This is the archive, no???

Vectorworks Adds 3D Printing Plugin From 3YOURMIND

vw_3yourmindHow would you like to take that 3D widget you designed in Vectorworks and bring it into the real world? Now you can with the help of 3YOURMIND and their plugin that they have created for Vectorworks 2016. Of course, you need a 3D printer to go along with it.

More from the Press Release:

After concluding a second financing round in which Dr. Hans J. Langer, founder and CEO of EOS GmbH positioned himself as the new lead investor of the company in December 2015, Berlin-based 3YOURMIND GmbH continues to develop new 3D printing plugins for CAD programs. The latest addition: Vectorworks 2016, a line of 2D and 3D software developed by Vectorworks, Inc. that helps designers to communicate effectively and bring their visions to life while keeping building information modeling (BIM) at the heart of the design process.

With this new plugin, Vectorworks 2016 users can check, analyze and repair their 3D file to optimize it for 3D printing. With one click on the 3D printing extension inside Vectorworks, the file is uploaded to the 3YOURMIND comparison tool, where it can be scaled and previewed in different 3D printing materials available. Finally, users can instantly compare prices for their 3D model and order it online.

“We’re thrilled to have teamed up with 3YOURMIND to offer this free plugin to our user community,” said Jim Wilson, user experience manager at Vectorworks. “Now, users are just one click away from uploading their 3D files via this plugin to services that cater to all their 3D printing needs, where a wide range of materials are available to choose from and where secure file transfer with SSL is guaranteed.”

Learn more about 3YOURMIND’s plugin for Vectorworks software here and explore Vectorworks’ partner products here. The new plugin can be easily installed at either site.

About 3YOURMIND

3YOURMIND offers intelligent 3D printing solutions for industry and architecture. Their comparison tool on 3yourmind.com presents a convenient way of ordering a 3D printed model of a prototype online. Users can upload their 3D file, which is automatically repaired to achieve a better 3D print result. Afterwards, the user can compare prices of various 3D printing services, and choose from different materials. 3YOURMIND gathers DAX-30 groups and 3D printing suppliers as their clients and partners.

More Details on Vectorworks Cloud Service

How does the old saying go… “Get your head out of the clouds”. Clearly the good folks at Nemetschek, (the makers of Vectorworks) said screw that! I couldn’t agree more with them. Living in the cloud is nice! What does it mean though? A few weeks ago, Nemestschek sent out a teaser video about their upcoming service, Vectorworks Cloud. If you haven’t seen it, check it out.

A few days ago, Architosh, a website for architects and technology freaks like us, got additional info on the soon to be released service. A release date has not been announced yet, but sources have mentioned that we should be living in the cloud before the dog days of summer.

Martin Makes Fixture Library Available in Vectorworks

Looks like Martin is celebrating their 25th anniversary by giving out gifts!  Martin has made available an updated version of their product line for Vectorworks Spotlight.  Here is more from the Press Release:

Martin Professional product developer Simon Allan has put together an updated library of Vectorworks lighting instrument symbols and has made them freely available for users to download. This new range includes symbols for all fixtures in Martin Professional’s moving head range, as well as some from Martin’s LED video range.

The symbols are available for Vectorworks Spotlight 2008-2012 and can be downloaded from the Martin Professional website. The Vectorworks files can also be imported for use with Martin’s popular visualization software package, the Martin ShowDesigner (MSD 5).

Simon plans to add to the library, making more and more symbols available in the future. He comments, “They are all in one document (2008-2012) to keep things simple. Every product that has a corresponding Vectorworks symbol will have a link to the file under the service and support area for that product. I will be adding to this all the time so please be patient if the symbol you need is not present.”

Questions relating to the symbols should be sent to vectorworks@martin.dk .

Vectorworks in the Cloud and Possible iOS App

In a teaser email the Vectorworks just sent out, they demonstrate an architect on site in the middle of a build project looking at his drawing on an iPad. He notices a detail in incorrect. He notifies his design team and it is quickly “updated in the cloud”.  Does this mean that Vectorworks will be living in the cloud?

Realistically, I don’t see the programing living in the cloud but taking advantage of saving and sharing files over the cloud.  Here is the interesting part… An iPad and iPhone are shown in the teaser email… does that mean that an iOS app for Vectorworks is on it’s way? Most defiantly!

Here is a quick teaser video that Vectorworks included with the email. Draw your own conclusions!

Nemetschek Releases Vectorworks 2012

Wow, I am just a bit behind.  PLASA took a whole lot out of me! Almost two weeks later and I am still recovering!  While over in London, Nemetschek announced their latest version of Vectorworks, version 2012.  Side note, I love the version numbering as of late guys!

