SDLaw Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 Hello, I am new to Vectorworks coming from AutoCad, Revit and Allplan, therefore class names are still a bit of a mystery to me. However, my firm wants me to help structure their class system. We are in Luxembourg so the UK Unicode doesn't really apply. I need a class naming template that will correspond to ISO. Any help would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee Robert Anderson Posted August 8, 2019 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted August 8, 2019 When you say, "I need a class naming template that will correspond to ISO", I'm afraid that doesn't narrow it down very much 😀. Can you provide a little more information as to what you are trying to do? Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 8, 2019 Author Share Posted August 8, 2019 Hello Robert, I am talking about naming the classes in Vectorworks. We are a small architectural firm and we are trying to structure our classes in a way that makes sense. Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee Robert Anderson Posted August 8, 2019 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted August 8, 2019 What about the standard Vectorworks (as opposed to Vectorworks UK) system? It's pretty basic and straightforward. Have you talked to support at Design Express about this? They may have some templates also. Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 8, 2019 Author Share Posted August 8, 2019 Thanks Robert, that's a good idea. I haven't called them, but I will. In the meantime, where can I find the standard Vectorworks system? When I open a new file there are only two classes listed. Quote Link to comment
Christiaan Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 It's worth noting that the UK implementation of ISO 12006-2 is Uniclass (Uniclass 2015). That is to say Uniclass 2015 is structured to be in accordance with ISO 12006-2 https://www.thenbs.com/our-tools/uniclass-2015 Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee Robert Anderson Posted August 8, 2019 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted August 8, 2019 From a blank document (with only "None" and "Dimension" classes), do this: Open the Classes dialog from the View bar button or the Organization dialog tab; Choose "New..." In the dialog that opens, choose the "Import Classes" radio button. In the pulldown at the top of the list, choose VW Arch (Imperial).sta In the list, choose an entry and hit command-A to select all Click OK You should now have the Vectorworks Standard Architect classes created in your file. You can save it as a template. Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 9, 2019 Author Share Posted August 9, 2019 (edited) Thank you Christiaan and Robert. It looks like Design Express (or Vectorworks) has already put in the standard template for Belgium or France. We have the French language version of the software. Christiaan, the Unicode seems far too complex and doesn't appear to relate to how the architectural elements are used in Vectorworks. Where are simple things like "exterior walls" (I don't mean wall systems)? Edited August 9, 2019 by SDLaw Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 9, 2019 Author Share Posted August 9, 2019 Is there a way to export the .sta class file to an excel sheet or something where I can look at it as a full list? Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 9, 2019 Author Share Posted August 9, 2019 I just found this that could be helpful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_13567#Architectural_layers_using_UniClass Quote Link to comment
Christiaan Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 4 hours ago, SDLaw said: Christiaan, the Unicode seems far too complex and doesn't appear to relate to how the architectural elements are used in Vectorworks. Where are simple things like "exterior walls" (I don't mean wall systems)? Agreed. We actually use a long-word format based on Table G, H and J of Uniclass 1.4 So for instance our walls go on: Fabric-Walls-External Fabric-Walls-Partitions And our wall components go on: Fabric parts-External finishes-Brick Fabric parts-Core-Metal framing 2 hours ago, SDLaw said: I just found this that could be helpful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_13567#Architectural_layers_using_UniClass These are the old legacy Uniclass 1.4 tables 1 Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 10, 2019 Author Share Posted August 10, 2019 Ok, thanks Christian. I think I'm starting to get my head around this. But what in the world is behind "fabric parts"? Are they trying to indicate that something is manufactured as in factory? The German word for factory is Fabrik, but in English fabric is cloth. That one really eludes me, but I am American so perhaps it's a British / American English issue. Quote Link to comment
