Your Guide to Whats New

Cover imagery courtesy of (left to right) DECC S.C. Project by Legoretta + Legoretta; DATENLAND, Erik Recke, www.datenland.de; Modo Forma; Jim Woodward of Exhibit Logic LLC; Michael Schann, www.av1architekten.de
Vectorworks 2011 Your Guide to Whats New
Vectorworks is a registered trademark of Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Adobe, Acrobat and Reader are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems in the U.S. and other countries. The information in this book is distributed on an as is basis, without warranty. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, neither the author nor Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book or by the computer software described in it. For more Vectorworks training information, or to purchase more copies of this book, please visit www.Vectorworks.net/training or call us at (410) 290-5114.
2 Vectorworks 2011 Version

Table of Contents

Introduction...... 7 1. Make 3D as Easy as 2D..... 7
1.01 Improved 3D Environment..... 8 1.02 Push/Pull Tool...... 9 1.03 Extract Planar Objects...... 10 1.04 Improved Face Selection Feedback....11 1.05 SmartCursor Relative Angles.....11 1.06 New Snap Settings.....11 1.07 Back Face Selection Control...... 12 1.08 Extrude Along Path Improvements..... 13
2. Architect: Do BIM Better..... 14
2.01 Improved Space Object..... 14 2.02 New Slab Tool...... 15 2.03 New 3D Wall Components..... 17 2.04 Wall End Caps...... 19 2.05 Design Layer Section Viewport..... 20 2.06 Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)..... 21 2.07 Multi-File Batch Print...... 23 2.08 Improved Window and Door Settings..... 24 2.09 Create Wall Using Core Component for the Control Line.... 24 2.10 IFC Support Improvements..... 24 2.11 Improved Stairs...... 25 2.12 Connect Roof Faces..... 26 2.13 Style Class Removal...... 27
3. Exceptional Text Features..... 28
3.01 Perfect Preview Text Editing..... 28 3.02 Text Styles...... 28 3.03 Improved Text...... 29 3.04 Viewport Text Scale Support...... 30
4. Tap into Power Tools..... 31
4.01 New Scalable Symbols..... 31 4.02 New Tile Fills for 2D Objects...... 32 4.03 Quick Prefs...... 33 4.04 New Select Connected Objects Command.... 33
Vectorworks 2011 Version 3
Vectorworks 2011 Your Guide to Whats New 4.05 General Dimension Improvements..... 34 4.06 Improved Dimension Leader Line..... 34 4.07 Saved Settings for the Eyedropper Tool.... 34 4.08 Line from Center Mode..... 35 4.09 New Even Divide Command..... 35 4.10 New Create Dividing Lines Command..... 35 4.11 Scaled Line Creation...... 36 4.12 New Triangle Tool...... 36 4.13 New Roof Slope Preference..... 36 4.14 Saving Render Settings in Saved Views..... 37 4.15 Improved Witness Line Length Control..... 37 4.16 Improved Nudge for Objects in Walls..... 37 4.17 Offset Group Improvements..... 38 4.18 Rename Referenced Resources..... 38 4.19 New Option to Replace Existing Classes During Class Import.... 39 4.20 Thousands Separators in Dimension Text.... 39 4.21 Number-Aware String Sorting..... 39 4.22 New Worksheet Inquiry Functions..... 40 4.23 Improved Mirror Tool for Objects in Walls..... 40 4.24 Resource Browser Library Access Improvements.... 40 4.25 Disassociate Dimensions Context Menu Command..... 41 4.26 Delete Symbol Completely..... 41 4.27 Prevent In Place Duplications..... 41 4.28 Closed Checkbox for Polylines..... 42 4.29 New Adjust Flipped Text Document Preference.... 42 4.30 Double Line Marker..... 42 4.31 Improve Section Line Instances Dialog..... 42
5. Simplify File Exchange..... 43
5.01 Improved File Sizes..... 43 5.02 Improved Support of Hatches..... 43 5.03 Improved Export of Planar Objects..... 43 5.04 DXF/DWG Export of Design Layer Viewports..... 43 5.05 Import/Export Support for Arc Length Dimensions.... 44 5.06 ISO Dash Styles..... 44

Sub-Face Mode (previously named Extrude Curve mode in earlier versions) now recognizes planar geometry as well as NURBS curves and now dynamically highlights regions defined by the planar geometry and the solid body. Note: See also Improved 3D Environment (pg 8).
3D Modeling tool set: Push/Pull (or press Shift+R).
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1.03 Extract Planar Objects
Vectorworks 2011 adds a new preference option for the Extract tools Extract Surface Mode planar objects (polygons or polylines) by selecting planar faces of existing 3D objects. Some examples of the many uses for extracted planar objects include: Creating custom details. Displaying hatch and tile fill stylesspecified in the Attributes palettein 3D views. Creating temporary polygons and polylines to quickly find the perimeter and/or surface area displayed in the Shape tab of the Object Info paletteof a model face or straight wall segment. Permanently or temporarily hiding objects or edges behind a face in Wireframe view mode. Creating source objects that you can then use (as-extracted or modified) as the basis for creating other new objects, or for modifying existing objects. that lets you create new 2D
You can toggle the new Create Planar Objects option in the Extract Preferences dialog box: 3D Modeling tool set: Extract Preferences. (or press Shift+L). In the Tool bar, enable Extract Surface Mode , and then click Extract
Keep in mind the following tips and considerations when using extracted planar objects in your models: To see 2D object fills in Wireframe rendering mode, enable the Show fills in planar objects in 3D views optionand adjust the Fill Opacity percentage as necessaryin the Wireframe Options dialog box (accessed from the View > Rendering > Wireframe Options or Current Render Mode menus). To see 2D object fills in OpenGL rendering mode, enable the Use Planar Attributes option in the OpenGL Options dialog box (accessed from the View > Rendering > OpenGL Options or Current Render Mode menus). You can double-click a planar face to activate its working plane. You can then use other 2D drawing tools to draw coplanar objects. You can use the Push/Pull tool to dynamically extrude planar objects.

1.04 Improved Face Selection Feedback
Vectorworks 2011 removes the previous versions limitation of selecting faces by their edges. You can now click anywhere on a 3D face to select it, which makes the face selection process more intuitive and accurate. You can confidently verify pre-selected or selected faces because the entire face is now highlighted (instead of just edges) for the following tools: Shell Solid tool Fillet Edge tool Chamfer Edge tool (when the Select Faces preference option is enabled) (when the Select Faces preference option is enabled) or Extract Surface Mode is enabled, and you can
Extract tool (when Extract Iso-parametric Curve Mode now extract iso-parametric curves at any point on a 3D face) Push/Pull tool Note: See also Back Face Selection Control (pg 12).
3D Modeling tool set: (Multiple tools and editing modes).
1.05 SmartCursor Relative Angles
Vectorworks 2011 adds the new Angles relative to prior segment preference that enables or disables (default) angle snapping measured from the last segment drawn of a multi-segment objectsuch as a polygon or polylineby the angle value(s) specified.
You can toggle or specify angles for the new Angles relative to prior segment preference option in the SmartCursor Settings dialog boxs Angle category: Menu: Tools > SmartCursor Settings--or press Ctrl+8 (Windows), Cmd+8 (Macintosh)--and then select the Angle category. You can also toggle this option by pressing the forward slash hotkey (/).

1.06 New Snap Settings

New snap settings for Vectorworks 2011 are summarized as follows: Suspend Snapping hotkey: You can now temporarily disable all snapswhile preserving snap preference settingsby holding down the backquote key (`). Snap to Combined Page Area preference: Enables (default) or disables snapping to the rectangle surrounding all of the pages. Snap to Individual Pages preference: Enables or disables (default) snapping to the boundaries of each page. Angles From Axes preference: Enables (default) or disables snapping to the angle value(s) specified in the adjacent field.
Vectorworks 2011 Your Guide to Whats New Alternate Coordinate System at angle preference: Enables or disables (default) four angle snaps offset from X, Y axes by the positive or negative angle value specified in the adjacent field. Snap to line between Smart Points preference: Enables (default) or disables the snap line displayed between two Smart Points when you move the cursors snap box anywhere directly between two Smart Points. Suppress extensions from nearby Smart Points preference: Suppresses (default) or allows extensions from Smart Points inside the current snap radius.