Version 2012 brings updates to their entire line of titles, Vectorworks Designer, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals and Renderworks. The enhancements found in the Vectorworks 2012 products will save designers time and increase their productivity. The software’s interface allows users to easily conceptualize their designs, while innovative, flexible tools let them document their plans and easily collaborate with best-in-class open BIM workflows.

Here is a quick run down of some of the new features found in 2012.

  • Enhanced 3D modeling: The software now examines the model under the cursor and sets the working plane automatically, removing the general need for users to manually set working planes.
  • Improved Building Information Modeling (BIM) capabilities: The new stories feature allows design layers to be dynamically and vertically referenced to named story elevations. Story-aware objects like walls, columns, slabs and stairs can span across stories and update with story elevation changes.
  • Integration of building and site: Vectorworks 2012 software marries building and site design and is the first package to combine a complete BIM modeler with extensive Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities (available in the Vectorworks Architect, Landmark and Designer applications).
  • Best integrated renderer: Improvements to the Renderworks rendering application include the introduction of Renderworks Styles, which can be re-used and shared among team members. In addition, users will enjoy significantly improved OpenGL shadows and better solar animations with the new Heliodon object.
  • More than 100 performance and usability improvements: This release addresses user requests such as a new 2D X-ray fills mode, faster viewport navigation, new custom color options for backgrounds, faster access to frequently used settings, coincident selection, streamlined polyline arc editing, offset improvements, improved wheel zooming and others. This version also offers designers the ability to generate hidden lines between intersecting geometry and, in the Design Series products, to modify objects by record value.
  • New features in the Vectorworks Landmark and Spotlight applications: This version of the Vectorworks Landmark program includes improved stake objects with better visual representation and data information on the drawing, better control over hardscape creation, a new option to convert between boundary and path configurations and the ability to specify different pattern sizes for grid and running pavers. The Vectorworks 2012 Spotlight application features a more intuitive way to focus instruments, as well as a new soft goods object that enables the creation of curtain, border and pipe-and-drape assemblies.

To learn more about Vectorworks 2012, visit Nemetschek’s website at www.vectorworks.net.

Student Design Competition Resource – On Stage Lighting’s Spotlight Tutorials

Hey Students, Looking for some help on your design project for the Student Design Competition? A good friend, educator, designer and fellow blogger, Rob Sayer from On Stage Lighting has put together a great series of screen cast to help guide you through the design process with Vectorworks Spotlight.  Albeit 2010, many of the examples and tutorials still hold true in Vectorworks 2011.

Head over to Rob’s website www.onstagelighting.co.uk.  Forgive his stuffy voice on the screen cast, he had a slight cold when recording them.  Either way, thank you Rob for putting together such an informative and helpful guide to Vectorworks Spotlight! Pip Pip!!!

If you need Vectorworks to work on your project… as a student, you are in luck! Vectorworks offers a FREE… yes  F-R-E-E version of their software to learn and work with.  To get the software, visit students.vectorworks.net. Some limitations and restrictions do apply for the student version of the software.  See the student page on Vectorworks website.

Now, after you have the software, watch all of Rob’s great tutorials, head over to the Student Design Competition page to learn more about the competition, the rules and requirements.

The Student Design Competition is Officially OPEN

Yup, it is January 28th.  That means that the student design competition is open!  While the competition just started, I don’t expect many students to start submitting their design work right now.  I highly recommend taking your time, you have almost all of spring semester!  Heck, the competition doesn’t close until April 15th.  That doesn’t mean wait till the last minute either!

Head over to the Student Design Competition page and learn more about the competition and get the low down on the rules and requirements.  There are also plenty of links to get you to the right site to download the FREE student version of Vectorworks and the demo version of Lightwright.

Through out the competition, I’ll be posting updates, resources, tips, tricks, things to help you along your way.  So get your design started and have some fun with it! All of the judges and I are extremely excited to see what you come up with. Break-a-leg everyone!

Benghiat Lighting Releases Savvy Symbol Key Plug-in for Vectorworks

Check it out all you Vectorheads, Joshua Benghiat has release another plug-in tool for Vectorworks called Savvy Symbol Key.  No, by using the Savvy Symbol Key you don’t automatically gain coolness points or extra savvyness, but you will work smarter.

The Savvy Symbol Key plug-in object quickly creates an accurate, customizable key to instrumentation.  The setup dialog shows the symbols in use in your Spotlight drawing so you never have to worry about an incomplete key.  You can select and order your symbols as well as set several text, border, spacing and alignment attributes.  With the click of a check box you can show wattages, weights, lamp types and counts.  Counting can be subtotaled to count bodies vs lenses.  Symbols which have the same Instrument Type are counted together, allowing for alternate versions of a single type.  Multi circuit devices are counted properly.

