New features

The following table contains a list of new and improved features for the Service Pack 4 release of the Vectorworks 2023 software, and indicates the section where the functionality is documented and the product to which the feature applies.

Feature	Description	Location	Product
New free-form reshaping capabilities for 3D polygons, NURBS curves, and NURBS surfaces	The Reshape tool's new 3D dragger provides free-form reshaping capability for 3D polygons, NURBS curves, and NURBS surfaces, in 3D views and in Top/Plan view	Reshaping 3D polygons with Transform mode Reshaping NURBS curves with Transform mode Reshaping NURBS surfaces	Fundamentals
New transition animation controls for saved views	You can now control the default saved view transition duration and motion, and override the defaults for individual saved views. A new shortcut advances saved views for smoother presentations.	Vectorworks preferences: Interactive pane Creating saved views Vectorworks preferences: Edit pane	Fundamentals
Windows users can now export 3D models for use with NVIDIA Omniverse	The new Omniverse Connector tool (Windows only) provides a unidirectional connection to the NVIDIA Omniverse collaboration platform, or to Omniverse view on your local machine	Connecting to the NVIDIA Omniverse collaboration platform	Fundamentals
USD file format import and export	You can now import and export USD file formats to support 3D model exchange and collaboration	Exporting USD files Importing USD files	Fundamentals
Sheet layer viewport imaging improvements	Engineering improvements optimize memory use and runtime for sheet layer viewports with Shaded and Renderworks render modes. Among the changes are: An image preview for non-section viewports while there is no previous rendering. Alerts when a viewport's bounds and image size settings would result in an excessively large image. In addition, a new Snap to geometry option is available on the Object Info palette of section viewports with Shaded and Renderworks render modes.	Viewport properties	Fundamentals
Solibri Inside web service	Solibri Inside can be added to Vectorworks as a web palette. This service allows you to find and correct common modeling errors in BIM projects without leaving the Vectorworks environment.	Solibri Inside	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
New Marionette nodes	The Marionette tool now provides nodes for scripting with stories and material resources	Visual scripting with Marionette	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Hardscape site modification improvements	Hardscape objects offer a new Draped site modifier configuration that conforms to the site model surface instead of modifying it. All hardscapes with modifier configurations now provide a Cut the site model option to provide cut and fill calculations.	Creating hardscapes Hardscape properties	Architect, Landmark
New options for site modifiers and hardscapes	New Falloff and Interpolation Type parameters provide better control when creating an aligned site modifier or aligned hardscape with an interpolated surface	Creating an aligned site modifier Hardscape properties	Architect, Landmark
Site modifier mode renamed	The Contour mode has been renamed to the Open Edge Line mode	Creating an open edge line modifier	Architect, Landmark
New tab and option in irrigation settings	A new option allows you to enable or disable automatic irrigation network calculations	Irrigation settings	Landmark
Solid fill for mass planting improved	Apply fill across plant grouping now fills all fully enclosed spaces	Plant settings: Appearance pane	Landmark
ConnectCAD improvements	ConnectCAD enhancements make it easy to: Place devices, sockets, adapters, drop points, and equipment from the Resource Manager Rename associated equipment items and devices Associate equipment items with third-party plug-in objects Display a device preview and duplicate sockets in the Device Builder dialog box Automatically create a hop over where two circuits intersect Use only custom device data in user and workgroup folders Resize devices Mirror devices Display and navigate to the cable route of a circuit Reshape arrow circuits	Placing a basic device or device symbol Adding sockets and socket loops Placing adapters Adding drop points Placing equipment Building a device Specifying ConnectCAD settings Editing devices Placing devices Editing circuits	ConnectCAD
New option to select alternative routes for circuits	Now you can assign circuits to an alternative cable route	Changing cable route assignments	ConnectCAD
New command for converting previous version ConnectCAD symbols	You can now update older symbol-based objects to current plug-in objects	Converting ConnectCAD symbols from previous versions	ConnectCAD
New option for Vectorworks Service Select customers when exporting solar animations	You can now process the animation of a Heliodon object through Vectorworks Cloud Services when exporting solar animations	Exporting solar animations	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Improvements to the Vectorworks Cloud Services presentation feature	Board slides are now much more flexible and easier to use. You can add multiple images to a board, and place images, PDFs, text, and pins anywhere in the working area. Other improvements include over 1000 additional fonts, and controls to scale, crop, rotate, and arrange objects.	Vectorworks Cloud Services help	Vectorworks Cloud Services

The following table contains a list of new and improved features for the Service Pack 2 release of the Vectorworks 2023 software, and indicates the section where the functionality is documented and the product to which the feature applies.

