New features

The following table contains a list of new and improved features for the Service Pack 3 release of the Vectorworks 2022 software, and indicates the section where the functionality is documented and the product to which the feature applies.

Feature

Description

Location

Product

Datasmith Direct Link and export improvements

Improvements to the Datasmith link and export include:

The Datasmith Direct Link now stays open for continual synchronization until it is closed

Non-graphical object record and IFC metadata can now be sent to the Datasmith model

Object labels now use the more readable user-supplied names when possible

You can now specify where Datasmith stores the model data

Ambient light, point light, spot light, and directional light objects are included in the Datasmith model, for use in programs that can accommodate them

Graphics live synchronization with Datasmith Direct Link

Exporting in Unreal Datasmith format

Fundamentals

Improved 3D model export for Nomad and web viewing

An improved 3D model export (VGX) is easier to view, navigate, share, and manipulate on the Vectorworks Cloud services web portal and the Nomad mobile app, in Unity-based 3D and augmented reality (AR) views. The new Export VGX (3D only) command replaces the Export Web View (3D only) command, which has been moved to Legacy status.

Exporting a VGX 3D model

Fundamentals

New Auto Heal Paths mode

When reshaping cable paths and joining two cable path objects, the new mode toggles between merging the objects into one object or keeping them separate

Reshaping cable paths

Editing cable networks

Spotlight, ConnectCAD

glTF/glb support

The Spotlight (and Vision) MVR workflow, both import and export, is now based on the glTF/glb file format, rather than 3ds. The legacy 3ds support is still available if needed.

Exporting MVR files

Importing MVR

Workflow: Visualizer data exchange

Spotlight

New Spotlight preference to align load objects in 2D

A new preference, Orient loads with rigging objects when snapping in 2D, allows you to align loads with rigging objects when placing them in 2D views

Spotlight preferences: Loads and Rigging pane

Spotlight

ConnectCAD general improvements

ConnectCAD now includes the following enhancements: 

A layout room can be created using the Create Objects from Shapes command

You can delete custom devices from the device builder, preventing clutter in the Make/Model list

You can check for cable paths that are not connected

Custom parameters for signals, connectors, and cable types from another user's file can be accessed from the Object Info palette without being added

When creating devices from a worksheet, you can assign worksheet columns to the device parameters

Cable route analysis excludes circuits to and from external connections named with <EXT>

Creating a layout room

Building a device

Checking the drawing

Customizing ConnectCAD objects

Creating devices from a worksheet

Analyzing the cable route

ConnectCAD

Vectorworks Embodied Carbon Calculator

The new Vectorworks Embodied Carbon Calculator (VECC) is a custom worksheet that is pre-formatted to help calculate embodied carbon levels of a project

Embodied Carbon Calculator

Architect

The following table contains a list of new and improved features for the Service Pack 2 release of the Vectorworks 2022 software, and indicates the section where the functionality is documented and the product to which the feature applies.

Feature

Description

Location

Product

Title Block Manager support for individual title blocks on a sheet

You can now specify which title blocks to include in edits, for sheets that have multiple title blocks

Title Block Manager

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Added support for Revit 2022

You can now import and export Revit 2022 files

Importing Revit

Exporting 3D geometry to Revit

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Send to Vision command improvement

This command now uses the .mvr format rather than the .esc format, improving the export experience

Sending a file directly to Vision

Spotlight

ConnectCAD general improvements

ConnectCAD now includes the following enhancements:

A connector panel device no longer requires a port number

The number of circuits connected to a socket can be displayed

Placing connector panels

Adding sockets, loops, and terminators

ConnectCAD

The following table contains a list of new and improved features for the Service Pack 1 release of the Vectorworks 2022 software, and indicates the section where the functionality is documented and the product to which the feature applies.

Feature

Description

Location

Product

Wall closure support for custom symbols in walls

Custom symbol definitions that allow the symbol to be inserted into walls can now use wall closure settings

Creating symbol definitions

Wall closure settings

Adding a wall closure component to a symbol definition

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Support for import from and export to AutoCAD version 2022

Vectorworks now supports version 2022 of AutoCAD when importing from and exporting to DXF/DWG

DXF/DWG and DWF file formats

Fundamentals

The following table contains a list of new and improved features for the initial release of the Vectorworks 2022 software, and indicates the section where the functionality is documented and the product to which the feature applies.

