Bob Holtzmann

I suppose it all depends on one's point of view. I see the opposite side of the coin. Vectorscript has lots of functions some of us can really use, and it adds an interesting realm to Vw, and adds more usability. I find it bears some resemblance to Applescript - a readable set of instructions that execute defined functions. I would tinker with both Applescript and Vectorscript more if I had the time to.

Sorry about that, bc. I was taking your words to mean that it's better for Vectorworks to be hard-wired with the tools and commands, and lack any customizing of the workspace. You could clarify if I'm wrong about that.

Vectorworks is very customizable - if you don't "need a bunch of plug-ins", simply remove them from the workspace. In doing so, the "foot" can be saved. Vw Designer allows the user to switch workspaces for each version - Spotlight, Landmark, Architect and Fundamentals. I use my own workspace for some plug-ins I've had since the 1990s (Julian Carr wrote a few of them). I recently used the Parking Space Tool plug-in - very good time saver. And after all, it's the minimal time resource that most interests me. I was amazed to see how Revit handles parking spaces in this 6 minute video: Seeing this video reminds me of the time I spent copying and jiggling Autocad blocks around.

I'm glad you at least have the minimum, Cameron. My MB Pro also had 4 gigs of RAM until earlier this year, when I got a couple of 4 gig cards (for about $100 US). Now I don't have to quit the other apps to run Vworks.

4 gigs of RAM is the recommended minimum for VwA.

Would repairing permissions in Disk Utility help? I would also use Onyx to check the startup disk and run maintenance scripts. Woa, hold on -- you're running a system with only 2 GIGS OF RAM?

It looks like SP1 has fixed the file crash Vw2013 was giving me. I was testing it with a site model file containing a workgroup reference, and it seemed opening that file, along with loading the referenced file always caused Vw to crash. Now I updated to SP1, and that same file opens smoothly with no problems - what a great relief. I'll continue to look for any undiscovered problems, before I batch convert my file library to Vw 2013, and I would advise others to do the same.

I always use rectangles to make a poly for a hip or gable roof. In your case, 3 rectangles could be made, overlapping each other, to make into a polygon with Add Surface. This will always avoid the complex problem a 90.13? line will make, and will only take a few minutes, as this did: [img:left]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1931541/roof.png[/img]

I don't like that Argh -- I'm in the midst of putting my 2011 CameraMatch into my v2013 workspace, with hopes that the upgrade is optional.

I've been looking at that, too, and it's really helpful for the Plane Mode to be in the Document Settings. This allows the file to only draw in the Screen Plane Mode, as you suggested. I am more inclined to set the document to the Working Plane Mode, because my sheets are set up with viewports, so that all of the 2D stuff is in the Annotations Layer, which is all 2D objects, and has no plane mode.

I've got the same feeling about it, too. Autodesk is following the AutoCad monopoly strategy with Revit. Just lock down the file format, and choke out the competition. Their grip on AutoCad's file format has loosened a great deal, thanks to the US Patents and Trademark Office, who did not allow DWG to be trademarked 20 years after everyone was openly using it. And now we have affordable alternatives to AutoCad, like the full-featured Bricscad, or the free Draftsight. So essentially, DWG has become an open file exchange format, against Autodesk's will.

One of the ranters on that forum said he's disappointed on how difficult it is to edit 3D polygons. I hardly ever do 3D modeling with polygons, unless it's drawn in 2D, and later used for a floor or roof. And compared to other CAD programs, poly editing in Vectorworks is second to none.

The SP1 is available for download now, and it has lots of crash fixes, one of which is the "Random file crash". I haven't downloaded 2013 yet, but now that SP1 is here, I'm thinking why not?

Have you gone into the Vw Preferences to turn off Auto-Join?

To answer your question, Revit - it truly does break file formats, in a big way. I've read posts from professionals and students, agonizing how the person with the Revit 2013 is effectively cut off from the rest of the users using Revit 2012, because Revit can't save its files to previous versions - not even the PREVIOUS YEAR.

With the imported PDF selected, use the Menu: Modify ->"Edit PDF" command. If that doesn't work, Ungroup it.

Regardless, NVw thinks it was a good enough version release to pay for the champagne and confetti-filled balloons: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vectorworks/

My understanding is with a split level or mezzanine, the only hard part would be to base those design layers (which would include floors, ceilings, wall heights, etc.) as an offset elevation height of a Story (as in the adjacent lower floor level). Once this inconvenience is done, then it would be easier to work with.

It could possibly work, but it still would lack the tools and commands of the new version. So it's best to use a renamed copy of the default workspace for customizing. As a rule, I always export as a text file my old workspace. Then open it in a text editor, to use as reference to modify the new workspace. This allows me to test tools and commands, rearrange tools, commands, keyboard inputs, etc.

They still will be just bitmaps like a rendered viewport is. It appears the worksheet's 3D symbol images were grabbed from the Resource Browswer, as openGL renderings. It would be interesting to know if the images in the worksheet can be updated, if the symbol changes - especially for resized windows and doors. Also, I don't know how plug-in doors and windows fit into the mix - perhaps they have to be made into symbols, too.

Big thumbs up on the worksheets with images! The Home Page just updated: http://www.vectorworks.net/

If it's true, we won't be seeing 3D rendering with squares anymore - a big favorite! http://livedesignonline.com/gear/lighting/0917_vectorworks_2013/#.UFfMF6V0bbM.twitter

So far, I haven't seen any innovative 3D tools for 2013, so maybe that's being saved for the Big Event: http://architosh.com/2012/09/vectorworks-2013-to-be-revealed-next-week-innovative-new-3d-coming/

Since Revit LT is the equivalent of Vw Fundamentals, perhaps the comparisons should be there. I don't think Vw Fundamentals has IFC import/export, and neither does Revit LT.

I'm putting #3 first on my list -- I've had to make my own Door Record, because among other things, the Architect Door Schedule doesn't put a dash between feet and inches. If NVW ever does #1, they can probably do it much better than Autodesk, by making it easily accessible via the Resource Browser. #2 Live Sections would be helpful, but I think of it more like an Autocad feature - editing inside the sheet viewport. In the past, I avoided doing this in Autocad, because zooming inside a viewport always unintentionally changes the scale.