CC Sep-Oct 2023

SOFTWAREfocus
collaborative data capabilities.
IMPROVED GEOMETRY FOR
ARCHITECTS AND INTERIOR
DESIGNERS
Vectorworks 2024 includes more
specific features for architects and
interior designers. There is, for
instance, improved geometry for
thresholds and sills, providing a better
fit with wall closures. Similarly, there
are more options to control interior and
exterior conditions, gaps around doors
and windows for each side of the
opening. Door handing has been
standardised to allow for more detailed
geometry and data supporting industry
standards, and Materials can now be
assigned to doors and windows, with
greater accuracy and consistency in
visual representation and reporting.
I'm always amazed by the step-bystep
enhancements to stair design and
building access. The Railing tool now
enables users to create new
parametric handrails and guardrails
from created from building objects,
such as stairs, slabs and ramps, and
more custom configurations. Interior
designers will also be delighted with
the ability to create parametric cabinet
objects for interior projects. This is
helped by a greater range of cabinet
configurations and improved
interactive placement.
FENCING FOR LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTS
Previewed in one of the recent
updates, Vectorworks' new, automated,
Fence tool has been lauded as a
significant enhancement to
Vectorworks Landmark. Besides being
an easy-to-use and graphically very
satisfying tool, it will save significant
time while designing enclosed areas in
both 2D and 3D. It has a bonus, too, in
that it facilitates accurate material
reporting as an additional BIM feature
for landscape architects and garden
designers. It also enables simplified
creation of material schedules and
specifications and can be optimised to
create simplified or detailed
representations.
The Fence tool, naturally, includes
integrated posts, gates and terrainconforming
options, and will naturally
follow the undulation of the terrain
whether it is sloped or stepped.
PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON
OTHER APPLICATIONS
I must apologise for the simple pun,
but Vectorworks Spotlight users will
also benefit from the philosophy
behind Vectorworks' new version. Used
widely in the entertainment industry for
designing and developing live events,
the demand is for everyday quality and
performance improvements to speed
up and manage previously complex
manual and repetitive tasks.
Spotlight's Equipment Lists feature
facilitates this by unifying the equipment
and inventory tracking processes. It
streamlines the preproduction process
by providing the tools to plan and
document all the equipment needed by
a show or production.
Workflows are also enhanced for A/V
installation, where the upcoming
ConnectCAD Reports Share command
lets designers upload design data to
Vectorworks Cloud Services as a
configurable worksheet. It can then be
viewed in a web browser on any
device, ensuring that all project
partners and installers are accessing
the most up-to-date information.
A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
PROCESS
In addition to empowering designers
with advanced automation and
problem-solving capabilities,
Vectorworks 2024 builds on the
platform's long-standing commitment
to deliver quality improvements. These
will be developed further in future
updates, and Vectorworks can be
assured of frequent and useful future
updates to their Vectorworks software.
This was exemplified by Vectorworks'
Chief Product Officer Darick DeHart,
who said "continuing our tradition of
excellence, Vectorworks 2024
embodies our quality initiative,
emphasising solutions to complex
problems. We believe in the power of
comprehensive workflows that address
the challenges faced by designers and
can't wait to share more on the exciting
improvements in quality that await our
users in the new version."
The English language release of
Vectorworks 2024 is now available to
active Vectorworks Service Select
members and subscription customers.
vectorworks.net/2024
September/October 2023 15