Stan Rostas

Don, If you want to have multiple paths for the extrude you would then use the Loft Surface tool. This allows Two Path Legs and varying amount of Profile shapes. Regards, Stan

Tom, We use Vectorworks for 3d modeling our entire Architectural Projects then using these models to create Plans(Overall and detailed), Building Elevations, Building Sections, Interior Elevations, and as generators of Backgrounds for Wall Sections. At the point of anything greater than 1/4" scale we shift to the 2d functions to create the detail. We have been doing this since Vectorworks 11, attached is a small example. Revit and ArchiCAD are good at what they do but feel ArchiCAD is better than Revit as it handles larger teams better with speed and server based solutions implemented best of class for Architects. As our practice has a heavy graphics bent is the reason we use Vectorworks since it gives us this capability. We use Vectorworks for light Illustrations and Page Layout but the dedicated applications for this will always work better as they are singularly focused. Pages is an intermediate step but it also bogs down with to many large images. At the moment none of the BIM and CAD tools perform as an Architect needs though, they are all to cumbersome and take away from efforts at design. SU for its use is the only exception in that an Architect can start using and creating almost instantly. But its use downstream in a project is suspect especially for getting Architecture built (I would guess that is what most of want to accomplish). The bifurcation of modeling and drafting is a 18th century approach which the MCAD world has left behind with the advent of the Computer and Computer Applications as tools. We Architects on the other hand are slow to change and are still caught up in this discussion with this bifurcation of efforts.

Yes, this release is more stable than the any of the releases since 2012 and works well on the all recent OS's. Not saying it is perfect but it has been working well through the month of August.

They are working very well together. The subtle Lion Interface modifications make Vectorworks feel very responsive.

Christiaan, Without Renderworks you will not be able to create Hidden Line Viewports for Elevations and Building Sections. We have found that OpenGL with Edges does not work very well to create construction documents. You can get by without RW but you would need to modify your expectations of what to expect of the look of your documents. From a BIM standpoint VW can only be used for Exterior Elevations, Building Sections, and some snippets of interior Elevations. Everything beyond that will have to be drawn as 2d objects. Regards, Stan

The architects used Revit for this Building as well as the new iCloud Data Center in North Carolina, it was a requirement!

This is what we see in FQRW?

And thus there is the issue, the engineer responsible for having dialog on this Community board would have no time for program engineering based upon the size of the NV user base and the issues they present. The company you reference is very similar to C4d barely 4 Programmers who write that rendering and modeling software. NV and Vectorworks along with all the other BIM/CAD software seem to have many more programing engineers, not sure why. Most of the moderators on this list are giving you better answers than the engineers could since they are speaking from real world working knowledge. Many of the program engineers are seeing the commentary and suggestions on this Community Forum and factor them into the road map. They still may not implement what some desire.

NV attempts to stay lean so they can develop the program while keeping our cost down compared to other offerings. Beta testers do not even have a road map as to where NV is heading from year to year. NV has a road map but depending on comments from this Community Board and from the Beta testing group that road map could change year over year with only certain major themes carrying forward. Most recently as one can tell from the last two releases was that NV is actively changing and improving the 3d working environment. That being said, other areas will get attention as the time goes on. Here are some we and others feel need attention: Teamwork and Publishing: We need a improved functioning protocol. Graphic Attributes: We need a system that defines the appearance of objects in 2D, 3D and in section. Annotation Improvements. Automatic document coordination, easier to use Notes Database, etc. Do not mean to hi jack this issue, but what are other broad needs this community forum would like to see addressed.

You can have full Vectorworks running on your iPad for $0. Using any RDP or VPN with it running on your desktop and on your iPad you can open Vectorworks and open files on the desktop and work. Now the connection speed will effect the interface speed and the tools and buttons are all a bit small, but this works today. If need be just get the free Autocadd iPad app and import the drafted file into Vectorworks.

Many beta testers have wished, prodded, and poked NV into removing the Camera Window so we can have a true rendered modeling environment. Some have wanted it to stay the way it is with a rational that makes sense to them. Certain legacy technical hurdles have to be overcome but it would seem that the direction wished for is the direction that NV is heading toward with Vectorworks.

