New features
The following table contains a list of new and improved features for the initial release of the Vectorworks 2027 software, and indicates the section where the functionality is documented and the products* to which the feature applies.
Video tutorials highlighting new features are available from Vectorworks University.
|
Feature |
Description |
Location |
Product |
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Updated Vectorworks graphics module |
The Vectorworks graphics module has been enhanced to use modern GPU capabilities for improved performance and reduced memory usage |
Fundamentals |
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Complex line type improvements |
New options provide greater control over the appearance of complex line types, allowing geometry to wrap properly around corners, retain its size if the path lengthens or shortens, and use scattered placement |
Fundamentals |
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AI Assistant integrated with Vectorworks |
The AI Assistant has been integrated with Vectorworks as a web palette that can be accessed from the Home screen, the top right of the Title bar (Mac) or Menu bar (Windows), or the AI Assistant command. The integrated in-app version of the AI Assistant responds to the user's context, such as the license and active file, when responding to questions. |
Fundamentals |
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The Exchange |
The Exchange is a web palette and website where users with a Vectorworks account can download or upload partner-provided and user-created content |
Fundamentals |
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Data visualization improvements |
Data visualization improvements include: Data visualizations are resources that can be accessed in the Resource Manager and shared with other files and users. New data visualization set resources group multiple simple data visualizations that are commonly used together, for easier and more consistent application. Sets are easy to apply and edit. Additional settings provide more control of fill and pen overrides for auto-colored attributes and of data tag appearance for objects subject to data visualization. Data visualization legends accurately reflect overridden opacity. You can specify which data visualizations to apply to saved views. New script functions are added. |
Any Design Suite product |
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Georeferencing improvements |
Georeferencing has been enhanced, but also simplified. It's now much easier to georeference and geolocate a file, and design layer georeferencing has been removed. The Geolocation Setup Wizard guides you through the proper steps, from selecting the coordinate system to placing the survey point. Importing various formats where georeferencing is involved is also improved, preventing errors. |
Concept: GIS and georeferencing |
Any Design Suite product |
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Volume Fill tool |
The Volume Fill tool fills the empty areas between overlapping objects with an object that can then display with attributes and/or materials. It can fill a low spot on a site model, for volume calculations for attenuation ponds, lakes, and drainage situations, and it can calculate the filled volume when you know the water level's elevation on the site model. |
Architect, Landmark |
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Spotlight object power and data improvements |
Spotlight objects that can connect to a cable now use a device definition record common to ConnectCAD objects, for increased compatibility between the products and improved power planning and schematics |
Spotlight |
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Texture resource modernization |
Modernized Renderworks textures use the industry standard PBR (Physically Based Rendering) format common in architectural visualization, movies, video games, and other fields where realistic digital imagery is required |
Fundamentals |
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Enhanced AI image generation and editing with Nano Banana AI models |
Using the AI Visualizer, you can now select Nano Banana AI models (subscription required) and import up to 14 image prompts to generate and edit higher resolution AI images quickly and easily |
Fundamentals |
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Improved sharing of files and comments |
Enhancements include: Defining status values for shared file comments, assigning a custom status to comments, and filtering comments by status Attaching images to shared comments Downloading cloud comments to the BCF Manager, and creating collaboration objects in the Vectorworks file Easily opening shared files and their comments in the Cloud Document Reviewer Displaying shared comments for ConnectCAD reports |
Fundamentals |
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Multiple ways to dock palettes |
Most palettes, including web palettes, and detached palette tabs can now be docked to floating palettes, docked palettes, and any of the four new docking bars on the application window, so palettes can be available where you need them. Use the Workspace Editor to assign shortcuts to commands that open web palettes, and icons for tool palettes to display when in the docking bar. |
Fundamentals |
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Improved palette management in workspaces |
You can save palette positions and settings to a workspace, and palettes maintain position when workspaces are opened on different monitors |
Fundamentals |
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Sample projects on the Home screen |
Sample projects have been added to the Home screen, providing quick access to sample files without leaving Vectorworks |
Fundamentals |
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Contextual control improvements |
Improvements to the design of onscreen controls in object editing mode include: Updated 2D and 3D component edit controls Updated graphic legend cell annotation controls Updated temporary tool palette controls |
Creating 2D components for symbol definitions and plug-in objects Customizing detail levels for 2D and 3D components of symbol definitions and plug-in objects |
Fundamentals |
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Non Plot classes |
A filterable Non Plot tag can be added to classes, so objects in the class display on the screen but don't print. Changes to existing default classes/functions include: The Guides class, and the NonPlot classes in doors, windows, and some plug-in objects, are tagged as Non Plot. When exporting to DXF/DWG format, Non Plot classes map to non-plottable layers. |
