Menus and Tool Sets

VectorWorks Architect Workspace

When a VectorWorks Design Series product is launched by double-clicking the application in Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Macintosh), the Default.sta template file opens with predefined settings which vary slightly between products.

If only one Design Series product is installed, the default template file for that product is loaded. If multiple Design Series products are installed, the VectorWorks Architect Default.sta file is loaded. See Creating a New File for information on opening a different template.

The Architect default template opens with the following predefined settings:

File > Document Settings > Units are set to feet and inches on the General Display tab

Grid lines are not visible

Design layer scale is 1:48

Printer setup is set to landscape orientation

A default wall style is selected (Int-2x4-Framing only) to 96” H

The default project preference set (Prefs_Def) is selected

Architect shares many of the same menus as VectorWorks while adding several menus and commands. The following table shows menu commands that are in the Architect workspace (Tools > Architect > Workspace) but not in the standard VectorWorks workspace:

 

 

Submenus and Commands Specific to the Architect Workspace
File menu Document Settings Document Setup Model Setup Create Standard Viewports Standard Naming Import Import IFC Import PDF Import 3DS (3D only) Import SketchUp Export Export IFC Project Export IFC Object Export PDF Export PDF (Batch) Export 3DS (3D only) Export KML (3D only) Issue Manager Batch Print   View menu Rendering Sketch Sketch Options Rotate Plan Align Layer Views Stack Layers Stack Layer Options Create Section Viewport   Modify menu Tile Convert Objects from Polyline Convert to Viewport	Model menu Create Solar Animation   AEC menu Fit Walls to Roof Space Planning Model to Floorplan Import Adjacency Matrix Create Spaces from Polys Create Spaces from Walls Create Walls from Spaces Update Space Boundaries Export DOE-2 Dimension Exterior Walls Terrain Create Site Model Filter 3D Polygons Validate 3D Data Site Model Section Send to Surface Survey Input Import Survey File 2D Polys to 3D Contours Grid Method Entry Create IFC Entity IFC Data Create Seating Layout Framing Simple Beam Calculator Create Joists from Poly Wall Framer Roof Framer Electrical Conduit Sizing Calc Conductor Sizing Calc Create Piping Runs	Tools menu Task Manager Class and Layer Mapping Reports Create Panel Schedule Create Panel Riser Diag VA Records and Schedules VA Create Record VA Create Schedule Create Drawing List Create Rm Finish Legend Scripts VS Compiler Mode Utilities Set Default Symbol Class Options VA Set Project Prefs Workspaces Architect   Text menu Convert Old Notes to New Add Text to Database Reconcile Notes Redlines Show or Hide Redlines Pick up Redline Restore Redline Create Redline Status WS   Window menu Palettes Navigation

Architect-specific Tool Sets

The Architect workspace contains the standard VectorWorks tool palettes and tool sets, including 2D and 3D tools. In addition, there are tool sets and tools unique to Architect.

The Hole Pattern tool is documented only in the VectorWorks help system, in the Design Series volume. This tool is indicated with an asterisk ( * ) in the following table.

 

Tool Sets and Tools Specific to the Architect Workspace
MEP tool set Ceiling Grid tool Circuiting tool Comm Device Edit Circuiting tool HVAC Damper HVAC Diffuser HVAC Elbow Duct HVAC Flex Duct HVAC Outlet HVAC Splitter HVAC Straight Duct HVAC Transition HVAC Vertical Duct HVAC Vertical Elbow Incandescent Fixture Piping Piping Connection Piping Run Receptacle Switch	Building Shell tool set Chain Extrude Column Component Join tool Door Drilled Footing Duplicate Symbol in Wall Escalator Mullion Pilaster Ramp Remove Wall Breaks tool Round Wall tool Simple Elevator Space Stair Wall tool Wall Join tool Window Window Wall (Curved, Straight)	Furn/Fixtures tool set Base Cabinet Bath-Shower Ceiling Grid tool Clothes Rod Compartment Sink Counter Top Desk Fireplace Grab Bars Handrail (Curved, Straight) Seating Layout Shelving Unit Table and Chairs Toilet Stall Utility Cabinet Wall Cabinet Workstation Counter Workstation Overhead Workstation Panel Workstation Pedestal
Detailing tool set Bolt and Nut (inch and mm) Detail Cut Wood Framing Member tool *Hole Pattern J-Bolt Joist Linear Material Pipe Fitting Repetitive Unit   Space Planning tool set Adjacency Matrix Adjacency Score Space Space Link tool Stacking Diagram	Site Planning tool set Campanile Guardrail (Curved, Straight) Massing Model Parking Spaces Property Line tool Roadway (Curved, NURBS, Straight, Tee) Site Modifiers Stake Object   Visualization tool set Human Figure tool Model View tool	Dims/Notes tool set Elevation Benchmark General Notes tool Grid Bubble ID Label tool North Arrow Redline tool Revision Marker Slope Dimension Stipple