Creating Classes

Consider class names at creation. If there are a large number of classes, organize them by naming each class with a compound name consisting of up to three parts, separated by a dash. Each name part represents a different level in the class structure. For example, a drawing of a building might have a class structure that includes main groups for architecture, plumbing, and electrical objects. Within the architecture group, there might be door, floor, and wall groups. Those groups in turn have sub-groups—for example, the wall sub-group might have interior and exterior designations. A class is named according to its position in the class structure, as in Arch-Wall-Ext, Elec-Lite-Ceiling, or Plum-Equip-New.

In the classes list on the View bar, each main group is a menu option, with sub-menus for the sub-groups. In the following example, the Arch option has a Wall sub-menu, with Ext and Int options. This type of organization makes it easy to assign classes as objects are created.

Classes can be created as new, or imported from other current version VectorWorks files or standard files.

 

To create a new class:

1.	Select Tools > Organization. Alternatively, click the Classes button on the View bar.

The Organization dialog box opens.

2.	Select the Classes tab and click New.

The New Class dialog box opens. Create a new class, or import a class and its properties from standard or existing VectorWorks files.

 

Class Type	Action
Create New Class	Creates a class based on current Attributes palette settings; enter a class Name
Import Classes	Imports classes and their attributes from standard files or existing files. Files located in the Standards folder, as well as existing files selected previously, are displayed in the list. Select a file; included classes are listed beneath. Select the desired class(es). For more information about standards, see Creating Classes and Layers from Standards.
Choose	Click Choose to select a file for class import. Files must be in the current version.
Creation Options
Saved View Visibility	Sets the visibility of the new class in saved views (when saved views exist in the drawing)
Viewport Visibility	Sets the visibility of the new class in viewports (when viewports exist in the drawing)
Edit Properties After Creation	Immediately after creation, opens the Edit Class(es) dialog box to set the properties of the new class(es) (see Setting Class Properties)

To select multiple classes from the import list, hold the Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Macintosh) key while you click.

If a class name in the current file matches an imported class name, that standard class is not included in the list.

3.	Click OK to create the new class(es).

The classes display in the classes list in the Organization dialog box, and in the classes list on the View bar.