As processes evolve, architects and designers need superior tools to transition their designs from vision to reality. Answering that call is the Vectorworks® 2013 product line from Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. This multi-dimensional software suite helps users implement Building Information Modeling (BIM) techniques and workflows and gain an edge in drawing, 3D modeling, integrated rendering, and high-quality presentations.
Specifically serving this industry is Vectorworks Architect, an intuitive software solution that multi-tasks just the way users desire. The 2013 release contains many useful improvements, including new commands and tools. Among them are:
• Greater interoperability: Enhancements to already robust file imports and exports, such as IFC, DWG/DXF and ODBC, plus new file format support for Rhinoceros® 3DM, DWF®, FBX®, COLLADA and gbXML® make the Vectorworks application the most interoperable software available.
• Better BIM tools: Improvements to the program’s BIM tools allow designers to simplify complex BIM tasks. The new Auto Hybrid command lets users graphically convert complex, free-form modeling forms into proper 2D representations with data. In addition, users will experience more 3D support with 3D door and window tags and a completely re-engineered roof object based on the Parasolid® modeling kernel. Also, the Create Detail Viewport command provides an efficient way to automatically create cropped viewports, allowing for better navigation between detailed views and the model.
• The best in 3D modeling: The 2013 release includes the new Clip Cube mode, which provides additional visibility control over large complex models, and the Surface Array command, which allows for duplication of 2D and 3D geometry onto planar or NURBS-based surfaces and allows for the design of complex models, such as roof systems, curtain walls, and stadium-like structures. The program also features improved perspective projection, which allows users to work with models in a full-screen perspective view with configurable horizon and includes the option to turn on the cropping window when setting up views for presentation renderings.
• Integrated, robust rendering tools: New improvements to the Renderworks rendering application include non-blocking rendering, which allows the user to continue working on a project while a scene renders sheet layer viewports or images from the Render Bitmap tool; physical sun and sky backgrounds to provide natural lighting that automatically responds to a location, date and time of day; and a new Arroway® Textures library, which includes wood veneers, concrete, wood flooring, stonework, tiles and other construction materials.
“Non-blocking Renderworks wonderful improvement that will help speed up the development of renderings tremendously,” says Architect and Author Dan Jansenson. “I’m particularly gratified by the ability to create and control multiple render bitmaps simultaneously, and the ability to immediately send them to another layer while rendering.”
Click here to learn more about how the new tools and performance features in Vectorworks 2013 can save you time and help you experience greater collaboration today.
