Vectorworks for Beginners

Set up a new Vectorworks file and configure workspace preferences. Import the SketchUp reference model of Villa Tugendhat that you'll use throughout the course. Navigate the interface, understand layers and classes, and prepare your drawing environment.

Import the CAD floor plans and position them on the correct layers. Trace over the imported drawings using Vectorworks' 2D drafting tools with snapping and smart cursor cues. Set up design layers for each floor level of the villa.

Build the villa's 3D exterior walls at 300mm thickness using the wall tool. Create floor slabs and begin the roof geometry. Apply materials to walls and understand how 2D plans and 3D model stay coordinated.

Continue the 3D model with additional walls, slabs for upper floors, and roof completion. Model the main staircase using curved walls to form the stair enclosure. Align cut planes so elements display correctly in plan and section views.

Add 150mm interior partition walls to divide the villa's open-plan spaces. Use wall styles and join settings to clean up intersections. Assign classes for organisation and apply materials for rendering control.

Insert windows using the Window tool, matching positions from the imported reference drawings. Customise mullions, glazing configurations, and frame profiles. Fix roof and floor boundaries where openings create conflicts with other geometry.

Add exterior and interior doors using the Door tool with parametric settings for swing direction, thresholds, and hardware. Include sliding doors and explore different leaf configurations. Maintain BIM data integrity for scheduling.

Populate the villa with furniture using the Resource Manager to access Vectorworks' built-in library. Import custom 2D/3D hybrid symbols for iconic pieces. Assign textures and classes so furniture appears correctly in both plan views and renders.

Model the villa's characteristic steel columns using the Structural Member tool. Place cruciform columns at grid intersections and adjust parametric settings for profile and dimensions. Integrate structural elements cleanly with the architectural model.

Import terrain data from the SketchUp reference to create a site model. Use site modifiers to shape the sloped ground around the villa. Add retaining walls, vegetation, and landscape elements from the Resource Manager.

Complete the exterior with terrace slabs, external flooring, and the access road. Use Building Pads to flatten terrain where needed. Add guardrails and apply surface materials to create a cohesive site design.

Set up sheet layers and create a custom title block for your drawing set. Place viewports showing floor plans, elevations, and sections at appropriate scales. Manage drawing numbers and prepare layouts ready for issue.

Add dimensions to plan viewports using dimension tools and text styles. Apply door tags, window tags, and column markers. Use revision clouds and custom annotation symbols to meet architectural documentation standards.

Configure the Heliodon tool to simulate sun paths based on Brno's geographic location. Set date and time to study shadows throughout the day and year. Add interior spotlights and ambient occlusion for balanced lighting in renders.

Position Renderworks cameras to capture interior and exterior views of the villa. Configure render styles from white model to photorealistic. Use the walkthrough tool to create animated camera paths through the building.

Export individual sheets as PDFs and use bulk publish to batch-export the entire drawing set. Export rendered images at print resolution. Prepare files for client presentations, portfolios, or competition submissions.

Create exploded axonometric views that separate building layers to show construction sequence. Apply a clean visual hierarchy with consistent line weights and fills. Produce presentation diagrams entirely within Vectorworks without external software.

Transform technical drawings into atmospheric presentation visuals. Add trees, ground planes, and subtle landscaping elements. Apply colour palettes with soft tones to create a distinctive graphic style for portfolios and competitions.

Develop 2D construction details using Vectorworks' drafting tools. Create detail callouts linked to larger drawings and place them on sheets. Build up annotated wall sections and junction details that communicate construction intent.