Getting Started with Vectorworks - Part 1

[@kellyhoughton2915]

Eager to learn now: Thank You! You have a pleasant, easy going voice and manner and I'm inspired to learn while other tutorials often put me to sleep instantly.

[@archoncad]

Thanks

[@MsKellieNicole]

This video was very helpful, thank you! I had difficulty getting my rectangle to orient with the direction of the house like yours at 14:47. It created a rectangle on the same plan but I could not follow the shape of the blue selected plane which was the bottom. Can you suggest what settings to change so my selected working plan orients like yours?

[@archoncad]

The first thing to check is automatic working planes, then the settings on the tool bar

[@SK-te4uo]

It's been a great help. My self-study is get going finally...Thank you very much.

[@archoncad]

I’m glad to have helped, good luck with the studies.

[@nathanyu9134]

Hi, im currently using vectorworks 2021 and i cant draw on the face of the cube (6:20). I cant select the faces, it will only draw on the XY plane.

[@archoncad]

Try changing the working plane to Automatic.

[@nathanyu9134]

@@archoncad wow, that was fast! Thanks, it worked!

[@archoncad]

You’re welcome

[@Harris_Jey]

Dear Jonathan Pickup, As I create a square on a simple box and push-pull through, it does not create a void. However, It only creates another box inside that is not interacting with the existing box. I am making sure that I am drawing on the face of the box when it indicated the blue surface, plus when simply resizing the box itself it does not allow me the option of clicking the middle point. Perhaps some setting on my Vector work is different? I am currently searching for answers on forums but if you are able to help me, it would be very helpful. And thank you for the video I am learning a lot.

[@archoncad]

There are two parts here. I'll answer the last part first. In order to change a rectangle from drawing corner to corner, go to the tool bar and change the drawing mode for the rectangle. If you don't know what I mean, I suggest you look at my 2017 Foundation tutorial course here on KZbin (kzbin.info/aero/PLjt2JD0muIE96sU4vM1D_ecYwgXgcfWJy) The normal problem with the instant push/pull who is that useless try to coordinate the holding down of the alt or option key with the clicking of the mouse. This is always a mistake. Hold down the key first then click. That seems to make it easy. Please remember that this movie is made with the current version of Vectorworks. If you're using an old version of Vectorworks then you might find this instant push/pull trick does not work.

[@wissamlabbaci2465]

it is really detailed and you make it easy to learn I really appreciate it. but i have a problem i couldn't select the face of the cube to draw on it to modify it. can someone help me with this ?? thanks

[@archoncad]

I made a movie about working planes that should help you.

[@jocelynadair1921]

Im having some trouble with adding polygons on. For some reason, whenever I try to add polygons, they dont create a seperate shape, they just merge with the house. This makes it so I can't move arround the chimney, or extend the door at all. Is there a way to fix that?

[@archoncad]

This might be because you have the last option on the mode bar activated (Push/Pull Combine mode).

[@moodle01234]

Maybe I have something off in my settings... but holding Option does not subtract shapes from my extruded rectangle. It is just creating another shape inside. (I am on a Mac, using 2019)

[@moodle01234]

Ope, I've figured that it only works immediately after you make the shape (in rectangle mode, with Push/Pull mode activated, with the working plane set to Automatic), not if you go back in with the Push/Pull tool. After the fact, I guess "Subtract Solids" is the best bet.

[@archoncad]

Mary_S I was going to suggest that you had not used the technique correctly. As you say, you have to use the technique immediately

[@王品蓉-v1w]

@@moodle01234 Thank you so much. Got the same problem and I have been googling for days. This is just so clear and helpful!!!

[@archoncad]

Thanks

[@benjeffery4632]

HELP! This is my fist day using Vectorworks and it was going well, however for some reason I can no longer select faces of shapes, (when I hover over the entire object is just highlighted in orange, meaning I can't connect or draw on top of shapes. I don't know if I knocked something but Im really struggling to fix the issue, any help would be appreciated as at the moment I can't do anything

[@archoncad]

Your rendering style is set to wire frame. Go to View on the menu bar, choose rendering, then choose OpenGL to look like mine

[@tatianakazakova7860]

hello, thank you for tutorial, but i am having trouble to extrude forms, i dont understand what command you use

[@archoncad]

The beauty of the instant push pool is that you do not need a command to extrude objects. You have to be in a 3-D view for it to work, and you also have to activate the correct modes on the toolbar

[@ZRayTheBosS]

What's better this or Sketchup? Just asking for video game developing reasons

[@andreafryettstudio]

you wouldn't use sketchup or vectorworks models in game. At ubisoft we had some LD's using sketchup for brainstorming but these models are never used ingame.. Most game companies use 3ds max or maya.

