Vectorworks Designer FAQ
[+] Do I need Vectorworks Fundamentals or Vectorworks Designer?
Do you need to do simple 2D/3D design? Then go with Vectorworks Fundamentals. It's a great CAD solution for general 2D drafting and 3D modeling, and it's the fundamental application that's the basis for other Vectorworks products. To find out more about it,
click here.
If your needs are more specific to one particular design discipline like architecture, landscape, lighting, or machine design, and you don't need tools from other disciplines, then pick a single Vectorworks Design Series product to suit your needs. To find out more about our other products, click here.
Once you need the tools available in two or more of the Design Series products, Vectorworks Designer is a smart choice. It's a collection of all the Vectorworks products: Vectorworks Architect, Landmark, Machine Design, and Spotlight. Vectorworks Designer is made for the person or firm that handles multiple design disciplines and needs the tools to get it all done.
Vectorworks Designer is known for its streamlined user interface and workflow. Getting you up and running quickly is our goal. Typically, after a two-day training course you'll be able to understand the basics of Vectorworks Designer and you'll be able to start designing. We also have a number of self-training options available, so that you can learn at your own pace. We offer tutorials with illustrated, step-by-step instructions, and sample designs. See our
training page for a list of tutorials.
Yes. Students around the world use Vectorworks Designer, which combines all the functionality of Vectorworks Landmark, Architect, Spotlight, and Machine Design into a single application. For more information, visit our
academic website.
Institutions of higher education and other schools throughout the world have already discovered Vectorworks Designer. To effectively prepare your students for a successful career in architecture, landscape, entertainment, manufacturing, or just about any type of design, please contact our educational team on our
academic website.
You are not obligated to upgrade at any time. If you choose to upgrade, you'll find it is for only a fraction of the original cost. Nemetschek North America offers a variety of services (many of them free) to help users succeed with Vectorworks products. Take advantage of free options like service pack updates, technical support, the eDispatch online newsletter and tech tips. Or, for more personalized training, you can purchase workbooks, training CDs, online training options, premium support services, and group or individual training courses. Check out the many resources on our
training page.
Vectorworks handles a large variety of import and export formats. You can export your plan seamlessly in a DXF/DWG format, which will work accurately with the application your client or colleague may be using. You can even export BIM models successfully to other downstream BIM applications using our IFC 2x3 export. You can create PDFs, JPGs, TIFs, and MOVs of your designs for your clients to see. Many other formats (Parasolid X_T, SAT, 3DS, EPS, PICT, STL, and IGS, among others) allow you to exchange 2D or 3D data freely with almost every application.
[+] Can I install my licensed software on both a Macintosh and a PC?
No. Your license is based on a single platform of your choice. When ordering your license, please specify Macintosh or Windows as your operating system. If you need to switch operating systems in the future, simply contact your sales representative.
[+] Can I design a 3D model in Vectorworks?
Yes. Yes. Yes! In fact, we specialize in 3D, with best-in-class modeling now available in Vectorworks Designer 2009. You’ll see many 3D objects such as walls, windows, doors, and stairs. Additionally, Vectorworks Designer features a set of sophisticated tools that facilitate true, free-form modeling.
[+] Can I create renderings, videos, and path animations with Vectorworks Designer?
Yes, with Vectorworks Designer you have the ability to create videos, path, and solar animations. With the Renderworks add-on, you'll have the ability to create high-quality photorealistic and non-photorealistic rendered models that you can use for producing stunning images, rendered solar animations, and rendered path animations.
[+] Can co-workers simultaneously work on the same project?
You bet. Vectorworks Designer uses reference technology to allow several co-workers to work on the same project simultaneously. You can reference symbols, parts of a plan, or even whole floors together. And, with the help of workgroup referencing, the office standards can be set up so that everyone can access the same symbol libraries, the office standards colors, default documents, standard organizational structures, and much more. With Vectorworks Designer, you can all move ahead together.
[+] Can I draw the floor plans directly in Vectorworks Designer?
Yes. In Vectorworks Designer ,you can draw plans directly. Vectorworks Designer provides a structure of design layers, sheet layers, and classes for drawing organization. Drawing sets can be very easily organized so that you can quickly accomplish floor plans, sketches, elevations, details, sections, and schedules.
[+] What graphics options does Vectorworks Designer offer?
We want you to have a lot of freedom while designing, and we're known for our graphics capabilities—so we have tons of options: colored fills, gradients, unlimited colors, variable line weights, and many other tools to help you realize your exact vision.
[+] Who can get the free Viewer of Vectorworks?
You, your colleagues, your clients—anyone who wants to open, view, or print Vectorworks documents can get the free Viewer. The Viewer helps the plot service or printer who needs to work with Vectorworks files. Owners and clients can use the Viewer to see the documents without the need for a full version of Vectorworks. The files cannot be changed; all tools except those for revision control are blocked. With the Viewer, you can open drawings from all Vectorworks products.
Download it from our website, free of charge.
Windows: Minimum of 2GB RAM, typically 4GB
Windows XP SP3, Vista SP1
Macintosh: Minimum of 2GB RAM, typically 4GB
Mac OS X, starting from 10.4.11
Return to Top