2. Architect: Do BIM Better
Vectorworks Architect 2011 makes BIM more accessible and introduces new state-of-the-art capabilities with the following design and documentation enhancements: Space objects are now more flexible and easier to create and customize with symbol-based tags, auto-numbering (with formulas, styles, and validation), extensive display and boundary controls, and new user-defined and IFC additional data fields. New slab objects, 3D wall components, and wall end caps interact intelligently with each other, enabling partial-height wall elements and structurally correct intersections at wall tops and bottoms that conform to standard graphical conventions and yield accurate material and cost reports. Section viewports can now be created on design layers to show live cutaway model views from any angle or to share 2D section geometry via referencing or exporting/importing. Data sharing improvements now provide full connectivity with ODBC databases, and increase interoperability with other IFCenabled products. Batch printing now works across multiple files. Simplified window, door, and stair interfaces, plus more configuration and display options for stair objects. Roof face objects can now be connected, enabling quick and accurate creation of complex and irregular roof shapes.
2.01 Improved Space Object

Product: Architect

Vectorworks Architect 2011 significantly enhances space object flexibility and BIM intelligence with extensive new configuration, display, and data options. Key improvements for space objects are summarized as follows: The redesigned user interface is now easier to navigate, streamlines the process of configuring space objects, and lets you choose which property controls are displayed in the Object Info palette. Graphic tags are now symbol-based. You can choose from a variety of standard tag symbols, or create your own custom tag symbols. Area boundary definitions and calculations are now much more flexible and compliant. You can now configure and create space numbers easily, based on formulas. The new versatile and simple auto-numbering system speeds up the process of creating space objects and reduces errors. You can now define your own attributes for all space object elements. There are now more BIM and facility-based data fields. You can now add and extract information for Zones and other IFC data.

2.03 New 3D Wall Components
Vectorworks Architect 2011 adds new properties to wall components that let you control the height of a wall styles components individually, so you can create realistic walls and accurate junctions where walls meet floor and ceiling slab objects. Specifically, the new wall component properties let you: Control heights of individual components by specifying top and bottom offsets between the wall and component. Choose whether individual components will follow top and/or bottom wall peaks, or if they will always be flat. Create more realistic section viewports (on sheet layers or design layers) through automatic adjustment of component heights according to boundary options specified for components of slabs that are auto-bound to walls. Continue assigning textures for wall parts (which have been expanded to now include overall, left, right, start cap, end cap, top, bottom, and holes) or use new options to either assign textures to individual wall components, or use the class texture of the wall components class. Accurately display wall components in wall features, and you can optionally specify wrap options for wall components in wall features created from 2D objects. Note that for proper 3D component display, wrapping options were removed for wall features created from 3D objects. Extract more accurate volume and surface area data from wall components with two new inquiry functions for worksheets: ComponentArea(#) and ComponentVolume(#) (# is the component number).
Building Shell tool set: Wall (or press 9), or Round Wall or press Alt+9 (Windows), Option+9 (Macintosh). Then in the Tool bar, select a wall style (if applicable), and then click Wall Preferences. In the Definition tab of the Wall Tool Preferences dialog box, click New or Edit in the Components section. You can then specify wall offset distances and wall peak following options for the components top and bottom edges.
Keep in mind the following tips and considerations when using the new 3D wall components: As a general rule for proper interaction with slab objects, set the top and/or bottom heights of wall components such that they reside within the top and/or bottom vertical limits of any associated slab(s). For example, avoid conditions where first floor wall components protrude into the vertical space of the second-floor slab(s) if theyre not associated with the second-floor slab(s). As an example of an exception to the general rule above, the first floor walls could extend into the vertical space above the next storys slab if only a roof was above--and there are no other walls between the first floor and roof. As a starting point for proper display of wall components in sheet layer and design layer section viewports, adjust the section viewports Advanced Properties settings as follows: In the Attributes tab, enable the Separate Cross Sections and Use Attributes of Original Objects options, and in the Display tab, enable the Show Wall and Slab Components and Merge Adjacent Components with Same Fill options. Note that you may need to assign or modify the fill attribute of some wall components for proper display. If you cannot move a wall objects wall peaks with the 3D Reshape tool, edit the wall styles component(s) and check if either or both of the Follow Top Wall Peaks or Follow Bottom Wall Peaks options are disabled. You must enable these options to move the corresponding wall peaks.

The following steps describe the general process for connecting data in an external ODBC database to record fields attached to Vectorworks drawing objects: Note: See all Tips and Considerations below before continuing. You start by installing drivers for your operating systems ODBC manager, and then you create data source names for your database file(s). 1. Launch your operating systems ODBC Data Source Administrator tool, and then: If applicable, install the appropriate driver(s). Create data source names for your database file(s). Next, you connect the Vectorworks document to the desired data source. 2. From the menu, select Tools > Database > Manage Databases to display the Manage Databases dialog box. 3. Click Connect, and then in the Database Connection dialog box, select one of the defined data source names or enable the Use Connection String option and enter the connection string. Click OK to connect the database and automatically list the database and its (indented) tables in the Available Databases column.
Vectorworks 2011 Your Guide to Whats New 4. Click the desired table, and verify or adjust the default key column. 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to connect another database (if necessary). Next, you define how the Vectorworks record format fields connect to the desired database table columns. 6. From the menu, select Tools > Database > Record Format Connection to display the Record Format Database Connection dialog box. 7. If record formats are displayed in the list, go to step 8. Otherwise, click New, and then create the desired record format(s). 8. Select the desired record format and click Edit, and then in the Edit Record Format dialog box. Enable the Database Connection option. Select the desired database name and table from the drop-down lists. Select each field to connect (one at a time), and then click Edit. In the Edit Field dialog box, select the desired column and link type (select Read/Write for bi-directional associativity) from the drop down lists, and then click OK. Click OK to close the dialog box and save the field connection settings. Next you connect database rows to instances of the record format (from the previous step), which are attached to drawing objects. For a single drawing object, go to step 9. To connect multiple unresolved drawing objects, go to step 13. 9. In the drawing area, select the object you want to connect to the database. 10.In the Object Info palette, select the Data tab and then: In the Record Formats section, verify that the record format from step 8 is enabled (if not, enable it). In the Record Fields section, notice the default or missing values of the record formats fields. Click Object Database Connection (or from the menu, select Tools > Database > Object Connection). 11.In the Object Database Connection dialog box: Select a record from the Available Records drop-down list (if its not already active). Select Use Selected Database Table Row (or select Add New Database Table Row and add a row). Select the table row to connect. Click OK to close the dialog box and save the row connection. 12.In the Object Info palette, notice that the record format fields now display the table rows data. Go to step 17. 13.In the drawing area, select the objects you want to search. Next, you use data from one field to populate the data in other fields of the same record as well as built-in search functions to find unresolved objects in the current selection. 14.From the menu, select Tools > Database > Object Connection. In the Multiple Object Database Connection dialog box: Select the Find Row by Value option. Select the Find by Value column of a field where data exists in all or most of the selected records. A check mark is placed in the column, and a query is sent to the database. If a record in the Vectorworks file contains a value in this field that matches the value of the same field in the database file, data in all other connected fields are retrieved from the database files record. These data automatically populate the corresponding fields in the Vectorworks record (which then resolves the drawing object its attached to, and updates the quantities in the status messages to the right). If any objects are still unresolved, select another fields Find by Value column (if applicable), and check the status. If necessary, repeat the above step until either all objects are resolved or you cant resolve any additional objects by selecting any Find by Value column. Select the deselect resolved objects option, and then click OK. If no objects are selected, go to step 17. Otherwise, click Fit To Objects in the View bar, and note which (unresolved) objects are selected. 15.Clear the current selection, and then one at a time, select the unresolved objects and enter an appropriate key field value in the Object Info palettes Data tab (or worksheet, if present--see Tips and Considerations).

