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Did something change in 2023? I used to build simple site models and be able to put site modifiers down and have the model update and grade around everything. I have watched countless youtube videos and am seeing people put down pad and retaining wall modifiers on their site and the site model is reflecting those changes. For the life of me I can't get anything to work on my site model. It seems a lot of the learning resources are for previous versions from years ago. Is there a good place to start with the site modifiers for 2023? I'm just so frustrated because I see people doing it so easily and literally nothing works for me. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong but I dunno. Thanks.

Hardscape object set as “ site modifier ” can not be applied on existing terrain, only on purposed terrain, contrary to site modifiers objects which have the option so those site modifiers objects can be applied on existing OR purposed terrain. This option can be really useful sometimes. Even if there are really good enhancements to those tools in Vectorworks 2023, I think this option needs to be added. Do we have a chance that this could happen ? Thanks  !

Hello! I'm trying to make a pad with retaining edge, but when I apply it to the terrain model, the topography gets weirdly jagged all over the model, even in areas nowhere near the pad. Photos below show the terrain before the pad is applied, then the messed-up terrain afterwards. A file that contains only the terrain and pad is also attached. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks. Ducros_terrain only.vwx

I've been using Vectorworks Landmark for a long time but really only for 2D purposes and I'm now really trying to get a grasp on the 3D capabilities and some of the features that I feel like Vectorworks is really pushing. I work in high end residential landscape architecture and many of our sites are sloping and complex. We use a lot of irregular materials and custom items so I often get frustrated with some of the tutorials that over simplify the process by using a completely flat site and pretty standard materials. At the risk of being too long winded, I'm wondering if there are any definitive training guides on the 3D modeling and a good workflow process to get started with this. I've played around and made a few site models but I'm having a hard time understanding when I should be using hardscapes or site modifiers etc... etc... I feel like I could post a million questions on here and maybe they've already been answered so I'll snoop around but I feel like it's all very overwhelming. Thanks!

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Why do we have to manually cut Site Models to fit around our building model? Why can't the building model be the modifier?

Hi, I'm working on a site model which was created with 3D loci and site modifiers. I now want to model the proposed site and keep getting a random high point in the middle of a proposed pad with 0m elevation. When I go to view edit the contours I can see two additional red polygons (site modifiers?) which seem to be creating the random high point. But I cant seem to see them in the model to delete them and I have definitely not created them. Any help or thoughts would be very welcome.

Hi We are looking for a way to calculate and visualize the Cut and Fill for each separate stage within the site modification process - this from an ARCHITECT's viewpoint. The theoretical approach is: Step 1 - Removal of the existing landscape As the existing site consists of hardscapes and softscapes these areas need to be removed first. a) Calculation: Based on a 2D plan one can calculate in the worksheet the amount of soil/debris that needs to be removed by multiplying the area by the depth. b) Visualization: In the 2D plan of the existing landscape the polygons can be converted to 3D polys with their Z-height set according to the depth as estimated in step 1-a. (Before converting to 3D polys the polygons are offset by a distance of fe. 10 cm) This results in a Site Model which can be used as a base to start the actual Cutting and Filling. Step 2 - 'Cutting' the site according to the proposed design - Draw the Grade limit for each hole/trench - Draw the Pad per hole/trench. Name the Pad in the OIP. => for calculation: each Pad can be separately listed by name in the worksheet showing Cut volume - in the case of more than 1 layer subsoil type one can draw a second pad within the boundaries of the first pad - name this Pad appropriately and add this in the calculation for differentiation Step 3 - Forming/pouring footings and foundations Within the Architect module the option to use a wall as a site modifier is not available. Footings and foundations are drawn using the Wall tool. These can be added to the calculation sheet if needed. The question 🤨 Step 4 - 'Filling' the holes/trenches around the foundations What would be an convenient way to draw the fills? 3D Modelling tools? Which properties of the 'fill objects' can then be used to add to the calculation worksheet? By updating the worksheet subsequently it could be the 'tool' to check what will result as spoil etc. Thanks for reading this through! Thanks for any thoughts or pointing me on mistakes in reasoning - for anything helping me forward... Carol Site cut and fill.vwx

