Nemetschek VECTORWORKS SPOTLIGHT GETTING STARTED GUIDE
2011 Getting Started Guide
The contents of this printed guide and
accompanying exercise CD were originally
created for Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc.
by Kevin Lee Allen.
© 2010 Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, faxing, emailing, posting online or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the
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this book, neither the author nor Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc., shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage
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For additional Vectorworks training information, or to purchase copies of this book, please call us, in the United States at (410) 290-5114 or
visit Vectorworks.net/training online.
Table of Contents
Introduction ..............................................................................................................................5
How to Use this Guide ....................................................................................................6
Getting Help ....................................................................................................................8
Section 1: Organizing Your Workflow ..................................................................................... 11
The Screen ...................................................................................................................11
Palettes .........................................................................................................................12
Document Window ........................................................................................................14
Preferences ...................................................................................................................15
Workspaces ..................................................................................................................16
Organization ..................................................................................................................18
Section 2: Stationery Documents ...........................................................................................21
Section 3: Drawing & Modeling ..............................................................................................23
Layer Plane and Screen Plane .....................................................................................23
2D Primitive Tools .........................................................................................................24
2D Modifying Tools ........................................................................................................26
2D Commands ..............................................................................................................28
3D Tools ........................................................................................................................29
3D Commands ..............................................................................................................32
Manipulating 2D and 3D Objects ..................................................................................38
Section 4: Hybrid Tools ...........................................................................................................41
Locus Points .................................................................................................................42
Wall Tools ......................................................................................................................42
Floor ..............................................................................................................................43
Door and Window Tools ................................................................................................43
Curtain Tool ...................................................................................................................44
Create Seating Layout ..................................................................................................45
Curved Wall Tool ...........................................................................................................45
Wall Sculpting ...............................................................................................................46
Rotated Views ...............................................................................................................47
Column Tools ................................................................................................................48
Section 5: Understanding Symbols ........................................................................................49
Symbol Geometry .........................................................................................................50
Available Resources .....................................................................................................50
Inserting Symbols .........................................................................................................50
Symbol Types ...............................................................................................................51
Modifying Symbols ........................................................................................................52
Editing Symbols ............................................................................................................52
File Referencing ............................................................................................................53
Exercise ........................................................................................................................53
Section 6: Drawing a Light Plot ..............................................................................................55
Label Legends ..............................................................................................................55
Focus Point Objects ......................................................................................................56
Lighting Positions ..........................................................................................................57
Trusses .........................................................................................................................59
Inserting/Modifying Instruments ....................................................................................59
Vertical Lighting Positions .............................................................................................62
Projection/Monitor Tools ................................................................................................63
Photometrics/PhotoGrid ................................................................................................63
Basic Scripting ..............................................................................................................64
Custom Lighting Symbols .............................................................................................65
Create Plot and Model View..........................................................................................65
Paperwork .....................................................................................................................68
Exercise ........................................................................................................................68
Section 7: Visualizing your Design .........................................................................................69
Rendering Modes ..........................................................................................................70
Layer Backgrounds .......................................................................................................71
Textures ........................................................................................................................73
Shaders .........................................................................................................................75
Textures for the Theatre Project ....................................................................................78
Assigning Textures ........................................................................................................79
Textures and Walls ........................................................................................................80
Textures in the OIP .......................................................................................................80
Mapping ........................................................................................................................80
Creating Image Props ...................................................................................................81
Decals ...........................................................................................................................83
Unified View ..................................................................................................................83
Camera Tool ..................................................................................................................84
Setting 3D View.............................................................................................................85
Lighting in the 3D World ................................................................................................85
Section 8: Presenting your Drawings .....................................................................................91
Viewports and Sheet Layers .........................................................................................91
Theatre Project–Next Steps ..........................................................................................93
Working on the Sheet Layer..........................................................................................94
Working in the Viewport ................................................................................................95
Adding Dimensions .......................................................................................................96
Working with Text ..........................................................................................................98
Lighting Paperwork .......................................................................................................99
Printing ..........................................................................................................................99
Section 9: Conclusion ...........................................................................................................101
Additional Resources ..................................................................................................101
Acknowledgements .....................................................................................................102
About the Author .........................................................................................................103
Introduction
This guide is designed to teach the basics of working with the Vectorworks Spotlight and
Renderworks software tools. The text and illustrations show some of many possible
workflows. Your own methods may vary slightly over time. This book only begins to scrape
the surface as to what you can do with Vectorworks.
