Setting Vectorworks preferences

Enable click-drag drawing

Lets you draw objects with the click-drag method rather than the default click-click method. Click once with the mouse button and do not release; drag the cursor to a desired location and then release. See Click-click drawing.

Display eight reshape handles

Shows eight handles (four corner and four center) on most objects; deselect the option to display only four corner handles

Offset duplications

When you use the Duplicate command, places the duplicate object so that it is offset from the original object; deselect the option to place duplicates directly over the original

Auto-join walls

When you use the Wall tool, automatically joins walls at corners and intersections; when walls are separated, their ends automatically heal; when walls have core components, components also automatically join (see Automatically joining walls)

Separate sheet views

Saves the view origin and zoom factor for each sheet layer; deselect the option to use the same view for all design layers and sheet layers

Enable mouse wheel zooms

Sets the default behavior of the mouse wheel and the scroll ball. When selected, the wheel zooms by default; when deselected, the wheel scrolls by default. See Zooming with the mouse wheel and Scrolling with the mouse wheel for details.

Allow Ctrl+click/Option+click in-place duplication

When selected, allows a Ctrl-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac) with the Selection tool to create a duplicate copy of a selected object in place. Since it is simple to inadvertently create duplicate objects that cannot be easily detected, leaving this option deselected is recommended; it is deselected by default. Regardless of the setting made here, duplicates can be created with a Ctrl-click/drag or Option-click/drag.

Duplicate linked tags with objects

When you use the Duplicate command on a tagged object, a new tag will be associated with the duplicate object; deselect the option to duplicate objects with no tags

Edit text horizontally by default

Always displays the text editing box in a horizontal position, even when the text is rotated (see Creating rotated text)

2D Conversion Resolution

Sets the number of segments that will be used to represent polylines and circles when you draw and edit objects

Default Compression

Specifies the default image compression to apply to images in a viewport cache and to images created by the Render Bitmap tool. PNG compression provides the best image quality but produces larger files, while JPEG creates smaller files, but with possible loss of detail. PNG is selected by default.

Allow Interactive 2D Symbol Scaling

Specifies whether the Selection tool, in an interactive scaling mode, is allowed to resize symbol instances; if allowed, a warning can be displayed to avoid inadvertently scaling a symbol. If Never is selected, symbols can still be resized from the Object Info palette; see Scaling symbols from the Object Info palette.

Arrow Keys

Select an arrow and modifier key combination as a shortcut for four common operations; each key combination can be assigned to only one operation. Alternatively, disable the ability to use arrow key combinations to perform any of these functions.

Switch Active Layer/Class

Select the key combination that switches the active layer (up and down arrows) and the active class (left and right arrows)

Pan Drawing

Select the key combination that pans the drawing by half of the area currently in view

Nudge Objects

Select the key combination that nudges objects by one pixel, and select whether to display an alert on the Status bar when nudging items to avoid accidentally moving objects

Move Objects

Select the key combination that moves objects, and select whether to move objects by the snap grid distance or by the specified custom distance

Show internal origin marker

Displays the drawing's internal origin in Top/Plan view. The marker does not print.

Show colored axes in Top/Plan view

Displays X (red) and Y (green) axes in 2D Top/Plan view

Zoom line thickness (slow)

Lines in the drawing appear thicker when you zoom in (2D views or Hidden Line/Polygon render modes only); the screens redraw slower on Mac or on Windows if Use GDI+ imaging is enabled

Create text without fill

When you create text objects, dimension objects, and some plug-in objects that contain text, the text block has no fill, even if the default attributes are set to add a fill to new objects. This prevents objects beneath the text from being obscured.

Show parametric constraints

Displays parametric constraints

Show other objects while in editing modes

When certain complex objects are edited, an Edit window displays in the drawing area.

When you edit solids, groups, symbols (in the drawing only), or viewports in the Edit window, select this option to make the other objects from the drawing visible and snappable during editing; deselect the option to show only the object being edited. (See Object editing mode for more information.)

