User Folders Preferences

Users can designate which folder will hold user data and preferences files. The subfolders within this folder mirror several of the standard VectorWorks subfolders (Libraries, Plug-ins, Templates, and so on).

This duplication of folders in separate locations makes it easy for VectorWorks users to do the following:

Back up (or transfer to another computer) custom content and preferences

Work in an environment where user permissions are limited (such as a school lab)

Switch between users on the same computer

Update VectorWorks with no loss of custom files

When VectorWorks presents data in the interface, it includes content from the user folder as well as the content it ships with. For example, select Modify > Hatch to edit a hatch; the Hatches dialog box shows all default hatches from your VectorWorks and user folders.

A file in the user folder takes precedence if a file name is repeated in any of the folders. For example, if both of the following files exist, only the content from the user folder shows in VectorWorks.

[User]\Libraries\Defaults\Walls\Wall Styles Imperial.vwx

[VectorWorks]\Libraries\Defaults\Walls\Wall Styles Imperial.vwx

Click the User Folders tab to specify the user folder.

 

Parameter	Description
User Data and Preferences Folder	Specifies the folder that contains VectorWorks preferences, log files, workspaces, and any personal content you create. This might be a folder on the local computer, or on a USB drive or network drive; this allows you to run VectorWorks from any computer.
Choose	Click Choose to change the user data folder. VectorWorks must be restarted if you change the location of the user data. See User Folders Preferences for details.
Explore (Windows) or Reveal in Finder (Macintosh)	To look at the contents of the current folder, click Explore (to open Windows Explorer) or click Reveal in Finder (to open Macintosh Finder)

User Data and Preferences Folder

The User Data and Preferences folder contains the VectorWorks files that are created and used by you. Within this folder, VectorWorks automatically creates subfolders for Libraries, Plant Database (VectorWorks Landmark required), Plug-ins, Settings, Standards, Templates, VWHelp, and Workspaces.

VectorWorks automatically adds your customizations (such as workspace changes and Resource Browser favorites) to the appropriate folders. To add content, place the file in the appropriate subfolder. For example, to add a custom template, place the custom file in the Templates folder.

VectorWorks defaults the following locations for the user data folder, but they can be changed. Note that, by default, Windows hides the Application Data folder; to keep the default folder, adjust the folder options in Microsoft Explorer to make hidden folders visible.

 

Windows:	C:\Documents and Settings\<Username>\Application Data\Nemetschek\VectorWorks\2008\
Macintosh:	~Library/Application Support/VectorWorks/2008/

To change the user data folder:

1.	From the User Folders tab, click Choose.

2.	A confirmation dialog box displays. Click Yes to continue with the folder change.

3.	Select a folder from the dialog box that opens, and click OK (Windows) or Choose (Macintosh).

4.	Another confirmation dialog box displays. Click Yes to copy the user data to the new location, or click No to use the VectorWorks defaults.

5.	If you copy the data to the new location, and the destination folder already contains a file with the same name as a file in the source folder, VectorWorks displays a notice that files in the destination folder will be overridden. Click Yes to continue.

6.	If any unsaved files are currently open, you are prompted to save them. Click Yes to continue.

7.	VectorWorks copies the files to the new location and then closes automatically.

8.	Restart VectorWorks.

Workgroup and Project Folders

If VectorWorks Design Series is installed, a section for Workgroup and Project folders displays at the bottom of this tab. See Workgroup Folders for details about using workgroup folders.