All of the screen shots here show the MacOS. Windows users will find the same information in
the same places, although it may look a bit different. From time to time, I have inserted
information about keyboard shortcuts. Again, I generally make reference to the Command key.
On a PC, that usually means the Control key. There is a complete reference to these shortcuts
in the Vectorworks help files, complete with cross referencing the two operating systems.
The approach contained here stresses the architectural concept of Building Information
Modeling (BIM). Simply put, this is working and collaborating in the 3D environment. On a
more complex level, BIM allows 2D and 3D representations of objects connected with data.
On a collaborative level, this allows a set designer to provide a void—and technical directors
to fill parts of that void with structure, lighting designers to add instrumentation, sound
designers to insert microphones or speakers, and video designers to add screens and gear.
BIM in the performing arts allows for a truly collaborative space for the various partners to
work and share information across a series of referenced files.
This guide describes a professional workflow that allows designers and technicians to
develop a project from beginning to end, collaborate effectively and produce both
presentational materials and construction documents that evolve with the design.
Working in the 3D space with dynamic links to presentations (sheet layers) keeps the entire
project constantly updated.
Using Metric Units with Exercises
All exercise data set files for this tutorial are set to use imperial units.
Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide | 5
How to Use this Guide
Work through the guide and the exercises. Each exercise or process, no matter how simple,
leads to the next exercise. It helps to have the hands and the mind work through the simple
steps before reaching more complex problems.
This manual covers a lot of ground quickly.
Yet, it just skims the surface of a powerful
application. Everything is here so that you
can get up to speed waith Vectorworks
Spotlight quickly. The following are points to
keep in mind as you work through the guide:
• Alternate methods are shown for
activating/using many tools, commands,
and modes.
• Use what works best for you.
• Experiment with different tools and
techniques.
• Watch for SmartCursor cues, which
appear as you hover your cursor over
significant drawing – object geometry.
• The text assumes you are familiar with
basic computer terms and basic theatrical
concepts.
• Save early, and save often. Save after
every operation.
• Establish a back-up ritual. Macintosh
users should take advantage of the Time
Machine feature within the OS.
• Use the Vectorworks auto back-up in
addition to your own back up plan.
• Save–As frequently, so you can always
access earlier ideas and solutions.
• Use symbols, and get to know and
understand them early on.
• Most tools have options, available for
selection in the Tool Bar. See the illustration
on page 11.
• Don’t be concerned if you do not
understand this entire introduction, it will all
be explained as you make your way through
this guide.
6 | Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide
Working through the Guide
This guide is built on a plan of exercises and
two projects. Each time a concept or set of
concepts is presented, there will be an
associated exercise created to practice the
base skills presented. The exercises are
important for new and experienced users
alike, and working through the exercises
lays the foundation for more complex tasks.
The Lighthouse. The Cape Hatteras
Lighthouse is a complex 3D model briefly
illustrated in the text but strongly suggested
as a challenge. The lighthouse project brings
together all of the exercises. It is a daunting
and intimidating task when viewed in total,
however, it is actually many simple tasks
combined. Users who can complete the
lighthouse can generally model and present
any other professional challenge that comes
their way.
The Theatre Project. In the course of the
text users will create a basic theatre space,
a set, light plot, design visualizations,
and a set of drawings from which these
designs could be executed. Tangentially,
completing this project will also assist users
in configuring the application for future
assignments.
Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide | 7
Getting Help
Vectorworks Help
With the Vectorworks application installed
and up and running, select Vectorworks
Help from the Help menu to open the Help
application. Alternately, select the “What’s
This?” command, which will change your
cursor to an arrow with a question mark.
You may then use this cursor to select an
object within Vectorworks, which will send
you to the appropriate location within the
Vectorworks Help application.
The Vectorworks Help application is a robust
depository of information that users can
modify and adjust to their needs. The Help
application can be automatically updated.