Feature	Description	Location	Product
Send to Surface command	The command now works on objects located on any visible design layer	Sending objects to the surface	Architect, Landmark

The following table contains a list of new and improved features for the initial release of the Vectorworks 2023 software, and indicates the section where the functionality is documented and the product to which the feature applies.

New Features videos are available from the website.

Feature	Description	Location	Product
New Home screen	The new Home screen provides a single point of access to a variety of files, videos, and other resources that make learning and using Vectorworks even easier	The Home screen	Fundamentals
Graphic Legends	The new Graphic Legend tool creates annotated graphic legends and schedules. For example: Electrical and plumbing symbol legends Keys to fill or pen attributes Detail schedules for windows, doors, or partitions A number of common graphic legends are provided in the Vectorworks resource libraries. You can modify these legends or create custom styles.	Graphic legends	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Shaded rendering mode improvements	Several new lighting and texture capabilities make Shaded mode renderings more realistic, while still being responsive enough to work interactively: Shaded mode is no longer limited to rendering only eight lights New Shaded mode options include environment lighting, environment reflections, and object reflections Shaded mode can now display the lit fog effect of Renderworks backgrounds Several Renderworks texture effects are supported, including glow shaders; some of the parameters for metallic, glass, plastic, and mirror shaders; image-type bump shaders; and the texture's cast/receive shadow settings IES light data (for the load distribution of custom light objects) is supported	Shaded options	Fundamentals
Improved Elevation Benchmark tool	Uses styles and a customizable layout similar to other smart markers Benchmarks can be linked to story levels and created in viewports automatically (Vectorworks Architect or Landmark required) Linked benchmarks update automatically when story levels change and can be used to edit the story level elevation	Elevation benchmarks	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
BCF Manager improvements	The BCF Manager has been redesigned as a web palette, making it easier to work with the BCF and Vectorworks files simultaneously The web palette easily connects to BIM collaboration servers BCF version 3.0 is now supported	The BCF Manager palette	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Site model improvements	Site modeling has been vastly improved, with contours as the basis of the surface definition. This also revises workflows related to modifying the site model surface and adds two new modifier configurations. Now there is a more intuitive surface definition and a precise method of editing the surface between surface modifiers. Similar improvements have been made to hardscapes.	Concept: Site model modification Creating hardscapes	Architect, Landmark
Interactive drawing and reshaping of doors and windows	A new Interactive Sizing Insertion mode for the Door and Window tools allows you to quickly and easily draw and snap to size and place a door/window. Doors and windows can now be reshaped manually.	Drawing doors Drawing windows Reshaping doors Reshaping windows	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Wall closure improvements	Improvements to wall closure functionality include the following: Wall insert locations can be defined by a wall, and plug-in object and symbol inserts can be set to use the location. There is now an option to wrap components into an opening by the component's thickness, rather than measuring offsets. Profile offset settings are now consolidated in the Wall Closure and Wall Closure at Inserts dialog boxes, rather than dialog boxes for the plug-in objects or symbols. Profile offset settings are expanded to include gap and overlap settings in addition to the offset; plug-in objects may provide their own shim gap values or use the values from the closure settings. The dynamic preview is improved in the Wall Closure and Wall Closure at Inserts dialog boxes. Default wall closure settings for windows, and doors, and for wall, window and door styles in the Vectorworks libraries, are improved to create more reasonable wall closures out of the box.	Wall closure settings Additional plug-in object style and instance options Creating symbol definitions	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Improved hidden line rendering	Hidden line rendering now occurs in the background for sheet layer section viewports, so you can continue working while the rendering completes	Rendering in the background	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Cable riser sheets and cabling sheets	Two additional views of the model are created automatically for electrical contractors: the cabling sheet and the riser sheet. In addition, a new workflow allows you to create cables before designating equipment for them later in the design process.	Creating a riser sheet Creating a cabling sheet Pre-cabling the model	ConnectCAD
Color Selector improvements	The Color Selector has been redesigned. Colors are easier to find and use, and the standard colors include a better range of colors in a reorganized display.	Applying colors	Fundamentals
Resource library reorganization	The Vectorworks Libraries folder organization is streamlined to make it easier to locate similar or related resources, which are now grouped together to work more logically for typical workflows; the Premium and user libraries are reorganized to match	Concept: Resource libraries	Fundamentals