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Various tabs of the Stair Settings dialog box: Building Shell tool set: Stair.

2.12 Connect Roof Faces

Vectorworks 2011 now lets you use two of the Connect/Combine Tool modeswith a new preference settingto connect roof face objects, so you can create complex and irregular roof shapes quickly and accurately: Single Object Connect Mode. The first-clicked roof face is extended (when disjointed) or trimmed (when intersecting; the clicked part is kept) to the boundary of the second-clicked roof face, which remains unmodified. Dual Object Connect Mode. If the roof faces being connected are intersecting, both roof faces are split at the intersection, and only the clicked parts of both roof faces are kept. If they are disjointed, the clicks on both roof faces determine the projected intersection to which both roof faces are extended to.
Basic palette: Connect/Combine Tool , or press the ; key. In the Tool bar, choose either Single Object Connect Mode or Dual Object Connect Mode , and then optionally click Connect/Combine Roof Faces Preferences to display the Connect/Combine Settings dialog box, where you can toggle the new Use Vertical Thickness of Subject Roof Face option. This option controls whether the boundary roof faces vertical thickness will be changed as necessary to match the subject roof faces vertical thickness (enabled) or if the boundary roof faces vertical thickness will not be changed (disabled).
Keep in mind the following tips and considerations when using the Connect/Combine Tool to connect roof face objects: You can use the Create Roof command to quickly model the basic roof components (with standard shapes) of your complex roof designs. If you do, you must ungroup roof objects to connect resultant roof faces with other roof face objects using the Connect/Combine tool. Duplicate a roof face object in placebefore using the Connect/Combine toolif it will be trimmed by more than one connecting operation with other roof face objects.

2.13 Style Class Removal

Vectorworks 2011 replaces the Style-# classes for part attribute assignments of plug-in objects with user-definable classes that respond to the current documents class definitions and preserve class attributes in all standard editing contexts.

You can set a viewports Text Scale value in the Advanced Viewport Properties dialog box: Object Info palette: Click Advanced Properties.

4. Tap into Power Tools

Vectorworks 2011 increases your productivity with the following improvements: New symbol properties allow symmetric or asymmetric scaling of symbol instances. A new 2D tile fill attribute with interactive editor for dynamically creating fill patterns. New options to display commonly used preferences on the Tool bar. New tools and options for creating, selecting, and editing objects. More controls and options for creating and displaying dimensions, new capabilities for re-positioning multiple dimensions, and new dynamic controls for independently adjusting dimension leader and witness lines. Data entry, extraction, and text sorting improvements. Saved views can now optionally preserve render mode settings. More options for deleting, renaming, and managing resources. Classes imported from standard files can now replace attributes of existing class definitions (without breaking any class associations), forcing common classes to comply with company drawing standards. Compatibility improvements for exchanging DXF/DWG data. Plug-in objects that previously required Style-# classes for part attribute assignments now accept any user-defined class.
4.01 New Scalable Symbols
Vectorworks 2011 adds new properties to symbols that let you apply symmetric or asymmetric scale factors to symbol instances. To take full advantage of scaling, symbol definitions now include a new Units option, which must be set to one of two states: Page-based: The symbol instance is automatically sized relative to the instances page environment. As an example, a pagebased units symbol created from a 1 x 1 square would be drawn at a size of 25 x 25 (with its Scaling property set to None) when inserted on a 1:25 scale design layer. Symbols with page-based units can only be scaled symmetrically. World-based: The symbol instance is always sized in world dimensions, regardless of the symbol instances page environment. If the example symbol (above) was changed to world-based units, it would be drawn at a size of 1 x 1 when inserted on a 1:25 scale design layer.

4.21 Number-Aware String Sorting
In Vectorworks 2011, many alphanumeric lists that contain numbers will now sort more intuitively, so you wont have to maintain numbering schemes with extra 0 (zero) prefixes to control list sorting of file structure elements, drawing resources, and object parameter/ database record data.
Multiple locations: Examples of columnar and dropdown list locations include dialog boxes, palettes, the Resource Browser, and worksheets.
4.22 New Worksheet Inquiry Functions
Vectorworks 2011 adds three new inquiry functions for worksheets that return the insertion points drawing coordinate for symbols, point plug-ins, and loci: XCoordinate (criteria): Returns the X coordinate of the object relative to the user origin. YCoordinate (criteria): Returns the Y coordinate of the object relative to the user origin. ZCoordinate (criteria): Returns the Z coordinate of the object relative to the objects layer plane.
You can access new worksheet formatting options in the Select Function dialog box. Worksheet drop-down menu: Paste Function.
4.23 Improved Mirror Tool for Objects in Walls
The Mirror tool now mirrors one or more selected objects in a straight or round wall segment. When you select objects in a wall, the Mirror tool now automatically constrains the mirror axis line perpendicular with the wall, and then mirrors the objects along the wall. The resultant mirrored objects: Remain inserted in the wall if they are completely inside the wall boundary. Are removed from the wall if any portion extends beyond the wall boundary. Note: You cannot use the Mirror tool on multiple selected objects in different wall segments.
Select one or more objects in a wall, and then from the Basic palette, click Mirror or press =.
4.24 Resource Browser Library Access Improvements
Vectorworks 2011 adds a new Libraries section to the Resource Browsers File drop-down list that includes shortcuts to the application, user, and workgroup library folders. When you select a library shortcut, the folders contents are instantly displayed in the Open dialog box.
Resource Browser Files drop-down list: In the Libraries section, select Vectorworks Libraries, or User Libraries, or Workgroup [number] Libraries (folder name) (if workgroup and project folders are designated in the User Folders tab of the Vectorworks Preferences dialog box).

Vectorworks 2011 Your Guide to Whats New 4. Select an individual wall, or use the Select Connected Objects command to select connected wall segments. 5. From the menu, select (Designer) AEC > Terrain > Create Retaining Wall Site Modifier or (Landmark) Landmark > Create Retaining Wall Site Modifier. In the Create Retaining Wall Site Modifier box, adjust settings for the following: Pad Left side Right side 6. Click OK to create the retaining wall site modifier object, which is selected by default. 7. From the 3D Modeling tool set, click 3D Reshape , and then reshape the side edge(s) as necessary.
Keep in mind the following tips and considerations when using retaining wall site modifiers: After creation, the retaining wall site modifier object has no association with the wall network it was created from. Use a negative value for the pad modifiers Vertical Offset for conditions where the excavation required is deeper than the walls (such as for sand and/or gravel fills). You can also use retaining wall site modifiers to fine-tune existing site models. If you move the walls or modify the wall network instead of reshaping the site modifier, you may find it faster and more accurate to delete the retaining wall site modifier--and then select the wall(s) and run the Create Retaining Wall Site Modifier command again. If the invalid selection warning dialog box is repeatedly displayedeven after rejoining all connectionstry selecting fewer wall segments and then repeating the command to create the retaining wall from multiple site modifiers (you can edit site modifiers paths as necessary to remove overlaps).
6.02 New Existing Tree Tool
Vectorworks Landmark 2011 introduces the new Existing Tree Document existing site plants for evaluation before construction work or landscaping. Accurately represent remaining trees in 2D and 3D views. Manage individual trees or entire groups of trees. tool that lets you:
Key features of the new existing tree object are summarized as follows: Extensive size, shape, display (2D and 3D), and status parameters for each treeeven trees of the same specieslet you accurately depict existing site conditions and track the disposition of each tree. Several data fields for status are included so you can organize, display, and manage data effectively for large tracts. You can optionally auto-number trees, and manually override auto-numbers. For rapid visual reference, you can optionally apply different 2D display attributes to indicate significance or identify keep clear areas for root and tree protection zones.
Site Planning tool set: Existing Tree.
The following steps describe the general process for initially configuring the Existing Tree tool and placing existing tree objects in a drawing: If you have modified the data in your Landmark Plant Database and you want to use your own data with the Existing Tree tool, start with step 1 to create an existing tree list. Otherwise, start with step 5. 1. From the menu, select Landmark > VW Plants Database. The Vectorworks Landmark plant database opens in a separate window. 2. If you want to use all of your plant database records, select Records > Show All Records from the plant database menu (if only a subset is currently found) and then go to step 4. Otherwise, continue with step 3 to find a subset of records. 3. In the Status Area, click Find to activate Find mode. Enter appropriate search criteria (see Search Tips below) to find the subset of records you want to use with the Existing Tree tool, and then click in the Status Area to display the records in Browse mode. Search Tips: 1) You can also use operators from the Symbols menu (in the Status Area) in combination with truncated names or specific letters to find records. 2) In Find mode, click in a field and then Press Ctrl+I (Windows) or Cmd+I (Macintosh) to open the View Index dialog box, which displays the complete list of the active fields values for all records. You can then scroll down the list (or start typing a name to jump directly to it) and double-click a value to paste it in the active field. 4. From the plant database menu, select File > Create Existing Tree List. In the Create Existing Tree List dialog box, click OK to replace the Existing Tree list with data from your currently found records. Next, you set defaults for the Existing Tree tool. from the Tool bar.

