new user needs guidance

[geoargero]

Okay, I am the new lighting guy at a regional production company. I have never used any type of CAD program before. The last lighting guy purchased VectorWorks 2008, then quit. Does anybody have any suggestions on where and how I should start training myself (books, training classes, tutorials, etc.)? Thank you very much.

[CipesDesign]

Welcome! There are quite a few really good training resources available. Click on the "Training Resources" link on the right of this page. Most folks I know feel that Jonathan Pickups manuals are the best (look for them at this link: http://www.nemetschek.net/training/guides.php ). However I'm not sure whether any of his books are specific to your industry (lighting design).

Because you are new to CAD I would strongly advise getting some one-on-one training with one of us trainers who is close to you, and who understands your specific needs, or at the very least attending one the Training Seminars offered by Nemetschek. All of these can be found at the same "Training Resources" link.

Once you are familiar with the basics this forum is a great place to post questions and usually get really good answers.

Good Luck!

[geoargero]

Thank you very much Peter.

[David Ormsby]

George

I agree with Peter, that given this is all totally new to you, that investing in basic training would be an intelligent choice for you and your employer.

In lieu of that, there are some excellent tutorials here geared toward theatrical drawing and lighting design.

http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/thetr263/index.html

[Anthony Reilly]

I'm new to this as well and found this site VERY helpful:

http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/thetr263/index.html

This porfessors concentration is all about theatre and VectorWorks.

[Anthony Reilly]

Oops. I see someone else posted the same URL. One point of advice though, when your working the tutorials and can't find the drop down menu or tool he's talking aout, it might not be where he's telling you to look, but the feature is there, you just have to look at other menus.

[Jim_Allen]

Check out the nearest University to you and see if they use VW. Often you can arrange a sit down with the LD who can give you an intro to VW.

[Jonathan Pickup]

i always recommend my books and manuals, of course. but not just because I wrote them, many, many people have found them useful.

[XOP15]

Hi there, I am a UK user of Vectorworks, I have used 2 training books from a company in canada to teach me how to use Vectorworks, very useful and recommended: I would get the fundamentals & spotlight books for what you want to do.

http://www.resolve.ca/vectorworks?q=vectorworks/workbooks

[gregg hillmar]

You might look at LIGHT PLOT DECONSTRUCTED

http://www.nemetschek.net/training/guides.php

http://www.lightplotdeconstructed.com

LIGHT PLOT DECONSTRUCTED is the debut work of accomplished scenic and lighting designer, Gregg Hillmar. Mr. Hillmar has developed proven methodologies for drafting light plots over his more than 15 years of experience using Vectorworks. His successful methods for designing with Vectorworks have been exhibited many times over the years, whether it was to fellow colleagues at tradeshows, or in the classroom where he has taught scenic and lighting design to many aspiring professionals at Randolph-Macon College. LIGHT PLOT DECONSTRUCTED is a great companion guide for anyone seeking to learn the fundamentals of lighting design with Vectorworks Spotlight.

g.

_____________________

gregg hillmar

scenic & lighting design

http://www.hillmardesign.com

Author, LIGHT PLOT DECONSTRUCTED

http://www.lightplotdeconstructed.com

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