DXF/DWG/DWF export improvements	DXF/DWG/DWF export improvements include: Select which design layers to export to DXF/DWG/DWF formats; you can also now export layers as separate files when exporting layers, not just classes, as DXF/DWG layers. New options for updating and saving files are available. A new layout for the DXF/DWG and DWF Export Options dialog box organizes the options so they are easier to find.	DXF/DWG and DWF export options	Fundamentals
DXF/DWG and DWF import improvements	You can now filter and select DXF/DWG, and DWF layers and objects for import, and control how blocks are imported. Editing and updating of DXF/DWG/DWF references has also been made more consistent.	DXF/DWG and DWF import options	Fundamentals
New Offset Edge tool and Push/Pull tool enhancement for solid modeling	The new Offset Edge tool provides more direct 3D modeling capabilities for solid objects, and the Extrude Face and Sub-Face modes of the Push/Pull tool now work on non-planar faces of solid objects	Direct modeling with the Offset Edge tool Direct modeling with the Push/Pull tool	Fundamentals
Quantity takeoff reporting in worksheets	Redesigned and expanded worksheet functions can now extract more detailed quantity data for complex objects. This allows better reporting for quantity takeoff (QTO) estimates, which are important BIM requirements. For this version, several basic quantities for wall and slab objects are provided; future versions will provide additional quantities for these and other high-level objects.	Not applicable	Fundamentals
Worksheet recalculation improvements	When recalculating worksheets, an option has been added to recalculate a selected worksheet	Worksheet commands Placing a worksheet on the drawing	Fundamentals
New option to toggle the display of broken link indicators	You can now control when to display the broken link indicator for reference markers, section-elevation lines, interior elevation markers, and detail callouts when they're not linked to a viewport	Vectorworks preferences: Display pane Setting quick preferences	Fundamentals
Use world origin option for textures	When mapping textures, a new option maps textures in all directions relative to the world origin, seamlessly aligning textures across multiple objects	Managing object textures from the Object Info palette	Fundamentals
Spot light objects now project texture	Light objects of the Spot type can now project textures onto 3D geometry	Projecting a texture in a spot light beam	Fundamentals
New naming standard for imported mtextur files	Imported mtextur files are now named consistently with mtextur standards	Importing mtextur	Fundamentals
Redshift renderings can now process on the CPU	Redshift render styles can now be processed on the computer's CPU if it doesn't meet the system requirements to process on the GPU	Redshift by Maxon	Fundamentals
Increased control over Resource Manager previews	New context menu commands in the Resource Manager's resource viewer pane allow additional control of the high-resolution preview in the preview pane	Resource viewer menus	Fundamentals
Data Manager improvements	Multiple improvements make data mapping faster and easier: Custom IFC property sets are now created using a new method that doesn't rely on records, and they can be saved and imported into other design projects Multiple object types can be selected and mapped simultaneously New visibility settings can show or hide specific fields during data entry in the Object Info palette The mapping information for one object type can be copied to another object type When a symbol is duplicated or imported from another file, its mapping information is included	Using the Data Manager Using custom IFC property sets	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
IFC import improvements	Files with errors such as missing references or incorrect hierarchy structure can now be imported; a new report provides details about errors discovered during import Specific property sets can be excluded, for faster import and smaller model sizes The names of stories and classes that are assigned to imported elements can be customized or mapped to existing classes and stories Imported stories can be vertically aligned with existing stories	Importing IFC files	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Data tag association controls and units enhancements	Adds options to add, remove, or change the object associated with a tag Adds an option to clip the leader line where it intersects the tagged object's geometry Adds SIA dimension standard options for tag units Adds an option to use world-based units for tags; previously, tags always used page-based units Measurements in feet and/or inches can use fractional precision values, and feet and inches can include a unit separator Precision control for general numeric data, such as the thermal efficiency of an IFC object	Changing the tag association Editing a data tag style	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Space labeling using data tags	Space objects now use data tags for labels instead of symbols	Space settings: Space Label pane	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Georeferencing of referenced files and viewports	Referenced design layers and design layer viewports are automatically transformed to match the georeferencing settings of the master file, for seamlessly aligned display of multiple files with potentially different geolocation settings	Concept: Layer referencing GIS and georeferencing	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Georeferencing improvements	WGS-84 geographical coordinates and Cartesian coordinates are new options when georeferencing a document, layer, or GIS stake object. Transformation mode options are easier to use and understand.	