5. From the Site Planning tool set, click Existing Tree , and then select Preferences 6. In the Object Properties dialog box, set defaults as desired for: Species data Autonumbering ID tag 2D and 3D appearance (including the selection of 2D component symbols)
Important: To optimally control visibility and/or graphical attributes of existing tree elements, specify classing wherever possible while setting the default properties. Next, you adjust attributes of classes specified for existing tree elements. 7. From the menu, select Tools > Organization. In the Organization dialog box, select the Classes tab, and then for each class specified for existing tree elements: Enable the Use at Creation option. Adjust graphical attributes as desired. For classes specified for the canopy and trunk elements, set the texture (Renderworks required) or display color for 3D views. If you want to display a marker, set the marker and line style for the class specified for the tag element.
Vectorworks 2011 Your Guide to Whats New Next, you place existing trees in the drawing. 8. From the Site Planning tool set, click Existing Tree. Click once in the drawing to specify the insertion point, and then click again to set the rotation. If the Object Properties dialog box is displayed, go to step 6. If not, you can continue placing existing trees (press the X key to exit the tool), and then edit their parameters in the Object Info palette. Notes: 1) The appearance of an existing tree may not match its 2D settings until certain parameters have been specified in the Object Info palette. As examples, the symbols specified for Retain or Remove will not display until you specify the Action; the significance color will not display until you set the significance. This helps you determine at a glance which trees still require your input. 2) The parameters of groups of selected trees, or trees on a specific layer, or all trees can be set in a single operation with the Apply options in various Existing Tree dialog boxes. 3) Indicate the location of important and less important areas of the site by specifying the significance of each tree or group of trees.
Keep in mind the following tips and considerations when using the new Existing Tree tool: You can quickly create a schedule for existing trees by importing the Existing Tree Schedule worksheet from the Existing Tree Schedule.vwx file (from the Resource Browser Files drop-down list, select Vectorworks Libraries in the Libraries section; in the Open dialog box, navigate to the Defaults > Reports~Schedules > Landmark Schedules folder, then open the Existing Tree Schedule.vwx file). In your own site drawings with multiple existing trees, you can create a worksheet to use as an existing tree console to enter parameter data quickly, or select trees in the drawing directly from the worksheet.

6.03 New Grade Tool

Vectorworks Landmark 2011 adds a new Grade tool that lets you annotate terrain slopes on site plan documents. The new parametric grade object can optionally act as a site model pad modifier and, when placed in series, can be used to show (or control) slope characteristics across a surface or identify problem areas by highlighting and/or temporarily selecting grade objects whose grades or elevations fall outside the specified analysis criteria range(s). There are three primary grade object modes for controlling the difference in elevation and grade percentage between two points you specify: Use Grade Object Heights: Lets you specify custom heights for both points with absolute values--or with an absolute value for either point and the other point as a relative elevation or grade percentage. Use Heights from Site Model: Automatically extracts the heights from the existing or proposed site models elevation at both points. Change Site Model (Use Grade as Pad Modifier): Lets you specify custom heights (as above in the first mode) and then inserts the grade object as a site modifier for the existing or proposed site model. After you create the grade object, you must update the site model to incorporate the change.

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6.09 Improved 2D Site Model Plans
Vectorworks 2011 includes the following improvements for 2D site model plans: A more robust algorithm for 2D Contour (smoothed) display mode now eliminates overlapping or disappearing contours. You can now specify contrasting colors in new individual controls for existing and proposed colors of major and minor 2D contours to accentuate the differences in Proposed + Existing 2D display mode.
You can change colors for major/minor existing/ proposed 2D contours in the Site Model tab of the Graphic Properties dialog box: (New site model) Menu: AEC > Terrain > Create Site Model or Landmark > Create Site Model. (Existing site model): Double-click a site model, or right-click a site model and select Edit from the context menu. Alternately, you can select a site model and click Site Model Settings in the Object Info palette. In the Site Model Settings dialog box, click Graphic Properties, and then select the Site Model tab.
6.10 Improved Site Model Update
In Vectorworks 2011, site model updates are now faster, and the new Save site model cache document preference optionwhen enabled (default setting)eliminates the requirement for a site model update each time the file is opened (but increases site models file size). Disabling this option reduces the site models file size, but requires a site model update each time the file is opened (as in previous versions). Note: The Object Info palette now only displays the Projected Area for a site model (it no longer displays the projected area for the proposed and existing states).
You can toggle the Save site model cache option in the Display tab of the Document Preferences dialog box: Menu: File > Document Settings > Document Preferences, or right-click a blank area in the drawing and select Document Preferences from the context menu. Alternately, you can click on the far right side of the Tool bar and select VectorWorks Preferences and then select the Display tab. To update a site model: Right-click a site model and select Update from the context menu, or select a site model and click Update in the Object Info palette.
6.11 New Site Model Volume List
The new Create Site Model Volume List command creates reportsto provide verification for reviewers or approving agenciesthat document all individual calculations used in the creation of the overall cut and fill volume. You can choose to create an individual report, or simultaneously create any combination of reports in the following formats: Tab-delimited text file Groups consisting of triangles with report data in text blocks, placed directly on top of the site models corresponding surface triangles Worksheet (only if the limit of 4000 rows for worksheets is not exceeded)

Visualization tool set: RenderWorks Camera Menu: View > Create Viewport.
The following steps describe the general process for creating a linked sheet layer viewport from a RenderWorks camera:
Vectorworks 2011 Version 59
Vectorworks 2011 Your Guide to Whats New 1. Activate the design layer where you want to place the camera, and then activate the Top/Plan view. 2. From the View bar: Adjust visibility of all layers and classes that will affect the view. Enable Unified View mode (if applicable). Adjust the zoom level (if necessary) so that the intended viewer location is visible in the drawing area. 3. From the Visualization tool set, click RenderWorks Camera. Click to specify the cameras viewer location, and then click to specify the cameras target. If this is the first camera in the file, the Object Properties dialog box is displayed. If not, go to step 5. 4. Adjust settings in the Object Properties dialog box as desired, and then click OK. 5. Press the X key once to exit the tool and display the camera grips. In the Top/Plan view, adjust the camera viewing location, target, or viewing angle as necessary by clicking the appropriate grip, and then clicking again to reposition it. 6. In the Object Info palette, adjust settings as necessary, then click Fine Tune Camera View to display the Perspective View Controls dialog box and activate the camera view. Adjust the sliders as necessary and verify the settings as the view dynamically updates. When finished, click OK to save the settings. 7. With the RenderWorks camera still selected, select View > Create Viewport from the menu. In the alert dialog box, click Yes to use the camera for the viewports view. In the Create Viewport dialog box: Enter a viewport name and drawing title. Select the sheet layer to place it on (or create a new sheet layer). Change any other parameters as necessary (View and Projection parameters are set by the camera). Click OK to create the sheet layer viewport and automatically move the camera inside the viewport. 8. If you right-click a viewport and select Edit Camera from the context menu, you can: Edit the linked cameras settings, which subsequently affect the viewports view. Remove the link between the viewport and camera by pressing the Delete key. Paste a RenderWorks camera object into an unlinked viewport to create a link between them.
Keep in mind the following tips and considerations when using cameras linked with viewports: The linked cameras render mode does not affect the viewports render mode. You can create a viewport with a linked camera to preserve the starting point for walk-throughs in perspective views. To do this, right-click the viewport and select Edit Camera from the context menu. With the camera selected in edit camera mode, select OpenGL from the Object Info palettes Render Mode drop-down list, and then enable the Auto Update 3D View option. Press Shift+U (for the Walkthrough tool shortcut). When finished, click the orange Return to Viewport button in the upper-right corner of the drawing area. The viewports original camera view is restored.

