Vectorworks equivalents to AutoCAD and Revit terms and concepts
Many concepts are similar between Vectorworks and AutoCAD and Revit software; however, different vocabulary can result in confusion for AutoCAD/Revit users new to Vectorworks. Additionally, some features of the Vectorworks program have no equivalent in AutoCAD/Revit, and vice versa.
Layers in the Vectorworks program are not the same as layers in AutoCAD/Revit (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. Additionally, each section of help about a command or tool describes where it is located. Other useful help sections include Drawing structure, Basic drawing objects, Editing multiple objects, and Viewing the drawing.
AutoCAD terms
Click to show/hide the terminology.Click to show/hide the terminology.
|
AutoCAD term |
Vectorworks term |
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AC Trim |
Trim tool |
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Annotation tools |
Dims/Notes tool set |
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Array (Polar, Rectangular) |
Duplicate Array command |
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Attributes |
Records, schedule worksheets |
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Block |
Symbol or group |
|
Block command |
Create Symbol command (or Group command) |
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Break |
Trim tool, Connect/Combine tool |
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Build Panel |
Building Shell tool set |
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Chamfer 0 0 |
Join command |
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Circle |
Circle tool, Oval tool |
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Construction Line |
Guide |
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Design Center |
Resource Manager |
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Copy |
Duplicate |
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Distance |
Tape Measure tool |
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DRAWORDER |
Send command |
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Dynamic Dialog, palette |
Palette |
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Entity |
Object |
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Erase |
Clear command or Delete key |
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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 |
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Grips |
Handles |
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Insert |
Symbol Insertion tool |
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Layer |
Class (Vectorworks layers have no equivalent in AutoCAD) |
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Linetype |
Line type |
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MATCHPROP |
Eyedropper tool |
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Menu |
Workspaces |
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MLine |
Wall tool and Round Wall tool (Vectorworks walls have a 3D height and additional functionality) |
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Model space |
Design layers |
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Move |
Select and drag the object |
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MText |
Text block |
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Mullion |
Window Settings dialog box, Transom pane; Window Settings dialog box, select Custom Sash; Door Settings dialog box, Lights pane or Transom pane; Mullion tool; Edit Curtain Wall tool |
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Osnap |
SmartCursor cues, Snapping set on the Status bar |
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Paper space |
Sheet layers |
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PEDIT |
Compose command |
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PLINE |
2D Polygon tool, Polyline tool |
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Polygon |
Regular Polygon tool |
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Properties |
Attributes palette and/or the Object Info palette of a selected object |
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Property Palette |
Object Info palette |
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Scale |
Scale Objects command |
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Stretch |
Resize by selecting the object and dragging the handles |
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Toolbar |
Tool palette |
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User Coordinate System |
Snap to Grid tool and User Origin commands |
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VPORTS, Viewport Windows |
Viewports, including sheet layer viewports, design layer viewports, section viewports and detail viewports (Vectorworks Design Suite required for certain viewports) |
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Xref |
Reference |
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Zoom All |
Fit to Objects command |
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Zoom Extents |
Fit to Page Area command |
Revit terms
Click to show/hide the terminology.Click to show/hide the terminology.
|
Revit term |
Vectorworks term |
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Annotation tools |
Dims/Notes tool set |
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Arrange (contextual tab) |
Send command |
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Array (Polar, Rectangular) |
Duplicate Array command |
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Ceiling |
Slab Style (ceiling), Roof Face, Ceiling Grid |
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Column: architectural, structural |
Column tool and Pilaster tool |
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Component |
Symbol |
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Curtain grid |
Edit Curtain Wall tool |
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Curtain system |
Specify Curtain Wall in Wall Settings dialog box |
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Copy |
Duplicate |
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Door family |
Door object or symbol |
|
Family |
Symbol |
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Floor: architectural, structural, floor by face |
Slab Style (architectural, structural), Model to Floorplan command |
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Measure |
Tape Measure tool |
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Move |
Select and drag the object |
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Mullion |
Edit Curtain Wall tool; Window Settings dialog box, Transom pane; Window Settings dialog box, select Custom Sash; Door Settings dialog box, Lights pane or Transom pane; Mullion tool |
|
Project Base Point |
Internal Origin |
|
Project browser |
Navigation palette |
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Project Location |
Georeferencing |
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Properties |
Attributes palette and/or the Object Info palette of a selected object |
|
Properties Palette |
Object Info palette |
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Reference Plane/Line |
Guide |
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Roof: by footprint, extrusion, face |
Roof Face command and Create Roof command |
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Roof: soffit, fascia |
Create Roof command, Accessories dialog box |
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Scale |
Scale Objects command |
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Survey Point |
User Origin |
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Toolbar |
Tool palette |
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Trim/Extend |
Connect/Combine tool, Wall Join tool |
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Wall: architectural, structural, curtain wall type |
Wall tool, define exterior/interior and load-bearing on the Data tab of the Object Info palette; Specify Curtain Wall in Wall Settings dialog box |
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Wall: by face |
Create Objects from Shapes command, Create Walls from Spaces command, and Model to Floorplan command |
|
Wall: sweep, reveal |
Wall recesses, wall projections |
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Window family |
Window object or symbol |