Jeffrey W Ouellette

Christopher, You have "Enable Auto-classing" turned ON. Go to the top menu -> File > Document Settings... > Standard Naming... In the subsequent dialog, uncheck the box next to "Enable Auto-classing". Be aware that this completely turns off the ability of tools to automatically put their objects in the VW predefined classes. You will just have to make changes manually. If you turn it back on, you will get a dialog asking to "reorganize" everything to meet the Auto-classing standards. Be careful of your choice...

Andre, Please make sure to file the bug with vwx file.

Andre, I gotta say that I'm not sure I understand your logic for the organization. I know everyone has their criticisms of using Model Setup... and Create Standard Viewports... commands, but the organization of this system, with auto-classing, does a pretty good job of setting up things with further tweaking by the user to get their own template together. You do have you choices of class name standards to use, beyond "VWArch". There are AIA and User Defined options. I can check with Robert on any previous efforts of UK AEC standards, but I believe these are made available to the UK users through their local distributor/sales channel. I created the BIM in Practice projects to give everyone a working reference of how the VW system and standards work together, but are also flexible enough for some "personalization". Ian is spot on with his analysis and advice. To get the most out of VW and your work effort, think of the project in terms of modeling vs. presentation. Let the design layers (model space) be more fluid, in terms of workflow and content and let the sheet layers (paper space) handle final graphical representation. Realize that it is not necessary to "re-invent the wheel" wiht every project. I always tell users to use the setup tools first to create the general structure of a typical project file, tweak the design layer, sheet layer, viewport and class organization to your specific needs (but keep auto-classing in mind) and create a template to use. As you work on a project and feel that there are some minor adjustments to line colors, fill colors, etc. that would work better, just go back to the template and make those adjustments for future projects.

Neither of you should be seeing these classes. They are a part of the (Workgroup) Referencing scheme. This sounds like a corruption. Please file bugs and get the files to NNA. http://www.nemetschek.net/support/bugsubmit.php

Andrew, First, to add a column at the end of the worksheet, open the worksheet edit window. Scroll all the way to the right or resize the window so that is is larger than the schedule. Then move your cursor to the lower right-hand corner of the schedule. The cursor should change shape, into an "angle bracket". This will allow you to drag the corner of the column and as you drag, add a column. Secondly, There are sorting icons in the worksheet edit window at the top. With the Database Header exposed, click, drag and drop this ascending or descending icon on the column you wish to sort.

Change the attributes of the class used by the space object.

Bill, You just need to select the polyline inside the floor group and "Enter Group" one more time. Then you will get the behavior you are speaking about.

Image would help. But why create a layer link? Are you using 12 or 2008?

Mike & Scott, If updating doesn't help, please file a bug report and submit the files for inspection. http://www.nemetschek.net/support/bugsubmit.php

Mike try updating VW. Open the app. In the Menu Bar, select "About VectoWorks". Hit the "Check for Updates" button. After updating, let us know if you are still having issues.

In the "View" tab of the Window Settings dialog, use the Special Classes to assign classes with the desired graphical attributes to the parts of the window.

Use the Space object in either polygon or paintbucket mode.

Add a column in the database worksheet. In the database row for that column tpy the formula "=COUNT" (no quotes). That should get you what you are looking for.

Andre, This is WAD (Working As Designed). The class and layer structures for DLVPs are unique to each DLVP. Since the DLVP may contain internal or externally referenced information and that the graphical attributes can be overriden, made different from the active document class attributes, they are handled on a case-by-case basis. I see no problem with that working method.

Deep breath... OK. First, Launch VW. From the menu select "About VectorWorks". Then select the "Check for Updates" button. Get updated. Second, Steve. It sounds like you have a circular reference. VW DOES NOT automatically create circular references. Somewhere "A" was referenced into "B" and then "B" into "A". Re-start the setup by deleting all references from both files. Save and quit VW. Then set the references back up. Third, You are right. The "rotate plan" functionality is meant to be a temporary orientation and drawing feature. IT IS NOT a "AutoCAD-like" UCS (User Coordinate System). It was never meant to be that. It was to help draw/model parts of a building that were not orthogonal to each other. The point is that your source files should be saved/closed in their "true"/absolute orientation for best results, if they are going to be referenced into other files. Then, the DVLPs created from these references, in the other file can be rotated as needed. That is the advantage of DLVPs, they can be rotated/mirrored/copied, just like any other object. Don't rotate to true orientation in the source file, do it in the file containing the references.