Specifying design layer georeferencing Specifying document georeferencing Adding a GIS Stake	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Wall tool consolidation	The functionality to create curved walls has been consolidated into the Wall tool, and the Round Wall tool has been removed	Creating walls	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Consolidated wall editing with the new Edit Wall tool	A new Edit Wall tool combines the wall editing functions formerly done using the Reshape tool's 3D wall editing modes and the Edit Curtain Wall tool	Editing walls	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Wall, slab, and roof data storage reorganization	You can now save data for walls, slabs, roofs, and their associated styles directly in objects instead of IFC records, allowing for a more consistent workflow. Data can now be managed from the Data Manager, using the same workflow as other objects.	Standard wall preferences Curtain wall preferences Slab preferences Roof preferences	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Folding door and window configurations	Adds options to create folding door and window configurations with multiple leaves; for window settings, streamlines the Configuration (renamed from Sash) and Operation options	Door settings Window settings Creating a custom window opening configuration	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Revit referencing and import improvements	Revit files can now be referenced. Additional improvements for importing single Revit files include: The ability to select individual 2D views for import The ability to select which Revit elements are imported More Vectorworks native objects can be created on import, including hardscapes, landscape areas, site models, and site modifiers The ability to select what kind of Vectorworks objects are created from some Revit elements Revit categories import as Vectorworks classes, with an optional prefix	Importing Revit The Organization dialog box Adding and editing reference files Opening referenced files	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Marionette improvements	Marionette improvements include: The ability to create Marionette object style resources. More ways to move or duplicate bundles of wires between nodes. Marionette nodes that perform duplicate or similar functions are consolidated for greater efficiency, and are relocated and tagged so they are easier to find. Nodes with outdated functions are updated. Gradient fills are removed from nodes.	Saving and exporting Marionette networks Marionette object properties Marionette networks	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Marionette Python library integration	Advanced Marionette developers can reference Python libraries within their custom nodes; the library packages are available for download from the Vectorworks servers	Advanced Marionette scripting	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight
Railing/Fence subparts	Railing and fence objects now have standard subparts (such as crossbars and posts), and all parameters and several quantities are now available for worksheets and IFC export. This provides better interoperability with software packages that do Quantity Takeoff (QTO) calculations, and 4D and 5D BIM simulations.	Railing and fence settings	Architect, Landmark
Send to Surface command improvements	Now objects can be sent to the surface of a hardscape or landscape area object in addition to site models; this includes foliage and Extrude Along Path objects	Sending objects to the surface	Architect, Landmark
New Laubwerk Plant tool and integration with the Plant tool	A new tool places beautiful and accurate 3D plant models from the Laubwerk GmbH catalog. The 3D graphics of a plant inserted with the Plant tool (Landmark required) can use realistic, low-polygon geometry from the Laubwerk plant catalog	Adding 3D plants from Laubwerk	Architect, Landmark
Structural member improvements	Improvements to the structural member object include: Plug-in object style functionality New Height, Span, Pitch, and Length parameters for greater accuracy when creating and editing objects The ability to constrain the 3D path of linear insertion-type structural members when editing The addition of specialized worksheet functions for more detailed reporting	Creating structural members Editing structural members	Architect, Spotlight
Space object's area and volume net, gross, and custom Energos calculations	Energos calculations for spaces can now use the net or gross area and volume defined by the space object, or a custom area or volume	Space settings: Energos pane Space settings: 2D Boundaries and Area pane Space settings: 3D Boundaries pane	Architect
Site modeling commands now available in Architect	The following site modeling commands, which formerly required a Landmark license, are now available in Architect: 3D Polygons to 3D Loci, Create Grade Limits from Planar Pad, Create Planar Pad from Grade Limits, Create Retaining Wall Site Modifier, Zone of Visual Influence, Create 3D Loci at Grade Points	Converting 3D polygons to 3D loci Creating grade limits automatically Creating a planar pad from grade limits Creating retaining walls Zone of Visual Influence analysis Creating loci from a grade object	Architect
Landmark features and workspace improvements	The Landmark product now has access to the following features that previously required an Architect license: The stories system The Create Sheet List command The Create Standard Viewports command Landmark workspace improvements include: Some tools are relocated and reorganized for a more efficient workflow, including a new Softscape tool set for the tools needed for planting design. Space planning and programming tools and commands are added to the workspace. Some little-used tool sets are removed for a less crowded workspace; tools that are removed from the workspace, rather than relocated, can be added from the Workspace Editor if needed. Layer Scale on the View bar is enabled by default.	Setting up the building structure with stories Creating a sheet list Standard viewports Space planning Programming studies	Landmark