Note: Before you continue, view the animation of steps 3 through 9 (AGSx03_03-09.mov file from the DVDs Movies folder or www.nemetschek. net/training/2011/architect-2011-getting-startedguide.php).
3. Draw four connected walls in clockwise order, starting at the lower left corner, approximately where shown at left (use the page border for approximate positional reference): Draw the first two segments, and then use angle snaps and acquire a Smart Point (see Note 2 on p. 17) at the starting vertex to control the length of the third segment to keep the walls square.
Notes: 1) Drawing exterior connected walls in a clockwise direction ensures that the interior and exterior sides are oriented correctly. 2) Before you draw the last segment, pause the cursor briefly over the starting vertex until the Smart Point is acquired (red box displayed). Pause the cursor one time to acquire a Smart Point; pause the cursor a second time to clear a smart point.
4. From the Basic tools palette, cclick the Selection Tool. In the Tool bar, make sure the Enable Connected Walls Mode option is enabled. Drag two of the walls to verify the connections, as shown at right. Next, you draw the L-shaped exterior walls that define the perimeter of the functional area and living room. 5. Press the 9 key for the Wall tool shortcut. Use the same drawing technique to draw six connected walls in clockwise order, starting at the lower left, approximately where shown. 6. Press the X key for the Selection Tool shortcut. Drag various walls from the L-shaped room to verify the connections, as shown.
Applying Geometric Constraints to Walls
Next, you apply colinear constraints to four walls to maintain the distance between them and their alignment. 7. Press the X key twice to clear the current selection. click the Zoom tool. In the Tool bar, make sure Marquee Zoom Mode is active, and then draw a marquee around the area shown (at left) to zoom in. From the Dims/Notes tool set, hold down the left mouse button on the Constrain Coincident tool to open the flyout palette, and then click Constrain Colinear , as shown below.
8. Click the midpoints of the wall segments in order, (shown below) to place colinear constraints between the midpoints and constrain the walls along their centerlines (notice the horizontal colinear constraint indicators ), shown in the next figure. If either constraint fails, zoom in and try again.
9. Press the X key and then drag one of the upper and one of the lower constrained walls to verify the constraints (both constrained walls move together), as shown at left. Press the X key twice to clear the current selection. From the View bar, click Fit to Page Area to adjust the display.

Adjusting Dimension Preferences
Next, you verify or adjust dimension creation and precision preferences. 10. Right-click a blank area and select Document Preferences. In the Document Preferences dialog box, select the Dimensions tab. Verify or adjust settings (8 Mils [.2032mm]) as shown, and then click OK.
11. From the menu, select File > Document Settings > Units. In the Units dialog box, select the General Display and Dimensions tab. Verify or adjust settings, as shown at left. Select the Dual Dimensions tab, and then verify or adjust settings as shown at right. Click OK to save the settings.
Dimension Notes: 1) Associative dimensions attach themselves to drawing objects by placing parametric constraints on vertices of selected geometry. Parametric constraints let dimensions move and update values when you move or resize associated geometry, or (for linear and chain dimensions only) modify associated geometry if you change the Length parameter. 2) To turn off display of the parametric constraints, select Tools > Options > Vectorworks Preferences from the menu, and then select the Display tab and turn off the Show Parametric Constraints option (leave the display on for these exercises). 3) If the Associative Dimensions option is disabled, any dimensions you create will not be attached toor controlgeometry you snap to. 4) The Dimension Exterior Walls command optionally creates associative dimensions, but it cannot create them for all objects. 5) Refer to the Online Helps Associative Dimensioning topic for more information. 6) In your own files, you can create or import custom dimension standards and use them individually or replace default standards (in the active drawing only) if you need to adjust any parameters such as Offset Text size. Refer to the Online Helps Using Custom Dimension Standards topic for more information. 7) For your own drawings with dimensions based on multiple standards, you can set the current dimension standard from the Tool bar when any dimension tool is active.

Dimensioning Walls

Next, you use the Dimension Exterior Walls command to automatically dimension the first-floor exterior walls. 12. From the menu, select AEC > Dimension Exterior Walls. In the Dimension Exterior Walls dialog box, adjust settings as shown at right, and then click OK to create the dimensions. Press the X key twice to clear the current selection. Examine the completed dimensions, shown below (your values will vary; you remove duplicate dimensions later in this exercise).

Dynamically Adjusting the Layout
Next, you use different methods to dynamically resize and reposition the exterior walls as you continue to refine the building envelope. 13. From the Basic tools palette, click the Selection Tool. In the Tool bar, make sure the Enable Connected Walls Mode option is active. Drag individual connected wall segments, starting with the vertical walls from right to left, and then the horizontal walls from top to bottom, approximately as shown at left. As you would when you dynamically refine spatial relationships in your own designs, try to get within 1-0 [.305m] of the dimensions shown (do not reposition dimensions until later in this exercise). Notice that the dimensions update to reflect changes and provide instant positional and size feedback as you adjust the layout (leave the Selection Tool active for the next four steps).
14. In the Tool bar, click the click the Enable Connected Walls Mode option to disable it, and then make sure the Enable 2D Cursor Rectangular Selection Mode option is enabled. Draw a marquee selection as shown at left. Move the entire selection by dragging any selected wall to the right until the distance between the rooms is between 27-0 [8.230m] and 29-0 [8.839m], as shown at right (notice that all selected walls and dimensions move together). Now that the closed loop move operation is complete, reset the default status of the Enable Connected Walls Mode option by pressing the P key to toggle (enable) it.
Warning: Drag closed loops with the Enable Connected Walls Mode option disabled only when all connected walls are selected. Partial selections will be disconnected from unselected walls. Tip: You can use the 2D Reshape tool to resize subsets of selected walls. For step by step instructions from the Architect Getting Started website, see www.nemetschek.net/training/ 2011/architect-2011-getting-started-guide.php.
Precisely Adjusting the Layout
Next, you edit the length parameter of key dimensions to precisely adjust the size and position of all walls.
15. Double-click the vertical dimension text to activate editing mode, as shown at the far left. Click the bottom fix point (circled for clarity) to select it, or press the Tab key repeatedly to toggle fix points until the bottom fix point is selected. Enter a new value of 159 [4.801m], and then press Enter to accept the new value. The dimension and walls update to reflect the change, as shown in the next image.
16. Repeat the length parameter editing process for the other five key dimensions in the order shown. Click or use the Tab key to control the fixed positions (circled, with corresponding key dimension numbers) as required (see Note below ). Dimension 1: 26'1" [7.950m] Dimension 2: 21'9" [6.629m] Dimension 3: 28'9" [8.763m] Dimension 4: 15'9" [4.801m] Dimension 5: 9'9" [2.972m]

Next, you use the Wall Join tool to clean up wall intersections and corners. 4. Press the X key twice to clear the current selection. From the Building Shell tool set, click Wall Join , then click L Join Mode in the Tool bar. Click wall segments in order, approximately where shown The wall corners are joined and trimmed, as shown.
Note: To save time, you skip the repetitive process of applying geometric constraints to the second floor walls to link their length and position with mating walls on the first floor. If you want to apply these optional constraints or learn about related design benefits not covered in this tutorial, save your file now and refer to the step-by-step instructions from the Architect Getting Started website; see www.nemetschek. net/training/2011/architect-2011-getting-startedguide.php. After applying the constraints, you can continue with the next step.

