Vectorworks Spotlight: New in Version 2008: Enhanced Usability

From two-way worksheets to importing and exporting AutoCAD 2007 and 2008 files, Vectorworks Spotlight 2008 will cuts out extra steps and saves a lot more time.

Two-way Worksheets
Two-way editing between worksheet and objects in a drawing is now possible in the Vectorworks Architect 2008. Now, when you change an object's data in a worksheet, it will automatically reconfigure the object in the drawing, even for multiple objects.

Edit Multiple Objects in Walls Simultaneously
You can now select multiple objects that are inserted into walls, making it easy to reconfigure and reposition multiple objects at once. You can select multiple objects by shift-clicking, enclosing objects with a selection marquee, and by using the Custom Selection or new Custom Modification commands.

Improved Viewport Workflows
For many of you, using viewports has become essential to your workflow, and working with viewports in Vectorworks Fundamentals 2008 is much easier, thanks to many time-saving improvements.

• Support for Associative Dimensions in Viewport
  This improvement to Vectorworks 2008 saves time and reduces drawing errors. Now dimensions in viewports can automatically update as design layer objects change.

• Improved Navigation between Design Layers and Viewports
  To navigate seamlessly between viewports and design layers, a new option in the Create Viewport dialogue box allows you to maintain your view when navigating from a viewport to a design layer. And, once on the design layer, a new on-screen button makes it easy to navigate back to the viewport from a design layer edit.

• Improved Navigation between Crop and Annotations Modes
  This enhancement will make working with viewports easier and faster. Now our view is maintained. So, if zoomed in tight, you'll remain zoomed in as you navigate between the Annotation and Edit Crop modes.

• New Viewport Adjust Flipped Text Option
  The Adjust Flipped Text option allows you to change flipped text in a viewport without affecting text in other viewports or design layers.

• Viewport Black and White Only Settings
  This advanced option for viewports lets you display and print viewports in black and white only, no matter what your document settings are.

• Viewport Layer Overrides
  Draw your design once and present it in many different ways with class overrides, and now layer overrides in viewports. Overrides allow you to assign attributes to different viewports without affecting the look of other viewports in a drawing set. Overrides are great for presenting clients different design options, as well as for allowing you to easily create different drawings from your plans.

Improved AutoSave
New options give you more control over your backup files. You can now choose a custom location for your backup files-either locally to your hard drive or centrally to a server. And, you can specify the number of backup copies you want to retain The backups are time stamped for easy reference.

Import Drawing Structure
To make setting up new files faster and easier, you can now import design layers, sheet layers, and classes from other files. We also reduced the number steps when creating new layers and classes.

New Scale Object by Distance Option
A new option in the Scale Object dialogue box allows users to easily scale objects by defining a real-world distance. This works on any object, including imported image files, and also eliminates complex calculations when scaling objects.

Global Object Editing by Criteria
With the new Custom Modification command, you can simultaneously edit the properties and graphical attributes of multiple objects, regardless of which layer or class they are in, their scale, or their selection or visibility status-it even works for objects in walls. Being able to quickly select multiple objects and perform simultaneous edits will save you a lot of time.

Support for SketchUp 6
Vectorworks Architect 2008 adds support for SketchUp 6 giving you compatibility with the latest version and additional access to the latest content from Google's 3D Warehouse.

Support for AutoCAD 2007/2008
Vectorworks now supports all AutoCAD 2007/2008 products. New import/export options allow you to import and export DWG/DXF files in AutoCAD's native 2007/2008 file format.

Support for Worksheets in DXF/DWG Export
In Vectorworks Fundamentals 2008, embedded worksheets can be exported along with the drawing. Worksheets images are exported as blocks of lines and text so they can be edited after export.

Easier Management of Imported AutoCAD Layers
A new option in the DXF/DWG Import Options dialogue box allows you append a prefix to AutoCAD layers imported into Vectorworks. Assigning a prefix allows you to group imported layers, making them easier to identify and mange.

Cross-platform Workspace
Workspaces in Vectorworks 2008 are cross platform, making it easier share custom workspaces across the firm. It is also faster to launch, and switch between workspaces.

Macintosh OSX Spotlight Search Integration
This new feature will save you a lot of time when you're searching for Vectorworks files that contain certain text. Apple's Spotlight search engine makes it easy to find text within text objects inside of Vectorworks files. Instead of opening up individual files, you can now use Apple's Spotlight search tool to quickly find the Vectorworks files you want.

New Support for Bookmarks in PDFs
Writing bookmarks into exported PDF document providing an easy way to find and browse sheet layers, viewports, and saved views.

© 2006-2008 OzCAD Pty Limited • Vectorworks is a registered trademark of Nemetschek North America