How to customize 2D/Plan visual settings of a landscape area

[C_Howard]

This question could be about how to create a custom landscape area vs customizing an existing one.

 

Coming from AutoCAD+LandFX, this is my first time trying to tackle a plant list in VW, so I'm probably doing lots of things wrong or not understanding basic principles.

 

I'm trying to use a landscape area to for a mass planting of small plants. I would like the landscape area to show up as a black and white hatch in our sheets. However, there is no way to edit the 2d component without breaking the plug-in object. One roundabout way is to change the attributes of the landscape area to the hatch I want but that gets reverted anytime I edit the settings of the landscape area. Meaning I have to change the attributes of all the different landscape areas each time I go to publish.

 

Here I have a landscape area. The style I duplicated from the standard landscape area because I don't know how to create a custom one.

 

Next I go to edit the 2D component. I know this way breaks the plug-in object but this is the only setting I've found that would change the visual attributes of the landscape area.

 

Next I get this warning dialogue.

 

Then if i change the "fill" attributes of the polygon to a hatch or to match the class attributes...

 

Then the landscape area breaks and looks like this:

 

 

 

I cannot find anything about creating a custom landscape area from scratch. Maybe if someone can just point me to that tutorial. Or perhaps I'm missing a certain setting in one the different dialogue boxes.

[Jeff Prince]

 

 

1 hour ago, C_Howard said:

I would like the landscape area to show up as a black and white hatch in our sheets. However, there is no way to edit the 2d component without breaking the plug-in object.

 

You typically do this type of thing with the Attribute Panel located in the lower left corner of the screen.  Select the Landscape Area.  Then in the Attributes panes, set the fill to "hatch".  Finally, select the hatch you want to use.  Alternatively, you can set all the attributes to "by class" and then place your landscape areas on that Class where it will inherit the characteristics of the Class.  The latter approach is like AutoCAD and setting an object "bylayer" and controlling the visual attributes with "Layer" properties.  Remember, Vectorworks Classes = AutoCAD Layers.  Vectorworks Design Layers are like having multiple AutoCAD Modelspaces (or xrefs stacked in a file).

 

 I used AutoCAD for over 20 years and train people on how to make the transition to Vectorworks.  It will get easier, just try to forget what you used to do in AutoCAD.  Special objects like Plants, Landscape Areas, Doors, Walls, etc... require that you follow a precise procedure to edit.  You will start to notice that the majority of complex object are governed by "Styles" to create their appearance in 2D and 3D, become familiar with this notion.  Heed the warnings until you understand what method of editing is appropriate.  Also, when it comes to annotation, you will want to learn about Data Tags instead of using built in tagging for objects like Hardscapes and Plants... Data Tags are the future and built in tagging is losing ground quickly.

Edited March 22 by Jeff Prince

[kwik]

On 3/22/2024 at 7:56 PM, C_Howard said:

One roundabout way is to change the attributes of the landscape area to the hatch I want but that gets reverted anytime I edit the settings of the landscape area. Meaning I have to change the attributes of all the different landscape areas each time I go to publish.

We have experienced the same as you, @C_Howard. How do you solve this part of the problem @Jeff Prince? Your solution solves it once, but it needs to be repeated if the settings of the landscape area is changed. Any ideas how to avoid that?

[Tom W.]

Isn't it avoided by setting the hatch by class...?

[C_Howard]

On 3/22/2024 at 3:40 PM, Jeff Prince said:

You typically do this type of thing with the Attribute Panel located in the lower left corner of the screen.

 

Yes, I know you can override the plugin objects attributes this way — and I am currently doing it this way. But, like I mentioned at first, and like @kwik mentioned, this is only a band-aid solution. Anytime information is changed for the landscape area, it reverts back to the original attributes. And when you have 12+ different species it seems like a lot of tedious work I'm trying to avoid.

 

Is there a way to create your own landscape area? I've only found tutorials to creating custom plant symbols.

[Jeff Prince]

Landscape Areas are complex Plug-in Objects and Vectorworks allows you to control their behaviors and appearances in a variety of ways.

The easiest way to create a style from scratch is by starting a new drawing with the default LA tool settings active.  This is a blank canvas from which you can work.

Personally, I like using a Byclass workflow for 2D graphics and a Bystyle workflow for anything I want to have a consistent behavior or don't want people to change accidentally.

 

Here's a quick demo showing a whole bunch of tricks and techniques for creating and modifying LAs.  Note the use of Bystyle and ByInstance for different things, it's a fundamental that will serve you well on many Plug-in Objects like plants, doors, etc...

 

 

 

[C_Howard]

This is exactly what I'm looking for. Didn't know this is how you created them from scratch. Appreciate the background music too haha. Much appreciated!

[Jeff Prince]

45 minutes ago, C_Howard said:

This is exactly what I'm looking for. Didn't know this is how you created them from scratch. Appreciate the background music too haha. Much appreciated!

Just keep in mind, once you have a handle on how this all works, they will probably change it entirely 😉