Vectorworks Fundamentals
Vectorworks Fundamentals is a comprehensive and streamlined design application, with superior 2D and 3D capabilities and wonderful graphics. Click the Play button in the overview movie above to learn more.
Benefits
Vectorworks Fundamentals is an elegant, yet professional, CAD program. Unlike "lite" CAD programs, Vectorworks Fundamentals goes far beyond 2D. In addition to precision drafting, it offers flexible tools for 3D modeling that can help you create, present, and even manufacture your designs. Built-in database and worksheet capabilities help track costs and materials. A host of import/export formats makes file sharing easy. You also get FREE object libraries and a built-in scripting environment that automates routine tasks.
Get Up and Running Quickly
Out of the box and out of the gate. Vectorworks Fundamentals was designed to think like you do, so you are up and running right away, doing what you like to do best—design.
Comprehensive to Cover Your Needs
Use one program for everything. From conception to completion, Vectorworks Fundamentals features state-of-the-art technology that sets you above the competition.
High-End Presentation
Define your signature look with advanced, high-end graphics design technology and large libraries of entourage. No cookie-cutter looks limit your style.
Plays Well with Others to Move You Forward
Vectorworks' Workgroup Referencing provides a flexible way to split even the most complicated project into manageable pieces. And DWG support means that you can easily exchange files with designers using other CAD and modeling programs.
Customer-Focused for Your Success
Your relationship with us doesn't end when you download the software. That's just the beginning. We provide many channels for you to get the information, training, tech support and networking you need.
Cost-Effective for Your Practice
You won't find another professional design program that packs so much into such a small price. In one package, you get state-of-the-art tools and technology and the ability to work from conception to completion.
Proven Worldwide
We listen to our customers and use their feedback to create a product that continually exceeds expectations, delivering superior design flexibility and world-class graphics. Join the more than 400,000 professional designers worldwide who use Vectorworks.
New In 2012
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Automatic Working PlaneSignificantly improve your modeling efficiency by using modes in modeling tools to automatically infer working planes as you move your cursor around the model. Simply select a tool and click to create objects on any 3D surface.
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Instant Push/Pull ModeWe added this user-friendly feature to our planar tool set so you can instantly push or pull profile geometry without additional steps. It's a great time saver.
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Optimized 3D DimensionsIt's easy to dimension 3D features by sensing the 3D working planes with the mouse. Simply click on 3D features with your constrained, angular, or radial dimension tools and dimension away.
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Unified Reshape ToolThe 2D and 3D reshape tools have been consolidated into a single powerful tool that reshapes both 2D and 3D objects.
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Reshaping Multiple Vertices of NURBS CurvesWith one drag, you can reshape NURBS curves with great precision and control by moving individual or multiple vertices.
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Increased DXF/DWG SupportDiscover the advantages of efficient collaboration. You'll have better support for image fill export and import, transparencies, and gradient types, plus a new ability to save user defined settings for DXF/DWG export. You can pick and choose the objects you want to export to DXF/DWG- even hatches. You can interface seamlessly with AutoCAD 2012 files and even import clipped AutoCAD blocks as cropped Design layer viewports or as symbols without cropping. We've also made it simpler to save your defined mappings of DXF/ DWG colors to Vectorworks line weights.
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Export to Five Previous Versions of VectorworksNow it's easier to collaborate with users of previous versions of Vectorworks software with the ability to export all the way back to Vectorworks 12.
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Add New Parasolid Version Number in Export Parasolid X_TUse this new option to specify a version number on the Parasolid X_T file format export.
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Faster Access to Frequently Used SettingsGet ready for a super time saver. Now you can access frequently used tool settings directly in the tool bar without having to open a settings dialog.
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2D X-Ray ModeNo more hide and seek! Just press the "B" key while you're using the selection tool and you can easily see and select objects that are hidden behind filled objects.
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Hidden Line Intersection EdgesA new option in Hidden Line rendering modes gives you the flexibility to have Vectorworks calculate and draw the lines between intersecting geometry.