Feature

Description

Location

Product

Native on Apple® Silicon

Vectorworks runs natively on new Apple Silicon processors on Mac. Being optimized for Apple Silicon, including the M1 chip, means that Vectorworks launches faster than ever before and uses the high-performance processor to the best advantage for resource intensive tasks such as file i/o, graphics display, and rendering.

Not applicable

Fundamentals

Texturing workflow improvements

Applying textures to objects and managing applied textures are now easier and more flexible, with the new Texture tool and improvements to the Object Info palette Render pane; the keyboard shortcut Shift+T has been reassigned from the Triangle tool to the Texture tool

Applying textures to objects and faces using the Texture tool

Managing object textures from the Object Info palette

Fundamentals

Attributes palette user interface improvements

The Attributes palette is reorganized for greater clarity and consistency. Additionally, changes to attribute settings display immediately in the selected object. By default the palette is now docked on the left side of the application window, below the tool sets, but it can be moved. Additionally, the Utility menu access for all palettes has been moved to the title bar for more intuitive access and consistency.

The Attributes palette

Fundamentals

New Status bar featuring new snapping interface 

The Message bar has been replaced by the Status bar, which features a convenient, fixed location for the Snapping set at the bottom right of the application window. Easier access to snapping tools, snapping suspension, and the settings is provided. The keyboard shortcuts have been removed from the snapping tools but you can create your own shortcuts if needed.

Setting snapping parameters

Application window

Fundamentals

New Redshift by Maxon® render type

The new Redshift by Maxon option available for Renderworks styles excels at generating high-end production renderings of large or complicated 3D models

Renderworks styles

Creating Renderworks styles

Fundamentals

Improved hidden line rendering

Hidden line rendering now occurs in the background for:

Design layers

Non-section, uncropped design layer viewports (Vectorworks Design Suite required)

Non-section sheet layer viewports

During background rendering, you can continue working in the file.

Background rendering

Fundamentals

Wall object and workflow improvements

Improvements to the wall object include:

The ability to define wall closure profiles and component wrapping conditions at wall openings for inserts such as doors and windows

The ability for plug-in objects/symbols in walls to define their insertion points relative to the wall

Wall objects now contain generic solids that represent the 3D parts of walls; these can be exposed by ungrouping a wall object

The Round Wall tool now inserts the same wall object type as the Wall tool, for easier reporting

Wall closure settings

Additional plug-in object style and instance options

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Deprecate 2D legacy features

To reduce unnecessary complexity, portions of Vectorworks that enable outdated 2D workflows have been deprecated. Objects can no longer be set to the screen plane, and drawings now always have a “unified” view, with the same view, lighting options, render mode, and Renderworks background for all design layers. Legacy 2D features can still be used in existing files that contain them, and they can be enabled on new files as a document preference.

Document preferences: Legacy 2D tab

Using legacy 2D features

Fundamentals

ConnectCAD Cable route planning

A new suite of tools rounds out ConnectCAD capabilities by routing cables within an architectural model, to design and visualize the details of cable support systems and conduits

Workflow: Cable routing with ConnectCAD

ConnectCAD

Create a class or update class attributes from an object

You can now use an object in the drawing to create a new class that uses the object's attributes, or to update the class attributes of an existing class

Creating classes 

Updating class attributes from an object

Fundamentals

Selecting a default class for dimensions

You can now assign dimensions to a selected default class

Document preferences: Dimensions tab

Fundamentals

Criteria interface improvements

The interface for creating and managing criteria for selecting objects has been improved. Conditions are now explicit and it's easier to create and update complex criteria statements. This affects worksheets, data visualizations, custom selection, and custom modification.

