VectorWorks Plants Database

The VectorWorks Landmark plant database manages an extensive list of plant names and botanical information which can be used to associate specific plant data with plant definitions. 

Accessing the Plant Database

To Open the Plants Database select AEC -> Plants -> VW Plants Database, the dialog to choose plants database location shows, which you can select a User Folder or a Workgroup-shared location.

Once the plant database has been set up, it is accessed immediately when selecting the VW Plants Database. The plant database can also be accessed when creating a plant definition, by clicking Open VW Plants from the Get Plant Data dialog box.

Altering the Database

Using the standard methods to edit the database records, you can edit the Plants Library (using Add Record/Duplicate Record/Remove Record and edit the record contents directly in the Browse mode).

Getting Data from the Internet

By selecting View -> Go to Layout -> Web Data, the Plants Database turns into the Web Data layout, where it is set to search for the Latin name of the current plant in Google Images, Google Search, Wikipedia and USDA.

If you find any relevant data you can easily copy and paste in the database, whether text or imagery.

Searching for Plants

The plant database can be searched when in Find mode (by selecting View -> Find Mode) where flexible, sophisticated searches can be conducted by combining search criteria.

By entering the Find Mode a blank record will be displayed, where you can set the search data and click on Find in the left sidebar.

Plant Lists

Plant lists are the connection between the FileMaker plant database and VectorWorks. Creating plant lists in the plant database allows that data to be attached to plants in VectorWorks.

Create as many plant lists as necessary; the appropriate plant list is selected for the plant definition.

The data attached to a plant becomes part of the plant definition, and can be added to planting plans and displayed by plant ID tags.

To create a Plant List select File -> Create VectorWorks Plant List in the Plants Database application

The plant list file is a tab-delimited file saved in the location of the plant database.

Using Plant List Data in VectorWorks

Plant list information is available to plant definitions from the Plant Data tab, you can add plant data by right-clicking on any plant symbol and select Edit, then Definition.

In the Edit Plant Definition dialog box, click Get Plant Data, the Get Plant Data dialog box opens, where you can select the plant name and data to include in the plant definition, and click OK.