This option does not apply to other types of objects that are edited from the Edit window, including extrudes, multiple extrudes, tapered extrudes, sweeps, meshes, floors, and roof faces. For symbols, the option applies only when you edit a symbol definition by clicking on a symbol instance in a design layer.

Gray other objects

If Show other objects while in editing modes is selected, select this option to gray the objects in the drawing that are not being edited

Use VectorCaching for faster drawing

Caches vector information for complex document entities, such as polylines and hatches; while this makes screen redraws faster, it also can potentially increase RAM requirements by up to 50 percent

Center on objects after view change

When switching standard views (such as Top or Left Isometric), centers the view to display either selected objects, or if nothing is selected, all objects on the layer or in the drawing. Centers the view on all objects in a layer if there are no objects in view after switching between layers. This helps you feel oriented when switching views or changing layers.

Use GDI+ imaging

(Windows only)

Draws lines of equal thickness with round end caps; also provides these features:

Fills in 3D planar objects

Variable object opacity

Images with alpha channels

Layer transparency

Anti-aliasing

Object transparency in X-ray Select mode

Display text and markers in hidden line

Disable this option if you need to use OpenType fonts.

Enable anti-aliasing

Blends the edges of fills and lines for a smoother appearance; on Windows, this option is available only when Use GDI+ imaging is enabled

Accelerate graphics

Enables accelerated panning, zooming, selection highlighting, sheet layer drawing, multi-threaded final graphics, and view transition animations; deselect if you experience cosmetic or reliability issues related to video

Display Light Objects

Controls the visibility of light objects; hide light objects to reduce screen clutter but maintain light effects

Always: Light objects are always visible

Only in Wireframe: Light objects are only visible in Wireframe mode; otherwise, they are hidden

Never: Light objects are hidden regardless of the render mode

Display 3D Loci

Controls the visibility of 3D loci

Always: 3D loci are always visible

Only in Wireframe: 3D loci are only visible in Wireframe mode; otherwise, they are hidden

Never: 3D loci are hidden regardless of the render mode

Edit Font Mappings

Specifies the replacement fonts for fonts that are not available. Font mappings can be changed or deleted. If mappings are deleted, the Font Mappings dialog box appears so that unavailable fonts can be mapped.

Use sound

Supplements the visual SmartCursor cues with audible cues; move the slider bar left (to reduce) or right (to increase) the program volume relative to the system volume

Log time in program

Records in a log file the time spent in the program, as well as the time spent to open and close documents; the date format depends on the language and regional settings in the operating system. The log file is called Vectorworks Log, and it is created in the User Data and Preferences Folder (which is displayed on the User Folders pane of Vectorworks preferences).

Display minor alerts on status bar

Displays minor warnings on the Status bar instead of in a dialog box

Display classes in pop-up menus hierarchically

Displays classes hierarchically in pop-up menus including from the Object Info palette, the View bar, and dialog boxes throughout Vectorworks.

Hierarchical class display in the Organization dialog box, Navigation palette, and Load Overview dialog box (Vectorworks Design Suite product required) is controlled separately, on the Classes tab of the dialog box/palette.

Preserve expanded/collapsed state of classes

When classes are displayed hierarchically, maintains the expanded/collapsed state of the class list in pop-up menus between uses; when deselected, the class list is automatically collapsed each time

Run scripts in developer mode

For plug-in development, controls the display of warning messages during script execution. This is a convenient way for advanced developers to speed up the development process. By default, the scripts of scripted plug-in objects, tools, and menus are compiled once and stored in memory. The object, tool, or menu command memory cache is executed when the script is invoked. However, in developer mode, the script is compiled each time so that script changes are executed immediately and the developer does not need to restart the application to view changes.

For Python scripts, warning messages are displayed along with Python log data, and initialization code (extended properties set in the script options) are called on each run. For VectorScripts, plug-ins are compiled on each run and warning messages are displayed. Plug-ins may work more slowly when this option is enabled.

