Vectorworks equivalents to AutoCAD terms and concepts
Many concepts are similar between Vectorworks and AutoCAD software; however, different vocabulary can result in confusion for AutoCAD users new to Vectorworks. Additionally, some features of the Vectorworks program have no equivalent in AutoCAD, and vice versa.
Layers in the Vectorworks program are not the same as layers in AutoCAD (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.
|
AutoCAD term |
Vectorworks term |
Learn more |
|
AC Trim |
Trim tool |
|
|
Annotation tools |
Dims/Notes tool set |
|
|
Anonymous block |
Group |
|
|
Array (Polar, Rectangular) |
Duplicate Array command |
|
|
Attributes |
Records, schedule worksheets |
|
|
Block |
Symbol |
|
|
Block command |
Create Symbol command (or Group command) |
|
|
Break tool |
Split tool |
|
|
Build Panel |
Building Shell tool set |
Palettes and tool sets; see the Designing Buildings section of help for related tools |
|
Chamfer 0.0/Fillet 0 |
Chamfer tool, Fillet tool |
|
|
Circle |
Circle tool |
|
|
Construction Line |
Guides |
|
|
Design Center |
Resource Manager |
|
|
Copy |
Duplicate |
|
|
Distance Tape |
Tape Measure tool |
|
|
Draw Order |
Send command |
|
|
Dynamic Dialog |
Floating Data Bar |
|
|
Dynamo Algorithmic Design Tool |
Marionette |
|
|
Ellipse |
Oval tool |
|
|
Entity |
Object |
|
|
Erase |
Clear command or Delete key |
|
|
Explode |
Convert to Group command, Ungroup command, Decompose command |
|
|
Extend |
Connect/Combine tool |
|
|
Grips |
Handles |
|
|
Insert |
Symbol Insertion tool (resource) |
|
|
Layer |
Class (Vectorworks layers have no equivalent in AutoCAD) |
|
|
Linetype |
Line type |
|
|
Match Properties |
Eyedropper tool |
|
|
Menu |
Workspaces |
|
|
MLine |
Double Line tool |
|
|
Model space |
Design layers are the closest equivalent, but you can have multiple design layers in a file, as opposed to a single model space |
|
|
Move |
Move by Points tool; Move command; Select and drag the object |
|
|
MText |
Text block |
|
|
Mullion |
Window Settings dialog box; Door Settings dialog box; Edit Wall tool; Mullion tool |
|
|
Osnap/Osnap Tracking |
SmartCursor cues, Snapping set |
|
|
Paper space |
Sheet layers |
|
|
PEDIT |
Compose command, Reshape tool |
|
|
PLINE |
2D Polygon tool, Polyline tool |
|
|
Polygon |
Regular Polygon tool |
|
|
Properties |
Attributes palette and/or the Object Info palette of a selected object |
|
|
Property Palette |
Object Info palette |
|
|
Scale |
Scale Objects command; Using the 3D dragger |
|
|
Section Cut |
Section View |
|
|
Section Plane |
Clip Cube in one axis only |
|
|
Stretch |
Reshape tool; Resize by selecting the object and dragging the handles or by using the 3D dragger |
|
|
Toolbar/Tool Palette |
Tool palette |
|
|
User Coordinate System |
Rotate Plan command; User Origin command |
|
|
Viewport Windows |
Viewports, including sheet layer viewports, design layer viewports, section viewports, interior elevation viewports, and detail viewports (Vectorworks Design Suite product required for certain viewports) |
|
|
VPORTS |
Multiple View Panes |
|
|
Workspace/Profiles |
Workspaces |
|
|
Xref |
Design Layer Reference |
|
|
Zoom All |
Fit to Objects command |
|
|
Zoom Extents |
Fit to Page Area command |