Plug-in object mapping in the Data Manager

A new button allows you to set up data mapping for any plug-in that you have added to Vectorworks using an alias or shortcut in a plug-ins folder

Using the Data Manager

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

BCF Manager improvements

Enhancements add support for BCF version 2.1 along with an improved user interface and additional topic categories

Managing BCF information

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Creating charts with Marionette

New Marionette nodes allow you to create a variety of charts in 2D and 3D using worksheets or list data. Click the new Update button to update charts and other Marionette objects whose underlying data has changed.

Creating Marionette charts and Using object nodes

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Importing Revit 2020 files

Vectorworks can now import Revit 2020 files

Importing Revit

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

GIS and ESRI features are now included in all Design Series products

Geographic information system (GIS) features, including the ability to georeference layers and assign coordinate systems, the Geolocate tool, the Geoimage tool, and the ability to import and export georeferenced images, have been added to Architect and Spotlight

GIS and georeferencing, Importing georeferenced images, and Exporting georeferenced images

Architect, Spotlight

Schematic view improvements

●        Now it is faster and easier to edit parent objects from the model while working in schematic views.

●        When parent objects are edited, any out-of-date schematic instances are visually indicated, and they can be easily updated with the Update Geometry button or the Update All Schematic Views command.

●        A lighting instrument in schematic view now shows the 2D label legend of its parent instrument.

●        A new Show Direction option indicates the direction of straight trusses and lighting pipes, to assist with rotation.

Updating schematic views, Concept: Schematic views, Inserting a straight truss, and Placing lighting pipe objects

Spotlight, Braceworks

Improved GDTF integration

As part of the new data exchange workflow connecting Vectorworks with lighting consoles and previz programs, .gdtf files can now be imported as resources in Vectorworks. You can import .gdtf files by using the new Import GDTF command, by importing .mvr files which contain .gdtf files, or by importing the GDTF resources from another .vwx file.

Workflow: Visualizer data exchange, Importing GDTF, and Selecting a fixture mode

Spotlight, Braceworks

Importing Mosa tile patterns

You can now customize and import Mosa tile patterns into Vectorworks as Renderworks textures, image files, and/or 2D hatches

Importing Mosa patterns

Fundamentals

NBS Chorus integration

(Vectorworks Service Select members only)

Vectorworks Service Select members can now integrate NBS Chorus functionality into Vectorworks. Commonly used in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, NBS Chorus is an online specification database dynamically linked to users’ models. It helps users organize and manage project documentation while retaining its link to the Vectorworks model.

NBS Chorus integration

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Enscape real-time rendering capability (Windows only)

Vectorworks users can now link models directly to Enscape for real-time rendering, animation, and virtual reality viewing

The plug-in and documentation are provided by Enscape

Fundamentals

New machine learning-based features in Vectorworks Cloud Services

(Vectorworks Service Select members only)

From the web portal or the Nomad apps, there are two new options to enhance images using experimental machine learning algorithms.

●        Stylize image redraws an image using the stylistic elements of another selected image. This allows you to quickly create a more artistic (as opposed to photorealistic) presentation.

●        Upsample image allows you to upsample a low resolution rendering, to get a good-quality rendering in much less time.

“Stylize images” and “Upsample images” articles in the Vectorworks Cloud Services help system

Fundamentals

ConnectCAD

The new ConnectCAD suite of tools and commands creates schematic network diagrams of electronic wiring and connections between equipment, as well as layout drawings showing equipment in real-world configurations

ConnectCAD

ConnectCAD license plus Spotlight required

Georeferencing improvements

The coordinates of the user origin and the heliodon object can now be set to the document or layer georeferencing. These settings, along with the stake and graticule objects, update automatically if the document or layer georeferencing changes.