Maximum Number of Undos

This can be set as high as 100. Undo information is kept in memory, so the higher the maximum number of undos, the more memory may be required.

Issue undo warnings

Many actions that delete data or settings cannot be undone. Provides a warning when you perform an action that cannot be undone.

Undo view changes

Specifies the undo setting for drawing view changes (such as zooming and scrolling); deselect to never undo view changes, leaving the view as is.

Select when to undo drawing view changes:

Only restore view for object changes: when an object change is undone, restores the view to its state before that object change

Group all view changes: treats all consecutive view changes as one single undoable action

Group similar view changes: treats similar consecutive view changes as a single undoable action

Individual view changes: treats each individual view change as an undoable action

Enable palette docking

(Windows only)

Lets you dock palettes; deselect the option to disable docking and to undock all active palettes

Automatically append file extensions

(Mac only)

Appends the appropriate file extension (.vwx, or .sta for template files) to a newly created drawing file on a Mac

Enable Vectorworks Libraries

Displays predefined content from Vectorworks Libraries in the list of resources available for selection in many places throughout the program, such as the Resource Manager and the Resource Selector lists for various tools, or the Text Style list on the Tool bar for the Text tool

Enable online content

When Enable Vectorworks Libraries is selected, displays predefined online content in the list of resources available for selection in many places throughout the program, such as the Resource Manager and the Resource Selector

Enable Premium Libraries

Displays predefined content available exclusively as a Vectorworks Service Select benefit in the list of resources available for selection in many places throughout the program, such as the Resource Manager and the Resource Selector

Create a new document on startup

Creates a new, untitled file when the program is launched. The new file is based on the Default.sta template file, if one exists in your user or workgroup templates folder (see Opening a template automatically). Otherwise, the new file uses the Blank template. When this option is deselected, select File > New to create a new file. The Home screen does not display on startup when this is selected.

Change active layer for similar object creation

(Design Suite product required)

When the Create Similar Object command is invoked, changes the active layer to be that of the source object. Select this option to create the new object on the same layer as the source object. See Creating similar objects.

Use local help even when an internet connection is available

When you are connected to the internet, the help system is obtained online. When you are not connected, the local version of the help displays. There is not normally a big difference between the online and local versions. If bandwidth or connection issues cause online help display or searching to become unacceptably slow, select this option to always use the local version of the help system.

Enable Mac OS restore windows functionality for Vectorworks

(Mac only)

Enables the operating system to automatically restore previously open files when re-launching Vectorworks. Keep this option deselected when working with several different versions of Vectorworks, to prevent older versions from unsuccessfully attempting to open newer version files.

Check for Updates

Select how often the program should check for available software updates. When the specified update check interval has elapsed, an alert dialog box opens if a new update of the software is available. See Updating Vectorworks products.

If the program is unable to connect to the update server, it attempts to connect once a day for seven days after the original failed attempt. If a connection to the update server still cannot be established, a dialog box opens to suggest running a manual update. If the Check for Updates command is run after the automatic update check fails, the next automatic update check occurs the day after the manual check.

Error Reporting

Sends anonymous information about application crashes and other basic usage statistics to Vectorworks to help improve the software. Four levels of informational detail can be selected:

Send nothing: When you check for updates or activate Vectorworks software, we always collect general data about the operating system, graphics card, monitor resolution, and Vectorworks version.

Send crash details: In addition to the general information that is always collected, this allows us to receive additional information in the event of a crash, including idle time, alerts received, workspace information, and graphics card operations prior to the crash.

Send crash details and light usage patterns: Selecting this option invaluably assists us with product development while maintaining user privacy. In addition to the previously listed information, we are able to duplicate actions taken before a software crash, review undo actions, determine which objects may have been selected, and view Vectorworks-related file paths. We cannot see the data in your drawings, and the reporting has no impact on your software operations. Reporting happens in the background as you work and should not affect your workflow.