Fundamentals |
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New Raster DPI setting for all types of sheet layer viewports |
Individual raster rendered sheet layer viewports have new DPI settings that can override the sheet layer's default resolution. Set this value when creating sheet layer viewports or edit it from the Object Info palette after creation. |
Fundamentals |
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New Notification Center for alerts |
Notifications always display on the Status bar rather than requiring dismissal to continue working. Clicking the Notification Center icon on the Status bar of the application window displays all the alerts for the current Vectorworks session. |
Fundamentals |
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New modes for creating tangent circles and arcs |
The Tangent Radius, Tangent Locked, Fourth Circle (circles only), and Combine and Connect (arcs only) modes have been added to the Circle and Arc tools for more options when creating tangent circles and arcs |
Fundamentals |
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Fillet tool improvements |
Improvements to the Fillet tool include: New segment and marquee selection modes can create fillets from specific segments or vertices. Fillets can be tangent based on a set radius or a locked intersection point. The fillet radius can be locked for consistency. Combine a selection mode, a tangent mode, and a creation mode to customize fillets. |
Fundamentals |
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Improvements to Extrude Along Path command |
When using the Extrude Along Path command, the profile object's origin can be set before extrusion |
Fundamentals |
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Shaded previews for 3D modeling tools |
Shaded previews have been added to the Taper Face, Deform, Offset Edge, and Push/Pull tools, along with the Push/Pull mode of planar tools |
Deforming solids and NURBS surfaces Direct modeling with the Offset Edge tool |
Fundamentals |
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Smoother previews for subdivision models |
Curved surfaces in subdivision models appear smoother in rendered previews |
Fundamentals |
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Appearance setting for midpoint reshape handles |
An interactive appearance setting determines how midpoint handles display when reshaping 2D objects to visually differentiate them from other types of handles |
Fundamentals |
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Improved DXF/DWG import of dynamic blocks |
You have the option to import dynamic blocks from DXF/DWG formats as Vectorworks dynamic objects. When this option isn't selected, dynamic blocks are imported as symbols instead of groups. |
Fundamentals |
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New Import FBX (3D only) command |
3D geometry and materials from FBX files can be imported into Vectorworks as mesh objects |
Fundamentals |
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Associative dimensioning improvements |
To prevent accidentally moving objects, associated dimensions can no longer be moved |
Fundamentals |
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Autosave and backup feature improvements |
Options to autosave and create backup copies can both be selected for an active file |
Fundamentals |
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Vectorworks cache improvements |
Quick Search, Resource Manager, and web cache data are located within a single folder that can be moved from its default location to save disk space in the application data folder |
Fundamentals |
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Polygon render mode is removed |
Polygon render modes are changed to legacy; a new preference to enable polygon render modes has been added to the Legacy tab of the document preferences |
Fundamentals |
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Data legend |
The Data Legend tool reports on object data, similar to graphic legends but with data only. Data legends can be placed on design layers or sheet layers. |
Any Design Suite product |
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Data tag association improvements |
Improvements to how the data tag is associated with objects include new Coincident Picking and Tagging Order modes for the Data Tag tool, the use of criteria to determine object eligibility, and the ability to move a tag's leader line end point without breaking the association |
Any Design Suite product |
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Graphic legend improvements |
Improvements to graphic legends settings include advanced field calculation parameters and worksheet-style formula options, as well as the ability to recognize attached record field values |
Any Design Suite product |
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Enhanced space area and volume |
Space objects allow you to set up multiple detailed space area calculation rule sets that dictate how objects such as window and door niches, columns, wall features, slab modifiers and low- or non-level ceilings affect a space's net and gross area and volume calculations. Multiple detailed space area rule sets can be used to create a variety of reports for things such as IFC calculations and material take offs. |
Space settings: Space Area pane |
Any Design Suite product |
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Object cut plane improvements |
Walls can optionally be set to use a cut plane relative to the bottom for a better display when following a site model with elevation change. Additionally, cut plane settings and language are made more consistent across several object types. |
Standard wall preferences: Insertion Options tab Curtain wall preferences: Insertion Options tab Additional plug-in object style and instance options Structural member settings: Attributes tab |
Any Design Suite product |
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Corner door and window assemblies |
You can create corner and span wall door and window assemblies, just as you can with windows. Assemblies and windows include new corner post parts for classes and attributes. The window's Elevation in Wall parameter is based on the Size Reference, and the default window elevation aligns the top of the window frame with the top of the door frame for easier creation of assemblies from doors and windows. |
Door and window assembly settings: Corner Assembly pane |
Any Design Suite product |
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Improved options for window sills and stools |
