Larry B.

I just installed my new upgrade 2009 on Vista 32, and am also having trouble finding the pipe threads. I found the pipe threaded holes, and the acme and bearing locknut threads, which are very nice, thank you. Larry

Thanks Tom for the prompt reply, I am going to place my order. I looked through the available "What's New" on the website, but could find very little about Machine Design. You have an excellent product, and have to "blow your horn more" about Machine Design features, like a white paper listing them. Thanks again , Larry

I was thinking of upgrading to 2009, and was wondering if pipe threads and teeth on bevel gears has made it to the new version. Please list any more improvements over VW12.5. VW has the foundation to be a very powerful mechanical program, but it seems most of the attention is given to other areas. Thanks, Larry

Thanks Tom, The end result that we are looking for is the correct "flatness", without too much trial and error. The Major Diameter on a threaded part usually stays the same, for example a 1"-8 thread and a 1"-12 thread usually have a 1" Major Diameter. The Minor Diameter, and the Pitch Diameter is larger on the 1"-12 thread and can be looked up and entered to produce the correct "flatness", or if the "pitch" is entered the correct "flatness" should be produced. I just used Minor Diameter as an example to show the differences in a 1" threaded shaft, and how changing a variable that can be looked up, will work. Thanks, Larry

Hi Kevin, I put the thread "flatness" suggestion on the Wish List 2 years ago 02/24/2006. Mechanical enhancements take a long, long time to be dealt with. Larry http://techboard.vectorworks.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=12&Number=53414&Searchpage=1&Main=12440&Words=&topic=0&Search=true#Post53414

Excellent work clb, Most of my work is machine parts, and the tools that VW offers are great, especially threaded parts. Sometimes I have to include gears, and was really suprised not to find gear racks. You did an outstanding job on your project, and hope that your items are added to the Wish List. Larry

Thanks Tom, I added pipe threads to the Wish List almost 20 months ago, 03-31-06. Gear racks are a basic machine component, and should have been included many versions ago, same for the teeth on the bevel gears. These should not have to be on a Wish List. VW has the potential to be a great program for machine design, as stated by others,( thanks clb )who know what is missing. Larry

Thanks Tom, Have "teeth" been added to the bevel gears in VW2008? In VW2008 are there pipe threads? Thanks, Larry

I can't seem to locate gear racks in VW Designer 12.5.2 on Windows. The spur gears are there. Thanks, Larry

I think VW 12.5.2 will not work with more than 2 gb ram. http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=15&Number=83832&Searchpage=1&Main=18391&Words=memory&topic=0&Search=true#Post83832 I don't know if this applies to Vista Ultimate 64 Bit or not. Larry

Is there a method to increase the spacing of balusters on a metal handrail? I wanted to use pipe for the handrail with 1 intermediate rail of the same diameter, but have the balusters spaced 48" apart, not the maximum of 11" that the program requires. I'm using 12.5.2 on Vista. Thanks, Larry

David, If you are able to post the .step files, I can convert and save to VW12.5. Larry

Thanks Everyone, I'm new to VW and liked the idea of sectioning a model, and keeping the original model intact. The description of Cut 3D Section seemed too good to be true. I do mostly screw machine parts and VW does do threads well. Larry

The resulting section of a tapped block, seems to be hollow. Any tips will be appreciated. Thanks, Larry

Thanks Everyone, I added the Cut2D Section and Cut3D Section to the Machine Design Workspace, I'll give them a try later, thanks for the caution on the power of these commands. Larry

The only places that I can find "Cut 3D Section Command" is in the Help Index, and the printed manual. The command is supposed to be under Model > Cut 3D Section. Thanks, Larry

Please add pipe threads, 2D and 3D. Thanks

Thanks Dunsterville, The only version of VW that I have ever used is VW12. I did find that exporting a VW12 file as an .igs, and than importing the same file back into VW12, and then exporting the same file as a .sat, will not prompt for the "export as trimmed surfaces option" and some of the files are usable in my other programs. It's a start, hopefully file translation will improve.

Paul, I am almost certain that Nemetschek still has a very generous policy of sending a complete Vectorworks 12 Designer/Renderworks package, the full version, including manuals and CD,s for a 90 day evaluation. The user can try it with their own drawing files, programs, computer hardware, printers, plotters etc. and if you are not completly satisfied, the package can be returned for a "no questions asked" refund. It is really hard to beat an offer like that if you are seriously considering Vectorworks 12, 18 months of support is also included, at least it was. Larry

The way it works now a thread flatness from 0.0-0.5 has to be entered to have the minor diameter of the thread to update to "Machinery's Handbook" dimensions. I would like to enter the minor diameter, or inside diameter and have the "flatness" update.

VW12 has an excellent assortment of mechanical objects. Most of my drawings include threaded parts, and the customer wants the threads accuratly drawn as helical cut, not cosmetic or simplified. My problem is exporting VW files as .sat, .dwg/.dxf, .stl,.iges and obtaining a usable file to use in other programs, AutoCAD, Concepts Unlimited, Cobalt. The only files that will export fine are the set screws with hex socket, not square head or slotted. I am using Win XP SP2. I have tried every option in every program over the last 3 weeks, including "simplify object", "check object", "repair object" adjusting heal gaps etc. Hopefully someone has a simple solution. Thanks, Larry