Send crash details and verbose usage patterns: Selecting this option invaluably assists us with product development while maintaining user privacy. In addition to the information gathered through the light usage pattern option, we are able to upload additional information such as tool and command selection. We cannot see the data in your drawings, and the reporting has no impact on your software operations. Reporting happens in the background as you work and should not affect your workflow.

Serial Numbers

Opens the Serial Numbers dialog box to add or remove serial numbers for all installed Vectorworks products (see Adding and removing serial numbers).

A change to this preference setting cannot be undone with the Undo command.

Reset Saved Settings

Reverts to default settings instead of user-specified settings for tool modes, dialog box positions, and dialog box values. For palette positions and settings, reverts to the settings established when the workspace was created (in the User Data and Preferences folder).

In the Reset Settings dialog box, select whether to reset settings for Always do the selected action choices in alert dialog boxes. Also select whether to reset settings for all tool modes, dialog box positions, dialog box values, and palette positions and settings.

A change to this preference setting cannot be undone with the Undo command.

Palette Margins

(Mac only)

Sets whether the document window leaves a space for palettes when the window is opened

3D Conversion Resolution

Sets the segmentation resolution used to display curved 3D objects; affects extruded and swept polylines, circles, and arcs

Use occluded selection and snapping

In rendered views, solid objects "occlude," or hide, objects behind them. Keep this option enabled to more easily select, and snap to, solid objects without interference from hidden geometry. To access hidden geometry, use the X-ray Select mode of the Selection tool, turn on the clip cube, or switch to Wireframe render mode; see X-ray Select mode.

Autosave every

Enables the Autosave feature; also sets the number of minutes or operations between autosaves

Confirm before save

Before each save, opens a dialog box so that you can choose either to save or to continue to work without a save. The timer/counter resets regardless of which option is selected. See Automatically saving files.

Overwrite original file

Writes over the original file with the latest changes during a save

Autosave a backup copy to

Automatically saves a backup copy of the file either to a folder named VW Backup (in the same folder as the original file) or to a custom location, such as a network drive (click Choose to select a folder). The original file is not saved automatically; to save it, use one of the save commands on the File menu.

Backup files have unique names that include the word "Backup" and a date and time stamp appended to the original file name. Use backup files to restore a project if something happens to the original file.

Number of Backups to Save

If Autosave a backup copy to is selected, specifies the maximum number of backup files to keep; the oldest backup file is replaced when a new backup is made

Cursor

Use full screen cursor

Displays a crosshair cursor that extends to the edges of the drawing area

Show selection box

Displays a box beneath the cursor that indicates the active selection area; an object beneath the box can be selected when the mouse is clicked

Show snap box

Displays a box around the cursor that indicates the area in which to find possible snap points; when a snap point is beneath the box, it can be snapped to

Show acquisition hints

Show graphical hints near the cursor when smart points, edges, and vector locks can be acquired (see Concept: Snapping indicators)

Selection Box Size

Controls the size of the selection box, if Show selection box is selected; must be smaller than the snap box. The actual size of the selection box is shown.

Snap Box Size

Controls the size of the snap box, if Show snap box is selected; must be larger than the selection box. The actual size of the snap box is shown.

Highlighting

Enable selection highlighting

When enabled, objects that are selected are highlighted with the specified colors and patterns, and square handles indicate points that can be used to reshape objects using the tool that is currently active.

When this option is disabled, square handles indicate objects that are selected, and the handles may or may not be reshape points.

Animation

If Enable selection highlighting is selected, specify how the selection highlights will be animated when the cursor moves out of the drawing window or over a palette:

Off turns off all animation of highlights

On pulses the highlight continuously

Burst briefly highlights with 100% opacity

Enable cursor pre-selection highlighting

Highlights any object that can be selected when the cursor is over the object

Timer

When a drawing object is beneath the cursor, specifies the number of seconds to delay before pre-selection highlighting begins

Enable marquee pre-selection highlighting

As a selection marquee is drawn over objects, highlights any object that will be selected

Enable snapped object highlighting

Highlights the geometry that generated the current snap

Enable tool highlighting

Highlights any object that can be modified or used by the current tool when the cursor is over the object

Animate view transitions

Animates the transition from the current view to the next standard view or saved view, providing a smoother experience when changing views. Enter the Duration in seconds for the transition to the next view, and select the transition's Motion.

