#Vectorworks vs archicad software
#Vectorworks vs archicad mac

You can also bring up the display options by hitting the space key on the keyboard. I found myself waiting twice as long as I wanted to at one second. Those using Apple mice, which lacks a dedicated center mouse button, might benefit from a faster pause time. We also noticed the timer setting doesn’t allow less than one second. That’s because the default lower right palette choice of Standard Views makes sense to have in the grouping, but it makes much less sense for those doing mostly 2D-based work. One thing we noted right off the bat is that predominantly 2D workflow users will want to customize these tools differently than those working mostly in a 3D manner like a typical BIM user. We think users will enjoy customizing this new feature and experimenting with it. Notice also in the view above the drop-down setting for selecting a Tool Set or General Tool options.

#Vectorworks vs archicad mac

The lowest setting is 1 second, which isn’t as low as I think some users would prefer it, especially those using Mac mice. Image 02 – Smart Options Display settings include a setting for when to show when the mouse is idle. You can control whether these features are “on” or “off,” presumably so existing users can decide for themselves whether they want this kind of UI/UX adjustment to their workflow. These new features are controlled via a new Vectorworks preferences dialog palette. The goal here is to reduce “mouse cursor travel” from the drawing area to the tool palettes rimming the application’s edge. This change brings a “heads-up display” technology to the cursor area, where tool palette options are immediately available. Vectorworks Fundamentals is where some of the most interesting new features will likely excite existing users.Ĭhief among them is the new Smart Options Display technology.

#Vectorworks vs archicad software

More than just a metaphor in the subheading above, “fundamental” improvements pertain to those new features core to all Vectorworks versions of the software and available in the most basic package offered in Vectorworks Fundamentals.

Adding to this, the new Structural Grid feature help maintain structural grids in all types of views. Another significant new feature that is important is interoperability with Excel, and the BIM tool now has actual “materials” versus just textures applied to objects. We are particularly interested in evaluating any performance speedups due to the company’s work with Siemens Parasolid and the utilization of multi-threading.

This review will be looking specifically at Vectorworks Architect 2021 and its new and improved capabilities as an architectural CAD/BIM solution. Like most annual updates to the popular CAD and BIM software, the new features and improvements run the gamut from core performance, new 2D and 3D CAD capabilities, new BIM features to new UI/UX, and more.

THE NEW VECTORWORKS ARCHITECT 2021 has been out since last fall, and we have finally given it a good look-over for this review.