For the first time ever, we're having a Laptop Giveaway as part of our rollout campaign for VectorWorks 10- giving away one free laptop a month until December 2002. The best part is, as soon as you upgrade to VectorWorks 10, your name is automatically added to our drawing. It's that easy. If you haven't upgraded yet, you still have time to win a laptop. So, what are you waiting for?

Bert Crews didn't wait and he is our first official winner of a laptop computer, complete with an additional seat of VectorWorks 10 already installed.

And if a free laptop isn't enough to get you to upgrade, than the overwhelming benefits of VectorWorks 10 should help! Users who have already upgraded have said things like, VectorWorks 10 is the "fastest version yet" and it has the "ease-of-use that I never thought a powerful design program could have". We're thrilled with the product and it's clear that we aren't the only ones!

Sincerely,

Richard Diehl
CEO
Nemetschek North America

Is there an easy way to convert my VectorWorks 9 files into VectorWorks 10?

VW 10 allows you to perform batch conversions of previous version VW files, without overwriting the orginial files. This feature is a great timesaver as it can convert large folders of files to VW 10 files in one session.

To do this, go to File > Batch Convert. A Batch Convert dialog box appears with Source Folder and Destination Folder options. Source Folder allows you to select the folder of files you wish to convert. The Destination Folder option allows you to set the folder you wish the converted files to be saved to. If you have subdirectories in the folder specified for Source Folder, the Include Subdirectories check mark box allows the batch convert to convert all subdirectories also. These subdirectories will be created in the Destination Folder automatically.

After the Source Folder and Destination Folder options have been set, click OK to complete the conversions.

Can I change the size of the title block symbols in VectorWorks ARCHITECT?

To change the size of a title block used for the Setup Assistant and Document Setup, go to File > Open. Select the current version VW folder > Plug-ins > Common > Data > 00_Arch_Sheets.mcd. The file containing the title block symbols will open. The drawing screen may appear to be empty, however you should see the various symbols listed in the Resource or Resource Browser Palette. Select the title block you wish to edit from the Resource Palette/Resource Browser Palette and select Edit. After making appropriate changes to the symbol, click on the Exit Symbol button in the upper right hand corner. Go to File > Save and close the file. The next time the Setup Assistant or Document Setup is run, select your custom title block from the list. The title blocks on the drawing should reflect the new changes.

Quick Tips...

In RenderWorks, textures are applied to objects to make them appear more realistic. Textures are composed of components called shaders. In Appendix A of the RenderWorks User's Guide, you can find an explanation of each shader type as well as information about the fields associated with the various shaders.

Using the 2D insertion tool, you have the ability to determine if you would like a symbol to cut into a wall. Simply toggle the Wall insertion Mode on the mode bar while the 2D insertion tool is active for which functionality is desired.

Nemetschek North America Awards Initial Prize in Laptop Giveaway

As part of its VectorWorks 10 roll-out campaign, Nemetschek North America is giving away one free laptop a month to a randomly selected user of a VectorWorks 10 product. October was the first month in the Laptop Giveaway, and the prize went to Bert Crews, from Darata Design Associates in Sausalito, California. Bert uses VectorWorks professionally with a company who provides staging, lighting and décor for civic, corporate and some private events. He uses VectorWorks personally for film-making, specifically with rendered environments for use in a blue screen shoot. Congratulations, Bert!

Nemetschek North America Wins Architecture Magazine's ACE Award

Nemetschek North America has been recognized as one of the architectural industry's best manufacturers by the readers of Architecture magazine. Readers selected Nemetschek North America for the first annual Architect's Choice for Excellence (ACE) through a special ballot, which appeared in the April, May, and June magazine issues. For more information about the ACE award, please visit www.architecturemag.com/architecture/business_resources/award_programs.jsp

VectorWorks 10 Training Now Offered

Nemetschek North America announced today that its hands-on training seminars have been updated to feature the new technology of VectorWorks 10. The Professional Learning Series (PLS) offers two intensive seminars on VectorWorks that travel through various cities in the United States, as well as monthly seminars at the company's corporate headquarters in Columbia, Maryland. Nemetschek N.A. also updated all of its training CDs to remain consistent with version 10.

10 is the Magic Number: Architosh Reviews VectorWorks 10

Architosh has been testing VectorWorks 10 since it went "golden master" a few weeks ago, and the more time they spent with the application, the more they were convinced that this is one of the best updates to the flagship CAD application ever produced. To read the complete review, please visit www.architosh.com/news/2002-10/2002c-1010-vw-index.phtml

Seattle VectorWorks Users Group
Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 20th at Wood Construction Center, 2310 South Lane, Seattle, WA 98144 at 6:30 PM.

Jack McKean and Geoff Briggs will be demonstrating some of the new features of the latest version of VectorWorks.

For more information, please visit:
www.pacificnwvectorworks.com

Los Angeles/Southern California User Group
Next Meeting: November 11th at Loyola Marymount University, Hilton Business Center, Room 304 from 7-9 PM.

The plan for the meeting is audience participation. Come with your favorite shortcut or time-saving tip to share with the rest of the group.

For more information,
Pat Stanford
lavectorworks@att.net
562-490-4649 x 2035

Minnesota User Group
Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 12th at Washburn Library (lower level), 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN from 7-9 PM.

Join the fun and discuss Version 10 (bring samples of your work to share)

For more information,
Charles J. Radloff
952 941 1667 voice
Charles@RadloffArchitects.com

Call us at 410-290-5114 to speak to Customer Service or Technical Support.

Fax us at 410-290-7266. Visit us on the web at www.nemetschek.net

For ordering and pricing information, call 1-888-646-4223, or e-mail sales@nemetschek.net

E-mail questions about upcoming shows, User Group events, or any marketing concerns to marketing@nemetschek.net

E-mail your technical questions, solutions, and wish list items to Technical Support at tech@nemetschek.net