The Criteria dialog box

Creating a new data visualization

Creating custom selection scripts

Creating custom modification scripts

Fundamentals

Worksheet formula enhancements

Text in the Formula bar has syntax coloring, and the bar can be expanded for long formulas

When selecting worksheet functions or fields in various dialog boxes, you can filter the lists and also access fields associated with plug-in styles, data sheets, and IFC and COBie data (Design Suite required for some fields)

New math and string manipulation functions have been added, as well as lookup functions

Function descriptions and examples are now provided in the Select Function dialog box and Formula bar (Mac only)

Comprehensive worksheet function descriptions and examples are now available online

Entering formulas in worksheet cells

Selecting a function or field for a database column

Worksheet functions

Creating reports

Fundamentals

Subparts reporting

Some high-level objects (such as walls) can now report data about subpart objects (such as wall components) and list the data in worksheets. For this release, the following objects have subparts:  walls, slabs, roofs, roof faces, hardscapes, landscape areas, columns, pilasters, and structural members.

"Material" is now a Type criterion for worksheets, to make it easier to create material reports.

The Criteria dialog box

Creating reports

Plug-in definition

Fundamentals

Export images from worksheet cells to Excel™

When a worksheet is exported to Excel, any images are now exported along with the worksheet data and adjusted to look as close as possible to the appearance in Vectorworks

Exporting worksheets

Fundamentals

Direct link to Twinmotion

Vectorworks now offers a direct link to programs that use the Unreal® rendering engine, such as Twinmotion, for easy synchronization of rendered scenes

Graphics live synchronization with Datasmith Direct Link

Fundamentals

Engineering improvements for shaded rendering

As part of an update to rendering engineering on both Mac and Windows, OpenGL render mode has been renamed Shaded rendering mode, and the Vectorworks preference for graphics performance has been simplified

Rendering modes

Shaded options

Vectorworks preferences: Display pane

Fundamentals

Improved CMYK color mapping

In color palettes, improved mapping between RGB and CMYK values enables you to set precise CMYK colors for printing

Not applicable

Fundamentals

Importing file contents as symbol definitions in the Resource Manager

You can now directly import the contents of certain file types as symbol definitions in the Resource Manager. The new Import Symbol (Batch) command imports multiple files and folders.

Importing file contents as symbol definitions

Fundamentals

Reshaping and preserving the area of rectangular objects

A new Reshape tool mode preserves the area of rectangles, rectangular polylines/polygons, and rectangular plug-in objects

Move Edges Preserve Area mode

Fundamentals

Scaling 2D objects symmetrically by area

You can now scale 2D objects and path-based plug-in objects symmetrically according to the area you specify

Scaling objects

Fundamentals

Repeating commands

Now you can easily reuse commands by selecting Repeat [last command] and Recent Commands

Repeating commands

Fundamentals

Improved batch renaming of sheet layers

The Batch Rename command now distinguishes between sheet layer titles and sheet layer numbers, and allows you to rename either or both, independently

Batch renaming

Fundamentals

Script Editor enhancements

New functionality in the Script Editor dialog box includes the ability to find/replace text, undo/redo the last actions, and show/hide special characters. New code hinting functionality, including bracket matching, call tips, and auto-completion, will help reduce errors when scripting.

Creating and editing script palettes and scripts

Fundamentals

New rotation commands

New Rotate Each Left/Right 90° commands rotate objects (including grouped objects) 90° around their individual insertion points

Preset rotation angles

Fundamentals 

Improved line length display on Object Info palette

The Object Info palette now displays the line’s length in both polar and Cartesian coordinate systems; when multiple lines are selected, the summed length of all selected lines displays

Not applicable

Fundamentals

Enhanced Undo view changes setting

Now you can undo actions without changing the drawing view

Vectorworks preferences: Session pane

Fundamentals

Tool preferences stored with the current document

Tool/command preferences for the Space tool, Grade tool, Railing/Fence tool, Hyperlink tool, and RenderMall Plant tool, and the Import mtextur command are now stored with each file, for performance consistent with most other Vectorworks tools/commands

Not applicable

Fundamentals

Improved display of objects in imported Civil 3D files

Objects in imported Civil 3D files (.dwg) are now converted to Vectorworks groups containing graphic representations of the objects

DXF/DWG and DWF file import

Fundamentals

Sign in on first launch

The first time you launch Vectorworks after installation, you may be prompted to sign in to access features such as premium libraries

