Many concepts are similar between Vectorworks and AutoCAD® software; however, different vocabulary can result in confusion for AutoCAD users new to Vectorworks. Additionally, some features of the Vectorworks program have no equivalent in AutoCAD, and vice versa.
Layers in the Vectorworks program are not the same as layers in AutoCAD (instead, Vectorworks classes are the equivalent). Vectorworks layers are like sheets of vellum, placed one on top of the other, with all layers visible and editable, or only the current layer showing/editable. Like hand drafting, each design layer of a Vectorworks drawing has a scale. Sheet layers, which contain viewports, are at a scale of 1:1 and are the “paper space” equivalent.
In the Vectorworks program, some tool is always active; switch tools by selecting a different tool.
The help system includes a PDF listing all commands and tools in the Vectorworks program, along with their location in the workspace. Other useful help sections include Drawing Structure, Creating Objects, Editing Objects, Viewing the Drawing, and Vectorworks 2015 Keyboard Shortcuts.
This table provides the approximate Vectorworks equivalent to many common AutoCAD terms.
AutoCAD |
Vectorworks |
|
AC Trim |
Trim tool |
|
Annotation tools |
Dims/Notes tool set |
|
Array (Polar, Rectangular) |
Duplicate Array command |
|
Attributes |
Records, schedule worksheets |
|
Block |
Symbol or group |
|
Block command |
Create Symbol command (or Group command) |
|
Break |
Trim tool, Connect/Combine tool |
|
Build Panel |
Building Shell tool set |
|
Chamfer 0 0 |
Join command |
|
Circle |
Oval tool |
|
Construction Line |
Guide |
|
Design Center |
Resource Browser |
|
Copy |
Duplicate |
|
Distance |
Tape Measure tool |
|
DRAWORDER |
Send command |
|
Dynamic Dialog, palette |
Palette |
|
Entity |
Object |
|
Erase |
Clear command or Delete key |
|
Explode |
Symbols and groups can be edited with the Edit Symbol or Edit Group commands; exploding first (Decompose or Ungroup commands in Vectorworks) is unnecessary |
|
Extend |
Connect/Combine tool |
|
Grips |
Handles |
|
Insert |
Symbol Insertion tool |
|
Layer |
Class (Vectorworks layers have no equivalent in AutoCAD) |
|
Linetype |
Line type |
|
MATCHPROP |
Eyedropper tool |
|
Menu |
Workspaces |
|
MLine |
Wall tool and Round Wall tool (Vectorworks walls have a 3D height and additional functionality) |
|
Model space |
Design layers |
|
Move |
Select and drag the object |
|
MText |
Text block |
|
Osnap |
SmartCursor cues, Snapping palette |
|
Paper space |
Sheet layers |
|
PEDIT |
Compose command |
|
PLINE |
2D Polygon tool, Polyline tool |
|
Polygon |
Regular Polygon tool |
|
Properties |
Attributes palette and/or the Object Info palette of a selected object |
|
Property Palette |
Object Info palette |
|
Scale |
Scale Objects command |
|
Stretch |
Resize by selecting the object and dragging the handles |
|
Toolbar |
Tool palette |
|
User Coordinate System |
Snap to Grid tool and User Origin commands |
|
VPORTS, Viewport Windows |
Viewports, including sheet layer viewports, design layer viewports, section viewports and detail viewports (Vectorworks Design Series required for certain viewports) |
|
Xref |
Workgroup referencing |
|
Zoom All |
Fit to Objects command |
|
Zoom Extents |
Fit to Page Area command |