VectorWorks provides a robust 2D drafting functionality with a variety of tools and commands. 2D drawing tools are designed for drafting alone. While these objects will display in a 3D drawing view, they will not interact with the 3D environment.
Notice that when you move the cursor into the Drawing Area, the cursor changes to show a picture representing the tool selected.
2. Follow the specific directions for creating that object through a series of clicks.
To create an object with multiple modes
Modes are displayed in the Mode Bar.
Notice that when you move the cursor into the Drawing Area, the cursor changes to show a picture representing the tool selected.
3. Follow the specific directions for creating that object through a series of clicks.
You can create lines which are constrained or unconstrained. VectorWorks' default settings for constrained lines are 30° , 45° , and 90° angles, as well as their complements constrained to multiples of 30° , and 45° .
2. Click either the Constrained single line or the Unconstrained single line mode button.
Constrained means that the line will be drawn either horizontal or vertical only.
Unconstrained allows you to create lines at any angle.
To create a line while in either mode that snaps to predetermined angles, press and hold the Shift key while drawing.
With the Double Line Tool, you can easily create a wide variety of constrained and unconstrained double lines. In addition, you can choose how far apart you want the double lines to be, how you want the lines offset from your mouse cursor as you create, and if you want a cavity line between them.
2. Click either the Constrained double line or the Unconstrained double line mode button.
Constrained means that the line will be drawn either horizontal or vertical only.
Unconstrained allows you to create lines at any angle.
To create a line while in either mode that snaps to predetermined angles, press and hold the Shift key while drawing.
3. Click the offset mode button for the offset method you want to use.
4. Click Double Line Preferences and set your preferences.
Enter the distance you want between your double lines in Separation.
If you picked the Custom Control Line (to specify an offset value), enter the distance you want the top/right line of your polygon to be from your cursor as you create in Control Offset.
Select the Option you want to use:
If you want a cavity line to be created between your double lines, click Cavity Lines. Then, in the Cavity Setup dialog box that appears, click New.
If you want the cavity line offset, enter the distance in Offset.
Enter the line thickness and style for the cavity line.
If you want the cavity line to have a fill pattern, click the Filled Cavity checkbox; then type in the Width of the fill and select a fill pattern from the Fill pulldown menu. Then click OK.
6. Click at the double line start point.
Notice that as you move the cursor an interactive image of the double line appears. It is not set until the last click.
You can create constrained or unconstrained leader lines with the Leader Line Tool. A leader line is a pair of line segments. One segment has an arrow head (marker) at the end.
Note: Leader lines use the default arrow attribute settings.
2. Click either the Constrained single line or the Unconstrained single line mode button.
Constrained means that the line will snap to predetermined angles.
Unconstrained allows you to create lines at any angle.
The Quarter Arc Tool creates circular 90° arcs or 90° elliptical arc polyline objects.
Note: Quarter arcs are labeled as polylines, in VectorWorks' Object Info palette.
2. Click at the start point for the arc.
Notice that as you move your cursor, a rubber band box for the arc is shown. SmartCursor cues can help you judge the angle and shape of the arc.
3. Click at the end point for the arc.
Note: The ratio of your arc's height to its width displays in the Data Display Bar (a quarter arc for a circle has a ratio of 1.000).
Note: You can use the Data Display Bar to verify or modify an arc's angle, length, and location in a drawing.
The Arc Tool, which creates circular arcs of any angle, has five different modes. You can create an arc by radius, 3 points, tangent, 2 points and center, or 2 points and radius.
2. Click where you want the center for your circle.
3. Click the start point of the arc.
Notice that as you move the cursor, a rubber band box for the arc is shown.
2. Click to set one end point.
3. Click to mark the point you want your arc to pass through.
2. Click to set one end point.
To create an arc by 2 points and center
2. Click the mouse to mark the start point of your arc.
3. Click at the arc's end point.
As you move the cursor the middle of the arc is manipulated.