The Help Application Window is divided into
two columns. The left column provides
navigation, and the right column provides
information. Enter search criteria where it
says “Enter text to search.” Results will be
displayed in the right column. Selecting a
search result will display the search topic.
Search results can be saved as Favorites by
clicking on the star icon. You may also add
comments and other information.
8 | Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide
Additional Help
At http://vectorworks.net it is possible to access
a number of additional learning and informational tools, including user forums, mailing lists and
demonstration videos and other guides (http://
www.vectorworks.net/training/guides.php). The
Vectorworks online community (http://www.
vectorworks.net/community/index.php) is
dynamic and supportive. Join the user forums
and e-mail lists.
There are specific lists and forums for theatre
and Spotlight, but do not neglect the general
forums and lists. Many issues that arise in
Spotlight are familiar to the larger groups of
users. Questions posed to the online
community are often answered almost
immediately. Vectorworks is used widely
internationally. Whenever you are working,
there are others working around the world.
Links to the online community and RSS feeds
are in the favorites tab of the Help Application.
User links may also be added.
Application Resources
On a Mac, the Vectorworks directory should be
in the Applications folder on your hard drive.
On a PC, this directory should be in the
Program Files folder.
The libraries are an important feature that will
take time to explore. Critically, the ObjectsEntertainment directory contains symbols
(pre–drawn objects) for nearly all of the lighting
instruments available. There are also lighting
accessories, lighting positions, speaker
symbols, and truss symbols.
There are also libraries for textures (used to
“paint” scenic elements and create gobo
projections). The file names are generally
descriptive of the file contents.
Symbols are 2D, 3D, or combined 2D/3D
(Hybrid) objects, that can be used repetitively
and can have critical information attached to
them via a data record. Symbols will be
discussed throughout this guide.
PDF manuals can be accessed from the Help
table of contents.
Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide | 9
10 | Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide
Section 1: Organizing
Your Workow
This section provides an overview of the Vectorworks environment and basic definitions.
Everything described in this section will be reviewed in greater detail throughout the Guide
The Screen
When rst opening the Vectorworks
Spotlight application, your screen should
look like this illustration. If it does not, go to
the Menu at the top of the screen and select
Tools> Workspaces>Spotlight.
On the left side of your screen you should
see the Basic tool palette and the Tool Sets
palette, which allow you to access additional
tools for particular jobs. The Attributes
palette and the Snapping palette are also to
the left. On the right you should see the
Object Information palette (OIP), Navigation
palette, Visualization palette and Resource
browser.
At the top of the active window, you will see
the View bar and the Tool Bar. The Message
bar is located at the bottom of the window.
Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide | 11
Palettes
Basic Tool Set
The Basic tool set provides ready access to
a collection of 2D drawing tools, 2D and 3D
drawing modifiers, and basic dimensioning
tools.
Tool Sets
Tool sets are collections of tools grouped for
specific tasks. Note, for example that there
is a Dimensioning tool set in addition to the
Dimensioning tools provided in the Basic
tool set. In the Dimensioning tool set the
basic tools are joined by additional tools.
Attributes
The Attributes palette sets various graphic
attributes of 2D and 3D objects. When an
object is selected, the line, fill, line style, and
opacity of an object may be changed.
Constraints
The Constraints palette sets options for
drawing with precise alignment. Constraints
can be temporarily turned off by pressing
and holding the apostrophe (‘) key.
Users may set Preferences for the
constraints and the displayed grid by
double–clicking on any of the constraint
icons. Constraints help with precise drawing
and provide cues to the Smart Cursor.
SmartCursor. The Smart Cursor provides a
series of cues displayed as text at the
cursor’s current location. The Smart Cursor
can create snaps to specic points relative
to other objects.
Smart Points. Smart Points allow the use
of existing geometry as drawing guides.
When Smart Points snapping is on, a Smart
Point can be dened by pausing the cursor
over an object point and pressing the “T”
key. Drawing can then be aligned with that
point. The alignment is visually shown with a
dotted red line.
Working Planes.The Working Planes
palette is not opened by default. For the
purposes of working through this book, go
to Window>palettes>Working Plane to
open the palette. Locate the palette so it is
accessible, but not in the way of drawing.