[@archoncad]

I have not heard of Vectorworks for video game developing.

[@Mychannelya]

Thank you so much for your tutorials I have been stuck in making the angles for the roof. I have vectorworks 2020. I’m following your instructions to the T but not able to make those 2 angled lines. When I select the line tool unconstrained mode I get a vertical blue ant line, green ant line from the top of the box it looks like 30 degrees, and a red ant line coming from the bottom of the box that meets the green line. But I’m not able to draw a line at all. I have been trying for 3 days. Please help thanks

[@thomasgrayiii7827]

same issue, same vectorworks 2020!! there's a lot of his setup/settings that i've have to manually find and adjust to, as if the softwares operate a little different here and there

[@thomasgrayiii7827]

wait---- think i've got it! try switching your line type to constrained when you're in line mode instead of unconstrained. it'll be the crosshair icon to the left of constrained icon

[@thomasgrayiii7827]

as far as completing the task in unconstrained, hold down the shift key when you try it

[@archoncad]

Correct

[@christinajanuszewski1923]

okay, now the issue that I'm having is that when I try to cut out the hold as you do (say for the door or window as squares from the wall, rather than cutting a hole, it just leaves a jagged lined rectangle. I'm trying to be careful about when I'm clicking the alt, but to no avail.

[@jonathanpickup1643]

don't be so careful about clicking the option or alt key, just hold it down

[@SivaRaman-se3ij]

Im also having the same problem sir can you explain it in details or please give me some reference

[@kroezehoveniers9748]

same problem

[@archoncad]

I would always start dragging the rectangle and then hold the option key

[@Rastapapulus]

Thank you, I really appreciate and hope to see more like this. specially the tools for presentation and learn how to make 2d plan sheets.

[@archoncad]

have you looked at all the quick start movies for Vectorworks?

[@Rastapapulus]

@@archoncad I just watch this one and if there's much I'll be glad to follow them all

[@archoncad]

Mohammad Mehtari try this, it’s the next one.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/moaWh3xoa7alaNE

[@ja4369]

Hi, I'm getting started with the application. But I meet some problem with the extrusion tool. When I draw the circle on the rectangle it doesn't extrude it, it create an other volume Perhaps there was some manipulation to do ahead, like the Open GL wich is not automatically selected or something like that

[@laylawahed8972]

I have the same problem, the video doesn't show the right snapping tool to select, my problem is when I make the line and click it then click the area to extrude it, it doesn't change to red clour, hope we get the answer.

[@archoncad]

Do you have the automatic working plane turned on?

[@archoncad]

I think it’s the automatic working plane

[@vincentholihola7636]

your tutorial really helpful. how can I will download 2020 version

[@archoncad]

what do your mean? do you mean where can you buy Vectorworks 2020? You can find out more here... www.vectorworks.net/en-US

[@nishantsharma6259]

After I created the rectangle.. its not changing to red when I hover over and hence I am not able to make instant push pull

[@archoncad]

There are a couple of things to check. Are you in a 3D view? On the tool bar, do you have the Push/Pull mode activated?

[@gmock9427]

Good afternoon Jonathan, I hope you are well. My drawing is coming out of my sheet. I'm working on a 23.28 m2 x 12 m2 building. How can I fix this? Thank you.

[@archoncad]

If you create a viewport, then you can change the scale so that it fits on the sheet. You might find this video useful : kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGnXdXV3ab99n6ssi=7jYNOoE-zbXeS4Di

[@gmock9427]

@@archoncad Thank you very much for your reply.

[@AVATARdemon113]

I need help. I seem to be unable to see the faces of my objects once I've extruded them, I see it like a wire frame and cannot draw extra shapes onto the objects because it's as though there are no faces.

