Forget workarounds and complicated design processes that limit your creativity. If your design software isn’t doing exactly what you need it to, it’s time to move to one that does.
Now’s the time to make the move.
If you’re a new Vectorworks user purchasing a new Vectorworks license, you get a 25% discount PLUS a whole year of VSS absolutely free!
Some greet annual updates with scepticism, some with genuine excitement. Vectorworks provide annual major updates (with free service pack releases throughout the year) and this year sees some significant changes and added features.
There are significant improvements in sections and cut-throughs, Fundamentals loses its access to window and door tools, and there are a range of more minor new features that improve general usability or address gripes.
Changes to Fundamentals
Traditionally, Vectorworks Fundamentals has been pitched as the entry level solution but it has carried within it various tools that are extremely helpful for architectural work. These industry-specific tools will now only be available in design-series packages. The tools that are removed from Fundamentals 2019 are:
Walls
Windows
Doors
Spaces
Columns
Stairs & Ramps
Fundamentals users on VSS when 2019 is released will be entitled to a free upgrade to a design series product (Architect, Landmark or Spotlight) and their VSS will increase slightly upon renewal to reflect the upgrade. Fundamentals users without VSS but wishing to move to 2019 will need to upgrade to Vectorworks Architect to have access once again to those tools.
The price of Vectorworks Fundamentals 2019 has been frozen and it’s anticipated that going forward it will continue to fill a role as a good 2D & 3D application, provide a cost effective alternative to AutoCAD but architects and interior designers will find the design series products more useful. Likewise, anyone looking for a BIM platform will need to be working in a design series product.
New Features Across the Board
2D Components for Hybrid Objects
Image Effects
Clip Cube Options
Subdivision Iterations
Multi-Core Support for Graphics
Improved DWG Import/Export
Vectorworks Graphics Module Available on Sheet Layers
Vectorworks 2019 introduces clip cube support for viewports and Renderworks modes in design layers and sheet layers.
Previously, clip cube supported openGL and WireFrame rendering modes. However, now you will be able to use clip cubes in any rendered view or style, giving you the efficiency and capability you need to create remarkable sections, elevations, and presentation drawings.
The clip cube option is located in the advanced viewport dialog box, along with other preferences, such as changing the fill and edge color or casting shadows of removed objects. To get the full details check out the video below:
“The new clip cube feature is great. We’ve been waiting for the ability to show clip cubes in sheet layer viewports, and now we can,” said Chad Hamilton, AIA, LEED, AP, principal architect at Hamilton + Aitken Architects. “In schematic design, we can make 3D plan views by setting clip cube a few feet above the floor. Or in design development, we can present sections in cutaway axon views to really demonstrate how things relate to each other. This really expands our tools for design presentations.”
Vectorworks are returning again this year with Teaser Tuesday! Here’s your chance for a sneak peek at updates to come in Vectorworks 2019. For the first in the series, here’s a Vectorworks 2019 update that will help you save time and make your workflow even smoother.
Most design files end up with more classes and layers than one can easily manage. In Vectorworks 2019, steps have been taken to increase efficiency by adding the ability to search, filter, and add tags to layers and classes. This means you can instantly find what you’re looking for by typing in a keyword search or using filters to display class and layers based upon specific properties. Watch the video below to see the full capabilities:
“As the amount of data in BIM files increases, it gets harder to find and manage classes and layers,” said Chad Hamilton, AIA, LEED AP, Principal Architect at Hamilton + Aitken Architects. “The new layer and class filters help sort through this information so we can quickly find what we need. This is a huge improvement, especially for offices doing more complex projects.”