Hide/Show Selected Object (objects reapear in viewports)

[nwfonseca]

So I have created viewports with elements hidden only to have therm turn back on. I then have to go in and go in and select the object, re-select show selected objects only, and update viewport. I feel like after I am finished and have to make edits on design layers objects turn back on. When you go back to the design layers the layer maintains the last state from when you created the viewport meaning you have turn everything back on, but I believe that causes the objects in viewport to turn back on even though I don't think it should. It is rather time consuming to do this over and over. Is there something in my workflow I am missing? This may be user error so if there is something I can do to eliminate the issue I am all ears.

[Andy Broomell]

When you "go back to the Design Layer" are you doing that by double clicking the Viewport? And do you still see an orange border around the screen when you're editing the Design Layer?

[Tom W.]

Also I think it's only Section Viewports that you need to edit the Design Layer in order to hide objects. All other VPs you can do it outside the VP using the Visibility Tool.

[Neil Barman]

23 minutes ago, nwfonseca said:

So I have created viewports with elements hidden only to have therm turn back on. 

Do you mean that you have objects hidden, then you make a viewport include these objects, and they instantly appear in the viewport?

[Neil Barman]

@nwfonseca ... If you are editing a viewports' Design Layers  AFTER the viewport has been made, changing the visibility of objects, then wanting those visibility changes to "stick", ensure you have this option on: 

[Elite Exhibits]

 

59 minutes ago, Neil Barman said:

ensure you have this option on: 

@Neil Barman New in 2025 ?   ...is it checked as the default ?

 

Peter

[Neil Barman]

3 minutes ago, Elite Exhibits said:

 New in 2025 ?   ...is it checked as the default ?

 

Yes, new in v2025, to go along with the new Object Visibility feature.

Full info about it can be found here and if you go to the What's New in 2025 web page, below the recent update into there's a new feature video on the topic.

 

I believe the default is that it's unchecked, but I don't recall and my application has now been tuned to my workflows.

Personally I have mine unchecked because I typically set the visibilities of objects I want to appear in the viewport, then I make my viewport. If I enter the viewport's Design layer and adjust visibilities in order to make some design changes, I don't want those visibility adjustments to get sent back to the viewport. But, when I know I'll be making some visibility changes that I do want to have sent to the viewport when I'm done, I switch that option on.

[nwfonseca]

1 hour ago, Neil Barman said:

@nwfonseca ... If you are editing a viewports' Design Layers  AFTER the viewport has been made, changing the visibility of objects, then wanting those visibility changes to "stick", ensure you have this option on: 

Yes, I have that ticked. I learned that the hard way. It doesn't happen instantly though. For instance, I worked on the file yesterday but when I started today random stuff was visisble.

[nwfonseca]

1 hour ago, Andy Broomell said:

When you "go back to the Design Layer" are you doing that by double clicking the Viewport? And do you still see an orange border around the screen when you're editing the Design Layer?

No, when I have to make revisions I just select the design layer from the navigation pallet. When things turn back off, I navigate to the design layer from the viewport.

[Neil Barman]

On 3/21/2025 at 1:57 PM, nwfonseca said:

Yes, I have that ticked. I learned that the hard way. It doesn't happen instantly though. For instance, I worked on the file yesterday but when I started today random stuff was visisble.

It (the revised visibility of objects) should happen the moment you exit the orange-bordered "Edit Viewport" mode. The feature is designed to work that way and it functions that way for me. If you are experiencing a delay of object visibility changes after editing a viewport with that option checked on, then I recommend that you contact our technical support team and report what you are experiencing to them so they can assist you.

[nwfonseca]

UPDATE: I  can confirm now that if I am working on a design layer editing an object that was previously hidden in a particular viewport/s that object will reappear in all of the the viewports that reference the same design layer. For example, I have a display cases with objects and case furniture.  If I add a new object and plinth or shelf for it, the object and new furniture will now be visible in all viewports that reference the same design layer. This is also the case if I edit the dimensions of an existing element. This occurs regardless of how I navigate to the design layer. Either from the drop-down at the top of the UI or through the Navigation pane, or through the viewport itself. I am still not sure if this is a bug or just me not using it properly.

