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
- Layer and Class Filtering
- Improved Flyover Sensitivity
- Improved Chain Dimensions
Industry Series
- BIM Ready Building Libraries
- Data Tags
- Marionette Improvements
- Bi-Directional Editing in COBie worksheets
- Improved OpenBIM / IFC Export Options
- Improved PDF Workflows
- Improved REVIT Collaboration
- Section Drawing Creation
- Object Catalogues
- Point Cloud Enhancements
- Space Objects: Non-Horizontal Ceilings and Floors
- Space Styles
- Improved Title Block Management
- Project Sharing Diagnostics
- Vehicle Turning Simulation
Vectorworks Architect
- Improved Stairs
- 3D Site Sculpting
Vectorworks Spotlight
- Spotlight Objects in 3D
- Introduction of My Virtual Rig (MVR) Open File Format Container
- 3D Label Legend Improvements
- Improved Lighting Instrument Tool
- Projector Screen Creation Mode
- Spotlight Numbering Command
Vectorworks Landmark
- Improved Stairs
- 3D Site Sculpting
- Plant Data Sources
- Planting Plans: UI Enhancements
- Hardscape Components
Vectorworks Designer
- Improved Stairs
- 3D Site Sculpting
- Plant Data Sources
- Planting Plans: UI Enhancements
- Hardscape Components
- Spotlight Objects in 3D
- Introduction of My Virtual Rig (MVR) Open File Format Container
- 3D Label Legend Improvements
- Improved Lighting Instrument Tool
- Projector Screen Creation Mode
- Spotlight Numbering Command
If you’re interested in purchasing Vectorworks, or have any queries, give us a call or email us on contact@cadsoftwaredirect.com