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Faster Viewport Visibility NavigationAnother huge time saver- we've significantly improved the speed of navigation between sheets and from sheet layers to design layers for larger files.
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New Hatch from Customized HatchSave your newly customized tiles and hatches as standard tiles and hatches so you can easily reuse them.
New In 2011
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Improved 3D EnvironmentThe 3D environment is much more intuitive in the Vectorworks 2011 software. Working in 3D is similar to the ease of 2D, for a truly unified and simplified experience. You can draft any shape, on any plane, in any view, using the tools you already know how to use. View movie View image |
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Push/Pull & Face SelectionThe tool's name tells you how it works-just push and pull. The Push/Pull tool can edit solids faces and planar objects just like it would in the real world, so you get dynamically interactive feedback and instant results as you work. View movie View image |
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Extract Planar ObjectsNow the Extract tool can create instant planar objects from a 3D surface in the Extract Surface mode, so you can simulate the appearance of a hatched 3D object. View movie View image |
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Perfect Preview Text EditingWe're taking the guesswork out of your work. With perfect text preview, text appears the same when editing as it does on the drawing, saving you time and effort. Rotated text can be edited in place, or un-rotated if needed. View movie View image |
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Text StylesUse text styles to quickly and easily apply and maintain a consistent look to all text throughout a file, including text in sheet borders, dimensions, and callouts. Text styles are resources that can be shared among files to facilitate compliance with office standards. View movie View image |
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Improved TextCheck out these additional options: - Use a tight fill for optimal text background fill effects - Check spelling from the context menu during text editing - Rotate text with the Selection tool - Left and right justify your text at the same time - Make units look more accurate with sub- and superscript options. View movie View image |
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New Scalable SymbolsNow you can adjust the scale of a symbol right from the Object Info palette, without having to create a new symbol for each size that you need. That's not all-symbols can now be page-based or world-based when created, so if you have an annotation symbol, it will always display at the size you want. View image |
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New Tile Fills for 2D ObjectsThis creative new fill type will amaze you! Enjoy creating beautiful tiled patterns on planar objects. View movie View image |
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New Select Connected Objects CommandHere's a handy command that will save you a bunch of time. Select one or more objects and all other objects that are connected end-to-end are also automatically selected. I This is especially useful for imported DWG survey drawings. View movie View image |
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Resource Browser Library AccessIt's much easier to find the amazing libraries of resources that ship with Vectorworks 2011 software. Use shortcuts to the Vectorworks, workgroup, or user folders to find what you need in no time. View image |
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New Even Divide CommandThis convenient command divides lines, arcs, circles, and rectangles into even subdivisions. View movie View image |
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New Triangle ToolAdd the new Triangle tool to your tool set to quickly create triangles by a variety of methods. View movie View image |
Features
Easy to Learn and Use
With Vectorworks Fundamentals, drawing on a computer screen is as easy as drawing with pencil and paper, and just as flexible – yet much more efficient. Vectorworks Smart Cursor™ technology replaces manual drafting tools and makes it easy find snap points, offsets and tangents, as well as draw precisely and quickly. You’ll immediately feel comfortable and be able to leverage your existing drafting knowledge to be up and running quickly. Plus, you’ll be amazed at the quality of your drawings.
A Complete Solution
Unlike most other CAD programs, Vectorworks Fundamentals offers a comprehensive range of 2D, 3D and production management capabilities that benefits all phases of the design process, saving you extra time and effort. With this one program, you can create all the detailed working drawings you need. You can also easily visualize your design in 3D and create animated walk-throughs.
Precision 2D Drafting
At the heart of Vectorworks Fundamentals is an uncomplicated drafting environment that makes creating complex drawings fast and easy. And Vectorworks Fundamentals provides graphic capabilities that you don’t typically find in CAD programs. You’ll have access to gradients, associative hatching, patterns and an editable colour palette, as well as the ability to import digital images, to name a few.
In addition, you’ll find 2D parametric constraints that allow you to maintain the relationship between 2D shapes. You’ll also find a full array of dimension tools that support common dimensioning standards, including ISO, ASME and DIN. You can even display imperial and metric values in the same dimension string.