New Hedgerow tool	A new Hedgerow tool creates a hedgerow of mixed plants in your plant designs. Create reports of the plant species and quantities in each hedgerow.	Creating a hedgerow	Landmark
Suspension workflow enhancements	Suspension workflow improvements include: The Insert Drop command and the Insert Connection tool can insert a dead hang bridle or a hoist. Bridles manually edited after insertion maintain the modifications when moved. Two-leg bridles’ insertion and reshape/snapping behavior is consistent with other multiple-leg bridles. Bridles snap more smoothly to structural members in Auto Insertion mode. New custom data tags report leg parts, and a bridle preference automatically includes data tags on insertion. Set the hoist’s text style and a default class for the hoist chain. When a hoist chain’s maximum length is less than needed, a dead hang bridle is inserted automatically; the Object Info palette displays the maximum and actual lengths. Context menu commands select hoists that share a symbol, name, function, or capacity. Display connected hoists in bridle assembly diagrams. Select which fields to export to a hoist report. Assign the truss cross class in Spotlight preferences. Select the truss cross symbol to use for the stacking modes of the Insert Connection tool. A new Truss Cross Properties record contains data to help Braceworks properly calculate the connection.	Inserting connections automatically Connecting rigging objects Bridle preferences Creating a bridle assembly diagram Hoist properties Creating hoist reports Spotlight preferences: Loads and Rigging pane	Spotlight, Braceworks
Easier placement of equipment items in layouts	Now you can assign devices to layout rooms and racks at creation; equipment items created from the devices are placed in the locations you specify	Creating equipment items automatically	ConnectCAD
New adapter objects enhance schematic modeling	The new Adapter tool places adapter objects on sockets to convert to different connector types and signal types	Placing adapters	ConnectCAD
Circuits no longer have to begin at an output or IO socket	Now circuits can be drawn from an input/IO socket to an output/IO socket, and circuit direction can easily be flipped for IO sockets	Creating circuits	ConnectCAD
Updated ConnectCAD class structure and names	The updated names for ConnectCAD classes are more descriptive and easier to identify. Because these class changes make it easier to manage the visibility of objects displayed in a drawing, the Show or Hide Details and Front-Rear Rack View commands have been moved to legacy status.	ConnectCAD classes	ConnectCAD
New and improved ConnectCAD reports	To assist with the installation phase, worksheet reports have been added, and existing reports have been improved. The new Find in Report command makes it easy to locate drawing objects in worksheet reports. Because data has been consolidated in the new ConnectCAD Parts report, the following reports have been moved to legacy status: All Layers Cable Labels, All Layers Device Report, Current Layer Cable Labels, Rack Equipment Report, and Rack Frames Report.	Creating ConnectCAD reports Finding objects in a report Creating a 2D rack contents worksheet	ConnectCAD
Editing socket parameters	A new dialog box enables you to edit socket parameters quickly and easily	Editing sockets	ConnectCAD
Saving ConnectCAD devices to the database	Now you can easily save custom devices to the database and access them from the Device Builder	Saving a device to the database	ConnectCAD
Easier selection of signals, connectors, and cable types	The new priority display order for signals, connectors, and cable types in lists makes it easier to find the items you need. Assigning connector and cable types to a signal displays those items near the top of the list of available connectors and cables for that signal type.	Specifying ConnectCAD settings	ConnectCAD
Cloud and mobile 3D viewer improvements	Support for Vectorworks light objects Visual quality improvements such as better materials, ambient occlusion, and background controls Clip cube, joystick, and motion sensor features	Vectorworks Cloud Services help	Vectorworks Cloud Services
Presentation improvements	Board slides can now have text-based and hyperlink-based pins Tour slides now allow the same pin types and customizations as board slides Custom colors and pin styles can now be reused across different slides or presentations	Vectorworks Cloud Services help	Vectorworks Cloud Services
Machine Design commands, tools, and templates deprecated	The Simple Beam, Simple Beam Analysis, Draw Cam Diagrams commands were moved to Legacy status. Related files, including the templates required for the Geneva mechanism and cam objects, were removed from Vectorworks libraries.	Not applicable	Architect, Landmark, Spotlight

Documentation improvements

The following table lists major improvements to the documentation for the initial release of the Vectorworks 2023 software.

Improvement

Purpose

Location

New landing page for the online help system

When the online help system is opened from the Help > Vectorworks Help command or the Vectorworks website, a graphical interface with links to major help sections displays to assist with navigation

Not applicable

Expanded rendering introduction

Additional guidance and a general workflow for how to craft more effective renderings

Concept: Best rendering practices

Renderworks styles

Renderworks backgrounds

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