Architect Special Interest Group August 2017 (am)

In this session, we covered how to set the graphic style of various labels—such as Drawing Labels, Scale Bars, and Detail Callout Markers—and how to use the Curtain Wall tool to powerfully control curtain walls, which can be used for objects such as shop fronts, bay windows, and bookshelves.

Topics Covered:

• 00:17    We started the session by looking at how to change the line weights on a Drawing Label. The simplest way is to use the Attributes palette. But, is there a way to achieve a consistent look for labels from project to project? This is a challenge, especially since labels don’t use styles. We discovered that one solution is to turn the label into a symbol. There’s also a neat trick that will turn the symbol back into a label when you use it in your project. This process is also great for getting a consistent look for a Scale Bar, a Detail Callout Marker, and similar labels and markers. The look of your Detail Callout Markers can be further edited by finding the file where they are stored and changing them there. We experimented with this, changing the looks of a couple different markers. We also looked at changing the graphic style of Section-Elevation Markers—which unfortunately Vectorworks stores in a different file from the Detail Callout Markers! Using the Migration Manager or saving the file to your User folder can help you take these changes with you when you upgrade to a new version of Vectorworks. The Batch Convert command is also an option for making sure that these graphic changes migrate with you into a new Vectorworks version.
• 22:25    Next, we looked at working with shop fronts. We started with a simple wall and turned it into a curtain wall. By modifying its Curtain Wall Grid, we could change the basic curtain wall configuration. But, what really enabled us to make powerful changes was the Edit Curtain Wall tool! This tool helped us quickly change the look of our shop front; it gave us the flexibility to make very dramatic changes. One problem in working with Vectoworks walls is that they must be vertical; but otherwise, the curtain wall settings allowed us great flexibility in the look and function of the shop front. (If you need a wall that isn’t vertical, you must use 3D modeling.) We even make a balustrade very quickly by using a balustrade wall style already in the Vectorworks library and the Edit Curtain Wall tool. It wasn’t perfect, but it was very quick!
• 37:52    Those who have WinDoor can use it to build bay windows; but, not everyone has WinDoor. The curtain wall tools can be used instead. We finished the session by using a curtain wall to make bookshelves—they had a classy, distinctive look and were constructed very quickly!

Architect August 2017 am
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