I don't have Vectorworks on my machine so I can't really play around with it and my remote coworkers using Vectorworks don't know how to use excel. I've tried googling this question but without having ever used Vectorworks and not having access to the software makes it hard to grasp the true capabilities. Below is some basic info on the current uses/workstream. I'm just trying to get an understanding of what is possible before I go through the process of requesting and trying to learn the program. Any advice or guidance is greatly appreciated.
Vectorworks Uses
Calculate building and area square footage of existing buildings using floor plans/blueprints/schematic designs
Draw over existing floor plans to create new space program w/ new square footage estimates by area
Create new floor plans w/ square footages (aka creating a theoretical, made up floor plan for an unconstructed building)
Create basic building models w/ square footages for design concept only (I think they are using Vectorworks for this)
Excel Uses
Use floorplans/space program created in Vectorworks to generate basic construction cost estimates based on the type of space the design created, the area size, the level of renovation needed, etc
The cost assumptions are all within an excel model
The assumptions being used in the model from Vectorworks/designer include: area type (admin, kitchen, theater, ballroom, etc), area size (square footage), level of renovation required (provided by designer verbally/via email, I would like this to be tagged to the specific space in vectorworks if possible), and other qualitative information that is provided either verbally or via text, separately from Vectorworks
The vectorworks/design assumptions are sent via pdf and inputted manually into the model by the excel user
Desired Workstream
Vectorworks directly connects to Excel workbook to create datasheet that is used to feed excel model directly (I would create the excel functionality, I would just need Vectorworks to be able to provide the live/connected datasheet w/ all of the space program information (area, type, size, name, etc)
Is it possible to create an information form in vectorworks for every time a new area is mapped in vector works (example: designer draws a new lobby area in vectorworks and in a templated form the designer enters qualitative information about the lobby area that they just drew....the information submitted in this form would be included in datasheet that is being exported/connected to excel
***To put this in simplest terms, here is the existing workstream:***
designer draws space, space has type, space has square footage, designer provides 5 pieces of standard descriptive information about the space, designer sends space/info as a PDF
excel user takes pdf, inputs space type, space square footage, and space descriptors into an excel model manually, model spits out analysis/cost estimate
Having all of the information in bullet point 1 be provided in an excel sheet would simplify this greatly.