[Neil Barman]

1 hour ago, nwfonseca said:

... I am still not sure if this is a bug or just me not using it properly.

Simply based on what you have described, the previously hidden object should not be appearing in previously made viewports. The newly added objects will appear in those previously made viewports. (I just tried what you have described with individual objects and all is working as expected for me.)

 

If you have read the Help system information on this topic and are fairly certain that you are using the feature as intended and built, but it is not working as described, then I would recommend that you contact our technical support team. They will be able to work with you to determine if there is a bug or if there is an element of how you are using the feature that may be producing a result that you are not expecting.  

[nwfonseca]

On 4/4/2025 at 12:02 PM, Neil Barman said:

Simply based on what you have described, the previously hidden object should not be appearing in previously made viewports. The newly added objects will appear in those previously made viewports. (I just tried what you have described with individual objects and all is working as expected for me.)

 

If you have read the Help system information on this topic and are fairly certain that you are using the feature as intended and built, but it is not working as described, then I would recommend that you contact our technical support team. They will be able to work with you to determine if there is a bug or if there is an element of how you are using the feature that may be producing a result that you are not expecting.  

Thanks Neil, where would I go to contact them? Could you provide a link? I am going to post an update in this thread to talk out some more in the interim. Thanks!

[nwfonseca]

EDIT/UPDATE

 

Okay, I am going to describe how I created the viewports in general which I realize I should have done in the first place.

 

Sequence:

 

1: Navigate to design layer through navigation pallet

2: Select object to be visible and click: View-Show Selected Objects Only

3: Set the view needed (usually top, front, side, and isometric)

4: (lets pretend I am doing front) I click: view-create viewport: (I use the pop up to choose what i want it to look like and the sheet layer it goes on.) I've also done it with drawing rectangle to use as a crop.

5: and last, the viewport exists on the sheet layer.

 

After that is when everything else I have described happens.  I swear I spend half my day updating viewports, and re-hiding objects rather than getting any actual work done. It is like watching virtual paint dry. Mind you, I have a lot of objects that reside on the same design layer that have their own viewports. Let's say I have 4 views for lets say 20 objects (i have more than that) I have to fix 80 viewports individually every day or wait and do them on a Friday. Sometimes, I use update all viewports and go take lunch and hope it is done when I get back. 

 

If this happens on a section viewport (using clip cube) forget about it, it takes forever to update. My productivity is so bad right now.

[Neil Barman]

On 4/11/2025 at 6:13 AM, nwfonseca said:

Thanks Neil, where would I go to contact them? Could you provide a link? I am going to post an update in this thread to talk out some more in the interim. Thanks!

You can email the Tech Support team at tech@vectorworks.net

And don't forget, your account manager can always either help you with or direct you to our other resources.

 

[Neil Barman]

On 4/11/2025 at 6:36 AM, nwfonseca said:

EDIT/UPDATE

 

Okay, I am going to describe how I created the viewports in general which I realize I should have done in the first place.

Thank you for explaining. That was very helpful since there are multiple possible workflows with Object Visibility.

 

What you are describing is working as expected – Viewports that have previously been made will, at the moment, remember the visibility of existing objects when the viewport was made. When new objects are added to a design layer, even if those objects are hidden on the DL, those hidden objects will not be hidden in existing viewports.

 

Given how you are working, I would suggest either:

1) Creating viewports with the object visibilities you would like once you are done designing and you are ready to create your sheets. (I realize though that it can be nice or needed to have sheets laid out early, while design work is still ongoing.)

or

2) Do your workflow as you are doing now, then, when objects that you drew after initially creating the viewport appear in the viewport where you don't want to see them, use the Visibility Tool, Object mode directly on the sheet layer viewport to click on the objects and hide them.

 

Note: If you had existing, hidden objects when you first created a viewport, then later on you had to make those objects visible on the design layer, those objects won't become visible in that previously created viewport. Only newly drawn objects would appear in that existing viewport.

[Elite Exhibits]

On 4/11/2025 at 9:36 AM, nwfonseca said:

2: Select object to be visible and click: View-Show Selected Objects Only

 

@nwfonseca We have found that the best way to show / hide is by Class visibility settings in the OIP (Before or after the viewport is created). This also gives you the chance to change your mind.