What Francois has designed is quite extraordinary and understand his desire for modeling to be visual and direct when making edits. Vectorworks his heading down that path but unlike SU there are many other aspects of the program they have to improve along with this modeling environment. In 2011 they have incorporated some very SU like 3d environmental features and actually improved upon some of them for greater fidelity and control. It may seem like all this is taking some time but having tracked the other BIM and modelers over the last 25 years would say that the pace always seems slow for the end user the designer. When are we going to get rid of the Screen, mouse and the tablet and be able to use our hands manipulating 3d holographic representations of our designs. Of course then the clients can get their hands on the design and the results may not be what is desired :-)

Francois, Our office has users who prefer SU and use it daily and users who prefer Vectorworks and use it daily for modeling. The SU users are premier modelers and have been published by the likes of Jim Leggit in his books. The vectorworks modelers beta test and start to model the minute we start to design. In our office the Vectorworks 3d modelers can finish a design of any geometry type and rendering method in a third of the time it takes to create the models in SU. These are real world fee billings. Each has its strengths but the project that use Vectorworks from the outset do not have to exchange or recreate anything within our office setting where as those that use SU all the geometry has to be recreated in Vectorworks so construction documents can be created. This creates huge time savings when moving from the schematic design to the design development phases. We are not saying that SU should not be used, but used depending on the project as we do all the time. We are not saying that Vectorworks 3d environment is perfect, but having modeled some in Revit and ArchiCAD we can say that Vectorworks allows and has greater geometric capability than these other mentioned applications and is moving more and more toward the SU modeling environment but also more and more toward the MCAD world. As architects we desire the ability to directly edit and impact the 3d objects we interact with in this virtual world and with 2011 this capability is even better. Finally, we have had recent success with 2011 and IFC exchange with other consultant team members using a variety of other software applications for their work with the geometry properly replicated for them to reference. The modeling learning curve is much steeper in Vectorworks than SU but once learned pays dividends in time used to complete the task. This is only our office experience with our SU and Vectorworks designers and may not be applicable to other offices with different designers and the tools they use..

Analle, It sounds like you are having the same issues as our group as we seem to be involved in projects of same scale. We still use Design Layer Viewports due to the ability to combine model projects. We do not use the suggested workflow as suggested by NNA. we have developed our own methodology based upon the issues you have mentioned that still allow a team of 4-5 work together on the project. If you like I can send you some links offline for our latest thinking on how we organize our work and workflow. Regards, PS, by the way your project work is quite nice so you must be overcoming some of the shortcomings of the tool!

Jim Stan here, have you updated plug-in objects after cutting and pasting? You might want to get all the worksheets in a file then open that file in 2009 before you cut and paste. Did not think that was possible? Hope it all goes well. We experienced this some during the migration.

Yes, not double the speed but close.

As has been pointed out if you need 2d graphics with a rounded end there are methods for this depiction with the tools presently available in Vectorworks. For walls to become walls that have the potential to be represented the same in 2d and 3d changes had to be made. Issues of legacy tools and features are faced and decided upon with every considered advancement. If alternates exist that perform the same function with other available tools then the elimination from a tool or feature to allow its advancement is considered and implemented. Would be interested to see a graphic of the use you mention as many might offer other means and methods to achieve the same. Personally, I have never seen a singular wall with a round cap constructed as a common practice in my varied travels. Have seen plenty of other rounded or fluted constructs but not at the end of a singular wall.

The future benefits outweigh the present uses. With advances of all kind, old capabilities give way to new capabilities. If one likes, one could use the other applications available and quickly discover none of them have round Wall Caps as well as the walls can not be used for 2d graphics, which has been pointed out were only 2d. With some creativity and a little invention the present 2d tools suffice for those that need only 2d graphic objects.

If your Mouse driver does not have key-in settings per application for the buttons then you might not have this option. Every application is different in how they approach Mouse Button Assignment. Using Drive and OS settings is the most universal.

Patrick Depends on the area of the world and the area of the country one resides. In McMansionville these windows are on close to 60% of the homes so the trade off is lost for those in the need. Of course if you really need it you can model it up using primtive 2d and 3d, place in a symbol then place in your wall and you have what you need,"Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay". But then you would be using SketchUP if you did that now wouldn't you?

Jeffrey Will you be doing the same testing with the just released 2010? Interested in how that has performed in relation to the this most enlighting post on 2009 performance, thanks. Impressed with what seems like vast improvements over 2008.

Kool Aid You are spot on, this is an issue that effects all sections with highly inaccurate relations depicted. The sculptural wall enhancement may solve this, but will require more work and time than sectional type walls. No construction type for the walls is properly depicted at this time. Sectional walls have a whole other set of issues that may not solve this issue either and increase the amount of wall styles needed for the multiplicity of wall construction interfaces with horizontal constructs.

Hopefully someone from NNA can weigh in here but from what I can tell, on the Mac, Vectorworks is not 64bit under Snow Leopard or uses Multiprocessors except for Renderworks operations. The only other processor being used besides one of the cores is the Graphic Chip to aid with Screen draws and the highlighting.

I am feeling the same, but understand the why at this time. To much to implement at one time with the resources at hand.

That answer, or lack there of, then illuminates all. Your answer would be no, you would not pay the full fare to replace if lost or stolen.