File sharing can provide consistency and efficiency in your project files, especially in a large business where several people work on the same project. The Vectorworks program has referencing and workgroup features to make it easier to share drawing elements with your coworkers when needed.
Referencing allows you to use drawing elements from another file in the current file. When a referenced item in the master file changes, the changes are reflected in the target file. Updates to target files can be performed automatically or only when manually requested.
● A “layer import” reference imports all classes and objects from a design layer in an external Vectorworks file to a design layer in the target file.
● A “design layer viewport” reference imports the contents of an external Vectorworks file to a viewport in the target file. Like any other viewport, you can then select which classes and layers to display in the viewport. (Vectorworks Design Series required)
● Resources (such as hatches, worksheets, or symbols) in other Vectorworks files can be referenced, and then used in your drawings.
● In addition to Vectorworks files, you can reference DXF/DWG and DWF files (see DXF/DWG and DWF References).
● If Vectorworks Design Series products are installed, you can also reference image and PDF files (see Importing an Image File and Importing PDF Files).
Use the References tab of the Organization dialog box to create references to other files, and to edit or update existing references.
When Vectorworks Design Series is installed, you can create a workgroup environment, to share one or more folders of custom content files on a network with coworkers. These files might contain content that will be used by all users (such as templates, symbols, export settings, or workspaces). Alternatively they might contain custom content specific to different projects.
This method of file sharing is best for custom content that does not change often. The content is available to multiple users without being referenced into each file, but because it is not referenced, it cannot be updated automatically.
Communication among coworkers is essential when referencing and/or workgroups are in use. Discuss a strategy for how to name, maintain, and update master files. Keep each other informed of major changes—especially the deletion of a master file or resources, which can affect multiple files.
If either the file name or the location of a referenced file is changed, the reference is broken. Items referenced from that file cannot be updated until the broken reference is corrected.
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