In this session, we looked at reusing sections for details and we demonstrated the pros and cons of already made 2D details versus hybrid details that combine a live 3D section view with added 2D components.

Topics Covered:

• 00:16    We started the session by opening up a file with a model of a new house. The challenge was that detail information placed on the annotation window of a section viewport couldn’t be easily accessed elsewhere in the project. We wanted to keep the detailing information live to the model while having details that we could use again and again. Using the Edit Section In-Place command allows you to edit your design layers from what looks like a section annotation window. It’s great for looking at your building from the inside—but, if you modify something, you need to be aware of what it is exactly what you’re grabbing hold of. I often have all of my 2D details on a separate design layer in a project file. This enables me to import all of my details from another project by bringing up the New Design Layer dialogue box and, instead of clicking on Create a New Design Layer, I click on Import Design Layer and check the Import Layer Objects box—a real timesaver!
• 09:44    We went through the steps for creating a live section viewport of a 3D model. The rectangle used to create the viewport must be on the screen plane for this to work. We made a copy of the viewport, changed the scale, and zoomed in the cropping to create a detail at a 1:5 scale. This method will save you a lot of time because detailing components added to the annotation window of the live section viewport will show up in each viewport copy that you make.
• 19:57    I have a CMU block symbol that I can add to a section viewport to increase the level of detail. If you build a symbol with care—mine even has the spacing for the joint—then you save time while getting a more realistic look. In the Object Info palette of the Section Viewport, you can select the Display Flattened option, which turns your section into a 2D drawing. The flattened view allows you to combine a live section, which updates from changes to your model, with being able to add the 2D detailing. When you copy a live section viewport to create detail viewports at various scales, you still have the problem of different text sizes. One solution for this is to have a new class for each text size—that way, you can turn them on only when needed.
• 36:27    In this session, we also looked at using referenced detail drawings. While referencing 2D details that you’ve already made is very fast, you need to ensure that the referenced details match your model. If I end up using a different cladding, for example, on my model, I need to change the referenced file. On the other hand, if you base your detail on a live section of your model, you might not have to worry about the cladding being updated, but you will have to redo a lot of the 2D detailing components that you probably already did somewhere else. If you send out drawings for tender or to the building council, you should break the reference so that future changes to the referenced detail files don’t show up on those drawings. Making printings from dated PDFs or utilizing the revision, issue, and date printed notes that Vectorworks provides on title blocks can help to avoid giving a client or building council the wrong set of drawings.

Architect June 2018 am
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Explicit language warning in this video. Someone swore and was warned.

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