Setting the user origin, Inserting a heliodon object

Architect, Landmark

Site protection server

Braceworks and ConnectCAD are now among the products that can be borrowed

Launching Vectorworks on a client machine

Fundamentals

Live data visualization

Adds the ability to apply multiple data visualizations to the drawing or to a viewport

Applying multiple data visualizations

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Rigging and load attachment for Braceworks calculations

When attaching loads to rigging with the Manage Loads tool, the new Select Load to Place dialog box makes it easy to move lighting devices and other load objects directly onto the rigging (a requirement for Braceworks calculations)

Associating existing loads with the Manage Loads tool

Spotlight, Braceworks

New door and window option to Create Niche for Space Objects

A new option allows you to specify which door and window niches to include in the space object’s net boundary area calculation

Door settings: General pane and Window settings: General pane

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Live data visualization

Data visualization is a dynamic view that displays objects—in the drawing or in a viewport—based on specific data and specified attributes

Viewing the drawing by data or by attributes

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Create more flexible and dynamic animations

You now have greater control over how to create and fine tune animations of your models, using the new suite of commands and editable animation path object

Animating models

Fundamentals

Georeferencing improvements

Major improvements have been made to georeferencing features. Two new tools, Geoimage and Geolocate, take advantage of online image services in a georeferenced workflow; a third new tool places a GIS stake. Document and layer georeferencing is improved, reducing workflow errors, as is shapefile and DXF/DWG import of georeferenced files.

GIS and georeferencing, Importing Shapefiles, Importing a single DXF/DWG or DWF file

Architect, Landmark

Improved rigging and schematic views

Rigging objects have a new 3D design workflow and interactive schematic views.

●        All rigging objects now support full 3D rotation.

●        All rigging objects can serve as intelligent load hanging points; loads can be easily attached, repositioned, and removed with the Manage Loads tool.

●        The Create Schematic View command creates interactive schematics from rigging and load objects, no matter their orientation. This workflow replaces plot and model views, for greater organization and performance.

●        Various context commands allow you to quickly reposition schematic loads for custom plan documents.

Concept: Rigging objects, Concept: Schematic views, and Managing loads 

Spotlight

Data Manager

The new Tools > Data Manager command allows you to define mapping rules to attach data fields to objects as they are created or when they are assigned to a particular class in a drawing.

You can also define data sheets, which are custom sets of fields used to enter data on the Data tab of the Object Info palette.

This command replaces the IFC Data Mapping command.

Using the Data Manager

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Data tag improvements

Several improvements have been made to the Data Tag tool and tag objects:

●        Controls for tag offsets, wall alignment, and scaling

●        Ability to link a data source to another object parameter, record format, or IFC entity, to automatically update it when a tag is inserted or edited

●        Ability to override the document units setting for a data source

●        New formats for date fields

●        Ability to extract pSet values regardless of the object’s IfcEntity

●        New worksheet function DataTagField, which returns the value of a dynamic text field for data tag objects

●        Ability to edit the individual parts of a complex tag field that contains multiple pieces of data

●        Preview of tag geometry when placing or dragging a tag

●        Ability to attach record formats or IFC data to data tag styles

●        New modes for placing tags without a leader

●        Easier method to set the next or default value for a tag field

Using data tags

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Notes manager improvements

Notes manager improvements include:

●        A simpler interface for inserting callouts, keynotes, and general notes

●        Separation of database notes management from object insertion (Design Series required)

●        New parameters for finer control of text and text bubble display in note objects

Inserting callouts or keynotes, Placing general notes, and Managing database notes

Fundamentals

Title block border improvements

Title block borders and the Title Block Manager have several improvements that make it easier to insert and design title block borders, to maintain the associated information, and to manage multiple title block borders in a file. The most notable changes include:

●        New insertion modes for the Title Block Border tool

●        The ability to insert a title block border into several layers at once

●        Additional ways to manage the layout of the Project Data and Sheet Data panes in the Title Block Settings dialog box and Title Block Manager

●        Easier managing of revision and issue data, including extraction and editing in worksheets

●        Easier selection of title block borders to edit in the Title Block Manager

Creating title block borders, Placing a title block border on multiple sheets, Title block border settings, Title Block Manager, and Project revision and issue history worksheets

Fundamentals

Script-based database rows for worksheets

A new function, DatabaseByScript, allows advanced users to determine the contents of a database row by script. A new worksheet command, Edit Database Formula, easily allows the function to be customized. Default schedules have been modified to take advantage of the new function.

