Vectorworks 2014 feature videos

[mike m oz]

Whilst there are some big improvements in Vw 2014 there are also many small improvements as well. Most of these are included in the:

- longer videos on each version: http://www.vectorworks.net/2014/

- and the short videos on the new features: http://www.vectorworks.net/2014/new_features.php

Take the time to watch them so you get the best from them.

[mike m oz]

One of the new features I like is the improved Rotated Plan working environment. Now you can rotate the plan and then use the standard views in that view context including returning to the set Plan View without losing the plan rotation (see attached image).

It even works with the numeric keyboard shortcuts. In earlier versions the zero key returned you to an unrotated Plan View. Now the first use of the zero key returns you to the Rotated Plan View. A second use of the zero key undoes the plan rotation and return you to the standard Plan View. Only a small improvement but it makes working in Rotated Plan View a lot easier.

Edited September 18, 2013 by mike m oz

[Kevin McAllister]

I tried this feature this afternoon. It made sense once I got past the popup dialog asking me to choose one option or the other (the dialog is just too wordy).The standard views are so much more intuitive using this new option. I can't imagine why you would want the legacy option at all....

Kevin

[mike m oz]

Another small improvement is the consolidation of Dimensions and Dimension Strings. Now you can convert a single dimension into a string dimension by using right click and choosing Add Dimension.

[twk]

Hi Mike.. were there any tutorials/examples/manuals included regarding the new Python Scripting language?

[mike m oz]

Tui, not that I am aware of. I'm sure they will come though in the Vectorscript and SDK part of the main website.

This general link to Python was provided by one of the programming engineers: http://www.python.org/doc/

[mike m oz]

Help is another area that has been improved with links to other resources (see image below). Note also that the Library content is now downloadable separately to the program.

[mike m oz]

OpenGL rendering has been dramatically improved but there is also improvements in other rendering areas. Hidden Line Rendering and Polygon Rendering are also now much quicker. The latter noticeably so.

[M5d]

were there any tutorials/examples/manuals included regarding the new Python Scripting language?

This may or may not be of interest to you, it's not free but you can watch anything unlimited for free over a one week trial period to get a taste: www.lynda.com.

They're polished and concise tutorials that cover a lot of ground fast. $25 a month gets you access to everything and Python is one of the programming languages they teach.

I've been making my way through other stuff, but I'll be taking a look at the Python tutorials now. On the software side they don't do Vectorworks unfortunately, but they do do Cinema 4D and a ton of other titles.

[twk]

Thanks Mike..

and thanks M5d that looks like a great(vast) resource.

[mike m oz]

Another small improvement is that the Door and Window objects now have reversible opening direction markers thus providing the correct result for users in all countries.

[mike m oz]

Viewports are also improved:

- All Viewports can now have their Drawing Title changed from the OIP.

- When VPS need to be updated the OIP Update button shows in Red.

[Kevin McAllister]

Viewports are also improved:

- All Viewports can now have their Drawing Title changed from the OIP.

Mike,

I think this was already true. The hope was to be able to edit the drawing number of all Viewports from the OIP. Unfortunately this was not addressed in VW 2014. You still can't edit the drawing number of a regular viewport like you can section or detail viewport.

Kevin

[mike m oz]

You are right Kevin, I had a mental blank moment.

Yes the ability to change the drawing number from the OIP should be there. Consistency of that type would make the program much better.

[mike m oz]

Another small change has been to include Unified View and its view options in Fundamentals. That means Fundamentals users can now interactively 3D view models which are comprised of multiple Design Layers. They will no longer have to use Layer Links to get a whole of model view.

[mike m oz]

The Shell tool now works on Planar Surfaces.

Though for me I can't see what advantages there are in doing this instead of Extrude. Note also that if you Undo the Shell you will find the Planar Surface has been converted to a Nurbs Surface.

[mike m oz]

Solid Subtraction now includes an option to retain the Subtracting Solid.

[Dieter @ DWorks]

Solid Subtraction now includes an option to retain the Subtracting Solid.

Yes, no more copy, subtract, past-in-place....

[Kevin McAllister]

These are great tips Mike! Is there a complete list somewhere? These weren't in the What's New PDF.

Cheers,

Kevin

[mike m oz]

Kevin there is a list in Vectorworks' 2014 Help titled:

Quick Links to Changes in this Release

[Kevin McAllister]

Awesome. Thanks Mike.

KM

[mike m oz]

The Z value of Hybrid Symbols (ie symbols having 2D and 3D parts) now shows on the Object Info Palette (OIP). Brings these into line with Auto Hybrid objects.

[mike m oz]

Publish is one of the new features you should definitely explore. In one location you can now send drawings to Print, create a PDF set and export to DWG/DXF or DWF.

[Jonathan Pickup]

if you have Vectorworks fundamentals then Publish can only be used to export DWG or DXF files.