Simply explained, working planes allow you
to change the base plane on which you are
drawing. Typically, the base plane is a at
horizontal plane. This palette will allow you
to access multiple saved base planes.
Object Information Palette (OIP). The
Object Information palette (OIP) is a critical
design control point; every object selected
in Vectorworks can be manipulated via
the OIP. When you can’t gure out how to
modify something, look here rst.
12 | Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide
The OIP has three tabs: Shape, Data,
and Render. Shape affects size, location,
and specic parameters associated with
different types of objects. Data references
information associated with the object for
use in worksheets, and Render affects the
look of 3D objects in presentations.
Resource Browser,The Resource browser
allows access to symbols, textures, and
other data within your le and other les
that may or may not be open. Select the
disclosure arrow at the top right of the
Resource browser and select Add New
Favorite Files. Navigate to the Vectorworks
directory and add the following les to your
favorites:
• Libraries>Defaults>Renderworks-
Textures>Textures_Default.vwx
• Libraries>Objects-
Entertainment>Lighting-ETC.vwx
• Libraries>Textures-Gobo>Rosco-
Gobos>Rosco Abstract.vwx
• Libraries>Objects-
Entertainment>Lighting Positions Imp.v wx
• Libraries>Objects-Building
Architecture & Interior>Detail-Molding
Proles Copper Beech Millwork.vwx
• Libraries>Objects-Building
Architecture & Interior>FurnitureFurnishings and Scenic Elements.vwx
• Libraries>Objects-Building Services>
Electrical-Accurate Lamps-Imp.vwx
Libraries>Default Content is available from
within the Vectorworks application. For
example, the Default Textures can be
accessed from the OIP and when editing
class denitions.
Navigation
The Navigation palette will be covered
thoroughly in Organizing the Drawing, but
for the moment notice that this palette
allows you to quickly access Classes,
Design Layers, Sheet Layers, Viewports,
Saved Views and References. Each of
these items will be covered and dened.
From the Navigation palette you can
activate, navigate, and control visibilities.
Visualization
The Visualization palette will be covered in
depth in Drawing a Light Plot. Note that this
palette allows control of Light Objects and
Camera Objects.
Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide | 13
Document Window
View Bar
The View bar allows ready access to a
number of important functions. View bar
functions can be hidden and displayed from
the drop-down list accessed via the
Disclosure Arrow on the right of the View
bar. We will cover most of the View bar
elsewhere, but from the left you will see
forward and backward arrows; clicking on
these will take you back and forth between
recent document views. Skip to the center
right and you will see two magnifying glass
icons that take you to a view of either a
selected item or to a view of all items in the
visible drawing (if nothing is selected).
Command-6 on a Mac and Control-6 on a
PC have the same functionality.
There is a drop–down menu for your view of
the drawing. Typically, set to Top/Plan
(Command-5), which is the 2D view from
overhead.
Top is a 3D overhead view, and the others
should all make logical sense. You may also
access each of these views from your
numeric keypad with 5 being Plan, 2 being
Front, etc.
Tool B a r
The Tool bar displays different options
available for each tool selected from the
Basic tool set or one of the task–specific
tool sets. On the right of the Tool bar you
have Quick Preferences; selections
available from the Vectorworks Preferences
allowing the user to make rapid interface
changes, as desired. Select available
options via the Disclosure Arrow on the right
of the Tool bar.
Message Bar
The Message Bar displays precise
information about the location of the cursor in
the drawing space. This display can be
affected by selecting preferences accessed
by clicking the Disclosure Arrow in the far
right hand corner of the screen. Additionally,
the Message Bar displays important alerts,
back-up information and rendering progress.
Moving the View
To pan across the drawing at any time (even
if a tool or command is active) hold down
the Space bar and drag the cursor. This
action is referred to as Boomerang mode
since you will be returned to the active tool
as soon as the space bar is released.
Boomerang Mode does not work when
editing text.
You may also directly select the Pan tool
from the Basic tool set.
14 | Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide
Zooming
By default, the applications preferences set
the scroll wheel of the mouse to zoom in
and out. Similarly, two fingers on a
multi-touch track pad will zoom in and out of
a drawing.
From the View bar, click Fit to Objects
(Command-6). The view is adjusted to fit the
Preferences
Application Preferences
On a Mac, the Application Preferences can
be accessed from the Vectorworks Menu.