The following improvements have been made to the sill and stool settings for windows, and door and window assemblies: Open and closed profile sill types allow for common metal and PVC sill shapes. Alignment and measurement options enable greater control when configuring sills and stools. A pane to manage stool parameters has been added to the Window Settings dialog box. The default parameter values for sills and stools provide a more realistic starting point, and stools can be aligned to, and offset from, the bottom of the wall closure or the top of the frame. |
Any Design Suite product |
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Improved options for pivot doors and windows |
The following improvements have been made to the Door Settings and Window Settings dialog boxes: Swing and double acting configurations can operate as pivot doors. The Centerline Marker pane is removed from both dialog boxes, and those parameters are redistributed among the 2D Visualization, 3D Visualization, and Detail Levels panes for more logical organization. New controls and options for operation direction, 3D hinge direction, pivot location, and centerline markers and indicators have been added to the 2D Visualization, 3D Visualization, and Detail Levels panes. |
Any Design Suite product |
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Create wall, slab, and roof styles from the Object Info palette |
Wall, slab, and roof styles can be created from the Object Info palette |
Any Design Suite product |
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Import Revit families as Vectorworks dynamic object styles |
Revit families (.rfa files) and Revit instances (.rvt files) can be imported as Vectorworks dynamic objects, which are a new kind of styled parametric object with the geometry (type) defined by the imported object |
Any Design Suite product |
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Cut and fill 2D overlay |
A map of the 2D cut and fill can be displayed as an overlay over the site model. Its properties can be edited, and in a site model snapshot, it displays with a legend of the cut and fill volumes for each interval. The grade limit site modifier has an option to calculate the cut and fill for a specific area. |
Architect, Landmark |
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Landmark Style Manager |
The Plant Style Manager has been expanded to serve as a hub for viewing and editing all landscape areas styles and hardscape styles in a file, too, and renamed the Landmark Style Manager |
Landmark |
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Plant tool, Landscape Area tool, and Hardscape tool extended browsing and editing capabilities from the Resource Selector and other improvements |
The Plant, Landscape Area, and Hardscape tools allow you to edit object instances and styles from the Resource Selector. It's also easier to access and edit object styles from the Preferences and Settings dialog boxes, and to access the needed panes and individual parameters directly from the Object Info palette. The plant and landscape area objects have new Group Allocation parameters for inserted objects. |
Landmark |
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Custom editing of internal distributor object components |
The internal wiring of distributors can be edited while in a schematic wiring view, and custom distributors can be created. This facilitates the efficient tracking of power and signals through connected systems. |
Spotlight, ConnectCAD |
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Schematic view workflow improvements |
The existing schematic views feature has been dramatically enhanced, with better usability and flexibility |
Spotlight |
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MVR and GDTF file improvements |
Improvements to support for MVR and GDTF files include: A new Wheels tab on the Lighting Device dialog box that allows you to view and edit gobo, color, and animation wheel data from GDTF and LIT (Vision) files. The ability to set a mesh quality, select layers of a Vectorworks file, and export a truss as a GDTF object when exporting MVR files. More support for importing and exporting projectors from Vectorworks into MVR. Viewing the progress of importing or exporting MVR files. Improved parameters to specify Fixture Modes or GDTF Fixture Modes for lighting devices in the Object Info palette. The ability to drag and drop existing GDTF files from the Resource Manager to apply to lighting devices. A new option to refresh the list of available groups in the MVR-xchange when either creating a new group or joining an existing group. |
Spotlight |
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Listening Plane tool and command |
A listening plane object creates a reference for the location of sound levels when exporting/importing MVR files |
Spotlight |
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New parameters for lighting devices |
New parameters, Invert pan and Invert tilt, in the lighting device Object Info palette allow you to invert lighting device real-world pan and tilt directions |
Spotlight |
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Creating new parameter groups for lighting devices |
You can create new parameter groups for the lighting device Object Info palette |
Spotlight |
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Improvements for distributor circuit lengths |
You can specify and display distributor circuit break-in and breakout lengths, with improved weight calculations in Braceworks; a new command also locates the symbol definition of placed distributor instances in the Resource Manager |
Spotlight |
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Braceworks improvements |
Improvements to Braceworks include the ability to: Disable safety factors in Braceworks preferences Insert and snap individual loads at the bottom position of each bridle leg for better weight accuracy View hoist pick-up data in Braceworks calculations and reports Use the Insert Connection tool to suspend speaker arrays and other point loads to structural elements Directly edit a hierarchical list of loads grouped by object in the Load Overview list browser |
Spotlight |
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Improved naming and placement of sockets and socket loops |
Naming and placing sockets and socket loops is faster and easier. New sockets and socket loops are automatically named based on their signal type and socket type. Automatic Type mode places the socket or socket loop in the correct orientation on the device. |
ConnectCAD |
* Features indicating "Any Design Suite product" are available with a license for any one of Architect, Landmark, or Spotlight, or the full Design Suite.
