Is this the right program for me?

[troutspinner]

I am an AutoCAD user and have a drafting company that supplies Curtainwall, Storefront and All Glass Shop Drawings to Glazing Contractors.

I am a Mac user but still have that one program that I have to go into bootcamp, and it is AutoCAD. I would like to switch to complete Mac but find the Mac version of AutoCAD disappointing....including the price. Hence why I am here searching for an alternative.

I've downloaded the trial version of VW and have immediately seen that I have to "think different". I am OK with that, it is what I want and am hoping to speed up production due to working in the 3D environment as well as to be able to provide BIM in the future.

With that being said, I typically provide heavily dimensioned and annotated frame elevations and detail views of the frames connected to the adjacent walls or steel, etc. and this is where I am failing to understand Vectorworks ability.

I do not have a use for drawing a building but I do need to draw the wall condition immediately supporting the frame. I suppose I could use the wall builder for this portion??

Also, I see there are some libraries included with VW but the actual parts are just represented by rectangles, or is it? Is this just what it is or will they actually show the true parts that make up the extrusion via a section cut?

As an Acad user I pride myself as I "draw" very little. I use the mindset of "stop drawing and start building" and have custom programmed an elevation / section and detail creator as well as use many dynamic blocks for adjacent construction. But, at the end of the day, there is still much manual finesse and I feel as if I have reached the limits of automation.

Sorry for the long-winded story, jumping ship to a new platform is quite a gamble but any and all help you could provide may tell me if I am making the right bet.

Thanks,

troutspinner

[Benson Shaw]

Hey, troutspinner - Welcome to this forum. Pretty freewheeling here, even though host is Nemetscheck North America (ie Vectorworks).

This is not your complete answer, but I have recent experience downloading and importing Kawneer, Arcadia and Vistawall sections as dwg files. These can be used to create extrudes to build 3d models of your frames. The only drawback is that the rounded corners and gasket races seem to have more points than I think are necessary. Maybe it's that way in AutoCAD, too.

Vectorworks Viewports are great. You can cut sections through them. So if you have modeled a partial wall and adjacent glazing frame, you have full access to needed sections. Annotations are as tedious in VW as other software. Dimensions can be applied to the model or in the viewport, or combo of both. Visibility options abound to create multiple views or hide/show any object, including dimensions and annotations.

You could likely import your custom dwg library, including the support walls and use those items to start creating the VW libraries and automation you desire, either through standard workflow and tools, or via scripting.

You can use the wall, column, and other PIO tools to make detailed styles (templates) for future use.

Ask in more detail. Other users will have experience to share.

NNA Vectorworks is producing a modeling webinar Dec 15. I think it's free.

Info at 888-646-4223 or sales@vectorworks.net.

-B

[Assembly]

My 2 cents.

I would not be to concerned about the price of the software, you should look at which one will make you most productive. If you have some programming skill, Vector Script is an easy language. There is great support in this forum. I use it a lot in my office and it really speeds up documentation. Both 3D and 2D.

VW is progressing its BIM capabilities. There are a number of test projects NAA can provide. Not sure if any real BIM projects have been delivered with VW. I'm sure if they have NAA correct me. From what I see in New Zealand, Revit is the BIM tool of choice.

[Christiaan]

+1 on making a decision based on productivity rather than the price of the software. The difference in productivity from one package of software to another (and subsequent income) will likely dwarf any savings you make picking a cheaper but less productive package.

[troutspinner]

Thank you for the replies. I'll continue tinkering during my trial. I do like the software so far but my lack of knowledge on how to use it is definitely frustrating me. The world of AutoCAD was a spin on drafting on paper and was natural, this is a different approach. I would like to see this become my new platform as I like the interface and the overall performance of it is much better than AutoCAD for Mac.

Assembly and Christian, thanks for the replies. No worries, I would never let price decide my purchase. Heck, I'd pay 10x if it could bump my production. I do however question the price in comparison if the end result is similar and possibly easier to achieve with Vectorworks.

Thanks,

troutspinner

[Bryan G.]

troutspinner,

I also had the question of which software to use for my firm a few years ago. I had some AC experience and no VW experience. We had just moved to the Mac platform (although I was not letting that dictate my choice). To make a long story short we chose VW, and after a little time with the software we became quite fluent with it.

My over all impressions with VW are that the software will do everything I want it to do with the ability to produce more creative , personalized and artistic drawings and renderings than with other software. Where the weaknesses are VW has consistently improved and overall is a very robust system.

And Christiaan is right kudos for not letting price determine choice.

[burns788183]

This looks like a good place to ask my question... I have used Vectorworks or formerly Minicad for about 10 years. The scope of my workflow has been restricted to 2D presentations for roofing related capital planning.

I recently started an industrial renovation project on a mill type building in which the mains structural roof purlins have needed replacement. The need to manage and re-present our progress on the project made the use of 3D more appealing.

As a long time Mac User, I tend to think and process visually first so every time I worked with the 3D tools in vectorworks, I became frustrated because it did not seem intuitive to me. (Also, the cost of the upgrade for the 3 users in my office was tough given our limited use of the vector works capacities.

I had a customer show me his use of the Free download of Google Sketchup, which I mastered after watching hours of online you tube videos. (Pretty Cool--Especially the photo wrap capabilities. But my new enthusiasm hit the wall when I developed and in-depth truss layout with detailed drains of the steel gable type roof trusses drawn primarily with the push-pull tool. After switching my trusses to components (symbols) I started to install them over the column lines of the building only to have the entire drawing grind to a freeze from the overload of the program.

So back to Vectorworks. We bought the bullet and upgraded, but now I am starting the learning process over. I have the basics of Vectorworks drawing down, but the layers, views, sheets, ports etc are intimidating... especially to a roofer. (Not scared of heights, just that spinning beach ball thing)

I have to draw those roof trusses in 3D and show the horizontal support purlins that need to be changed out.

Anyone have any advice for training? I started the "Getting Started" but I am wondering... Has someone already drawing things like open web joists that are symbols or components for download?

Thanks in advance.

burns788183

[J Lucas]

Try this.

Make sure to checkout Islandmon's web site post.

Edited December 8, 2011 by J Lucas

[troutspinner]

Thanks again for the replies. One other question. Which version of Vectorworks should I purchase for my needs? Will Fundamentals provide the ability to create wall, curtainwall/storefront and door drawings as well as schedules?

I would think I would want "Architect" though will only use a small portion of it but the small portion would be invaluable??

Thanks for any and all input.

[CipesDesign]

I would recommend Vectorworks Architect (or Designer) with Renderworks.

[Kizza]

I am a Mac user....

Your decision is simple:

Vectorworks or Archicad. Both these are available as native mac versions.

I wouldn't suggest running a windows CAD app through Parallels. Becomes more work in the end.

[troutspinner]

You are right Kizza. I am trying both ArchiCAD and VW right now. I think I am liking ArchiCAD a little bit better right now......we shall see.