VectorWorks Training
2D Foundation (1 day)
This first day will teach you the core of VectorWorks. Starting with use of the basic toolset through worked examples you will be able to create and edit a 2D drawing and also understand the basics of organisation. Also, you will grasp the use of graphical styles and outputs in presenting your drawings. Applicable to all disciplines.
Skills Covered...
- Overview of Vectorworks
- Setting up the preferences
- Basic 2D tools - lines, rectangles and arcs
- 2D selection tool - selection, moving and resizing
- Navigation - pan, zoom and other viewing tools
- Attributes - line weight, style, colour and fill colour and options
- Page set-up - paper size/orientation , scale and units
- Templates and setting the default drawing
- Accurate drawing - snaps/constraints
- Numeric entry
- Worked examples - window, door and staircases
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Using layers, classes, sheets and viewports
- Double line techniques for walls, roads, etc.
- Manipulating & making surfaces - add, clip, intersect surface, compose
- 2D reshape for maninpulating surfaces and multiple lines, etc.
- Supervised work on own drawings
2D Intermediate - Architect (1 day)
(requires 2D foundational knowledge)
This second day advances to the use of industry specific parametric tools and menu items such as walls, doors and windows for the architect user. We explore the use of the spreadsheet, and you will learn how to allow users to create schedules of doors/windows/rooms.
2D Intermediate - Landmark (1 day)
(requires 2D foundational knowledge)
This second day advances to the use of industry specific parametric tools and menu items such as plants, trees and hardscapes for the landmark user. We explore the use of the spreadsheet, and you will learn how to allow users to create schedules of plants/trees.
3D Foundation - Architect - 1 day
(requires 2D foundational and intermediate knowledge)
Learn how to make 3D models of your buildings using general modelling and specific architect tools. Use 3D models for visuals or 2D elevations, plans & perspectives.
Skills Covered...
3D Foundation
Basic Modelling
- Extrude
- Sweep
- Extrude along a path
- Editing the above via 2D profile
3D Viewing
- Standard views
- Flyover tool
3D Moving
- 2D vs. 3D selection tool
- 3D snapping
3D editing
- 3D solids - add, subtract & intersect
- Riveting, chamfering
- Shell tool
Architectural Modelling
Project Setup
Building elements
- Walls
- Doors/windows
- Floors
- Stairs
Roofs
- Roof wing - single roof tool
- Adding Dormers
- Roof using roof faces
- Roof using core 3D modelling
- Adjusting walls to roofs
Generating 2D from 3D
- Standard view viewports
- Selection viewports from plan
- "Selection viewports" from other viewports
Adding 2D detail to 3D model views
- Annotating viewports
- Using viewports in design layers
3D Foundation - Landmark - 1 day
(requires 2D foundational and intermediate knowledge)
Learn how to make 3D models of your buildings using general modelling and specific architect tools. Use 3D models for visuals or 2D elevations, plans & perspectives.
Skills Covered...
3D Foundation
Basic Modelling
- Extrude
- Sweep
- Extrude along a path
- Editing the above via 2D profile
3D Viewing
- Standard views
- Flyover tool
3D Moving
- 2D vs. 3D selection tool
- 3D snapping
3D editing
- 3D solids - add, subtract & intersect
- Riveting, chamfering
- Shell tool
Architectural Modelling
Project Setup
Building elements
- Walls
- Doors/windows
- Floors
- Stairs
Roofs
- Roof wing - single roof tool
- Adding Dormers
- Roof using roof faces
- Roof using core 3D modelling
- Adjusting walls to roofs
Generating 2D from 3D
- Standard view viewports
- Selection viewports from plan
- "Selection viewports" from other viewports
Adding 2D detail to 3D model views
- Annotating viewports
- Using viewports in design layers
3D Advanced - 1 day
(requires 2d foundational, 2d intermediate and 3d foundational knowledge)
For those wanting to model more freeform or 'Product design' type objects then Nurbs within Vectorworks is the way to do it. Not the best documented techniques but certainly very powerful and surprisingly robust.
Skills Covered...
- Filleting and chamfering in 3D
- Removing fillets/chamfers
- Understanding Nurbs
- The Nurbs curve/edting it
- Converting to Nurbs
- Joinging Nurbs curves
- Nurbs surface/solid from Lofting
- Trim and stitch surfaces
- Trimming surfaces (Project and trim)
- Interpolated surfaces
- Extracting Nurbs curves from existing surfaces
- Draping Nurbs
- Shelling Nurbs to add thickness
- Trimmed/untrimmed surfaces
Editing Nurbs surfaces
- Joining by connect/combine
- Joining with Compose
- Joining with Add solids
- 3D reshape
RenderWorks - 1 day
This module will show you how to create realistic visuals from your 3D model. A good visual is the coming together of a good model (you provide that!) with realistic textures, well lit with suitable props from a good viewpoint! This day's tutorial will hep you optimise each of these elements to produce a good visual. (Also includes "Artistic rendering")
Skills Covered...
Materials
- Accessing existing materials, default content & resources
- Editing materials
- Applying materials - mapping type, size, orientation
Lights
- Light types: omni, spot, infinite, IES lights, area & live lights
- Lighting & aiming lights
- Lighting theory: 3 point lights, exterior lighting (including setting sun position)
- HDRI Lighting (using background)
- Lights pallette
Background
- Adding backgrounds
- Editing backgrounds
Views
- Setting perspective using camera's "set 3D view"
- Saving views (with light sets)
- Using "walk" view
- Using 3D connexion space mouse
Rendering (Direct)
- OpenGL rendering & options
- Hidden line
- RenderWorks rendering & settings
Rendering with Radiosity
- Understanding Radiosity
- Restricting the scope of Radiosity
- Use of Final Gather
- Use of Background image (HDRI) to light the scene
Saving a render file out to print
- Setting up 'print' viewports
- Saving a design layer view to export to rendered jpeg
- Batch rendering
