VectorWorks Introduction

What is VectorWorks?

VectorWorks is a world-leading 2D/3D CAD application that includes all the tools and technology you need for precision drafting and designing, it is also a complete design and production management system that enables the engineer to efficiently and easily construct, model and represent their designs.

VectorWorks Products

VectorWorks is actually 6 products based on the same foundation: Fundamentals, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Machine Design, and Designer.

VectorWorks Fundamentals

VectorWorks Fundamentals is an excellent 2D and 3D package that includes all the tools to efficiently design and represent 2D and 3D models; it can be compared to AutoCAD, but it is much more intuitive and easy to learn and use, it is also cheaper ($1300 compared to $4000) and a much better offering than the AutoCAD LT, while similarly priced, it is a 2D-only package with no AutoLISP/VBA functionality, and quite frankly, I hate it. 

VectorWorks includes extensive symbol libraries, default drawing resources, built-in database and worksheet capabilities to help track costs and materials. A host of import and export formats makes it easy to share files.

VectorWorks Architect

VectorWorks Architect is an important design tool for the architecture work, it allows the designer to design and present architecture models and drawings, it allows a very easy way to create accurate and precise buildings using walls, doors, windows, roofs, slabs, columns, and all of the building parts that create a complete model of the building.

The Architect competes with Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Autodesk Revit Architecture, and Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture; I think the 3D parametric properties of the ArchiCAD's library and the pre-assigned textures is somehow better than the properties of the built-in tools in VectorWorks, but still better than the AutoCAD Architecture tools and objects, and the lack of layers in Revit makes it less suitable in terms of generic CAD features.

VectorWorks Landmark

VectorWorks Landmark (I think) is the best program for the urban designer and site architects for modeling and handling landscape and site engineering projects; it understands the concepts of site models, DTM models, plants, hardscape, irrigation plans, roads, parking, and miscellaneous items associated with land.

The ability of Landmark to understand the site as intelligent objects inside its environment is unique among BIM applications that mostly use site models as an accessory to the building model; and it is not like Autodesk Civil 3D, where is more targeted towards civil engineers and site modeling more than site designing and site planning.

VectorWorks Spotlight

VectorWorks Spotlight is the de-facto standard in light designing projects for the theaters, it includes a huge lighting library, coupled with the 2D and 3D capabilities of VectorWorks, it is one of the more advanced tools and one of the most sophisticated in the industry.

VectorWorks Machine Design

VectorWorks Machine Design is concerning with the designing and modeling of the machines, I think it is one of the more intuitive tools in the market, but I have no familiarity in this field.

VectorWorks Designer

VectorWorks Designer is the ultimate edition of VectorWorks; it combines the functionality of all the VectorWorks editions in one interface under the same umbrella, it is priced under $3000 and includes the RenderWorks engine for advanced 3D visualization inside VectorWorks (RenderWorks can be purchased as an option for any of the above products).