And, because drawings are made up of more than just graphics, you’ll find powerful text and notation capabilities. Vectorworks Fundamentals allows you to choose any font, font size or font style, check your spelling and even extrude text into 3D.
Freeform 3D Modelling
With flexible NURBS surface and solid modelling tools, you’ll get advanced 3D functionality that previously could only be found in modelling programs costing much more. And, with 16-bit floating point precision, your models will be accurate and ready for analysis and manufacturing. Click here to learn more about Vectorworks 3D capabilities.
Intelligent Object Technology
You can interact with your design on an entirely new level with Vectorworks Fundamentals. Cutting-edge object technology—a feature typically reserved for programs that cost thousands more—makes it easy to create and change design elements without having to redraw them. It’s so easy that you can make complex design changes on the fly, in front of clients. And, because most objects in Vectorworks display in 3D as well as 2D, you’ll be automatically creating 3D models of the design as you draw.
Free Symbol Libraries
Vectorworks Fundamentals gives you access to thousands of symbols, hatch patterns, gradients and other resources at no extra charge. So there’s no need to purchase separate symbol libraries. Plus, you’ll find samples of the object libraries we ship with Vectorworks Architect, Vectorworks Landmark and Vectorworks Machine Design. You can also access third-party libraries or create your own objects.
Share Files Easily
With superior DXF/DWG translation, Vectorworks Fundamentals allows you to work with whatever and whomever you need to get the job done. We’re founding members of the Open Design Alliance,™ and we have a full team of engineers dedicated to ensuring DXF/DWG compatibility. We also support a number of graphic file formats, such as GIF, JPG, BMP, TIF and EPS, allowing you to easily import digital images into your designs and export your drawings to other graphics programs. Support for IGES, .SAT and .STL allows you to send Vectorworks models to 3D printers and rapid prototyping machines.
Automatic Track Costs and Materials
You don’t need a separate program to track your project’s costs and materials— Vectorworks Fundamentals will do it for you with built-in database and spreadsheet capabilities. You can easily attach data, such as manufacturer, size and part number, as well as order and pricing information, to objects in your drawing. You can access this information at any time during the design process and use it to generate editable schedules, parts lists and other reports. Because the information and drawings are linked, any changes to the design will automatically be updated in your paperwork.
Create High End Presentations
Not only does Vectorworks have all the tools you need to complete your project, but it can also help you sell the job. You can create high-quality renderings with dramatic lighting effects and make animated movies. Artistic rendering options allow you to choose from several soft, hand-sketched effects. You can also import digital photos and scanned images.
By adding the advanced rendering plug-in RenderWorks, you can map textures and add shadows, backgrounds and atmospheric effects to give your presentations a photorealistic look.
Unique page layout capabilities make it easy to create presentation boards and arrange multiple views of your design on a single drawing sheet. Each view, or “viewport,” can display its own scale, orientation, projection and rendering option.
Workgroup Referencing
It is easy to design in a team environment with Vectorworks Fundamentals. Team members can view the entire project but make edits only within their individual areas of responsibility. Then, final drawings are assembled by pulling together all the component drawings from your team.
Completely Customisable
A complete, self-contained development environment named VectorScript® is built right in. It’s straightforward enough to be used by a beginner, yet powerful enough for the most experienced CAD programmer. You can create everything from simple scripts that automate routine drafting tasks to full-blown commercial applications.
Dedicated Support
Vectorworks Fundamentals has a dedicated support system, so you have access to help in a variety of forms whenever you need it:
- A comprehensive printed manual and interactive on-line help
- 24-hour message boards
- Free technical support
- Email ListServs
- Training CDs
Affordability
It is easy to see why Vectorworks is used by more than 400,000 designers and sold in more than 80 countries – no other software offers so much for so little. But Vectorworks Fundamentals affordability goes beyond the initial purchase price. You also get free technical support, affordable training, free updates and reasonably priced upgrades.