From sketchup2Vectorworks.

[Tismacfan.]

From SketchUp to Vectorworks

 

Many users still create their 3D model in SketchUp and then switch to Vectorworks to further develop the drawings. Meanwhile, Vectorworks already includes a lot of features that can gradually convince users to do everything directly within Vectorworks and leave SketchUp behind.

 

However, there are still a few functionalities that should also be possible in Vectorworks to be even more convincing that it can be done just as quickly within one package — namely Vectorworks.

 

Push/Pull subtraction with multiple shapes

When I draw a volume and then draw a rectangle on one of its faces, I can push this rectangle into the volume and, by holding the Option key, subtract this shape from the volume.

However, when I draw multiple rectangles on the same face, the Option key no longer works for those earlier rectangles, and I must use the “Subtract Solids” command each time.

In SketchUp, this does work directly, which makes the workflow much faster.

 

Push/Pull memory

In SketchUp, when you push/pull a rectangle into a volume (e.g. 10 cm), you can then simply double-click on other rectangles, and they will automatically be pushed/pulled with the same depth.

In Vectorworks, you currently need to re-enter the value each time.

Having the push/pull tool remember the last used value and apply it directly with a double-click would significantly increase modeling speed.

 

Splitting volumes with a line (face separation for textures)

In Vectorworks, you can split a face with a line, but it is still considered one single face.

This means I cannot apply, for example, a brick texture below the line and a wood texture above the line.

To achieve this, I now need to extrude the lower part, apply the textures separately, and then push/pull it back to match the face above.

In SketchUp, the split directly creates separate editable faces, which makes this workflow much faster.

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

These functions seem reasonable, but they may already be in VW's in a different fashion or even more advanced.  Many new users look to Sketchup, Rhino 3D, etc. for help in learning VW's 3D.  That is a big problem for VW's.  Vectorworks has its own way of modelling using NURBS, Surface and Standard tools.

 

The problem is and always has been that these methods are not clearly defined.  

 

Also, much of what you describe could be done in a slightly different way than Sketchup and perhaps better/more advanced.

[Tismacfan.]

I’m open to your suggestions if there’s a better and faster way than what Vectorworks currently offers. So if you have tips, they’re always welcome. I do think that what can be done in one click shouldn’t take two—speed is what matters to me.

 

[Senthil Prabu]

@Tismacfan. thanks for your feedback.

 

Some tips related to push/pull:

In the rectangle tool, if you enable the "Push/Pull Combine mode", then no need to use option key to do Boolean operation on the base solid, it will do solid addition or subtraction based on the volume intersection.

 

To do such operation on earlier rectangles drawn on a face, then use Push/Pull tool -> "Sub-face mode"

[MarcelP102]

Nice list, but far from complete. Don’t want to sound like a grumpy old man but even the basic tasks are not possible..

- editing a mirrored symbol within the context, not possible 

- moving faces or edges of a solid, not possible (Rhino has this function. Even the brand new Plasticity app can do it using the same 3d engine parasolid.. why don’t we can do that basic manipulation in VW).

- orb / rotating the camera around the mouse position like sketchUp. No I don’t want to select a object first or a point to rotate around.. this disrupts the workflow.

- select a different mouse button for activating orb

- split a face of a solid with a line to texture only that part of the face (Rhino split face command has this..)

- Give a material / symbol a material so all object with a default material get this material (so you don’t have to model the same window multiple times only for different color variations)

- Pushpull mode WITHOUT removing the input shape

- a default ‘make unique symbol’ function without having to use plugins/script

Edited August 25, 2025 by MarcelP102

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

@Tismacfan.  There are many more tools available in Vectorworks that you may not be aware of.  If I could see some of your issue in an applied visual, it might be easier to explain.  

Below is a short video that shows some of those functions.  This video only scratches the surface of what Vectorworks is capable of.

 

 

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

@MarcelP102  As I understand it, Rhino 3D can simulate and mimic solid modelling, but it is not a true solid modeller like Vectorworks or Solidworks.   Vectorworks is both a surface and solid modeller and can use them in conjunction with each other.

 

Both have their advantages where surface is easier and Solid is preferred in Engineering/Fluid Dynamics.  Likely why you can move a face or edge in some way.

 

On the surface, your list is likely correct for the rudimentary set of tools in Vectorworks that a user is confronted with,  but there is another gear in Vectorworks that is largely unused.  

 

I don't know about the mouse or symbols, have a Magic Mouse and seldom use symbols.  

 

 

[Tismacfan.]

Yes, I understand that you can do this with previously drawn rectangles using the Sub-Face Mode tool. The workflow is: select the rectangle, select the volume, select the rectangle again, and then push the rectangle into the volume. Quite complex, don’t you think?

