Vectorworks 2021 Launches, Simplifying Users’ Workflow

Vectorworks, Inc. has launched Vectorworks 2021 with what they call a continued emphasis on improving product quality, performance and the user experience. This latest release includes the 2021 versions of Vectorworks Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Designer and Fundamentals, as well as 2021 versions of Vision, Braceworks and ConnectCAD.

Features that differentiate the new release from previous ones? “The last release was all about data, data mapping, data managing, data visualization, etc., so there are lots of Vectorworks 2020 data-related features,” said Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar. “In 2021, we approached BIM by implementing tools that will simplify our users’ workflow such as the new structural grid tools important for architectural design, better coordination of markers from section views, to the back views, navigation, and linking of the views, and more in-depth materials. The new Materials feature can define the graphical attributes and data of building materials all in one location for a better BIM workflow.

Quick Search Display

Materials is a new resource type, for example, bricks, stuccos or insulation inside walls, that in landscaping might be different kinds of mulch, topsoil, some of the sand or slate — those kind of components and materials. BIM is not only for architectural workflows but also applies to landscape workflows. For architecture, every wall is joined to other walls; similarly on the landscape side, the site model has different grades that can be linked to each other. BIM workflows are increasingly integrating landscape workflows.”

This year’s theme for Vectorworks 2021 is simplicity – “quality and performance enhancements that make designing easier, even the most complex designs.”

Dr. Sarkar said: “You can see how we’ve re-engineered our most frequently used tools to keep the feature set reliable and cutting edge.”

Quality-and performance-focused features like the new Project Sharing server and multithreaded Vectorworks Graphics Module (VGM) Cache offer up to five times faster file loading. In addition, Vectorworks 2021 includes interoperability capabilities with Excel Import/Export and PDF Drawing Marker Links. Users are praising the Smart Options Display that also allows them to stay in the modeling space without needing to constantly move their mouse between drawing area and tool palettes, plus it’s customizable to easily access the most-used tool sets, last-used tools and more.

Smart Options Display

“BIM workflows are more streamlined, and we have created a bunch of intuitive features and user interfaces that are a natural progression in the usability of the software,” said Dr. Sarkar. “You can now search quickly without jumping through menus — just type in a particular tool name like wall or line and start working; and with the Smart Options Display you can be working with a particular tool and quickly access the tool modes or select a new tool from the new previously used tool set. This decreases the amount of time spent navigating back and forth to the top of the screen. This version has more onscreen widgets and less navigation.”

All these updates are at the core of the 2021 release and have the added benefit of improving workflows.

“With the Covid-19 epidemic circumstances this year, we are lucky to have employees working well — quality and performance of the product is great — and we are quite proud of the team,” said Dr. Sarkar. “One segment of the industry — entertainment design — has been out of work for the last six months, but we’ve continued with improvements to ensure their success with our product when they return. The movie and TV industry are slowly going back to work. The landscaping industry is doing very well during this time; we’re seeing more interest and purchasing activity than last year. They work outdoors and don’t have to have the close proximity to the client.”

Customer comments on what they like best in the new release have been many, including:

“The Smart Options Display is an innovative leap forward in Vectorworks’ user interface. I know that after a short period of time using it, everyone in the office will wonder how we ever did without it.” –François Lévy, AIA, NCARB, Principal at François Lévy Architecture + Interiors

“The new structural grid tool is a huge leap forward in coordinated drawings. There is a sense of magic about the tool.” –Ion Webster, Principal of Pults & Associates, LLP

“I absolutely love the live interactive ability to focus multiple fixtures at once. The lighting device improvements in Vectorworks 2021 are the kinds of features that many of us are used to having on a lighting console, so it makes sense that we would have this in Vectorworks.” –Scott Barnes, Lighting Console Programmer and Owner of i-light design

“My jaw dropped to the floor when I realized that the full component section for Landscape Area soil components now interacts with Site Models when used as a texture bed modifier. This is a game changer because it allows us to better understand the effects of a full section on our cut/fill grading and site modeling workflows.” –Eric Berg, Senior Associate at Pacific Coast Land Design

“I see Excel Import/Export becoming an important part of practice for pretty much any Vectorworks user to use data from their drawings to prepare takeoffs, cost estimates, schedules, etc.” –Stephen Schrader, PLA, ASLA, GRP, Landscape Architect at Renta Urban Land Design.

Hear more from Dr. Sarkar and the Vectorworks leadership team during the Vectorworks Design Day. The global event will be held on October 6^th at three different times, including 8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET.

Vectorworks Virtual Design Day Registration

Tags: 3D, 3D cities, AEC, architects, architecture, BIM, building, building design, building information modeling, CAD, Cloud, collaboration, construction, covid-19, design, engineering, engineers, Open BIM, reality capture, visualization

Categories: 2D, 3D, AEC, AECCafe, BIM, building information modeling, civil information modeling, Cloud, collaboration, data archiving, field, infrastructure, integrated project delivery, Internet of Things, mobile, openBIM, project management, reality capture, rendering, simulation, site planning, subscription programs, sustainable design, terrain, Vectorworks, video, virtual reality, visualization

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