[@archoncad]

Check the attributes palette. Make sure the fill is solid

[@carlarobb8940]

Hello...these are great tutorials, thank you! I am hoping you can help....when I use the double poly tool to creat a door/window frame it seems to connect that object to the wall and doesn't allow me to push/pull as a separate object, and wants to pull the entire side of the building. I have played around with it and can't seem to fix that issue. Really appreciate your help. :-)

[@stephenwilliams2216]

I had the same problem. Once you’ve selected the double line polygon tool, go to the preferences button just to the right (after the 4 control line mode buttons) then choose create polygons. Mine was set to create lines initially. Hope that helps.

[@archoncad]

good call Stephen. Yes. Many of the tools have preferences and if they are set differently to mine, you will not get the same results as me.

[@archoncad]

I would recommend that you also check out my store site (store.archoncad.com) and the playlist that I added for the 2017 Fundamentals Course (kzbin.info/aero/PLjt2JD0muIE96sU4vM1D_ecYwgXgcfWJy).

[@emilyle845]

When I make the ground slab it doesn’t go under the “house” because the structure is already sitting on top of the plane. Is there a way to move it so it also sits on top of the plane?

[@archoncad]

It should sit at rhe correct elevation in 3D, although it might look different in 2D. Use send to back or sent to front to get the stacking order the way you want

[@hansaschentrupp172]

My working planes on the objects dont show up anymore, how can I fix it ?

[@archoncad]

Do you have the correct tool and working plane settings?

[@louisebivort4005]

thank you so much you saved my life

[@archoncad]

Thank you, I think you are icing me too much credit.

[@quackasourus2139]

When i hold the alt key it wont subtract. What am i doing wrong?

[@archoncad]

if you are using Vectorworks 2021, you don't have to hold the alt key. if you are using Vectorworks 2020, only hold down the alt key just before you finish with the last click

[@travisnguyen1475]

Hi Jonathan. Is is Vectorworks Fundamental? What should we do to convert it to BIM model? re-model?

[@archoncad]

Travis Nguyen. I guess it might help if i explained the purpose of the movie. This was not intended to be an introduction to BIM. It was designed to be a fast fun way to draw in Vectorworks for users that didn’t want to worry too much about BIM or accuracy. I used Vectorworks Fundamental techniques to create the model. If you have Vectorworks Architect, there is a way to convert parts of the model to BIM. However, if you were serious about the quality of the model, you may as well re-model it using the correct objects (walls, slabs, doors, windows, roofs) with the correct object styles.

[@travisnguyen1475]

@@archoncad As I guessed. In Revit they have feature pick face to apply wall (no need to re-model). Are there this feature in Vectorworks?

[@archoncad]

Travis Nguyen there is a command, it takes a little setting up, but i can’t remember the name of it, i hardly ever use it.

[@travisnguyen1475]

@@archoncad Thank for your information.

[@archoncad]

You are welcome

[@yanranli9072]

Hi, the tutorial is really helpful. on 4:30 I cannot pull out the rectangle to 3D after creating a 2D plan. Do you know how to do it?

[@nathanyu9134]

You have to pull it directly after you made the rectangle, or else it wont work.

[@archoncad]

There are some things you need to do: make sure you are in a 3D view and make sure you have the instant push/pull activated on the tool bar.

Call me whatever you want but I could not understand how you did the hole with circle tool. Can someone explain it detailly?

I did it by holding alt key but still couldn't do that.

[@archoncad]

You have to make sure you are using automatic working planes. The circle has to drawn on the face of the object. Then pull the circle through the object. I have my Vectorworks preferences set to “click - click” drawing. I click to start, then hold down the option or alt key and click to finish. Then left go of the option or alt key.

Jonathan Pickup I do I set my options to automatic as you said click-click option. By the way keep uploading tutorials please.

[@archoncad]

Omer SOYER don’t forget the go though the entire series, then have a look at the 2017 Essential Tutorial I posted.

[@quackasourus2139]

@ dont switch to the push pull tool

[@user-nn5kc5bw7o]

Coming from 3DS MAX and SKETCHUP apps I feel like very noob on this program. Even a single continuous line I can't even do. :((

[@archoncad]

i know how you feel. If you feel like a noob, try the Foundation course. kzbin.info/aero/PLjt2JD0muIE96sU4vM1D_ecYwgXgcfWJy this will giuge you though the most important concepts.