To create an arc by 2 points and radius
2. Click to mark the start point of your arc.
3. Click to mark the end point of the arc.
The Arc Radius dialog box appears.
The Rectangle Tool allows you to create any rectangular shape. It provides the ability to create squares as well.
2. Click at the rectangle start point.
3. Click at the rectangle end point.
Note: To create a square, hold down the Shift key while creating.
You can create a rectangle that is rotated at an angle. Rotated rectangles are labeled as polygons, not rectangles, in VectorWorks' Object Info palette.
2. Click to mark the start of the rectangle.
As you move the cursor, a dotted line appears indicating the angle of the rectangle to be created. Move around until the desired angle is attained.
VectorWorks lets you create rounded rectangles with symmetrical and/or proportional corners. VectorWorks' default is set for Proportional corners. This creates rectangles with corners that always round to be 1/3 of both the X and the Y lengths. Symmetrical corners are ones where the rounded corners have the same X and Y measurements. Rounded rectangles with both symmetrical and proportional corners have the same horizontal and vertical arc lengths. If you prefer, you can create rounded rectangles using exact X and Y measurements.
2. Click the Preferences button.
The Round Rect Prefs dialog box appears.
3. Enter the type of corners you want.
Click the Symmetrical and/or the Proportional checkbox.
Or, if you prefer, type in the precise Corner X and Corner Y measurements.
5. Click to mark the start point.
A rubber band box for the rectangle is shown as the cursor is moved.
2. Click to mark one corner of the rubber band box that contains the ellipse.
The rubber band box for the ellipse is shown as you move the cursor.
Note: To create a circle, press the Shift key while you create.
2. Click to mark the center of your circle.
A rubber band box with the circle's radius is shown as you move the cursor.
To create a circle by diameter
2. Click to mark a point on your circle.
A rubber band box with the circle's diameter is shown as you move the cursor.
3. Click to set the end point of the diameter that defines the circle.
To create a circle by three points
2. Click to mark a point on the circle.
The Single-Line Polygon Tool creates open and closed polygons that have single lines. In VectorWorks, you can create polygons with as few as three vertices or as many as 32,767 vertices.
To create single-line polygons
2. Click to mark the polyline's start point (first vertex).
If you want to create an open polygon, double-click at the final vertex.
If you want to create a closed polygon, single-click the first vertex (a point cue appears). VectorWorks will automatically join the first and last vertex, creating a closed polygon.
With the Double-Line Polygon Tool, you can easily create a wide variety of closed polygons that have two outlines, or create two parallel lines. Your double-line polygons can have as few as three vertices, or as many as 32,767 vertices. In addition, you can choose how far apart you want the double lines to be, how you want the lines offset from your mouse cursor as you create, and if you want a cavity line between them.
To create a double-line polygon
2. Click the mode button for the offset method you want to use.
If you want the cursor to create the right line, click the first mode button.
If you want the lines to be equidistant from the cursor, click the second mode button.
If you want the cursor to create the left line, click the third mode button.
If you want to specify an offset value, click the last mode button.
3. Click the Double Polygon Preferences button and enter your criteria.
Enter the distance you want between your double lines in Separation.
If you picked the fourth mode button (to specify an offset value), type the distance you want the top/right line of your polygon to be from your cursor in Control Offset.
Option | Description |
---|---|
Create Lines | Creates a series of lines |
Create Polygons | Creates a double-line polygon. |
Create Lines and Polygons | Creates parallel lines that can have a fill pattern. |
If you want a cavity line to be created between in center of your polygon's double lines, click Cavity Lines. In the Cavity Lines dialog box, click New.
If you want the cavity line offset, type the distance you want to use after Offset.
Enter line thickness and style for the cavity line.