Drawing Remaining Walls

Next, you draw the remaining interior second-floor walls in their approximate positions. 6. From the Building/Shell tool set, click Wall. In the Tool bar, make sure the 4.5 [114.3mm] Generic Int wall style is still active. Use the Shift key to draw the remaining the interior walls approximately where shown (highlighted for clarity).
Next, you use the same dimension/ modification technique as the previous two exercises (with minimal instruction) to complete the second floor layout. 7. Use either the Dimension Exterior Walls command or the Constrained Linear Dimension tool with Constrained Chain Mode (see Notes below figure) to create associative dimensions, and then change the length and fixed points as necessary to precisely position the interior walls from the previous step, as shown at right (with chain dimensions).
Notes: 1) The dimensions shown are the only dimensions required to complete the second-floor interior wall layout (see Note 3). The other walls were copied from the first floor and pasted in the correct position on the second floor. To save time in this exercise, you skip the repetitive process of creating dimensions for all second-floor walls normally required for construction documentation. 2) To automatically associate dimensions with T-joined wall intersections with the Dimension Exterior Walls command, select Centerlines from the Dimension to Wall drop-down list, and select Center of Openings from the Dimension drop-down list in the Dimension Exterior Walls dialog box. If you prefer dimensions to wall edges, use the Constrained Linear Dimension tool , and double-click the snap point in the chain to terminate the dimension string. 3) If you applied the optional constraints after step 5 (p. 30), any dimensions associated with second-floor exterior walls will also control mating (constrained) walls on the first floor, even though the first-floor walls already have dimensions associated with them. Vectorworks allows multiple-dimension control (from dimensions in design layers and sheet layer viewport annotations) over associated objects.

Click in a blank area of the drawing to clear the selection and examine the wall cap, shown at right. Next, you use the 2D Reshape tool to shorten the kitchen walls left edge to make a 3 wide opening into the foyer.
12. In the Scripts palette, double-click the Toggle Dimension Class Visibility script to show all dimensions. Right-click the 6-2 1/4 [1.886m] dimension and select Unlock from the context menu. From the Basic tools palette, click 2D Reshape. Make sure that the Move Polygon Handles Mode is active in the Tool bar. Select the horizontal kitchen wall. Click the left grip to pick up the endpoint, and then move the cursor to display the floating data bar. Type 3 for the X value, press Tab and enter 0 (zero) for the Y value, and then press Enter twice to complete the reshape operation, as shown at top. In the Object Info palette, select Start from the Caps drop-down list. From the Building Shell tool set, click Remove Wall Breaks. Draw a marquee from lower left to upper right, approximately as shown at bottom left (see Note below figure). Notice that the wall break was removed (the wall line is now continuous). Lock the 6-2 1/4 [1.886m] dimension, and then press the X key twice to clear the selection. Examine the shortened wall, as shown at bottom right.
Note: Remove only the wall break of the vertical wall (do not remove the wall break on the left edge of the horizontal kitchen wall).
13. In the Navigation palette, double-click the Floor Plan-2 saved view to activate it. Notice that the custom stair object inserted in the Mod-Floor-1 layer is also displayed in the (currently active) Mod-Floor-2 layer. In the Scripts palette, double-click the Toggle Dimension Class Visibility script to hide dimensions. Press the X key twice, and then hold down the Shift key and select the six walls shown below. In the Object Info
Next, you change the height of the deck and stairwell walls to make balustrade walls. You then shorten the stairwell wall.
palette, disable the Link Wall Height to Layer Z option, and then change the Z value (30 [.914m]), as shown. Click a blank area, and then select the stairwell wall. Click the top grip, hold down the Shift key, and then click the right front stair edge to resize the wall. Use the Remove Wall Breaks tool to remove the break at the resized end, and then select Start from the Caps drop-down list in the Object Info palette to complete the stairwell wall, as shown at left. 14. In the Scripts palette, double-click the Toggle Dimension Class Visibility script to show the dimensions. Press the X key twice to clear the selection, and then press Ctrl + 6 to adjust the display. Examine the completed second-floor walls, as shown.
If you set up your files as instructed in the Checking Your Work section (p. 8), you can now optionally check the accuracy of your file. 16. Open the (read-only) GS-VWAxCheck. vwx file. In the Navigation palette, doubleclick the 01 Floor Plan-1 saved view to activate it, and then double-click the Check EX05 saved view to activate it. 17. Use the Zoom and Pan tools (in the Basic tools palette), and the Previous View tool (in the View bar) as necessary to examine the drawing. Your drawing objects are displayed in red, and the master files drawing objects are displayed in their default colors. You should see your red drawing objects overlaid directly on top of the master files drawing objects. 18. In the Navigation palette, double-click the 02 Floor Plan-2 saved view to activate it, and then double-click the Check EX05 saved view to activate it. 19. Use the Zoom and Pan tools (in the Basic tools palette), and the Previous View tool (in the View bar) as necessary to examine the drawing. Your drawing objects are displayed in blue, and the master files drawing objects are displayed in their default colors. You should see your blue drawing objects overlaid directly on top of the master files drawing objects. 20. After checking your files accuracy, close the active file (your House.vwx file should now be active). If your drawing is inaccurate, close your file and continue with the next exercise by starting with the supplied file.

Next, you create two more doors by copying the existing door object dynamically by dragging it while pressing the Ctrl key. 8. Hold down the Alt key, and then click Zoom In/Zoom Out (repeatedly if necessary) until the storage room is visible. Press the X key, and then hold down the Shift and Ctrl keys and drag the foyer door (drag it from its insertion point: the middle of the doors wall break) to create a copy (highlighted at left) in the storage room wall. If your copied door doesnt break the wall, try again and release the mouse button when the Object/Horizontal SmartCursor cue is displayed. In the Object Info palette, click the Flip button one time to change the swing as shown. Hold down the Ctrl key, and drag the foyer door to create the front door, approximately where shown (highlighted) at right.
Note: The Door tool was pre-configured for this file. The Door Settings dialog box would normally be displayed for the first door object inserted in a file. For subsequent insertions in your own files, click Preferences from the Tool bar before placing the door to set default door parameters. If you change the Door Settings dialog box settings, all subsequent insertions are affected.
Creating Different Door Types
Next, you copy one of the 3-wide door objects and then modify the copy to create a door that is 26 [.762m] wide. 9. Press the X key twice, and then use the Ctrl + drag method to copy the front door (by its insertion point: the midpoint of its wall break) to the center of the stairwell closet wall, as shown above at left. In the Object Info palette (shown at right), adjust the new doors settings: Change the Door Width to 26 [.762m]. Change the Door Height to 68 [2.032m]. Change the Open Angle to 15, and then press Enter to incorporate the change. Click the Flip button as necessary to orient the door as shown above at right.
Note: You change the open angle to 15 degrees so you can easily distinguish the 26 [.762m]wide door.
10. Zoom in on the area shown at left. Press the X key, and then use the Ctrl + drag method to copy the stairwell closet door to the bathroom wall, approximately where shown below.
Next, you use the same copy and modify method to create a bi-part pantry door and slider doors for the living room. 11. Use the Ctrl + drag method to copy the bathroom door to the pantry wall, as shown below at left. In the Object Info palette, change the following details of the new door. Width to 20 [.610m] Configuration to Swing Bi-part Open Angle to 30 Drag the bi-part door if necessary to reposition it, and then use the Ctrl + drag method to create a second bi-part door in the pantry wall, approximately where shown (highlighted) below at right.
12. Use the Ctrl + drag method to copy the 3 [.914m]-wide foyer door to the left living room wall, approximately where shown below at left. In the Object Info palette, edit the new Door Width (70 [2.134m]) and Configuration properties, as shown. Use the Ctrl + drag method to create a copy above, and then select both and use Shift + Ctrl + Drag to copy both to the opposite wall to create a total of four slider doors in the orientations (use the Flip option as necessary) and approximate positions, as shown below at right.