On either a Mac or a PC, the Application
Preferences can be accessed by navigating
to Tools>Options>Application
Preferences.
Select the Session tab, and then enter 100
in the maximum number of undos eld.
Verify or adjust other settings as desired.
These are application–wide settings.
Document Preferences
File>Document Settings>Document
Preferences allows you to set parameters
specic to the active le. In the United
States, select the Dimensions tab and set
the Dimension Standard to “Arch.”
selected object to the screen. When nothing
is selected, the same action will fit all
objects to the screen.
Command-1 will zoom in, Command-2
will zoom out, Command-3 returns to the
last view, and Command-4 shows the
full–page view.
Unit Preferences
File>Document Settings>Units sets the
options for dimensioning and specic units/
measurement systems.
Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide | 15
Spotlight Preferences
File>Document Settings>Spotlight
Preferences allows you to establish
specic settings for conguring the plot and
communicating with Lightwright.
(http://www.mckernon.com)
Workspaces
Quick Preferences
Some preferences can be toggled from
the Tool bar. Available Preferences may be
added or deleted by selecting the drop–
down menu via the Disclosure Arrow on the
right side of the Tool bar.
The Spotlight Workspace
Vectorworks is completely customizable.
Adjusting the menu and palette layout is the
most readily apparent way that the average
user can make Vectorworks their own.
Editing/Creating Workspaces
Go to Tools>Workspaces> Workspace
Editor and you will have several choices:
• Edit the current workspace
• Edit a copy of the current workspace
• Create a new workspace.
Avoid creating a new workspace and avoid
editing one of the workspaces that are
provided in the installation process.
Creating a new workspace gives you a
blank slate.
Making a copy of the Spotlight Workspace
gives you an excellent foundation on which
to build, and you always have the original to
go back to for reference. You can name the
copy whatever you like to differentiate your
workspace from the original.
Most users have several of their own
workspaces. Typically at least one for use
on a laptop and one for use with a larger
screen. Over time you may nd additional
tools or plug-ins that you would like to add
to Vectorworks. Some come with their own
workspace. Other add-ons or plug-ins need
to be added to any workspace where you
might want to use them.
For example, lighting designers, may be
interested in utilizing the visualization
capabilities of ESP Vision (http://espvision.
com) and would want to modify a
workspace. If you work in television or
corporate theatre, you will notice the Video
Screen capabilities available in the Spotlight
tool set. Developer Andrew Dunning also
offers a more powerful commercial version.
16 | Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide
Use of the commercial version requires
adding plug-In les and modifying your
wor kspace(s).
From the workspace editor, we will make a
copy of the Spotlight Workspace just to see
how this is done. You will now have a window
with three tabs that allow you to edit the
Menus, tools and Misc Keys. Grab the New
Menu from the left column and drag over to
the right column. Name it. Note that you can
readily rename the other menus just as you
can rename a le. You can also delete a
menu by selecting and hitting the delete key.
Once you have a new menu, you can drag
other items from the left column into your new
menu, and arrange them as you like.
You can also edit the contextual menus to
readily access an often–used tool from the
right mouse button.
From the tools tab, you can modify your
palettes in much the same way. You can
totally reorganize the tool sets to meet your
work ow and needs.
In both cases, you can alter the keystrokes
required to bring up a specic tool.
Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide | 17
Organization
Vectorworks documents use several
conventions for organization:
• Classes
• Design Layers
• Sheet Layers
• Viewports
• Saved Views
• Referenced Files
When working in a team or just to keep les
smaller, develop different elements in
different les, and then use the File
Referencing features to bring all of the
elements together.
Let’s look at the Organization dialogue box.
Select Tools>Organization. Note the
differences and similarities between this
dialogue and the Navigation palette. Also be
aware that this dialogue can be accessed
from the Edit Classes and Edit Layers
buttons in the View bar.
Classes
Classes are used to assign graphic attributes
and to control visibility in drawing and when
creating Viewports for presentation. Classes
can be used for objects on different layers.
Like Design Layers, they can be used to
control what is visible. Vectorworks starts by
giving you two classes: Dimension and None.