If you want the cavity line to have a fill pattern, select the Filled Cavity checkbox; then type in the Width of the fill and select a fill pattern from the Fill pulldown menu. Then click OK
5. Click to mark the polygon's start point (first vertex).
7. Double-click to mark the polygon's end point (final vertex).
The Regular Polygon Tool is used to create single-line closed polygons, in which all sides of the polygon are the same length. It has three modes. All three let you create regular polygons with as few as three sides or as many as 4,000 sides.
2. Select the mode button for polygon creating method that you want to use.
Note: Holding down the Option (Macintosh) or Control (Windows) key toggles between circumscribed and inscribed.
3. Click the Regular Polygon Setting button.
The Reg Polygon Settings dialog box appears.
4. Enter the Number of Sides you want your polygon to have.
VectorWorks gives you two ways to draw a polyline object: the mouse or the keyboard. If you draw a polyline with the mouse, you can only use one type of control point throughout the polyline. However, if you use the keyboard, you can use a different mode for each control point.
You can also smooth out the corners of the object using the Smoothing command. (See "Smoothing Objects" .)
The standard arrow cursor changes into tiny cross hairs (two crossed lines).
2. Click to mark the polyline's start point.
3. Move the cursor to the end of the segment.
4. Click to mark the end of the segment and the beginning of the next.
Continue drawing segments in this manner until the polyline is complete.
If you're drawing a closed polyline object (one that has the end point of the last segment at the exact start point of the first segment), click the mouse to complete the object.
If you're drawing an open polyline object (one that has the end point of the last segment at a different location than the start point of the first segment), double-click to complete the object.
Note: The resulting polyline object, whether open or closed, is a filled object. To make the object unfilled in order to see objects behind the polyline, edit the object through the Attributes palette.
The 2D Locus Tool places a 2D locus, a reference point, in your drawing when it is in 2D Plan Projection mode. Because they are merely reference points, you cannot reshape or resize loci. They can be moved as any other object can. There is also a double-click dialog box for 2D Loci.
3. Click for each additional locus.
Note: If you select the Snap to Loci preference in VectorWorks Preferences, you can easily create a vertical and horizontal snap line.
The Grid Creator command allows you to create a grid that is part of your VectorWorks drawing--a grid that behaves and prints like all other 2D objects in the drawing file. Don't confuse it with the Reference and Snap grids, which are used for drawing precision only and do not automatically print.
The Create Grid dialog appears.
2. Enter the desired criteria.
Enter the number of Columns and Rows you want to use.
Enter the line weight, in mils, that you want to use for the Thin and the Thick lines in your grid.
Note: If you want to create a grid with four boxes to every inch and each inch marked off visually, you would specify 1/4" for your thin horizontal and vertical grid lines and 4 for the number of squares between thick horizontal and vertical grid lines.
Type the Intervals you want between thick and thin column and row lines.
The measurement you type in Thin Horiz and Thin Vert will determine the size of all squares in your grid.
The number of squares you type in Thick Horiz and Thick Vert will determine how often a thick line appears that separates portions of the grid.
Use these directions if you want to type a sentence or less of text, such as a page header.
The text cursor appears with an indicator showing the alignment of the text to be placed.
2. Click where you wish to enter the text.
A blinking cursor will appear.
If you want to add another line of text to your drawing, move the cursor to a new location on the drawing, click, and type your text.
When you are finished typing lines of text, deselect the Text Tool by selecting another tool, such as the 2D Selection Tool. An X is placed at the insertion point. This is only visible when the text is selected and does not print.
Use these directions if you want to type more than a sentence of text, such as a paragraph of specification details.
The text cursor appears with an indicator showing the alignment of the text to be placed.
2. Click and drag to create a text box.
A rubber band box appears with a blinking cursor in the upper-left corner.
Note: Use hard returns to mark the end of a paragraph or section. VectorWorks automatically wraps text to the next line when it reaches the edge of a textbox.
The text automatically wraps to the next line when it reaches the right edge of the box.
If you want to add another text block, move the cursor to a new location, create another text box, and type your text.
