Plant settings

Parameter

Description

Use Style

(Plant Preferences and Plant Settings dialog boxes)

Select a style from the Resource Selector

Duplicate Style

(Plant Preferences and Plant Settings dialog boxes)

Opens the Edit Plant Style dialog box to create a duplicate plant style based on the selected plant's style

Plant Style Name

(Edit Plant Style dialog box)

Displays the plant style's name as specified in the Name Formula; this name also displays in the Resource Manager and Object Info palette

Name Formula

(Edit Plant Style dialog box)

Enter a name for the plant style and select a prefix and suffix to be appended to the name, if desired. You may find it effective to enter the Latin (botanical) name in the prefix field, and reserve the main name field for more specific information that helps distinguish among plants with the same botanical name.

The Plant Style Manager, which allows you to edit multiple plant styles at once, has some additional controls. When multiple plant styles are selected, Specify Plant Style Name displays <Different>, and the Main Name Field appears empty. Load Main Name from is set to Current by default, to preserve the current main name value for each of the selected plant styles. Alternatively, select to automatically populate the Main Name Field with the plant's Latin name, common name, or plant tag ID, or select None to clear the field for all selected plant styles.

Previews

Dynamically previews the plant appearance, showing how it will appear when added to the drawing 

Top/Plan Preview

Displays the 2D component of the plant symbol

3D Preview

Displays the 3D component of the plant symbol, if one has been added to the symbol definition 

Parameter

Description

Species

Latin Name

Specifies the plant genus and species (botanical name)

Common Name

Specifies the plant common name or names

Copy External Data

(Edit Plant Style dialog box)

Opens the Copy External Data web palette so you can import plant data from nurseries that partner with Vectorworks; see Copying external plant data

Plant Catalog

(Edit Plant Style dialog box)

This workflow is no longer needed to manage, place or generate reports from plant styles; plant styles now contain all needed data. However, if you opt to use plant catalogs or the plant database:

Depending on the selection made in the Choose Plant Data Source dialog box (see Selecting the plant data source (legacy)), plant data can be either associated with plants from plant catalogs or from the plant database.

If plant catalogs are the source, the Select Plant Data dialog box opens. Select the plant to associate from the list. The plant data from the catalog is imported. See Using plant catalogs (legacy) for additional information.

If the plant database is the source, the plant database opens, if it is not already open (this may take several seconds). A dialog box in Vectorworks indicates that Vectorworks is waiting for you to select data from the plant database for the plant style. If you change your mind about obtaining the plant style data from the plant database, click Cancel Data Acquisition. Select a plant record from the plant database as described in Searching for plants. Once the correct plant has been located, from the plant database, select Vectorworks > Use Currently Selected Record. This associates the plant database record with the plant style. 

From either source, once the plant data has been associated with the plant style, the catalog or database information updates the appropriate plant style parameters, if specified when the plant data source was selected.

Data

Category

Select the plant's category. To edit the list of available values, or to import a list or export the current list as an .xml file, select Manage Categories.

Plant/Tag ID

Identifies the plant with a unique code often used for the plant abbreviation. This code appears in the plant list and on ID tags, if selected (see Plant ID codes for the definition of common code categories)

Scheduled Size

Size information for the plant. This can, for example, be the caliper or girth for a tree, form, or container size. All specification data for the plant can be recorded here, or it can be separated into individual parameters in the More Data pane. This data displays in the Plant List worksheet.

Quantity Type

Determines the Quantity value for the attached Plant record, primarily for the purpose of calculating plant worksheets with the plant cost per count or the cost per area.

The Quantity Type can be defined by unit count, dripline area, or border area:

Count: Counts the number of plants within an array of plants

Dripline area: Considers the area, in current document units, of the drip line polygon (the tight bounding polygon around the plants)

Boundary area: Considers the area, in current document units, of the plant array polygon as drawn

Price Code (SKU)

Specifies the price code entry in Stock Keeping Units (SKU)

Price

Indicate the plant cost per unit of quantity; the plant cost and quantity are reflected in the Extended Price calculation in the Plant List worksheet

Planting Schedule Comments/Nursery Schedule Comments

Specifies default comments about the plant that display in the Plant List worksheet

Parameter

Description

Size

Spread

Specifies the default plant spread diameter for both single and multiple plant placement. This value can be used for install or mature size, or for an expected size at a specific age.

