FAQ

Here is an incomplete list of the VectorWorks hot keys (keys on the keyboard that will do something if you hit them). You can find the complete list in the VectorWorks help. Search for keyboard… 2D Locus tool                         …

This hasn’t happened to me on my Macintosh but on my Windows machine it has, where you start VectorWorks and as it loads up the program it crashes. This is caused by a corrupt workspace. If you can remember what your active workspace was: •    in Windows find the…

If you have a large project how should you set up the drawings? Should you have each drawing as a separate file, or not? Should you use Workgroup Referencing to join files together?The first step is to put as many drawings as you can in the same file. There was…

Sometimes I have to import or export my drawings to DXF or DWG. Importing isn’t such an issue but when you export a VectorWorks drawing to DXG or DWG, how do you know what you are sending, what will it look like when the other person gets it.  Ideally if…

Sometimes you apply a texture to an extruded object and it still won’t render. What’s wrong? Here is a typical example. You’ve made an object and you made the correct texture, but still the texture is not showing up. You can see on the Object Info Palette that I have…

How to save a Corrupt File (maybe)This trick doesn’t always work, so it is a last hope solution. If you can get most of you drawing using this method, you may only have to redraw a small amount. Also, this trick only works with Design Layers, so all the annotations…

Sometimes I get my clients trying to send me large files over the internet. Even if you compress your files you might still have trouble sending large files.  Here is my solution: http://www.yousendit.com/ This site allows you to send large files (up t0 100Mb). The way that it works is…

VectorWorks 12.5 introduces a new rendering options with HDRI backgrounds. HDRI means High Dynamic Range Image and it means that you can create more realistic rendered views. I used to use a program that allowed you to add environment maps, images that would be reflected in shiny objects. That’s what…

Often you want to have a view of your model, so you change to a 3D view. It looks OK, but then you notice all the 2D stuff. Wouldn’t it be nice to get rid of the 2D stuff? You could have it on a class and turn the class off….

If you are interested in buying one of my manuals you might wonder which manual would suit you. I have tried to offer my advice on the manual order page, which says that if you are new to VectorWorks and want to buy the Architect manual, you are advised to…