When you are finished typing text blocks, deselect the Text Tool by selecting another tool, such as the 2D Selection Tool. An X is placed at the insertion point and a triangular margin marker is placed along the right, left or both margins depending upon justification. This clearly distinguishes between a line of text and a text block. These are only visible when the text is selected and does not print.
Formatting Lines or Blocks of Text
VectorWorks allows you to change the font, style, size, color, justification, and line spacing (leading) of text. You can change each one of these options for whole blocks of text or for select characters and words only. The following directions cover basic formatting techniques only.
To select the entire text, select the text box. Handles mark the corners of the text box.
To select a section of text, click the Text Tool and click in the text block. Highlight the desired text by dragging over it.
2. From the Text menu, select the text option you want to change.
For example, Font, Size, or Style.
Note: You can easily select a whole word with the text tool--simply double-click anywhere within the word. Double-click and drag to select more than one word.
Note: You can apply color to any text by highlighting it and choosing colors from the Attributes palette.
Text is automatically wrapping when you create a text block. If you resize that text block, the text will automatically wrap. To rewrap the text click the Wrap Text checkbox in the Object Info Palette. This same checkbox can be used to unwrap text in block that has not been resized.
VectorWorks allows you to change the initial (default) text settings. Then, from that point forward, all text that you type--in that drawing or any other--will use your new font, size, style, justification, and line-spacing settings.
2. Make sure that no objects or text are selected in your drawing.
If needed, click the selection arrow on a blank portion of the Drawing Window.
3. From the Text menu, select the text options you want to change.
You can easily create reversed text in VectorWorks. All you need to do is create a filled object and place white text on top of it.
From the File menu, select VectorWorks Preferences.
In the VectorWorks Preferences dialog box that appears, select the tab named Display.
Make sure that the No Fill Behind Text checkbox is selected.
2. Create a rectangle that is slightly larger than the reversed text you want to create.
3. Change the rectangle's fill to black or any other dark color.
4. From the 2D Tools palette, select the Text Tool.
6. Change the pen color of your text to white (or another reverse color).
7. Drag the white text on top of your filled rectangle.
If necessary, change the stacking order so that the text is truly on top of the rectangle.
Note: Reverse text can also be created by setting the fill color of the text block to black and the pen color to white. Put a space before and after the text to extend the box.
The TrueType to Polyline command lets you convert text created with any TrueType font into a polyline. After it is converted, the text is no longer a font and can be edited just like any other polyline. You can then manipulate it like any other object. This is useful when creating 3D text objects. By nature, TrueType fonts are defined by Bézier curves and arc points. VectorWorks uses the same definitions when converting them.
Note: The text conversion is not affected by the Conversion Resolution setting in the VectorWorks Preferences dialog box. However, if you extrude the converted polyline that is created, the 3D Resolution setting in the same dialog box will affect how VectorWorks extrudes the polyline.
Creating Hatch Pattern Definitions
There are two ways to create a hatch pattern: from an existing hatch pattern or from scratch. You have control over how the hatch pattern will appear by editing everything from background color and pen size to specifying very precise offset values. While editing or creating a hatch pattern definition, there are some things that you should keep in mind. A hatch pattern definition is a repetition of the elements of a series of lines in all directions from the beginning point. You select where a line will begin (the Start Point), where it will stop (the Dash Factor), where it will begin to repeat (the Repeat), and the distance separating the line from a neighboring line (the Offset). Once you establish these four values, the pattern is repeated in all directions.
The following table provides descriptions of each of the functions on the Edit Hatch dialog box, which is used to edit and create hatch pattern definitions.
