File management - XL Landscape Architecture Project

[D-VECT]

Hi all, I am a landscape architect who works on big scale projects, and I am new to Vectorworks (I have more expereiences in Rhino, Autocad, Illustrator and sketchup. )

Due to the scale and complexity of our project I find vectorworks file management can easily and quickly expand into a painful drafting expereince if you load all consultants drawings into one file ( architecture, urban planning, civic engineering and existing site information which is not possible to ignore for our work)

This makes lists of layers and classes extreme long and difficult to navigate. Looking at layers alone, I have 99 layers. I know it sounds insane but this is how currently my company setup is like. On top of that, if you add more graphic classes then it is even more extreme. The longer the project goes, crazier it gets although the layers are very well maintained and cleaned up regularly - I am in Vectorworks2017.

 

I understand Vectorworks is trying to be Autocad (drafting) and Photoshop (graphic) at the same time, but as the result it also takes a long time to load and work on one simple area of design. By far, its the most extrem clicking back and forth in my 15 years of working experience from all the softwares above.

I would appreciate if anyone could point me to a smarter file management system, how do manage big projects with many consultant drawings and design options.

Extra question: does newer version of Vectorworks enables layer folders like photoshop or illustrator?

 

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

Edited December 10, 2018 by D-VECT

[bob cleaver]

VW 2019 has design layer and class folders/filters that makes navigation easier

Simple and efficient file management has been the holy grail and there are many in the forum who can point you in the best direction