Installing Vectorworks products

Fundamentals

New import mtextur materials feature

You can now import mtextur material resources with available physical and construction properties

Importing mtextur

Fundamentals

Design Suite name change

The names "Designer" and "Design Series" have been changed to "Design Suite" in conjunction with marketing initiatives

Vectorworks 2022 online help

Not applicable

Data tag improvements

A new mode tags a group of selected objects

When a tag is selected, an icon displays next to the tagged object

The automatic numbering interface was improved and redesigned to be usable by other plug-in objects

Tag fields can be linked to object parameters, record format fields, or IFC entities

Tag fields can show area and volume without unit marks and can show units different from the document units

Tag fields can show Z-axis values

Tag fields can include worksheet functions

A new button replaces the tag field definition with the current settings

Adding data tags and labels

Editing data tags

Creating data tag styles

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Create a data tag style from an object

You can now quickly create a data tag style from any drawing object that has data attached to it

New constraint settings on the Object Info palette control the positions of text and 2D objects in the tag

Creating a basic data tag style

Editing a data tag style

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Enhancements for mapping formulas in Data Manager

Worksheet functions can now be used to create expert mapping formulas

The Expert formula editing window now has syntax coloring and alerts you if there's a syntax error

Creating or editing mapping formulas

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Improvements to the base quantities included for IFC export

Data fields have been added for railing/fence (Length) and stair (Area) objects; these display on the Object Info palette and are available for reports. Space, stair, and railing/fence objects now have more accurate base quantities assigned by default, to provide better interoperability with software packages that do Quantity Takeoff (QTO) calculations, and 4D and 5D BIM simulations.  

Not applicable

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Lists of checked out objects for shared projects

The new Objects tab on the Project Sharing dialog box displays details about all objects that are currently checked out. You can also release specific objects and edit the checkout comment.

During a save and commit operation, you can now view lists of objects that you have checked out or modified. Double-click an object to locate it in the drawing.

Objects tab

Committing changes to the project file

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Binding feature services to georeferenced layers

Feature services, which are available online from servers such as ArcGIS, can be associated with a Vectorworks layer. This allows you to work with and visualize vector geometry and data from a feature service; examples include buildings, roads, parcels, and other data. With the proper permissions, edited data can be uploaded back to the server for other team members.

Using a feature service

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Improved GIS interoperability with other programs

The import of georeferenced DXF/DWG, IFC, and image files has been improved, as well as the export of DXF/DWG files

DXF/DWG and DWF import options

DXF/DWG and DWF file export

IFC format interoperability

Importing georeferenced images

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Geoimage support for tiled downloads

When the image server only provides tiled images, a new option on the Object Info palette allows you to download tiled maps and select either an automatic or a specific level of detail

Adding a geolocated image

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

"By class" attribute settings now available for more object types

You can now easily set or remove “by class” graphic attributes settings for all parts or individual parts of the following objects: grade, railing/fence, space, and stair

Specifying global grade object preferences

Railing/fence settings: Attributes pane

Space settings: Graphic Attributes pane

Stair settings: Graphic Attributes tab

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

New stair reshaping capability

You can now use the Reshape tool to manually reshape stairs

Reshaping stairs

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Define stairs by drawing a shape

Three new creation modes allow you to define the outer boundary of a stair by drawing a shape

Drawing a stair with Corner to Corner mode

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Improved area information for space objects

The Object Info palette now displays cumulative area information when multiple space objects are selected, including Net Area, Subtraction Value, Measured Net Area, and Gross Area

Not applicable

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

New Edit Spaces dialog box

Space objects now offer an Edit Spaces dialog box accessed from the Edit context menu command, to select which aspect of the space to edit; you can also specify the edit behavior when you double-click a space object

Editing space boundaries

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Space numbering improvements

The automatic space numbering feature has been redesigned and improved to work more like data tag numbering 

Space settings: Numbering pane

Automatic space numbering

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Window surface area fields added to space objects

New fields in the space object record allow you to show the window area and the ratio between the window area and the net space area in space labels, worksheets, and the Object Info palette