 

In SketchUp, I simply draw four rectangles, and with just one tool – the Push/Pull – I can push the first rectangle, for example, 10 cm inward, and then by just double-clicking the remaining rectangles with the same tool, they all follow with the same distance into the model. That seems much faster and more efficient.

 

I am a convinced Vectorworks user, but I notice that when you explain the Vectorworks method to an experienced SketchUp user, they quickly lose interest because of the complexity to achieve the same effect. I agree that SketchUp has no modeling history, but for them, that argument alone is not convincing enough when they see that some tasks in Vectorworks require such a roundabout workflow. I know that Vectorworks offers many powerful tools, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to simplify or improve certain workflows that could be made easier or more efficient.

 

In the video, you can see that the first time I use the Push/Pull tool, I push the rectangle 10 cm inward. After that, whenever I hover over another rectangle and simply double-click, it is automatically pushed inward by the same distance as before. The same workflow applies to lines.

 

In Vectorworks, we can indeed split a volume into two parts using a line. However, if I want to apply a different texture to the top and bottom separately, I first need to extrude the lower part slightly forward, apply the texture, and then push it back into place so that it sits in the same plane. This feels unnecessarily complex for a simple task.

 

If improvements like these were implemented in future versions of Vectorworks, it would significantly streamline the workflow and help us take major steps forward in efficiency.

[MarcelP102]

1 hour ago, VIRTUALENVIRONS said:

@Tismacfan.  There are many more tools available in Vectorworks that you may not be aware of.  If I could see some of your issue in an applied visual, it might be easier to explain.  

Below is a short video that shows some of those functions.  This video only scratches the surface of what Vectorworks is capable of.

 

 

 

It's a nice feature you are showing, and I know VW has more of those. But when does a architect or landscape designer use those? We are talking about basic functions that are missing. Moving faces is a task I do literately every minute so to speak. Like for example the video from @Tismacfan. when you want to move those 3 holes to the right you have to push-pull 6 times in VW (!) in sketchup or any other app you select those 6 faces and move them. Far more efficient, right? 

 

37 minutes ago, VIRTUALENVIRONS said:

@MarcelP102  As I understand it, Rhino 3D can simulate and mimic solid modelling, but it is not a true solid modeller like Vectorworks or Solidworks.   Vectorworks is both a surface and solid modeller and can use them in conjunction with each other.

 

 

What surprises me is that other software that use the same technology under the hood (Parasolid engine) are far more user-friendly and capable of so much more than VW with basic tools. Look for example at https://www.plasticity.xyz/ first version released in early 2023 already had face and edge moving. He developed that app in 1 year from scratch.

 

We all love to designing in 2D with Vectorworks, but it's a bummer we have to switch to another app to quickly design in 3D. 

 

Edited August 25, 2025 by MarcelP102

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

18 minutes ago, MarcelP102 said:

It's a nice feature you are showing, and I know VW has more of those.

This is a NURBS construct, not a feature. I think we are talking apples and oranges here.   

 

Plasticity uses XNURBS as does Rhino and some others.  It is a great tool obviously for concept design, but as I understand it for Plasticity, that is where it ends.  I am thinking history could be a problem. 

 

Users love their Blender's, Rhino's, Plasticity's and if it gets the job done, great, but It is extra steps and dollars.

[Tismacfan.]

I think we are now deviating quite far from my initial question. All I am asking is to take the already available tools, review them, and see if we can make them more efficient (double-click with push/pull and textures above and below a line on a volume) and add functions.

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

5 hours ago, Tismacfan. said:

I think we are now deviating quite far from my initial question

We have deviated, but in all fairness, until you posted your video, it was unclear what you wanted.  This particular problem (the question) falls under another ongoing thread at the moment, as to how to convey an issue or problem.

 

If you had started with the video, others would have responded.  I would not have as others are better suited for this type of question.

 

But, we have deviated, so how would Sketchup or Rhino 3D go about making the editable "Golf Ball'?  

 

 

[Tom W.]

30 minutes ago, VIRTUALENVIRONS said:

We have deviated, but in all fairness, until you posted your video, it was unclear what you wanted.  This particular problem (the question) falls under another ongoing thread at the moment, as to how to convey an issue or problem.

 

If you had started with the video, others would have responded.  I would not have as others are better suited for this type of question.

 

But, we have deviated, so how would Sketchup or Rhino 3D go about making the editable "Golf Ball'?  

 

 

 

It wasn't a question looking for answers it was an enhancement request consisting of three very specific items. I'm not sure it could have been presented any more clearly?

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

5 minutes ago, Tom W. said:

I'm not sure it could have been presented any more clearly?

Well....what are you supposed to do with that?  Serves no purpose. 

 

[Tismacfan.]

Oh, I think everyone has the best intentions when providing answers to this question/request. I will make sure in the future to document it, if necessary, with some additional video material.