DataBasebyScript(scriptName, param1, param2,...), and Database rows

Fundamentals

Field editing in list boxes

You can now directly edit some of the fields displayed in list boxes in several dialog boxes throughout the application, including the Organization dialog box and the Navigation palette

List box functionality

Fundamentals

Filter and search improvements

●        Addition of search boxes for filtering viewport and saved view lists to the View bar, Organization dialog box, and Navigation palette

●        Ability to add tags while creating or editing classes and layers

●        Additional name filter criteria options for class and layer lists

The Organization dialog box, Setting design layer properties, Setting sheet layer properties, Setting class properties, The Navigation palette

Fundamentals

Batch renaming of drawing elements

A new Batch Rename command allows you to make certain name changes in the file at once, to multiple classes, layers, viewports, saved views, or resources

Batch renaming

Fundamentals

Enhanced Object Info palette navigation

To reduce scrolling on the Shape tab, large numbers of parameters are organized into widget groups that can be expanded or collapsed

Widget groups

Fundamentals

Planar object 2D fill display in hidden line viewports

Sheet layer viewports with hidden line or dashed hidden line render modes now offer an option to display 2D fills for planar objects and 2D components

Creating sheet layer viewports, Creating section viewports, Creating interior elevation viewports, and Creating detail viewports

Fundamentals

Symbol definition and plug-in object editing improvements when editing 2D components

New visual cues help identify empty and custom (“user-provided”) 2D components of symbol definitions and plug-in objects. Custom components do not update automatically when the plug-in object is edited, so for plug-in objects, there is a new method to delete these user-provided components, preserving the plug-in object workflow.

Deleting user-provided 2D components of plug-in objects and Creating 2D components for symbol definitions and plug-in objects

Fundamentals

Cut plane settings for symbols and plug-in objects

You can now set how plug-in object styles, plug-in objects, and symbol definitions should display when they pass through the cut plane used to define vertical and horizontal section viewports. In addition, most plug-in objects and most Vectorworks library resources now have cut plane settings appropriate for the object type.

Setting the section cut plane display for plug-in objects and Creating symbol definitions

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Improved door and window representations

Door and window objects now offer more sophisticated detail level options for display at different scales in design layers and viewports. Windows have additional features that enable correct clerestory display in horizontal section viewports.

Door settings and Window settings

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

History-based editing of solid fillet, chamfer, and shell objects

You can now edit the history of fillet, chamfer, and shell objects, and change the selection of edges and faces within the nested history, for modification.

Modifying a fillet, chamfer, or shell object and Editing solid object history

Fundamentals

Architectural template and styles updates as a result of improved workflows

The workflow for modeling a building has changed; walls should now be drawn first, and then the slabs should be created on the same story. This process is repeated for each subsequent story. This results in changes to default templates; wall, slab, and roof styles; and other content files provided with Architect.

Workflow: Model setup with stories

Architect

New barn door configurations

The Door tool now offers Barn and Barn Bypass door configurations, with a variety of settings available on a new Barn Door pane; common barn door configurations and hardware are added to resource libraries

Door settings

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Door and window transom improvements

Now, door and window transoms can be offset from the jamb center toward the exterior or interior of a building, and the transom and door sidelight Mullion Depth can Use Jamb Depth

Door settings: Lights pane, Door settings: Transom pane, and Window settings: Transom pane

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Wall niches calculated in net space areas

For properly configured window and door plug-in objects, the space object can now include any window and door niches in the Net Boundary Definition for calculating net area

Space settings: 2D Boundaries and Area pane

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Window surface area calculations for space objects

For properly configured window plug-in objects, you can now determine the total glazing surface area of all windows belonging to one space object, and the ratio between the total window glazing surface area and the net space area. Two new variables, Glazing Area and Glazing Area Ratio, are now available from all menus and lists, such as the Format Field for space labels.

