Detail Drawings

To effectively create detail drawings with VectorWorks Architect, using the Create Standard Viewports command is recommended to automatically create the necessary detail sheet layers. Details can be effectively presented and annotated when using VectorWorks viewport feature.

For a complete description of viewports, see Presenting Drawings with Sheet Layer Viewports.

When using viewports:

The Create Standard Viewports command can automatically create the necessary detail sheet layer.

Because sheet layer viewports can be easily copied and pasted, duplicate the floorplan viewports, and then copy them to the detail sheet layer. They can be rescaled and cropped to create plan detail drawings.

When annotating a sheet layer viewport, keep in mind that “annotations” refer to any 2D element, including detail objects.

Using Detail Objects

Once the sheet layers and geometric basis for a detail have been defined, use the included detail objects from the 00_Detailing.vwx library and the Detailing tool set to refine the detail drawing. Using detail objects can significantly reduce the amount of time necessary to make an accurate representation of an object. Architect detail objects can be used in conjunction with other VectorWorks objects, like groups, symbols, and primitives like rectangles and polylines. The following illustration shows several examples of each, used in conjunction to create a fully-developed detail form.

VectorWorks Architect and Landmark also include two tools to facilitate the creation of linear materials (such as plywood, gypsum board, and stucco) and repetitive building elements (like shingles and siding) which are common in detail drawings.

Creating Linear Material Details

The Linear Material tool draws a standard representation of sheet building materials along a path. Create linear material details either by using the Linear Material tool, or by drawing a polyline and then selecting the Objects from Polyline command (see Creating Objects from Polylines).

 

To draw linear material details:

1.	Click the Linear Material tool from the Detailing tool set.

2.	If desired, set the linear material attributes in the Attributes palette (fill style, pen style, and line style). The linear material attributes can also be specified after creation.

3.	Click to begin drawing the linear material detail polyline. Click the mouse at the start point to complete a closed polyline, or double-click the mouse to create an open polyline. For more information on polylines, see Polyline Tool.

4.	The linear material parameters can be edited in the Object Info palette.

 

Parameter	Description
Offset	Sets the distance of the object baseline from the drawn path
Type	Select the kind of linear material to draw; available parameters depend on the type of linear material selected
Board (generic)	Creates two polyline edges; the space between the edges can be specified with a fill color from the Attributes palette
Gyp. Bd. (detail)	Creates a board object with an additional offset line and fills the space with a stipple pattern
Plaster/Stucco	Draws an irregular top line for the object
Plaster/Stucco (detail)	Draws an irregular top line for the object, and fills the space with a stipple pattern
Plywood/OSB	Creates a board object with evenly spaced parallel lines
Plywood/OSB (detail)	Creates a plywood object with additional diagonal slashes
Built-up Roof	Draws a filled band over a coarse, oval-shaped stipple pattern
Corrugated Deck	Draws a zig-zag deck pattern
Corrugated Deck w/fill	Creates a corrugated deck and fills the depth of the deck
Corrugated Deck w/fill (detail)	Creates a corrugated deck, fills the depth of the deck, and adds a stipple pattern
Thickness	Specifies the thickness of the linear material
Pitch	For corrugated deck details, determines the corrugation spacing
Corrugation Depth	For corrugated deck details, determines the corrugation height
Closure	Specifies which sections of the linear material object should have a closed end (does not apply to Built-up Roof details)
Density	For details with stipple patterns, sets the stipple density
Polyline parameters	Edits the linear detail path polyline

Linear material details with stipple patterns may require a significant amount of time to draw.

Create a plug-in symbol from a linear material object (see Creating New Symbols) with Convert to Plug-in selected. Activate the symbol in the Resource Browser to draw the linear material detail with the saved symbol parameters.

Creating Repetitive Unit Details

The Repetitive Unit tool draws world-scale symbols along a path, creating repetitive elements such as masonry units, shingles, and siding. Create repetitive unit details either by using the Repetitive Unit tool, or by drawing a polyline and then selecting the Objects from Polyline command (see Creating Objects from Polylines).

 

To draw repetitive unit details:

1.	Click the Repetitive Unit tool from the Detailing tool set.

2.	Click Preferences from the Tool bar to select the detail symbol. The detail symbol can also be specified after creation.

3.	Click to begin drawing the detail polyline. Click the mouse at the start point to complete a closed polyline, or double-click the mouse to create an open polyline. For more information on polylines, see Polyline Tool.

4.	Click Choose Symbol from the Object Info palette to select the unit to repeat.

Each unit is always drawn in its entirety; the last unit is not clipped, even if it exceeds the path drawn. The repetitive unit offset path is drawn in the object’s assigned line style (the path always has a fill style of None).

The repetitive unit parameters can be edited in the Object Info palette.

 

Parameter	Description
Offset	Sets the distance of the object baseline from the drawn path; the symbol is rotated so that its first point (its “pitch point”) is always placed on the baseline at the offset distance
Use Symbol Pitch	Sets the pitch according to the symbol definition; deselect to scale the pitch manually
Use Vertical Pitch	Rotates the symbol 90 degrees counter-clockwise and sets the pitch vertically; this is useful for symbols that are to be stacked vertically rather than arrayed vertically, as they can be drawn in a more natural way
Pitch	Sets the distance from the start of one unit to the start of the next unit
First Pitch Differs	Allows a different pitch to be specified for the first unit
First Pitch	Specifies the pitch for the first unit
Flip Vertically	Flips the unit symbol vertically
Flip Horizontally	Flips the unit symbol horizontally
Choose Symbol	Opens the Choose Symbol dialog box. Select the unit Category, and then select the unit symbol from either the default resources or the current file’s resources (see VectorWorks Design Series Default Resources); the selected symbol is imported into the file and appears in the Resource Browser.
Polyline Parameters	Edits the repetitive unit detail path polyline

Create a plug-in symbol from a repetitive unit object (see Creating New Symbols) with Convert to Plug-in selected. Activate the symbol in the Resource Browser to draw the repetitive unit with the saved symbol parameters.

Creating an Interior Elevation

An interior elevation can be created by a variety of methods.

Create a section viewport of the interior with a finite depth range (see Advanced Section Viewport Properties).

Create a viewport with hidden line rendering and annotate the elements with the polygon boundary modes of the 2D Polygon tool. See Creating Boundary Polygons in a Hidden Line Rendered Viewport

Create a group with the Convert Copy to Lines command as described below. (A group created from the Convert Copy to Lines command can quickly provide a basis for interior elevations.) See Convert Copy to Lines

To create an interior elevation:

1.	From the floor plan, select the wall for creating the elevation. If it has millwork or fixtures attached to or adjacent to it, ensure that they are selected.

Fixtures inserted in (attached to) the wall are automatically selected.

2.	Select the view from which to create the elevation. For example, to view the wall from the right side of the plan, select View > Standard Views > Right.

3.	Select Modify > Convert > Convert Copy to Lines and choose Hidden Line Rendering.

4.	Select View > Rendering > Hidden Line. Architect creates a hidden line group of the selection and selects it. Select Edit > Cut.

5.	Select the detail sheet layer from the Layers menu and select Edit > Paste. Move the newly created interior elevation to the desired location on the detail sheet layer and add graphics, notes, and dimensions as required.