Note: Ctrl + drag automatically orients window exteriors.
Next, you copy the 2 [.610m]-wide window. 17. Use the Ctrl + drag method to copy the small window one time, and then select both and use Ctrl + drag to copy both windows to create a total of four 2 [.610m]-wide windows, approximately where shown (highlighted for clarity).
Note: In your own designs, you would now create associative dimensions for the windows and doors, (and edit length values as necessary). To save time, you skip this step in this exercise and in Exercise 7. Instead, you optionally create window and door dimensions later in Exercise 11 (p. 81).
Examining the Design in a 3D View
Next, you activate different 3D views so you can examine the architectural elements you just inserted. 18. From the menu, select View > Standard Views > Top. Press the X key twice, and then press Ctrl + 6 to adjust the display. Notice that 2D object details (such as door swings and wall breaks) disappear in this 3D top view, as shown at top left. From the View bar, select the Left Isometric view from the Standard View drop-down list, and then press Ctrl + 6 to adjust the display. The viewing angle is changed, as shown at bottom left. Notice that even though you were previously working in 2D, Vectorworks Architect automatically created 3D objects.
Note: Do not be concerned about the inappropriate single hung windows; you change properties of all windows later in Exercise 9 (p. 60).
Saving a 3D Reference View
Next, you save a view with the current display attributes that you use in other exercises later in the tutorial.
19. In the Navigation palette, select the Saved Views tab, and then right-click the blank area below the list and select New. In the Save View dialog box, change the View Name and Layer Options, and confirm (or adjust) other settings as shown at top right, and then click OK to save the view. Notice that the new view is now displayed in the list with the 3D view icon , as shown at bottom right. 20. In the Navigation palette, activate the Floor Plan-1 saved view, and then press Ctrl + 6 to adjust the display, as shown.
Tip: You can optionally create a design layer section viewport (with an offset section line) to examine the house in a 3D cutaway view as the design evolves. For step by step instructions from the Architect Getting Started website, see www.nemetschek.net/training/2011/architect2011-getting-started-guide.php.
21. Save the file. If you set up your files as instructed in the Checking Your Work section (p. 8), you can now optionally check the accuracy of your file. 22. Open the (read-only) GS-VWAxCheck. vwx file. In the Navigation palette, double-click the 01 Floor Plan-1 saved view to activate it, and then double-click the Check EX06 saved view to activate it. 23. Use the Zoom and Pan tools (in the Basic tools palette) and the Previous View tool (in the View bar) as necessary to examine the drawing. Your drawing objects are displayed in red, and the master files drawing objects are displayed in their default colors. You should see your red drawing objects overlaid directly on top of the master files drawing objects. 24. After checking your files accuracy, close the active file (your House.vwx file should now be active). If your drawing is inaccurate, close your file and continue with the next exercise by starting with the supplied file.

Exercise 7: Creating the Second-Floor Plan
In this exercise, you use a variety of 2D and 3D tools and techniques to complete the second-floor plan. The completed exercise is shown in the following figure:
Creating Floor Slabs from the Second-Floor Exterior Walls
You start by creating two auto-bounded floor slab objects from the second floors balustrade and exterior walls using the Mechanical placeholder (see p. 38) slab style.
1. If you did not complete Excercise 6or you are unsure of your files accuracy open the GS-VWAx06.vwx file. 2. In the Navigation palette, activate the Floor Plan-2 saved view. In the Scripts palette, double-click the Toggle Dimension Class Visibility script to hide all dimensions. Press the X key twice to clear the current selection, and then press Ctrl + 6 to adjust the display.
3. From the Building Shell tool set, click the Slab tool. In the Tool bar, make sure that Picked Walls Mode is enabled, and then select Mechanical from the Slab Style drop-down list. Click the three balustrade walls and the bordering exterior wall, and then click Press to Complete Operation to create the deck slab, as shown at left. With the Slab tool still active, repeat the process with the same slab style to create the second floor slab from the four exterior second floor walls, as shown at right.
4. Hold down the Shift key, and then select the other second floor slab object (both should now be selected). In the Object Info palette, change the Slab objects Class property to Structural-Slab and their Layer property to Mod-Slab-2 to correct the display order, as shown.
Notes: 1) You notch the second-floor slab to accom|modate the stairwell later in Exercise 9 (p. 60). 2) You could combine the deck floor slab with the second-floor slab, but they are created separately in this tutorial because of their structural and functional differences. 3) Although the deck surface would normally have a slightly lower elevation than the floor surface for drainage purposes, they are both the same elevation (both slabs are the same thickness) in this tutorial for display purposes. 4) To save time in this tutorial, you ignore the overlapping area between both slab objects. If you want to fix this in your model, you can optionally create a virtual wall segment as a surrogate auto-boundary for the slab. To do this, delete the deck slab you just created, and then draw a horizontal virtual wall segment (with zero height) connected to the vertical balustrade walls slightly above the horizontal exterior wall. Create the auto-bounded slab by picking all three balustrade walls and the virtual wall, and then change the slabs class and layer properties. Use the Constrain Colinear tool to place a collinear constraint between the virtual wall and the outside edge of the second floors exterior wall.

17. From the Basic tools palette, click the Flyover tool. In the Tool bar, make sure Interactive Origin Mode is enabled. Start dragging the cursor to dynamically examine the model. Press Ctrl + 6 to re-center the view. Click to stop the motion, and change the center of rotation by clicking on various object vertices (on the active layer), and then continue dragging the cursor to change the viewing angle. 18. In the Navigation palette, activate the
Note: To save time, you just turned on visibility for objects that dont exist yet, but you create them later in the tutorial.
Floor Plan-2 view. From the menu, select View > Align Layer Views. In the Scripts palette, double-click the Toggle Dimension Class Visibility script to hide all dimensions. Press Ctrl + 6 to adjust the display. 19. Save the file. If you set up your files as instructed in the Checking Your Work section (p. 8), you can now optionally check the accuracy of your file. 20. Open the (read-only) GS-VWAxCheck. vwx file. In the Navigation palette, double-click the 02 Floor Plan-2 saved view to activate it, and then double-click the Check EX07 saved view to activate it. 21. Use the Zoom and Pan
tools (in the Basic tools palette), and the Previous View tool (in the View bar) as necessary to examine the drawing. Your drawing objects are displayed in blue, and the master files drawing objects are displayed in their default colors. You should see your blue drawing objects overlaid directly on top of the master files drawing objects. 22. After checking your files accuracy, close the active file (your House.vwx file should now be active). If your drawing is inaccurate, close your file and continue with the next exercise by starting with the supplied file.

Section 4:

Section 4: Working with Multiple Levels
In two exercises, this section covers the following processes as you continue the home design project: Saving a Working View for the Roof (p. 56) Creating the Ceiling Slab (p. 57) Creating the Roof (p. 57) Creating Gabled Ends on the Slanted Roof (p. 58) Fitting Walls to the Roof (p. 58) Examining the Completed Roof (p. 60) Editing Windows (p. 61) Creating a Corner Window (p. 62) Notching the econd oors oor lab (p. 62) Replacing Wall Styles (p. 64) Creating Wall End Caps (p. 65) Replacing Slab Styles (p. 67) In these exercises, you: Create a ceiling slab for the top floor and a slanted roof by modifying default roof edge settings. Fit affected walls to the slanted roof. Modify windows. Convert two windows into a corner window. Notch the second floors floor slab. Replace the placeholder wall and slab styles and create wall end caps.
Exercise 8: Creating and Modifying the Roof
In this exercise, you create a flat roof object, and then you modify its configuration. The completed exercise is shown in the following figure:
Saving a Working View for the Roof
Next, you save a view to facilitate working with the roof later in the development cycle. 1. If you did not complete Exercise 7or you are unsure of your files accuracy open the GS-VWAx07.vwx file. 2. In the Navigation palette: Select the Classes tab, and turn on visibility of the Roof-Main class. Select the Design Layers tab, turn on visibility of the Mod-Roof layer, and then make it the active layer, as shown at left. Select the Saved Views tab, right-click the blank area below the list and select New.