I posted this within the site design forum but perhaps it is better suited here. Hello everyone I started having an interesting challenge on Friday with a small site model and a curved retaining wall site modifier that was inserted. I've never experienced this issue and hope others might see an easy fix. To clarify: I have a small site model (under 1/2 acre) that was created using survey 3d polygons. All the polygons have low numbers of vertices so the model itself seems stable and easy to move around. In this design we are placing a new retaining wall that curves across the rear landscape. The file is not huge 120+ mb It appears that when one creates a retaining wall site modifier in a curved shape that the results can cause severe slow downs and crashes in this file. If you take a look at the second image I attached you'll see countless lines coming from the site model and running behind the retaining wall, this is where I think the issue is If I delete the retaining wall site modifier the file behaves itself, when it's present I have to wait several minutes for the site model to update and for the open GL to render. Even then the open GL looks poor regardless of settings. This has never happened to me on my current computer. When I change the retaining wall shape and reduce the curves, add a new retaining wall site modifier makes for a more stable file. I can conclude that these curves are causing some issues with the site model and making the file un-workable even with a robust computer. Has anyone noticed this limitation before? It's not great for us as we often work with organic shapes. I've attached the file having removed everything but the site model, the wall, retaining wall site modifier and a small pad in front. No modifier conflicts are reported. I would love to hear peoples comments on this. Thanks for any thoughts you might have. Site model.vwx

Ok so I have finally wrapped my head around site modeling and it's super exciting to figure all this stuff out! One question I have is regarding the concept that site modifiers can't intersect or even touch each other. For instance. I have a set of stairs that lands on a walkway. It's all well and good when I put the pad site modifier under the set of stairs but when it comes to rendering there is always going to be part of the site model (terrain) that is in between the walkway pad and the set of stairs. My question is how do I get that to level out so it appears that the stairs are landing directly on the elevations of the walkway pad and there isn't a contour or elevation from the site model slipping in between? Thank you!

Something I have been researching for a while and cannot find the answer is the creation of complex and easily created hardscapes, with the opportunity to have different elevations at each vertex. Much in the same way as you create a 3D polygon. One workflow might be: Create 3d polygon with different elevations at different vertexes > Create objects from shapes > Hardscapes Or Use stake tools to modify hardscapes in the same way they do a site model. This would improve the BIM workflow for Landmark immeasurably and move us on from simplistic modelling of external surfaces, to correct modelling which aligns with topographic information outside of our site and not under our control. Yes this can be created with site models but they cannot be utilised in the same way hardscapes can. Alternatively, If I have missed a trick here, please guide me in the right direction. Many Thanks,

Hi there, I am trying to work out the best way to accurately model a driveway with falls in multiple directions. The driveway isn't rectangular. I have attached a screenshot to indicate what I mean. What would be the best method to approach modelling this accurately with the correct falls and gradients? Thanks! 20170428161553318.pdf

Does any have advice for producing an all singing dancing DTM for the attached site plan? It's slopes about 9 m in elevation across the site. I've used DTMs on occasion but nothing substantial. This is the first DTM that I've done which is reasonably large and complex and which we will rely on heavily for documentation. 1. I started by laying out roads using the Roadway tool but I soon ran into the limitations of this tool. Unless roads intersect nicely at rights angles etc it seems pretty useless. Is there a more flexible way? Model my own modifiers and roads? 2. I've also found in the past that it's easier to use the 3D Polygon tool to form site modifiers—placing them on the modifier Class—than it is to use the Site Modifiers tool. I find it easier to create the shapes I need. However there doesn't seem to be any way to use 3D Polygons and also produce a retaining edge. Am I missing something? 3. How best to group modifiers? Should I create large pads forming the mains steps in the site (which will include building sites, gardens, roads, etc.) or should I start off straight away modelling the roads and separate pads for gardens, building sites etc.?