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I found it much easier avoid the Story/Level setup altogether. You lose some of the automation if you change floor to floor heights, but I find the file setup much more intuitive. Here's the best reference I've found for that method:

I'm glad I didn't start my new template. I'm hoping the inconsistency was an oversight, or necessitated by lack of time for the 2021 release, and will be remedied quickly. I'm not holding my breath, though, and I think I'll be holding off on using Materials until the dust settles. VW 2022?

I do the same, except without using Story/Level in my models. You just need to set up your wall styles based on the system you're using. If you're looking for a way to show a structural slab with thickened edges: https://app-help.vectorworks.net/2021/eng/index.htm#t=VW2021_Guide%2FFloors_slabs%2FEditing_slab_geometry.htm

@SMannVW In that case, the VW Help system is incorrect, or at best misleading (e.g. stairs & fences in quote below): Since not all elements are assignable, that means that the following description in the help system is also inaccurate or incomplete (e.g. "ALL fill and surface..."): If I want to incorporate Materials in my workflow, what is the recommended process? For example, if I want to achieve the same fill & surface representation for a window sash (class based) and the architectural component of a column (material based), I have to create, maintain, and coordinate a material for the column and matching class for the window. Is that correct? Before wasting too much time setting up a new 2021 template using materials, rather than sticking with my 2020 setup, it would be helpful if someone at VW would: Post a comprehensive list of which elements have materials assignable, ideally within the help system. Provide a roadmap/timeline as to when/whether all of the other elements will have materials assignable Provide a sample model showing VW proposed best practices. A 2021 update of the previous VW University file would be greatly appreciated. (https://university.vectorworks.net/mod/page/view.php?id=495) Just trying to get my head wrapped around this. Thanks. EDIT: Reported feedback to VW Help system https://www.vectorworks.net/support/help-feedback EDIT: Added link to 2020 sample model

I haven't built new templates for 2021 yet, but based on @Tom Klaber's question, I took a quick look and don't see material support for these items either: Doors: Door Settings -> Classes, but no way to use materials Stair: Stair Settings ->Graphic Attributes has a Materials column that is all blank & no way to change Railing/Fence: Railing/Fence Settings ->Attributes has a Materials column that is all blank & no way to change Am I missing something? With only partial integration of Materials, will we need to maintain a full class system for these objects, while also maintaining a material system for objects that do support them? If that's the case, I think I'll wait a year or two for a set of best practices to be established by VW and other users. @Wes Gardner and @JuanP: Do you have a sample model showing best practices for materials in a single family residence that you can share? I've asked this elsewhere, but think it's worth repeating in this context. Thanks.

Try: http://www.vectorworks.net/support/help

@JuanP 1. Will the Architect Essentials Seminar focus on the changes to 2021 (I've already attended the seminar in 2020)? I appreciate that VW has made these free during Covid, so I can attend a second time if needed. 2. When can we expect a 2021 update to the VW University sample files (e.g. https://university.vectorworks.net/mod/page/view.php?id=495)? Am I wrong in assuming that as part of the development & update process VW creates sample projects for testing & debugging purposes? If they exist, it would be incredibly helpful for them to be made available. 3. You mention that it takes 3-4 weeks to get training info out after release, yet the help system is ready on release day. It seems that VW could prioritize getting the training and support files ready on the same timeline. From my perspective, VW could zero out the "Teaser Tuesday" budget and use the funds to create this content. I have the help system bookmarked and refer to it regularly. It is very useful in terms of documenting specific tools and commands, but much less so in terms of proper workflows and file setups. For instance, what is the recommended way to create a SLVP of a building section with the new smart markers? The info on https://app-help.vectorworks.net/2021/eng/index.htm#t=VW2021_Guide%2FAnnotation%2FCreating_section-elevation_lines.htm is not clear whether the section/elevation line should be placed on the design layer or on the SLVP of the plan drawing (and if so inside the annotations?), or either. Thanks for keeping an eye on the forum and forwarding the comments to the appropriate people at VW.

@Wes Gardner & @JuanP I don't know if you have any say in this matter, but you are the most responsive VW employees to these requests on the forums (apologies if I'm forgetting anyone): With the 2021 introduction of Materials and the new smart markers, there is a real need for updated model setup guides, sample files, and tutorials. I have to believe that you have test files at different project scales that were made as part of development and testing, and would love for those to be made available to your customers. My office does primarily single family residences, so I'm looking for updated versions of the three items linked below. Others will likely have similar resources that would be helpful to them. For me, the best way to understand the changes would be to reverse engineer a well made model & drawing set. The guides and set-up tutorials that have been made available (in various places) in the past have also been great. My first priority would be getting a 2021 sample file with recommended best practices for document set up, including: Materials - walls styles, slab styles, window styles, framing members, 3D modeled objects, symbols, etc Smart Markers - indicating where in the document to place markers (Design layer, Sheet Layer, SLVP Annotations?), and backlinked drawing labels Structural Grids - including in plan, section, elevation, detail (?) SLVPs Title Block - updated capabilities I really don't understand why all of these materials aren't updated annually and released in conjunction with each year's product launch, and why @Jonathan Pickup and @JRA-Vectorworks-CAD can post in-depth tutorials on YouTube & their sites before VW does. OUTDATED EXAMPLES BELOW: https://university.vectorworks.net/mod/page/view.php?id=495

If it's any consolation, it's an old guide. I was looking to see if there was any additional info on materials, but they're not included (see page 4 for types of resources). The last page has a 2019 copyright. Updating technical materials for major releases should be part of the game plan.

This is still an issue: https://blog.vectorworks.net/switching-to-vectorworks-cad-manager-guide-3 Looks like I now have the option of creating an account with a 3rd party vendor (fliphtml5.com) which I'm not going to do. Clearly VW has the file, why not include a download link in the blog post? Shouldn't be that hard....

@JuanP Looks like wish LMS-52 hasn't been granted yet. I see that "legacy" has been added to the category for some courses, which is an improvement. Can you add a request to have the "load more" button load more than just 4 more lines, or maybe even consider lazy loading a continuous scroll? Thanks.

Agree 100% and wish someone at VW would chime in so we'd know they're aware of the issue, even if they were to say that no changes are expected.

Please share if you succeed. After a bunch of digging I found the info here (https://app-help.vectorworks.net/2021/eng/index.htm#t=VW2021_Guide%2FUsingHelp%2FConventions.htm%23XREF_69059_Conventions) that the "A" items are for the Architect workspace, but not the Architect-BIM, at least in the help system. Not sure regarding the matrix. The matrix link was courtesy of @Pat Stanford in a different thread. Funny how you have to dig through the forum to find info rather than having everything centrally & clearly located.

I'm attaching a screen capture of a SLVP update. This is still in schematic design, so the file is not particularly complex. Seems to be taking too long for a fairly recent Mac, and no progress bars means I don't know if VW crashed (which it did in my first attempt to screen capture) or is just taking its time. SLVP no Progress 2021.mov

I just did a little test. Updating OpenGL SLVP in 2021 mac: No Status Bar (update takes 14 seconds) While viewports are updating can't open menus ("beach ball"), so no way to access "Cancel All Viewport Updates" command to see if it does anything. I guess not. Any VW employees reading this to provide guidance?