Decelerate starts fast and gradually slows

Accelerate starts slow and gradually increases speed

Smooth accelerates the view transition at the start and decelerates to the end

Linear maintains a constant speed throughout

These preferences can be overridden when creating or editing an individual saved view; see Creating saved views.

View transitions can be animated only when Accelerate graphics is selected on the Display pane. 

Interactive Appearance Settings

Opens a dialog box to change the appearance of the interactive elements in Vectorworks, including general elements, object highlighting, SmartCursor elements, and snap points. See Interactive appearance settings.

User Data and Preferences Folder

Specifies the folder that contains program preferences, log files, workspaces, and any personal content you create. This might be a folder on the local computer, or on an external drive or network drive; this allows you to run Vectorworks from any computer.

A change to this preference setting cannot be undone with the Undo command.

Choose

Click Choose to specify a new user data folder. The program must be restarted if you change the location of the user data. See Creating a new user data and preferences folder for details.

Explore (Windows) or Reveal in Finder (Mac)

Displays the contents of the selected folder

Workgroup and Project Folders

(Design Suite product required)

Specifies the folders where Vectorworks will look for additional content, such as office standard files, shared project files, and reference files. This might be a shared folder on a network drive, a shared cloud folder, or a project-specific folder on the local computer. See Sharing custom content using workgroup folders for details.

Folders are searched in order from the top of the list to bottom; if multiple files with the same name are found, only the first version of the file is shown in Vectorworks. To change the position of a folder, click on the # column and drag the folder up or down in the list.

Set the Folder Location to the top-level workgroup folder, not the content type subfolder. For example, do not set the Folder Location to [Workgroup]\Libraries, but simply to [Workgroup].

A change to this preference setting cannot be undone with the Undo command.

Add

Opens a dialog box to select a workgroup folder to add to the list

Remove

Deletes the selected folder from the list

Explore (Windows) or Reveal in Finder (Mac)

Displays the contents of the selected folder

Use Smart Options Display

Enables Smart Options Display

Trigger Settings

Select which triggers activate Smart Options Display

Show after mouse idles

Automatically displays the contextual hints when the cursor idles in the drawing area; enter the number of seconds to wait before the hints display.

Contextual hints are not triggered when the cursor rests over a dialog box, palette, Tool bar, menu, or other user interface element.

Show with spacebar

Displays the contextual hints when the spacebar is pressed while the cursor is in the drawing area

Show with middle mouse button

Displays the contextual hints when the middle mouse button is clicked while the cursor is in the drawing area

Display Settings

Customize the Smart Options Display to fit your workflow

Show Initial Options as

Select how the contextual hints display when triggered in the drawing area.

Icons only displays the contextual hint icons.

Text only displays the contextual hints by name.

Icons and text displays contextual hints by both icon and name.

Fully expanded displays the full palette instead of contextual hints.

Quadrant selections

For each of the four quadrants around the cursor location, select which options to display. Enter text in the search box to filter the list.

Under General Options, Tool Modes displays the Tool bar options, such as modes, style lists, and the Preferences button, for the currently selected tool. Previous Tools displays the four most recently selected tools, in chronological order from left to right.

The Selection tool and the Pan tool, which are used so often they would displace other tools, do not display.

The Tool Sets list contains only tool sets that are available in the current workspace when this preference is set. Likewise, in the drawing area, the Smart Options Display shows only tool sets that are available in the current workspace. If you set Vectorworks preferences while in the Spotlight workspace, and select the Lighting tool set to display in one of the quadrants, that quadrant will be blank (marked as Off) when Smart Options Display is triggered in a workspace that does not contain that tool set.

Show search filters

Displays options to filter search results

Show command context

Displays the menu path for commands and the tool set for tools in the search results