significant difference is then explaining that in Vectorworks you basically “push” Design Layer content to a Sheet Layer using a Viewport, whereas in AutoCAD they had been used to “pulling” model space content into paper space. @MartinFahrer Regarding your original question, I tend to set my Design Layers’ scale roughly close to the scale(s) at which I will be printing. For my projects (commercial, residential, etc) this is usually 1:50 or 1:100, or their Imperial counterparts.

Yes, I did actually see your mention of Windows 10. It can just be helpful to provide OS build info and other hardware info, as you may see in the signature files of others. This can often provide insight into technical issues. Not knowing any other details about your Windows system, (after doing a restart of both Vectorworks and your computer) I would recommend starting to troubleshoot this issue by manually updating your graphics card drivers from the manufacturer’s website. If that doesn’t solve it, I’m curious... - Given that you have many classes, are you seeing this issue only in one particular file or in all files (even new ones) that contain a large number of classes? - Does the same issue occur in Vectorworks on your Mac?

I see that your signature says you are running Mac OS 10.13.1... but your screenshot and issue description is from Windows. Might you be able to add some more info to your signature? Sometimes such interface matters are related to OS level behaviours, so it would help to know more about the hardware/software you’re using. Thanks!

Oh that would be a great game! And it would prevent @JimW from getting bored

I can imagine that arriving at the right Design Layer could be tricky depending on where the click is targeting, when aiming for a Slab or Space Object, if those objects are underneath other objects that are on different Design Layers. If right-clicking on a SLVP, I do believe the “Edit Design Layer” command will target the DL of the topmost object. So, if targeting the edge of a slab that is coincident with a Wall’s edge, the Wall’s DL would win. Out of curiosity, what are the objects that are “interfering” with targeting the Slab or Space Object’s DL?

@Tony_PSAV_PM In addition to what Rob mentioned above, note that OpenGL’s 8 light limit doesn’t occur only in Vectorworks, it’s a limit built into the OpenGL standard itself. If you Google for “OpenGL 8 Lights” you’ll see what I’m referring to.

@CharlesJ You can find your signature under the avatar icon in the top right corner > Account settings (in the menu that drops down) > Signature (on the left side tabs). Currently your signature reads that you’re using Mac OS 10.10 and Vectorworks 2015. If you can’t see your own signature, or even my signature, then perhaps the option to view signatures has been switched off for you. The option to view signatures can also be found in your Account Settings > Signature section.

If you right-click on a particular object shown in the SLVP, then select “Edit Design Layer” from the contextual menu that appears, the Design Layer that you will be taken directly to is the Design Layer where that object is located.

We saw this once as well with a client who was using Google Drive. Once the PS file was fixed, with the surperb help of @Tolu, the Project file was allowed to perform better by being on Dropbox instead (possibly due Dropbox’s LAN sync ability as the users were usually on the same LAN.)

Which symbols are being used? When you say that the symbol library was updated yesterday, could you describe what you mean? Are you referring to the catalog update that is sometimes required? Are you seeing the same thng after updating to SP3?

@John Vancouver I too have seen the kind of lag you describe sometimes when there have been other Bluetooth/wireless devices nearby. I’ve experienced this mostly with other Bluetooth mice, but occasionally with Apple’s Magic Mouse. When I do see the issue, it’s not isolated to Vectorworks, so it’s pretty clear that it’s a more of a system or BT issue.

@dbrumbach This sounds like an interesting ability... Might you be able to describe a bit more how you use it? For example, what are the several items you would have grouped together initially and what would you then move, from that group, to a different layer? Thanks.

Have those of you who were experiencing this issue found that it’s been resolved by SP3?