rjtiedeman

I agree completely. You have to go back to the basic subdivision tutorial. However then they blow through the basics in the first 2 seconds and I am not sure how you would do the internal framing. There seems to be more Vectorworks tutorials on Youtube than in the VW library .

What is this object? Can you zoom out or let us see it from other angles?

I agree with scottmoore. But - Rendering now works better in a view port than directly on the design layer. It's nice that the view port remembers all your image settings. You can save multiple viewports with different settings. Note - I have not seen any differences in rendering design layer vs view port. Also I have not had any textures disappear and all my design files include custom textures some dating back several versions of Vectorworks. We have had to relearn old habits. PS. I would love a 'real time' render the image previews eat up a lot of time when making custom image maps.

https://university.vectorworks.net Freeform Modeling - starts with basics - screen planes, layer planes and and builds up. Best to start at the basics. I started at from the middle and had to go back. I developed some habits that had to relearned when VW got more complex.

Just start with the basics. Draw something that you are working on or with that you understand (your pencil, cup, desk, whatever). Try the getting started guides under help menu. Also Vectorworks has youtube videos that might be helpful. Have fun, build it into your daily routine. If you are doing it for work be prepared to put in extra work on your own time. Many years ago I took jobs that I ended up working at loss but the final results were worth the effort. Learn to think CAD.

Fixed After several restarts the rendering is working with VW 2021 -- Just real slow.

I just downloaded VW 2021 SP1 today and it worked fine until I tried to render a view port. VW crashed 2 times while rendering. I back saved to 2020 and rendered the project with out issues. I will wait until SP2 and hope for the best.

I am an industrial designer working with packaging and product development firm. I have been buying 3D prints for 10-15 years for packaging prototypes and product design models. The software and models have come a long way since the first ones we had made. We occasionally order 10-20 parts at the same time. One machine would not be enough for a busy project. We opted for buying the models as needed from a service. I have used about 4 or 5 different vendors (ALL GOOD) just different. I have been using https://www.protolabs.com for the last 2-3 years with out issues. They have a lot of info on their web site about materials and types of 3d printing they provide. Issues: A. Size matters: The models we have built would all fit into a table top unit. Running a model of a building or house at 1/8 scale would require a very large and expensive unit. A-2. You will need to shell large masses. They need - should - be hollow. the material is expensive making an enormous solid shapes would be unnecessary, time consuming and the final object may shrink during curing. A lot of non design model planning goes into the process so that we save time and budget. B. Resolution - Smoothness: We use Stereolithography (SLA) for all the models we have made. The Accuracy and finish are great. You can buy a table top SLA printer for about 8 - $10K. The chemicals are light sensitive, humidity sensitive, expensive, nasty and have a shelf life so buy as you need them. C. Investment : we need models 2 or 3 times a year. When we do we need them fast and perfect. So it never made sense to invest in training, printer and supplies. Hope this helps. If we had a project that required a 3D printer today I could see investing in a unit. 10 years ago the same unit would have been 50 to 100K and obsolete today. Web references: https://www.protolabs.com https://all3dp.com http://3dprintingindustry.com

Just for fun. One more try with an extrude along a path subtracted from bottle shape. you can vary both shapes as you would like to get the shapes you like. Bob

This is a very rough bottle test made with solid subtractions and assembled and shelled. Unfortunately the Chamfer tool only does 45 degrees and is not variable. I think something could be done with a lot of tests. May be an angled shape extruded along a path would work better than the the Chamfer tool. Doing it this way you can edit the shape to change the position and size of there cut. Using the Subdivision tool is a possible way also but you can't go back and edit shapes you don't like. Would be good to publish some parameters for the bottle size.

The answer I got from 3Dconnection on this issue was as follows “the navigation with the SpaceMouse in Vectorworks had been implemented by Vectorworks into their product. Please contact their support team and explain that this is a feature you would like to see with their product.” So Vectorworks please advise. Bob

My 3Dconnection 3D SpaceMouse wireless only rotates by center of ALL the objects in a document. It does not rotate by the center of the selected object. Pretty much a useless tool. The Vectorworks flyover tool works fine with a normal mouse. The 3D Spacemouse works fine with it's Demo trainer. It's just a Vectorworks issue. Any idea how to get VW and 3D SpaceMouse to work together? It was a great tool when it worked. Machine specs: Imac Pro 10C-Radeon Pro Vega 64-64 GB ram. Mac OS 10.15.5, Driver 3DxWareMac v10.6.5 and Vectorworks 2020-SP3.1

Yesterday I updated my iMac Pro work station to OS 10.15.5. After about 30 minutes VW 2020 crashed and a security request came up requesting that I allow Vectorworks to monitor input from the keyboard even when using other apps. I did. So far today no crashes. But is this OK or expected. So far the only issue I am having is the 3Dconnection mouse will only rotate all the objects in space not the selected object. I am forced to use the flyover tool instead. Note: I am using VW Fundamentals so I don't use all the features that are built into higher versions so test at your own risk. I will add

yes. there are post about subdivisions going back to VW 2012. .

It has been around for some time but I am just now starting to learn how to use the SubD tools. Most projects I have been involved with are constructed of flat sheet materials and framing. Suggesting formed fiberglass structures would require a serious budjet or $$$$$. As for package structures the subdivision tools are proving to be difficult to control. Controlling the size and surface of packages is not arbitrary modeling.