 

At times, additional classes are created to isolate specific components, as they (typically) need to be turned off in specific Viewports. With VW this is very easy to do. In the Organization Palette the visibility of Classes is easily checked / updated. When a new Class is created there are two options for Bulk Visibility  Use them to your advantage (Attached PDF).

 

Some of this is based on years of pre Viewport VectorWorks where Classes were the trick to any / all visibility in the final output.

 

The Show / Hide ability in VW is interesting. You are expecting it to be a set in stone situation. The reality appears to be only a short term situation.

 

See the attached video 

 

Shapes based on Class are used to create two view ports

The first Viewport is based on Class Visibility

The second Viewport is based on Custom Visibility.

 

Note how...

     The Based on Class Settings Viewport looks as expected, (Compared to the original look of the DESIGN LAYER) and this Viewport is quickly altered in the OIP.

 

   The Based on Custom Visibility Viewport does NOT looks as expected, (Compared to the original look of the DESIGN LAYER) and this Viewport can NOT be easily altered in the OIP.

 

 

Peter

New Class.pdf

[Neil Barman]

@nwfonseca Extensive or fine-grain classing (mentioned above) is certainly another way to control visibility of objects, yes, though Object Visibility allows for visibility control without having to manage extensive classing. There are absolutely uses for each and which you use will depend on your workflows. I would recommend learning the benefits of each and using the method that works best for you... even combining them if/as you need to.

 

Personally, I use a combination of the two methods. I do use classes in all my files, but I prefer to not have to uniquely (sub)class individual objects in order to showcase them individually on a sheet. You can see what I mean in this video starting around 1:45.

 

 

[Elite Exhibits]

@Neil Barman Should I be able to search for  Object Visibility in the VW HELP ?

 

Is it Different that Custom Visibility ? or the Visibility Tool ?

 

When you have time 

 

Peter

[Neil Barman]

7 minutes ago, Elite Exhibits said:

@Neil Barman Should I be able to search for  Object Visibility in the VW HELP ?

 

Is it Different that Custom Visibility ? or the Visibility Tool ?

Hi Peter. Yes, if you search the Online Help System for "Object Visibility" the first result should be the page entitled "Concept: Visibility of Drawing Elements". Atop that page is a passage about "class and layer visibility", which it sounds like you know well, followed by a passage on "Object Visibility". Within the "Object Visibility" passage the View menu commands are mentioned as well as the Visibility tool, along with links to find out more about all of them. (I don't get any results when I search for "Custom Visibility".)

 

While the above works well, it all requires searching in the Online Help System. I should also mention that the often overlooked "What's This?" command in the Help menu is a great feature for accessing help information. Simply activate the command, then your cursor will appear with a ? next to it. The next tool icon or menu command you click on will trigger the Online Help System to open right to the page for that tool or command. This will work for the View menu commands related to Object Visibility and the Visibility tool in the basic tool set and is a great way to directly access help info.

 

 

[Pat Stanford]

The interface for Object level Visibility has been greatly improved in VW2025.

 

If you are going to use these functions, make sure you add them to the Object Context (Right click) menu. I think they are supposed to ship there with the default workspaces, I but had to add them to mine. They are added as a group.

 

Right Click on an object (or multiple selected objects) and choose Hide Selected and poof they disappear. At the upper right corner of the screen you get an Unhide Object button to bring them back.

 

Or you can choose to Ghost them instead of making them invisible.

 

If you make a viewport when objects are invisible they will stay invisible in the viewport even if made visible again on the Design Layer.

 

Very useful to get stuff out of the way to see what you are modeling.

[Elite Exhibits]

15 hours ago, Neil Barman said:

if you search the Online Help System for "Object Visibility" the first result should be the page entitled

 

@Neil Barman      Many thanks for the information. 

Take a look at the attached - Searched as you suggested for Object Visibility ...

 

Search for Object Visibility.pdf

 

Also, In past versions of VW the What's This ? has been helpful, though we  find it to be selective. ie: Click on the Bounding Box and  What's This ?  locates the OIP. So many times this equates to one still needing to self dig in the VW HELP.