Not applicable

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Offset for Railing/Fence tool objects

Enter an Offset from Path value to offset a railing or fence object from the path that was drawn to create it

Railing/fence settings: General pane

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Improved view sync with Solibri Direct

A new View changes setting in the Solibri Direct dialog box lets you keep the views and projections automatically in sync

IFC data exchange with Solibri

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Marionette enhancements

Improvements to the Marionette tool include:

Additional ways to connect wires between nodes for efficiency

The ability to disable nodes to execute specific parts of a network

Display of the time consumed by each node in Debug mode

A gray node name to indicate nodes that process the values in a list in a single run

Marionette networks 

Inserting a node with the Marionette tool

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

VBvisual has been renamed to RenderMall

VBvisual has been changed to RenderMall; the VBvisual Plant tool has been renamed to the RenderMall Plant tool

Adding 3D plants from RenderMall

Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Site model components

The geological components of a site model can now be specified, and then depicted properly in cross-section views by specifying component thickness at specific locations

Creating site model components

Architect, Landmark

Hardscape improvements

The hardscape now uses plug-in object styles rather than saved settings; in addition, hardscape components no longer use slab components but are hardscape main area and border components

Creating hardscape objects

Architect, Landmark

New options when editing seating sections

You have more options and better feedback when editing seating sections:

Choose whether to update the seating when the boundary is edited, or update the boundary when the seating is edited, or discard the edits entirely.

An alert displays when parameter changes will cause the seating section to refill.

Editing seating sections

Architect, Spotlight

Streamlined Plant tool settings

The Plant Preferences, Plant Settings, and Plant Style dialog boxes and the Object Info palette have been reorganized and streamlined for consistency when inserting and editing plants and across other types of plug-in object styles

Plant settings

Landmark

Support for the import of georeferenced existing tree data

Tree survey files with geographical data can now be imported into a georeferenced file, either as single trees or as areas containing trees

Importing existing trees from a survey file

Landmark

New root zone support for plant objects

Now you can customize attributes and dimensions for plant root balls and planting excavation zones

Plant settings: Root Zones pane

Landmark

Landmark templates and wall styles improvements

New templates for the Landmark product include:

Several design layers and sheet layers for a variety of common design workflows and presentations

New fixed-height wall style content appropriate for landscape and site design

A Read Me layer with instructions for using the template and Landmark features effectively and efficiently

Not applicable

Landmark

Lighting accessory updates

The Lighting Accessory tool has a new Apply to Selection mode that adds the same accessory to, or removes all accessories from, an entire selection of lighting devices. 

There are two new ways to number accessories:

Set the Accessory Numbering options with the Spotlight Numbering command.

Use the Copy Unit Number to Accessories context menu command to apply the unit number of the lighting device to all its accessories.

Inserting and removing accessories in the drawing area

Numbering light plot objects

Copying the unit number to all accessories

Spotlight 

Schematic view improvements

Now you can set the schematic view insertion point.

The layout of model objects is preserved in the schematic views. This includes non-linear rigging systems.

Trusses with a hanging angle look more realistic in schematic views.

Object highlighting makes it easier to insert and move loads in the model and in schematic views.

The Object Info palette of a schematic object displays the properties of its source object, for ease of editing.

You can place data tags and use the Spotlight Numbering, Find and Modify, and Replace Lighting Device commands on schematic objects.

Concept: Schematic views

Creating schematic views

Schematic view properties

Spotlight

GDTF improvements

Now it's easier to send GDTF lighting devices from Vectorworks to Vision using MVR export

Workflow: Visualizer data exchange

Spotlight

Faster ways to select and edit multiple lighting devices

New context menu commands let you quickly select all lighting devices with the same instrument type, position, or rigging object location.

Use the new Swap Lighting Devices context menu command to switch the geometric location and additional data of two lighting devices.  

Selecting lighting devices by criteria

Swapping lighting devices

Spotlight 

Improved Find and Modify command

The Find and Modify dialog box has a new layout and more options.