Tad, Are you using Space objects? If so, do you have "Show 3D detail" ON? Just turn off the class of the Space object in the Section VP. To add a picture use "reply" or "switch to full reply screen" and ue the file manager to upload an image file.

Conrad, My perspective is that the CADDETAILS.com don't really know what they are talking about and simply released a blurb based on what they gleaned in 3 days of being around architects who are still trying to figure BIM out. The problems I see with that article: 1. Big 3? Got those wrong. How? Well, first they left out Bentley (yes they were there with a BIG booth, mainly focusing on GenerativeComponents, the most complex BIM tool outside CATIA/Digital Project). Secondly, they seem to have lost that memo on ArchiCAD/Graphisoft now being a Nemetschek product. 2. I'd like to know where they got their perception of the "general message" to architects. In light of the "fear, uncertainty and doubt" surrounding BIM, VectorWorks has continued to be promoted as a second to none 2D tool with the additional benefit of giving users the ability to adopt BIM tools and methods gradually, as their expertise and comfort levels increase. 3. Their "observation" about format wars is disingenuous at best. There has been file format competition for as long as there have been competing CAD systems. 4. Their "conversation with architects" and "recommendations" are, at best, amusing, at worst, hypocritical. As a content provider, they only provide 3D/BIM models in the Revit and SketchUp formats. They provide 2D drawings in DWG, PDF and some in MCD (the old MiniCAD/VW format). They DO NOT provide any IFC format product files, even though the "Big 3??" have the ability to read/write this format. Instead of supporting REVIT and SKETCHUP, why not make just IFC objects instead? The capability is there. Shouldn't they heed their own advice? I may sound a bit upset in responding to this, because I am disappointed by the tone of their email bomb campaign. We have provided a caddetails.com library to our users for a long time and continued to update the file format of them, within our own distribution of our products. I, myself, gave a presentation on the floor of the AIA expo (several times over the course of three days) that talked about the "big picture" of BIM, how VW can be used and a couple of examples of using IFC to do high-value exchanges such as preliminary design through the Onuma Planning System and facilities management for the US General Services Administration. I would love to see "content providers" supply more IFC-based digital content, usable for all IFC-compliant CADD/BIM systems. But at the show, McGraw Hill, Reed Construction AND CADDETAILS all rooled-out or touted their new, extensive Revit libraries. Lastly, your own generalizations are just wrong. As a VW user, you have had BIM tools for a LONG time and their should be little complaint about their accuracy. The accuracy of BIMs (or 2D drawings, for that matter) are only as good as the input by the system operator/designer - "garbage in, garbage out." There is a real cost to moving down the BIM road, but there is also a great deal of benefit to be reaped. The development of the technology is strong and will continue, both inside and outside NNA. I see the struggle and problem, like every other technology movement in architecture/construction, not with the method or technology, but with the architects and builders being too stubborn to accept change and adapt. There are many of your peers, internationally, who are adopting, adapting and moving swiftly ahead (even with the pains and mistakes) to push the envelope so that one day, all of the industry can enjoy the benefits, if they are willing. ["Resistance is Futile" - ].

When you have your site model selected, does it show a Z-value in the OI palette other than 0"?

Andre, Please submit a bug and the file: http://www.nemetschek.net/support/bugsubmit.php

Chad, This previous thread talks about summarizing schedules: http://techboard.vectorworks.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=21474&Number=103651#Post103651 There is even a door schedule example, but the concept is the same and can be applied to any object.

Ben, If you notice, it is NOT a roof object. I did use roof face objects, as the sheathing on top, the ceilings and soffits below. The roof is modeled as it would virtually be built, lots of pieces, including Framing Members (rafters, joists, beams and trimmers). The roof crickets are 3D polygons. The same goes for the floor construction; Floor object as structural sheathing and finish floor (bamboo flooring) with Framing Members (Open web wood truss). Another Floor object is used as the flat ceiling. This is VW BIM.

Joerg, The image I attached is a Section VP of the 3D building model. Currently, there is no 2D drawing elements inside that VP. All the graphic info you see is the model.

Andre, Currently, sheet layer VPs do not recognize the visibility overrides of classes in DLVPs, especially embedded ones. It is an issue that we are aware of.

In addition, for more help/illustration, search "creating walls" in the "VectorWorks Help..." command.

Andrew, On the Mode Bar you can select whether the wall is drawn from the left side, right side, centerline or a user-defined offset. You'll want to select the user-defined offset mode and then enter a value so that the cursor appears/draws from the stud wall component.