[@Imperialmasters8602]

Please am very new to this program and ive just been inspire by your tutorials could you pls do more videos in the nearest future i really need it Or if you can help me other videos i will be very glad Thank you

[@archoncad]

There are 4 movies on this playlist for getting started with Vectorworks kzbin.info/aero/PLjt2JD0muIE_xSagHUCkStVUIT_wpqWRK other than that, there is a great online course that I have created. it would be perfect for you: store.archoncad.com/courses/general/vectorworks-foundation-2019/

[@GREEEN0606]

which Vectorworks is this

[@archoncad]

This movie is made with with Vectorworks 2019

[@GREEEN0606]

Jonathan Pickup designer, architect i mean on version? Thanks

[@archoncad]

@@GREEEN0606 for this movie I used the Fundamentals workspace, although I have Vectorworks Designer. All the techniques in this movie are available in all versions of Vectorworks.

[@GREEEN0606]

Jonathan Pickup thank you very much

[@archoncad]

You’re welcome

[@dennismccready5404]

Hi Jonathan, I cannot find any video's or help on how to add new textures in my resources. 8hrs now and Im going nuts. BTW, I am working in fundamentals. Any help or guiding me to a source would be helpful. I am trying to image map a custom graphics to an object. Thank You

[@anne-marijeweijers5586]

Hi, i'm working in Dutch so I don't know if I have the good names for it, but when you do CTRL + R you have the resource management (?)(in Dutch it is hulpbronnenbeheer). With this palette you can add a new resource and use it as a texture. You can also find this palette in window (next to cloud) and then select palettes. I've recently started working with VectorWorks but I hope this'll help you ;)

[@archoncad]

Fundamentals can’t add textures

[@petermaslin3354]

When I try to subtract from the object, drag, hold down the option key click, It DOES NOT work, It add another solid within the existing solid. There is nothing to explain what is going on, or how to fix it! Like all the tutorials I have seen on Vectorworks its good when it all works but there is nothing about what to do when it does not!

[@architecturaltechnology6469]

you have to ensure that you are using Automatic working planes, other wise the option (alt) click does not work

[@quackasourus2139]

Dont switch to the push pull tool. After the shape turns red then extrude it and thats when you hit options(alt)

[@Rhinoch8]

@@quackasourus2139 Thanks, that's exactly right! But then, how to subtract if you use the pushpull tool then? I feel the consistencya and logic in vectorworks in not one of its strengths.

[@archoncad]

When you move into the object, it becomes subtract solid.

[@christinajanuszewski1923]

my vectorworks doesn't work as smoothly as yours, namely, when I try to make a square shape on the surface of a cube that I've just made, it just disappears rather than staying behind as yours do. Am I doing something wrong?

[@archoncad]

I am using automatic working planes. Layer planes should also work, but screen plane will not.

[@zzzebo]

@@archoncad, where/how to set preference? Experiencing same issue: rectangle only draws on floor plane. Thanks in advance!

[@archoncad]

after selecting the rectangle tool, go to the Planes pop-up menu. It is on the View bar, about the middle, and it might say "Screen", or "Layer". Change this to Automatic. You can only choose Automatic if you have one of the creation tools (rectangle, circle, oval, etc) active.

[@archoncad]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnzFfH2uic6cmM0 @@zzzebo

[@zzzebo]

@@archoncad thanks so much! giving it another go!

[@dansmith7153]

Thank you

[@archoncad]

You’re welcome.

[@XxMiKe97xXD]

does exist someone in the entire planet that can explain me why i cannot subtract solids with the comand "extrude"????

[@archoncad]

sure, the extrude command is not designed to do that. Try using the instant push pull with the option or alt key.

[@marineadam4322]

thanks!

[@archoncad]

Welcome!

[@archoncad]

I use working planes to control where my objects are created. I have made a movie for you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnzFfH2uic6cmM0

[@hannahsmith5947]

this is literally minecraft i cant lie

[@archoncad]

Minecraft with accuracy...

[@tonchi74]

so annoying

[@archoncad]

what exactly is so annoying?