New search options:

Search for all or some device types

Search for devices using a range or series of values

Search based on the selected device

Save the search criteria and action settings for reuse

New action options:

Swap the values of two lighting device fields

Easily move or copy values from one field to another

Add to the current selection or replace it

Apply multiple sets of changes without closing the dialog box

Find and modify

Spotlight

Unique parameter values for lighting accessories and multi-cells

Now you can opt to set some lighting device parameters independently for accessories and for the cells in multi-cell devices

Spotlight preferences: Lighting Devices: Parameters pane

Spotlight

Clear indication of rigging and load object associations

Now the Object Info palette indicates whether the selected object can attach to a rigging object. Attachable objects have a Position field, which automatically displays the Position Name of the associated rigging object; you can also enter the Position Name in the Position field of the load object to attach the load. Objects with a Location field cannot attach to rigging objects.

Concept: Attaching loads to rigging objects

Spotlight

Improved load attachment for hanging positions

The Manage Loads tool and the Select Lighting Devices on Rigging object context menu command now work for hanging positions

Managing loads

Selecting all lighting devices on a rigging object

Spotlight

Insertion point improvements for Spotlight objects

Several Spotlight objects have improved insertion behavior: 

For consistency with other rigging objects, the lighting pipe ladder insertion point is at the bottom center of the object.

When base accessories like boom arms and clamps with umbrellas are attached to a lighting device, the device insertion point is properly offset. 

Advanced users who create custom accessory symbols can specify where the lighting device insertion point will be offset from a base accessory.

Placing lighting pipe ladders

Concept: Lighting accessories

Workflow: Creating accessory symbol definitions

Spotlight

Align light plot objects by increment

The new Align by Increment command automatically aligns lighting devices and other Spotlight objects to the closest specified increment

Aligning Spotlight items by increment

Spotlight

Improved Soft Goods tool functionality

New soft goods features include:

Implementation of styles

Automatic weight calculations for curtains and borders

Double-wall capability and greater control over hardware for pipe-and-drape assemblies

Expanded text display and many new options for customizing labels

New 3D display options

Additional object parameters for improved information/data tracking and more precise designs

Inserting soft goods

Spotlight

More precision in the Spotlight video camera settings 

Now you have greater control of several video camera settings:

Tilt the camera between -90° and 90°.

Edit the Diagonal Angle of View value to determine the FOV.

Enter decimal values to precisely adjust the Pan Left/Right, Tilt Up/Down, Rotate Camera Left/Right, Diagonal Angle of View, and Focal Length values.

Placing a video camera

Spotlight

Legacy cable tools

With enhancements to the Cable tool and  the introduction of the power planning suite, the previous cable tools have now been made legacy

Not applicable

Spotlight

Cable improvements

New fields in the Manage Cable Parts dialog box let you define the wire cross section of cable parts.

Cables can be inserted with data tags, specified by the cable style. 

New preferences allow cables to:

Automatically connect power-patched devices.

Follow existing paths in the model.

Display at an offset on a shared cable path.

Cables can enter and exit a cable path object at any point along the path.

Cables runs are adaptive; they automatically adjust when the connected devices are moved or the associated path is edited.

Managing cable parts

Setting cable preferences

Drawing cables

Editing cables

Spotlight

Power planning

The power planning suite provides new ways to power patch electronic devices: 

Specify the connections from the Object Info palette.  

Use the Power Patch Selected Objects and Power Patch Position commands.

Patch devices from the Power Planning palette. 

The Power Planning palette also shows editable electrical network diagrams and displays power consumption data for printing.

For advanced users, the Electrical Component tool creates custom electrical device symbols. 

Cables and power planning

Power patching the electrical system

The Power Planning palette

Creating custom electrical devices

Spotlight

Truss magnets

Truss symbols in the Vectorworks libraries now use magnets to precisely set the truss connection options.

Advanced users can add magnets to custom truss content, to apply the new functionality and fix faulty connections. Insert magnets automatically based on the truss data or use the Magnet tool to place magnets in 3D.

The Update Truss Magnets command inserts magnets in legacy custom content. 