In the Save View dialog box, adjust the View Name and Active Class settings as shown at right and then click OK to save the view. Notice that the new view is displayed in the list, as shown at left.
Double-click the Roof Model saved view to activate it (in the View bar, notice that Roof-Main is now the active class). Select the Design Layers tab and make the Mod-Floor-2 layer active.
Creating the Ceiling Slab
Next, you create an auto-bounded ceiling slab object from the second floors exterior walls. 3. From the Building Shell tool set, click the Slab tool. In the Tool bar, make sure that Picked Walls Mode is enabled, and then select Ceiling from the Slab Style drop-down list. Click the four exterior second-floor walls, and then click Press to Complete Operation to create the ceiling slab, as shown at top right. In the Object Info palette, change the Slab objects Class property to Structural-Slab and its Layer property to Mod-Roof to position its elevation correctly. The slab is no longer selected, as shown at bottom right.

Creating the Roof

Next, you create a slanted roof object from the second floors exterior walls. 4. Press the X key, and then select any one of the second floors four exterior walls. From the menu, select Edit > Select Connected Objects, and then confirm that four walls are selected in the Object Info palette. From the menu, select AEC > Create Roof. In the Create Roof dialog box, change settings as shown at left (click OK if the message dialog box shown at right is displayed).
Tip: In your own designs, you can specify either a Rise:Run ratio (in inches), or angle value (in degrees) for the Roof Pitch.
5. Click OK to create the roof. Notice that the Mod-Roof layer is now active and that two objects are selected (the new ceiling and roof objects). Press the X key twice to clear the current selection, and then select only the roof. The roofs control points are now displayed, as shown.
Creating Gabled Ends on the Slanted Roof
7. Select the roofs rear side control point (near the left vertical balustrade wall). In the Edit Roof Settings dialog box, select the Gable option, change the Eave Overhang to 2'6", and then click OK to update the roof, as shown below at top. Select the roofs front side control point (directly opposite the rear side control point). In the Edit Roof Settings dialog box, leave the Roof Edge Shapes Eave option selected, change the Pitch to 4.00, change the Bearing Height to 06 [Step test: Verify if this is reqd], change the Eave Overhang to 1'0", and then click OK. In the Object Info palette, disable the Create Gable End Walls option to complete the roof, as shown below at bottom.

13. From the Building Shell tool set, click Wall End Cap , and then enable Add Mode in the Tool bar. Click the middle of the pantry wall core (near its top edge), and then click inside the rectangle. The area of the rectangle is added to the core, as shown at left.
Note: The Wall End Cap tools Clip Mode cant clip the exterior horizontal walls gypsum component because of the joined end. If it wasnt a joined end, you would clip the rectangle from the exterior walls gypsum component before you add it to the pantry walls core component. In this particular case you could break the corner L- join, but it would alter the shape of the auto-bounded slab associated with these walls.
Now that all wall and slab components are in their final configurations for accurate data extraction purposes (not covered in this tutorial), you hide component details for drawing clarity.
14. Press the X key twice to clear the current selection, and then press Ctrl + 6 to adjust the display. On the far right side of the Tool bar, enable the Hide Details quick pref. All individual wall components are now hidden, as shown at right.
Next, you replace the generic (placeholder) floor slab styles from Exercise 6 (p. 34) and Exercise 7 (p. 48) with the final styles. 15. In the Navigation palette, activate the Unified Isometric saved view. Press the X key twice, and then hold down the Shift key, and select both floor slabs on the Mod-Slab-1 layer. In the Object Info palette, select Replace from the Style drop-down list. In the Slab Replacement dialog box, select Ground-Hardwood, and adjust other settings as shown at left, and then click OK to replace the slab style. Clear the current selection so you can see the new slab style with additional components, as shown at right.

Replacing Slab Styles

16. Repeat the Shift + select and replacement process for the second floors floor slabs (select the Mechanical-Duct Gap slab style, and enable only the Replace Height option in the Slab Replacement dialog box). Clear the current selection so you can see the new slab style with additional components, as shown.
Note: The auto-boundary edge settings for the final slab styles components automatically adjust wall component heights and/or slab component widths to create and maintain accurate junctions where walls meet floor and ceiling slab objects. You will see these junctions clearly after you complete the "Creating a section viewport" section (p. 72) and "Editing section viewport display properties" section (p. 74) in Exercise 10.
If you set up your files as instructed in the Checking Your Work section (p. 8), you can now optionally check the accuracy of your file. 19. Open the (read-only) GS-VWAxCheck. vwx file. In the Navigation palette, double-click the 01 Floor Plan-1 saved view to activate it, and then double-click the Check EX09 saved view to activate it. 20. Use the Zoom and Pan tools (in the Basic tools palette), and the Previous View tool (in the View bar) as necessary to examine the drawing. Your drawing objects are displayed in red, and the master files drawing objects are displayed in their default colors. You should see your red drawing objects overlaid directly on top of the master files drawing objects. 21. In the Navigation palette, double-click the 02 Floor Plan-2 saved view to activate it, and then double-click the Check EX09 saved view to activate it. 22. Use the Zoom and Pan tools (in the Basic tools palette) and the Previous View tool (in the View bar) as necessary to examine the drawing. Your drawing objects are displayed in blue, and the master files drawing objects are displayed in their default colors. You should see your blue drawing objects overlaid directly on top of the master files drawing objects. 23. After checking your files accuracy, close the active file (your House.vwx file should now be active). If your drawing is inaccurate, close your file and continue with the next exercise by starting with the supplied file.

Browser, notice that the Equip-Residential Appliances-Imp file is still active, and then open the Symbols/Plug-in Objects folder (if its not already open). Double-click the Clothes_Washer_Top symbol to activate the Symbol Insertion tool. In the Tool bar, enable Wall Insertion Mode (if its not already enabled) and Align Actual Insertion Point Mode , and then move your cursorwith phantom previewover the wall, approximately where shown at left. Double-click to complete the insertion, as shown at center. In the Object Info palette: Make sure that Symbol in Wall is displayed (or undo the placement and try again). Select Left Edge from the Insert drop-down list. Select No Break from the Break drop-down list. Click Set Position, and then for the reference point, snap to the walls top left inside corner. For the object point, snap to either corner on the top edge of the clothes washer. In the Enter Offset dialog box, specify an offset of 310 [1.168m], and then click OK to move it into its final position, where shown. See Symbol Insertion Notes (after step 18) for additional information.
13. Press the X key twice to clear the current selection, and repeat the previous step to insert the Clothes_Dryer_Sm symbol with an offset of 2 [50.80mm] between the clothes washer (as shown), and then press the X key twice to clear the selection.
Inserting Kitchen Symbols
Next, you insert various symbols and plug-in objects (with minimal instruction) to complete the kitchen. 14. In the Navigation palette, activate the Floor Plan-1 saved view. In the Scripts palette, double-click the Toggle Dimension Class Visibility script to hide all dimensions. Press Ctrl + 6, and then zoom in on the kitchen area. Insert kitchen symbols in the order listed below. To do this, note the source VWX file of the symbol, and then if the symbol is located in: Your House.vwx file: Double-click the symbol in your House.vwx files Resource Browser and insert it where shown at right (and also shown in p. 77 below the table in a birds-eye perspective view for clarity). Another file: Open the VWX File specified (in the Data Set foldersee Note below lower figure; keep VWX files open through step 18), and then switch the focus back to the house file. In the Resource Browser, activate the VWX File you just opened (if necessary, open the symbol folder, and scroll down), and then double-