When first approaching this software, I knew nothing exciting but also a bit terrifying as I know it is commonly used in the industry. In the first session, we looked at the different tools available and the different modes that Vector works provided. But the mode we needed to know about was Spotlight. Another useful thing we learned in this session was how we needed to set up scale, units, and layout before proceeding with any drawing
Having had our introduction, in the next session we started to play around with the tools a little more, in particular the 2d tools. We investigated the use of the snapping tool as well as the ability to combine and subtract shapes within shapes. I could see how this could be useful when doing a floor plan which is exactly what we went on to do. By using the skills, we had learned to create something used in the industry, I found this session particularly exciting and informative as it allowed us to begin to see the potential of the software.
Having focused on 2d in the last session, we went on to look at 3d in this session which got a little more complicated with the introduction of extrusions. We started by extruding the walls and then building windows which took a bit of time to get my head around with all the maths but I think I got the hang of it in the end. To construct the windows, we needed to draw them on the plan and the extrude and subtract the space that the window would consume, and then subtract it from the solid wall. It was then required to do all the detailing. We followed a similar process for the door. Lastly, we discussed the incorporation of layers and classes. I am not going to lie I did get quite confused at this point but I could distinguish between the two in the end. Layers are used for floors whereas classes I used for features such as windows, I think. Admittedly I think I need to familiarise myself a bit more with these tools before claiming I confidently know how they work.
In the final live session, we discovered how to make the model we had created into elevations. I found this session the most revolutionary of the lot. By creating a sheet on top of the design layer, we were able to select different viewports (walls) to be elevated and shown on the elevations. It also introduced us to the concept of section viewports which allowed certain perspectives of interior spaces to be seen, for instance, two walls could be seen in a section viewport but not just a viewport, it is like a wedge in the floor plan. Having elevated everything necessary, we then went on to look at the layout: adding a border and a title block. Then we learned how to export the file for printing and other software such as SketchUp.
Lastly, we were expected to do a weekend task consisting of a video explaining how Vectorworks can help with visualization using the camera tool, it was a step up from Sketchup. The camera tool enabled me to view the room from a person’s perspective and experiment with height and lense, something we had never been able to use before. The potential this provided us with visuals was exciting. As well as stills, videos can also be taken by creating a camera flythrough. Lastly, to top it all off, the rendering options such as lighting added an eerily authentic layer to this tool.
I think overall I would not say I am confident with this software, but I am excited to become confident with it as I can see the potential it presents whether that be with elevations or visuals; I can understand why it is so valued in the industry.
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