CAD School · Training in VectorWorks, SketchUp and more

Parasolids modelling engine. Provides a much more robust and accurate 2D draughting and 3D modelling engine.
Snap Loupe gives a small zoomed window at the point of the cursor when you type Z, allowing you to see where you are snapping to and then the moment you click the zoomed box disappears.
Pre-selection highlighting gives you immediate feedback on what you are about to select to take away ambiguity or guessing.
Tool pre-indication highlights in a different colour the items that are to be affected by a certain tool
Similar object creation. Want to make a wall with the same style as an existing one or pick a symbol the same as one on the drawing? Vectorworks 2009 takes you to the correct tool including settings, classes, layer and attributes to make a similar object.
Drag and drop support. Import DXF, DWG or any importable files by drag and drop straight from your desktop. It just works
Export Design layers as separate DWG files provides complete compatibility with Autocad allowing you to separate drawings that were amalgamated in Vectorworks to separate DWG files
PDF Snapping allows you to import a PDF, scale it precisely and then snap to existing end points, mid points etc. as if it had been imported as a Vectorworks drawing.

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Now with a separate Layout program that shows multiple viewports that link to your original model(s) and can show any Flat or Perspective view required.
Also new to 6 is the ability to model from a photograph in quite an accurate way. Although not as accurate as Imagemodeller it does an awesome job.

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64-bit support on Windows and Mac OS
Completely new global illumination
Improved rendering speeds
Support for 3D Connection Devices
Plug-ins to integrate the package into Vectorworks and ArchiCad are indispensable if you own these packages

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New in 6.6... Google Earth views can now be created as textured objects directly in form·Z, after they have been captured in Google Earth.
New in 6.6... SketchUp (.skp) files can be imported directly into form·Z through a new translator, which includes support for textures that import smoothly into RenderZone Plus
Now with full object animation and in one rendering flavour - Renderzone Plus
Animations as textures to show movies on virtual Plasmas or even animated bump maps on water
Final Gather radiosity rendering. This means fast and realistic rendering with the illuminated areas bouncing lighting back to the rest of the model

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Even better radiosity than before in near real time
Added clouds layers for realistic skies
Advanced (but simple to use) material editor enabling such things as glowing materials, bump and 'normal' maps
Sketchy rendering that is now well worth it- including solid edge lines and pastel shading. Animations as well as stills can be produced in this style
Animated and posable people available (as an extra) Easy to have people sitting, standing walking, running etc.

Go to: product page | training page

Even better radiosity than before in near real time
Added clouds layers for realistic skies
Advanced (but simple to use) material editor enabling such things as glowing materials, bump and 'normal' maps
Sketchy rendering that is now well worth it- including solid edge lines and pastel shading. Animations as well as stills can be produced in this style
Animated and posable people available (as an extra) Easy to have people sitting, standing walking, running etc.
All Ashlar products are now at version 8, SP0.Mac version of Cobalt is beta for the intel version but the non-intel version runs fine on intel machines under rosetta also just a little slower in rendering.

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Welcome to CAD School!