Height

Sets the default height of the plant. This value can be used for install or mature size, or for an expected size at a specific age.

Hedge

Use hedge mode

Allows use of Hedge mode when placing plants with this style; some space and array options are not available with hedge mode

Hedge Mode

Select the arrangement of hedge rows when Hedge mode is enabled. 

Rectangular: Places as many single rows of plants as indicated in the Hedge Rows field; for multiple rows, select Offset rows to give them a staggered appearance. If you use this mode, specification in plants per linear unit is counted for each row individually.

Staggered Row: Places a single row of plants, but the row is staggered so it appears like two rows.

Triple Staggered Row: Places a single row of plants, but the row is staggered so it appears like three rows.

Hedge Rows

For Rectangular Hedge Mode, specifies the number of hedge rows to create when Hedge mode is enabled; if there are multiple rows, select whether to offset the rows

Hedge Row Spacing

For Rectangular Hedge Mode, select whether the row spacing is the same as the plant spacing or a different fixed value, and enter the value

Space and Array Modes Options

Spacing by

For the Poly-Vertex Placement, Poly-Edge Spaced, Rectangular Array, and Triangular Array insertion modes, sets the default spacing between plants at insertion; select Distance, Rate, or Coverage

Distance

Sets the horizontal distance between plants (Plant Spacing) and between vertical rows of plant arrays (Array Row Spacing).

Same as Plant Spread: Sets the Plant Spacing to be the same as the Spread setting

Fixed Spacing: Places plants at the specified distance

Best Fit: Places a plant at the start and end of each path segment and then distributes the plants evenly as close as possible to the specified distance. This allows you to always have a plant at each path vertex.

Count: Distributes the specified number of plants evenly along the each line segment or within the array

Same as Plant Spacing: Sets the Array Row Spacing to be the same as the Plant Spacing selection

Rate

(rectangular and triangular array or hedge)

Calculates the plant spacing based on the plant area or length. Specify the rate:

Plants per square unit: For arrays, spaces the plants according to the set density, with the square unit specified in the document settings

Unit on center: For arrays, spaces the plants from center to center, according to the length units specified in the document settings

Plants/Linear Unit: For hedges, spaces the plants according to the set rate, with the unit specified in the document settings

Plants/Linear Unit, Best Fit: Places a plant at the start and end of each path segment and then distributes the plants evenly as close as possible to the specified distance. This allows you to always have a plant at each path vertex.

Coverage

Calculates the plant spacing based on the actual plant area and Spread values, and places them according to the set Percentage. A value of 100%, for example, indicates full coverage, with plants spaced according to the Spread.

Parameter

Description

Mode

(Plant Preferences and Plant Settings dialog boxes only)

Select the default placement mode for this plant

Offset from Path

To offset the plants from the drawn path, enter the offset distance. A positive number offsets the plants to the right of the drawn line, a negative number to the left.

Hedges with multiple rows always add the additional rows to the left of the drawn line, which may affect the offset calculation.

Include on plant list

Includes this plant on a plant list

Parameter

Description

Edit Current Graphics

Closes the Edit Plant Style dialog box to set all parameters, and opens object editing mode to edit the 2D or 3D graphics for the plant symbol; see Object editing mode.

Alternatively, right-click on a plant instance that uses the style, and select Edit from the context menu, and then click 2D Graphics or 3D Graphics. Editing the plant attributes from an instance edits the plant style and affects all plants that use that style.

Replace Current Graphics

Opens the Replace Top/Plan Graphics or Replace 3D Graphics dialog box so you can specify the replacement graphic; see Replacing plant style graphics.

Replacing graphics does not affect the plant style's spread or height, so in the Plant Style Manager, you can select multiple plant styles and batch replace their geometry.

