Jeffrey W Ouellette

Alfie, In Vectorworks 2012 SP4, you can use custom record formats to create custom IFC property sets (Pset). Currently, editing an existing symbol definition and adding IFC data to it only affects the definition and any instances from that point forward. Previously placed instanced will need to be edited manually, or you could created a similar symbol and do a find/replace. We are well aware of this and hope to address it soon.

You don't need to re-enter the information every time you export. You only have to enter it once and it is now stored in the file. All settings in the Export IFC Project dialog are saved to the file. The IFC export writes the information to the IFC file so that every Space in a Building is automatically listed in that hierarchy correctly.

The hierarchy of such information in an IFC file is as follows: Project -> Site -> Building -> Building Storey -> Objects (such as spaces). The "new" export interface centralizes where the Site and Building data goes and rationalizes how it is stored internally AND how it is written to an IFC, by certification requirements. Instead of writing the Site/Building information to every Space object, manually, the information should trickle down from a similar UI hierarchy. It would be easier to manage this way. If you have a project with multiple sites and buildings, then it makes more sense, from a Vectorworks POV, to create the buildings in separate project files and export them accordingly, then compositing in an IFC viewer. I think in the future, it might be nice to see a "Project Data" manager in Vectorworks, outside of the IFC Export, but for more general uses.

it is a known bug. we're on it.

Christiaan, The building data (along with project and site data) is entered in the IFC Export dialog. Then it will export correctly.

Since version 2012, Import Shape file is available to Architect. Import AND Export are available to Landmark and Designer.

SAMIAM, Your architect could try using AR-Works or CADFaster Collaborate to create models for you to view. http://www.ar-works.net/u/ http://www.cadfaster.com/index.php?page=cadfaster-collaborate-for-vectorworks

michael, The Nomad application on the iPad doesn't "render" anything in the file itself. It is just a PDF viewer. Large PDFs, with sheets that have large, complex, or high res renderings take a little while longer for the viewer to cache to the screen. Once there, they should become a little more responsive in panning and zooming. Not fluid, but better. You have to accept that the iPad has a limited amount of RAM and VRAM, two things that have a direct affect on the "speed" of viewing large PDFs. The same file on a desktop or laptop will be more responsive.

The first webinar in the series has Fran?ois L?vy, an architect in Austin, TX, Vectorworks user, and former employer of mine, showcasing how he uses Vectorworks in his projects, including some advanced calculation techniques for determining passive ventilation for a design.

Did you look at the first one with Fran?ois Levy? http://network.aia.org/Resources/ViewDocument/?DocumentKey=03801061-08b1-4ed0-84e4-d7398303371e

U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The project management service and landlord to the U.S. federal government and all it's agencies. Considered the largest landlord in the world. Its international counterparts include Statsbygg of Norway, Senate Properties (Senaatti) of Finland, and the Building Construction Authority (BCA) of Signapore, among many others.

I guess your question is too general to have a really good answer. For the most part, it just works. Just make sure that the 3D display is on and your Space Height is set the way you need it. While there is a lot of native data that gets automatically transferred, the IFC Data option is there to address even more exchange requirements that may be needed, depending on the workflow. We are continuing to tweak the Space object's IFC compatibility as we progress in the IFC2x3 Certification 2.0 process. This will affect 2012 and 2013.

Could you please file a bug using the link in the VW Community Links on the right hand side of this page? You should be contacted shortly to upload the file. OR You could send me a PM and I can get the process started for you.

Are you using the US/Int English version of Vectorworks or a localized version?

http://architosh.com/2012/03/vectorworks-cloud-services-architosh-has-the-story/

http://www.upfrontezine.com/current.htm

Q, Please contact our tech support, or your distributor, so the crashing problems can be documented properly and addressed by our engineers.

Thanks for the file, Chris. I see the same thing, but not on all Spaces in your file. Some update immediately. It is odd, because I don't see the same thing with many of my files, or anything I start from scratch. I will pass this along.

Lee, Can you file a bug, please?

Open BIM is the support of IFC-based workflows, in many different forms (e.g. BIM server, simple file exchange, native file format, etc.). The intent is to support a means to let users regain control and ownership of the data and processes and not be strictly dictated by the whims of any single vendor. Isn't that something good? "Big BIM" is NOT about data exchange, per se, but about collaboration at a much higher level. It is about collaboration that requires different means of business relationships, working methods, delivery of services, instruments of service, communications, and compensation. The technology used is an integral part of serving these bigger ideas. Ideally, the technology behind all of this has some basis in open standards to facilitate communication between proprietary systems. We are all used to this ideal already, using the internet. Open BIM/IFC is a means to an end... removing the barriers currently in place to move the AEC forward in productivity/efficiency.

Lee, This is a known issue in 2011. Changes were made to 2012 to resolve this issue.

With Vectorworks Architect, you can draw walls using the Wall tool and then using the Ceiling Grid tool to automate the drawing of grids inside each room. The Wall tool can use styles to control the fill of the wall, as well as enable easy insertion and moving of doors and windows. The Ceiling Grid tool also allows you to set/move the origin point of the grid, as well as the angle/rotation. With correct class control, you can use the same model for both Floor Plans and Reflected Ceiling Plans.

Revit will import IFC files, though not without issues. Many of these issues deal with Revit trying to translate the objects in the IFC file into native Revit data structures (e.g. doors in walls). While they (Autodesk) are working on their IFC compatibility to meet certification requirements, there are still shortcomings with their current (2012) implementations (both export and import). To help Ben's particular situation (Vectorworks 2012 -> Revit 2012), I have advised them to also share 3D DWG files, as well as the IFC files. In both cases, the purpose of this exchange is to provide a model reference background for the consultant to begin their work, in their modeling tool. This is the intent of the IFC file exchange methodology, for now. This is not much different then the previous DWG/DXF exchange method. True translation from native format to another native format, with IFC as the exchange medium, will take a great deal of more time and effort, on ALL vendors' parts, building on the current efforts. While some users in the industry would like to see native-to-native file format-based model exchange, I would counter that is even a larger hurdle than the IFC path we are currently pursuing. The biggest problem is that every modeling tool has a different means of "making" objects with different core geometry features, parametrics, constraint systems, and attributes. This complicates how to pass information and have it properly reconstituted in a meaningful way in the other system. At the same time, the process and reason for such exchanges must be examined and scrutinized by the end users. Right now, it appears everyone is adopting an attitude where native-to-native information exchange is absolutely necessary to get their work done. I don't think this expectation has been challenged hard enough by users, to determine its validity.

I'll keep posting this until y'all start paying attention: http://buildingsmart-tech.org/certification/ifc-certification-2.0/ifc2x3-cv-v2.0-certification http://buildingsmart-tech.org/certification/ifc-certification-2.0/ifc2x3-cv-v2.0-certification/participants http://buildingsmart-tech.org/implementation/implementations

And another thing.... AutoCAD and Revit are NOT industry standards. I don't see ISO/ANSI/ASTM specifications for the use of either of them. Their pervasive use in the market is due to many factors, but NOT legal standardization.