The Savvy Symbol Key Plug-in is available for both Vectorworks 12 and Vectorworks 2011.  To learn more about the Savvy Symbol Key Plug-in or to download a demo version, head over to www.benghiatlighting.com.  If you try, and like it, buy it.  The standard version goes for $19.99 USD.  The student version runs half that at $9.99 USD.  If you are an educator, contact Joshua directly.

Vectorworks Releases Service Pack 2 for 2011

Fire up Vectorworks 2011 and check for software updates.  Nemetschek recently released an update to the software with Service Pack 2.  This update is for all version and flavors of your Vectorworks product.

The Service Pack 2 includes all kinds of things.  There are a number of fixes having to deal with areas of walls, planar objects, exporting PDF files and just general software stability.

Updating the software is pretty easy, just check for software update right in the software and Vectorworks will walk you through the process.  Service Pack 2 weighs in at 163 mb so depending on your network connection, prepare to download, update and get back up and running.

Learn more about Vectorworks by visiting www.nemetschek.net.

Vectorworks Traduce al español

Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. is pleased to announce the availability of the Spanish-language version of the Vectorworks® 2011 line of design software, including: Vectorworks Architect, Landmark, Fundamentals and Renderworks®.

The Spanish-language version will be available in Spain, and South and Central American countries such as Mexico, Chile, the Dominican Republic and Argentina. To check for availability in your country, please visit www.vectorworks.net/international. For Spanish-language brochures, FAQs, videos, and other marketing collateral, please visit www.vectorworks.net/espanol.

Mid-Atlantic Vectorworks User Group Meeting at the Mothership 10/14

I love user groups, they are so much fun.  User group meetings bring together like minded people that share the same passion and love of whatever the user group is about.  This time is it is Vectorworks!

On Thursday, October 14th from 7pm to 9pm, Vectorwork aficionados and lovers of the CAD program will converge on the mothership, Nemetschek’s headquarters in Columbia Maryland to talk, discuss and learn new tricks with Vectorworks 2011.

Not only is this a great time to learn new things, but talk with other users about problems, questions and issues that you face when working with Vectorworks.  On top of that, it’s a great place to networks and meet new and exciting people!  Then being at the mothership, we’ll get a chance to meet some of the people behind the software! I am totally there!

Here are all the details and how to register for the VUG-MA.

Date: Thursday, October 14th
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m. EDT
Place: Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc.
7150 Riverwood Drive
Columbia, MD 21046

Make sure to send a note to the group leader, Tom Pearce, (tns@coronal.net) to let them know you are coming. If you are not in the Mid-Atlantic region, no worries, there are still a ton of other VUG meetings across the country, check out the VUG website to find a meeting near you.

PanzerCAD Releases CameraMatch 2011 for Vectorworks 2011

If you do a LOT of 3D rendering, you need to take a look at CameraMatch plug-in for Vectorworks 2011. Looking over the gallery images and info page on PanzerCAD’s website, I was blown away!

Here is more information on the plug-in from the official press release:

The CameraMatch 2011 plug-in allows a user to easily align a 3D model view to a photograph. With this plug-in, a user can also superimpose the rendered model into the photograph, saving time by eliminating the need to spend hours creating models of a project’s surroundings.

“We’re really excited about CameraMatch 2011,” says Matt Panzer, owner of PanzerCAD. “A lot of work went into this version, and it shows. Creating a composite rendering in an existing photo is even more accurate than before, and the new ‘image editing’ abilities can give you great finished renderings without even leaving Vectorworks.”

Some of the new features in CameraMatch 2011 include:

Completely Rewritten View Calculation Procedure
This “under the hood” improvement makes calculated views more accurate and allows for more difficult situations.

Mask Object’s New Clone Mode
The feature allows a Mask object to shift the photo image it displays, which lets a Mask object behave similar to the Clone tool in many image-editing applications.

New Shadow Object
The new Shadow object allows shadows and shading to be placed over the rendered image, eliminating the need to export to an image editor for adding simple shadows.

Other New Features
CameraMatch’s more efficient use of image resources greatly reduces file sizes. Mask and Shadow objects automatically clip any parts of themselves extending past the viewport’s crop.

The CameraMatch 2011 plug-in can be purchased from www.panzercad.com for US$100. For CameraMatch 2010 users, the upgrade fee is US$40. CameraMatch 2011 is free for students and teachers using the 2011 educational version of the Vectorworks software.

CameraMatch is currently available in English, and German and Italian versions are planned for later this year.

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