Parameter

Description

Plan View Effects

Polyline Display

For multiple plant placements, changes the display of the boundary or center polyline defining the plant cluster shape. 

Class

To control the polyline's appearance and visibility, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Plant Class> to place the polyline in the same class as the plant object.

Mass Outline

Select a plant outline style.

The outline’s pen attributes can be changed for selected plant objects in the Attributes palette.

Class

To control the outline's appearance and visibility, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Plant Class> to place the outline in the same class as the plant object. The Attributes palette only affects the mass outline if it is assigned to the plant class.

Apply fill across plant grouping

A continuous outline is created around overlapping plants, and internal details are hidden. The 2D appearance of the massed group is controlled by the back polygon in the plant symbol group, so massing could cause the plant to display without a fill color. (An alternative way of hiding plant details is to use the Plant-Components classes to control the visibility of elements within the plant symbol.)

Keep in mind the following points about this setting:

Open areas in a plant style's background fill cannot be filled. 

Plants that contain bitmap images cannot be massed.

Hedges only fill when inserted with Poly-Edge Spaced mode. 

If a fill is not applied to a hedge or row of plants, it might indicate the plants are slightly separated; only plants that touch each other are filled as a group. Spacing that is set to a best fit option may create a small gap.

Show shadow

Displays shadow effects in Top/Plan view only. Select whether to use the plan shadows settings in document preferences or custom shadow settings, and click the appropriate button to confirm or adjust the settings; see Document preferences: Plan Shadows tab or Plant shadow settings.

Tick Mark

Style

Select a tick mark (plant center mark) style

Size

Specifies the tick mark size in document units. The display is page based, so a tick appears larger at a smaller scale.

The same plants and the same tick mark style and size, shown at two different scales

Class

To control appearance and visibility, select a class for the tick mark from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Plant Class> to place the tick mark in the same class as the plant object.

Rotation and Variation

These settings don't affect the plant's specified spread and height, only the appearance in a drawing. The rotation and variation options are especially effective for plants that are not round, such as espaliered trees or climbers along a wall.

Plant Rotation

For multi-plant placements, orients the plants in the horizontal direction, rotates the plants along the line created by the drawn polygon, or rotates the plants randomly, creating a more natural appearance

Plant Diameter Variation

Keeps the plants at a fixed size, or randomly varies the plant diameter according to the specified percentage of variation

Plant Height Variation

Keeps the plants at a fixed height, or randomly varies the plant heights according to the specified percentage of variation

Parameter

Description

Root Ball

The root ball is the main mass of the plant's roots

Show

Select which view displays the root ball:

2D Only

3D Only

2D and 3D

To hide the root ball, select Bare Root (None).

Shape

Select the 3D shape of the root ball

Size

Select the size of the root ball. The values available depend on the selected Shape.

To add, edit, or delete custom sizes, see Adding, editing, or deleting custom root ball sizes.

Class

To control appearance and visibility, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Plant Class> to place the root ball in the same class as the plant object.

Attributes by class

Select to set all 2D root ball attributes by class.

If this parameter is selected, Line Style and Line Color are disabled.

Line Style

Select the line style of the root ball

Line Color

Select the line color of the root ball

Planting Excavation

The planting excavation is the area that needs to be dug out for the root ball to be planted

Show

Select which view displays the planting excavation:

2D Only

3D Only

2D and 3D

To hide the planting excavation, select None.

Shape

Select the 3D shape of the planting excavation

Depth

Select the planting excavation depth.

To specify a custom depth, select Custom and specify a Value.

Value

Displays the value of the planting excavation Depth 

Diameter (Round)

Select the planting excavation diameter.

To specify a custom diameter, select Custom and specify a Value.

The diameter must be large enough to fit the root ball shape.

Side (Rectangular)

Specify the side dimension of the rectangular Shape.

To add, edit, or delete custom sizes, and to specify non-vertical sides and excavation components, see Adding, editing, or deleting custom rectangular plant excavation sides.