Concept: Truss magnets

Inserting magnets based on truss data

Placing magnets manually

Adjusting magnets

Spotlight, Braceworks

Improved Braceworks error messages

Now Braceworks errors are easier to understand, and users can display Vectorworks help to get information about how to resolve the errors

Getting help for errors

Braceworks

Railing/Fence and Railing/Fence Join tools for Spotlight and Braceworks users

The Railing/Fence tool and the Railing/Fence Join tool are now available in the Event Design tool set in the default Spotlight and Braceworks workspaces

Creating railings and fences

Joining railings and fences

Spotlight, Braceworks

ConnectCAD-Spotlight integration

Now it's possible to use Spotlight event design objects in ConnectCAD as equipment items. In addition, Spotlight cable objects can be identified as ConnectCAD circuits. Both the Spotlight Cable Path tool and the ConnectCAD Cable Route tool create a cable path object with shared parameters.

ConnectCAD

Workflow: Cable routing with ConnectCAD

Placing equipment

Drawing cable paths

Spotlight, ConnectCAD

ConnectCAD workspace changes

The ConnectCAD workspace is now based on the Spotlight workspace, and has more commands and tools than it previously did as part of the Spotlight-ConnectCAD integration

ConnectCAD

ConnectCAD

Combine or split panel devices

Two new commands can combine panels of the same type into a single device, or split a panel into multiple devices

Combining and splitting panels

ConnectCAD

Bulk creation of devices from a worksheet

The Make Devices from List command has been replaced with an enhanced method of creating devices from a worksheet

Creating devices from a worksheet

ConnectCAD

Device tool new transfer modes

A new mode intelligently transfers device properties, including sockets, to other devices. This allows bulk editing of similar devices. The New Device tool has been renamed to the Device tool. 

Transferring device properties

ConnectCAD

Consolidated device database

Device data from various database files have been consolidated into a main device database. Specialized device placement tools like the Distribution Amplifier populate the list with data from the database.

Building a device

ConnectCAD

Improved customization of signal, connector, and cable types

The ConnectCAD Settings dialog box now allows you to add signals, connectors, cable types, and cables, which can then be used throughout the program 

Specifying ConnectCAD settings

ConnectCAD

Improved method for creating equipment items

The Update Rack Elevation command has been renamed to the Create Equipment command, and has improved functionality for creating equipment from selected layers, placing them on the active layer

Creating equipment items automatically

ConnectCAD

ConnectCAD Customization

You can customize ConnectCAD objects like devices, sockets, equipment items, and circuits to follow specific venue standards or to create a design presence

Customizing ConnectCAD objects

ConnectCAD

Device Builder tool database

The database for the Device Builder tool will be regularly maintained and updated, keeping current with the latest available and most frequently used devices

Placing devices

ConnectCAD

Documentation improvements

The following table lists major improvements to the documentation for the initial release of the Vectorworks 2022 software.

Improvement

Purpose

Location

The help system has a new look and improved functionality

The updated help system increases usability, with improved navigation, search, and a flexible topic window that does not require frames

Vectorworks 2022 online help

Embedded video links

Now you can watch video tips directly in the help. The videos are embedded in the topics they describe, so they're easy to find. Play the videos on the page, in a pop-up window, or on the video host site (YouTube or Vimeo).

Vectorworks 2022 online help

Detailed workflow for custom multi-cell lighting symbols

The workflow for creating multi-cell symbol definitions has been streamlined and now includes more tips and illustrations

Workflow: Creating multi-cell symbol definitions

Improved workflow for cabling and power patching

The workflow for planning cable layouts in Spotlight now includes the new suite of power patching features and provides more information about the Cable tool modes and preference settings

Workflow: Power patching

Overview of truss magnets and truss insertion tips

A new concept describes how magnets enable valid truss connections and explains how to use the cursor for correct truss insertion. This information will help advanced users who create custom truss symbols and any user who designs rigs with truss symbols from the Vectorworks libraries.

Concept: Truss magnets

Workflow for ConnectCAD cable routing

A new workflow helps you use the latest additions to ConnectCAD, for successful cable routing

Workflow: Cable routing with ConnectCAD

"Sticky" help header

As of Service Pack 3, the Search area and other items in the help header remain available when scrolling through a long page

Vectorworks 2022 online help

 

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