For the Start Point, Repeat, and Offset, you can choose between using the Cartesian coordinate system or the Polar system. Cartesian coordinates are the same as those used in the Drawing Area, where there are X and Y axes with positive and negative sides to the axis. The Polar system defines the lines by length and angle values entered in relation to the origin. In Polar mode, angles are represented as positive or negative values from 0-180. You can also enter the value as a number from 0-359 and VectorWorks will convert it to a negative value if it's over 180. In Polar mode, VectorWorks considers 0 to be at the 3 o'clock position. The text boxes for these four controls change to correspond to the selection of Cartesian or Polar. The Start Point, Repeat, Dash Factor, and Offset functions correspond to the four control handles seen in the sample window. These functions are interactive with the handles in that if you move a handle, the corresponding function's values will change to reflect the move. The Shift key constrains the drag while using the control handles, affecting each of the four functions in different ways.
The following procedures define how to place each type of hatch.
The Attributes palette appears.
2. Select Resources from the Window menu.
The Resources palette appears.
3. Select the desired hatch pattern.
If the hatch pattern is not a part of the current drawing, you will have to import it to use it. Select the hatch pattern from the list and click Import. The hatch pattern is now a part of the current drawing.
4. Click the object(s) you want to apply the hatch to.
5. Select Hatch from the Attributes palette's Fill Style pulldown menu.
6. Select the desired hatch pattern from the pulldown menu of patterns.
2. Select Hatch from the Tool menu.
The Select Hatch dialog box appears.
3. Select the hatch pattern you want to apply from the Hatches list.
The right-hand box displays a preview of the hatch pattern.
You're returned to the Drawing Area and the cursor becomes a paint bucket.
5. Position the paint bucket cursor at the location on the object where you want the hatch pattern to begin.
The hatch will fill space from the paint bucket's location to the boundary created by the surrounding VectorWorks objects.
Note: When you apply a hatch to an object, the tip of the paint which is pouring from the paint bucket marks the beginning of the hatch pattern. This allows you to exactly place the hatch within the object.
Importing Hatch Pattern Definitions
You can import hatch pattern definitions from other VectorWorks drawing files through the Resources palette. If a hatch pattern is not a part of the current drawing, then it must either be imported or created to be used.
The Resources palette appears.
2. Locate and select the hatch pattern to import.
The hatch pattern is now part of your drawing file. You must save the file for the hatch pattern to remain a part of the drawing.
Editing Hatch Pattern Definitions
The Resources palette is used to edit hatch pattern definitions. Before you can edit a hatch pattern, you must first import it into your drawing file.
Note: If you edit a hatch pattern definition that's already used in the drawing by an Associative Hatch, any previous instances will change according to the new definition.
To edit a hatch pattern definition
The Resources palette appears.
2. Locate and select the desired hatch pattern.
The Edit Hatch dialog box appears.
4. Edit the hatch pattern as desired.
See "Creating Hatch Pattern Definitions" on page 6-18 for details on using the controls on this dialog box.
This returns you to the Drawing Area. Any instance of the edited hatch pattern will change according to the new definition.
Note: You can also access the Edit Hatch dialog box from the Select Hatch dialog box that appears when you select the Hatch command on the Tool menu.
Duplicating Hatch Pattern Definitions
You can duplicate any hatch pattern definition quickly and easily. The duplicate can then be used as a basis for creating a new hatch or for making slight changes, such as colors.
Note: When you duplicate a hatch pattern, VectorWorks enters a default name created from the name of the original definition. To rename the hatch pattern, you must select it and click the Edit button. To make the duplicate hatch pattern a permanent part of the drawing file, you must save the file after the duplicate hatch pattern is created.
To duplicate a hatch pattern definition
The Select Hatch dialog box appears.
2. Select the desired hatch pattern from the Hatch list.
The duplicate hatch pattern is given a default name by VectorWorks and entered in the list of hatch patterns.
4. Select the duplicate hatch pattern.
The Edit Hatch dialog box appears.
6. Enter a new name for the hatch pattern in the Name text box.
This returns you to the Drawing Area and the duplicate hatch pattern is ready to be used.
Note: You can also use the Resources palette to create a duplicate hatch pattern.
Removing Hatch Pattern Definitions
A hatch pattern definition can be removed from a drawing file at any time. There are two ways you can remove a hatch pattern definition: through the Resources palette or through the Hatch command.
