Migrating Custom Workspaces

VectorWorks can automatically convert a custom workspace that was created in a previous version of VectorWorks. However, the custom workspace will not have any new or revised features from the latest release until it is migrated with the Workspace Editor. For details about the editor, see Creating or Editing a Workspace.

To enable the new functionality in the custom workspace, add the new tools and commands, and replace the tools and commands that have been updated.

Typically, you should also remove from the custom workspace the tools and commands that are no longer in the new version of VectorWorks. Some items may still be available under the Legacy heading in the Workspace Editor, even though they are no longer in the standard workspace. If so, you can use them in the custom workspace; however, their functionality is not guaranteed or supported. Only the items contained in the latest standard workspace are documented in the user’s guide and in the help system.

If the custom workspace is from a version earlier than VectorWorks 12, start with the standard or classic workspace in the new version of VectorWorks and add customizations to that workspace; do not migrate the older custom workspace.

To migrate a custom workspace to a new version of VectorWorks:

1.	Review the list of workspace changes for this version in the [VectorWorks]/Workspaces folder. Decide which tools and commands need to be added, deleted, or updated in the custom workspace.

2.	Place the custom workspace file in your [User]/Workspaces folder for the new version of VectorWorks.

3.	Open VectorWorks, which automatically converts the workspace and places the original file in a Legacy Workspaces folder within your [User]/Workspaces folder.

4.	Select Tools > Workspaces > <<custom workspace>> to access the custom workspace.

5.	From the custom workspace, access the Workspace Editor.

The Workspace Editor Options dialog box displays. Select the option to edit a copy of the current workspace and specify a new name for the workspace.

6.	Click the Menus tab to display the menus as they display in the workspace currently in use. Click the triangle (Macintosh) or the plus sign (Windows) next to an item to display an expanded list of menu commands.

7.	On the right side of the Workspace Editor, highlight each obsolete command and press the Delete key.

8.	On the left side of the Workspace Editor, highlight the new or replacement commands and drag them to the desired position on the right side of the Workspace Editor.

9.	Click the Tools tab to display the tool palettes and tool sets as they display in the workspace currently in use. Click the triangle (Macintosh) or the plus sign (Windows) next to an item to display an expanded list of tool sets or tools.

10.	On the right side of the Workspace Editor, highlight each obsolete tool and press the Delete key.

11.	On the left side of the Workspace Editor, highlight the new or replacement tools and drag them to the desired position on the right side of the Workspace Editor.

12.	Click OK to save the changes.