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The latest version of Vectorworks Architect is a significant release, with the new 64bit capability giving architects the performance and ability to handle larger projects with enhanced stability. Vectorworks, part of the Nemetschek group, is already being used on some significant projects, but it’s ideal for smaller architectural practices as well, due to its affordability and the way it provides modules that cover all aspects of a project - from terrain selection and management and landscaping to design and visualisation.

These qualities, combined with the solution’s ability to transcend BIM boundaries, bringing the benefits of the process to a wider audience than just those involved in public projects, were significant factors in Vectorworks Architect winning the Editors choice award at the Construction Computing awards in November, as selected by yours truly!

The new release sees significant enhancements to the Vectorworks Graphics module, providing architects and designers with an enriched graphical experience. It enables users to create useful and interesting graphics that combine wireframe and planar images, as well as improving spatial relationships in wireframe mode. It can also be used to set up animations with smooth transitions between different views of a 3D model - and users can set defaults for render modes for all of the view changes.

BIM IMPROVEMENTS
Vectorworks has included some other interesting features that emphasise its commitment to BIM by improving the design workflow. One of these, Curtain Walls, allows users to create curtain wall glazing systems and storefronts which can be customised using the Wall tool, using Wall Styles to configure the initial Curtain Wall, and modelling the layout of individual partitions with the Edit Curtain Wall tool - grabbing, moving and directly shaping it to create custom glazing layouts. The new Level Constraint System for Stories allows walls and wall components, slabs and columns to be constrained to the same level without creating additional design layers. It provides control without complexity, and proves very useful for modelling split level designs and mezzanines.

Version 15 seems to be all about walls! A new Wall tool - the Rectangle Wall mode -allows complex floor plans to be laid out very quickly, drawing rectangular walled areas with two clicks, and then allowing users to add or subtract rectangular spaces from the wall networks created, automatically joining and trimming them using the Trim tool to remove segments between two joins.

Stairs always figure in modelling enhancements and Vectorworks 15 is no exception, allowing users to create ever more complex stair layouts, including double-U and triple-L configurations, along with user-defined angles on landings between flights.

Of more direct relevance to BIM, the new COBie option allows users to transfer relevant BIM data from a model directly into a COBie spreadsheet in IFC format, filtering the required data from the Vectorworks model. Space and boundary definitions are important BIM features. Space objects helps users manage the information displayed in documentation, linking multiple labels to a single space. With labels configured and classed separately, and with boundary definitions defined, users can edit room finish settings directly from a database worksheet.

The display of doors and windows objects in 2D is also improved, with more control over visibility and appearance, and the ability to add centreline markers, making documentation more accurate.

INTEROPERABILITY
At the heart of BIM is the ability to collaborate with partners and exchange design data in a project, regardless of the technology being used. Vectorworks doesn't just rely on the ability to import and export IFC format files; it supports industry standard STEP files as well as enhancing its historic support for STL files, particularly relevant for the current vogue for 3D printing. The latest release also improves enhanced support for SketchUp, allowing, amongst other things, improved import of textures.

Support for DXF/DWG/DWF based workflows continues to improve, with enhancements to leader lines, line types, and tables as worksheets, along with export features such as interactive dimensions and precision settings - all enabling the exchange of high quality data in all AutoCAD formats. Another useful time saving tool allows users to edit PDFs within Vectorworks, without having to edit them prior to import, and users can enable or disable snapping of PDF page objects.

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