Begin by editing the Dimension class. Check
Use at Creation and set the ll color to none
so that your Dimension text does not conceal
other details.
18 | Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide
Create a Normal Weight class that has
Use at Creation checked and set the line
weight to a medium width, about twice the
width of the Dimension Class line weight.
Also create a class called Section Style
with a thick line weight and cross hatch
pattern ll. Vectorworks will call for this
class. Save in your Default.sta document
as described below.
Classes truly allow full use of Vectorworks,
and, as a best practice, no object should be
drawn without having a class assigned.
Going further, consider that your theatre
walls may have one color and your set wall
to have another color. By using classes to
assign these attributes, when the color of
the set changes, you can change all of the
walls at once. Similarly, you would want
different classes to distinguish the Grand
Drape from the masking.
Design Layers
The design layer is the basic level of
organization. Think of layers as sheets of
vellum on a table; architects use layers to
distinguish oors of a building. Many
theatrical designers create layers for the
theatre, the set, the light plot, and the sound
plot. Each design layer can have a different
scale and can be set to different Z
elevations.
This is a basic layer structure:
• Sound Plot
• Light Plot
• Scenery
• Audience
• Theatre Architecture
• Audience Seating
• Tra ce La yer
A PDF or a JPEG of the theatre, ballroom,
or television studio architecture can be
imported to a bottom tracing layer. On top of
that you may have an architecture layer and
a master layer for the set and other
information. Design layers can be used to
create specic physical elements that may
be saved as symbols and placed in the layer
with the architecture or the set.
Layer visibility is controlled in the
Organization dialogue or via the
Navigation palette.
The enclosed DVD includes a sample
document so that you can examine a basic
class structure and another that shows
basic layers needed for every drawing.
Sheet Layers
Sheet Layers are used for presenting
drawings. Sheet Layers are always in a 1:1/
Full Size or Actual Scale. We’ll discuss
Viewports and Sheet Layers for
presentations in the Presenting your
Drawings section on page 91.
Saved Views
Saved Views (in the View bar) allow you to
revert to previously saved views quickly at
any time. There may be an area of detail
that you continually need to return to in plan;
a Saved View will allow that. Views can
have different layers and classes visible.
Saved Views are also very useful for looking
at scenes rendered with lights focused,
lighting levels set, and gobos inserted as
you adjust the light levels.
Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide | 19
Section 2: Stationery
Documents
When creating a new document (File>New), Vectorworks will ask if you want to create a
blank document or use a stationery le. Vectorworks comes with a selection of stationery
les, most geared for architecture. It is a useful time saver to create and evolve your own
stationery les.
When you go to File>Save As Template and
save a le as Default.sta Vectorworks will
automatically le your template in the proper
place. You will be able to access your saved
settings whenever you create a new le.
Go to File>New to create a new document;
you will have a choice between selecting a
blank document or using a template. A
template le has various predetermined characteristics. Select Create Blank Document
and we will determine our own parameters.
Go to File>Page Setup. Here you establish the size of the page and select a printer. The
printer does not need to be selected now if you will be printing from a PDF, which is the
recommended practice. “Draw” on a sheet size that is the same as the size on which you
plan to print. Let’s establish an Architectural size D sheet (24” by 36”). If you are not
connected to a plotter, you will have to check “Choose size unavailable in printer setup” on
the top right and then US Arch D from the drop–down menu. On the left select “Show page
boundary” and de-select “Show page breaks.” Showing breaks will clutter your drawing area
with division markers, likely dividing the 24 x 36 inch pages into 8 ½ x 11 inch chunks.
Click OK and now we will begin to make some specic settings.
Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide | 21
Go to File>Document Settings>
Document Preferences; you will see three
tabs. We will leave the left and right tabs set
to the default; select the Dimensions tab.
Make sure the three check boxes are
checked and that the drop–down menu is
set to Arch. Click OK.
Go to File>Document Settings>Units and
be sure that your document is set to feet
and inches – or metric units – as
appropriate. Of course, if you design the
show in one system, you can go back later
and convert the document from imperial to
metric, or vice versa. Click OK.
Go to the View bar. There should be a data
eld that says, 1:1 and next to that, on the
right, there should be a ruler icon. If not,
select Layer Scale from the View bar menu.