 

The VW HELP has always held a remarkable amount of information - In my work and assisting many others, it is the VW HELP search that appears to be a stumbling block. 

 

As previously mentioned here on the FORUM (thanks to @Pat Stanford ?), utilizing GOOGLE to search is the solution to many situations: 

     Object Visibility site:app-help.vectorworks.net/2024/

 

 

FYI - Attached a Page 2 HELP Object Visibility search below, just a chuckle to see the results.

 

Peter

Search for Object Visibility_02.pdf

[Tom W.]

3 minutes ago, Elite Exhibits said:

 

@Neil Barman      Many thanks for the information. 

Take a look at the attached - Searched as you suggested for Object Visibility ...

 

Search for Object Visibility.pdf 534.22 kB · 0 downloads

 

Also, In past versions of VW the What's This ? has been helpful, though we  find it to be selective. ie: Click on the Bounding Box and  What's This ?  locates the OIP. So many times this equates to one still needing to self dig in the VW HELP.

 

The VW HELP has always held a remarkable amount of information - In my work and assisting many others, it is the VW HELP search that appears to be a stumbling block. 

 

As previously mentioned here on the FORUM (thanks to @Pat Stanford ?), utilizing GOOGLE to search is the solution to many situations: 

     Object Visibility site:app-help.vectorworks.net/2024/

 

 

FYI - Attached a Page 2 HELP Object Visibility search below, just a chuckle to see the results.

 

Peter

Search for Object Visibility_02.pdf 561.92 kB · 0 downloads

 

This is what you're looking for:

 

https://app-help.vectorworks.net/2025/eng/VW2025_Guide/Basic2/Object_visibility_commands.htm?rhsearch=object level visibility&rhhlterm=object objects visibility visible

 

It was introduced in VW2025.

[Neil Barman]

14 minutes ago, Elite Exhibits said:

 

@Neil Barman      Many thanks for the information. 

Take a look at the attached - Searched as you suggested for Object Visibility ...

 

Search for Object Visibility.pdf 534.22 kB · 2 downloads

 

Also, In past versions of VW the What's This ? has been helpful, though we  find it to be selective. ie: Click on the Bounding Box and  What's This ?  locates the OIP. So many times this equates to one still needing to self dig in the VW HELP.

 

The VW HELP has always held a remarkable amount of information - In my work and assisting many others, it is the VW HELP search that appears to be a stumbling block. 

 

As previously mentioned here on the FORUM (thanks to @Pat Stanford ?), utilizing GOOGLE to search is the solution to many situations: 

     Object Visibility site:app-help.vectorworks.net/2024/

 

 

FYI - Attached a Page 2 HELP Object Visibility search below, just a chuckle to see the results.

 

Peter

Search for Object Visibility_02.pdf 561.92 kB · 2 downloads

Peter, which version (year) of the Online Help System are you using? (I'm not able to see based on the partial screenshot you sent.) The online help for versions of Vectorworks prior to 2025 won't have information about the new features.

 

Also which version of Vectorworks are you using? Your forum signature indicates that you are still using 2023, in which case you would not have the Object Visibility features since they are new in version 2025. (You will have the Visibility tool, because it has been around for years, but its capabilities have been updated in v2025.)

 

About the What's This? command, as mentioned above, it works on tools and menu commands. It would not work on the bounding box of an object/symbol, etc because the bounding box is not a tool or command. More information about using the online help system, including the What's This command, can be found here.

 

I hope this info helps.

[Elite Exhibits]

33 minutes ago, Neil Barman said:

Online Help System are you using?

 

 

@Neil Barman  got it ... 3rd on the list - Thanks again

 

 

 

 

                                      (Still odd that 3DS export is hit #2 ...)

 

 

Next Question would be ... What is the Difference between 

     Old Custom Visibility and New Object Visibility ?  Where is works ?

 

Thanks

 

Peter

 

 

[Pat Stanford]

Old could only show or hide objects.

 

New adds the ability to Ghost and even more important for hidden objects to retain their status in a viewport based on what the status was when the viewport was created.

 

My guess is that there is an entirely new implementation under the hood, but the minimum ability to Show and Hide appears the same.