Space settings: Space Label 1, 2, and 3 panes, Space settings: Advanced Settings pane, and Custom number styles

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Vertical and horizontal alignment for hardscapes

A new type of hardscape configuration, the aligned slab hardscape, automatically aligns vertically with the edges of adjacent objects. The elevation of this type of hardscape can be specifically set with stake, grade, and profile objects on its surface.

Creating hardscape objects, Aligning hardscapes with existing geometry, Modifying aligned hardscapes

Architect, Landmark

Previz capability with Vision

Beginning with Vectorworks 2020, each Spotlight or Design Series license with a Service Select membership includes a Vision license for previsualization, with access to two universes and one NDI stream

Vectorworks Service Select

Spotlight

Seating section improvements

Improvements to the seating section object include:

●        Replacing the Create Seating Section command with the Seating Section tool for more flexible creation

●        The addition of plug-in object styles for fast creation of multiple sections with the same settings

●        New classing support to control visibility

●        Better control of the focus point

●        Support for the Data Tag tool

●        Availability with an Architect license

●        For Spotlight users, a new aisle object that interacts with the seating section object

●        Removal of the Create Seating Layout command and Seating Layout tool to Legacy status.

Creating seating sections and Adding aisles to seating sections

Architect, Spotlight

DMX patching

A new DMX Patch command tracks DMX addresses, checks for errors, resolves conflicts, and assigns the patching of lighting devices

DMX patching

Spotlight

Lighting pipe and lighting pipe ladder enhancements

The Lighting Pipe tool and Lighting Pipe Ladder tool both have new insertion modes and new parameters for greater control over placement and design. The lighting pipe and ladder objects are now designated as rigging objects, so lighting devices and other objects can be attached directly to them. Now, both objects can participate in Braceworks calculations and schematic views.

Placing lighting pipe objects and Placing lighting pipe ladders

Spotlight

Spotlight Preferences dialog box reorganization

The Spotlight Preferences dialog box has been reorganized for more logical groupings, and some settings have been streamlined

Spotlight preferences setup

Spotlight

Video camera plug-in object

A new Video Camera tool inserts an object that mimics the behavior of real world video cameras, so event designers can more accurately plan their camera shots

Placing a video camera

Spotlight

Align and Distribute tool now available in 3D views

The improved Align and Distribute tool enables you to reposition lighting instruments and other loads in Top/Plan and 3D views

Aligning and distributing Spotlight items

Spotlight

Truss improvements

Several improvements have been made to truss objects and the Insert Truss tool:

●        New tool modes for insertion of one or more trusses at different hanging angles

●        Faster navigation of truss libraries, which have just one symbol for each truss type and better categorization

●        Ability to insert book hinges and center hinges with the Insert Truss tool; the hinges participate in Braceworks calculations

●        Faster truss insertion, system checks, and load analysis in complex drawings

●        Improved customization workflow, using the Customize Truss Symbol Data context command to modify truss data

●        Easier access to commands for selecting and editing trusses and systems in the truss context menu

●        Assignment of default geometry to trusses with missing symbol definitions, so it’s easier to reassign a symbol

Creating the rigging system, Adding hinges to an existing system, Placing a new hinge, Modifying truss symbol data, and Modifying trusses and systems

Spotlight, Braceworks

Braceworks improvements

Many objects and processes have been changed to improve structural analysis with Braceworks. Changes include the following.

●        Speaker arrays can be hung by multiple support objects.

●        Braceworks calculations can now be exported to a SCIA XML file.

●        The Insert Connection tool allows you to create an offset between the vertically stacked trusses, supports drop connections on parallel truss lines, and gives greater controls over truss crosses.