Value

Displays the value of the planting excavation Diameter and/or Side

Class

To control appearance and visibility, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Plant Class> to place the excavation in the same class as the plant object.

Attributes by class

Select to set all 2D planting excavation attributes by class.

If this parameter is selected, Line Style and Line Color are disabled.

Line Style

Select the line style of the planting excavation

Line Color

Select the line color of the planting excavation

Parameter

Description

Display

Select whether to display a plant tag to the right or left of the leader line, in the center of the plant or group of plants, or to display no tag.

A Center tag has no shoulder or leader; set the X/Y Offset for Center tags, if needed.

Class

To control appearance and visibility, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class

Approach Angle

Specifies the angle of the leader line, from 0 to 360°. Setting the same angle for several selected plants aligns their leader lines, for an attractive planting plan (see Aligning and distributing leader lines).

Shoulder Angle

When a tag shoulder line is enabled, sets the angle of the shoulder line and, if selected, tag display, from 0 to 360°. To display the plant tag to the left, specify an angle greater than 90 or less than 270 degrees. To display the plant tag to the right, specify an angle less than 90 or greater than 270 degrees. Setting the same angle for several selected plants aligns their shoulder lines, for an attractive planting plan.

Bubble

Specifies the bubble style, if any, for displaying quantity or optionally, Plant ID, with the plant tag

Top/Center/Bottom

The custom tags present in the drawing and the predefined plant record field combinations for tags are listed. Specify the information to display on each level of the plant tag. For the center level, select Continuation Line to continue the shoulder as a dividing line between the top and bottom tag information. Alternatively, select Set Custom Tag to define a custom plant tag (see Creating a custom plant tag).

Enable tag shoulder line

Adds a shoulder line to the leader line; adjust the shoulder angle with the shoulder control point, or by entering a tag Shoulder Angle

Snap tag to plant centers

Snaps the end of the leader line to the center of the plant; deselect to adjust the endpoint location manually

Display tag line marker

Displays a marker at the end of the leader line; specify the marker to use by editing the plant tag class (see Setting class properties)

Image Size

Sets the size of any images included in a custom plant tag

Parameter

Description

The list of visible fields

List of plant data parameters and their values; the list can be customized for each plant

Fields Visibility

Opens the Fields Visibility dialog box; click in the Show column to place a check mark beside fields to include in the list for this plant

Plant Catalog

(Edit Plant Syle dialog box only)

Depending on the selection made in the Choose Plant Data Source dialog box (see Selecting the plant data source (legacy)), plant data can be either associated with plants from plant catalogs or from the plant database.

If plant catalogs are the source, the Select Plant Data dialog box opens. Select the plant to associate from the list. The plant data from the catalog is imported. See Using plant catalogs (legacy) for additional information.

If the plant database is the source, the plant database opens, if it is not already open (this may take several seconds). A dialog box in Vectorworks indicates that Vectorworks is waiting for you to select data from the plant database for the plant style. If you change your mind about obtaining the plant style data from the plant database, click Cancel Data Acquisition. Select a plant record from the plant database as described in Searching for plants. Once the correct plant has been located, from the plant database, select Vectorworks > Use Currently Selected Record. This associates the plant database record with the plant style. 

From either source, once the plant data has been associated with the plant style, the catalog or database information updates the appropriate plant style parameters, if specified when the plant data source was selected.

Field

Click an item in the list, and its Value displays; click Edit to change the value

Parameter

Description

Plant Top/Plan Preview

Uses the plant style image specified for the Top/Plan view.

This method of displaying plant images is useful with a plant key.

Plant 3D Preview

Uses the plant style image specified for 3D views

Import an External File

Uses an imported image file; click Browse to select the file to import

Image Resource

Uses an image resource. From the Resource Selector, select an image resource; double-click a resource to activate it.

Plant Image

Uses the image that was specified for the plant within the plant catalog or database

Remove Image

If an image source had previously been specified, removes the image. <not set> displays in the Value column of the More Data pane for the item, and no image displays in any associated custom plant tag. The image is also removed from the associated plant catalog or database, when updating is enabled.