Christiaan Posted August 12, 2019 Share Posted August 12, 2019 (edited) In English 'fabric' also means 'basic structure'. For example the basic structure of a building is the walls, floor and roof of building, the building fabric; the basic structure of a car or aircraft is the body, the aircraft's fabric; or the basic structure of society is multicultural, the fabric of society. Perhaps you've heard of the "fabric first approach" to building design? This means maximising the performance of the components and materials that make up the basic building structure itself, before considering the use of mechanical or electrical building services systems to achieve energy efficient comfort. Edited August 12, 2019 by Christiaan 1 Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share Posted August 21, 2019 Hi again, I was on vacation, so I am just now seeing your response Christian. I guessed that was the case, but it is a British expression. We would never use the word fabric like that in the States, and with the German and French similar words with different meanings, it was just a little confusing. Got it now though. Moving on however, I have run into a different but related problem. I think we are on a roll with setting up the classes as we want to have them, but our windows and door plug ins are coming in with automatic class names. I have done some searching and the videos and help from Vectorworks says we can set up the classes for a door or window plug in by clicking on the "settings" button in the Object Info palette. The problem is that in our French version that "settings" button doesn't seem to exist. Is there another way to get to the settings and change the classes of the door and window elements? I also tried the preferences after clicking on the door tool, but that also doesn't give me a way to change the classes. See screenshots. Quote Link to comment
Christiaan Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 (edited) Perhaps it's not in common use but fabric has the same definition in American and British English. I have no idea what's going on with your interface. Doesn't help that I don't know French very well, I'm not familiar with the Windows version and I don't know what Vectorworks Studio is. You certainly seem to be missing the key bits. Edited August 21, 2019 by Christiaan Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 22, 2019 Author Share Posted August 22, 2019 (edited) Hi Christian, Ok, thanks. I'll call our support here this morning and try to figure it out from here. I am American by the way. I studied and practiced architecture there for years before coming here to Europe and I promise you, no one I know ever referred to the building structure or elements as its fabric. But language changes all the time. Perhaps it is a new trend. Edited August 22, 2019 by SDLaw Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 22, 2019 Author Share Posted August 22, 2019 (edited) Ok, I called support. They have developed a new system in the latest update and forgot to put the button in the preferences to be able to change the class ahead of insertion. The man I spoke with has reported it. They have purposely removed the settings button under the Object Info palette and will not put it back. So the only option we have is to use the openings tool and in the preferences under general, we can change the main class and under graphic attributes we could change the classes of each element. We can then save it as a set (style?). I don't know if these updates will come in the English version or not, but you may run into this soon as well. Edited August 22, 2019 by SDLaw Quote Link to comment
Christiaan Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, SDLaw said: They have purposely removed the settings button under the Object Info palette and will not put it back. ... I don't know if these updates will come in the English version or not, but you may run into this soon as well. That's a very strange decision. We won't be getting that, that's something peculiar to your local distribution. Edited August 22, 2019 by Christiaan Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 22, 2019 Author Share Posted August 22, 2019 Yeah, I find it strange as well. Kind of makes me want to jump ship and just go to Archicad like everyone else in Luxembourg. Quote Link to comment
Christiaan Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 Did they say why they made that decision? Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 22, 2019 Author Share Posted August 22, 2019 He said something about having almost infinite choices about something, but to be honest, I didn't understand what he was talking about. I don't know the program well enough. Quote Link to comment
Christiaan Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 Sounds like they're on a mission to simplify Vectorworks. Hard to judge their choices without having my hands on it and comparing them side by side. Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 22, 2019 Author Share Posted August 22, 2019 Yes, I think that is what he was trying to say. That in the current system, there are too many variables. I guess they just want to simplify it and have the door classes all be the same for the standard doors. Quote Link to comment
Peter Vandewalle Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Hello SDLaw The "porte intérieure" tool in the Benelux version is another tool than the one in the US version. So is the window tool. For the Benelux version classing is based on an European SfB system. I attached a pdf the table of those classes in French. --Peter Vandewalle SfB BE-FR.pdf 1 Quote Link to comment
SDLaw Posted August 26, 2019 Author Share Posted August 26, 2019 Thank you so much Peter. That is helpful to have. Quote Link to comment
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