Options

[Tom Klaber]

I would love for there to be a way to create options.  I think this would be a "sub" layer.  So if you have a layer that is let's say - 1ST FLOOR - you could right-click to create an option - which would appear below and inset.  So rather than having to duplicate the layer, reassign it to a story, or remove that duplicate from any viewports that had the original, you could create these sublayer "options"  - this would keep the layer stack much cleaner - and easier to manage and understand for staff coming onto a project rather than seeing the long list of layers that can be harder to keep sensible.  You could even have a hierarchical display to hide option layers if you do not want to see them. 

[Tom Klaber]

Here is a quick mockup of before and after - and how this could start to work.

 

So V1 of this idea could just be nested layers. 

 

V2 - there could be objects that can be assigned to either the main layer or an option so that there can be shared elements amongst the options.  The options could be furniture layouts, bathroom configurations - or whatever you need -but then you can continue to work on the primary shared elements without worrying about having to maintain or copy them from option to option as you do now.  So as options are developed and reduced- more and more items are moved from the option to the primary (mother) layer.

The main layer will also be able to control universal settings things like stories / z heights/wall settings that get lost when you duplicate. 

 

This would also decrease the annoying occurrence of duplicate layers defaulting to visible in viewports.  If you create a new option or duplicate an option - it would not affect the viewports already created. (This is a side benefit as you could tackle that particular problem specifically.)

 

 

NOW:

 

 

 

WITH OPTIONS:

 

[Jeff Prince]

1 hour ago, Tom Klaber said:

you need -but then you can continue to work on the primary shared elements without worrying about having to maintain or copy them from option to option as you do now. 

I’m not following you logic here.  Why would you need to copy anything in the existing system?  You just set up a master layer to control the common items and share with the option layers.

 

it would be nice to have dependent layers collapsible in the stack compared to the current method like:

 

Floor01-Master

Floor01-Opt1

Floor01-Opt2

Floor01-Opt3

[Tom Klaber]

@jeff prince You can simulate this feature with layers now for sure.  You can also simulate this feature with classes.  Or a combination.  But we find that it does not get set up consistently or cleanly daily.  That is 80% on us - but now - it's always easier in the heat of the moment to duplicate - call it an alt - and draw - than to set up a parent layer - and clean out the options area and then set up the option layers.  There are always problems with the door and window heights - and the layers are not assigned to stories - or auto-guess new Z heights.  

I am thinking if like in project sharing - you can simply select objects and assign them to an option - they could then be outlined with a color so you can easily see what objects are part of an option - all of this could help keep variations and options conceptually cleaner and clearer.  

[Jeff Prince]

3 hours ago, Tom Klaber said:

But we find that it does not get set up consistently or cleanly daily.  That is 80% on us - but now - it's always easier in the heat of the moment to duplicate - call it an alt - and draw - than to set up a parent layer - and clean out the options area and then set up the option layers.

Yes, when the workgroup > 1, it becomes harder to control.  What about using some templates to fix those issues?

 

The Project Sharing style highlighting would be cool, maybe the Magic Wand could be updated to enhance the highlighting functionality, that is much needed.

 

[Matt Overton]

The software developers of Vectorworks already understand this part of creative processes very well and have tools to do exactly the same thing with code. (Subbversioning)

 

Incidentally there are the same tools that let them works together in a fashion not dissimilar to how we works as well. 

 

If only we had the same tools inside the program..... 😉

 

Yes these things are much needed.