Prepare for download in 3, 2, 1… Just kidding, let Vectorworks do the work and update it’s self for you.  Here’s why.  Vectorworks just released their latest service pack update for Vectorworks 2020, Service Pack 3.  Vectorworks is stating that this release is quality and performance improvements.  It also incorporates connections ro numerous partner applications.There are a number of other updates and enhancements that we in the entertainment business seldom use.

Here is more from the Press Release that relates to Spotlight:

Quality and performance are tremendously important to us. Each year we release a new version of Vectorworks, and each year we release a number of Service Pack updates to supplement the major version change.

R&D is a non-stop process. We’re constantly updating the software to make it run as smoothly and as effectively as possible.

This mindset is highlighted by our Vectorworks 2020 Service Pack 3 (SP3) release, which is now available for download directly in the Vectorworks interface. The central theme of this release is quality and performance improvements, as well as championing supporting connections to numerous partner applications, some of which have been introduced for the first time in SP3.

Improved Performance and Quality Fixes in Spotlight

 SP3 introduces a re-engineering of lighting devices and Schematic Views. These updates will substantially improve file open time and performance.

“Vectorworks Spotlight users will notice file opening and Schematic View creation/manipulation are up to two times faster, and that duplicating lighting devices for large projects can be five to 10 times faster,” said Darick DeHart, vice president of product management at Vectorworks.

Improved GDTF and MVR Support
You can now import GDTF files directly into Vectorworks Spotlight. The data from the files can be applied to any lighting device and can be fully managed within the Resource Manager.

More importantly, you can send these devices to any previz or console that supports GDTF, including Vision, which now recognizes GDTF when using the MVR import.

The update offers a fully connected workflow between Spotlight, Vision, and consoles that support these file formats.

Enscape for Vectorworks: Free Beta

Enscape provides a real-time rendering application whose beta is now available in SP3.

Vectorworks users who work on Windows platforms can use the link with Enscape to produce high-quality renderings in no time at all. The renderings are live, so any design changes you make automatically reflect in the rendering. It offers an iterative workflow between design and rendering.

“Traditionally, high-quality rendering can be difficult and time-consuming, reserved for specialists and relegated to design reviews and presentations,” said Moritz Luck, CEO and co-founder of Enscape. “With Enscape, models can be rendered with one click and design changes are immediately reflected — there’s no uploading to the cloud, importing files or syncing models. Enscape is the perfect companion to the designer’s workflow. Users can have Vectorworks open on one monitor and Enscape open on a second to see the impact of their design changes as they happen.”

You can get SP3 as a downloadable updater on all English-based versions of Vectorworks 2020. Click “Check for Updates” within the Vectorworks menu on Mac (Help menu on Windows) or follow the link below.

Read the entire intro to Serive Pack 3 on Vectorworks Blog: blog.vectorworks.net