Robb

Sorry I am still new to VW, but I would not be suprised by this. There mapping of materials to objects is a tad weak.

I think I figured it out. In VectorWorks objects any "part" that is assigned the class "none" will use the object's Render texture. In my case I needed to either set the rdner texture to "Vinyle" and the "External/Internal Panel" to glass OR set everything to a snon-glass style and set the Render texture to "Glass". I am disapointed in the "Style x" names, there should be more than 15 and should have a user defined name. 15 runs out in large complex scenes.

I inserted a slider into an outside wall (door object). I set the Render to Glass and the Leaf to Glass. Now when I render the wall there is an area around the slider (outside the trim) that is glass! I changed the Render texture to class defaults but then my door becomes opaque. I am not sure how Render textures align with Parts or even how to set the Leaf to glass in the View tab. My guess was that the Leaf was taking on the Render texture (object data) but now I think there is something else going on. Thanks

Cool! Thanks so much that did the trick. I am reading up more on workspaces now. Does VectorWorks have any functions to count up wall areas for a space/room. I was shown a method to build a sheet that calculates wall are aby type, but I want to be able to get inside and outside wall areas (net) on a room by room basis. Thanks again!

Thank you, I am a bit confused as to how I can get VW to export this data. Things like area of walls, permimeters, floors, etc. all seeem difficult. I can create a worksheet but I have to manually make one per each plan that has the rooms. Is there a way to generate a schedule of room spaces?

Does anyone use VectorWorks to generate a cost estimate for remodel (or new construction)? I am having difficulty figuring out how to tie materials to objects to costs, especially as room size change (carpet, ceiling tile) etc. Johnathon of Archoncad helped me quit a bit but it is still is proven difficult, especially when multiple rooms are being worked on. Thanks

Thank you. I was afraid that was the case. Will make it harder to keep things in sync. Yes I have received: Core Concepts, Architectural Tutotal. I found both the be of minimal use to me reagrding remodeling and interior design. A journal of my experience learing VW is at: http://www.log.canfield.com/cad/ Look under VectorWorks.

Thank you. It appears these room finishes are not applied to the room. In otherwords I still need to apply the appropiate visual finish to each object AND maintain those along with the room finishes dialog. Is that correct?

I am still learning how to edit my floors and ceiling as quickly as possible. Right now I have to create a floor and ceiling for any room that will have different finishes (I am required to provide a render of the interior design). I am working to find a better way to do this when the walls need to be changed (remodels do that more often than one might imagine, or should I say the home owner does that during a remodel). Missed 20-20 in my evals, but it looks VERY expensive! Bathrooms and kitchens are a prominent part of the work. But not all of it by any stretch. And you are right CA does this quite well.

Use the 'view' tab and select a style. Modify the appropiate class style #. You only have 15 TOTAL for paramettric objects so be careful!

I am not sure how to go about building a materials list for a floor plan? Textures do not appear to have a specificaiton that includes these details. For example many sqare ft of wall is blue, how much sheet rock is used, etc. I am sure its in the manual somewhere but I have only found Bill of Materials and am not sure how to use that for my house plan. Thank you

Does anyone know how to texture (or color) the individual parts of a door or window? For example I woud like to model chrome (mirror) door handles. The sme question applies to other paramtetric objects such as tables. I am using Renderworks. Thanks

I think I understand now! Directional lights are NOT for indoor scenes! Silly, I should have realized that thee lights cast from an infinite distance from the model no matter where they are placed. All that matters is angle.

I tried using a directional ligght in a simple model and no shadows were cast. A pint and spot worked as expected. If I turn off "Cast Sahdows" on the directional light the scene lights without shadows (or course). With "Cast Shadows" on the scene is as if there is no light (dark unless ambient is set). I am sure it is someting simple but I am not sure what I missing about directional lights.

Working on you suggestions. I am very confused about the complexities of floors and ceilings and concerned about their maintenance. I have sent you a private message as well. Thanks again for you help!