To remove a hatch pattern definition
The Resources palette appears.
2. Click the name of the desired hatch pattern from the Hatch list.
A dialog box appears asking you to confirm the deletion of the hatch pattern.
The hatch pattern definition is deleted from the drawing file.
Note: If the hatch pattern definition is being used as an Associative Hatch in the drawing, then the hatch pattern is removed from the object as well.
The Number Stamp Tool allows you to easily place a number or letter next to an object. You can attach the number or letter to the object and use it to create and attach database records for inclusion in a worksheet. You could also use it to indicate the order in which various parts are assembled to create an object.
If you've previously used the Number Stamp Tool in this drawing, the tool continues with the settings you previously made. To make changes to these settings, click on the Number Stamp Preferences button in the Mode Bar.
If you haven't used the tool in this drawing, clicking in the Drawing Area with the mouse button displays the Number Stamp Preferences dialog box.
2. Click the Shape checkbox to create a shape around the identifier information.
Choose a shape by clicking the radio button next to the desired shape. Enter dimensions for the shape by clicking Height and Width or Diameter text boxes, as appropriate to the shape, and entering a size.
4. Enter database record info, if desired.
The name of any attached database records appears under Record Name.
To attach a database record to the number stamp, click Attach. The Attach Record to Number dialog box appears. Choose a record from the scroll list and click Attach. This returns you to the Number Stamp Preferences dialog box and the name of the attached record appears under Record Name.
5. Enter the Identifier information.
The entries here determine how the number stamp appears. The Start ID field determines what the starting identifier will be and what all the rest will progress from. The Leader field contains text, symbols, or other information that you want to appear before the identifier. The Trailer field contains text, symbols, or other information that appears after the identifier. For example, if you want the number stamps to start at 100 and to include "Part Number" before the number, you would enter "100" in the Start ID field and "Part Number" in the Leader field. The Trailer field would remain blank.
This returns you to the Drawing Area. The cursor changes into tiny crosshairs.
7. Click to place each of the number stamps as desired.
You can also use the Number Stamp Tool to invisibly track database information. In the preferences dialog box, attach a record only and leave all other text boxes and check boxes blank. Like other objects, number stamps can be moved around or resized in your drawing.
The Revision Cloud Tool allows you to add graphic comment areas to your drawing, which identify changes to your drafting plan. You can either create an oval-shaped revision cloud, or a more free-form polygon version. Generally, the revision cloud contains text or a symbol to indicate what the change is. However, you could also place the cloud around an entire portion of the drawing, if appropriate.
2. Choose the style of revision cloud.
Select either the oval revision cloud or a polygon revision cloud by clicking the respective button on the Mode Bar.
3. Draw the outline of the cloud.
For an oval revision cloud, click at the start point, drag the mouse out until the cloud is the desired size, and click again to complete the cloud.
For a polygon revision cloud, click at the start point, then begin drawing the cloud, clicking to mark the end of one segment and the beginning of the next. When you want to close the cloud, click at the initial start point. VectorWorks will fill in the cloud according to the outline.
4. Click the Text Tool from the 2D Tools palette.
The Freehand Drawing Tool lets you use the mouse to draw any shape polyline you want. This means that VectorWorks acts as if you had a pen in your hand instead of the mouse. There's increased sensitivity in the mouse and difficulty in trying to make smooth lines or arcs. However, once mastered, it might be easier and faster to draw certain elements with this tool. After you draw the object, you can smooth it out. (See "Smoothing Objects" .)
The standard arrow cursor changes into tiny cross hairs (two crossed lines).
2. Click-drag to draw the object.
3. When the object is completed, release the mouse button.
VectorWorks automatically places vertices in the object. The number and placement of them is determined by the shape and the speed at which the object was drawn. For example, an object consisting of a series of arcs and curves will have more vertices than a quickly drawn series of lines.