Click on the ruler and set the scale to
1/2”=1’-0” and click OK.
Select Tools>Options>Line Thickness
and review the default settings.
Select and set a default font. With nothing
selected on the page, go to Tex t >Font and
select your preferred font. It should be
something generally readable and if you will
be sharing les, the font should be one that
works across platforms and is installed on
your colleagues’ systems. You can make
adjustments to text later in the OIP or Text
menu.
Create the classes as indicated above.
Now, save the le settings as a template le.
Go to File>Save as Template and the Save
as Vectorworks Drawing Template dialog
box will open and suggest that the le
Default.sta be saved in the Templates
folder of your User folder or the Vectorworks
Directory. Click Save. Also save a copy of
your default le as DefaultLetter.sta. In this
le, change the document size to a standard
letter–size page. All new documents, unless
you select another template, will have the
attributes you have specied set by default.
You will likely need to save over this
Default.sta le several times as you further
adjust to the program.
22 | Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide
Section 3: Drawing &
Modeling
Vectorworks provides many ways to draw. For the user, it is a matter of choice to determine
what works best for him or her and/or specic scenarios. Flexibility in drawing is one of the
many great reasons to use Vectorworks.
Layer Plane and Screen Plane
These are not drawing modes, but planar
modes to draw within. 2D objects drawn in
the Layer Plane will rotate in 3D space. 2D
objects drawn in the Screen Plane will
always be seen as facing the screen, no
matter the 3D view and they will not rotate in
3D space.
Planes are useful when preparing to extrude
an object from 2D into 3D.
The Layer Plane is indicated by a pink box,
You may choose whether to draw in Layer or
Screen Plane from the drop–down menu on
the View bar. You may change what plane an
object is assigned to by selecting the object
and changing the plane in the OIP.
unless you have changed the color in your
preferences.
Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide | 23
2D Primitive Tools
Open a copy of your DefaultLetter.sta le and use this le to work along as described below.
Switch the plane from Layer Plane to Screen Plane in the View Bar.
You can easily nd which tool is which by
hovering and waiting for the descriptive text
to appear or by going to the Help les.
Rectangle
Begin by selecting the Rectangle tool.
Notice the options in the Tool bar change
when a tool is selected. Each mode or
option available in the Tool bar offers a
different way of drawing. By hovering over
the mode icons you will see descriptive text
appearing to describe the mode. There will
also be text in the Mode bar that describes
the active option.
These options will vary with the tool
selected. In each case, as you explore the
application try every mode available.
24 | Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide
You can simply begin to draw by clicking
and dragging. As soon as you begin to draw,
you will note the appearance of the Floating
Data bar (FDB). Hit the Tab key to select the
rst eld in the FDB and enter a specic
dimension, tab to the next eld, repeat, and
click the mouse button. You have created a
specically sized shape!
Draw a few rectangles and note the
highlight color when you hover over a shape
and the change in color when you select a
shape. You can select multiple objects by
pressing and holding the Shift key or doing
a marquee selection (click and drag with the
2D Selection tool).
Select an existing rectangle and note that
you can move it or resize it interactively with
the mouse. Also note that you can change
its size and location in the OIP.
Notice the Circle by 3 Points option. This
options also appears in Arcs and Curved
Walls and is very useful in tracing curves
and in designing the right size circle or arc.
Select the Rectangle tool and hover the
cursor near another rectangle. Note the
SmartCursor hints and alignments
indicated. Align with a corner, indicated by
the red extension line and hit the “T” key to
lock in that alignment.
Try this again. When hovering near a snap
point, hit the “Z” key to enable the snap
loupe, which allows you to zoom in close
until you click the mouse. You can also use
the snap loupe when you want to nish
drawing a shape if aligning to another point.
Circle and Oval
Notice two similar tools, the circle and the
oval. Select the Oval tool, and notice the
different options in the Tool bar. Draw a few
ovals using the different options, some
freehand, some with absolute positioning,
and then with the FDB.
Regular Polygon
Like the Circle and Rectangles, the Regular
Polygon allows you to make simple
multi-sided objects.
Polygon and Polyline
These tools allow for freehand drawing. The
Polygon only has straight lines, but the
Polyline tool allows you to introduce curves.
