Bristol VW2012 conference today- pros & cons

[Cadplan Architecture]

This is the first VW conference I've been to as I never knew about the 3 previous ones in Bristol. I found it really useful as there were not only two tech guys from Nemetschek there but also an Architect/reseller/trainer who showed us how he models buildings in 3D from the start, and then elevations and sections are just a few clicks away.

It's true that there are some great improvements eg hidden line intersection rendering, Renderworks sketch styles, push-pull tool, white card rendering, storeys etc, but I was really disappointed that still nothing has been done to give VW the same window & door plug in capabilities as Windoor. For instance it's still not possible to customise folding/sliding doors even though these are one of the most popular features of home extensions now.

I was also very disappointed that nothing has been done to improve the very clumsy walkthrough tool, the C4D rendering and 3D modeling have been hugely developed so why ignore the manipulation of viewing the finished model?

Also unlike FormZ you don't seem to be able to set up a batch of views to render as image files and this must be a real drawback for people visualising big projects.

I'm really not sure that I want to spend a lot of money upgrading from VWARW2009 to 2012 with these and other features still needing development.

[Dave Donley]

Hi Cadplan:

Thanks for posting your thoughts on the visit!

Regarding batch rendering you have that already, look in the View->Rendering->Create Batch Render Job and Start Batch Render menu items. HTH!

Also can you elaborate just a little about how you want the walkthrough tool changed?

Edited October 7, 2011 by Dave Donley

[Cadplan Architecture]

Hi Cadplan:

Thanks for posting your thoughts on the visit!

Regarding batch rendering you have that already, look in the View->Rendering->Create Batch Render Job and Start Batch Render menu items. HTH!

I don't see how to set up a series of saved views, at the meeting they said this couldn't be done.

Also can you elaborate just a little about how you want the walkthrough tool changed?

It's just not easily or accurately controllable I find and the viewing point often seems to zoom into or away from the model.

Edited October 8, 2011 by mike m oz

[Jonathan Pickup]

Batch rendering has been in Vectorworks for several years, it is really useful when you need to render a complex view, and you want your machine to work while you are away.

a batch render is not a saved view. In simple terms you set up the view, then save it as a batch render job. when you have all your batch render jobs set up, Start Batch Render Job, and go out.

we covered rendering in my online user group a few months ago, and I wrote a manual to cover rendering.

[Cadplan Architecture]

thanks for explaining that Jonathan, I tried it and understand now.

I don't see your UG on your website