●        Hanging points can be classed and made visible for easier connections, and hoists can now snap to hanging points.

●        Lighting instruments can connect automatically to structural objects at insertion.

●        The video screen object has a new Sliders screen support option that generates the cable to connect the video screen to a truss object.

●        The distributed load for the soft goods object has been moved to the top of the object.

●        Television objects offer a choice of hanging point positions at the top, middle, or bottom of the object.

Inserting speaker arrays , Exporting calculation results, Connecting structural elements, Braceworks preferences, Inserting a video screen object , and Inserting a television object

Spotlight, Braceworks

Improvements to class/layer mapping for import and export of DXF/DWG and DWF files

The process for managing mapping sets and standards files has been improved:

●        Both types of files are managed from the same main dialog box

●        Files can be in .txt format, and can be saved in any location

●        Multiple standards can be used for one mapping set

●        Ability to edit mapping pairs of classes/layers that aren’t in the current file

●        Ability to add classes/layers from the current file to a standard

Mapping layer and class names

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

IFC referencing

You can now import IFC stories and elements by reference, instead of directly importing all the objects into the Vectorworks file

Importing IFC files

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

3D geometry export to Revit

You can now export the geometry of 3D Vectorworks objects as Direct Shape Type objects in Revit files

Exporting 3D geometry to Revit

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

New import option for point clouds

Very large point clouds can now be centered on the internal origin at import for a more accurate appearance

Importing a point cloud object

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

SketchUp import updated

Vectorworks can now import SketchUp files through version 2019

Importing SketchUp

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Optimization of exported PDFs

When publishing or exporting single PDF files, you can now further reduce the size of exported PDFs by applying JPEG compression to images. Select a Reduction setting, or set the downsampling or compression options individually.

Single PDF file export

Fundamentals

Easier BIMobject selection

The web browser used to select BIMobject content for download has a new, easier-to-use interface

Browsing, downloading, and inserting BIMobject content

Architect, Landmark

RAL color systems

Vectorworks color palettes now support European RAL color systems

Not applicable

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Dark Mode support on Mac

Vectorworks has been optimized to support Dark Mode on the Mac

Application window

Fundamentals

New sign-in for Vectorworks user accounts

The sign-in for Vectorworks Cloud Services has been moved from the Cloud menu to the Vectorworks menu bar. You must sign in to use the Cloud menu commands, or to store or process files on the cloud.

Vectorworks Service Select and Vectorworks Cloud Services

Fundamentals

Import PDF command, Hardscape tool, and BIMobject tool available in additional Vectorworks products

The following command and tools are available in additional products:

●        Import PDF command in Fundamentals

●        Hardscape tool in Architect

●        BIMobject tool in Landmark

Importing PDF, Creating hardscape objects, Inserting objects from BIMobject

Fundamentals, Architect, Landmark

Improved drawing navigation

Selected objects now remain highlighted during navigation in Top/Plan or 3D views

Not applicable

Fundamentals

Improvements to graphics performance and quality

OpenGL and Renderworks rendering and navigation (e.g., zooming and panning) have been optimized for better 2D and 3D graphics performance and stability

Not applicable

Fundamentals

Consistent saved settings

Saved sets are now created and managed consistently across Vectorworks

Using saved sets

Fundamentals

Event design workflow

A new workflow tailored to Spotlight, Braceworks, and Vision users describes the key steps in designing multi-media events. The workflow is organized by design phase—from file setup through final rendering and paperwork. Specific steps are provided for different sized events.

Workflow: Designing events

3D modeling introduction

A new section describes how to create and modify 3D models in Vectorworks

3D modeling

Stories concept and workflow

New information helps when setting up a file and working with stories in Architect

Concept: Stories and story-aware objects, Workflow: Model setup with stories

Added mode icons

Tool bar mode icons have been added where applicable, making it easier to identify the correct mode

Online help system