Consider tracing a scanned drawing or
placing locus points. You can also use the
2D Line lools and absolute positioning to
create a set of guides. Then you can
connect the dots with the Polygon tool.
Note that the Polyline tool introduces a
preferences option in the Mode bar and six
different modes for drawing, including very
precise arcs and curves. You can switch
modes in the midst of drawing by reaching
into the Mode bar.
Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide | 25
Triangle
The Triangle tool is located under the 2D
Polygon tool. Click on the 2D Polygon tool
icon and hold. The Triangle tool will then
appear for you to select. Note that this tool
has three different Modes of Operation
available in the Mode Bar.
2D Modifying Tools
Reshape
The Reshape tools allows for the editing of
polygons.
If you want to edit a rectangle into a shape
other than a rectangle, you must rst
convert the rectangle into a polygon. Select
the rectangle and go to
Modify>Convert>Convert to Polygon.
The Reshape tool has several modes and
options. Reshaping allows users to move
points, add points (between existing points),
subtract points, or convert points from
corners to curves and visa versa.
Let’s assume that you have not been able to
make the shape that you want. Draw a
rectangle. A rectangle is not a polygon, but
you can make a rectangle into a polygon by
Adding or Clipping. In this case we will
select the rectangle and go to
Modify>Convert>Convert To Polygon.
Select the 2D Reshape tool from the Basic
tool set and edit. You can also double–click
the polygon and the 2D Reshape tool will
self select. Let’s look at the options:
• Move points
• Convert points
• Add a point
• Subtract a point
• Hide or show edges
Note: When you select Add or Convert, other
options become available. Note also the options
for selecting points.
This is a very robust tool and is very useful
for creating sweeping curves.
26 | Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide
Your rectangle now shows eight points or,
more precisely, four points on the corners
and four midpoints. Experiment with the
tool: try these things and then undo so you
always return to the basic rectangle. First
select the rst option on the left; Move
Polygon Handles mode. Grab a corner and
move it around. Undo. Select the Delete
Vertex mode, and delete one of the corners
so that you have a rectangle. Undo. Select
Add Vertex, and be sure that you have the
Corner Vertex option selected. Note that
you can add and manipulate points only at a
mid-point. Select the Change Vertex mode
and then select Bezier Curve.
Click on a corner and observe the curve.
Manipulate this curve with the Move Mode.
On another corner, convert the corner point
to a Cubic Spine Point. Manipulate the
curve and compare how they differ.
Offset
The Offset tool allows you to quickly
duplicate a surface inside or outside of an
object. Select the tool and go to the tool
preferences in the Tool bar. Consider that if
you have just drawn a complex shape and
you will use that shape as a platform and
you will need to allow for the thickness of
the reveal and/or the structure. Simply offset
the shape.
Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide | 27
Fillet and Chamfer
The Fillet and Chamfer tools are very similar.
These terms are generally used in cabinetry
and millwork. In each case, these tools trim
the corner off of a polygon. A chamfer is a
straight line cut and a llet makes a rounded
corner. In each case, select the tool and trim
the edge of a polygon. First select a mode.
They each have the same three modes. The
rst Chamfer or Fillet option adds the detail,
the second, trims the lines of the polygon to
the detail, the third ‘trims’ the original shape
to the new detail and deletes the lines left
when using the second mode.
Select the tools, set your preferences and
mode and then hover over the edge of a
polygon. If eligible for Chamfer/Fillet, the
edge will be highlighted.
2D Commands
Clip
Modify>Clip Surface is used to subtract
one shape from another. First, draw one
primitive shape over a larger shape. Select
both and go to the command. Only the top
object will remain selected. Delete that
object and you will notice a hole in the
bottom object.
Add
Modify>Add Surface combines two object
into one. Draw two over lapping objects,
28 | Vectorworks Spotlight 2011 Getting St arted G uide
Click and drag to an adjacent edge ,and it
too will be highlighted. Click to execute.
select both, and invoke the command.
You will be left with one new object.
Combine into Surface
The Combine into Surface command forms
a new object from a group of objects. The
objects must intersect and form a closed
polygon. Depending on objects selected
and the location of the mouse click, you can
create several different polygons from the
same set of objects.
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